MVP

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego: If you own Tomlinson, you’ve had an ear-to-ear smile on your face all season. Most of the preseason debates over the No. 1 overall pick were between Kansas City’s Larry Johnson and Seattle’s Shaun Alexander. Tomlinson, however, has outperformed Johnson and Alexander and has regained his title as fantasy king.

Tomlinson’s recent huge games have put him in a class by himself. In the last four weeks, he has scored four touchdowns once, three twice and two (one was a passing TD) once. Those huge TD days single handedly can lift his fantasy owners to victories. Tomlinson’s 14 first-half touchdowns put him on pace to tie Alexander’s single-season touchdown record of 28 scores.

Runner Up: Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia.
Nominees: Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City; Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis.

Biggest Surprise

Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans: You didn’t have Colston on your preseason draft cheat sheet? Don’t worry. Nobody did. The seventh-round, fourth-to-last pick of the 2006 NFL draft out of Hofstra has gone from an undrafted fantasy receiver to an every-week must start. His 700 receiving yards and scoring consistency (a touchdown in six of eight games and seven total) have made him the top fantasy receiver this season and one of the biggest surprises in many years.

Runner Up: Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago.
Nominees: Jon Kitna, QB, Detroit; Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville; Bernard Berrian, WR, Chicago; Owen Daniels, TE, Houston.

Biggest Bust

LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland: The Raider was taken as high as a top-five running back in preseason fantasy drafts. He hasn’t even been worth starting while running behind Oakland’s pathetic offensive line. He barely ranks among the top-40 running backs in most scoring systems, with just 447 total yards and one touchdown. To put salt in his owners’ wounds, Jordan has a microscopic eight receptions after leading all running backs last season with 70 catches.

Runner Up: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Miami.
Nominees: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas; Carnell Williams, RB, Tampa Bay; Randy Moss, WR, Oakland; Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati.

Hot Read

David Garrard, QB, Jacksonville: It looks like Garrard will remain the Jaguars’ starting quarterback the rest of the season as Byron Leftwich struggles through an ankle injury. Pick him up if he’s available in your league, but temper your expectations. Garrard threw three touchdown passes last week, but that was the first time he’s done that in 10 career games that he’s seen significant action. He’s averaged just 184 yards with nine touchdowns in those games. Garrard’s running abilities (six career rushing TDs), however, makes him worth the gamble of picking him up.

Broken Play(er)

Brad Johnson, QB, Minnesota: Owners who took a flyer on Johnson last week with a favorable matchup against the horrendous San Francisco pass defense got burned. He threw for just 136 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against the 49ers. Johnson has just four TDs, eight interceptions and has thrown for less than 200 yards the last three weeks in the Vikings’ struggling offense. It’s time to drop the aging quarterback and look elsewhere.

Off The Bench

Warrick Dunn, RB, Atlanta: The veteran could gain 100 yards with his shoes tied together when the Falcons host the pathetic Cleveland run defense. The Browns have allowed 150-plus yard rushing games five times this season. Dunn has 404 rushing yards in four home games and has picked up a touchdown in the last two at the Georgia Dome.

Safe Bet

Roy Williams, WR, Detroit: The Lion receiver will extend his consecutive games with a touchdown to four. He faces San Francisco -- which has allowed 15 passing touchdowns (tied for second most in the league) -- at home. With games coming up against Arizona and Miami, Williams’ streak could reach at least six games.

Extra Point

If you’re likely to make your league’s playoffs, take a look at the schedule during Weeks 15 and 16 (when most leagues hold their playoffs) and target acquiring players with favorable matchups during those weeks through trades and waiver-wire pick ups.