For the people waiting until next year playing the spoiler can be fun. It may not be greatly satisfying being the spoiler; still it beats being depressed, bitter or a non-participant. For the other people considering the play-offs, it is time to look at the time frame for play-offs; weeks 15 and 16.

By this time of the season owners should know what players they have which are dead weight as opposed to those who carry their weight or more. It is time to jettison the dead beats for players with a heart beat. They might just secure a championship season. In this case employing the six P’s should be considered. After all, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Play-Off Performance.

Looking at week fifteen reveals some gem match-ups for the taking.

San Francisco is a struggling franchise. Despite high expectations at the beginning of the season The Niners have hardly set a weak NFC West on fire. Instead their offense has smelled more like fresh manure than fresh roses. They are hosting the Bengals who have hardly registered a winning pulse this year. Despite the lack of offensive out put the Tigers from Cincinnati still have the ability to light up the likes of bottom dwellers. You might look to pick up Carson Palmer or any member of the receiving corps. In addition to them, consider Rudi Johnson who has been out with a hammy or the able bodied Kenny Watson. They may be a readily available bargain now while their stock is below the radar.

Another interesting match-up in the week is the Pack against the Lambs of St. Louis. The Packers should be fighting for home field. Racking up a few yards against these tasty morsels could be just what the doctor ordered and Chef Favre is just the man to do it. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver have the potential to display greatness. Bargains are in the offering with running back Ryan Grant and receiver James Jones. These are players looking to feed on real meat; the lambs may just oblige them.

For those who are looking at more high priced goods, they can consider the match-ups offered to the Colts and Patriots. Sure the Boston Bad Boys have torn up the league this season. They might be looking to be the first team to be undefeated for the regular season since the Dolphins, but their coach is hardly predictable. Still both the Colts and the Pats are looking at sacrificial teams in week fifteen. The Colts are against the improved Raiders while the Pats host the grounded Jets.

Marvin Harrison may be a bargain at the moment as he is still out due to knee injury. He has a few weeks to recover making him a real prospect for an owner. He and Manning should be looking to get back into sync after a long absence; the Raiders could be a team to get well against. Joseph Addai might be out of people’s price range, but his back-up Kenton Keith could be a steal. Depending on where his head is at, Dallas Clark could be a pick up worth taking a shot at. Peyton Manning may be out of your price league, but if there is a struggling owner who possesses him, it might be worth taking a run at acquisition.

By far, the team with the easiest schedule at this critical point in the season is New England. In week fifteen they entertain the Jets, while the following week they are up against the Dolphins. The Pats may be pushing for the undefeated season, or they may be backing up a bit to give Tom Brady, and some of the Bunch, a rest. It is too bad the NFL play-off schedule does not mirror fantasy footballs; then again the Pats may not have such easy pickings.

Consider looking, and possibly touching some of these players; week Sweet 16 is just around the corner.

At first glance week 16 looks to be the closest thing to a shoot out the NFL has to offer. The Rams are in position to be abused twice. After hosting Green Bay, they are scheduled to host the Steelers. The state of Ohio hosts a defenseless game between the Bengals and the Browns. Other match-ups lacking in defense are scheduled between the Eagles and Saints and the Redskins against the Vikings. The Niners get back on the low level performance radar as they host the Bucs from sunny Florida. It looks like Christmas may have come early for fantasy owners this season; many teams should be feasting on well-done goose.

Pittsburgh should be looking to sharpen their blades. Their receiving corps has not really burned up stat sheets this season so Holmes or Ward might be there for the plucking. Big Ben may be a bit too expensive for some owners, but if he belongs to someone looking forward to next year, he might be a quality pick-up for an owner with a strong number one, in search of an exceptional number two.

With rumors abounding about his length of stay in the city of Brotherly Love, Donovan McNabb may be ready to put the free agent market on notice with his last games of this season. Given the ups and downs he had this season, there might be an owner looking to swap number five for some quality chafe. In addition to Donovan is the oft injured Westbrook and a hit or miss receiver in the form of Kevin Curtis. He quietly exited the Rams, then became McNabb’s “go to” this season. It might be worth a flier to pick him up from a disgruntled owner as New Orleans defense this year has resembled the effectiveness of FEMA. On the other hand, the defense of the Eagles has not screamed for much in the way of attention either.

New Orleans has not exploded like they did last year. In fact they have been something in the way of a dud, but there is value in the form of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Marques Colston. Although the offense has had the consistency of oatmeal this season, one of these players may be just what an owner with hole is looking for. Like manna from heaven, one of these Saints could make the off-season profitable.

With Adrian Peterson being hurt, no concrete prognosis yet, and Washington’s offense looking as effective as congress, their match-up looks intriguing as far as the running back position goes. It might be time to strike while you can as Clinton Portis and Peterson might be under valued. Grab them as neither defense can even hold their water. As the game is in the dome weather conditions should be perfect and the track should be fast.

Trade deadlines are fast approaching in every league. It is going to be the shrewd owner who is not just happy to make the play-offs, but wins them. To this end every competitive edge is required. The smart owner will avail themselves of the opportunity to pick up a player or two who can provide them with the needed boost to put them over the top.

Take the time, study your league, then acquire who will help you to the finish line. It is every owner for them self. Strike now while the bargains are there and everyone else in your league is busy worrying about this week. Remember one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure. The best thing about these jewels is they are not buried; they are there for the taking.