Make the Playoffs First, then We'll Talk

With 4 weeks to go in the season you're probably thinking of the playoffs. PLAYOFFS??? YOU KIDDING ME? In reality, you should make Jim Mora happy and focus on making the playoffs first. Anything can happen when you get there, but if you miss the Prom, you can't take home the Queen. Most leagues have their trading deadlines coming up this week, so here's a list of players you should focus on acquiring.

Peyton Manning (QB - IND) Upcoming Schedule: HOU, SD, CLE, CIN

At this point you're probably tired of hearing about Eli's older brother. You've seen him endorsing cell phones with his mustache, telling you which TV you should buy, and teaching kids how to steal cars. Manning hasn't looked like the same QB so far this year, partially because his knee injury doesn't allow him to perform his passing tree in warm-ups like he's done in years past. After watching the likes of Flacco, Thigpen, and Schaub rip apart his next four opponents, you have to be high on him down the stretch. Sell the owner on a banged up line, a piss poor running attack, and an old Marvin Harrison. Now is the last chance to buy that 6'4", 240 lb. quarterback.

Matt Ryan (QB - ATL) Upcoming Schedule: DEN, CAR, SD, NO

Forget about Rookie of the year, whispers are now starting for MVP. He's thrown two TDs in four of his last five games. Suddenly Falcons fans are as excited as you were when Sharon Stone opened her legs in Basic Instinct. Find your inner Michael Douglas and attack while the iron is hot. Denver made Quinn capable in his NFL debut. San Diego hasn't stopped anyone through the air without their roided superstar Merriman. And you already saw what Ryan did in his first game against the Saints. The freshman fifteen here is not at the waist, but in your scoreboard every week from the quarterback position.

Ladainian Tomlinson (RB - SD) Upcoming Schedule: PIT, IND, ATL, OAK

Most people are downright sour on LT, but I'm not ready to show my bitter beer face. His market value couldn't be much lower right now and if you're worried about making the playoffs, wouldn't you want to see your RB1 facing the Colts, Falcons, and Raiders in the last three weeks of the regular season? The Chargers have shown the ability to move the ball through the air, which should open up some holes for LT going forward. Take advantage of another owner's perceived mistake and push the issue that LT's obviously not the same player he drafted. You might not even need alcohol to pull this off.

Marshawn Lynch (RB - BUF) Upcoming Schedule: CLE, KC, SF, MIA

No one's really sure what's been going on with Lynch in these last few weeks. Usually you could count on him as your fallback. Offering the same satisfaction of a McDonald's Double Cheeseburger, Lynch's 70 yards and a TD was seemingly a sure thing. In the last three weeks, he's had to fight through a tough divisional schedule, but he's got clear skies ahead. Throw on some SPF-15 and enjoy Lynch dominating one of the easiest schedules a RB could ask for in the next few weeks.

Chris Johnson (RB - TEN) Upcoming Schedule: JAX, NYJ, DET, CLE

Last week Johnson was introduced to the current situation on Wall Street. Swarmed by Bears, he was limited to his lowest output of the season. This week he'll face the Jacksonville defense which has given up productive fantasy days to Cedric Benson and Kevin Smith, not exactly the second coming of Payton and Sayers. While the Jets matchup isn't too friendly, Week 13 and 14 against the Lions and Browns will mean big things. Don't worry baby. You can always find the hole when you're running with a Big Johnson.