Fantasy football: Backs will get back to scoring

Five weeks left, folks. Say that to your favorite non-geek and you'll get a crooked look, but that's how we roll. Week 17? Pffft. Time to check out the remaining schedules. On the teams with friendly schedules you can find your final trade target or that perfect late-season pickup. The teams with rough roads, start only the studs. None of this analysis factors in the Patriots, who we are trying to ignore.

RUNNING BACKS

Good news: With at least eight teams' schedules dripping with RB points, we expect the position's scoring to shoot way up after 11 weeks of disappointment. Green Bay has four games against soft run defenses. Ryan Grant, Sleeper of the Year? (Depends how he does in the Prep Bowl tonight, right? Ba-dum dum). Count on big finishes from Indy's Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith (pick him up if he's available), and Len-Dale White. Another good potential free-agent: Najeh Davenport. He and Willie Parker will get going again, especially in Week 16 at home vs. the Lambs. If Jamal Lewis doesn't break down, he could be a monster with the energized Browns driving against easy Ds.

Bad news: We wanted to tag Maurice Morris as our late-season sleeper, until we saw his sked. Must-start Steven Jackson has the toughest finish.

THE PASSING GAME

Good news: Carson Palmer started with a bang, and he'll finish with one, too. How does Week 16 at home vs. Cleveland sound? Speaking of the Browns, Derek Anderson has a nice schedule, and load up on Kurt Warner's Cardinals if you can. And -- an inside wink, wink to the true geeks out there -- definitely pick up Billy Volek.

Bad news: That Matt Schaub-to-Andre Johnson connection you were going to ride to the title? There are three great Ds in the way of that plan. And if you're counting on passing points from a Jag or a Bronco ... well, you're probably thinking '08 already anyway.

THE LINE LAST WEEK: 2-0 / SEASON: 18-12-3

D.J. Hackett -3 over Justin Gage

Two WRs worth taking a chance on. Both guys have become their QB's favorite go-to target.

Drew Carter -4 over Sidney Rice

Carter makes a great play vs. the Saints, especially if Strugglin' Smith is limited. Rice not only has the best arm in town, he deserves a look Sunday. Rookies Ted Ginn and Calvin Johnson scored on the Giants in the past three weeks. Is it Rice's turn?

Maurice Morris -5 over Kolby Smith

With Priest taking a well-deserved final bow and LJ injured, Smith becomes the latest Chiefs starting RB. From what we've seen so far, they might have another new one next week. This might be MM's last chance for a nice game.

Matt Schaub -4 over Marc Bulger

Last easy one for the Texans, too.

Chris Carr • fantasy@startribune.com