Late playoff help may still be available

BOB HARRIS Back Page Larry Johnson finally gets his first start for the Chiefs after two consecutive 100-yard games. AP

So, you've made it to the playoffs -- perhaps riding most of the way on the coattails of a Priest Holmes. Maybe Carson Palmer's recent surge put you over the top. Perhaps Marc Bulger's consistent -- if not spectacular -- production was behind your team's success.

You see where I'm heading here. Whether it's due to injury or performance-related attrition, many fantasy owners enter their playoffs in serious need of immediate help.

With that thought in mind, here are four players who find themselves in prime position to offer quick -- if not unexpected -- fixes.

Warrick Dunn, RB, Atlanta Falcons

With T.J. Duckett slated to miss at least a week with a knee injury, Warrick Dunn will receive the majority of the carries in Saturday night's game against Carolina. The 5-9, 180-pound Dunn can't wait for another opportunity to fight the perception that he is too small to handle a heavy workload.

"A lot of guys around the league get 20-plus carries, and they rack up yards," Dunn said. "I think maybe because I'm not the biggest or the heaviest guy, that sometimes is weighed a little bit.

"I've always told people that if I get an opportunity to carry the ball enough I'll pick up yards."

He has an argument.

In back-to-back games late last season, Dunn had 25 carries for 178 yards against the New York Giants and 23 carries for 162 yards against New Orleans. He averaged 93.5 yards per game in six games with 20 or more carries in 2002, but he has averaged about 15 carries this year.

"You look back on the numbers and you can say it means a lot, but I just go out and play," Dunn said. "The more carries you get, it helps. ... You have to be patient."

Dunn had 25 carries for 103 yards in the Falcons' 35-10 win over Oakland last Sunday, while Duckett added 12 carries for 65 yards, including his four touchdown runs.

Running backs coach Ollie Wilson says Dunn responds well when asked to handle the bulk of the carries.

"Sometimes when Warrick knows he's the guy, then he becomes the guy," Wilson said.

Look for him to prove Wilson right against a Panther defense that's giving up 114 yards per game on the ground.

Kyle Boller, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Boller had his first four-touchdown game of his career Sunday. The second-year starter had only seven touchdowns in his previous 12 starts this season.

For Boller, who was 18-for-34 for 219 yards, it was as if he went back to his senior season at California, where he had two five-touchdown games.

But as the Baltimore Sun said Monday: "It was, in all fairness, just as much his receivers as it was Boller. ..."

Clarence Moore and tight end Todd Heap, the recipients of two scores apiece, worked over the Giants' smaller cornerbacks.

"With Clarence on the same side on me, I'm looking at him saying, who are you going to double?" Heap asked.

Heap makes an excellent point.

While the Ravens will rely heavily on their rushing attack to keep Peyton Manning off the field, Indy's suspect pass defense should be easy pickings for the trio of Boller, Heap and Moore -- especially in the red zone.

Domanick Davis, RB, Houston Texans

Although he got off to a rather slow start this season, Davis has come on strong in recent weeks.

In fact, his 128 rushing yards on 23 carries against the Colts last week were a yard short of his career high, set last year against the Jets and tied Nov. 28 against the Titans. His 73 receiving yards on six catches were second to his 95 yards against the Lions earlier this season.

His 201 total yards were a career best, surpassing his 199 (129 rushing, 70 receiving) against the Jets in 2003.

This weekend, he goes up against a Chicago defense that not only runs the kind of Cover 2 scheme that David Carr can't seem to overcome, but one that isn't very good against the run and will be minus linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Johnson came off the bench and produced his second consecutive 100-yard game -- including touchdown runs of 46 and 41 yards in Monday night's 49-38 victory at Tennessee. He will start in place of Derrick Blaylock, who is slowed by a strained knee, against the Broncos this weekend.

Johnson finished Monday night's game with 104 yards in seven carries, a week after leading the Chiefs with 118 yards and a touchdown, plus three catches for 56 yards and a touchdown in a 34-27 victory at Oakland.

"He's gaining confidence and a better understanding in what's happening within the running game," head coach Dick Vermeil said. "How to read the blocks, a little more patience getting to the line of scrimmage and more explosive when he gets there. ... Pulling through tackles with powerful legs and speed around the corner."

This week's opponent, the Broncos, are tough against the run, but the Chiefs lead the league with 26 rushing touchdowns this season -- an accomplishment that has more to do with the offensive line than the ballcarrier or opposing defense.

Billy Volek, QB, Tennessee Titans

Volek, coming off a career-best performance against the Chiefs, is all but certain to start again this weekend; Steve McNair is still nursing a bruised sternum and in no shape to work behind the team's patchwork offensive line.

In five starts and one significant relief effort, Volek is 154-of-249 for 1,708 yards, along with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. His completion percentage is 61.8.

He has connected with receiver Drew Bennett at a remarkable rate the last two weeks -- Bennett has 15 catches, 357 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Of the Titans' 17 plays over 30 yards this season, 15 have been passes. Of those 15, seven are Volek-to-Bennett passes.

I'm looking for more of the same against an Oakland defense that seems to be less interested in playing defense with each passing week.

Bob Harris is Editor and Webmaster of the TFL Report and Senior Editor for Fantasy Sports Publications.