Care to know how fickle the realm of fantasy football can be these days? Despite 1,636 total yards and 20 combined TDs in 2008 -- including 14 scores from Weeks 11-16 -- Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams can scarcely be found on the Top 15 lists for 2009 ... including the one Jeff Ritter and I churned out on Christmas Eve. This seed of future doubt stems from 1) Williams' out-of-nowhere resurgence in the season's second half, leaving many to peg him as a one-hit wonder ... and 2) that 2008 first-rounder Jonathan Stewart -- a younger, bigger and perhaps faster version of Williams -- lurks in D-Will's shadow and could easily steal many carries and red-zone opportunities in '09 and beyond.

But alas, Williams has one final chance -- in my mind, at least -- to solidify a spot in the Top 10 rankings for next year, in the form of posting stellar playoff numbers and presumably leading Carolina to a Super Bowl berth. Is it a just fate for arguably the 2008 Fantasy MVP -- proving his worth all over again to the masses? Of course not; but that's the reality surrounding Williams, who had only 1,218 rushing yards and seven total TDS in his first two NFL seasons. As for Panthers-Cardinals ... let's be honest here: Williams and Stewart couldn't have asked for a better matchup in the Divisional Playoffs round. Arizona's run defense has proven to be fairly decent at home; but the unit is also a virtual lead-pipe cinch to get flummoxed in Charlotte on Saturday, making Carolina the easiest pick to advance to the conference championship. In my rankings below, I have Williams slotted ahead of Brian Westbrook, Brandon Jacobs and Chris Johnson -- which means 140 total yards and 1 TD is easily within his grasp. As for Stewart, he's a solid play at 120 yards and 1 TD -- the kind of numbers which reinforce exactly why Williams is a cautionary 1st-rounder in '09 fantasy drafts.

(Note: Playoff performers can only be chosen once during the Super Bowl tournament. Last week, I selected Kurt Warner, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Ryan Longwell and the Vikings D/ST.)

QB: Donovan McNabb
RB: Brandon Jacobs, DeAngelo Williams
WR: Hines Ward, Steve Smith
RB/WR: Brian Westbrook
TE: Heath Miller
K: Nate Kaeding
D/ST: Steelers

Since I whiffed on the Vikings, Dolphins and Colts advancing to Round 2 of the NFL playoffs, here are my new predictions for the tournament:

Divisional Playoffs
Philadelphia over N.Y. Giants
Carolina over Arizona
Pittsburgh over San Diego
Tennessee over Baltimore

Conference Championships
Carolina over Philadelphia
Tennessee over Pittsburgh

Super Bowl
Tennessee over Carolina

1. Donovan McNabb, Eagles
2. Jake Delhomme, Panthers
3. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
4. Kurt Warner, Cardinals
5. Eli Manning, Giants
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
7. Kerry Collins, Titans
8. Joe Flacco, Ravens

1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
2. Steve Smith, Panthers
3. Hines Ward, Steelers
4. Domenik Hixon, Giants
5. Santonio Holmes, Steelers
6. Derrick Mason, Ravens
7. Steve Breaston, Cardinals
8. Kevin Curtis, Eagles
9. Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
10. Justin McCareins, Titans

1. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
2. Brian Westbrook, Eagles
3. Brandon Jacobs, Giants
4. Chris Johnson, Titans
5. Willie Parker, Steelers
6. Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
7. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
8. Darren Sproles, Chargers
9. Derrick Ward, Giants
10. LenDale White, Titans

1. Edgerrin James (this should explain why he was benched in the first place)
2. Joe Flacco (if the Ravens advance ... it likely won't stem from the QB play)
3. Vincent Jackson (expect his midweek arrest to be a major distraction)
4. Hank Baskett (not an indictment on the Eagles' passing-game potential for Sunday)
5. LaDainian Tomlinson (for all the people who tabbed the injured LT in survivor playoff pools)

1. Rob Bironas, Titans
2. David Akers, Eagles
3. Nate Kaeding, Chargers
4. Jeff Reed, Steelers
5. John Kasay, Panthers
6. Matt Stover, Ravens
7. John Carney, Giants
8. Neil Rackers, Cardinals

Now that the Detroit Lions have pulled off the first 0-16 season in NFL history, and Georgia QB Matthew Stafford has officially declared for the '09 draft ... I have a kind-hearted but terse message for my childhood/hometown team: Don't screw this one up! Yes, I fully realize the Lions require across-the-board help on defense (try nine new staters, after Ernie Sims and Leigh Bodden); yes, I know the offensive and defensive lines are on the brink of disaster; yes, I understand the Lions may be gun-shy about drafting another QB or WR (Michael Crabtree?) in Round 1; and yes, Detroit arguably has its best depth at quarterback (as sad as that may sound) ... so grabbing someone to supplant Drew Stanton, Dan Orlovsky and Daunte Culpepper might not be a high priority.

Taking all those factors into account ... I would still take Stafford at No. 1. In my opinion, he is the best QB prospect the NFL has seen since Peyton Manning in '98 or Michael Vick in '01 ... and, for good measure, stands as the better John Elway clone (he even looks like old #7) over Jay Cutler. Look, I know Detroit fans (my father included) have zero faith in the franchise's current administration, and rightfully so ... but even the Lions know Rule No. 1 about rebuilding a team from the ground up: NEVER pass on a "can't-miss" QB, unless you already have a can't-miss QB in the fold.

Since this is a fantasy column, I'll end with this: In three years, Stafford will be a top-3 QB in all drafts -- no matter the format. He's that good!

In the SI.com & Friends hoops league, my team (Muppets Go Medieval) has been in a tailspin over the last few weeks -- thanks, in part, to the unspeakably long absence of Jazz PF Carlos Boozer ... and now, I cannot find one of my fellow owners to surrender a Tier II guard (point or shooting) for a guy who's averaging 20.5 points and 11.7 boards per game AND appears set for a Valentine's Day return after arthroscopic knee surgery!

When did it all go so wrong for Boozer? How did he quickly morph from reliable All-Star for an elite contender to a diva-like performer who seems more interested in his next team (via free agency this summer) than the current one? And, why isn't he driven to return to the hardwood, now that Paul Millsap (15.5 pgg/9.6 rpg) is flirting with All-Star consideration in Carlos' stead? It's enough to drive one batty ... and it's enough to give Boozer a captain's role on my All-Lukewarm Team, as in "I'm still a little lukewarm about labeling these guys as fantasy bums or busts just yet."

Yes, it's early ... but here's my list of this season's most overrated (or most underwhelming, take your pick) fantasy performers:

Carlos Boozer, Jazz (as noted above)
Jason Richardson, Bobcats/Suns (good stats to date, but ones not befitting a top-30 pick)
Leandro Barbosa, Suns (his stale play trumps the occasional flash of brilliance)
Greg Oden, Blazers (he's basically the Jeff Foster of the West -- and that's not necessarily a good thing)
Gilbert Arenas, Wizards (obviously you don't value the draft if you grabbed him in the 9th round or better)
Tyson Chandler, Hornets (was I wrong to expect Marcus Camby-like rebounding numbers from TC?)

You'd think a substantial injury involving the Nuggets' best player would be a crippling blow to the club's playoff chances in the hotly contested Western Conference, huh? But the lovable eggheads at Accuscore are far from despondent over Carmelo Anthony's broken hand (likely knocking the All-Star out for approximately 3-4 weeks). In fact, Accuscore writer Jonathan Lee believes the 1-2 punch of Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith should preserve the team's standing and keep Denver in prime pouncing position whenever 'Melo returns to the court. Speaking of the playoff races, Accuscore also has its never-too-early predictions for the 16 playoff locks.

There's nothing like a second chance in life, and the same thinking applies to fantasy football, as well. SI.com presents the ultimate fantasy game for owners whose dreams of a fantasy title went unfulfilled in the regular season, or the greedy owners who simply covet two championships in the same year: Facebook's Postseason Fantasy Football.

This test of fantasy survival is like no other game you've ever played, but it'll call on your keen abilities to predict the future -- one NFL week at a time. Are you game? Are you savvy enough to bring your fantasy expertise to a whole new level? This is a golden opportunity to win a slew of fantastic prizes, along with getting one last shot at redemption after taking Tom Brady in Round 1 of your fantasy-league draft.