National Football League

Top 10 waiver claims for Week 17

Published Dec. 30, 2009 8:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

Fantasy star quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Philip Rivers could be resting by the second half. .

Indianapolis and New Orleans have clinched home-field advantage; San Diego has won the AFC’s No. 2 seed; and New England will be playing at home in the first round regardless of Week 17’s outcome.

Heading into the fantasy title game, their owners may want to claim another quarterback who will be more likely to produce a full game of stats.

Find out which quarterbacks can help win the fantasy title, along with players at other fantasy positions.

10. Carolina D/ST

This resurging defense had a superb fantasy outing against the New York Giants on the road. It allowed only three field goals, acquired four sacks, forced four fumbles and created four turnovers (two interceptions, two lost fumbles).

New Orleans will likely be resting Brees for the playoffs and prevent an injury. This could help Carolina’s chances of posting a noteworthy fantasy day at home.

9. Fred Davis, TE, Washington

Though he caught only two passes for 21 yards last game, Davis totaled 17 catches for 211 yards and five touchdowns during the previous four games.

San Diego could be resting its starters after already clinching the second seed. Davis could produce another solid fantasy day as one of Jason Campbell’s top targets.

8. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco

St. Louis ranks among the worst 10 for passing yards (237), and allowed Shaun Hill to throw for two scores in Week 4’s first meeting. Smith has thrown for 11 touchdowns during the past six contests and has already established a career high for passing scores (17).

7. Brandon Gibson, WR, St. Louis

San Francisco ranks as the seventh-worst pass defense and will provide an opportunity for St. Louis to pass effectively. Gibson scored his first NFL touchdown last game and has 11 receptions during two of the past three games.

6. Jabar Gaffney, WR, Denver

With teams focusing on stopping Brandon Marshall from long gains, Kyle Orton has been forced to use secondary options like Gaffney for big plays. Gaffney responded superbly against Philadelphia, catching a team-high seven passes for 69 yards and his first two touchdowns of the season.

He has a favorable matchup against Kansas City’s shaky defense, which ranks among the 11 worst for allowing passing scores (24). Additionally, Orton had success against Kansas City on the road when he threw for two scores and the team scored a season-high 44 points in Week 13’s first meeting.

If Eddie Royal misses his second straight game, that will help Gaffney’s stats even more.

5. Correll Buckhalter, RB, Denver

Entering the afternoon game, Denver needs to win in order to keep its playoffs hopes alive, pending the outcome of Baltimore and/or the New York Jets.

If Denver jumps to a big lead early at home, the rushing tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Buckhalter could help protect it. In fact, he rushed for a season-high 113 yards against Kansas City in Week 13’s lopsided win.

Additionally, Kansas City’s rushing defense ranks as the second worst for yards (161) and has allowed the fourth-most rushing scores (16).

4. Arian Foster, RB, Houston

With no fumbling issues, Foster served as Houston’s featured back last game and ran for 97 yards and one score. Ryan Moats received only eight carries and averaged just 2.9 yards, while Foster had a team-high 19 carries and averaged 5.1 yards.

The Patriots may elect to rest their starters, leaving Foster with more running room.

3. Devin Aromashodu, WR, Chicago

He had his pro coming-out party in Week 14 when he caught eight passes for 76 yards and a score (which came against Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Woodson). He starred again against another highly regarded cornerback Antoine Winfield when he caught seven passes for 150 yards and a score last game.

He’ll be hoping to record another outstanding game against Detroit’s worst-ranked pass defense.

2. Matt Moore, QB, Carolina

“Why wasn’t he playing sooner?” is a question many Steve Smith owners may be asking about Moore. He’s thrown three touchdowns during each of the past two contests, including passing for 299 yards against Minnesota in Week 15.

Though Carolina’s best receiver is out with a broken arm, the team will be playing a Saints team likely to rest its starters for the playoffs.

1. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago

He found his passing groove in a tough divisional matchup against Minnesota last game and threw for 273 yards and four touchdowns.

He next meets Detroit’s worst pass defense for yards (265) and touchdowns (31). Playing in a dome will help his fanasy cause by avoiding inclement weather that could negatively affect his passing stats. Of note, he threw for two scores and ran for another in Week 5’s first meeting with Detroit.