With another week down in fantasy land, playoffs for most leagues are right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty nervous. Last year, I remember steadily holding the top spot in a league before falling in the playoffs thanks to a Randy Moss-Wes Welker tandem domination of the Raiders. Anything can happen, and in these crucial moments, you can either make the playoffs or fall out of contention. Here’s some analysis on the past two weeks of action with a look ahead to the next few critical games with some players that you might be debating sitting or starting.

TERRELL OWENS — His production had seen a spike for the two games before his 197-yard outburst against the Jaguars (which included a touchdown), and he continued putting up numbers against Miami with 96 yards and a score. Ryan Fitzpatrick starting in Buffalo has allowed T.O. to shine, and new interim head coach Perry Fewell has restored the offensive luster that Bills fans were hoping to see weeks ago. The Bills face New England and Indianapolis in Weeks 15 and 17, so those will be tough matchups, but T.O. looks to be safe to deploy as a No. 2 or flex WR.

JUSTIN FORSETT — Explosion! Forsett had his third straight big game, this time going for 130 yards and two scores. He now has 368 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in his three games as Seattle’s feature back. Julius Jones had to wait another week to come back, and it’s tough to know what will happen to Forsett’s load once Jones gets back in. But if you’re feeling lucky, start him; if he gets the touches, he will give you production.

BRAYLON EDWARDS — No. You shouldn’t be looking to Edwards for fantasy help; if you are, may God help you come playoff time.

PHILIP RIVERS — The Chargers’ recent surge has kept Rivers’ production level relatively high. He’s been consistent so far this year, and he will continue to give you good, but not fantastic, numbers for the rest of the year as San Diego pushes for the playoffs.

BRANDON JACOBS — Tough call here. Fantasy owners thought he’d be the premier back on a powerhouse team, but now he’s the mediocre back on a team that’s falling fast. He’s scored only three times this year and hasn’t eclipsed the 100-yard barrier yet. He’s a risky start; try to look elsewhere.

GREG JENNINGS — Another guy with a similar situation. Jennings is playing with the No. 1 fantasy QB but had just 53 yards against the lowly Lions. You should be worried as an owner, but the fact remains that Jennings is a great athlete, and he will give you a good game down the stretch. It might only happen once more this season, but think long and hard before you sit him.

CHAD OCHOCINCO — After seven weeks of incredible production that thrust him into the elite fantasy WR conversation, he has been nonexistent for four straight games. The Bengals are running the ball well, and Ochocinco has become a risky fantasy play. He even performed poorly against Cleveland, so it’s tough to play any matchup as soft. Start him at your own risk; this might last the rest of the year.

TONY ROMO — I would stay away. Romo usually disappears in December, so if you have another QB to play, do it.

STEVE SMITH — I’m talking about both of them: the Giants receiver and the Carolina receiver. The former started off the season on a tear with four TD’s and two 100-yard receiving performances in his first four games, and has since scored just once and passed 100 yards exactly zero times. The latter started slow, and as Jake Delhomme played better, his numbers spiked. Things were looking up until he laid an egg against the Jets last week. They’re both very risky plays right now.

KENNY BRITT — It’s an interesting decision when one is making waiver-wire pickups this late, but Britt might be a guy you want to start if you have the room. His chemistry with the surging Vince Young has shown over the past two games, but will it keep up? I would pick him up, but wait to start him until after this week’s game to see if he still gets the targets.

LAURENCE MARONEY — Start him! My best fact of the day: only one NFL running back has scored a touchdown in every game he’s played in since Week 6. It’s not Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, MJD or Ray Rice. It’s Maroney! I laughed him off this year, but I was wrong; once he got the touches in New England, he dominated. He is well worth your starting spot.

BRIAN WESTBROOK and CLINTON PORTIS — So here are two prime-time guys that you’re wondering if you should hang onto heading into the playoffs. Neither will play next week, but can you afford the roster spot? In leagues with deep benches, yes, keep them. Otherwise, it’s time to let go. Portis is more worth hanging onto than Westbrook because Philly is content with LeSean McCoy running for them. But even if they come back, what are the odds that they produce?

MIKE SIMS-WALKER — He has shown flashes of talent and flashes of mediocrity. He’s one of those guys that if his team is struggling, his production drops to zero. If you think the Jacksonville team as whole will play well, it’s safe to deploy him. But when they’re getting blown out, Sims-Walker isn’t one of the receivers that can get you stats regardless.

VINCENT JACKSON — Don’t panic. Rivers will find him. I wouldn’t advise sitting him unless you have far better options, even though he’s had three straight bad games.

FRED JACKSON — Has he returned to relevance? Much like T.O., Jackson has thrived after the head coaching change. If he gets the starting RB job (which he deserves right now), he could have some big games left in him. But if the Bills’ offense goes stagnant again, Jackson won’t give you anything. Ride with Freddy while he’s hot, but don’t let yourself get burned.