Stats don't lie, even in fantasy

Something you might not know about me: I like stats.

Stats are good. Stats are right. Stats work. And stats - you mark my words - will not only save your fantasy season, but they'll save that other malfunctioning corporation called the USofA. (Let's start with the fantasy season and get to the fixing-the-country part later.)

Week 10

Not too late but getting late early. The playoffs are the goal, and you need some tweaking lest you be tardy for the party. You don't need to get a new fantasy. You just need a fantasy that gets you. Here's the solution.

Players to target based on statistical evidence I've gathered over the first nine weeks of the season (or guys I like from here on out):

Ben Roethlisberger - OK, OK, so I once said I'd only start him if my commissioner gave points for pump fakes. Fact: I'm a dope. Fact: Chicks dig pump fakes. Fact: He's sixth in total points and averaging 23-32, 286, 2 a game this year (up from 17-29, 206, 1). I'll bet whoever has him drafted him as a second QB - which would suggest their first is startable - so Ben could be taken for the right price. If you're riding Eli, Cutler or Palmer, this is the plan for you.

Steven Jackson - There's a perception he's a disappointment. (Whisper: It's the touchdowns, right? Cough: It's probably the touchdowns. Overheard: How many touchdowns does he have?) If you're thinking it's the touchdowns, you're right. He's got one. He also has the same number of rushing yards as Adrian Peterson and a much sweeter schedule down the stretch. (a SEA, a CHI, a TENN, a HOU). Asking price will be high, but I'd definitely trade a No. 1 WR to have this No. 1 RB in crunch time.

Beanie Wells - Averaging more than 5 yards a carry the last three weeks and still not getting No. 1 touches. Can you imagine anything sadder? (A crying panda, maybe?) He doesn't face a top-10 rush defense for the rest of the month and as the No. 52-rated RB, he probably can be had for squadoosh.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh - More syllables than quality weeks so far, but all that does is make his current owner want to trade him more. Seattle has been throwing it a ton this season (only Arizona and New England are averaging more passes per game), and I'll take him as my second-half pick to click.