Sports writers usually want as many readers as possible. This week however, I hope members of the Conroe Fantasy Football League don't read this.

My column idea is from Brian Williams, my brother-in-law and leader of his league with membership in and around Houston. Like many leagues, the CFFL is beginning its playoffs this week, and Brian has a postseason plan.

Load up on New England Patriots. If more people thought like Brian, in-laws would have a better name.

His strategy appears to be solid, and a strategy that can be borrowed in this critical time of fantasy football. In the next two weeks, New England is playing two awful teams: Seattle and Oakland. Even better, the Pats are playing on the road, therefore avoiding bad weather.

This doesn't mean Matt Cassel and Randy Moss will just be sitting there on the waiver wire, but there's a good chance Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and Wes Welker are.

In fact, the Pats may force fantasy-football players to make a painful decision, and bench Dallas Cowboys. While Tony Romo and Terrell Owens probably should play no matter what, the Cowboys are facing good defensive teams in the next two weeks in Pittsburgh and the New York Giants. Think long and hard before playing a hobbled Marion Barber.

Brian's strategy can also be used over the next two weeks with San Diego (vs. Oakland, at Kansas City) or Indianapolis (vs. Cincinnati, vs. Detroit). Joining the Cowboys as teams to possibly avoid over the next two weeks include Baltimore (vs. Washington, vs. Pittsburgh) and Tampa Bay (at Carolina, at Atlanta).

I made the playoffs in two of my four fantasy leagues, and I have filtered in Brian's advice. I encourage you to do the same, but if you're around Houston, keep your voice down!

PLAY 'EM NOW, NOT LATER

Key players who are in tonight's game between Oakland and San Diego.

Oakland: Zach Miller (TE) ... maybe. Otherwise, stay away from Al Davis' boys. San Diego: LaDainian Tomlinson (RB), Philip Rivers (QB), Vincent Jackson (WR), Antonio Gates (TE).

START 'EMS AND SIT 'EMS

RUNNING BACK

Start 'em

Kevin Smith, Detroit vs. Minnesota - Minnesota's defense will be hurting without Pat Williams.

Sit 'em

Fred Taylor, Jacksonville at Chicago - It's better to burn out than fade away, and Taylor is fading away.

QUARTERBACK

Start 'em

Shaun Hill, San Francisco vs. New York J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets - Consider holding on to him if you play in a keeper league.

Sit 'em

Jason Campbell, Washington at Baltimore - Campbell's game has been cracked the past month.

RECEIVER

Start 'em

Domenik Hixon, New York Giants vs. Philadelphia - An option since Plaxico Burress has committed career suicide.

Sit 'em

Roy Williams, Dallas at Pittsburgh - Sunday's forecast: 30 degrees, snow showers.

TIGHT END

Start 'em

Tony Scheffler, Denver vs. Kansas City - The Scheff (over 90 yards two of last three games) is cooking.

Sit 'em

Steve Heiden, Cleveland at Tennessee - If you think he'll fill in for Kellen Winslow, think again.

DEFENSE

Start 'em

Indianapolis vs. Cincinnati - Two weeks in a row the Colts hold an opponent under 10 points?

Sit 'em

Houston at Green Bay - Sunday's forecast: 20 degrees.

(Rick Kretzschmar covers sports for the Longview News-Journal. E-mail: rickk@longview-news.com).