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Most fantasy leagues schedule their title matches in Week 16 so championships can be contested with a full complement of reliable playmakers. After all, nothing is more anticlimactic than playing for all the marbles with a ragtag assortment of backups and starters sleep-walking through one last, meaningless regular season game.

But that strategy isn’t always fool-proof. Not when injuries strike key players early in their games, leaving title contenders with little or no production from their most valuable weapons.

Willie Parker set the ominous tone Thursday night when he broke his leg on his only carry – a 1-yard loss. Willis McGahee eked out a paltry ten yards before broken ribs forced him to the sidelines. Kevin Jones managed just 15 yards on eight carries prior to incurring yet another knee injury.

Star receivers were hardly immune to the bad fortune. Marques Colston was coughing up blood on the sidelines after sustaining a chest contusion in the second quarter. That’s never a good thing.

Terrell Owens had the decency to score before spraining his ankle Saturday night, but Joey Galloway caught just one 29-yard pass before aggravating his sore shoulder and leaving for the duration. Rookie Anthony Gonzalez, one of the most productive fantasy receivers over the last two weeks, was a non-factor in the Colts’ blowout victory after hurting his foot in the second quarter.

Fortunately, there were plenty of stellar performances to overcome the deficits left by the walking wounded. Quarterbacks, in particular, picked up the slack. Seven passers each threw three scoring strikes, and four exceeded 300 passing yards. Arizona's Kurt Warner and Indianapolis' Peyton Manning accomplished both feats.

So to those celebrating well-deserved victories today, I extend hearty congratulations.

To the runners-up, my condolences. I feel your pain.

And to those who will seek championship glory next week, I have one word for you: Why? You can’t count on much from your Buccaneers, Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, Packers, Seahawks and Steelers – all of whom are expected to rest their starters in meaningless contests. Aside from a Patriots squad seeking their legacy of perfection, the only teams with anything but pride on the line next week are the Browns, Redskins, Saints, Titans and Vikings.

That’s no way to settle a season-long competition. Next year, don’t make the same mistake.

Still have something to play for? Here’s a look at a few players worth considering, and others who would look better in someone else’s line-up for the final weekend.

T.J. Duckett, RB, Detroit – He played well after Kevin Jones left with a knee injury and has a chance to excel again against a Green Bay team with little to play for. Detroit’s passing game has fallen apart in recent weeks, so look for a steady dose of Duckett on the frozen tundra.

Musa Smith, RB, Baltimore – He may be the last man standing in the Ravens’ backfield, after Willis McGahee broke two ribs, and Mike Anderson injured his hamstring against Seattle. On the downside, his team has already packed it in. On the upside, Pittsburgh will probably rest its defensive starters this weekend.

Santana Moss, WR, Washington – He has been Todd Collins’ favorite target since the backup took the starting reins. With a wild-card berth at stake, Moss will be counted on to produce against the Cowboys – a team he has torched in the past, most recently in Week 11.

Najeh Davenport, RB, Pittsburgh – He would normally be a prime pickup, given his outstanding production in relief of the injured Parker. But the Steelers can’t afford to risk their new starter for long in a meaningless game against the Ravens’ stingy run defense.

Jerramy Stevens, TE, Tampa Bay – He made the most of his four catches Sunday, racking up 73 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers. But chances are slim for a repeat performance from the backup, who is bit player in the Bucs’ offense.