Fantasy football:

There's a small group of stars who are so great you can never leave them out of your fantasy football lineup, regardless of matchup, recent performance or minor injuries.

Now that it's halfway through the fantasy season in many leagues, it's time to call out some impostors who've slipped out of that no-brainer category.

So goodbye, Steve Smith (no TDs). Adios, Clinton Portis (no line, little hope), LaDainian Tomlinson (1 TD, 2 missed games), Brian Westbrook (injuries, age) and Marion Barber (fragile time-sharer). See you later, Matt Forte (sophomore slump ends brief stay in this group). And if it weren't for a 200-yard game that makes it just too scary to bench him, Frank Gore would be out, too, thanks to injury and the 1940s offense he plays in.

That's not to say these guys should automatically hit the bench every week, just don't be afraid to sit them down.

Quarterbacks

• Is there any reason to think the Green Bay-Minnesota game won't be a race to 42? It would be wrong not to start Minnesota's Brett Favre in his return to Green Bay. And don't fear for Aaron Rodgers' health. Sure, he'll get beat up, but he'll get his stats, too.

• The Jaguars David Garrard has been up and down, but the Titans' pass defense is the most predictable thing going. They were dead last in the NFL even before Tom Brady spent a few minutes throwing 6 TDs on them.

• After two rough games, the Bears' Jay Cutler is pretty much a guarantee to take out some frustrations on Cleveland. The Browns have allowed a league-high 33 passing plays of 20 yards or more.

BACK AWAY SLOWLY AND NOBODY GETS HURT:

• Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck is swell at home against terrible opposition. But his blocker-free offense travels to Dallas this week, where DeMarcus Ware is just starting to warm up again.

• Alex Smith looked almost sort of like a first-round pick while trying to lead the 49ers in a comeback last week, but a trip to Indianapolis seems like guaranteed disaster. The Colts have allowed two TD passes.

• Miami's Chad Henne had a nice game against New York a few weeks ago, but the Jets defense got a big boost of confidence from last week's shutout.

Running backs

• Steven Jackson of the Rams should get his first TD in 2009 against Detroit's 30th-ranked run defense, and the Lions' Kevin Smith should see the end zone for the first time in a month against Rams defense that has allowed an NFL-worst 11 touchdowns.

• It's time for 2009 Fantasy Bust of the Year Matt Forte to redeem himself. If he can't do it against the 31st-ranked run defense of the Browns, he's an even more hopeless case than anybody imagined.

• Keep an eye on the early inactive lists Sunday. If the Eagles' Brian Westbrook can't go because of his concussion, LeSean McCoy's a great start. The Giants have slipped to the middle of the pack against the run.

RED FLAGS:

• The Cowboys' Marion Barber doesn't seem like the same guy he was before the quad injury. His yards per carry have gone down the past three games, he hasn't surpassed 15 carries in those games and hasn't scored in 11 quarters.

• Tim Hightower (University of Richmond) seems destined for even fewer touches after yet another fumble and a nice game from Cardinals rookie Chris Wells. Don't be tempted to start Hightower, even against Carolina's wobbly run defense.

Wide receivers

• Mike Sims-Walker of the Jaguars is guaranteed fantasy points against the Titans. He has averaged 100 yards the past four games and caught 2 TDs against Tennessee earlier this year.

• Sadly for owners of the Giants' Steve Smith, the days of Eli Manning throwing his way almost exclusively appear to be numbered. That's been good news for rookie Hakeem Nicks, who has scored in four straight games.

SHOW HIM THE BENCH:

• Unless you're totally desperate for a receiver, keep the Panthers' Steve Smith on reserve. The Cardinals defense is looking tough, and there's always a good chance of another Delhomme debacle.

• In two games since the bye, the Bears have made a point of getting the ball to Devin Hester (14 catches), so don't consider Earl Bennett or Johnny Knox as bye-week fill-ins.