FANTASY FORECAST

There might not be an NFL team that plays locally, but let’s face it, thousands of us have fantasy league rosters that we draft and manage. Each week, Times NFL writer Sam Farmer will offer a few tips to the wise:

-- Sam Farmer

*--* PLAY HIM Drew Brees The Saints are going to throw like crazy, and Brees already has four three-touchdown games. QB, New Orleans LaDainian Tomlinson He’s due for a breakout game, and he’s facing the Chiefs’ NFL-worst rush defense. RB, San Diego Steve Smith DeAngelo Hall used to play Smith really tough. That’s good news for Oakland. Wait . . . where’s WR, Carolina DeAngelo? BENCH HIM Aaron Rodgers Even though he was highly accurate in his first meeting with the Vikings, he passed for only 178 QB, Green Bay yards and one touchdown. Joseph Addai He’s facing the third-ranked Steelers run defense -- on the road. RB, Indianapolis Andre Johnson This is risky, seeing as Johnson is a dangerous threat. But he cooled a bit last week, and now -- with WR, Houston backup QB Sage Rosenfels -- faces Baltimore. GIVE HIM A CHANCE Tyler Thigpen The Chiefs are lousy, but Thigpen has potential. And San Diego’s defense is in flux. QB, Kansas City Tim Hightower He’s ahead of Edgerrin James on the depth chart and coming off a big game against St. Louis. RB, Arizona Watch out, 49ers. Matt Jones The last three games he’s had seven, eight and seven catches. Next up: Detroit. WR, Jacksonville *--*