Postseason fantasy football challenge: Week 16 Picks

There's nothing like a second chance in life, and the same thinking applies to fantasy football, as well. For owners whose dreams of a fantasy title went unfulfilled in the regular season, or the greedy owners who simply covet two championships in the same year, check out Postseason Fantasy Football.

This test of fantasy survival is like no other game you've ever played, but it'll call on your keen abilities to predict the future -- one NFL week at a time.

Before we get on to the picks for this week, a reminder of the rules: Every week, you select a roster of 7 players: 1 quarterback, 1 running back, 2 wide receivers, 1 tight end, 1 kicker, and a team defense. Earn weekly points based on player performance using standard fantasy football scoring (below).

On to the picks for Week 16, the second in the December Showdown ...

Drew Brees, Saints: It's not that I think Brees is a lock for 300 yards, per se, since the Pierre Thomas-led rushing attack should do some Chris Johnson-like damage to the Lions' porous defense. But Brees is a safe, ultra-reliable option in Week 16 -- given the opponent and Detroit's comfy Ford Field.

Pierre Thomas, Saints: I don't think there's a bigger cinch for fantasy goodness than Thomas running through the Detroit defense, without the obligation of sharing carries with Reggie Bush (injured) or Deuce McAllister (persona non grata in fantasyland).

Calvin Johnson, Lions: He has eight touchdowns in his last 10 games ... and he's a virtual lock for 100 yards against the Saints' shop-worn defense. Oh, and he'll be playing his heart out to help Detroit eradicate that woeful 0-14 start.

Brandon Marshall, Broncos: I think we'll see a B-Marsh version more like the one who caught 11 balls for 91 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City two weeks ago ... than the non-impactful dud who tallied only four catches for 48 yards in Week 15.

John Carlson, Seahawks: Since we've already exhausted Tony Gonzalez's eligibility in this sometimes-frustrating fantasy game ... why not go with the next hottest-thing-on-the-planet at tight end?

Ryan Longwell, Vikings: It's a simple recipe for success. The man's playing at the cozy, weather-proofed Metrodome and his teammates will be battling a classic bend-but-don't-break Atlanta defense.

Steelers: No explanation needed here. Pittsburgh's defense has been the NFL's best in the last six weeks ... and it should fare well against Tennessee's bend-but-don't-break offense.