OK, you’ve made it this far. You’re in your league playoffs, maybe even the finals. And you’re absolutely baffled about which players you should start.

The common mistake fantasy football players make in situations like this is that they attempt to try to dissect the players on their roster, when they should really be studying games. Like a handicapper picking an over-under spread, you should be circling the games on the schedule which have the potential to be shootouts.

These games usually involve two teams out of the playoff race who have nothing to lose and are willing to loosen up the offensive reins. It also helps that the NFL teams out of the postseason chase also have porous defenses.

Once you’ve got these games targeted, then it becomes much easier to choose your lineup. Simply insert all the guys you’ve got who are participating in these offensive slugfests. Here are three such games you can circle this weekend:

DALLAS at ARIZONA

This one is extra-important for players to note, since the game takes place on Saturday night, meaning that the owner who falls asleep on the job might miss out on starting some key performers. Dallas has hit its stride since Jason Garrett took over and reestablished the running game, which has in turn opened things up for Jon Kitna's passing.

The Cowboys secondary is in ruins though, so rookie John Skelton should have a breakout game for the Arizona Cardinals lofting it up to Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. Add in the fact that the game is at a nice warm-weather site conducive to high-flying offensive theatrics, and you’ve got a contest that could be filled with touchdowns and yards for all involved.

WASHINGTON at JACKSONVILLE

Wherever you stand on the Donovan McNabb debate, you really can’t deny that the insertion of Rex Grossman energized the fantasy prospects of all of the Redskin receivers last week. The Jaguar defense, for a playoff contender, is pretty unintimidating, so Washington should be scoring early and often. On the other side of the ball, Jacksonville might have the most underrated fantasy offense in the league. Many people assume that Maurice Jones-Drew is the only good option, but with Jones-Drew likely out for this game, there are still plenty of Jags to lean on.

David Garrard and Mercedes Lewis have been among the best at their position lately, and even bit players like Rashad Jennings have been scoring consistently. Plus, another warm-weather game.

HOUSTON at DENVER

The ideal game for late-season fantasy garbage points. Neither defense could stop anybody at the start of the season, and that was before injuries decimated both squads. Obviously you’re going to be starting Texans Arian Foster and Andre Johnson (if Johnson plays, monitor that ankle), but it might be time to dust off guys like Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter if you’ve got them buried on your bench.

I know you might be wary about starting Bronco receivers like Brandon Lloyd with Tim Tebow at quarterback, but you probably shouldn’t be. Even Kerry Collins lit up the Texan secondary last week, and he’s 112 years old. Batten down the hatches, ‘cause there will be a flood of points in this one.

Stick with the players in these three defensively-challenged contests, and you’ve got a recipe for victory much sweeter than any Christmas pie.