Most fantasy leagues are history. But the NFL is still going strong and now it's time to focus in on the playoffs. This is one of the most exciting weeks of the year for any football fan. NFL Wild Cards and college bowl games provide an orgy of excitement and sensory overload. As we welcome in 2007, are the five storylines you should be following:

New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is a bona-fide fantasy stud, who to the chagrin of owners in keeper leagues, announced his retirement earlier this season. But if the end if near, then fantasy owners might benefit from the singular drive of Barber. He played like a man in his last game on Saturday, Dec. 30 on the road against the Washington Redskins. Barber rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries to lift the Giants to a 34-28 win and spot in the NFC playoffs. The Giants face host Philadelphia in a Wild Card game on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Barber was held to 51 and 75 yards in each of his previous two meeting with the Eagles this season. But Barber will be playing with even greater purpose this time. Expect another special day from the Giants and Barber.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, after a sizzling start, finally appears to be headed back to Earth. The most over-hyped player anywhere got out-dueled by Detroit's Jon Kitna on Sunday, one week after Philadelphia backup Jeff Garcia got the best of him. Despite dropping three of their last four games, including a 39-31 loss to the Lions, the Cowboys still earned an NFC Wild Card berth. But for Romo, the finale marked the end of a mediocre month. He threw 6 touchdowns to 8 interceptions in five December starts. The Cowboys hit the road to face the Seattle Seahawks Saturday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. With Terrell Owens on the wing and a loaded backfield, Romo has plenty of backup. But a road trip to face the defending NFC champs is no way to break out of a slump. Don't be surprised if the legend of Tony Romo takes another hit in Seattle.

It's as if Payton Manning and Tony Dungy walked in to a casino wearing their polyester best, drew the attention of the choice hunnies as they stepped up to the craps table — only to roll snake eyes. Talk about buzz kill. The most unlikely of scenarios happened Sunday when Cincinnati and Denver lost, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs to grab the final AFC Wild Card and sneak into the playoffs. Why is that bad news for the Indianapolis Colts? The teams play Saturday, Jan. 6 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Not only is Chiefs coach Herm Edwards a protege of Dungy, but Larry Johnson (2,199 total yards, 19 TDs) is one of the league's most unstoppable backs. The Colts, meanwhile, have the AFC's worst run defense. It all adds up to another Colts collapse in the playoffs. So don't look to them in playoff pools. And resist the temptation to ride Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison or Manning this postseason. It could be a short and bumpy ride.

There's been no shortage of tall, athletic receivers hauling in impossible passes and brow-beating defense this bowl season. Imagine them all in NFL uniforms next fall — with flack jackets please. Anyone looking for fantasy sleepers scouts as much as watches during bowl week. USC junior Dwayne Jarrett, Miami senior Ryan Moore and Georgia Tech junior Calvin Johnson each flashed brilliance so far. Then there's Ohio State junior wideout Ted Ginn Jr. who has proven himself in bowl games past — he broke a 68-yard touchdown in the Fiesta Bowl a year ago — and is set to play in something called the BCS National Championship in Glendale, Ariz., on Monday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Tune in and see if Ginn's skills can translate to the NFL. There's already a long list of Buckeye receivers playing on Sundays that says yes.

Happy New Year — your fired! That’s what happened in Arizona and Atlanta where Dennis Green and Jim Mora were let go one day after their respective seasons ended in disappointment. Sure, the coaching carousel will bring wholesale changes throughout the league. But fantasy owners know a change in Atlanta gives fresh hope that someone will figure out how to unleash multi-talented quarterback Michael Vick. No NFL player could benefit more from a new coach than Vick. While Vick did toss 20 touchdowns and rush for 1,039 yards (good for an eye-popping 8.4 yards a carry) this season, he hasn’t thrown for more than 2,400 yards in a season since 2002 and only scored twice on the ground this fall. For someone with super-human skills, Vick is merely a pedestrian fantasy player at this point in his career. An inventive coach will unleash the beast.