Week 13 is nearly in the books and it is time for the fantasy playoffs to begin, for those of us lucky enough to have punched our ticket to the big dance. It's that time of the season when each position decision is magnified by the fact that should we lose this week's game, there is no chance for redemption next week.

It's time to win or go home, and with that in mind we take a look at some players who stood out this week and determine if they are names that belong in our playoff plans.

NFL teams will begin to determine just how long they will be playing their starters once a playoff spot is secured and the trickle down effect to fantasy owners will need to be monitored closely.

Dry those sweaty palms and join me as we take a look at ten names you need to know as the fantasy football postseason kicks off next week.

Josh Gordon, WR, CLEVELAND: Gordon emerged on the fantasy scene earlier in the season when in a three week span (weeks 5-7) he put up 240 yards receiving and scored four touchdowns while averaging 34 yards per reception. He continued to contribute to the Browns offense but fell from fantasy grace during weeks eight through twelve by averaging only 49 receiving yards a game and failing to reach the end zone. In week thirteen he burst back into fantasy relevance with six grabs for 116 yards and a touchdown while being targeted seven times. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden will continue to have up and down performances and that will limit Gordon's upside as well.

Jason Snelling, RB, ATLANTA: Yes, that would be the same Jason Snelling who touched the ball only four times in the Falcons' victory over the Saints this week and is averaging 1.8 yards per rush in 2012 on nine total carries. He does have 24 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown this season, but more importantly, possesses the skill set to be an every down back. And as soon as the Falcons wrap up the NFC South title and then home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which will happen sooner rather than later, Snelling will be the man to carry the rock as the Falcons rest Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. Snelling is going to be very relevant in fantasy football when it matters most, during the playoffs.

Pierre Thomas, RB, NEW ORLEANS: Thomas had a very productive game against the Falcons as he finished with 84 yards rushing and another five yards receiving. He ran hard with a nice burst to the edge and looked like a very capable fantasy option moving forward. However, it...

Jason Snelling (leg) remains sidelined.

Snelling hasn't appeared in any of the Falcons' three preseason games. All the team has said is that he has a lower right leg injury. Jacquizz Rodgers is gaining steam in this backfield while Snelling is slipping to the back burner.

Well, the 4th of July is right around the corner, and do you know what that means to me? The end of summer is within reach. NFL training camps will be starting in less than a month, and the second I see a football in the air, summer is over.

As we prepare for our fantasy drafts, there are a few guys I'm targeting in my leagues this year. Obviously, I would like to get Calvin Johnson and Arian Foster, but these are players a little bit further down the trough that I'm looking to add to my fantasy roster in 2012.

Based on Average Draft Position (ADP) from MyFantasyLeague.com, you can get all five of these players in the sixth round or later, so these are guys I'm not only high on in terms of talent but they also have value on draft day.

Note: The ADP information is based on 12-team points-per-reception leagues,

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta -- I'm buying into the Ryan hype with all the talk of Atlanta running a no-huddle offense. I actually think Ryan is better when he's running a quick, no-huddle attack. In my opinion, that's when he thrives.

Ryan actually reminds me a little bit of Eli Manning a couple of years ago before he broke out and become an elite fantasy quarterback. If Ryan can progress like Eli did both fantasy owners and Falcons fans will be ecstatic.

I had Ryan as my starter three years ago and the guy sunk me. I lost a bunch of close games and his 11 points a week were one of the main reasons why. I've always said Ryan gets better the more he throws the ball, but Mike Smith is a conservative coach at heart. However, this Falcons team is built to pass and take advantage of the rules that currently restrict defensive backs similar to how the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions attack opposing defenses.

I'm hoping with Michael Turner on the downside of his career, this is the year Smith worries less about being balanced and relies more on Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones to carry the offense. I even like Jacquizz Rodgers to take on a Darren Sproles-like role for the Falcons on passing down, which will also help add to Ryan's overall numbers.

New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter took a lot of heat in Jacksonville over the last couple of seasons, but if you look at his resume going back to his college days, his teams have been known for throwing the football. This has especially been the case when Koetter is teamed with a quality quarterback, and I think we can all agree Ryan fits...