It's perfect time for 'Let's Make a Deal'

It's that time of year again.

Trade time.

Heading into the seventh week of the season, we pretty much know where our strengths and weaknesses are. We've pretty much swiped up every decent available free agent. And now we know the best way to improve our team is through a trade.

Trading can be a risky business - there's nothing worse than giving someone up who goes off the rest of the season. But it's part of the game, and I know that every time I've won a title, there was at least a trade or two that made the difference.

There are several "buy low" and "sell high" candidates out there right now, and I'm going to start with Giants RB Brandon Jacobs. He's been a fantasy owner's nightmare this season with just 388 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. In our preseason rankings, I had him 10th; he currently sits in 32nd.

But I see this as a huge "buy low" opportunity. Jacobs' owners are fed up and would probably trade him for a middling wide receiver.

The Giants' schedule isn't overly favorable, but starting in Week 9 with San Diego at home, every game has the possibility of bad weather. The Giants are going to have to start grinding the ball out more, and Jacobs' numbers will rise. Last season, he had 9 touchdowns in the six games he played after Nov. 1. Swipe him up now by not giving up too much and you may be smiling all the way to a title game.

On the "sell high" side is Redskins RB Clinton Portis. He's had three straight productive games (109 yards; 57 yards and 2 TDs; 98 yards). Now it's time to show him the door.

The Redskins are averaging just 13 points a game, the schedule gets brutally tough and Portis is dealing with bone spurs and a sprained ankle.

Dump him for a solid second receiver, or get someone who has two solid QBs to give you one of theirs. You won't be sorry.

Some other names on the "buy" list include Dolphins RB Ricky Williams (448 yards from scrimmage, 3 TDs and some soft teams coming on the schedule) and Jaguars WR Torry Holt (196 receiving yards the last two games and Tennessee, Kansas City and Buffalo coming in the next five weeks)

On the "sell" side, I'd consider trading Vikings QB Brett Favre. If he's your backup, this is a good time to unload him for an upgrade at another position. Also, if you can get good value, I wouldn't be afraid to trade Giants WR Steve Smith. His stock was higher a couple of weeks ago, but he's still the third-ranked fantasy WR right now. But the Giants are going to be playing a lot of games in bad weather soon, and Eli Manning is spreading the ball around to Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks more.

My teams: My regular team survived with a tight 107-105 victory over the division leader, who fell to 4-2 while I improved to 3-3. A loss there and any chance at a division title and the playoff bye was all but gone. ... My unit-league team fell again 73-63. Going up against Thomas Jones and the Green Bay defense sealed my fate. I'm sixth in points (out of 12) in that league, yet I'm 1-5. ... And in the DH experts league, I suffered my first loss despite big games from Matt Schaub and Adrian Peterson.

Good bets

• Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Arizona. Don't get too down on Manning after his poor performance in New Orleans. He will bounce back in fine fashion in a home game against a suspect Cardinals pass defense.

• Bills RB Marshawn Lynch at Carolina. Going against a defense that allows 149 rushing yards per game, Lynch should eclipse 100 yards and find the end zone.

Bad bets

• Bengals QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Ochocinco vs. the Bears. Palmer has a TD pass in five straight games - and he will probably extend that streak to six - but I don't see a huge day against a Bears defense that has given up just 6 TDs through the air.

• Niners WR Michael Crabtree at Houston. I suppose if you are in need of a third wideout, Crabtree wouldn't be an awful choice. But in his pro debut - on the road, on a running football team - I don't see much more than 4 catches for 45 yards.

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