As Einstein once said, touchdowns are the lifeblood of fantasy football.

Of course, that was Fred Einstein, of North Wales, Pa., who said that and not the noted scientist with the same surname. Still, the genius is evident.

In regular football, you can kick field goals or force safeties and still win. But not in fantasy. That's why Shaun Alexander, who is one away from setting the all-time record for rushing touchdowns, was the resounding choice for the Philadelphia Daily News' readers 2005 fantasy football MVP Award.

John Newswanger, of Downingtown, Pa., points out why Alexander was such a popular selection.

"I had the first pick in my draft and took LT, of course," Newswanger said, referring to LaDainian Tomlinson. "He killed me in the playoffs. Alexander was huge."

In four December games, Alexander has 468 yards rushing and seven total touchdowns, compared with 284 yards rushing for Tomlinson, who has scored zero touchdowns. Larry Johnson, second in MVP voting, had even better December numbers, with 581 yards rushing and nine TDs. But he finished a distant second behind Alexander, because he didn't become a starter until Week 9.

The Least Valuable Player voting was much closer, as Jamal Lewis edged Randy Moss, with Willis McGahee coming in a distant third.

In Week 2, Lewis put up 10 carries for nine yards to grab the early lead for the LVP. Though he did subsequently post two 100-yard games, he came nowhere near justifying the high first-round pick many owners wasted on him. Moss, like Lewis, was just healthy enough to mandate keeping in fantasy lineups. He's scored one touchdown since Week 10 and hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 4.

While Johnson's first-half inactivity hurt his MVP chances, his second-half dominance allowed him to win the biggest surprise of the year.

"He made us forget about one of fantasy football's all-time kings: Priest Holmes," said Scott Carlson, of Marina del Rey, Calif.

"LJ nailed down a top draft pick next year . . . (He's made) Holmes a third-down running back now."

<B>Most Valuable Player</B>Shaun Alexander, 82.9 percent<B>Least Valuable Player</B>Jamal Lewis, 55.6 percent<B>Biggest Surprise</B>Larry Johnson, 50.0 percent<B>Biggest Bust</B>Terrell Owens, 42.9 percent<B>Best Quarterback</B>Carson Palmer, 69.5 percent<B>Best Running Back</B>Shaun Alexander, 80.0 percent<B>Best Wide Receiver</B>Steve Smith, 58.3 percent<B>Best Tight End</B>Antonio Gates, 68.6 percent<B>Best Kicker</B>Neil Rackers, 65.6 percent<B>Best Defense/Special Teams</B>Bears, 82.9 percent<B>Worst Quarterback</B>Aaron Brooks, 41.7 percent<B>Worst Running Back</B>Jamal Lewis, 77.8 percent<B>Worst Wide Receiver</B>Randy Moss, 40.0 percent<B>Worst Tight End</B>Jermaine Wiggins, 51.5 percent<B>Worst Kicker</B>Sebastian Janikowski, 47.2 percent<B>Worst Defense/Special Teams</B>Packers, 45.2 percentPatriots, 29.0 percentEagles, 25.8 percent

<B>Broncos running back Tatum Bell:</B> Stunningly, Denver coach Mike Shanahan said he would like to get Bell the 131 rushing yards that would make Bell and Mike Anderson just the fourth set of teammates to rush for 1,000 in the same season. Whether Shanahan, notorious for torturing fantasy owners, means it or not is another story.<B>Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme:</B> With Atlanta's best corner (DeAngelo Hall) out, Delhomme becomes more attractive.<B>Steelers running back Willie Parker:</B> Play Parker, because he has an outside chance at 2,000 yards for the season. Admittedly it's a longshot, but if anybody can give up 747 yards, it's Detroit.

<B>Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson:</B> LT's fade down the stretch has been one of the all-time heartbreakers. No way you should sit him, however, unless there's late word that his injured ribs prevent him from playing.<B>Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander:</B> Expect him to run for that record-breaking touchdown, but not much else. Backup Maurice Morris, on the other hand, could rollick for 125 yards.<B>Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown:</B> If you're Miami, wouldn't you showcase Ricky Williams one more time for a potential trade? Both Williams and Brown become intriguing keeper-league options if the Dolphins do swing a deal.