Fantasy Football News 2010/2011

HacheMan · Sep 29, 2010

Patriot Gains
The 2007 Patriots are long gone. Laurence Maroney and Jabar Gaffney are in Denver. Ben Watson is in Cleveland. Kevin Faulk is out for the year. Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker may still be around, but most of the supporting cast of the team that scored 589 points three seasons ago is now scattered around the league. In their place are guys with names like BenJarvus, Green and Ellis. Wait, that's one guy. You get the point: there are a lot of unknown commodities playing for the Patriots right now.

This year's version of the Patriots may not rack up 6,580 yards of offense, but they've already scored 38 points in two different games, and with Brady at quarterback there are sure to be fantasy opportunities for players other than Moss and Welker. The trick is to sort out the one-game wonders from the guys who will have a regular role all season long. Here's a rundown of some of the guys who have been getting the ball in New England and what their fantasy impact will be in the weeks to come.

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BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Green-Ellis rushed 15 times for 98 yards and a touchdown last week, but that production comes with a major caveat. Green-Ellis carried the ball just twice in the first half, then rushed nine times in the fourth quarter as the Patriots tried to deflate the ball in a blowout win. That means that much of Green-Ellis' production, including his touchdown and a 22-yard run, came late in the game against a bad opponent.

Green-Ellis has been the garbage man in New England for three years. He gained 69 yards in the Patriots' 59-0 blowout of the Titans last year, gained 65 yards (all in the second half) in a 47-10 rout of the Broncos in 2008, and also rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 20-10 win over the Bills in 2008 that wasn't as close as the score. He had exactly one red zone touch last season, and that came from the 15-yard line. A guy can earn a good living in New England by beating up on the Bills and mopping up blowouts, and the injuries to Faulk and Fred Taylor should provide Green-Ellis with more opportunities. But don't blow all of your waiver points on him: he's a terrible receiver, which makes him a bad fit in both the Patriots system and PPR leagues, and the Patriots have other red zone options. Make a low bid; your owners may be distracted by some of the other commodities (see below) on the waiver market.

Danny Woodhead
The spunky, plucky, scrappy Woodhead got a lot of attention after carrying three times for 42 yards and a touchdown while showing lots of grit, moxie and heart. A running back/receiver tweener who spent last season with the Jets and got more HBO face time than Ari Gold on Hard Knocks, Woodhead has the receiving chops to replace Faulk as the Patriots' often-used receiving back.

Now the bad news: Woodhead was on the field for 10 plays against the Bills, knows only a fraction of the playbook, and is getting a disproportionate amount of media attention because he has ever-so-much gumption-determination-pepper. Faulk was a fine player, but he was only useful in deep PPR leagues: he hadn't rushed for more than 80 yards in a game since 2004, and his touchdown production was unpredictable. If Woodhead is 80 percent as good as Faulk, he's not worth a fantasy selection.

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Sammy Morris
Morris had six carries for 19 yards last week and got two touches inside the Bills 10-yard line. A Bill Belichick favorite who can do all the little things (like pass blocking), Morris could sneak away with the goal line job. Remember, though, that the Patriots are more likely than most teams to go to an empty backfield in goal-to-go situations, so the "goal line back" could end up with very few opportunities. Keep Morris on your radar, though he'll probably just be the team's designated leech.

Fred Taylor
Taylor has just 11 carries in the last two games and suffered a toe injury against the Bills. If you drafted him, hold onto him until you know the full extent of the injury; he could still play a significant role if he returns. Otherwise, stay away from him.

Aaron Hernandez
Florida Gators fans know Hernandez well: he was Tim Tebow's favorite receiver over the middle, catching 68 passes for Florida in the 2009 season. Hernandez is a superb all-purpose athlete who averaged 180 receiving yards per game and scoring 24 touchdowns as a high school senior while racking up 12 sacks at defensive end. He has become one of Brady's favorite targets, with 15 passes thrown to him in three games. Hernandez is a great fit in the Patriots offense because he not only works the middle of the field well but can block for Welker and others on screens. That means he will be on the field a lot, which will give him many opportunities. This is a great time of year to address your tight end depth, and Hernandez should be affordable.

Rob Gronkowski
The other Patriots rookie tight end. Gronkowski is bigger and a better blocker than Hernandez, and he already has two touchdowns. Gronkowski caught 10 touchdown passes while battling strep throat and mono during his junior year at Arizona (let's hope they let him keep the ball) but missed his senior season with a back injury. Gronkowski has only been thrown to six times, and chasing those goal line touchdowns by second tight ends is a great way to wind up with Matt Spaeth on your roster. If you are itching for a tight end, pick Hernandez instead.

Brandon Tate
A talented runner-receiver-return man whose college career was cut short by an ACL injury, Tate has a kickoff return touchdown this season but also fumbled a reception away against the Bills. The Patriots are using him on reverses and as an alternative deep threat to Moss, but Tate has no real fantasy value.

Julian Edelman
Last year's Welker clone has been targeted five times and caught four passes for 14 yards. If you drafted Edelman as Welker insurance, he's worth keeping around. Otherwise, he's just another "work the middle" threat on a team that has a glut of players vying for that role.

Meanwhile, in Denver
If you are holding on to Maroney hoping that he will emerge as a goal-line specialist in Denver, last week's performance was a bad sign. In one series, Maroney got the ball on the one-yard line three times but failed to punch it in (the final attempt was called a touchdown, then overturned). On their next trip into the red zone, the Broncos elected to throw two passes to Gaffney on 2nd-and-1 and 3rd-and-1. Both passes were incomplete.

Maroney scored seven touchdowns in goal-to-go situations last year, but he also fumbled near the goal line twice and was stuffed at the one-yard line twice. In a game against the Jets, he needed three tries to punch the ball in. In other words, he's not much of a goal line runner. When Knowshon Moreno returns, Maroney will probably find himself filling the same role he occupied in New England: talented disappointment who rarely plays.

HacheMan · Sep 30, 2010

Saluting September's Best

Before we get to injury updates for a host of stud running backs this week, let's take a look at the Top-10 Risers in keeper/Dynasty leagues through September:

1. Arian Foster, Texans - As the NFL's leading rusher and fantasy's No. 1 running back, Foster can't be traded right now. He's a textbook "hold" as a Top-10 keeper league back.

2. Michael Vick, Eagles - Considering his weapons and running ability, Vick has a legitimate chance to finish 2010 as the No. 1 fantasy quarterback -- if he stays heatlhy.

3. Darren McFadden, Raiders - Third in the NFL in rushing, fifth in fantasy points, and yet to be kept under 120 yards in a game. If somebody is telling you to sell high, it's only because they haven't watched McFadden play this year.

4. Austin Collie, Colts - Criminally overshadowed by Pierre Garcon throughout last season and this past offseason, Collie is leading the NFL in receptions, yards, and receiving touchdowns.

5. Jahvid Best, Lions - The turf toe injury is a minor stumbling block, but Best still looks like the rookie with the best chance to take the league by storm. His first three games suggest he could give Ray Rice a run for the most dangerous receiving back in the league.

6. Aaron Hernandez, Patriots - There are only five or six tight ends I'd rather have on my roster in Dynasty formatas.

7. Kyle Orton, Broncos - On pace for a whopping 670 passing attempts as the Broncos become the first team in NFL history to have four receivers with 10 catches, 140 receiving yards, and one touchdown through three games.

8. Sam Bradford, Rams - "Sam Bradford is going to be a special player." -- signed, Larry Fitzgerald.

9. LeSean McCoy, Eagles - The quarterback change was a godsend for McCoy owners, as Vick opens running lanes for a back who excels in space.

10. Peyton Hillis, Browns - I'm still not buying Hillis as the long-term answer in Cleveland, but he should carry RB2 value this season.

Just Missed Dustin Keller, Ahmad Bradshaw, LaDainian Tomlinson, Wes Welker, Anquan Boldin, Mark Clayton, Santana Moss

Top Fallers Kevin Kolb, Ryan Grant, Shonn Greene, Brandon Jacobs, Michael Crabtree, Vincent Jackson, Marion Barber, Owen Daniels, Devin Aromashodu, Dwayne Bowe, C.J. Spiller

[SIZE=+1]Running Back Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Ryan Mathews, ankle: The rookie is expected to play against the Cardinals this week after returning to a full practice on Wednesday. While he's in danger of losing goal-line touches to Mike Tolbert, Mathews has an inviting matchup against the league's second-worst run defense. Barring a late-week setback, he's safe to play as a high-end RB2.

Ray Rice, knee contusion: Rice didn't practice Wednesday, as expected, but the arrow is still pointing up for this week. He was spotted walking without a limp and "seemed to place weight on the knee without any wincing." Backup Willis McGahee is predicting that Rice will play at Pittsburgh. We're tentatively expecting Rice to start, and he's one of the few backs to have managed success against the Steelers' vaunted run defense.

Steven Jackson, groin: Coach Steve Spagnuolo termed Jackson "truly day to day" leading up to Sunday's game against the Seahawks. Spags suggested that he will leave it up to his veteran workhorse to make the call about his playing status, and Jackson tweeted that he's "doing good." At this point, the smart money is on Jackson suiting up to give it a go in Week 4.

Pierre Thomas, ankle: Though Thomas was held out of Wednesday's practice, coach Sean Payton will wait to "see how Pierre progresses" before activating DeShawn Wynn from the practice squad. Thomas was able to return for a long gainer after sustaining the injury late in the Falcons game, which would seem to bode well for his chances of playing on Sunday. Chris Ivory (knee) is practicing fully again and will likely see a bigger workload this week.

Jahvid Best, turf toe: Best did not participate in Wednesday's practice, and his status remains up in the air until he attempts to go on Thursday or Friday. Best will be playing through pain if he starts against a Green Bay defense allowing just the 28th most fantasy points to opposing backs. The tea leaves suggest owners should look elsewhere this week.

Knowshon Moreno, hamstring: Coach Josh McDaniels didn't sound optimistic about Moreno's chances of playing this week after missing Wednesday's practice. Beat writers expect an underwhelming Laurence Maroney to draw the start against the Titans' 17th ranked run defense.

[SIZE=+1]Andre Johnson[/SIZE]

Though Johnson is preparing as if he's going to start, this isn't quite the slam-dunk that it was at this point last week. Coach Gary Kubiak confirmed that Johnson (ankle) will be a game-day decision at Oakland, and the star receiver concedes that his high ankle sprain is "more sore" this week after aggravating the injury against the Cowboys.

Factors to weigh: The Texans have a 4:05 ET start this week, and Johnson has managed lines of just 2/66/0, 2/19/0, and 1/9/0 against Nnamdi Asomugha over the past four seasons. Have a Plan B ready for Sunday.

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Around the League: NFL Network's Mike Lombardi predicts that the Bills will "pull the pin" and deal Marshawn Lynch before the October 19 trade deadline. ... Coach Gary Kubiak suggests the Texans have given up on the idea of signing free agent Aaron Schobel. ... The Lions have named Shaun Hill their starting quarterback for Week 4 against the Packers. ... Though Justin Forsett received 17 of the Seahawks' 21 carries Sunday, coach Pete Carroll warned that the competition "is not closed at all." ... Coach Sean Payton has not decided between John Carney and Garrett Hartley for field-goal duties this week. ... Coach Raheem Morris indicated that LeGarrette Blount has earned the short-yardage and goal-line role going forward. ... Rookie Arrelious Benn took all of the flanker snaps at practice Wednesday as the Bucs prepare to increase his role. ... Bills signed OLB Chris Kelsay to a four-year, $24 million extension through 2014. ... The Packers have promoted rookie Frank Zombo into the starting lineup at right outside linebacker, replacing Brad Jones. ... Drew Coleman is expected to be the Jets' starting right cornerback at Buffalo, with rookie Kyle Wilson in the slot. ... Bears coach Lovie Smith insists that benched DT Tommie Harris is still "a big part of what we are going to do." ... Jaguars WR/ST Kassim Osgood was pistol-whipped during a confrontation with a 19-year-old girl's ex-boyfriend in her Jacksonville home Monday night.

Injury Report: Despite rumors of an MCL sprain, Drew Brees' MRI showed no damage and he practiced fully on Wednesday. ... Jake Delhomme (active) is tentatively expected to return to practice on Thursday or Friday, though his status for Sunday's game remains up in the air. ... Matthew Stafford (shoulder) could make his return against the Rams in Week 5. ... Fred Taylor (toe) and Cedric Benson (knee) missed Wednesday's practice. Benson's injury isn't expected to inhibit him on Sunday. ... Clinton Portis (wrist) practiced fully on Wednesday. ... Beanie Wells (knee) and Jerome Harrison (thigh) were limited on Wednesday. ... The Colts worked out a handful of running backs with Donald Brown sidelined by a hamstring injury. ... Larry Fitzgerald is "just now getting close" to 100 percent after his preseason MCL sprain. ... Mario Manningham was added to the injury report with a concussion on Wednesday. ... Louis Murphy missed practice with a bruised clavicle, but it's not expected to keep him out of Sunday's game. ... Pierre Garcon (hamstring) and Laurent Robinson (foot) were both held out Wednesday. ... Demaryius Thomas (arm) and Seahawk Mike Williams (shoulder) are expected to play in Week 4. ... Nate Burleson (ankle) is considered "closer to doubtful" this week. ... Jason Witten (MCL sprain) is not practicing during the Cowboys' bye week.

HacheMan · Sep 30, 2010

Week 4 Rankings
Even Peyton Manning wants to improve.

"We're looking for a little more consistency as far as who we are going to be each Sunday as opposed to figuring it out, 'Hey, this week we're going to have to be a throwing team, this week we'll be a running team.' We'd like to be the same team every single Sunday," Manning said.

In that one quote, Manning distills the difference between the Colts and matchup-based teams like the Patriots and Packers. Of course the Colts tailor their gameplan specifically to attack an opponent's weakness, like every team. But essentially the Colts want to perfect what they do best, and make you stop it. What the Patriots do best is morph every week into the offense that suits them best.

That could mean a lot of Aaron Hernandez and BenJarvus Green-Ellis one week, and plenty of Fred Taylor and Brandon Tate the next.

The Colts' approach is the one preferred by fantasy leaguers. The Patriots approach is the one gaining steam throughout the league.

The Packers weren't making some grand statement about Brandon Jackson on Monday night when they played with an empty backfield for much of the night or handed John Kuhn six inside carries. It was just the attack they felt best suited their personnel against the Bears that night.

Jackson will have his 15-20 touch games, but the Packers will inherently be unpredictable. So will either amorphous teams like the Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Saints, and Seahawks.

When in doubt, roll with the offenses that have consistent roles. That's why we rank someone like Legedu Naanee over a matchup-specific threat like Lance Moore.

And now, for the rest of the guys we can't really predict but try to anyway.

[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Peyton Manning</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Michael Vick</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Jay Cutler</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Bruce Gradkowski</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Vince Young</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Alex Smith</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Derek Anderson</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Shaun Hill</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Seneca Wallace</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Charlie Batch</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Jimmy Clausen</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
QBs going up: Michael Vick: The Redskins pass defense no longer looks like a tough matchup. Vick has reached every-week must start territory and his schedule stays mostly easy.

Matt Ryan: After watching last week's game, I'm over any early Ryan concerns. And the 49ers are a neutral matchup.

Chad Henne: Sneaky play in what figures to be a shootout.

Kyle Orton: If he can produce big against a solid Titans secondary, he's a true QB1.

Vince Young: Actually played pretty well last week during the rare times he was allowed to pass. Think he'll have to throw more this time.

QBs moving down: Matt Schaub: Still a starter, but shoddy pass protection could lead to a lot of rushing attempts.

Joe Flacco: Despite the excellent performance against Cleveland, you don't want any part of the Steelers defense right now.

Eli Manning: Worried how his struggling tackles will hold up against Julius Peppers.

Chris Johnson: I've been very disappointed by the Titans' run-blocking. This is a week they should be able to get off.

Editor's Note: Check out our free preview of Season Pass for the rest of the week.
[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Running Backs[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>Probable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>Questionable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Questionable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>Questionable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>Questionable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Brandon Jackson</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Justin Forsett</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Laurence Maroney</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>Probable(thigh)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>BenJarvus Green-Ellis</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Clinton Portis</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>Questionable(wrist)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Jason Snelling</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>John Kuhn</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Ryan Torain</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Questionable(thigh)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>Probable(thumb)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Fred Taylor</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Questionable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Chris Ivory</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Mike Goodson</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Dimitri Nance</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Maurice Morris</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Kenneth Darby</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Keiland Williams</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Rashad Jennings</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Mike Bell</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Isaac Redman</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Danny Woodhead</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Javon Ringer</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63</TD><TD>Keith Toston</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>64</TD><TD>James Davis</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
RBs moving up: Ahmad Bradshaw: Brandon Jacobs is just another backup and Bradshaw has a complete game now. Love the way he's running inside and he's made strides as a receiver.

Cedric Benson: It's a tough week at the top of the rankings, so Benson's safe 20 carries have him high. Not a lot of great matchups out there.

DeAngelo Williams: If he's going to do it, the Saints rush defense provides a chance.

Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams: They both often chew up the Patriots. Expect a high scoring game.

Shonn Greene: This is the week to use him. The Jets are going to run like crazy and want to get Greene going.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Keep an eye on Fred Taylor's status.

Chris Ivory: If Pierre was out, we'd put Ivory in the top-20.

Jason Snelling: Curious to see how Michael Turner responds after 30 carries. Snelling has looked as good or better than Turner through three weeks. Could pile up big yards if the Falcons get the lead.

RBs moving down: Jahvid Best: I'd play him, but toe injuries are especially concerning because players often don't finish what they started. You also have to keep a close eye on Steven Jackson, Ray Rice, and Pierre Thomas. But I'd play them if they are out there.

Ryan Mathews: The concern nows is that they'll be overly careful with him in his first game back.

Tim Hightower: Stepping back into the role we expected all along, but still not a terrible flex PPR option.

Clinton Portis: Can't trust him. Ryan Torain looked more explosive last week.

[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Probable(thigh)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Probable(-)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Mark Clayton</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Michael Crabtree</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>Probable(calf)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Kevin Walter</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Probable(-)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Devin Hester</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Legedu Naanee</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Lee Evans</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Terrell Owens</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Demaryius Thomas</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>Probable(arm)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>Questionable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>Sidelined(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>James Jones</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>Questionable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Stephen Williams</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Joshua Cribbs</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Golden Tate</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Josh Morgan</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>Sidelined(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Deon Butler</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Justin Gage</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Blair White</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Jordan Shipley</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>62</TD><TD>Brandon Tate</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>63</TD><TD>T.J. Houshmandzadeh</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
WRs moving up: DeSean Jackson: Jackson faces the only team as bad against top receivers as the Jaguars.

Brandon Marshall: Without Leigh Bodden, the Patriots don't have a player physical enough to stop Marshall.

Austin Collie: Even if Pierre Garcon is back, you can't sit fantasy's top wideout thus far against the awful Jaguars secondary.

Brandon Lloyd: It's hard to separate the Broncos wideouts. Eddie Royal should be the most consistent, while Lloyd should score the most touchdowns.

Legedue Naanee: The Cardinals secondary struggles against secondary receivers and Naanee is turning into a consistent WR3 if you need help.

Kenny Britt: He's quietly started to turn it around and the Titans will need to throw more this week.

Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter: They can benefit from Andre Johnson's injury, even if he plays.

Louis Murphy: We're believers. Especially when he faces the Texans.

WRs moving down: Larry Fitzgerald: Steve Breaston's absence can't hut, but it's fair to be concerned.

Andre Johnson: Nmamdi + bum ankle could be a bummer. With that said, it's tough to bench AJ unless you are stacked.

Steve Smith (Car): Jimmy Clausen + Jabari Greer is another rough combination.

Mike Sims-Walker and Michael Crabtree: Two of our favorites are in major slumps. We like Crabtree to be more consistently eventually. MSW is victim to David Garrard's crisis of confidence.

Mike Wallace: Tipped pass touchdowns won't happen against the Ravens. He's a top-15 option when Ben Roethlisberger comes back, but don't bet on another big game from Charlie Batch.

[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Tight Ends[/SIZE]
<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Jermichael Finley</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Dallas Clark</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>John Carlson</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>Probable(wrist)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>Probable(quadriceps)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Tony Scheffler</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Bo Scaife</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Dante Rosario</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
TEs moving up: Antonio Gates: You can't climb from No. 1, but its worth noting Gates is outscoring every wide receiver in the fantasy football except one.

Aaron Hernandez: If you picked him up, it's time to think about trading the guy you drafted.

Tony Gonzalez: Consistently beat double teams in New Orleans.

Greg Olsen: Starting to believe he can be a consistent part of the offense.

TEs moving down: Brent Celek: Everyone ahead of him has seen more targets except Hernandez, who can do more with less.

Heath Miller: One guy clearly hurt without Ben Roethlisberger. Hang on to him, though.

Marcedes Lewis: Don't trust anyone in that offense.

Owen Daniels: It's time to let him go. He may help at some point, but there's too much depth at the position.

[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Team Defense[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 4 Kickers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Nate Kaeding</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Stephen Gostkowski</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Jeff Reed</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Mike Nugent</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>vs. SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Jason Hanson</TD><TD>at GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>at SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Joe Nedney</TD><TD>at ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Garrett Hartley</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 2, 2010

Choose Wisely

There are five big-name players headed for game-time calls or otherwise navigating lingering injury situations this week: Andre Johnson, Steven Jackson, Ray Rice, Jahvid Best and Pierre Thomas. Let's waste no time and get straight to the latest news on their outlooks for this week:

Andre Johnson (ankle): He is a straight-up game-time decision for Sunday, but I'm of the opinion that fantasy owners have to hope A.J. sits in Week 4. Why? Because that ankle clearly isn't getting any better with him playing on it, and because as Evan Silva points out in his splendidly detailed Matchups column, Johnson has five catches for 94 yards total in his last three meetings with Nnamdi Asomugha. I know conventional wisdom says you don't bench your first-round fantasy pick, but this is a week that there's some clear logic behind doing it. But as I said before, hopefully Gary Kubiak will take the decision out of your hands.

Ray Rice (knee): The good news here is that Rice returned to a limited practice on Thursday and was quoted by beat writer Mike Duffy as saying, "I'm sure I'll be ready to play." The bad news is that as you should already be aware, the Pittsburgh D is an absolute disaster for opposing RB's. How bad is it? The Steelers have held Michael Turner and Chris Johnson to a combined 36 carries for 76 yards (2.1 ypc). Only bench Rice (who still figures to get some points in PPR formats) if you have a solid alternative, but this is another instance in which benching your first-round pick should not be considered lunacy.

Steven Jackson (groin): Jackson told ESPN 101 St. Louis that he's going to test his groin before the game, but acknowledged that he may not be able to fight through it (in other words, he's a textbook game-time decision). If my team had depth I would likely steer clear this week due to the risk of Jackson aggravating the injury and leaving early, but I understand that many owners may not have that luxury, and it's definitely within the realm of possibility that he plays through the injury and manages to post a strong game. Keep checking our news blurbs prior to Sunday's kickoff for updates.

Jahvid Best (turf toe): Best told the Detroit News that his toe has "gotten a lot better than I thought it was going to get," and the rookie says he's "definitely" going to play this weekend against the Packers. On one level that's positive news, but if you read Adam Levitan's powwow with Dr. Brian Eckenrode earlier this week, you might feel differently. In many ways, this is a somewhat similar situation to Andre Johnson in that it's probably ideal for Best to miss a week given the lingering nature of turf toe injuries and his tough matchup against a stout Packers run D. I can understand starting him in the hopes that he breaks a long one or punches in a short score or two, but as our Week 4 rankings illuminate, he should only be considered a low-end RB2 this week.

Pierre Thomas (ankle): Sean Payton told NewOrleans.com that Thomas' sprain was not severe, and the coach is confident that his lead back will return to practice on Friday. As of now, it looks like it'll be safe to use Thomas this week. It's also worth noting that Ladell Betts, not Chris Ivory, would be the No. 1 running back if Thomas is out, because Ivory still struggles with pass protection. Thomas owners would be wise to look in multiple other directions before turning to Betts as a fallback plan.

NOTABLE: Drew Brees is expected to wear a knee brace while presumably lighting up the Panthers' secondary on Sunday… ESPN's John Clayton envisions the Packers attempting to deal for Marshawn Lynch "in about two weeks"… Ronnie Brown was reportedly dealing with a hamstring injury during Week 3, but is not on this week's injury report… Reggie Bush (broken fibula) is hoping to return in mid-October… ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Saints are expected to use John Carney as their kicker over Garrett Hartley this week… John Clayton sets the odds on a Vincent Jackson deal before the Oct. 19 deadline at "5 percent"… After catching just seven balls the past two games, Terrell Owens expressed frustration to the Cincinnati Enquirer… Also from the complaint department: T.J. Houshmandzadeh is already showing discontent with his role in Baltimore… In a related story, air was breathed by humans.



ALSO NOTABLE: Clinton Portis (wrist) will start Sunday, but NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reports that Portis is moving toward more of a passing down role, with Ryan Torain getting increased early-down carries (time to add Torain right now if he's somehow still available)… Matthew Stafford (shoulder) won't commit to being back before the Week 7 bye, and in typical top secret Lions fashion, he told beat writer Chris McCosky that he'll play when he and the doctors decide he's ready... Raheem Morris backtracked somewhat off his earlier declaration that LeGarrette Blount was his new goal-line back, but Blount still figures to get a solid audition in the role… Ken Whisenhunt has yet to rule out Steve Breaston (knee) for Week 5, but as the Arizona Republic points out, the logical time for him to return is still after the Week 6 bye.

GAMEDAY: Ryan Mathews (ankle) practiced fully for a second straight day and is set for a drool-inducing matchup against the Cardinals' No. 31-ranked run defense… Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) missed practice again, and it looks like Laurence Maroney will get another start in Week 4… Beanie Wells (knee) completed his first full practice of the season… Owen Daniels missed practice with a hamstring injury and may not play Sunday… Donald Brown (hamstring) and Pierre Garcon (hamstring) missed practice, and both are looking very questionable to play this week… Austin Collie (heel) was added to the injury report, but the injury doesn't sound remotely serious and he needs to be active in all formats Sunday… Jake Delhomme (ankle) is reportedly limping without his walking boot, suggesting that Seneca Wallace will get another start… Seattle Mike Williams (shoulder) is back practicing fully, but has faded from relevance with just three catches and 42 total yards the last two weeks.

Editor's note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

GAMEDAY, PART 2: Louis Murphy (clavicle) returned to practice, but according to the Oakland Tribune, he was clearly at less than 100 percent. Watch Friday's reports closely… According to the New York Daily News, Mario Manningham (concussion) does not believe he was concussed, and is expected to play his third receiver role on Sunday… Jerome Harrison (thigh) is expected to return this weekend, but he's returning as a clear backup to Peyton Hillis. He also reportedly expressed frustration with his role, which irritated Eric Mangini, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer… Fred Taylor (toe) missed practice and looks unlikely to play, which means more carries for BenJarvus Green-Ellis… Bears LT Chris Williams (hamstring) will reportedly sit again, which is good news for the Giants D (and anxiety-inducing for Jay Cutler)… Darrelle Revis (hamstring) won't play at Buffalo, which obviously benefits the Bills' passing "attack." However, if you're starting a Buffalo receiver not named Lee Evans, be concerned

HacheMan · Oct 2, 2010

Matchups: Going Greene
For 6,000-word columns such as this, a "lede" tends to seem superfluous. Let's take a week off from the preamble and cut right to the chase.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

NY Jets @ Buffalo

Shonn Greene has lost his starting job to LaDainian Tomlinson after a slow start. Greene's long gain on the year is nine yards, and he's been outgained by Tomlinson at a yards-per-carry clip of 3.53 to 5.62. The Jets can kick-start Greene's season in a Week 4 matchup with the Bills' No. 27 run defense. Buffalo is without run-plugging DE Marcus Stroud (ankle) and unsung ILB Andra Davis (shoulder), and has also allowed the most rushing TDs in football. Rex Ryan spoke at long lengths this week of the Jets' ability to whip Buffalo on the ground, and they need Greene to get hot to keep winning this winter. ... LT, meanwhile, is a must-start. He's received 33 touches to Greene's 26 in the last two games, and in Week 3 played 26 more snaps than the second-year back.

Dustin Keller is tied for fourth in targets among tight ends, and is second in fantasy scoring. The Bills were ripped for a 9-108-1 line by Patriots TEs in Week 3. Keller is an elite play. ... Despite the Knucklehead Factor, Braylon Edwards is worth a look as a bye-week filler. He's posted back-to-back solid games (5-45-1, 2-87-1), and Buffalo is big-play vulnerable, giving up the NFL's eighth-most 20-plus yard completions. ... Jerricho Cotchery has 64 yards in three games. He's barely worth a fantasy spot with Santonio Holmes due back in Week 5. ... Mark Sanchez has a 6:0 TD-to-INT ratio in his last two games, exhibiting more aggressiveness with an 8.21 yards-per-attempt average. He's settling in as a quality QB2, but don't expect more than 25 throws (200 yards?) with the Jets likely to lean on the run. Sanchez threw five interceptions against the Bills in 2009.

Marshawn Lynch's 79 rushing yards in Week 3 were his second most since 2008. Though he's been somewhat reenergized by his promotion to lead back, Lynch can't be considered more than a desperation start against a Jets team that allows the fewest yards per carry (2.4) in the AFC. ... Fred Jackson has officially bottomed out, seeing four carries last Sunday. He holds very little value at this point, needing a Lynch injury or trade to regain an even semi-substantial role. ... C.J. Spiller found the end zone twice at New England, once on a kick return and again on a short catch. He's making no case for expanded offensive usage, however, with a 3.4 yards-per-touch average.

Rather predictably based on his past in-season insertions, Ryan Fitzpatrick injected life into Buffalo's offense in Week 3. Fitzpatrick holds plenty of real-life value as an NFL backup because he can add a temporary spark. It's just never evolved into sustained success, and the Bills were playing a lackluster Patriots defense. It won't keep up. ... Lee Evans was Fitzpatrick's favorite receiver, seeing eight targets. Roscoe Parrish led the team with five catches for 83 yards on six targets. Look for the split end Evans to square off mostly with new starting RCB Drew Coleman, who replaced rookie Kyle Wilson in the lineup this week. Parrish will face some combination of LCB Antonio Cromartie and Wilson for most of the game. Darrelle Revis (hamstring) won't play.

Cincinnati @ Cleveland

You didn't draft Carson Palmer as a starter -- hopefully -- but he's bottoming out as a weak QB2. A whopping 45.3 percent of Palmer's 707 passing yards and two of his three TDs so far were generated in garbage time of Cincinnati's Week 1 loss to New England. Palmer's intermediate passes are floating through the air, and his accuracy is all over the place. His balls are easy to intercept or bat down. Palmer isn't recommended even in the best of matchups. ... Like Palmer, a huge chunk of Chad Ochocinco's 2010 production came after the Pats built an insurmountable Opening-Day lead. Ocho hasn't scored or topped 44 yards since. It's time to sell on Bengals receivers. Terrell Owens is the No. 55 overall fantasy wideout and a low-end WR3.

Jermaine Gresham has been inconsistent (games of 25/15/59 yards), but the snaps are there. He's playing 80.5 percent of the offensive downs. You could do worse in a bye-week crunch. ... The Browns have been surprisingly stout against the run (3.8 YPC allowed), but it's not stopping teams from trying to run on them. Only five clubs have more rushing attempts against, and Cincy is a safe bet to fall in line with Palmer struggling. Cedric Benson's early-week missed practice isn't a concern. He's averaging 23 touches per game. Browns tackle machine D'Qwell Jackson (I.R.) is definitely out, and DLs Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip) and Kenyon Coleman (knee) are hurt.

The Browns are planning on a game-day decision at quarterback with Jake Delhomme (ankle) back in practice. Delhomme gives Mohamed Massaquoi a better chance at producing, but the Bengals know how to defend him. Matched up with Leon Hall in the teams' last game, Massaquoi had 12 yards. With one catch in his last two games, he needs to stay on benches until he shows something. ... Joshua Cribbs appears to have supplanted Brian Robiskie as the Browns' flanker, at least until Robiskie (hamstring) is 100 percent. With Robiskie out in Week 3, however, Cribbs still barely played 33 percent of the snaps. The Browns refuse to make him a full-time receiver.

Though Jerome Harrison (thigh) is on track to return, Eric Mangini has confirmed that Peyton Hillis will be the Browns' starter and lead back moving forward. He's earned it. Hillis is averaging 5.77 yards per touch, ranks fourth among running backs in catches, and has scored in three straight. Don't doubt him as an every-week RB2. Cleveland's front five is mauling opponents (e.g. Ravens in Week 3), and Hillis is a much better blocker than Harrison, increasing his chances of playing in passing situations. Hillis, who's averaged 5.3 YPC with eight touchdowns in eight career games of eight-plus carries, is currently a top-nine fantasy back. He's a must-start against a Bengals team that ranks in the bottom ten in yards-per-carry average allowed (4.5).

Denver @ Tennessee

Kyle Orton ranks second in the league in passing yards, but take it with a grain of salt. He's faced the submissive secondaries of Jacksonville (No. 29 pass defense), Seattle (No. 30), and Indianapolis (20), and now squares off with Tennessee's top-five unit. Only the Ravens, Bengals, and Eagles are allowing fewer yards per pass attempt than the Titans, and Jeff Fisher's team has given up a league-low one passing touchdown through three games. If Orton does play well, sell him high. He's a notorious fast starter and slow finisher. ... Per Pro Football Focus, these are the rotating Broncos' receiver snaps from Week 3: Jabar Gaffney 70, Brandon Lloyd 63, Eddie Royal 43, Demaryius Thomas 28. You'll have to bench Thomas until his role stabilizes.

Lloyd is getting lots of playing time and capitalizing, easily pacing the Broncos with 339 receiving yards. Gaffney, Denver's target leader, is next with 189. With Eddie Royal perhaps set to lose some offensive snaps due to his growing return role, only Lloyd and Gaffney are viable WR3s. ... Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is not expected to play, with Laurence Maroney in line for another start. Just don't be surprised if Denver turns to Correll Buckhalter early if Maroney struggles out of the gate. Maroney amassed 24 rushing yards on 12 carries (2.0 YPC) last week against a poor Colts run defense, and was stuffed relentlessly at the goal line. Use him at your own risk.

Kenny Britt is a part-timer, but he's got to be headed for a major role. The 2009 first-round pick's Week 3 TD perfectly displayed Britt's physicality and ability to "go get it," as Giants CB Terrell Thomas had him draped in the back of the end zone on the 13-yard strike. Britt will pass Justin Gage (10 targets to Britt's 9 on the year) on the depth chart eventually, though he's a risky fantasy start until he enters two-receiver sets, especially against a pass defense as talented as Denver's. ... Nate Washington continues to lap the field in targets (18). For now, he's the only Titan worth a solid WR3 play. ... Avoid Titans tight ends. Starter Bo Scaife has 80 yards through three games.

The Titans have spoken of lessening Chris Johnson's load with more Javon Ringer. Frankly, C.J. owners should hope for it. He has a league-high 75 carries, dangerously putting him on pace for 400. Few players could hold up on that usage. ... Either way, Johnson will put Denver's defense in its place this week. The Broncos are tenth in the league against the run, but have faced two rushing offenses ranked 24th or worse, and Jacksonville's struggling unit. ... Vince Young's completion rate (69.8) and yards-per-attempt average (7.9) look great, but the Titans have yet to let him throw more than 17 times in a game, and he's got four turnovers versus three touchdowns. Broncos CBs Champ Bailey and Andre' Goodman are off the Week 4 injury report.

Carolina @ New Orleans

His completion rate up to 76 percent after a 30-for-38, three-score performance in Week 3, Drew Brees has found his zone. Dominant at the Superdome, his roll won't be slowed by a Carolina team that's yielded the fifth-most passing TDs in football. ... Lance Moore managed just 23 yards in the first two games, so his 6-149-1 line in Week 3 came out of nowhere. Consistency is elusive for Saints WRs behind Marques Colston, but Moore is probably a better bet than Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson until Reggie Bush (fractured fibula) returns. Moore can dominate in the slot, and he catches everything. ... Opposing tight ends have averaged 3.7 catches for 54.7 yards with no touchdowns against the Panthers through three games. Despite Jeremy Shockey's 8-78-1 "breakout" in Week 3, he's just barely a bye-week option at fantasy football's deepest position.

Marques Colston hasn't scored or topped 67 yards in a week yet, eliciting some concern from his owners. He still leads one of the NFL's best offenses in targets, however, and the Saints may opt to attack deep a Panthers defense that's generated a league-low two sacks. Colston's primary coverman Sunday will be Panthers RCB Richard Marshall, who supports the run but is susceptible to the long ball. ... Chris Ivory swiped several short-yardage chances from Pierre Thomas against Atlanta, but a second-half lost fumble and an aggravated knee injury won't help the undrafted rookie's cause. Ivory is worth owning in all fantasy leagues, but only as a "handcuff" for Thomas. Avoid the situation if Thomas (ankle) misses the game. In that scenario, Ladell Betts is expected to be featured with Ivory maintaining a mere "niche" role off the bench.

Jimmy Clausen's abysmal starting debut featured checks to third-down back Mike Goodson as opposed to deep shots to Steve Smith. It's worth noting that Goodson, David Gettis, and Brandon LaFell ranked 1-2-3 on the team in targets, and all three practiced extensively with Clausen on the second-string offense in camp. Clausen's rapport with Smith is bound for improvement, if only because he's now practicing with Smith and the first-teamers. Panthers coaches are like fantasy owners -- they want the ball going to Smitty. It was a primary focus in practice this week, and Carolina will have to throw and throw often to keep up with the Saints. Keep Smith in your lineup.

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart received an equal amount of touches in Week 3, with Stewart executing on a third-quarter goal-line carry. After being "eased in" for Weeks 1-2, J-Stew's recovery from offseason heel surgery appears to be complete. Williams remains a good bet for slightly more touches, but both backs are quality options with the bye weeks in effect. The Saints rank 30th in the league in run defense, and are surrendering a rushing touchdown per game. The real kicker for this backfield will be the eventual return of mauling RT Jeff Otah (knee).



Detroit @ Green Bay

A Week 4 date with the NFL's worst run defense presents an opportunity for Green Bay to truly see what it has in Brandon Jackson. Jackson's fallen flat in back-to-back starts, averaging 3.39 yards per touch. The Packers need some semblance of a ground attack for the winter months, so they're either going to have to ride the Jackson-John Kuhn combo or trade for Marshawn Lynch. Expect Jackson to receive 15-plus touches on Sunday. He's not shown enough talent to be better than a low-end RB2, but the matchup couldn't be better. The Lions have allowed a league-high five rushing scores and are surrendering 5.0 yards per carry. ... Kuhn is worth a look in TD-heavy formats. He's only got 15 carries in the last two weeks, but remains the favorite for goal-line work.

Even if the Packers don't rack up 45 pass attempts again, the Lions are too bad in the secondary to have any chance of stopping them. On Percy Harvin's 24-yard TD catch in Week 3, Detroit blew two separate coverages, with Visanthe Shiancoe running wide open over the middle and Lions SS C.C. Brown forced to abandon his deep responsibilities on Harvin. Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, and Jermichael Finley will eat this pass "defense" alive. ... Donald Driver has hauled in an impressive 78 percent of his team-high 23 targets, but averages 7.16 yards per reception and is no longer any sort of post-catch threat. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising for a 35-year-old coming off double offseason knee surgery. His long catch on the year is 13 yards.

Tony Scheffler has mixed in one clunker with two strong efforts through three games, but he's a recommended bye-week start against a Green Bay defense that yielded Greg Olsen's best game of the season (5-64-1) in Week 3. Scheffler is playing at an extremely high level, hauling in 70 percent of his 20 targets, which rank third on the Lions behind only Calvin Johnson and Jahvid Best. ... Johnson has scored five touchdowns in his last three games against Green Bay, and six in the teams' past five meetings. Double coverage is unavoidable, but you can't bench Megatron against a team that has yet to show it can stop him. ... Nate Burleson (high ankle sprain) isn't expected to play, but Derrick Williams and Bryant Johnson aren't options. You already knew that.

Jahvid Best's turf toe is a big concern. There's a reason Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling just barely rank him as a top-25 RB play, and it's not just a Packers run defense that led the league in 2009. The prospect of Best sitting on the sideline for long stretches is real, as the injury is highly susceptible to aggravation. Realistically, owners should hope he doesn't play. He needs time to heal. ... Maurice Morris would get the start if Best is inactive, though he too would be an undesirable fill-in. Morris has 11 yards on 10 carries this season, and would share time with Kevin Smith. Detroit's offensive line is struggling to open holes. They need Best's moves to look viable.

Seattle @ St. Louis

Steven Jackson tweeted Wednesday that "the groin is doing good," before revealing Thursday that he's yet to resume running. In the event Jackson is a "go" for the division game, he's faced with a tough matchup. Seattle's No. 5 run defense allows a paltry 2.6 yards per carry (third fewest in football) with massive LE Red Bryant setting the edge and Seahawks linebackers filling hard on the ground. Of course, S-Jax ripped a Redskins defense that allows just 3.5 yards per carry for 64 yards and a score on 11 touches prior to his Week 3 injury. Such dominant talent is impossible to bench, although it's beginning to look like owners won't have to make the decision.

Kenneth Darby is no more than a low-end flex if Jackson sits. Though Darby ran with improved physicality off the bench in Week 3, he's disappointed time and time again in past opportunities to start. This matchup is too difficult. ... Keep a red-hot Mark Clayton rolling against the NFL's 30th-ranked pass defense. Seattle may also be forced to start rookie Walter Thurmond III in place of top CB Marcus Trufant (ankle). Clayton is the No. 13 overall fantasy receiver, and St. Louis will have to throw to move the ball without S-Jax. ... Laurent Robinson (foot) and Danny Amendola remain bench-to-waivers material. The brittle Robinson doesn't play well at less than 100 percent, and Amendola didn't even start with Robinson out last week. Amendola is strictly a slot receiver.

Justin Forsett isn't without risk, but looks to have emerged as the premier fantasy play in Seattle. A healthy Julius Jones and Leon Washington combined for one touch in Week 3, while Forsett took over as the every-down back. He touched the ball 20 times, averaging 4.7 yards-per. With the Seahawks' line finally coming together (LT Russell Okung is practicing again), Forsett is the ideal bye-week flex. ... Matt Hasselbeck also projects to benefit from the offensive line upgrades. He's currently the No. 13 overall fantasy quarterback, and the Seahawks' promise to increase Deon Butler and rookie Golden Tate's usage will only help his cause. Just keep in mind that the Rams' pass defense isn't as bad as usual. They've found a keeper in RCB Bradley Fletcher.

John Carlson is quietly tied for fourth among all tight ends in targets, behind Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates, and Vernon Davis. Coming off a 5-61-1 line, Carlson has emerged as the favorite for receiving production in Seattle. The Rams have been surprisingly stingy against tight ends, but it's not like Hasselbeck has anywhere else to throw. ... Behind Carlson's 24, Deion Branch's 16 targets are second on the Seahawks, but he's averaging a measly 8.5 yards per catch. Don't use him. ... Mike Williams, battling a shoulder injury, has seven receptions through three games. This will be Tate, Butler, and perhaps newly acquired Brandon Stokley's receiver corps in due time.

San Francisco @ Atlanta

In an effort to get Tony Gonzalez going, the Falcons worked Roddy White on frequent "clearing" routes in Week 3, drawing the safety away or forcing him to bite outside. Gonzo capitalized for an 8-110-1 line. The 49ers have allowed an opposing tight end to find the end zone in two straight weeks. ... Double coverage on White is increasing, but the NFL's most underrated receiver is proving unstoppable. He beat Jabari Greer and Malcolm Jenkins's double team over the top for his 22-yard fourth-quarter score in Atlanta's road upset of New Orleans. White won't struggle to finish as a top-ten fantasy wideout for a third straight year. ... Falcons pass catchers behind White and Gonzalez are hands-off. Harry Douglas is third on the team in receiving -- with just 71 yards.

Matt Ryan is currently the No. 9 fantasy quarterback, living up to our top-ten expectations. The 49ers' pass defense is improved from last year, but with Gonzo rolling again Ryan is hard to sit. ... Atlanta has scored a league-high 61 red-zone points. 90 percent of that battle is getting to the red zone in the first place. The Falcons' ability to consistently do this bodes extremely well for goal-line maven Michael Turner, whose 32 touches in Week 3 confirmed he is fully over his groin injury. The typically stout 49ers defense is showing some leaks, ranking 15th against the run and allowing the second most 20-plus yard rushes in the NFL. Turner is off the injury report and an RB1 in the matchup. ... With Turner healthy, Jason Snelling's 14 carries in Week 3 were an aberration. He's not a good option. The Falcons won't run the ball 50 times again all year.

For three weeks, QBs coach Mike Johnson watched as 49ers playcaller Jimmy Raye refused to make in-game adjustments to get his No. 1 receiver the ball. Multiple reports had Raye's offense so predictable that Chiefs defenders called out Raye's plays at the line of scrimmage in Week 3. Replacing the fired Raye, one of Johnson's top priorities will be creating one-on-ones for Michael Crabtree. Johnson brings lots of experience with the spread offense, in which Alex Smith, Crabtree, and Vernon Davis thrived last season. Crabtree and Smith also played in college spreads. Having generated the second fewest points in football, Johnson's offense can't help but improve, especially in the passing game. Atlanta's pass defense is a good starting point. The unit ranks 22nd overall despite facing Dennis Dixon and Derek Anderson in 2-of-3 games so far.

Frank Gore has been dominant in PPR leagues. Leading all RBs with 22 catches, he's on pace for an otherworldly 1,083 yards receiving. With the easiest running back schedule in the league from Weeks 4-12, Gore is setup for an incredible year. The Falcons give up the most yards per carry in the NFL (5.1), and top tackler Sean Weatherspoon is battling a bum ankle. ... Josh Morgan scored a fluky 12-yard TD in Week 3, something he did three times all last year. His role projects to decrease as Crabtree's rises. ... Vernon Davis has yet to find the end zone after tying Antonio Gates' tight end record with 13 scores in 2009. Look for that to change this week. Atlanta served up 11 catches for 102 yards and a touchdown to Saints tight ends last Sunday.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

The Ravens' allowance of 180 yards to Peyton Hillis in Week 3 should make Rashard Mendenhall feel better. Playing a 4-3 defense, Baltimore was manhandled all game by Cleveland's offensive line. The Pittsburgh front five is doing similar things on their running back's behalf, with Rocket Rashard's yards-per-attempt clip standing at a studly 5.2. He's fourth in the NFL in rushing. The Ravens will probably defend the run better moving forward, but Mendenhall is awfully hard to sit after seeing what Hillis did. His cause isn't hurt by the possible absence of solid run-defending DE Cory Redding (concussion), who'd be replaced by Paul Kruger. Kruger hasn't played a snap this season... Heath Miller is averaging 23 receiving yards per game. He is run blocking well, at least.

Despite three touchdown passes in Week 3, Charlie Batch isn't suddenly a viable spot start. His second-quarter TD bomb should've been picked off by Bucs CB Aqib Talib, and Batch was hurried just four times all game, according to Pro Football Focus. Baltimore brings considerably more heat. ... Mike Wallace will be a serious weapon when Ben Roethlisberger returns, but the deep threat also benefited from a mistake-prone Tampa secondary that was breaking in a new starting free safety. Wallace's first-quarter 46-yard touchdown catch went right over the top of ham-handed rookie Cody Grimm, and Batch won't have nearly as much comfort settling into his drops against Baltimore's No. 1-ranked pass defense. Hines Ward remains the better bet for catches.

Ray Rice's biggest problem isn't his bruised knee. It's his matchup. Pittsburgh's defense has reemerged as the finest in football, ranking third against the run with LeGarrette Blount as the only running back to score on them. The Steelers have already bottled up Chris Johnson (17-34) and Michael Turner (19-42). It's not crazy to play someone like Shonn Greene or Peyton Hillis over Rice. ... Despite a three-touchdown rebound game in Week 3, Joe Flacco is far from a must-start against elite defenses. While Ravens LT Michael Oher will have his hands full of James Harrison, RT Marshal Yanda will be LaMarr Woodley's next victim. Flacco won't have time to go deep.

While expectations should be limited for his inconsistent quarterback, Anquan Boldin is being too heavily targeted to bench. Flacco has directed 29 passes his way, making Boldin a clear-cut No. 1 receiver ahead of Derrick Mason (19 targets). Boldin's matchup could be better, but you can't sit the No. 2 fantasy wideout. ... Boldin's addition has made Mason a non-factor, as he's failed to top 31 yards in any of Baltimore's first three games. Mason and Todd Heap are canceling each other out in the underneath receiving game. ... T.J. Houshmandzadeh isn't just struggling in the box score; he's struggling in real life. Housh has hauled in two of his 11 targets on the season.



[SIZE=+1]4:05PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Houston @ Oakland

Bruce Gradkowski might be the sleeper of the week. Since replacing Jason Campbell at halftime of Week 2, Gradkowski is averaging 7.45 yards per pass attempt and has led eight scoring drives in six quarters. Houston is playing extremely lopsided defense, allowing the most passing yards in the league, yet not a single running back to top 55 yards through three games. Darren McFadden has earned every-week starter status, but gets his toughest test yet against a Texans team that ranks second in run defense and surrenders 3.0 yards per carry. Gradkowski could benefit with 35-plus throws, because the Raiders appear unlikely to move the ball consistently on the ground.

Receiving stats from Gradkowski: Darrius Heyward Bey -- 20 targets, 8-123-0; Louis Murphy -- 13 targets, 10-183-1; Zach Miller -- 12 targets, 5-88-1. DHB's 20 targets stand out, but they'll come down. Gradkowski is having way more success with Murphy and Miller, who both scored roughly 12 fantasy points in Week 3 to Heyward-Bey's 4.9. ... Miller is an elite start coming off a year-best effort. Tight ends are averaging nine grabs for 96 yards per game against Houston, with two TDs. Miller could feast on speed-deficient FS Dominique Barber, who will replace Eugene Wilson (hamstring) in the lineup. ... Keep a close eye on Murphy, Oakland's starting flanker. Cowboys flanker Roy Williams toasted Texans LCB Kareem Jackson for 117 yards and two touchdowns on five grabs last week. Murphy has a bruised clavicle. Heyward-Bey would benefit if Murphy sits.

It seems crazy to sit Andre Johnson, but there are lots of factors working against him this week. A.J. regularly squares off with Nnamdi Asomugha when the Texans face Oakland, and has lines of 1-9-0, 2-19-0, and 2-66-0 in their last three meetings. Johnson's ankle injury also seems to be worse after a Week 3 aggravation, and Houston threatens to go run heavy against Oakland's No. 2 pass defense. Coach Gary Kubiak has spoken openly of sitting Johnson to let the injury heal. It'd probably be for the best. ... Johnson hasn't missed a game since 2007, but when he did Jacoby Jones was the LWR and Kevin Walter stayed at RWR. LWRs usually go against the RCB Asomugha. If Johnson sits out, Walter would tentatively be a better fantasy bet than Jones.

Whereas the Raiders rank second against the pass, they're 24th against the run and allowing 4.6 yards per carry. They've also surrendered a rushing TD per game. In Week 1, Houston showed a knack for matchup-based game plans, posting a 42:17 run-to-pass ratio that included 10 runs to open the game. This looks to be an ideal time to repeat the approach. Arian Foster would be the obvious beneficiary. ... Owen Daniels popped up with a bad hamstring on this week's injury report, after being listed with a "knee" prior to the first three games. He's not an option. ... A lot of what's written above points to a potential poor game for Matt Schaub. The matchup certainly isn't ideal.

Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

The Colts' offense continues to be a fantasy goldmine. Peyton Manning is the No. 1 quarterback, now squaring off with the No. 29 pass defense. ... Austin Collie is the No. 1 fantasy receiver, and his snaps are on the rise with Pierre Garcon continuing to nurse a hamstring strain. (Collie's heel injury isn't expected to be problematic.) Reggie Wayne, the No. 8 receiver, obliterated the Jags for 10-162-1 and 5-132-1 in 2009. ... Dallas Clark is the No. 3 tight end, and had seven catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns in his last meeting with the Jaguars. There just isn't a Colts skill player with sitting in this one. Even undrafted rookie sleeper receiver Blair White is a viable WR3.

The Jaguars are tougher in run defense than they are against the pass, but Joseph Addai remains a strong bet to find the end zone this week. Especially with emerging committee partner Donald Brown (hamstring) not expected to play, Addai is a candidate for 20 touches during a game in which Indianapolis projects to dominate the time of possession battle. You can't sit him.

David Garrard's regression has continued for a third straight season, and the performance decline is now occurring on a game-by-game basis. Though Indy was ripped open for 467 passing yards by Kyle Orton in Week 3, you can't rely on a quarterback sitting on a 1:5 TD-to-INT ratio in his last two outings. Garrard might have to throw a ton to keep up with the Colts' unstoppable scoring, but recent history suggests it would result in more turnovers than touchdowns. ... Mike Sims-Walker, on the other hand, stands to be the biggest beneficiary if the Jaguars indeed get down early. Sims-Walker has also shown a penchant for stumping Indianapolis' defense. Playing through knee and calf injuries against the Colts last year, he had six catches for 64 yards and a score.

The prospect of Jacksonville falling behind early is scary for Maurice Jones-Drew, but at least the matchup is favorable. Throw out Laurence Maroney's Week 3 stink bomb and the Colts have allowed at least 120 rushing yards to each of their opponents. Indianapolis just isn't built to stop the run, and will again be without top tackler Clint Session (hamstring). While Jones-Drew's slow start has been ridden with red flags and disappointment, he's got the right upcoming matchups (Indy - 28th in run defense, Buffalo - 27th) to turn it around. ... After two solid weeks to open the year, Marcedes Lewis reverted to his shell with 15 yards in Week 3. He's just not an explosive player.

[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Washington @ Philadelphia

The Skins' defense allows just 3.5 yards per carry, but its weaknesses have been exposed. The Rams lit up the unit for 77 yards and a TD on eight carries in Week 3 by forcing Washington into its nickel package. Coordinator Jim Haslett uses the nickel whenever an opponent floods the field with three-plus receivers, something the Eagles do on most snaps. Though the matchup appears difficult at first glance, a smart offensive coordinator like Marty Mornhinweg of the Eagles should be able to exploit the Skins' soft spots enough to make LeSean McCoy a desirable fantasy start.

The Redskins are more vulnerable in the air, which is great news for Michael Vick. Washington's secondary has struggled in each of the first three games, yielding the most passing yards in the NFC and the second most 20-plus yard completions in football. The Eagles' deep passing game is hitting on all cylinders, ranking third in the NFL in pass plays of 25-plus yards. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin should continue their torrid paces. Jackson is currently the No. 3 receiver in fantasy. Seeing constant single teams outside, Maclin is sixth. ... Ranked 27th in fantasy points at his position, Brent Celek needs to stay on benches against a Skins defense that has yet to allow a tight end to top 28 yards. Celek will get it together. It's just a poor bet to happen this week.

We spoke of Santana Moss' heavy target and reception totals last week. He put it all together in a six-catch, 124-yard, one-TD explosion at St. Louis. It's not going to stop. Rod Smith and Eddie Royal were Mike Shanahan's latest flankers -- the position now played by Moss. He's the No. 14 fantasy wideout and an every-week starter. ... With the receiver spot opposite Moss a wasteland, Chris Cooley is the clear-cut second best option for Donovan McNabb. The Eagles have been surprisingly stout in tight end coverage through three games, but Cooley will be the beneficiary if the Birds stick a double team on the red-hot Moss. At least one of the two will have a huge day.

All that said, the Eagles' pass defense has been plenty stout. Ranked second in the league in sacks, Philadelphia is permitting an NFL-low 5.9 yards per pass attempt and an NFL-low 53.8 completion rate. There won't be a more motivated Week 4 player than McNabb, but the No. 16 overall fantasy quarterback doesn't have a good matchup. ... The Washington backfield is in pick-your-poison mode, with The Mastermind Shanahan continuing to play mind games. Ryan Torain is supposedly going to get most early-down work, with Clinton Portis focusing on pass blocking and potentially receiving. We'll believe it when we see it. The situation is totally unpredictable.



Arizona @ San Diego

The arrow is pointing skyward for Malcom Floyd with the impending return of LT Marcus McNeill. As San Diego's deep threat, Floyd has the most to gain from improved protection. He's also an elite play this week. Floyd has 90-plus yards and a touchdown in each of his last two games, and as an LWR will square off with Cardinals RCB Greg Toler in the base defense as opposed to LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. ... Legedu Naanee managed just 51 total yards in Week 3 despite 455 passing yards from Philip Rivers. Keep Naanee reserved. ... Antonio Gates is running away with the top spot among fantasy tight ends. He's got four touchdowns through three games.

Philip Rivers leads the NFL in passing yards through three weeks and ranks third in fantasy scoring by quarterbacks. His ability to overcome McNeill and Vincent Jackson's absences has been extremely impressive. Rivers is a surefire every-week starter. ... Ryan Mathews definitely didn't have a high ankle sprain. Such injuries, without fail, cost players multiple games, and Mathews practiced restriction-free all week. The No. 12 overall pick may lose goal-line carries to Mike Tolbert, but you've got to play Mathews against the Cardinals' 31st-ranked run defense. He won't have a better matchup all year. ... Mathews' return relegates Tolbert to the bench outside of the potential short-yardage opportunities. The fullback is no longer a strong option.

With Steve Breaston (knee surgery) and Early Doucet (sports hernia surgery) out until Week 7, Larry Fitzgerald will be Derek Anderson's first read on every single play moving forward. Tied for third in the NFL in targets, Fitzgerald has seven touchdowns in his last eight games. ... Fitz commands double teams (and routinely beats them), so new starter Stephen Williams will see constant single coverage. Williams is incredibly risky, of course, but there are worse options if you're in a bye-week crunch. Behind Fitz, Anderson almost literally has nowhere else to throw.

San Diego's defense is top-ten against both the pass and run, but a healthy Beanie Wells is an every-week starter. Returning to a full practice Thursday, Wells turned the tide of Arizona's backfield last week with 14 carries and a 5.36 yards-per average compared to Tim Hightower's 11 totes and 3.64 YPC clip. Coach Ken Whisenhunt has announced that Wells will receive more carries going forward -- a scary proposition for defenses. He's an Adrian Peterson-type talent at 100 percent. The Cardinals are an exponentially better offense with Wells as the feature back.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Chicago @ NY Giants

Amid crucial injuries to his offensive line, Jay Cutler has maintained composure against the lethal pass rushes of Green Bay and Dallas. The Giants' front seven is as dangerous as any, but it's difficult to sit the No. 5 overall fantasy QB. Just proceed with caution. Cutler lucked out of at least three interceptions against Green Bay in Week 3. ... Devin Aromashodu is out of the picture, but new slot receiver Earl Bennett doesn't offer near as much playmaking ability. ... Johnny Knox is the Bears' leader in targets and receiving yards through three games. On Sunday, he'll square off mostly with Giants RCB Terrell Thomas, who's been whipped in coverage in back-to-back weeks.

Devin Hester is averaging four targets a week. He'll face Giants top CB Corey Webster in this one, making Hester a poor bet outside of return-yard leagues. ... Greg Olsen is playing 86 percent of Chicago's snaps. He's still a TE2, but a respectable fill-in for those experiencing bye-week blues. The only big-time tight end the Giants have faced is Dallas Clark, who posted a 5-83-1 line. ... Matt Forte is coming off a slow game, receiving just 13 touches in Week 3 because the Bears abandoned the run against the Packers. A repeat doesn't seem likely. The Giants have the most rushing attempts against league-wide, indicating that opposing offensive coordinators don't envision them as tough a ground-game matchup as their 3.8 YPC allowed indicates.

The Giants' Steve Smith started slow, but bounced back against the Titans with nine catches for 103 yards. Smith isn't going to be a WR1 because he isn't even the best receiver on his own team, but at least gets a plus Week 4 matchup. Smith ordinarily squares off with left cornerbacks, and the Bears have benched LCB Zackary Bowman for oft-burned Tim Jennings. No matter which corner Chicago trots out, Smith will be too much to handle. ... Hakeem Nicks has a touchdown and/or seven catches in each of the first three games. The No. 4 fantasy receiver will give RCB Charles Tillman fits along the sideline. Peanut can't run with Nicks. ... Mario Manningham has produced as a top-20 receiver thus far. He's New York's best deep threat and a worthy WR3.

Ahmad Bradshaw hasn't seen fewer than 17 touches in a game yet, but this isn't a good matchup. The Bears are getting all kinds of up-front penetration while yielding a league-low 2.1 yards per carry. Bradshaw also lost a killer fumble -- his second in three starts -- to squander an 83-yard Giants drive late in last week's loss to Tennessee. The prospect of Bradshaw getting repeatedly stuffed is real, as is the potential for Brandon Jacobs to see an increased role. Bradshaw can't keep putting the ball on the ground. ... The Bears have given up two passing TDs in three games and are permitting just 6.6 yards per throw. You can do better than a struggling Eli Manning.

[SIZE=+1]Monday Night Football[/SIZE]

New England @ Miami

Kevin Faulk is finally having a fantasy impact, and it took a season-ending ACL tear to show up. With Faulk on I.R., Aaron Hernandez, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and even little Danny Woodhead are seeing expanded roles. ... Hernandez has been the most impressive of the lot. Rookie tight ends often struggle for consistent snaps due to poor blocking, but the Pats are utilizing Hernandez as an every-down player, scrapping the blocking idea to send him on consistent pass routes. He played 76.5 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps in Week 3 and is an easy top-12 tight end play with Jason Witten, Kellen Winslow, Visanthe Shiancoe, and Tony Moeaki all out on Week 4 byes.

Randy Moss has three TDs in his last two games. Great receivers find the end zone when they're struggling for yards and catches. He's an elite play. ... Wes Welker returns from a slow game (4-45) in which the Pats uncharacteristically threw just 27 times. Miami doesn't have a slot corner capable of containing him. ... The No. 4 fantasy QB, Tom Brady torched the Fins for 332 and 352 yards in their two 2009 meetings, averaging 10.4 yards per throw. ... Regardless of Fred Taylor's (toe) status, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has emerged as the favorite for carries in the Pats' backfield. It's not an exciting distinction, but is enough to make BGE a viable bye-week desperation play.

So much for the ill-conceived idea that Brandon Marshall's 100-reception streak would end in "the Dolphins' run-heavy offense." The AFC's leader in targets has 22 grabs through three games, putting him on pace for a career-high 118 catches. The Patriots have no answers for the physical freak, playing musical chairs in the secondary. It's going to be a long night for Pats RCB Kyle Arrington. ... At least from a non-PPR standpoint, Brian Hartline and Davone Bess are all but canceling each other out in fantasy. Hartline has 17 targets and 112 receiving yards. Bess has 15 targets and 149 yards. Bess is a low-end WR3 if your league awards points for catches.

Chad Henne is a recommended play if your starter is on a bye. The struggling Pats secondary has surrendered an NFL-most seven passing TDs and is allowing 7.5 yards per throw. Henne is fresh off a 363-yard, two-touchdown effort against the Jets, and New England brings very little pressure. ... Though a mild hamstring injury limited him to 11 carries in Week 3, Ronnie Brown appears to be on the verge of separating himself from Ricky Williams. Long a Patriots killer, Brown is averaging a full two yards more per-carry than Williams (5.4 to 3.4). New England ranks 20th against the run, giving up 4.4 yards per rushing attempt. Brown is a borderline RB1 in the matchup.

HacheMan · Oct 2, 2010

Aches and Pains
I can't remember the last time this many front-line fantasy players were true game-time decisions. By the time Saturday rolls around, we usually can make strongly educated guesses as to injuries. Not this week. Throw in the debut of the bye weeks, and we have ourselves a full-fledged scrum for information.

As detailed below, we are still unsure of the final statuses of Jahvid Best, Pierre Thomas, Steven Jackson, Andre Johnson and Joseph Addai among others. Owners need to have backup plans at the ready.

Check out the Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the Week 4 rankings from Gregg Rosenthal in combination with Evan Silva's matchup column and you'll be good to go.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

<BIG>1 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
JETS at BILLS
* Darrelle Revis (hamstring) is still out, meaning Lee Evans will likely draw unproven CB Drew Coleman.

BENGALS at BROWNS
* Jake Delhomme (ankle) is close, but we expect Seneca Wallace to get the starting nod again.
* Jordan Shipley (shoulder) is a game-time decision. If he sits, Jermaine Gresham stands to get some extra targets.
* Joshua Cribbs (ankle) is not even on the injury report, while Brian Robiskie is questionable. Regardless, neither figures to be effective against the Bengals' elite corners.
* Jerome Harrison (thigh) is healthy but is now a strict backup to Peyton Hillis.

RAVENS at STEELERS
* Ray Rice (knee) is fully expected to start. It's a brutal matchup for a player at less than 100 percent, but look for a full complement of snaps.

BRONCOS at TITANS
* Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is out. Laurence Maroney figures to lead the Broncos in touches.

LIONS at PACKERS
* Jahvid Best (turf toe) is expected to play despite a questionable tag. His usage/effectiveness will depend on the pain in his toe, which only Best knows. Start him at your own risk.
* Nate Burleson (ankle) is likely out. That means more targets for Tony Scheffler and more double teams for Calvin Johnson.

49ERS at FALCONS
* Ted Ginn (knee) remains out.
* Michael Jenkins (shoulder) is a game-time decision again. Harry Douglas has failed to capitalize on his opportunity.

PANTHERS at SAINTS
* The Saints signed DeShawn Wynn off their practice squad on Saturday. It's a move coach Sean Payton said he would make if there was a decent chance Pierre Thomas (ankle) would sit. Thomas is a game-time decision, but owners should be prepared for Thomas to be inactive.

SEAHAWKS at RAMS
* Steven Jackson (groin) is still holding out hope after going through a very limited practice on Friday. This is another case where it will be difficult to bench a stud if he is active. It's a true game-time decision. If Jackson can't go, Kenneth Darby would be the desperation start for owners.
* Laurent Robinson (foot) remains out. Mark Clayton continues to be the No. 1 target.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

<BIG>4 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
COLTS at JAGUARS
* Joseph Addai (knee) was slapped with a questionable tag and we're not sure the exact extent of his injury. With Donald Brown (hamstring) out, Mike Hart would get the start if Addai ends up sitting. Addai's owners need to roster Hart considering the 4 p.m. start.
* Pierre Garcon (hamstring) will not play. Blair White is a desperation option as the No. 3 receiver.
* Austin Collie (heel) will play despite a questionable tag.

TEXANS at RAIDERS
* Andre Johnson (ankle) is doing everything he can to get ready, but he's questionable at best. Owners must have Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter or Blair White at the ready as a backup if they are going to wait on Johnson. Even if AJ is a go, he'll be at far less than 100 percent and will see plenty of Nnamdi Asomugha. Expectations need to be very low.
* Owen Daniels (hamstring) will also be a game-time decision. Don't wait on him, there are multitudes of other tight end options out there.
* Darrius Heyward-Bey (groin) is tentatively expected to play.
* Louis Murphy (clavicle) struggled at practice all week but is expected to give it a go Sunday.

REDSKINS at EAGLES
* Clinton Portis (wrist) will play despite a questionable tag. However, coach Mike Shanahan has clearly soured on Portis. Ryan Torain could very well end up with more touches on early downs. It's a situation to avoid.

CARDINALS at CHARGERS
* Steve Breaston (knee) is out. Stephen Williams draws the start opposite Larry Fitzgerald.
* Ryan Mathews (ankle) and Beanie Wells (knee) are ready to go.

<BIG>SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
BEARS at GIANTS
* Mario Manningham got a scare from a possible concussion early in the week, but is ready to go. Victor Cruz's chance will have to wait.

<BIG>MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
PATRIOTS at DOLPHINS
* Fred Taylor (toe) will not play. BenJarvus Green-Ellis will lead the Patriots in carries.

SURVIVOR PICK
So far, I've used the Giants (Week 1), Packers (Week 2) and Patriots (Week 3). We're still alive. This week, I considered the Saints and Eagles.

The Saints are the likeliest to win as they are facing a rookie quarterback (Jimmy Clausen) that isn't ready yet. But if I'm going to win this thing, I'm going to need to use the Saints for their home game vs. St. Louis in Week 14 or their Week 11 home date with the Seahawks.

So I'm going to go with the Eagles, who face a brutal home schedule after this week. It's a risky play in a highly emotional division game, but the risk is acceptable when you look down the road.

I'd stay away from the Bengals and Texans.

MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEK
In the "Dirty Dozen" industry league, I had to decide between Jacoby Jones, Mike Wallace, Johnny Knox and Michael Crabtree at my No. 2 receiver spot. When faced with a multi-player decision like this, I like to throw guys out first.

* Mike Wallace is out because his two long touchdowns last week were pretty fluky. One ball was deflected to him and the Bucs defensive backs lost another one in the sun. I'm not buying Charlie Batch, especially while he's under heavy pressure from the Ravens' front seven.

* I think Michael Crabtree will benefit from the offensive coordinator switch, but he's still out because I don't think Alex Smith trusts his No. 1 receiver right now. Until Crabtree can produce, he's on the bench as long as I have better options.

So, it comes down to Jacoby Jones or Johnny Knox in a very close call. Jones will see a bump in targets with Andre Johnson (ankle) either inactive or hobbled and also figures to avoid Raiders top CB Nnamdi Asomugha. But I decided to go with Knox because he has been on the verge of a huge game in each of the last two weeks. He's established himself as Jay Cutler's favorite target and as Evan Silva explained, he gets a favorable matchup vs. Giants RCB Terrell Thomas. It's a coin flip and my gut said Knox.

HacheMan · Oct 4, 2010

Vick's Vaporized

Like a doctor's office with the windows left open during a tropical storm, Sunday saw a dizzying array of prognoses flying through the air with regard to Michael Vick's injury. Here are the facts we knew as of late Sunday night:

1) The first round of X-rays were negative, but they did reveal that Vick suffered injuries to his ribs and to his chest.

2) ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that there's "speculation" that Vick has a hairline fracture of his collarbone.

3) Additionally, there are rumors circulating that Vick has three cracked ribs.

4) Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer observed that Vick was "walking very gingerly" after the game, and beat writer Ashley Fox notes that Vick "really struggled" to get his right arm into his dress shirt.

5) On the flip side, NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports that DeSean Jackson spoke to Vick at halftime, at which point the QB was "sore but seemed okay." La Canfora also cites numerous Eagles players who don't believe that Vick is seriously injured.

That last one could potentially be filed under wishful thinking from Jackson and the rest of the Eagles, who saw their offense completely lose its mojo the instant Kevin Kolb stepped on the field. Though Kolb's numbers looked decent (22-for-35, 201 yards, one TD, one INT), he spent most of his day dumping off short passes while rendering deep threats Jackson (three catches, 19 yards) and Jeremy Maclin (one catch, 15 yards) completely ineffective with his unwillingness/inability to get the ball downfield.

So while there's obviously a significant concern that Vick could miss multiple weeks, the good news is that Kolb looked like nothing more than a placeholder until Vick is ready to reclaim his starting job.

Assuming for a moment that Kolb does draw the start in Week 5, you can downgrade Jackson and Maclin considerably while upgrading LeSean McCoy (a whopping 12 catches for 110 yards) and Kolb's dear friend Brent Celek, who had three catches for 27 yards, including his first TD of the year.

While we anxiously wait for definitive word on Vick, here's the rest of the news from the infirmary on Sunday:

Jay Cutler, concussion: The Giants sacked Cutler nine times (cue Ed Rooney voice) in the first half alone, and his head hit the turf on the last of those nine late in the first half, ending his night. Todd Collins took over for Cutler and was downright awful before getting knocked out of the game himself, ushering in No. 3 QB Caleb Hanie. Needless to say, Chicago's offensive line issues are highly problematic for the whole offense even if Cutler is active, and it will be hard to confidently start any Bears skill players if the QB is out next week.

Darren McFadden, hamstring: Uh oh. The oft-brittle Raiders RB pulled up with hamstring trouble at the end of a fourth quarter run, meaning that his breakout campaign (129 more total yards on Sunday) could be on pause heading toward Week 5. Beat writer Jerry McDonald speculates that McFadden "will likely hand the baton this week" to Michael Bush (seven carries for 40 yards and a touchdown), who looks like a solid Week 5 play if Oakland's lead back is out.

Steve Smith (Panthers), high ankle sprain: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Smith's timetable should become more clear on Monday, but it's safe to assume that Smith (two catches, 11 yards) is out at least through Carolina's Week 6 bye.

Pierre Thomas, ankle: This injury didn't occur on Sunday, but the latest news on it did. Thomas reportedly couldn't plant or cut properly on his ankle Sunday, so he was deactivated. His status for Week 5 remains uncertain.

Clinton Portis, groin: Mike Shanahan said in his post-game press conference that Portis' status won't be clear until Monday, which suggests that the Redskins RB may be headed for an MRI. Frustrating timing considering that Portis (11 carries, 55 yards; two catches, 26 yards) looked impressive when on the field Sunday. In the meantime, Ryan Torain (18-70-1) is continuing to emerge in the Washington backfield, and could be in line for a heavy workload against Green Bay if Portis is sidelined for Week 5.



Ahmad Bradshaw, ankle: Bradshaw sustained an apparent ankle injury early in the fourth quarter Sunday night, but returned to the game soon afterward and clearly had his normal burst. The only thing that could actually be damaged is Bradshaw's standing with Tom Coughlin after he fumbled near the goal line for a second consecutive week. Bradshaw racked up big stats (23 carries, 129 yards, one TD), but he needs to curb the fumbling problem quickly.

Bruce Gradkowski, shoulder: Gradkowski went to the locker room after taking a huge hit in the third quarter, but returned to the game and appeared to be okay. Barring anything unforeseen, he looks like he should be good to go for next week.

Louis Murphy, clavicle: Murphy played on Sunday, but beat writer Vittorio Tafur noted that Murphy was visibly bothered by his injury en route to one catch for five yards. Unless Murphy's condition somehow drastically improves in the coming days, no Raiders WR will be a safe fantasy play in Week 5.

Mike Sims-Walker, invisibility: It's not clear yet if Sims-Walker was actually injured Sunday, but the fact that he had no catches (with only one target) hints at a possible malady. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time MSW went off the grid (he also went catch-less in Week 1), so it's possible this is just another maddening hiccup during an inconsistent first quarter of the season. In the meantime, keep your eyes out for an update on any potential injuries through our news blurbs on Monday.

Justin Gage, hamstring: Gage himself isn't a fantasy option, but his absence could mean increased opportunities for Kenny Britt, who had three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. The Titans' passing attack is far from dynamic, but Britt is worth stashing if available.

Editor's note:Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

Willis McGahee, head: The Baltimore Sun reports that McGahee could have re-entered Sunday's game, and he expects to be able to play next week. No cause for concern here.

Jacoby Jones, calf: Jones (one catch for 12 yards, multiple gaffes) didn't return after sustaining his injury, leaving his status for Week 5 a question mark. An extended absence for Jones would mean increased targets for Kevin Walter.

Jordan Shipley, concussion: Shipley absorbed a vicious late hit on a dropped pass in the end zone, and the slot receiver (two catches, 29 yards) could very well be unavailable to owners in deeper PPR leagues next week.

HacheMan · Oct 4, 2010

Bulletproof

By 4:30 ET Sunday, the fantasy football universe was morphing into bizarro world. A seemingly healthy Ray Rice had taken a backseat to Willis McGahee, rookie Ryan Mathews watched fullback Mike Tolbert from the bench, and Beanie Wells did the same with Tim Hightower. Fantasy owners could hardly be blamed, then, for the unchecked hysteria that set in when Arian Foster dematerialized from the Texans offense for the first quarter and a half at Oakland.

As it turns out, Foster was being punished for missing one team meeting and arriving late to another. Although Foster's actions match scouting reports warning that maturity issues crop up when things are sailing smoothly, he was suitably chastened by the benching.

"I didn't handle my business off the field, I got disciplined for it, and rightfully so," Foster said. "I take full responsibility and I apologized to my teammates for it, and it won't happen again."

Coach Gary Kubiak, persona non grata in fantasy circles Sunday afternoon, explained that Foster had to "learn a lesson" and "pay a price." Kubiak was disappointed "but proud of him coming back and playing well." Teammate Andre Johnson noted that Foster "could easily have come out with an attitude about the situation, [but] the way he responded shows what kind of player he is."

Once he was turned loose, Foster wasted no time in responding with a franchise-record 74-yard touchdown sprint on his way to 187 yards and two scores in just over one half of action.

The early favorite for fantasy MVP honors began the afternoon as the NFL leader in rushing yards, total yards from scrimmage, and first downs. By the time he was finished, Foster had joined Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and Lions legend Billy Sims as the only backs in history to top 500 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the first four games of the season.

Leading the league in rushing by more than 120 yards, Foster is averaging a gaudy 6.3 yards per carry and 13.8 yards per reception behind a road-grading offensive line. At the season's quarter mark, he's on pace for 20 touchdowns in addition to an otherwordly 2,148 yards on 340 carries and 608 yards on 44 receptions. He's bulletproof.

[SIZE=+1]Fun with On-Pace Stats[/SIZE]

Quarterbacks

Kyle Orton - It's certainly fair to question Josh McDaniels' trade record since taking over in Denver, but watching Jay Cutler go down nine times in the first half Sunday night was a reminder that the regime's biggest trade has been an unqualified success. Orton is on pace for 700 pass attempts, 5,676 yards, 24:12 TD-to-INT ratio, 67.4 completion rate, and 8.1 yards per attempt. His 1,419 passing yards through the first four games of the season are the second-most in NFL history (Kurt Warner had 1,557 yards in 2000). Not too shabby. And the Broncos essentially received WR Demaryius Thomas and OLB Robert Ayers to boot.

Verdict: Yardage and attempts numbers will come back down to earth, but Orton is a legit QB1.

Peyton Manning - Manning established a couple of milestone's in Sunday's upset loss at Jacksonville. He and Jeff Saturday surpassed Bills legends Jim Kelly and Kent Hull for most starts by a quarterback-center combo since 1970 merger (158). More impressively, the 13-year veteran also moved into third place all-time with 51,493 passing yards, behind only Brett Favre (69,926) and Dan Marino (61,361). Manning is on pace for a career-high 5,460 yards in addition to a freakish 44:4 TD-to-INT ratio.

Verdict: Will keep it up with a minor drop-off in passing yards.

Sam Bradford - The No. 1 overall draft pick helped the first-place Rams end a 10-game losing streak against Seattle while topping their win total from last year. "We're looking at a guy that's going to be a really big-timer," predicted a duly impressed Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. The precocious Bradford is on pace for 3,776 yards, a 24:24 TD-to-INT ratio, 58.2 completion rate, and 6.0 yards per attempt.

Verdict: Will keep it up and quite possibly improve the rate numbers.

Philip Rivers - On pace for 5,312 yards, 62.4 completion rate, 9.4 yards per attempt, and a 36:16 TD-to-INT ratio.

Verdict: Will come back down to earth in all categories except completion percentage.

Mark Sanchez - Along with Michael Vick, Sanchez is the only starting quarterback not to throw an interception this season. Over his last three games, Sanchez has eight touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 109.6. He's on pace for 2,844 yards, 58.3 completion rate, 6.9 yards per attempt, and 32:0 TD-to-INT ratio.

Verdict: The other numbers are fair, but the TD-to-INT ratio is a fluke.

Buy-Lows: Tony Romo, Joe Flacco, Brett Favre

Running Backs

Frank Gore - In 1985 Roger Craig of the 49ers became the first back in NFL history to run (1,050) and receive (1,016) for at least 1,000 yards in the same season. Twenty five years later, Gore is on pace to better Craig with a line of 292 carries, 1080 yards, 116 receptions, and 1,052 receiving yards.

Verdict: The receiving numbers will go down significantly while the rushing numbers increase.

Peyton Hillis - The flipside of the Cutler/Orton trade. Who thought it was a good idea to banish Hillis to the bench last season and then flip him for Brady Quinn? In Sunday's victory over the Bengals, the bull-dozer became the first Browns back to score a rushing TD in four straight games since Greg Pruitt had five in a row in 1975. With the backfield all to himself, Hillis is now on pace for 264 carries, 1,288 yards, 64 receptions, 376 receiving yards, and 16 TDs.

Verdict: Will remain a solid RB2, but the touchdown and reception numbers will come down to earth.

Steven Jackson - Jackson closed out last season by playing through a broken back, so it wasn't surprising that he suited up Sunday with a "pocket of blood" protected by a "groin contraption." S-Jax is now up to 6,991 yards in seven seasons, bypassing Marshall Faulk for No. 2 on the Rams' rushing list and trailing only Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (7,245 yards). After playing through the painful injury, Jackson is on pace for 292 carries, 1,136 yards, 48 receptions, and 464 receiving yards.

Verdict: Will keep it up and then some.

LeSean McCoy - The Eagles are starting use Shady in the Brian Westbrook role, but his rushing effectiveness will drop if Michael Vick's rib injury keeps him out for extended period. McCoy is on pace for 200 carries, 1,092 yards, 92 receptions, 688 yards, 16 TDs

Verdict: The per-carry average, TDs, and receptions will drop.

Rashard Mendenhall - The Steelers have leaned heavily on Mendenhall in the early going, and he's on pace for 356 carries, 1,644 yards, 20 receptions, 108 yards, 16 TDs.

Verdict: The total yards and touchdowns are sustainable, though Mendenhall's carries will drop off slightly while his passing numbers increase with the return of Ben Roethlisberger.

Buy-Lows: Chris Johnson (376 carries, 1,416 yards, 48 receptions, 152 receiving yards, 16 TDs), Maurice Jones-Drew (332 carries, 1,288 yards, 32 receptions, 196 yards, 8 TDs), Ray Rice, DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner, Ryan Mathews



Wide Receivers

Austin Collie - Class of 2009 wide receiver production so far: No.7 overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey + No. 10 overall pick Michael Crabtree: 79 receptions, 1,010 yards, three TDs. No. 127 overall pick Austin Collie: 92 catches, 1,074 yards, 12 TDs. Collie is now on pace for 128 receptions, 1,592 yards, and 20 TDs.

Verdict: Collie will finish as a solid WR2, but his consistency will take a hit once Pierre Garcon returns from his hamstring injury.

Brandon Lloyd - Lloyd and Eddie Royal both cleared 100 yards Sunday, the Broncos' second consecutive game with two 100-yard receivers. It's just the third time a pair of receivers have posted back-to-back 100-yard games in franchise history and the first since Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith accomplished the feat in 2000. Lloyd, previously known as the biggest tease in the league, is on pace for a ludicrous 100 receptions, 1,816 yards, and four TDs.

Verdict: Will come down to earth.

Terrell Owens - Torching a horrid Browns secondary, Owens became the only player in NFL history with 200-yard receiving games in three different uniforms (49ers, Cowboys, Bengals) while notching his 49th career 100-yard game (fourth-most in history). Along the way, T.O. also bypassed Isaac Bruce into second-place on the all-time receiving yards list with 15,325. Thanks to one monster game, the 36-year-old is on pace for 96 receptions, 1,496 yards, and four TDs.

Verdict: Will come down to earth.

Anquan Boldin - A month into his Ravens career, it's clear that Boldin is the No. 1 receiver and all other targets are secondary. Boldin reached 600 receptions last week in 98 games, the fewest in NFL history. Celebrating his 30th birthday with a big win at Pittsburgh, Boldin is now on pace for 108 receptions, 1,420 yards, and 12 TDs.

Verdict: Will keep it up.

Mark Clayton - Sam Bradford's No. 1 receiver is on pace for 88 receptions, 1,200 yards, and eight TDs.

Verdict: Will keep it up.

Buy-Lows: Larry Fitzgerald (76 receptions, 832 yards), Calvin Johnson (80 receptions, 948 yards), Marques Colston (72 catches, 760 yards), Michael Crabtree (44 receptions, 556 yards), Hines Ward, Mike Wallace

Tight Ends

Antonio Gates - Gates has a touchdown catch in eight consecutive games, the longest streak by a tight end in NFL history. The Chargers needed to find a way to replace Vincent Jackson's production, and Gates is on pace for 96 receptions, 1,544 yards, and 24 TDs.

Verdict: Touchdowns and yards will come back down to earth, though a career-year is within reach.

Dustin Keller - "He is such a weapon," coach Rex Ryan said last week. "We laughed about it when we said to the fantasy leaguers that they should take Dustin Keller but he really is a nightmare to cover." In a breakout season, Keller is on pace for 76 receptions, 1,016 yards, and 20 TDs.

Verdict: Touchdowns will come back down to earth, but Keller has grown into Mark Sanchez's version of Dallas Clark.

Brandon Pettigrew / Tony Scheffler - The additions of Scheffler and Nate Burleson were supposed to drag coverage away from Calvin Johnson this year. Instead, Johnson has opened up the underneath routes for Pettigrew and Scheffler to exploit zone coverage with strong-armed Matthew Stafford (and Burleson) of the lineup. Pettigrew, in particular, is loving life with Shaun Hill, now on pace for 88 receptions and 996 yards versus 80 receptions and 684 yards for Scheffler.

Verdict: Pettigrew will come down to earth once Matthew Stafford returns.

Jermichael Finley - The Packers' true No. 1 receiver is on pace for 84 receptions, 1,204 yards, and four TDs.

Verdict: Will keep it up with a spike in touchdowns.

Zach Miller - The Raiders' lone reliable weapon in the passing game is on pace for 88 receptions, 1,112 yards, and eight TDs.

Verdict: Will keep it up.

[SIZE=+1]Committee Time[/SIZE]

1. Jets - LaDainian Tomlinson (22 touches, 155 yards, 2 TDs) and Shonn Greene (22 touches, 117 yards) both cleared the century mark against an overmatched Bills defense. Tomlinson climbed into seventh-place on the NFL's all-time rushing list, passing Tony Dorsett. The more valuable of the tandem attack, LT2 is on pace for 224 carries, 1,364 yards, 48 receptions, 328 receiving yards, and 12 TDs.

2. Ravens - With a balky knee on a day with unfavorable field conditions, Rice knew he wouldn't start against the Steelers. Fantasy owners, however, were blindsided by the temporary depth chart switch, suffering through a 9-touch, 29-yard kick in the teeth. Now on pace for just 240 carries, 920 yards, 44 receptions, 296 yards, 0 TDs, Rice should return to his standard role next week against the Broncos.

3. Chargers - Similar to Rice, rookie Ryan Mathews entered the game at less than 100 percent after dealing with ankle and elbow injuries. Fullback Mike Tolbert started and dominated the early workload with 18 touches, 103 yards, and TD. Mathews came on in garbage time to salvage 10 touches, 68 yards, and a 15-yard TD of his own. Coach Norv Turner made it clear after the game that he's committed to Mathews as his starter going forward.

4. Raiders - After losing training camp to a left hamstring injury, Darren McFadden (18 touches, 129 yards) pulled his right one Sunday. Backup Michael Bush came on to total 56 yards on nine touches in relief. McFadden, the league's third-leading rusher, is still on pace for 340 carries, 1,568 yards, 64 receptions, and 648 receiving yards. Bush may end up getting the start as a fill-in this week, but McFadden isn't going to lose feature-back duties at that feverish pace.

5. Saints - With Pierre Thomas (ankle) out, rookie Chris Ivory (12 carries, 67 yards) and veteran Ladell Betts (17 touches, 70 yards) split snaps and production almost down the middle. Expect Thomas to return as a RB2 next week at Arizona, though Betts and Ivory will have more active roles going forward.

6. Panthers - DeAngelo Williams (14 touches, 100 yards, 1 TD) remains the lead back, with Jonathan Stewart (8 touches, 76 yards, 1 TD) still playing second fiddle. Interestingly, third-down back Mike Goodson was limited to just one carry and zero targets in the passing game.

7. Cardinals - Tim Hightower (7 carries, 24 yards) continues to start, weening away value from Beanie Wells (6 touches, 25 yards). While Wells' carries will continue to increase, Hightower isn't going away.

8. Redskins - Ryan Torain (18 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD) was already headed for early-down work, and Clinton Portis' (13 touches, 81 yards) groin injury may accelerate the transition. This is now a full-blown committee attack, and Torain must be owned in all leagues.

9. Packers - The ground game has been on the skids ever since Ryan Grant went down. After watching Brandon Jackson (10 touches, 34 yards) and John Kuhn (9 carries, 39 yards) struggle to sustain a respectable rushing attack, Aaron Rodgers has begun pushing for an identity change heavy on spread formations.

10. Bills - Marshawn Lynch (4 carries, 8 yards) entered the Jets game as the team's flavor of the month, but he ended up splitting ineffective touches almost equally with C.J. Spiller (3 touches, 15 yards) and Fred Jackson (3 carries, 21 yards). This backfield desperately needs a Lynch trade to get back to fantasy relevance.

Falling Out: Colts (Joseph Addai), Patriots / Dolphins (MNF), Chiefs (bye), Cowboys (bye), Buccaneers (bye)

Already Graduated: Bears (Matt Forte), Eagles (LeSean McCoy), Giants (Ahmad Bradshaw), Browns (Peyton Hillis), Seahawks (Justin Forsett)



[SIZE=+1]Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Michael Vick, Eagles - Ribs
Jay Cutler, Bears - Concussion
Darren McFadden, Raiders - Hamstring
Steve Smith, Panthers - High Ankle Sprain
Jacoby Jones, Texans - Calf
Louis Murphy, Raiders - Clavicle
Clinton Portis, Redskins - Groin
Willis McGahee, Ravens - Head, Stinger
Justin Gage, Titans - Hamstring
Jordan Shipley, Bengals - Concussion

Matt Stroup's " Vick's Vaporized" column has in-depth analysis on all of this week's high-impact injuries.

[SIZE=+1]Awards Section[/SIZE]

Stat of the Week: LaDainian Tomlinson now has 25 games with 100 rushing yards and two rushing TDs, tied with Hall of Famer Jim Brown for the most such games in NFL history.

Runner-Up: Kudos to head coach Steve Spagnuolo and under-the-radar defensive coordinator Ken Flajole. The first-place Rams defense has held its first four opponents to 17 points or fewer for the first time since 1978.

Quote of the Week: From 49ers RT Anthony Davis on Chiefs' junk-grabbing DL Shaun Smith: "He tried to feel me. That's weird, right?"

Runner-up: Panthers WR Steve Smith on Jimmy Clausen's failure to get him the damn ball: "I can't do anything about that. I'm just going to run my routes. They tell me to run a dig and I'm going to run a bad mamma-jamma dig. That's what I'm going to do."

Second Runner-Up: Brandon Marshall responding to a NFL Network critique that he was gassed late in last week's loss to the Jets. "I don't honestly think those guys were elite players, including Sterling Sharpe," Marshall said. "I've got to turn on the film and see what he was able to do. I know he did some good things, but my understanding is he's not a Hall of Fame guy."

Tweet of the Week: From Cheesehead TV's @Aaron_Nagler on Marshall's comments knocking Sterling Sharpe: "If you needed any further proof that the modern player respects very little about the guys who came before him, I submit: Brandon Marshall."

Runner-up: From Andrew Garda a/k/a @ThunderingBlurb: "Hey - 1) Joe McKnight ran the ball 2) didn't fumble and 3) didn't vomit!"

Fantasy MVP of Week 4: Arian Foster, Texans
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 4: LaDainian Tomlinson, Jets
Fantasy Rookie of Week 4: Sam Bradford, Rams
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 4: Ray Rice, Ravens
Fantasy Fraud of Week 4: Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars
Fantasy Fluke of Week 4: Terrell Owens, Bengals

[SIZE=+1]George Blanda Award[/SIZE]

Only three players in NFL history have seen game action at an age older than 46-year-old Saints kicker John Carney, who drilled three field goals on Sunday:

1. John Nesser, OL, Columbus Panhandles, 1921 - 46 years, 223 days
2. Morten Andersen, K, Atlanta Falcons, 2007 - 47 years, 133 days
3. George Blanda, K, Oakland Raiders, 1975 - 48 years, 95 days

[SIZE=+1]Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses[/SIZE]

1. Colts - Fantasy juggernaut.
2. Packers - Just trade for Marshawn Lynch already.
3. Texans - Foster unstoppable, but passing game inconsistent.
4. Patriots - High-scoring game Monday night?
5. Cowboys - Working out the kinks during bye week.
6. Eagles - Kolb is a major downgrade from Vick.
7. Chargers - Rivers-to-Gates is unstoppable.
8. Broncos - Lloyd turning into weekly stud, but where is the ground game?
9. Saints - Need Thomas and Bush back; receivers still an unpredictable lot.
10. Jets - Tomlinson emerging as a strong RB2, Keller dominating at tight end.
11. Ravens - Ray Rice owes us a monster game.
12. Lions - Calvin, Best, plus two tight ends.
13. Falcons - Ryan-to-Roddy is money,but Turner hasn't been elite.
14. Giants - Eli needs a mulligan.
15. Steelers - Big Ben has the remedy.

Falling Out: Bears, Vikings
Feeling Frisky: Raiders, Rams

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Byes[/SIZE]

Patriots, Dolphins, Steelers, Seahawks

[SIZE=+1]Early Waiver Look[/SIZE]

QB - Kevin Kolb *45%, Sam Bradford 51%, Shaun Hill, Max Hall, Matthew Stafford
RB - Michael Bush 67%, Ryan Torain 39%, Tashard Choice, LeGarrette Blount, Ladell Betts, Chris Ivory, John Kuhn, Javon Ringer, Derrick Ward
WR - Kenny Britt, Robert Meachem, Mike Thomas, Brandon Stokley, Stephen Williams, Arrelious Benn
TE - Brandon Pettigrew

HacheMan · Oct 5, 2010

Where's Randy?
Randy Moss has not had a 100-yard day since Week 10 of last season. Including the playoffs, that's a 12-game streak during which he has averaged 3.2 catches for 46.6 yards. Yikes.

Of course, Moss has nine touchdowns over that span, giving him plenty of fantasy value. But Monday night was another example of how easy it has become to take Moss out of games. The Dolphins put their best corner, Vontae Davis, on Moss and gave help over the top. Yeah, the Patriots didn't have the ball very much because of special teams/defensive scores. But that doesn't explain the 11 other uninspiring performances.

So is this really what Moss has become? A mere red zone threat and decoy?

Let's put it this way: I would not be "buying low" on Moss. Despite being in a contract year, he seems pretty disinterested. He's also 33 years old and as I mentioned in our preseason draft guide, everyone finds their career cliff at some point. It's very possible that Moss simply doesn't separate like he used to.

Moss will still be an every-week threat to get two touchdowns, which means owners should not be "selling low" either. Don't go insane and start benching or dropping Moss. It's simply a case where expectations need to be reeled in outside of touchdown-heavy leagues. For me, a 12-game stretch is far too long for this to be an aberration.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

Patriots vs. Dolphins quick slants
BenJarvus Green-Ellis isn't very impressive to watch. As the broadcast team mentioned, he gets what is blocked. So even though he's the clear feature back now, he's nothing more than a flex option most weeks. ... Aaron Hernandez continues to be a focal point of the offense. Note that his biggest play was called back due to a holding penalty. ... If you started the Patriots defense, you probably won your game. ... Davone Bess is no longer a secret after his breakout last night. He won't get many more scores, but is a serious threat for 80 catches. ... Tom Brady would have had a bigger game, but he never got on the field because the Patriots defense and special teams kept scoring.

<BIG>HEADLINERS</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
We knew we'd be getting an update from the Eagles on Michael Vick's ribs Monday. What we didn't know is that LeSean McCoy actually broke a rib of his own in the second quarter and played through it. The Eagles are now in scramble mode just like fantasy owners.

First of all, McCoy is not definitely out for the Sunday Night showdown with the Niners. Players can fight through lower rib fractures with a flak jacket and other extra padding. But McCoy would be highly susceptible to aggravation, would have to deal with a ton of pain, and could have his stamina affected. Check tomorrow's Dose for Dr. Brian Eckenrode's take on the situation.

Meanwhile, the Eagles are bracing for McCoy's potential absence. With Leonard Weaver out for the season, Mike Bell is the next man up. But he has been brutal since becoming an Eagle, struggling with nagging injuries and showing nothing in his limited opportunities. Look for them to go pass-heavy Sunday night. Yesterday's rumors of a Marshawn Lynch trade aren't going to come to fruition.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Speaking of the Eagles and passing, Michael Vick will not play against the 49ers Sunday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. His cartilage damage is actually more painful than a fractured rib and the high location makes it a worse situation than McCoy's. Kevin Kolb will start.

It is a tough blow to owners who thought they had a top-5 fantasy option for the rest of the season. However, all is not lost. Vick said on a radio show Monday night that he only expects to miss 1-2 weeks. Players are often overly optimistic, but it's the first timetable we've heard and it's a good one. No one should be dropping Vick as he stands to get the job back as soon as he is healthy. For this week, Vick owners could do much worse than Kolb, who should be better Sunday with a full week to prepare. After all, there's a reason the Eagles tabbed him as their "quarterback of the future" this offseason. Kolb was excellent in two spot-starts last season.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
The injury that is flying under the radar this week is the hamstring pull sustained by Justin Gage. It means that mega-talent Kenny Britt will get a chance to play every offensive snap once again. Last year, Gage missed five games due to injury. Britt caught three touchdowns over that span and had a 100-yard game. He's a WR3 option right away.

NEWS OF THE WEEK #4
Darren McFadden's hamstring pull is especially concerning because of Run DMC's history. He has always been slow to heal and has often been ineffective at less than 100 percent. Making matters worse, Michael Bush is healthy and ready to seize a role in the backfield.

McFadden is not expected to play this week. The long-term concern is that the coaches will see this as a sign his workload needs to be reduced, even when that hamstring gets back to 100 percent. Still, McFadden has been so impressive that he should command 15+ touches upon his return. Look for him to hold RB2 value at the very least.



<BIG>MONDAY QUICK SLANTS</BIG>
DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Coach Chan Gailey admitted he considered benching Ryan Fitzpatrick in favor of Brian Brohm during Sunday's loss to the Jets. ... Coach Gary Kubiak said he was "very proud" of the way Arian Foster handled his benching. ... Cadillac Williams is expected to start splitting early-down work with LeGarrette Blount. ... Mike Sims-Walker was not hurt on Sunday. He simply was not a factor in the game plan and did not get open.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Kareem Huggins is expected to have an expanded role on passing downs going forward. ... Coach Mike Shanahan continues to heap praise on Ryan Torain. ... Everyone around the Cardinals expects Max Hall to start over Derek Anderson in Week 5. ... Santonio Holmes and Ben Roethlisberger are both off suspension. ... John Carney is only comfortable from 43 yards and in. It caps his fantasy upside despite the Saints offense. ... The Redskins are reportedly actively shopping Devin Thomas. ... Arrelious Benn is not going to start at flanker just yet, but the time is coming soon. ... Coach Pete Carroll reiterated that Matt Hasselbeck will remain his starter.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Andre Johnson (ankle) remains day-to-day after sitting out Week 4. ... Jay Cutler (concussion) is tentatively expected to be able to play Sunday. ... Jacoby Jones (calf) does not have a serious injury but is questionable for Week 5. ... Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) was limping around Monday. It is a concern as both of his feet were surgically repaired this offseason. ... Clinton Portis (groin) said he heard his groin pop on Sunday. Look for Ryan Torain to start against the Packers. ... Pierre Thomas (ankle) remains questionable for Week 5 despite sitting out last week. ... Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is also still an unknown for Week 5. ... Jason Witten (knee) is on track to play in Week 5. ... Steven Jackson (groin) was not even on the Rams postgame injury report. ... Look for Ray Rice (knee) to regain feature back status in Week 5.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Nate Burleson (ankle) was able to run routes and catch passes Monday. ... Jordan Shipley (concussion) is considered doubtful for Week 5. ... Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) is fine despite shuttling in and out of the lineup in Week 4. ... Sidney Rice (hip) is still on crutches, putting that Week 8 target return in doubt. ... Steve Smith (ankle) is almost certainly out until at least Week 7. ... There is still no timetable for Matthew Stafford's (shoulder) return. We suspect he will be back after the Lions' Week 7 bye. ... Dez Bryant (hip, ribs) is back at practice this week. ... Willis McGahee said he did not suffer a concussion in Week 4. ... Louis Murphy (collarbone) admitted he aggravated his injury during the game Sunday. ... Jake Delhomme (ankle) is expected to start in Week 5.

<BIG>WAIVERS</BIG>
DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll give out three defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes. The options are getting hairier due to the bye weeks, but we can still manage.

1. COWBOYS vs. Titans: I've noticed that this unit was dropped in a lot of my leagues considering their poor start and Week 4 bye. Gobble them up. They should have a ton of energy coming out of the bye and playing at home.

2. BENGALS vs. Bucs: A lot of owners are probably bailing on this unit after they got thrashed by the Browns Sunday. Don't panic. They'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder against turnover-prone Josh Freeman Sunday.

3. SAINTS at Cardinals: This is a desperation play only. The Saints are nothing special on defense and are banged up in the secondary, but the Cardinals are tentatively expected to start rookie Max Hall. Upgrade the Saints' D if Derek Anderson ends up starting.

HacheMan · Oct 5, 2010

Torain in Vain
For the second time this season, I took to the Twitterverse during Monday Night Football for a ruling on the Waiver Wired article title: "Britts and Pieces" or "Torain Train"? While Ryan Torain is the most obvious pickup this week, I figured the Kenny Britt title better captured the piecemeal nature of the wire this week.

As the feedback poured in, though, @TheRealTheThird a/k/a Ken Michal suggested a title that featured Torain while also capturing the desperation of fantasy owners beating the waiver wire bushes for a potential savior at running back. Of course, it didn't hurt that it was also a nod to one of the all-time classic breakup songs by The Clash.

As Michal explains, "I say 'Torain in Vain' because if you are like me, and are so desperate that you've had to pick up Torain, your season is in vain." That sums up the bye-week waiver wire despondency perfectly -- and in 140 characters to boot.

Other suggestions:

"Britts and Giggles" - @Chetrazzball
"Have You Ever Seen To-Rain?" - CCR nod by @CaliforniaJag
"To-Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain" - @thefantasydick and @DanGrazianoAOL
"Soul Torain" - @j4ffl
"All Torain Vehicle" - @PFF_Akshay
"You're To-Rain I Bet You Think This Article Is About You" - @jesseparkes

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into Week 5. Full writeups of each player are below.

***

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

Quarterbacks
1. Kevin Kolb
2. Sam Bradford
3. Shaun Hill
4. Josh Freeman
5. Max Hall
6. Bruce Gradkowski
7. Matt Cassel
8. Matthew Stafford

Running Backs
1. Ryan Torain
2. Tashard Choice
3. LeGarrette Blount
4. Danny Woodhead
5. Mike Bell
6. Ladell Betts
7. Javon Ringer
8. Derrick Ward
9. James Starks

**Note: Michael Bush (67 percent) is already owned in over half of CBSSports.com leagues. If he's available, Bush would be the top waiver option at running back this week.

Wide Receivers
1. Kenny Britt
2. Davone Bess (Week 5 bye)
3. Stephen Williams
4. Mohamed Massaquoi
5. Robert Meachem
6. Golden Tate
7. Danny Amendola
8. Mike Thomas

Tight Ends
1. Brandon Pettigrew
2. Tony Moeaki
3. Marcedes Lewis

Defense/Special Teams
1. Panthers
2. Bills

[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

Kevin Kolb, Eagles - We suggested last week that Kolb was worth carrying for the same reason Vick was earlier in the season: he has QB1 upside in the event of an injury. A week later, Kolb is in line for a start at San Francisco with Vick sidelined by a rib cartilage injury. While questions remain about Kolb's pocket presence and ability to attack down the field, he's a borderline top-12 option this week in what should be a pass-heavy attack with LeSean McCoy nursing his own rib injury. You could do a lot worse for a spot starter.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Sam Bradford, Rams - The rookie has his team in first place in a weak NFC West, and he keeps leaving a trail of admirers after every game. Bradford's early-season numbers fall just shy of Dan Marino's 245.6 yards and 21.5 fantasy points per game in what is still widely considered the finest rookie quarterback season of the post-merger era. He's on pace for nearly 3,800 yards and 24 touchdowns, flirting with dependable weekly starter status.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Shaun Hill, Lions - I've been sleeping on Hill, expecting him to fall flat against a string of strong defenses. Instead, he's posted borderline QB1 numbers while attempting no fewer than 43 passes over the past three weeks. As there's still no timetable for Matthew Stafford's return, Hill is a capable bye week fill-in once again against a frisky Rams defense this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Josh Freeman, Buccaneers - Freeman has a relatively tough matchup coming out of his bye, facing a Bengals defense allowing just the 27th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. He's worth a pickup as a QB2, but keep him on the pine for Week 5.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Max Hall, Cardinals - Though coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't talking, early signs point to the former BYU star drawing the start at home versus the Saints this week. When I recommended Hall as a long-term flier the first few weeks of the season, I was envisioning a loaded receivers corps with a healthy Steve Breaston and Early Doucet. Instead, Hall heads into a tough matchup with undrafted rookies Stephen Williams as Max Komar as his Nos. 2 and 3 receivers. Expectations should be low in the short-term, but owners of stud QBs with Week 10 byes (Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees) may want to stash Hall for a home matchup against the Seahawks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders - Gradkowski has averaged a perfectly respectable 20.8 fantasy points the past two weeks against two of the league's weakest pass defenses. Expect an adjustment this week with his top running back and three top wide receivers banged up against a Chargers defense surrendering just the 31st most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Matt Cassel, Chiefs - I'm not wild about Cassel's NFL or fantasy outlook, but desperate times call for desperate measures. The Chiefs have been preparing for the Colts for over a week now, and an already leaky secondary will be without both Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt for the foreseeable future.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Long-Term Fliers Matthew Stafford, Charlie Whitehurst

Stafford (shoulder) is unlikely to play this week, though he's worth stashing in deeper leagues for a return after the Week 7 bye. ... The Seahawks plan to increase Whitehurst's first-team reps this week. Unfortunately, he projects as a Derek Anderson-type passer.

Cut Bait: Alex Smith, Seneca Wallace, Charlie Batch, Jimmy Clausen

Smith has seven interceptions in four games, leading a winless squad that was widely predicted to win the division. If the Niners had a capable alternative, his job would be in danger. Instead, they'll watch the offense continue to circle the drain. ... Jake Delhomme is expected to start this week, sending Wallace back to the bench. ... Batch's moment in the sun has vanished. ... Clausen is overwhelmed.

Hold Off: David Garrard , Ryan Fitzpatrick

I let the cat out of bag on Twitter last week that I was going to spot-start Garrard in one league because he plays so much better at home, his back was against the wall, and the matchup was right. He responded with the second-best fantasy performance of any quarterback, but he goes on the road again Week 5. You don't want any part of Garrard in a road game. ... Although Fitzpatrick is seventh in fantasy points per week, he's not worth the risk with coach Chan Gailey admitting that Brian Brohm could see time.



[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

Ryan Torain, Redskins - Torain was already on his way to an expanded role when Clinton Portis heard his groin pop in Sunday's game against the Eagles. Portis concedes that he's unlikely to play this week against the Packers, and it's possible that he'll miss multiple games. It's perfect timing for Torain, who drew raves Monday from a head coach who said he would have been "heartbroken" had a team claimed his pet project on waivers heading into the season. Torain is poised to carry the load as a legit RB2 against a Packers defense surprisingly surrendering over 5.0 yards per carry thus far.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Tashard Choice, Cowboys - Looking for a sneaky roster stash? This offense is "way too slow" when Marion Barber is in the game, and Felix Jones has lost a touch of explosiveness with the added bulk this year. Choice is the most complete back on the roster, and he outplayed Barber the past two seasons. The Cowboys are supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. Something has got to give here sooner rather than later.

Recommendation: Worth a stash in 12-team leagues

LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers - Blount is still owned in just a third of all CBSSports.com leagues coming out of his bye week. While he's fully expected to begin eating into Cadillac Williams' carries, this isn't a Peyton Hillis situation. Earnest Graham and Kareem Huggins will be used on passing downs and in change-of-pace situations respectively, and Cadillac Williams will remain in the picture. Blount is worthy of a roster spot as long as expectations are kept in the RB3/4 range.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Danny Woodhead, Patriots - The former Chadron State star scored for a second straight game, playing more snaps than any member of the New England backfield Monday night. Woodhead is beginning to see time in both three-receiver packages and two-tight end sets. With Kevin Faulk out and Fred Taylor's return uncertain, Woodhead is well worth a roster spot in 12-team leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Mike Bell, Eagles - With LeSean McCoy nursing a fractured rib, Bell will handle the majority of first-team reps during practice this week. Digging deeper, it's not an ideal matchup start for Bell, however. The Eagles figure to go pass-heavy against a still-stingy 49ers run defense rather than relying on one back to carry the load. Bell will likely split snaps with Eldra Buckley, Joique Bell, and possibly even McCoy.

Recommendation: Worth a look 12-team leagues

Ladell Betts, Saints - Chris Ivory had been the hot pickup heading into Week 4, but it was Betts who led the backfield in touches against the Panthers. This week's matchup is attractive at Arizona, but it's a good bet that Pierre Thomas (ankle) returns to practice ready to play by the end of the week. If Thomas ends up sitting out again, Betts would once again share the load with Ivory as a borderline flex option.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Javon Ringer, Titans - Chris Johnson's "struggles" are the result of a dropoff in run blocking, consistent eight- and even nine-man fronts, an unheard of running-back double-coverage in the passing game, and an 85-yard TD that was taken off the books against the Steelers. What is concerning, though, is that Jeff Fisher has adopted a cavalier attitude toward CJ2K's ability to shoulder a ridiculously heavy workload. Johnson owners should have Ringer (7.6 yards per carry) stashed in a run-dominated offense.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a roster stash

Derrick Ward, Texans - Ward's 6.7-yard average on 12 carries Sunday suggests that he's finally gotten himself into shape over the past month. Either that or the Texans offensive line is that dominant while the Raiders run defense is that permissive. It's probably the latter two. Regardless, Ward has bypassed Steve Slaton as the "handcuff" for Arian Foster owners.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

James Starks, Packers - Brandon Jackson clearly isn't the answer, John Kuhn is a role player, and Dimitri Nance has fallen out of favor. If one of the backs on Green Bay's roster is the answer as a second-half feature back, rookie James Starks is the best bet. The sixth-rounder appears to have finally gotten over the hump with his hamstring injury, and he's eligible to return in Week 7.

Recommendation: Worth a stash in deeper leagues

Long-Term Fliers: Kareem Huggins, Kevin Smith, Anthony Dixon, Joique Bell

Huggins will get another oppotunity at some point, but he's only a passing-down specialist coming out of the bye. ... Smith is expected to get a few more touches per game, though not enough for a fantasy impact. ... Dixon needs a Frank Gore injury for relevance. ... Joique may be the best Bell on the roster.

Cut Bait Laurence Maroney, Jerome Harrison, Darren Sproles, Kenneth Darby, Maurice Morris

Maroney can't exploit an open hole. ... Harrison didn't leave the bench in Week 4. ... Sproles is just wasting valuable roster space during the bye-week crunch. ... Darby and Morris weren't needed last week after all.



[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

Kenny Britt, Titans - Jeff Fisher acknowledged Monday that Justin Gage (hamstring) "may miss some time." As our own Adam Levitan pointed out Monday night, Gage missed five games last year. Over that span, Kenny Britt posted three touchdowns and one 100-yard game. Britt gives the Titans passing offense a boost when enters the starting lineup, and he's well worth a WR3 roll of the dice this week at Dallas. This could be just the opening he needs.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Davone Bess, Dolphins - We suggested last week that Bess should be owned in PPR leagues. After his 9-catch, 93-yard explosion Monday night, it's time to consider him in standard formats as well. Bess has been a first-down machine, catching six passes in three of four games while entering the top-35 at fantasy receiver. He'll continue to exploit the open area underneath with Brandon Marshall drawing coverage away. Just don't expect the touchdowns to continue. Remember: the Dolphins are on bye this week.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Stephen Williams, Cardinals - In a down week for waiver receivers, the Cardinals' No. 2 starter is worth a longer look. He was targeted eight times at San Diego, and his name would be in the spotlights this week had Derek Anderson not overthrown him when he burned Antoine Cason and Steve Gregory on a deep ball. Pick him up on the chance that he has an early rapport with fellow undrafted rookie Max Hall.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns - Didn't think you'd ever see a receiver happy to have Jake Delhomme back under center? After posting 46 yards in the opener, Massaquoi averaged less than one reception and five yards in three Seneca Wallace starts. He can't be trusted just yet, but the arrow is pointing up once again.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Robert Meachem, Saints - Early in last week's game it looked like Meachem was headed toward a long-awaited breakout game. Unfortunately, he disappeared the rest of the way. The brief flirtation with an expanded role was a useful reminder that Meachem has the talent to produce if given the opportunity. Better to have him stashed now if you have the roster space than trying to pick him up after his first big game.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Golden Tate, Seahawks - The Seattle receiver bottleneck is similar to the backfield picture in Dallas. Something has to give. Veterans obviously on the decline are holding back talented young players ready to give the offense a shot in the arm. The Seahawks can't keep giving the majority of the snaps to Deion Branch and Mike Williams, so look for Tate's role to expand shortly.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Danny Amendola, Rams - A poor man's Davone Bess. Amendola won't find the end zone, but you can't argue with his consistency. A reliable possession receiver fearless going over the middle, Amendola has been between 4-6 catches and 40-70 receiving yards every week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in PPR leagues

Mike Thomas, Jaguars - When you find out what's going on with Mike Sims-Walker, let us know. At least he had a decent excuse for his disappearing acts last year. Thomas isn't a great bet for touchdowns, but he's been far more consistent this year than the hyphen that shall not be named. Similar to Amendola, Thomas has been between 4-6 catches and 40-90 yards in three of four games.

Recommendation: Should be owned in PPR leagues

Long-Term Fliers: Early Doucet, Nate Burleson, Arrelious Benn, Devin Thomas

Doucet (sports hernia) is racing Steve Breaston (knee scope) back for the starting job opposite Larry Fitzgerald. ... Burleson (ankle) should return this week, though he's not an exciting fantasy option. ... Benn is still another week away from the starting flanker job. ... Now on the trade block, Thomas could get a fresh start in another locale.

Cut Bait: Jerricho Cotchery, Justin Gage, Joshua Cribbs, Jordan Shipley, Deion Branch, Hawk Mike Williams, Blair White, Legedu Naanee

Santonio Holmes' return leaves Cotchery without a clear role. ... Gage has a hamstring injury. ... Cribbs' numbers will drop with Jake Delhomme taking over for Seneca Wallace. ... Shipley is out with a concussion. ... The Seahawks receivers are buzzards.

Hold Off: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Harry Douglas, Chansi Stuckey, David Nelson, Brandon LaFell, David Gettis

DHB still can't catch. ... Douglas is coming off his best game of the season, but Michael Jenkins is due back this week. ... Stuckey and Nelson are fourth or fifth options in lousy passing offenses. ... The Panthers passing game is a blatant mess.



[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions - His window is closing, but it's not shut yet. Pettigrew has taken advantage of a perfect storm in racking up 21 receptions over the past three weeks. Second receiver Nate Burleson went down with an ankle injury, weak-armed QB Shaun Hill took over at quarterback, and the Lions started playing in shootouts. Burleson is due back this week, but Hill should get at least one more start. Though Pettigrew is well worth a look in PPR leagues against the Rams, Tony Scheffler is the Detroit tight end to own for the rest of the season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Tony Moeaki, Chiefs - In case he was forgotten coming out of the Week 4 bye, this is a reminder that Moeaki remains seventh in fantasy points per game. The rookie has averaged over six targets per week as Matt Cassel's go-to receiver in the first month of the season. He's at least a TE2 option against a Colts defense missing both Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars - If Lewis can survive David Garrard's road-game pitfalls, there's matchup potential this week. Lewis has scored a touchdown or reached 70 yards in three of four games, and the Bills are the second-most generous fantasy defense to opposing tight ends.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Hold Off: Martellus Bennett, Ben Watson, Joel Dreessen

Jason Witten (MCL sprain) hasn't missed a game in six seasons. ... Watson's numbers will drop with Delhomme returning to the lineup. ... Dreessen saw an increase in snaps only because Owen Daniels was nursing a hamstring injury.

[SIZE=+1]Defense/Special Teams[/SIZE]

Panthers - It's not a great week for defenses on the waiver wire with four teams on bye and the obvious matchups to exploit already owned in the majority of leagues. Jay Cutler, sacked nine times and concussed in the first half at New York, travels to Carolina this week. Mike Martz's quarterbacks always get hit, but this is the worst offensive line of his career and Cutler is exacerbating the problem by holding the ball way too long.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Bills - It's the David Garrard factor. In road games since the start of last season, he's averaged a fumble per game, 55 fewer passing yards than home games, and twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. He's a home team defense's dream matchup.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

HacheMan · Oct 6, 2010

Viking Quest
Today's Dose was supposed to lead with Michael Vick's injury and Dr. Brian Eckenrode's take on the situation. It's a big fantasy story, and if you want to start there feel free to simply scroll down.

But around 8 p.m. Tuesday night, a much bigger story broke. Randy Moss is on the verge of being traded to the Vikings. Yes, you read that right. The Patriots, a team expected to be contending for a Super Bowl, are reportedly set to trade one of the greatest receivers ever for a draft pick. He's in the final year of his contract, but it's still a wildly shocking move.

As SI's Peter King tweeted last night, "if the Patriots think they'd lose one or two games this year solely because Moss was missing that they wouldn't make the trade."

That could speak to what the Patriots think Moss has left in the tank or perhaps to his current attitude.

Of course, fantasy owners don't care about the Patriots' motivations. Let's get to the fantasy fallout for if/when this deal goes down. And if the deal ends up falling through, just forget I ever mentioned any of this.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

RANDY MOSS: Upgrade him dramatically. As I wrote in this space Monday night, I did not like Moss as a "buy low" before tonight because he had been unproductive in terms of yardage and catches for such a long stretch. But in Minnesota, Moss will be the focal point and fits perfectly with Brett Favre. Think about Sidney Rice last year. Favre chucks it up and trusts Rice to go up and get it. Moss can still do that. Plus, there's always the obligatory honeymoon period with Moss. Trade for him if you can. Tons of targets coming.

BERNARD BERRIAN: He had five catches for 38 yards in the first three games. If you haven't cut bait yet, do so now.

PERCY HARVIN: All the attention that Moss garnered helped Wes Welker have all those big seasons and it should do the same for Harvin. Upgrade him a ton.

SIDNEY RICE: Is this a sign that Rice isn't really close to returning? Maybe. He's still on crutches and that Week 8 target date seems unrealistic. Whether you should hold him depends on your roster size. Moss' presence will take away deep targets but give Rice more single coverage. His value remains the same.

BRANDON TATE: Meet your new Patriots' starting receiver. He'll be opposite Wes Welker in all two-receiver sets and should see a ton of snaps. Tate showed off his explosiveness on Monday night with a handful of nice catches and a kick return for a touchdown. He can play. Tate won't see enough targets consistently to be a true stud, but he is well worth an add as a WR3.

AARON HERNANDEZ: It's clear the Patriots are shifting toward more of a two-tight end base formation. A team that has historically ignored the tight end in the passing game is adjusting based on personnel. That personnel we speak of is Hernandez. He makes plays after the catch like a receiver and is going to see a bump in targets. Consider Hernandez a low-end TE1 in 12-team leagues.

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WES WELKER: Many people out there think Welker is so good only because Moss draws double teams. We're about to find out. Downgrade Welker slightly, even if he does get more targets. Defenses are going to be all over him.

JULIAN EDELMAN: The Patriots will still run plenty of three-wide sets and Edelman will be the man in those. Rookie Taylor Price is also going to be active on game days. Edelman gets a bump, but I'd rather have Tate.

OK, now back to your regularly scheduled Daily Dose programming.

<BIG>INJURIES IN DEPTH</BIG>
Heading into Week 4, Michael Vick was on his way to becoming the waiver pickup of the year in fantasy. It's a great honor, one I'm sure he'd put right next to his three Pro Bowl trips. But is was not to be. The very thing that makes Vick such a great fantasy player got him in trouble when he was sandwiched by two defenders at the goal line last week.

The scary part of Vick's injury is that it could make him hesitant to run upon his return. To get a read on this situation and a few other injuries around the league, we chatted with Dr. Brian Eckenrode, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and the sports team leader for GSPP Penn Therapy and Fitness at the Penn Sports Medicine Center in Philadelphia.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

<BIG>MICHAEL VICK</BIG>
Injury: Damaged cartilage in his second and third ribs
Timetable: Out for at least Week 5

What did you think when you saw Vick was hurt? When he first got up, two thoughts went through my mind. The injury could have been from him getting sandwiched from both sides or it could have been from landing right on the ball. Either way, when I first saw it, I thought he had broken his ribs.

What's the difference between cartilage damage and fractured ribs? A fracture is a break of a bone. The cartilage is sort of the junction where the ribs come in and attach to the sternum. My guess is that he's got some inflammation in the cartilage from the trauma.

Cartilage damage is almost like a rib fracture, except you're not breaking a bone. Either way, it's still going to have to take time to heal. I donâ€™t think they'd manage it any differently if it was a rib fracture.

Can he play with a flak jacket if he isn't totally healed? I'm not sure if the injury is on his left side or right side. If it's on his left side, it might affect his throwing a little bit because he's left handed. If he's bringing his arm up overhead to throw, all those muscles will pull on that area and that might be an issue.

What kind of timetable do you suspect is realistic? It could take anywhere from 2-to-6 weeks to recover. I know he's already out this week and I wouldn't expect him to play next week. If it's on the left side, it could push his timetable longer.

What's the aggravation risk? Well, I know the Eagles have a bye in Week 8. If they wait until after that bye week, I think he'll be fine. By that point, everything should be good to go. Of course, if he takes a hard tackle or lands on the ball again, he could do the same thing again. But he wouldn't be taking extra risk if it's fully healed.

ROTOWORLD OPINION: Do not drop Vick. Even if he ends up sitting through the bye week, which seems like a worst-case scenario, he'll still be a top-8 fantasy quarterback upon his return. It's encouraging that Dr. Eckenrode notes Vick won't be more susceptible to further injury (and therefore hopefully not afraid to run) once the injury is fully healed.

<BIG>LESEAN MCCOY</BIG>
Injury: One fractured rib
Timetable: Questionable for Week 5

What does it tell you that he fractured the rib in the second quarter and still had a great game? It's either all the adrenaline running through him that allowed him to be able to play effectively, or it's very minor. It clearly wasn't bad enough that it could affect his running or his breathing.

What's the risk in the Eagles playing McCoy this week? He has a little fracture, so now he's at more risk to break it and make it more severe. Fractures take about six weeks to heal -- certainly it depends where it is. But you worry about things like if that fracture completely displaces does it puncture the lung, does it puncture another organ? That's the problem with people having really heavy trauma.

If he has just a little fracture, can he still carry a full load? If he does play, he'll be in a flak jacket. But I doubt he'd see a full load like he did last week. He's going to be limited.

ROTOWORLD OPINION: The Eagles reportedly believe McCoy may actually be able to play this week, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Still, they'll protect him if the risk of aggravation is too high as described above. Owners should be seeking safer options.

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<BIG>DARREN MCFADDEN</BIG>
Injury: Hamstring strain
Timetable: Questionable for Week 5

McFadden is always dealing with nagging injuries like this. Are certain guys simply more likely to get these types of injuries? These are usually overuse type things instead of trauma. So the question is why do these people get overuse injuries? One of the things we see with runners is that if they're training for something, they're likely to ignore problems. Like he may have said, 'eh, my hamstring is a little tweaked but he felt like he could go on it.' The problem is he keeps working it and pushing it and that sets it up for an injury.

Also, they may have had another injury somewhere else that they never really recovered from and now they're compensating. Think of it as a finely tuned car. If one tire is a little flat, what ends up happening is that you'll put uneven wear on the other tires. (Editor's note: McFadden pulled his left hamstring in training camp. The latest strain is to his right hamstring.)

So what started all these problems for him in the first place? It's hard to say what the original cause of his problems are. It might be he has poor mechanics or core strength issues.

He's known as someone that sits out for long periods of time with minor injuries. Can someone really be a "slow healer?" I don't think there's any science behind that. I'm not aware of any research that shows certain people heal faster. People have graphed tissue healing and timeframes can vary, but injuries usually follow the same course. Without having looked at him, I just suspect he's compensating.

ROTOWORLD OPINION: The best-case scenario is for McFadden to sit this week out and get all his muscles back to 100 percent. It's a bad sign that he wasn't capable of holding up to a full workload, but if he gets 15-18 touches a week upon his return he'll still be a solid RB2.

<BIG>LOUIS MURPHY</BIG>
Injury: Clavicle bruise
Timetable: Questionable for Week 5

Is the clavicle and collarbone the same thing? How do you hurt it? Yes, they are the same thing. My guess is it's from a fall and he landed on it very hard. I believe the clavicle is the most commonly broken bone on the body.

Can he be effective playing through this after showing an inability to do so last week? They can pad it up, but the clavicle has to move a little bit to get his arm up over his head. He needs it to have that mobility and feel comfortable doing it.

Another week of recovery would be beneficial. If he's still really sore, he's probably not going to be very effective this week either if he tries to play through it.

ROTOWORLD OPINION: Murphy struggled with drops and had to take plenty of plays off last week. If he's not able to put in a full practice this week, we'd seek healthier options.

The Upenn rehab specialists interviewed in this story have not examined the athletes discussed. Their statements are general guidelines regarding their experience with injured athletes, and should not be taken as medical opinions.

For more information on Brian Eckenrode, PT, DPT, OCS and GSPP Penn Therapy and Fitness, visit phillyrehab.com.



<BIG>TUESDAY HEADLINES</BIG>

NEWS OF THE DAY #1
Marshawn Lynch was finally traded and he landed in Seattle. I posted all the fantasy fallout over on Pancake Blocks.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Cadillac Williams actually admitted that his days as the Bucs' feature back are over. And he said he's cool with it, because he understands the team is looking to the future. Really, what else can Caddy say? He's averaging 2.5 yards per carry.

As we've been saying for a couple weeks now, Kareem Huggins will pick up work on passing downs and LeGarrette Blount is going to get plenty of work in short yardage and early downs. Neither will be studs, but both are worth roster spots in deeper formats.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
The Cowboys entire organization from Jerry Jones on down have "unanimously agreed" that Felix Jones needs to touch the ball more going forward. It's an obvious adjustment with the Cowboys looking slow when Marion Barber is in the game. Look for 11-14 touches out of Jones this week as his arrow points up.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Clinton Portis (groin) is almost certainly out this week. Ryan Torain is a fine spot start. ... Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) has a chance at playing this week. ... Jason Witten (knee) remains on track to play Sunday. ... Jacoby Jones has a "pretty good" calf strain, according to coach Gary Kubiak. ... Matthew Stafford (shoulder) is expected to attempt throwing this week. ... Pierre Garcon (hamstring) reportedly has a good chance to play this week.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Beanie Wells is not happy with his role and plans on talking to coach Ken Whisenhunt about it. ... Dolphins coach Tony Sparano laughed off a report that Chad Henne is in danger of being benched. ... Dwayne Jarrett was cut after his second DWI. The Panthers picked up David Clowney. ... Ben Roethlisberger will start in Week 6, as expected.

HacheMan · Oct 6, 2010

Exploiting bad defenses
Bye week season is upon us, which means you may be playing matchup roulette for the next two months, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver. It's a good thing that NFL defenses have conveniently sorted themselves into three categories: Amazing (Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Chargers), Ordinary (Saints, Colts, and others), and Miserable.

Let's leave the Amazing defenses alone this week: you know to think twice before starting a mid-tier quarterback against the Jets or Steelers. Let's skip the Ordinary defenses as well, because they're ... well ... ordinary. Those Miserable defenses give you the opportunity to turn a bye week starter into a star. Here are breakdowns of the four of the worst defenses in the league, with special emphasis placed on the passing game. These teams are so bad that it makes sense to juggle your lineup when facing them to get the best possible matchups.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

[SIZE=+1]Houston Texans[/SIZE]
How Bad are They? The Texans have allowed 337 passing yards per game and earned their first two interceptions of the year last week against Bruce Gradkowski and the Raiders.

Cardinal Sins: Allowed Gradkowski to throw for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Allowed Zach Miller to have an 11-122-1 day. Gave Roy Williams (5-122-2) reason to crow. Allowed 426 yards and a touchdown to Donovan McNabb, who has looked rickety against other opponents. Let the Redskins and Raiders get back into the game in the fourth quarter, meaning that fantasy owners can feast on prevent defense yardage when the Texans try to hold a lead. The Colts also racked up impressive offensive numbers, but they are the Colts.

On the Other Hand: Brian Cushing's imminent return will boost the pass rush and underneath coverage.

Looking Ahead: Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith are all definite starts next week, and Mario Manningham is worth a look in deep leagues if he's healthy. Matt Cassel makes a great bye-week plug-in when the Texans host the Chiefs in two weeks.

[SIZE=+1]Washington Redskins[/SIZE]
How Bad are They? The Redskins have allowed 406 total yards and 305 passing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 66.5% of their passes against them.

Cardinal Sins: Allowing Matt Schaub to throw for 497 yards and three touchdowns, with Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter combining for 23-302-2. Allowing Tony Romo to throw for 282 yards when Romo was clearly having one of his Planet Romo games. Permitting Kevin Kolb and Sam Bradford to do anything except curl up and whimper in the pocket: Kolb looked awful, but he still managed to throw for 201 yards and a touchdown.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

On the Other hand: The Redskins have kept opponents out of the end zone (just 19.8 points per game) and have solid defensive personnel on paper. They may also lead the league in dropped interceptions, and if Carlos Rogers ever replaces his marble hands with soft, pliant linoleum, he could really improve their turnover potential.

Looking Ahead: It's Full Speed Ahead when the Redskins face the Packers and Colts; consider giving your second-tier starters from those teams (Austin Collie, Donald Driver) starts against the Redskins. After that, things get interesting: Jay Cutler and (likely) Matthew Stafford should have solid fantasy games against the Redskins later in the month.

[SIZE=+1]Jacksonville Jaguars[/SIZE]
How Bad are They? The Jaguars have allowed 404.3 total yards per game, including 303.8 passing yards. Their victory over the Colts was more the result of Colts sloppiness than any Jaguars defensive resurgence.

Cardinal Sins: Making Michael Vick look like an All Pro again, forcing America to talk about no one else for a full week. Allowing Eddie Royal and Brandon Lloyd to combine for 13-215-0 in the season opener. Giving up two touchdowns to Antonio Gates and one two Malcom Floyd against the Chargers.

On the Other Hand: The Jaguars have faced a lot of good passing offenses. They may prove capable of clamping down against lower-level quarterbacks, although most of us entered the season thinking of Vick and Kyle Orton as lower-level quarterbacks.

Looking Ahead: Ryan Fitzpatrick is great at racking up stats against bad or disinterested defenses. He's a last resort, but there are crazier plans if you suffered an injury rash at quarterback and your league provides a boost for rushing yardage. Vince Young comes to town in two weeks, and that may be the time to re-insert him into the lineup if you benched him. Nate Washington and Kenny Britt are also good plug-ins for that week. Matt Cassel arrives in three weeks. Check the waiver wire! Considering his upcoming schedule, Cassel could get you through an injury crisis.

[SIZE=+1]Buffalo Bills[/SIZE]
How Bad are They? How does 31.3 points and 382.8 offensive yards per game grab you? The Bills are still waiting for their first interception of the year.

Cardinal Sins: Making Mark Sanchez look efficient while throwing for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Making Brad Smith look like a quarterback. Aiding and abetting the reanimation of LaDainian Tomlinson. Making life far too easy for Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Generating just four sacks and a turnover in a month of football.

On the Other Hand: The Bills are so bad that teams fall asleep on them. Fourth quarters are clock-killing sessions, keeping passing yards low, and opponents have broken out the backups and buffoonery against the Bills. There have been a lot of Brad Smith, Joe McKnight, Danny Woodhead, and John Kuhn sightings against the Bills, so you can't count on the biggest players having the biggest games against them.

Looking Ahead: David Garrard and Mike Sims-Walker make a great spot starter this week. After the bye, the Bills travel to Baltimore and Kansas City. The Ravens game is a chance to dust off Joe Flacco if you benched him during his slump, or to give Derrick Mason a chance to get you through a thin week like in the old days. And then ... it's Cassel time again!

HacheMan · Oct 7, 2010

Hernandez Helium Watch

After a possibly unprecedented nine Rotoworld news updates Tuesday night, the Vikings and Patriots pulled the trigger on a trade Wednesday that will send the Randy Ratio back to Minnesota. Tiffany Simons and guru Gregg Rosenthal did an excellent job of breaking down the fallout in a two-minute Fantasy Fix video. Adam Levitan also impressively analyzed the fantasy repercussions for a whopping 11 players affected by the trade.

One area we've yet to address, however, is the long-term outlook in keeper and Dynasty leagues. Here's a quick run-down of the winners and losers:

Winners

1. Brandon Tate - Do the Patriots make this trade if they're not convinced that Tate can handle the deep-threat role in the offense? Tate goes from roster stash to possible WR3 status while Dynasty owners reap the benefit of the "urgency" factor. They'll know shortly whether Tate can be counted on as a building block.

2. Aaron Hernandez - The sky is the limit. The youngest player in the NFL is already on pace for 70+ receptions and nearly 1,000 yards while playing starter's snaps as a "move" tight end. Essentially a souped up wide receiver, Hernandez is now Tom Brady's best weapon in the passing game. His owners benefit tremendously from his designation as a fantasy tight end even though he bears little resemblance to the traditional definition of one. He's already a top-five Dynasty tight end.

3. Brett Favre - Offensive line issues remain, but the roadblocks to 2010 fantasy success are falling by the wayside with the definitive No. 1 receiver in town. There's also renewed talk that we could be in for another season of the "Favre Watch" next summer with Moss reinvigorating him as well as the Vikes' 2011 Super Bowl chances.

4. Randy Moss - I'm not buying for one second the speculation that Moss has lost a couple of steps. For whatever reason(s), his role was diminished in the Patriots' passing game this year. You can bet Favre will force the ball his way as a focus of the Vikings offense. To quote one NFL official, "the only player scarier than Randy Moss is Randy Moss with something to prove."

5. Percy Harvin - With one NFL source labeling Harvin "a better Wes Welker," it's fair for his owners to get excited about the arrival of Moss. Harvin won't catch as many passes as Welker did the past few years, but he's far superior as a playmaker. He's headed back to the slot where he can abuse smaller corners.

6. Julian Edelman - Tate has received all of the post-trade hype, but don't sleep on Edelman, who will see a spike in snaps as well. Tate's injury track record is spotty, and Edelman has already proven that he can produce at this level. He'll join the lineup in three-receiver sets.

Losers

1. Tom Brady - Don't underestimate Moss' impact on QB fantasy success. He's granted aberrant career passing years to Brady, Daunte Culpepper, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Brad Johnson, and Kerry Collins. Brady remains a solid QB1 long-term, but his upside is now 25-30 TDs per year.

2. Wes Welker - It's foolish to speak in absolutes on issues which can only be determined with coaches tape, but there is ample evidence to assume that Welker will see "more double teams than ever" without Moss drawing defensive attention. Lost in Welker's early-season fantasy success is the fact that he's clearly not back to the player he was pre-injury. He won't be beating double teams the rest of the way.

3. Bernard Berrian - He won't fight for the ball, which makes him persona non grata with Favre. There's a sliver of hope that he will sign in a more beneficial situation after the Vikes release him in 2011, but I wouldn't feel beholden to a roster spot in 20-25 deep leagues.

4. Visanthe Shiancoe - No tight end in the league derives more value from touchdowns and quarterback situation. Moss' red-zone presence caps Shiancoe's upside, and Favre's uncertain future is just as concerning.

5. Sidney Rice - A report surfaced Wednesday morning that Rice's slow recovery from hip surgery was a factor in the trade. There are reportedly not many at Vikings headquarters who are confident that Rice will play any time soon. Rice and Moss are both in contract years, and it now appears that the latter is the higher priority. Rice's injury history and long-term quarterback concerns also have the arrow clearly pointing down.

Redskins Backfield

Clinton Portis will miss at least 4-6 weeks with a third-degree separation of his groin, where the muscle was torn off the bone. Injured reserve is a distinct possibility, and the Washington Post suggests Portis "has played his last game" for the Redskins. Coach Mike Shanahan already has the anointing oils out for Ryan Torain, calling him "a top back in the National Football league . . . no question about it."

After watching Week 4 game film, NFL Network's Brian Baldinger believes that Torain has a legitimate chance to be Shanahan's "next great find." Yes, this is the same "top back" cut from the Skins' roster a month ago. Shanahan insists he's confident in Torain's ability to shoulder the load, chalking up his pet project's torn ACL, torn PCL, broken elbow, Lisfranc fracture, and ankle injuries of the past four years as "freakish" in nature. Torain certainly has the talent to succeed as a feature back. Hyperbole aside, though, he'll have to avoid injuries, fumbles, and being yanked on passing downs to truly succeed as a RB2 in a backfield that has been an unreliable source of fantasy value.

As the two paragraphs above clearly show, "The Mastermind" can be quick to change gears in his backfield. Shanahan also has a strong history of riding the hot hand. The Skins have yet to activate Keiland Williams from the practice squad, but the move is likely coming later this week. Considering Shanny's depth-chart whims and Torain's checkered health record, Williams is well worth a waiver addition in 12-team leagues.

Quick Slants

Darren McFadden (hamstring) was unable to practice Wednesday, and both top Raiders beat writers expect him to miss this week's game against the Chargers. With third-stringer Michael Bennett (hamstring) also injured, Michael Bush should carry the load to the tune of 20-30 touches as a rock-solid RB2 this week.

Fred Jackson confirmed a report that he will receive the "bulk of the carries" this week following the Marshawn Lynch trade. C.J. Spiller will also see more action, but it's Jackson who will benefit the most in the short-term. The Bills' run-blocking has been worse this year than last, however, and the offense isn't moving the ball. Spiller is the superior option as a roster stash while F-Jax is the better use of a flex spot this week against the Jags.

Phillip B. Wilson of the Indianapolis Star suggests that Austin Collie will remain the Colts' starting flanker even with Pierre Garcon returning. Collie (foot) and Reggie Wayne (knee) were both held out of Wednesday's practice for extra rest while Garcon (hamstring) returned. Collie has been the most productive receiver in the league this year, and the Colts are loath to limit his snaps to three-wideout sets after Garcon's slow start to the season. Don't sell high on Collie.

Sidney Rice (hip) is not expected to be ready to resume football activities when eligible in Week 7, but coach Brad Childress insists the receiver remains on schedule in his recovery. At this point, it's a longshot that he'll be ready by the original timetable of Week 8 or 9.

Editor's Note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

Around the League: ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that a Vincent Jackson-to-New England trade is "not happening." ... Max Hall will take over as the Cardinals' quarterback going forward. ... Coach Andy Reid confirmed that Michael Vick (ribs) will remain the Eagles' starting quarterback regardless of Kevin Kolb's performance. ... Shaun Hill will make his fourth straight start in Week 5 against St. Louis. ... Coach Mike Singletary insists he's "nowhere near" the point of considering a quarterback switch. ... Randy Moss is said to be looking for a contract in the range of $10 million per year. ... In addition to the Packers, the Patriots and Eagles also discussed Marshawn Lynch with the Bills. ... The Jaguars insist that Mike Sims-Walker is not in the doghouse, but the receiver is frustrated with his inconsistent role in the offense. ... Coach Jeff Fisher expects Kenny Britt to "step up" and "make a lot of plays" with Justin Gage (hamstring) likely out this week. ... Texans signed DE Mark Anderson, released by the Bears on Tuesday. ... Shawne Merriman remains on the trade block, and it's possible that the Chargers could even release him. ... Moise Fokou is expected to replace Akeem Jordan as the Eagles' starting strong-side linebacker this week. ... The Jets are expected to have CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring) and OLB Calvin Pace (foot) on hand for Monday night's game.

Injury Report: Jay Cutler (concussion) is expected to start this week after being limited in Wednesday's practice. ... Jake Delhomme (ankle) returned to a limited practice, taking the majority of the first-team snaps. ... Ray Rice (knee) has resumed practicing without limitations. ... Jahvid Best (turf toe) and Steven Jackson (groin) should be fine going forward after practicing on a limited basis. ... Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) was limited in practice but insists he's 100 percent. ... Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) still stands a good chance of playing after missing practice, possibly for precautionary reasons. ... LeSean McCoy (rib) , Pierre Thomas (ankle), and Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) are all in question for this week. ... DeAngelo Williams was held out of Wednesday's practice with an illness. ... Panther Steve Smith (high ankle sprain) is in an air cast and will not play this week. ... Andre Johnson (high ankle sprain) was sidelined Wednesday, but coach Gary Kubiak is encouraged by his progress. ... Jacoby Jones (calf strain) was unable to practice Wednesday, a sign that he could miss this week's game. ... Laurent Robinson (foot) has resumed practicing without limitations. ... Jason Witten (MCL sprain) returned to practice and will play on Sunday. ... Owen Daniels (hamstring, knee) was limited and Tony Scheffler (concussion) was held out on Wednesday. ... The Packers fear that ILB Nick Barnett's wrist injury could be season-ending. ... Eagles LCB Asante Samuel (concussion) is expected to start in Week 5. ... Bengals LCB Johnathan Joseph's (forearm) status for Week 5 is uncertain.

HacheMan · Oct 7, 2010

Week 5 Rankings Chris Johnson has been stuffed for a one-yard gain or less 34 times this season. He's gained more than 10 yards on a run five times. While Johnson hasn't been a disaster in fantasy leagues, he's been one of the least effective running backs in football so far. His usually excellent receiving game has suffered too; he's somehow averaging 3.2 yards-per-reception.

So what's going on here?

Johnson has always been a boom or bust runner, but this is easily the worst stretch of his career. When I watch Titans games, I see Johnson working very hard for very little gain. Teams are stacking eight and nine defenders in the box against him. But that was the case last year.

The big difference is on the offensive line. The team got rid of Kevin Mawae at center, who was supposed to be their weak link. But now leaks are springing at every spot. And the Titans passing game hasn't proven it can beat one-on-one matchups on the outside.

I think Johnson will bounce back and have a strong season. In fantasy leagues, I'd buy low. But that evaluation is not based on anything I've seen this year. It's on his incredible history.

Johnson ate up neutral matchups last year. He didn't have one run over eight yards against the Broncos. Against New York, he only started having a good fantasy day on his 29th carry of the day.

I'd rather own Adrian Peterson right now than Johnson, but who else would you rather bet on? Johnson would still be my No. 2. He's managed to put decent numbers even when he's struggling. Bigger days should be ahead, but it's time to start seeing it. Johnson owners didn't draft him for borderline RB1 production.

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Peyton Manning</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Tony Romo</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brett Favre</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Kevin Kolb</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Shaun Hill</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Bruce Gradkowski</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Vince Young</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Alex Smith</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Josh Freeman</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Max Hall</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Ryan Fitzpatrick</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Todd Collins</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jake Delhomme</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Jimmy Clausen</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

QB Going up: Eli Manning gets his turn beating up on the Texans. … Kyle Orton has earned matchup proof status. … Shaun Hill has put up good stats, but Sam Bradford has the far easier matchup in their showdown. … With a week to prepare and a neutral matchup, Kevin Kolb should do better than people expect. He'll get yards. … Joe Flacco has bounced back from his ugly start. Denver is a plus matchup.

QB Going down: Donovan McNabb is just as unreliable in Washington as he was in Philadelphia. … Don't expect Randy Moss to save Brett Favre's season – not in this matchup. Moss can't block for Favre. … There's no way you can try to guess whether Good Garrard or Bad Garrard will show up. … Gut feeling Vince Young will air it out this week, for some of the reasons I talked about above.

Editor's Note: For exclusive projections of all ranked players and tons of extra stats tools and columns, check out Season Pass.

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Running backs[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>Probable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>Probable(thumb)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Ryan Torain</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>Probable(flu)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Felix Jones</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>Questionable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Questionable(ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Mike Tolbert</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Brandon Jackson</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>Unlikely to play (hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>John Kuhn</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Ladell Betts</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Mike Bell</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Chris Ivory</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Jason Snelling</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>LeGarrette Blount</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Kareem Huggins</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Mike Goodson</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Laurence Maroney</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Javon Ringer</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
RB Going up: If Jahvid Best is healthy enough to play on turf, you have to play him. … Look for Ryan Mathews to take over most of the carries in San Diego again in a plus matchup. … Michael Bush should get 20 carries for the Raiders if Darren McFadden is out. … Ahmad Bradshaw is essentially a must start. I'd rather have him for the rest of the season than Mathews, Cedric Benson, and many other high-draft backs. … Fred Jackson can be used right away because Jacksonville's defense is struggling. … LeSean McCoy is ranked as if he'll start. … Felix Jones is expected to become a bigger part of the offense.

RB Going down: The move to Todd Collins can't help Matt Forte, even if the Bears finally start to establish the run. … My gut says Pierre Thomas won't play. Move Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory up 15 spots if they are out. … Willis McGahee is headed to a backup role again. … Even with Marshawn Lynch gone, I don't trust C.J. Spiller on a weekly basis. … Even if Darren McFadden plays, he's shown he's not a player you can trust to play through injuries well.

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>Probable(foot)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Mark Clayton</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Terrell Owens</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Brandon Lloyd</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Michael Crabtree</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Kevin Walter</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Dez Bryant</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>Probable(ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Lance Moore</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Devin Hester</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>Questionable(calf)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>Probable(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Lee Evans</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Legedu Naanee</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Demaryius Thomas</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Stephen Williams</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Josh Morgan</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>James Jones</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Chris Chambers</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Dexter McCluster</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

WR Going up: Hakeem Nicks has evolved into a must start every week. … Max Hall can't hurt Larry Fitzgerald. Really. We've hit bottom. … Overall, I think the Vikings trade helps Randy Moss a little. He was starting to become a smaller part of the Patriots offense. … Stick with Santana Moss coming off a down week. He'll get enough targets to make it worth it. … Eddie Royal and Brandon Lloyd are becoming difficult to sit as WR3s. … Expect Santonio Holmes to be the Jets top receiver in his first game back. … We're betting big on Kenny Britt this week and for the rest of the season. He's the guy Vince Young looks to in the red zone and few players are better with the ball in the air.

WR Going down: Jacoby Jones won't be close to 100% if he plays. Same goes for Louis Murphy. … Jeremy Maclin is hurt by the Kevin Kolb move. Vertical plays will go way down. … Colts are a different defense at home. Matt Cassell won't have enough time to find Dwayne Bowe down the field. … Mike Sims-Walker is a fine option this week in a plus matchup. The Jaguars will likely make a point to get him the ball. … Braylon Edwards is still not a fantasy option I trust, especially with Holmes back.

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Tight Ends[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Dallas Clark</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Jermichael Finley</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>Probable(hip)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Probable(wrist)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Tony Scheffler</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>Questionable(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Tony Moeaki</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Bo Scaife</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Team Defense[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 5 Kickers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>vs. NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>at DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Nate Kaeding</TD><TD>at OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>John Carney</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Mike Nugent</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>at CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>vs. KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Jason Hanson</TD><TD>vs. STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>David Buehler</TD><TD>vs. TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>at IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Joe Nedney</TD><TD>vs. PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Connor Barth</TD><TD>at CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>vs. NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>vs. CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 8, 2010

Matchups: Guessing Game Plans

I've dabbled with hypothesizing NFL teams' weekly approaches in this space before, but we'll go heavy on the concept this week. With a quarter of the season in the books, we can formulate a pretty good idea as to the soft spots in defenses, as well as offensive strengths. We've seen surprises -- the Panthers own a legitimately tough run defense and the Broncos have among the most pass-happy offenses in the league -- while an unflagging passing attack remains in Indianapolis and the Steelers' defense still gives up chicken feed to opposing ground games.

Let's kick it off with a matchup that Vegas projects to be the highest scoring of Week 5.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

NY Giants @ Houston

Injuries to Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones leave Houston no choice but to take a balanced-to-run-heavy plan of attack. Kevin Walter is the team's only oft-used, healthy wideout, and just so happens to be their best run-blocking receiver. Arian Foster's brief Week 4 benching was a well-timed kick in the rear. The Texans' line really showed its dominance, meanwhile, by allowing Derrick Ward and Steve Slaton to pile up 97 rushing yards and a touchdown in just over a quarter before Foster entered. Foster has already beaten up on a strong run defense, dumping 126 total yards on Dallas' top-eight unit in Week 3. He's also the NFL rushing leader by a 126-yard margin.

Johnson (ankle) will be a true game-time decision. You can't bench the NFL's best receiver if he plays, even with a run-heavy approach likely on Houston's side. The Giants took a huge leap up the pass defense rankings (they're now No. 2) during their sack-happy Week 4 domination of Chicago, but they're not really that good. … Texans fill-in LT Rashad Butler, who served up three sacks to DeMarcus Ware two games ago, will have to receive constant "help" blocks from Owen Daniels and/or Joel Dreessen in his matchup with Osi Umenyiora. Don't look for much deep passing from the Texans. Matt Schaub will be in trouble if he has to throw 35 or more passes. He's just a low-end QB1.

The Giants-Texans over-under is 47.5. (Saints-Cardinals, at 45.5, is the second highest of Week 5). New York's old-school coaching staff typically enters games with a smash-mouth approach, but that wouldn't be a good idea this week, particularly with Ahmad Bradshaw's ankle at less than 100 percent. Houston hasn't let an opposing rusher top 55 yards, ranks second in run defense, and has the fourth fewest rushing attempts against in the league. The Texans rank dead last in pass defense and completion rate allowed (70.1), and their eight passing scores against are the third most in football. Get Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith going, and don't be shy about Mario Manningham as a WR3 in spite of his catch-less Week 4. Eli Manning is a quality bye-week QB1.

Bradshaw claims he's healthy despite missing Thursday's practice, but in-season musical chairs on the line might be a bigger roadblock in the prohibitive matchup. The Giants played them in practice this week, with Shawn Andrews installed at left tackle, LT David Diehl kicking to guard, and usual LG Rich Seubert moving to center. Both of New York's top centers (Adam Koets, Shaun O'Hara) are banged up. Bradshaw flashed matchup-proof ability in a 143-yard effort against a Bears team that entered Week 4 ranked No. 1 in run defense, so he's hard to bench. Just consider him a low-end RB2 as opposed to the RB1 he's played like. The G-Men will struggle to run the ball Sunday.

Denver @ Baltimore

Baltimore's is an especially difficult game plan to guess. The Broncos have been stout against the run (4.1 YPC, one rushing TD allowed) and susceptible to the pass (8 passing TDs against, tons of big plays allowed), but their best talent is in the secondary. Despite Denver's Week 4 stifling of Chris Johnson (64 total yards), I'd be hard pressed to bench a healthy Ray Rice, who might be the best buy-low target in all of fantasy. Willis McGahee suffered a stinger in last week's surprise appearance as Baltimore's lead back, a stint sure to be short-lived. Coordinator Cam Cameron is a longtime proponent of balanced offense, and even if he went pass heavy, Rice would be the go-to back. Rice isn't just the Ravens' best pass-catching RB. He's their top pass protector.

Week 4 might prove the turning point for Joe Flacco. He was a marksman against a Pittsburgh team playing the best defense in football. Flacco has a 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio in his last two games, with at least 256 yards in each and a 67.6 completion rate. Denver is tied for second-to-last in sacks (four in four games), so Flacco won't be sweating any pass rush. ... The Broncos use Champ Bailey to shadow No. 1 receivers, and the shutdown corner has answered the bell. No "Number One" has topped 65 yards or four catches against Denver yet. On pace for a 108-1,420-13.1-12 line, Anquan Boldin can't be benched. But expectations should be checked. ... Derrick Mason could be the beneficiary. No. 2 receivers are averaging seven catches for 84 yards with three TDs in four games against Denver. ... Todd Heap still hasn't found the end zone this season.

The Broncos lead the NFL in passing, have a banged-up running back, and play the Ravens, so their approach seems pretty cut-and-dry. Kyle Orton is averaging 44 attempts per game with at least 300 yards in three straight. Unfortunately, Baltimore leads the league in pass defense and yards allowed per throw (5.2). The Ravens have surrendered one passing score in four games. Assuming Baltimore doesn't dominate time of possession with Ray Rice (quite possible), the pass attempts will be there for Orton. It's just a matchup to avoid. ... Also avoid the Broncos' running game. Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is practicing on a limited basis, but reporters on hand observed that he's "definitely not close" to full strength. He didn't play well before the injury, either.

UPDATE: Moreno has been ruled out. Laurence Maroney and Correll Buckhalter will share the backfield again, making Denver's backfield completely hands off for Week 5.

With Orton firing away, his receivers are trading off monster games. In Week 1 it was Brandon Lloyd (5-117), Week 2 the Age of Demaryius Thomas (8-97-1), Week 3 featured Lloyd (6-169-1) and Jabar Gaffney (12-140), and Eddie Royal emerged last Sunday for an 8-113-1 line against the Titans. ... With a difficult matchup, it's a tossup if you're trying to guess between Gaffney and Royal. Gaffney is playing more snaps, but Royal is a more dynamic talent. ... Lloyd is the NFL's second-leading receiver. He's an every-week starter until proven otherwise. ... The only Broncos wideout definitely worth benching is Thomas. The first-round pick is playing the fewest snaps by a wide margin, and caught just one pass for nine yards in Week 4. Thomas is now returning kicks.

Kansas City @ Indianapolis

The Colts lead the league in passing TDs, rank third in pass attempts, are averaging the second most passing yards per game, and have been picked off once this year. Their game plan is sure to be pass heavy beneath the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium's retractable roof. And if a rejuvenated Chiefs defense is leaky anywhere, it's in the back. K.C. ranks 26th in pass defense despite having faced passing "attacks" led by Seneca Wallace and Alex Smith in two of their first three games. Kansas City's rank might fall into the 30s after this one. You're starting Peyton Manning (No. 1 fantasy QB), Dallas Clark (No. 3 TE), and Reggie Wayne (No. 2 WR) anyway.

Austin Collie's "decreased role" in Week 4 (5-39-1) resulted from Peyton picking apart the Wayne-David Jones duel opposite him. Collie drew Rashean Mathis, so Manning exploited the easier matchup. Most teams won't assign their top CB to Collie, but the Jags never did adjust. The most productive receiver in fantasy at the quarter mark, Collie isn't a good sell high. The Colts won't stop winging it, and he won't fall out of the top-ten wideouts. ... Pierre Garcon is expected to return after two missed games, but owners must wait to see something. He was a non-factor when healthy, and will come off the bench. ... Joseph Addai doesn't have a great matchup against K.C.'s No. 5 run defense, but can never be benched because he's always a threat for multiple touchdowns.

UPDATE: ESPN's John Clayton reports that Collie (foot) is unlikely to play. If Clayton's report is right, Garcon would draw the start.

Coming off a bye, the Chiefs have a league-low 42 pass attempts compared to an AFC-high 34.7 rushes per game. It's no secret that a fresh K.C. team wants to run the ball. Despite their fluky 3-0 start, there's just no way the Chiefs can keep up with the NFL's third highest-scoring offense without throwing. Jamaal Charles, of course, is the primary back when Kansas City goes to pass. His matchup bolstered by a date with an Indy club that ranks 29th in run defense, allows 5.0 yards per carry, and just lost run-stopping safety Melvin Bullitt for the season, Charles is setup to break out. Todd Haley's staff also had time over the bye to watch extensive early-season film. Charles' 8.46 yards-a-touch average compared to Thomas Jones' 4.13 couldn't have helped but stand out.

When the Chiefs are forced to pass, they'll find a familiar face in Indy's lineup. With Bullitt and Bob Sanders (tricep) out, Herm Edwards/Carl Peterson third-round pick DaJuan Morgan is the Colts' starting strong safety. A special teamer, Morgan doesn't cover or support the run well, and was released by Haley's staff early in training camp. Haley could attack Morgan with rookie TE Tony Moeaki, whose 19 targets lead the Chiefs. ... Dwayne Bowe, second on the team in targets, is Kansas City's strong-side receiver, so he'll square off with Morgan's side more often than not. Despite a slow start, Bowe is a strong WR3 after the off week. The Chiefs need to get him the ball, and they know it. ... After signing a three-year, $12 million contract in the offseason, Chris Chambers appears to have called it a career. The 32-year-old is averaging 17.7 yards per game.

Green Bay @ Washington

It's deja vu all over again, with Ryan Torain reappearing as the flavor of the week. The brittle, if ideal zone-blocking back, is receiving all kinds of kudos from his coach and avid film watcher Brian Baldinger of NFL Network. Mike Shanahan described Torain as having "a lot of upside," going so far as to call him "a top back in the National Football League." Baldinger cited Torain's "one-step quickness and vision" when predicting he'd become "Shanahan's next great find." Torain showed his muscle on a Week 4 touchdown run, lowering his shoulder to de-cleat sure-tackling Eagles SS Quintin Mikell. Torain began celebrating the score ten yards away just as gravity had pulled Mikell back down to Earth. With Clinton Portis all but done for the year with a third-degree groin tear and separation, Torain has next to no competition for carries. The Packers are surrendering an NFC-high 5.2 yards per tote, and will be without top run-stopping LB Nick Barnett (dislocated wrist).

Based on his praise of Torain, Shanahan's game plan figures to be balanced. Quietly, however, this matchup has high-scoring potential, with everyone getting a piece of the pie. LT Trent Williams' (knee, toe) return is great news for the Skins' passing attack. ... As noted by Pro Football Focus, Green Bay was incredibly vulnerable over the middle in Week 4, allowing Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler to crank out a combined 154 yards on 14 grabs. Susceptibility underneath -- only exacerbated by Barnett's loss -- is nothing new for the Packers, who gave up Greg Olsen's best game of the season (5-64-1) the week before. Chris Cooley will feast on fill-in SS Charlie Peprah with Morgan Burnett out for the year. ... Santana Moss is coming off a catch-less clunker, as McNabb needed to complete only eight passes to beat the Eagles. Expect lots more throwing Sunday. The Skins are moving Moss around enough to keep him off Charles Woodson.

The Packers are a scuffling 3-1, with Aaron Rodgers yet to truly find his rhythm. Washington's pass defense was made to look good by an ill-prepared Kevin Kolb in Week 4, but this isn't a strong unit. Rodgers also called out the coaching staff after last Sunday's near-loss to Detroit, begging for more spread formations. He's likely to get his wish, as Brandon Jackson proved in a best-case matchup with the Lions that he's incapable of being a difference-making back. Expect plenty of passing. The Redskins rank 31st in the league in pass defense and boast a mediocre-at-best pass rush. Emerging as one of the better guards in football, Packers RG Josh Sitton is capable of neutralizing Albert Haynesworth when the Redskins employ a four-man line (which they do often).

Washington has allowed a tight end to score in back-to-back games (Daniel Fells in Week 3, Brent Celek in Week 4), and Jermichael Finley is on pace for 1,204 yards on 84 receptions. This is only the beginning. ... Before Kolb's check down-filled Week 4, the Skins were among the most burnable teams in football in the deep passing game. Don't sit Packers top vertical receiver Greg Jennings, who's stayed alive with touchdowns in 3-of-4 games despite weak yardage totals. ... Donald Driver has settled in as Green Bay's primary slot receiver, and it's a great position for him at this stage of his career. He'll fade as the year progresses like last season, but you could do worse as a WR3. Driver is often open. ... Avoid Jackson and John Kuhn, who are sharing time equally. Washington surrenders a measly 3.7 yards per carry and has allowed just one 20-plus yard run in four games.



St. Louis @ Detroit

Much is being made of Sam Bradford as a fantasy fill-in for Tom Brady, Michael Vick, and Ben Roethlisberger owners. It's not a bad idea, but this is more likely to be the Steven Jackson show. Especially against a Lions team that ranks fifth in sacks, the Rams won't risk their future by letting Bradford drop back 40 times if they can help it. Detroit ranks 25th against the run, is letting up 4.8 YPC, and has yielded the third most rushing scores in the NFL. S-Jax confirmed his previously injured groin is behind him by racking up 25 touches in Week 4, and subsequently not appearing on the Rams' post-game injury list. Perhaps most promisingly, Jackson got stronger as the game went on, rushing 10 times for 28 yards in the first three quarters and 12-for-42 in the final frame.

Bradford is still a worthwhile play. His yardage totals have jumped in three straight weeks, putting him on pace for one of the greatest rookie QB seasons in history. Across the NFL, only the Jags allow more yards per pass attempt than the Lions, so Bradford doesn't require 40 throws for a big game. ... Mark Clayton is a top-nine fantasy wideout at the quarter point. His 41 targets are 10 more than the next Ram (Danny Amendola) and sixth in all of football. He's a high-end WR2 at Detroit. ... Amendola is playing 51.2 percent of St. Louis' offensive snaps. Brandon Gibson is at 87.8 percent since Week 2. Going for 50 yards and a touchdown compared to Amendola's scoreless 46 yards in Week 4, Gibson is the better sleeper if Laurent Robinson (foot) doesn't start.

Shaun Hill has racked up yards in Detroit's pass-first offense, topping 330 in 2-of-3 starts. He now faces a Rams team that hasn't allowed more than 17 points yet, with the pass defense emerging as a strength. It's allowed three passing TDs in four games, letting up just 6.8 yards per throw. Bradford and Kevin Kolb are preferable plays. ... Jahvid Best is more likely to be the game plan's focus. The Rams' glaring weakness is still on the ground (4.6 YPC, NFC-most six 20-plus yard rushes allowed). Best is also noticeably faster on turf, and the stats support it. He's averaged 7.74 yards-per on 35 touches in games at Ford Field and the Metrodome, but just 3.33 yards on 36 touches at Soldier and Lambeau Fields. Best returns to the home turf -- literally -- on Sunday.

Calvin Johnson catapulted himself to 11th in the fantasy receiver ranks with a dominant, two-TD effort against the Packers in Week 4. Megatron roasted 2009 Defensive POY Charles Woodson all over the field, and his outlook further improves with Nate Burleson (ankle) due back. Johnson will now be harder to double team. ... Holding John Carlson to one catch for 15 yards last Sunday, the Rams have been stingy against tight ends. No TE has scored on them, and only Chris Cooley has topped 50 yards (he had 53 in Week 3). Feel free to use Tony Scheffler (concussion) if he plays, but don't chase Brandon Pettigrew's fluky receptions run. Burleson's return lessens Pettigrew's passing-game role, and he'll be on the line blocking if Best is leaned on heavily, as expected.

Chicago @ Carolina

Jay Cutler's (concussion) first career missed start is a death knell for Bears skill players. 39-year-old Todd Collins will start his first game since 2007, and just his fourth in the last nine years. Behind an offensive line that surrendered 10 Week 4 sacks, Collins won't get the ball downfield to Johnny Knox. It's not a bad idea to insert Carolina's fantasy defense if you're into week-to-week streaming. Collins, a weak-armed game manager, is a statue in the pocket and egg-beater pass waiting to happen. ... Panthers top CB Chris Gamble will likely be assigned to Devin Hester for most of Sunday. Having topped 17 yards in 1-of-4 games this season and three catches once since Week 11 of 2009, Hester belongs on fantasy benches. The receiver experiment needs to end soon.

Greg Olsen is similarly struggling, having topped 39 yards once this season. Like any Martz tight end, Olsen is totally dependent on touchdowns to make fantasy noise. He won't make any with Collins at quarterback. ... Thanks to superb play from thumping MLB Dan Connor and always-awesome WLB Jon Beason, Carolina is allowing the fifth fewest yards per carry (3.3) in football. The Panthers' run defense turnaround is for real. Matt Forte has yet to top 3.0 yards per carry in a single game this year, so he'll have to catch lots of check-downs from Collins for a productive day.

The Panthers' game plan is easy to guess, because there's only one thing they do well -- run. As noted by Pro Football Focus, RT Geoff Schwartz was particularly dominant in a Week 4 game that saw DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart total 176 yards and two TDs, mauling Saints LE Alex Brown all day. Bears LE Israel Idonije has played the run better than Brown, but not by a ton. Look for Williams to be the focal point as Chicago's run defense rank continues to fall. It was No. 1 entering Week 4, and is now No. 6. ... Stewart is an awesome talent, but his 55-yard touchdown reception last Sunday was fluky, coming on a blown coverage. It was also just his third catch in four weeks. J-Stew hasn't topped 10 touches yet, and needs more work to be used with confidence.

Outside of dump-offs to Williams -- and extremely rare ones to Stewart -- the Panthers' passing game is a fantasy dump with Steve Smith (high ankle sprain) out through the Week 6 bye. Not only will the game plan be run-first, Nos. 2-4 receivers David Gettis, Brandon LaFell, and Dwayne Jarrett combined for eight targets in Week 4, generating 38 yards. Jarrett is now a free agent. ... Jimmy Clausen will get better by the week -- he didn't turn the ball over last Sunday after losing two fumbles and throwing a pick in Week 3 -- but it's a process. He's a weak bet to top 180 yards in any game going forward.

Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati

The Bucs return from their bye planning to use a running back rotation consisting of as many as four players (Cadillac Williams, LeGarrette Blount, Kareem Huggins, Earnest Graham). Three-man (not four) committees have some history of success, but usually only when at least one or two members possess elite talent. No Tampa back fits that description, so frequent substitutions may do more to defeat rushing rhythm than increase productivity. Blount is the best bet for goal-line carries and a more explosive early-down option than Williams, but this is a highly unstable situation until proven otherwise. Cincinnati has an above-average run defense (4.1 YPC allowed, No. 15 overall). Expect quite a few more pass attempts than carries from the Bucs on Sunday.

The Bucs don't seem to apply logic when formulating game plans as a routine, but they'd certainly be smart to rely on Josh Freeman's arm against an injury-riddled Bengals secondary. SS Roy Williams (MCL sprain) is definitely out. LCB Johnathan Joseph is questionable, and may struggle to "jam" receivers at the line of scrimmage due to a deeply bruised forearm even if he does play. Mike Williams is typically Tampa's LWR (going against shutdown RCB Leon Hall), but the Bucs could create a favorable matchup by moving the rookie to RWR (where he did play for the majority of Week 2). It's a lot of hypotheticals to rely on for lineup purposes, but Williams should get plenty of chances regardless. His 22 targets lead the Bucs. Kellen Winslow is next in line with 16.

Cedric Benson hasn't had an especially difficult schedule (@ NE, vs. BAL, @ CAR, @ CLE), yet has bested 3.39 yards per carry once in four games (4.0 against Cleveland last week). According to Pro Football Focus, Benson didn't break a single tackle in Week 4. It's hard to imagine benching him against a Bucs run defense that ranked dead last in the league in 2009 and is 28th this year, but Benson wouldn't be a bad sell high if he turns in a serviceable game. While the Bengals' line deserves much of the blame, keep in mind that Benson was worked hard down last season's stretch. He had 37 carries in Week 7, 34 in Week 8, was injured in Week 9, and returned for workloads of 36, 29, and 21 carries in the Bengals' last five games. It may be catching up to him.

Despite last week's 371-yard, two-touchdown fluke, Carson Palmer continued to struggle. In the losing effort, he took four sacks against a Browns team that entered with four in three games, and continued to float passes in the intermediate and deep zones. If not for Terrell Owens' monster run-after-catch game and a Browns secondary clearly lacking confidence, Palmer would've been much less productive. The Bucs aren't a tough matchup (their No. 10 pass defense ranking is deceptive), but also aren't bad enough to use Palmer. We'd rather start someone like Sam Bradford, Kevin Kolb, or Eli Manning (in the aforementioned matchup). ... Bucs shutdown CB Aqib Talib is likely to take one of the Bengals' receivers out of this game, but which one remains to be seen. T.O. did leapfrog Chad Ochocinco in fantasy points last week. Owens is the No. 8 receiver. Ocho is 21.

Atlanta @ Cleveland

Peyton Hillis has been the biggest workhorse in football over the past two weeks. He ranked third in the NFL in touches in Week 3, and led the NFL with 29 in Week 4. Hillis played all but three offensive snaps last Sunday, and those missed were all game-ending kneel-downs. Without even knowing a matchup, backs used like this are impossible to bench. Hillis is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, has scored a touchdown in 4-of-4 games, and ranks fifth among all tailbacks in receptions. The Browns would be foolish to not pencil in another 25-plus touches for Hillis against a Falcons defense allowing 4.6 yards per carry. Atlanta is also hurting at the second level, with MLB Curtis Lofton (knee) and WLB Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) both missing practice reps this week.

Increasing the likelihood of a Hillis-centric approach is the anticipated return of Jake Delhomme. Though he's expected to start, Delhomme (high ankle sprain) was unable to make it through a full practice week, and injuries like his are highly susceptible to aggravation. Delhomme upgrades the deep passing game (i.e. Mohamed Massaquoi), but it should only be used as a change of pace. According to Pro Football Focus, Hillis has generated 170 of his 246 rushing yards after contact since Week 2. A Browns passing game that has Ben Watson as its leading receiver has to take a backseat to such dominance. Of course, with Eric Mangini at the controls, anything is possible.

Few secondaries have looked worse than Cleveland's over the past two weeks. Joe Flacco and Carson Palmer have struggled against most everyone else, but the Browns let them combine for 317 yards per game, 9.45 yards per attempt, five touchdowns, and a 70.15 completion rate. LCB Eric Wright's confidence appears to be shot heading into a date with Falcons RWR Roddy White, while Browns RCB Sheldon Brown was victimized for 122 yards and a TD by Terrell Owens in Week 4. Matt Ryan is a borderline top-five QB1 (I'd use him over Matt Schaub or Kyle Orton) and you won't find a more recommended WR1 than White. ... After a slow start, Tony Gonzalez has 15 receptions in his last two games. The Falcons are making an obvious effort to get him the ball.

On paper at least, Atlanta can whip Cleveland in the air. But it's not in the Falcons' nature to come out throwing, no matter the opponent. The Falcons have run the ball more than any team in the league through one month, and the second-place Jets aren't even close (37.2 rushing attempts per game compared to 32.8). Though the Browns haven't allowed a touchdown on the ground and are surrendering just 3.8 yards per carry, it's going to be another carry-filled day at the office for Michael Turner. "The Burner" is sitting on a disappointing 3.8 YPC average, but you can't bench a talented running back when he's on the hook for 20-plus carries, in addition to all work in goal-line situations.



Jacksonville @ Buffalo

Matchups can turn a season around quickly. Maurice Jones-Drew wasn't a top-30 fantasy back entering Week 4, but got off the schneid in a 121-total yard, two-touchdown effort against the Colts' No. 29 run defense. Ranking dead last in the league against the run and having let up an NFL-high seven rushing touchdowns, the Bills are even more generous. Just keep in mind that MJD had to fight for every yard against Indianapolis behind Jacksonville's putrid interior run blocking. Unless you're 4-0 or 3-1 and already gearing up for the fantasy playoffs, watch Jones-Drew rip up Buffalo, then sell him high. He doesn't get another truly favorable matchup until Week 14 against Oakland.

Chris Wesseling pointed out in Week 5's Waiver Wired that since 2008 David Garrard has averaged a fumble per game, 55 fewer passing yards, and twice as many interceptions as touchdowns in away games than at home. Wesseling then recommended the Bills' defense as a spot play. It's good advice. There isn't a QB in football with worse (or more fantasy-reliable) splits, so don't chase Garrard's numbers from Jacksonville's Week 4 home upset of Indianapolis in this road game. ... Mike Sims-Walker appeared to play behind Tiquan Underwood against the Colts, finishing without a catch on one target. Sims-Walker and Underwood are bench material until one emerges as an every-down player. ... Mike Thomas hasn't scored on the year. He's a low-end WR3 in PPR and a WR5/6 in non-PPR. ... If you're using Marcedes Lewis, you're counting on a TD. He does nothing downfield.

The Marshawn Lynch trade moves Fred Jackson to the top of Buffalo's tailback depth chart and C.J. Spiller to No. 2. Their upsides are capped by an offense that doesn't move the ball or run block well, but now is the time to use Jackson. He won't be a better bet for touches going forward, and Jacksonville is giving up the second most rushing scores in the league. The Jaguars are running their defensive line into the ground. RE Aaron Kampman and DTs Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu almost never come off the field, tiring as games progress. If this keeps up, Jacksonville will be an especially favorable running-game matchup down the stretch. Alualu is a rookie, Kampman is 31 years old, and Knighton is 330 pounds after several hours in the sauna.

Even in a matchup with the Jaguars' No. 30 pass defense, the Bills' passing game just barely merits a mention in this column. Ryan Fitzpatrick, as expected, came back to earth in Week 4 after "adding a spark" in a close loss to New England the week prior. Look elsewhere if you're desperate at quarterback. Coach Chan Gailey admitted after last week's game that he considered inserting Brian Brohm. Fitzpatrick is obviously on a short leash. ... Lee Evans isn't playing well, but he at least is the Bills' receiver most worthy of a roll of the dice. Buffalo's split end, Evans will line up across from either David Jones or Derek Cox for most of Sunday's game. Jones and Cox were preyed on by Peyton Manning in Week 4, with Reggie Wayne racking up 19 targets and 15 grabs.

[SIZE=+1]4:05PM ET Game[/SIZE]

New Orleans @ Arizona

Max Hall isn't a good bet to light up the box score in his first NFL start, but he's got a quarterback-friendly situation. The Saints aren't generating turnovers at near their 2009 rate, and rank in the bottom ten in sacks. DEs Alex Brown and Will Smith have one QB takedown combined. CB Tracy Porter's torn MCL pushes into the lineup nickel back Randall Gay, who's stretched as a starter. It all adds up to an improved outlook for Larry Fitzgerald. Fitz would normally go against Porter's side. Hall, who completed over 67 percent of his passes in each of his final two years at BYU, is an immediate accuracy upgrade over Derek Anderson. Anderson's completion rate was 51.8. Hall probably won't hit Fitz on any bombs, but will provide more after-the-catch opportunities.

The Cards' intent should still be to run early and often with an undrafted rookie quarterback. They certainly have the matchup to execute. Assuming the Saints' passing offense doesn't suddenly catch fire and grab a big early lead, Arizona should be able to impose its will with the run. The Saints have allowed an unruly 672 total yards (168 per game) and six touchdowns to running backs so far. Beanie Wells' matchup couldn't be better, and even Tim Hightower is worth a look as a flex play. If the Cardinals win the toss, expect them to receive and go to work on the ground.

Speaking of bad run defense, Arizona takes the cake. Rookie ILB Daryl Washington was benched in Week 4, DE Darnell Dockett has never been a good run defender, and 33-year-old OLBs Clark Haggans and Joey Porter are washed up. Saints coach Sean Payton loves to prey on matchups after watching film, and won't struggle to eyeball the Cardinals' weakest link. Pierre Thomas (ankle) is questionable, but Payton might go run heavy anyway against the NFC's worst rush defense. Thomas is an RB1 if he plays. If he doesn't, Week 4 starter Chris Ivory (12-67 against Carolina) is a worthwhile bye-week flex in non-PPR leagues. In PPR, the same goes for Ladell Betts (13-47, four catches for 23 yards in Week 4). Ivory remains the favorite for goal-line carries.

UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Pierre Thomas (ankle) is "really unlikely" to play in Week 5.

Be it due to a run-first game plan or grasping an early lead, the Saints are unlikely to register an exorbitant number of pass attempts. That's not to call No. 7 fantasy QB Drew Brees a weak play -- he'll have all day to throw because Haggans and Porter get no pressure -- but Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson are. They've combined to top 38 yards once this year, and rely on volume for any kind of predictable fantasy production. Keep them reserved, if not on the waiver wire. ... Marques Colston is off to an awfully slow start, but a date with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could turn him around. DRC has been Arizona's weakest corner -- worse than first-year starter Greg Toler -- yet the Cardinals still use him to "shadow" opposing No. 1s. Keep Colston going. ... Jeremy Shockey has been solid in two straight weeks, but he'll be on the line blocking in this one.



[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Tennessee @ Dallas

As the winter months approach, it wouldn't be a bad idea to load up on skill players that play in domes. Coupled with the buy-low factor, Dallas' slow-starting offense is an ideal target. The Cowboys' plan to increase Felix Jones' usage bodes well for the entire unit. Throw out a seven-carry, seven-yard Week 2 effort in which Dallas was without two linemen, and Jones is averaging 6.3 yards per touch. Marion Barber is stuck at 3.36. As NFL Network's Mike Lombardi has noted, Dallas' offense simply moves with better tempo when Jones is in the game. This backfield can't be counted on yet for fantasy starts, but its evolution is in the works. During their Week 4 bye, the Cowboys' owner, coaching staff, and scouts reportedly agreed "unanimously" that Jones needs the ball more.

From a game plan standpoint, the Cowboys are still most potent when passing. They spread the field with one of the NFL's finest three-receiver sets, and Jason Witten is recovered from his pre-bye week MCL sprain. Without LCB Jason McCourty (arm), a Titans pass defense that entered Week 4 with a top-five ranking was exposed by Kyle Orton for 341 passing yards and a pair of scores. McCourty is out again, and Tony Romo is better equipped than Orton to attack secondaries. ... Roy Williams' Week 3 line of 5-117-2 stands out as an obvious fluke. He has two 100-yard games in his last 35 starts. Keep him benched. ... Miles Austin took a backseat while Williams exploited Texans rookie CB Kareem Jackson in the aforementioned game, but it'll change. Austin has 90-plus yards in seven of his last nine starts. ... Dez Bryant used the bye to heal his dinged-up ribs and hip. Without McCourty, Tennessee lacks DB depth to slow Dallas' mega-talented third receiver.

The Titans finally let Vince Young throw more than 17 passes in Week 4, and the results weren't good. V.Y. averaged a season-low 6.2 YPA as Tennessee lost for the second time in three games. The Titans' game plan unfailingly features Chris Johnson, but Kenny Britt has the potential to emerge as a No. 2 playmaker. Beginning at the start of the second quarter last week, Young directed three of his first four passes at the 2009 first-round pick, and ultimately a game-high seven. Britt scored for the second time in as many weeks. Britt is expected to start Sunday regardless of Justin Gage's (hamstring) status against a middling Dallas pass defense. The Cowboys are surrendering 7.4 yards per pass attempt and have given up four passing TDs in three games.

Nate Washington will take a backseat with Britt now an every-down player. Since scoring TDs in Weeks 1 and 2, Washington hasn't topped 42 yards. V.Y. simply prefers throwing to Britt. ... The Cowboys have played three games, and haven't allowed a rushing touchdown in any of them. They're letting up 3.9 yards per carry. This isn't a favorable matchup for Chris Johnson, but there's just no way you can put his talent on the bench. A 60-yard touchdown run is immediately 12 fantasy points, and there's no better bet in the league for 60-yard rushing scores than CJ2K. The Titans have too many good offensive linemen and too skilled a line coach (Mike Munchak) for the run-blocking woes to continue. Britt's insertion also should give the entire offense a shot in the arm.

San Diego @ Oakland

Road games can be unpredictable, but there's a blueprint to destroy the Raiders: You gash them on the ground. No team has given up more yards per carry or 20-plus yard runs, and Oakland will be even worse off without run-stopping DT John Henderson (stress fracture) and WLB Quentin Groves (hamstring). Chargers coach Norv Turner stated following last week's win that he's "committed" to Ryan Mathews as his starter. The rookie will resume his role as San Diego's lead horse, but Mike Tolbert is still well worth a flex play because of the matchup. The Chargers could probably run on every single snap and win the game. Tolbert's performance (5.5 YPC) has earned him at least 8-10 weekly touches in games against respectable run defenses. He should flirt with 14-16 in this one.

While Legedu Naanee has settled in as a Michael Jenkins-style run-blocking wideout, Malcom Floyd presents more risk this week. San Diego's split end, Floyd plays the vast majority of his snaps on the offensive left side -- where he'll be across from Raiders RCB Nnamdi Asomugha. The idea has been floated that Asomugha might be assigned to Antonio Gates, but there's very little history of Oakland making such a move. Safely start Gates, but Floyd is a low-end WR3 coming off a scoreless two-catch, 45-yard game. ... The Raiders rank No. 3 against the pass, in part because they're dead last in passing attempts against. Philip Rivers might not throw 30 times, but you can't sit the No. 2 fantasy QB. Only Peyton Manning has been more productive at the position.

Darrius Heyward-Bey (groin) and Louis Murphy (clavicle) are practicing fully, but this is a matchup ripe for Zach Miller to pick. Annually one of the NFL's poorest teams in tight end coverage, the Bolts are now without SS Steve Gregory due to a four-game PEDs suspension. Miller, coming off an 11-catch, 122-yard decimation of the Texans, is meeting expectations as this year's breakout tight end. He's No. 4 in fantasy points at the position. ... Murphy wasn't 100 percent in Week 4, catching one pass for five yards and afterwards telling reporters that he aggravated the injury. It's a bruised collarbone. Set to face Bolts LCB Quentin Jammer, this isn't the week to use Murphy.

Heyward-Bey (one catch, two yards) also turned in a clunker against Houston. Such a raw player with unreliable hands needs to prove consistent before he's used in fantasy. ... Darren McFadden (hamstring) is not expected to play, setting up Michael Bush for a potentially monster workload. Though the Chargers are playing tough run defense (No. 7 overall, 3.8 YPC), Bush could flirt with 30 touches if Oakland stays competitive in time of possession. There isn't another ball-carrying option on the roster. Consider Bush a mid-range RB2. He was more effective than McFadden on the ground in Week 4, averaging 5.7 YPC and vulturing a goal-line score. "D-Mac" managed just 3.91.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Philadelphia @ San Francisco

Kevin Kolb has played roughly 80 snaps this year. The first portion of them came in a Week 1 game dominated by NFL sacks leader Clay Matthews. Kolb wasn't prepared for the second, a check down-filled relief effort resulting in 12 catches for LeSean McCoy but a combined 34 yards for DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. There's a lot to be said for taking a full week of first-team reps and preparing to start, and working in Kolb's favor will be a pass-heavy game plan with Mike Bell expected to replace McCoy (fractured rib). The Eagles showed no hesitancy to let Kolb wing it in two 2009 spot starts, as he averaged 42.5 pass attempts for a whopping 359 yards and accounted for five touchdowns (one rushing). The 49ers own the No. 20 pass defense and have allowed eight passing scores in four games. Kolb is a recommended desperation QB1.

ESPN's Adam Schefter hinted on Friday's SportsCenter that McCoy has a chance to play, but that the Eagles plan to use Bell in an expanded role. Avoid the situation. Bell's ineffective preseason has carried over to real games, generating 20 yards on 12 carries. He was a healthy scratch in Week 4. He's not a good player and doesn't have a good matchup. .... Combined Eagles production in Kolb's 2009 spot starts: Brent Celek: 20 targets, 16-208-1; DeSean Jackson: 19 targets, 10-250-2; Jason Avant: 12 targets, 9-93-1; Jeremy Maclin: 7 targets, 3-21. ... Keep in mind that Maclin was still playing behind Kevin Curtis at this time. ... Do NOT bench Jackson. ... Celek gets the biggest bump in value. He caught Kolb's lone touchdown pass last week.

UPDATE: Eagles coach Andy Reid described McCoy (rib) Friday as "full go" for Sunday's game. Bell is no longer remotely a fantasy option. McCoy is a recommended RB2, especially in PPR leagues.

New playcaller Mike Johnson's offense differed little from displaced OC Jimmy Raye's, at least in Johnson's first game at the helm. Frank Gore remained the game plan's centerpiece, leading the Niners in receiving and rushing and playing 58-of-59 snaps. It's scary to think what he's capable of against an Eagles rush defense that surrendered 156 total yards and a score to a pedestrian-at-best Redskins RB corps in Week 4. Philly is 27th against the run. ... Bad news/good news for Alex Smith/Vernon Davis: Smith "led" the Niners into Atlanta's red zone just once last Sunday, and aside from Gore, Davis was the only player targeted inside the opposing 20. Davis executed with a 12-yard touchdown reception. Davis has one drop all season and is an every-week starter.

Though it won't be to the same extent, the multi-week loss of No. 2 TE Delanie Walker (high ankle sprain) could have a Kevin Faulk-like ripple effect on the 49ers' offense. Walker is a staple in San Francisco's oft-used two-tight end sets, so Johnson (who has extensive background in the spread offense) could turn to three-receiver formations instead. Michael Crabtree moves into the slot in such packages, and becomes significantly harder to double team. The slow-starting breakout candidate did show signs of life last week, hauling in a season-high five balls for 58 yards. The press coverage-happy Eagles are more likely to stick eight in the box than double up on Crabtree anyway. Tentatively expect a breakout game. It isn't like Crabtree has suddenly lost talent.

UPDATE: The Eagles have ruled out LCB Asante Samuel (concussion), increasing Crabtree's chances of enjoying his first truly big game.
[SIZE=+1]Monday Night Football[/SIZE]

Minnesota @ NY Jets

Randy Moss' true impact remains to be seen, but he makes Minnesota exponentially better on paper. "Three-wides" improve from Percy Harvin-Bernard Berrian-Greg Camarillo to Moss-Harvin-Berrian, and Moss' double teams make Adrian Peterson even more dangerous. Moss can't fix A.P.'s run blocking, but he definitely can take eight out of the box more consistently. Though the Jets' run defense is one of the league's best, they've got a lot more to game plan for than expected at the start of the week. On the Vikings' side, Peterson is the best bet for a big game. ... Moss is expected to face off with arch-nemesis Darrelle Revis, but indications in New York are that Revis' hamstring still isn't fully healed. Brett Favre will target Moss relentlessly regardless of Revis' availability, so you've got to play the Mossman. He'll start in his Vikings debut.

The Vikings will likely ultimately use Harvin (flanker) and Moss (split end) as their two every-down receivers. Berrian can be dropped in 12-team leagues. He can't play, and Favre knows it. ... Harvin, still primarily a slot receiver, will square off with Kyle Wilson. Wilson is shaping up as the biggest liability in New York's secondary, and Harvin should feast on the rookie. Outside of Berrian and perhaps Visanthe Shiancoe, there's not a Viking worth sitting Monday night. ... Again, time will tell as to Moss' impact, particularly with regard to Favre. Some observers have speculated that Favre has lost arm strength. Moss, at 75 percent of his 2007 self, makes any quarterback better. With Jay Cutler and Michael Vick injured, and Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady on byes, you'd be hard pressed to find 12 better quarterback plays. Favre is a QB1.

Box score watchers might notice Shonn Greene's 22 carries compared to LaDainian Tomlinson's 19 in Week 4, and suspect Greene has retaken his starting job. Not so. L.T. was the primary back until New York grabbed a monster lead, even replacing Greene at the goal line after a near-touchdown run. Tomlinson remains the significantly better fantasy option. Unless he's playing a horrible run defense like the Bills', Greene won't be more than a weak flex until L.T. gets hurt or declines. The Vikings rank ninth in run defense, allow the seventh lowest YPC in football, and have let up one rushing score on the year. Greene is barely usable. Tomlinson is a low-end RB2.

Like the Vikings, the Jets get a talent injection in the form of Santonio Holmes, who returns from four-game suspension. We don't know what position Holmes will play (he has history at both split end and flanker), so trying to guess whether he'll line up against Antoine Winfield, Cedric Griffin, or Asher Allen would be irresponsible. Though the Jets may struggle to move the ball on the ground and therefore need to rely on the pass, it's probably a week to wait on Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery. Holmes is likely to immediately assume the Jets' target lead among wideouts. ... Dustin Keller is currently the No. 2 fantasy tight end. Holmes is an intermediate-to-deep threat, while Keller does most of his work in the underneath-to-intermediate area. Holmes' addition may cost Keller 1-2 targets a week, but certainly not enough to halt his breakout season.

HacheMan · Oct 8, 2010

Austin, Powerless?
As is the case on many NFL Fridays, the injury status on a number of prominent players is the primary concern in fantasy leagues. With that in mind, let's waste no time and get directly to the latest news on the week's key injuries:

Though Andre Johnson told HoustonTexans.com that his ankle is "of course not 100 percent," he is, according to Gary Kubiak, "way ahead of where he was last week at this point" and is planning on playing against the Giants. Johnson is technically a game-time decision, but fantasy owners should have him locked into lineups and ready to go (with the prerequisite last-minute Sunday check to make sure nothing goes wrong).

With at least a touchdown in every game this year, Austin Collie has been as reliable as a catapult at a rock fight (which is to say, very reliable). But beat writer Phil Wilson is "starting to think" that Collie (foot) may not play this week after the breakout WR missed a second straight day of practice. It's certainly possible that he'll return to practice on Friday and be ready to go on Sunday, but that's far from guaranteed. Collie's absence would be good short-term news for Pierre Garcon, who has a chance to be a solid Week 5 play, but only if Austin Powers is out.

Though Wednesday's reports indicated he would start against Carolina, Jay Cutler (concussion) saw his status downgraded to officially out on Thursday. In his absence, thirty-eight-year-old Todd Collins will start his first game since 2007, and subsequently fear for his own safety behind Chicago's "come on in, neighbor" offensive line. The good news here is twofold: 1) If you were desperate for a spot-startable defense, Carolina is your answer; 2) Cutler already returned to a limited practice on Thursday, suggesting that he should be good to go for next week.

Pierre Thomas (ankle) missed practice Thursday and appears to be headed for a game-time decision. Check back on Friday, but make sure you have an alternate gameplan, because the Ladell Betts-Chris Ivory RB vortex could be in line to split carries (yet ultimately cancel one another out) against the Cardinals. Even a limited Thomas would be start-worthy against Arizona, but if he sits, Betts and Ivory should only be valid considerations in deeper leagues.

According to Eagles beat writer Jordan Raanan, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg indicated that a decision on LeSean McCoy (rib) won't be made until "very late" this week. In other words, that means a potential game-time decision, so the safe move is to look elsewhere for RB production. Backup Mike Bell (12 carries for 20 yards this season) is not the answer unless you're truly desperate.

After being surprisingly limited against the Steelers last week, Ray Rice reportedly put in a full week of practice and told the National Football Post that "My knee feels much better. I'm going out there trying to make plays." Perhaps no first-round pick is more overdue for a huge game than Rice, and it's safe to consider Friday your last legitimate weekday to buy low on a player who still carries as much upside as any back in the league.

Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, but all indications are that he'll return to practice on Friday and receive the majority of the carries against Houston. Though he has a tough matchup against the Texans, benching Bradshaw shouldn't be easy unless you have a number of standout options (remember, he had a tough matchup against the Bears on paper last week and still finished with 143 total yards and a TD).

Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday and is his status for Sunday remains decidedly unclear. The very simple bottom line: Given the matchup against Baltimore and the lingering injury, the wise move is to consider other options.



NOTABLE: Brad Childress told the Associated Press that Randy Moss will play "more as opposed to less" in his Vikings return on Monday, and whether he's covered by a potentially limited Darrelle Revis (who might play, but might not) or Antonio Cromartie, benching Moss in a major motivation game is not advised… Kevin Acee of San Diego Union-Tribune reports that a Vincent Jackson trade to the Patriots remains "high unlikely"… In other Patriots trade news, Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times confirms that "discussions have taken place" between the Seahawks and Patriots regarding Deion Branch, but to paraphrase Allen Iverson, we're talking about Deion Branch.

SCHEMING: ESPN.com reports that Tony Sparano is eyeing a renewed commitment to a ground-oriented offense, which is good news for Ronnie Brown (11 carries last week) and Ricky Williams (eight carries). Meanwhile, there's no need to be concerned about Brandon Marshall, who will still see plenty of targets even in a run-first attack, but Davone Bess owners should be aware that the 8-96-1 line from last week could be his best performance of the season… Niners beat writer Matt Maiocco suggests that Brian Westbrook will have a bigger role this week, but "bigger role" is a relative term when someone has played only four snaps all season… Beanie Wells and Ken Whisenhunt had a powwow about Wells' playing time, and I expect the RB's complaints from earlier in the week to be forgotten after a matchup against a not-so-good Saints run D.

GAMEDAY: Darren McFadden (hamstring) still looks highly unlikely to play, though it should be noted that Tom Cable told the Oakland Tribune that he doesn't expect this hamstring trouble to keep Run DMC out as long as his three-week preseason hammy did.... Dez Bryant (hip, ribs) and Jason Witten (knee) have been practicing in full and should be ready to roll coming out of a bye… Jahvid Best (toe) was limited in practice, but is a must-start this week on turf (where he's averaging 7.74 yards per touch)… Steven Jackson will keep his groin harness for one more week, but is continuing to improve and has a tremendous matchup against Detroit (and yes, I'm fully aware that this was likely the last time I'll have occasion to write "groin harness" this season)… Louis Murphy (clavicle) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (groin) are both back practicing this week, and of the two, Murphy makes for the far more reasonable WR3 start.

Editor's note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

GAMEDAY, PART 2: Reggie Wayne (knee) returned to a full practice, as expected… Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) returned to a limited practice and is on track to play Monday… Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) returned to a full practice and is impossible to bench against Buffalo… Jake Delhomme (ankle) was limited, but is set to reclaim his starting job against the Falcons… Peyton Hillis (thigh) was listed as limited, but is in no danger of missing this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter… Donald Brown (hamstring) looks likely to sit again… Justin Gage (hamstring) missed practice again, and all signs point to Kenny Britt starting in his place this week… Jacoby Jones (calf) will be a game-time call, but the decision to bench him this week should have been made well before game-time.

HacheMan · Oct 10, 2010

Proving Ground
Last Sunday was all about injuries. A slew of game-time decisions coupled with one high-profile benching made Week 4 as wild of a week as the fantasy world can remember. This week is much calmer on that front. We already know that guys like Pierre Thomas, Darren McFadden, Jay Cutler and Knowshon Moreno are out. There are only a handful of true game-time decisions.

So in Week 5, we can focus on who is actually on the field playing at 100 percent. The interesting storylines include Max Hall's debut as a starter, Kenny Britt's chance and Randy Moss' return to Minnesota. I'll also be watching to see how the Ryan Mathews/Mike Tolbert split goes. if Felix Jones is really set for an expanded role and if Kevin Kolb can salvage his career path.

Check out the Rotoworld News Page all morning for the latest information on all the game-time decisions. Also, be sure to use the Week 5 rankings from Gregg Rosenthal and Chris Wesseling in combination with Evan Silva's mind-blowing matchup column and you'll be good to go.

I've got you covered with the latest injury news right here.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

<BIG>1 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
JAGUARS at BILLS
* Maurice Jones-Drew (ankle) is a full go against the NFL's worst run defense.

BRONCOS at RAVENS
* Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) will not play. Correll Buckhalter and Laurence Maroney will rotate but both are miserable fantasy options. Look for the Broncos to go extremely pass-heavy.
* Ray Rice (knee) practiced in full this week and is set for a normal workload. The buy-low period will likely be over after this week.

CHIEFS at COLTS
* Austin Collie's (foot) status is quite confusing. We're not sure when he got hurt, but was in a walking boot on Wednesday. He did not practice on Thursday either. Collie is listed as questionable along with nine other Colts. I'm guessing Collie plays, but consider him a true game-time decision.
* Donald Brown (hamstring) is not expected to play and Mike Hart (knee) is less than 100 percent. Joseph Addai (knee) will play a ton of snaps despite a questionable tag.
* Pierre Garcon (hamstring) is ready to go. He is a decent option if Austin Collie sits.

PACKERS at REDSKINS
* Clinton Portis (groin) is out. Ryan Torain is the starter and Keiland Williams will back him up.
* Donovan McNabb (thigh) will start despite a questionable tag.

RAMS at LIONS
* Jahvid Best (turf toe) is very likely to start, but it is not a certainty. Assuming he is active, Best is a strong play back on the turf vs. a weak run defense.
* Tony Scheffler (concussion) is tentatively expected to play barring any symptoms.
* Nate Burleson (ankle) is finally back to open things up for Calvin Johnson.
* Steven Jackson (groin) is a full go.
* Laurent Robinson (ankle) is healthy but could be held out again with the Rams playing so well.

BEARS at PANTHERS
* Jay Cutler (concussion) is out and Todd Collins will start. Downgrade all Bears skill players, especially Johnny Knox.
* Steve Smith (ankle) will not play.

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BUCS at BENGALS
* Kellen Winslow (knee) used the bye week to get as close to 100 percent as he'll be.
* Jordan Shipley (concussion) is out. That was a vicious hit he took from T.J. Ward last week. Jermaine Gresham should get some extra targets.
* Chad Ochocinco (groin) is a virtual lock to play despite resting during practice Friday.

FALCONS at BROWNS
* Peyton Hillis (thigh) is listed as questionable, but all reports point to him playing. He is likely just tired with muscle strains after 58 touches the last two weeks. Jerome Harrison remains the strict backup.
* Jake Delhomme (ankle) is expected to regain his starting gig, sending Seneca Wallace back to the bench.

GIANTS at TEXANS
* Andre Johnson (ankle) is fully expected to play, but owners need to check back before the game to be certain. He is an elite WR1 every time he gets on the field.
* Jacoby Jones (calf) is likely out. Upgrade Kevin Walter.
* Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) is on track to play and says he is 100 percent. Start him as a RB2.

<BIG>4 P.M. GAMES</BIG>
SAINTS at CARDINALS
* Pierre Thomas (ankle) is out. Ladell Betts and Chris Ivory will rotate fairly evenly in terms of touches. Betts will play more snaps as the better pass protector and better PPR option in fantasy. Ivory is the better bet to score a touchdown.

TITANS at COWBOYS
* Justin Gage (hamstring) is out. This is Kenny Britt's big chance and he is a WR3 option with upside.
* Dez Bryant (ribs) and Jason Witten (knee) are both ready to go coming out of the bye week.

CHARGERS at RAIDERS
* Ryan Mathews (ankle) is still easing his way back into form, but will see enough work to be a decent RB2 I this plus matchup. Mike Tolbert is also a decent fantasy option.
* Darren McFadden (hamstring) is out. Michael Bush is set for a monster workload as a RB2 with upside.
* Louis Murphy (clavicle) is not even on the injury report. He is a WR3.

<BIG>SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
EAGLES at 49ERS
* Michael Vick (ribs) is out. Kevin Kolb gets the start.
* LeSean McCoy (rib) is on track to play a full game despite a questionable tag. Owners must use him with Kevin Kolb constantly checking down.

<BIG>MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL</BIG>
VIKINGS at JETS
* Randy Moss will be active and is expected to play the whole game. Don't be surprised if he leads the Vikings in targets right out of the gate.
* Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) will play, but we're expecting him to lose a bunch of red-zone targets to Randy Moss.

SURVIVOR PICK
Well, I busted out of Survivor last week when I used the Eagles against the Redskins. It's disappointing, but I still don't hate the pick. The other team I considered was the Saints and Iâ€™m certain I would have needed them later to win the whole thing. In hindsight, I wish I had considered the Chargers against the Cardinals. I underestimated just how inept Derek Anderson is.

Not sure why anyone would want to stick with me at this point, but if I was still in I would use the Cowboys this week. Coming out of a bye at home with a disappointing 1-2 record, they should be more than ready to play against the Titans. I'd also consider the Bengals, but note that they have a home game against the Bills in Week 11.

I'd stay away from the Falcons and Chargers.

MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEK
In a high stakes (entertainment purposes only, of course) 12-team league, I am in a bind at quarterback. I drafted Kevin Kolb as my starter and was lucky enough to land Michael Vick. But with Vick hurt and Ben Roethlisberger as my backup, it's back to square one.

So I took to waivers to find my starter this week. The choices were Mark Sanchez, Shaun Hill or Kolb (Sam Bradford was not available). After much deliberation, I chose to go with Hill.

* Sanchez's play over the last three weeks is really astounding. It looks like they put a different man in his uniform and sent him out there. He isn't afraid to take shots and is playing with supreme confidence. With eight touchdowns and no picks over the last three weeks, it was tempting. But I still don't fully trust this new Sanchez and the upside here is capped by the Jets' run-first approach. I'd rather swing for the fences.

* I really think Kolb will be much more prepared to succeed this week. He does have an extremely weak arm, but he's not Captain Checkdown like he showed in relief last week. Think back to those two spot starts he made in place of Donovan McNabb last year. He was slinging it. Still, Kolb's confidence is clearly rattled badly. There's a small chance of a clunker, so I'll stay away. Barely.

* Hill has thrown for 330+ yards in two of his three starts and has 43+ attempts in each of those outings. I know the Rams' secondary is playing at a really high level right now, but it's only been four games. The sample size is just a little too small for me to put a ton of weight in that after they ranked 25th in pass defense last year and made no real changes. Hill has upside on the turf in this matchup and I don't think a clunker is possible.

HacheMan · Oct 11, 2010

Jermichael's Missing Hammy

Superstitious, numbers-oriented types were likely holding out hope that there would be exactly 10 key items of injury-related news on 10-10-10, but alas, there were more. Here's an early look at the most important developments:

Jermichael Finley, hamstring: Not to be confused with your standard hamstring strain or tear, Finley is dealing with a displaced hamstring, an injury that pops up about as often as you see a narwhal crossing the interstate, but has actually happened to the Packers' TE before. Finley is headed for an MRI on Monday and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel isn't expecting him to play next week, but considering that this initially appeared to be a knee injury – and that he potentially may only miss one week – things could have been far worse.

(Update: Turns out things were far worse. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Finley is headed for arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and may miss 3-6 weeks. So much for that quirky but not-so-menacing displaced hamstring.)

Mark Clayton, knee: The injury with the most significant long-term impact in fantasy leagues on Sunday was the season-ending knee injury to breakout WR2 Clayton. If there's any positive here, it's that Danny Amendola (12 catches, 95 yards, one fumble) immediately became a focal point for Sam Bradford and should absolutely be picked up in all leagues this week.

Aaron Rodgers, concussion: Chances are you know the routine by now, but Rodgers will have to pass a battery of tests in order to play in Week 6. Him being active is well within the realm of possibility, but we likely won't know until later in the week. Should Rodgers miss next week's game (a very real possibility), Matt Flynn would start at QB.

Michael Vick, ribs: Though he wasn't active on Sunday, it's among Sunday's most relevant injury news that Vick, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, is a "long shot" to return for Week 6. However, NBC's Al Michaels said during Sunday night's game that according to Andy Reid, if Vick continues to progress as he has in recent days, he could be ready to face the Falcons next week. Kolb looked fairly solid on Sunday, but the Philly QB situation appears to be headed for another drama- and news-filled week.

Peyton Hillis, quad: Cleveland's sledgehammer RB reportedly injured the quad in Thursday's practice and then aggravated said quad during Sunday's game. As of now we're expecting him to be active for a rough matchup with the Steelers next week.

Dez Bryant, apparent ankle injury: Bryant returned to the game after his second quarter injury, but was visibly hindered and seems likely to miss practice time this week. Don't expect his availability to become clear until next Sunday draws closer.

Bruce Gradkowski, shoulder: The Big Gradkowski was unable to finish Sunday's game, and Jason Campbell helped pilot a comeback win in his stead. The Raiders coaching staff still has to prefer Gradkowski, but Campbell may be in line for a start by default next week.

Joseph Addai, shoulder: Addai was rather decisively done for the day after leaving a close game in the third quarter, so his status for Week 6 looks very much like a question mark. If Addai is out next week, Donald Brown (who missed Sunday with a hamstring) would be the Colts' top choice, with Mike Hart (11-50-1 on Sunday) next in line.

Calvin Johnson, shoulder: The Lions are not surprisingly being somewhat cryptic about Megatron's shoulder, but for what it's worth, beat writer Tom Kowalski does not believe the injury is serious. Until more news surfaces this week, fantasy owners will have to remain cautiously optimistic that he's right.

Arian Foster, knee: Welcome to the "big names, presumably not serious injuries" section. Foster told houstontexans.com that "I'm good" after Sunday's game, so it appears that he should be good to go for Week 6 barring an unexpected setback.

DeSean Jackson, leg/knee: Jackson suffered what appeared to be a mild knee injury while being tackled during a punt return, but later returned to the game. Nothing to worry about here.

Brent Celek, head: Celek took a helmet-to-helmet shot in the second half and was seen getting concussion tests on the sidelines. He eventually returned to action, however, indicating that he should be fine for next week.

Seneca Wallace, ankle: According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Wallace was unable to put any weight on his sprain, which suggests that it could be of the high ankle variety. Jake Delhomme would theoretically get the start if Wallace can't go, but Delhomme was positively awful on Sunday while dealing with his own lingering ankle injury. According to Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio, the Browns may have to sign a free agent QB this week.

Editor's note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

Louis Murphy, leg: Murphy left (but eventually returned) after what may have been a cramp, so as of now this should be filed under "Most likely nothing to worry about."

Demaryius Thomas, leveled on kickoff return: As of Sunday night it was unclear exactly what Thomas injured, but it's possible that he suffered a concussion. Even if healthy, he's clearly fallen behind Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal in line for targets.

Trent Williams and Jammal Brown, knees: Note to Donovan McNabb fantasy owners and any others invested in the Redskins offense, Washington lost both starting tackles due to knee injuries on Sunday. Early reports indicate that Williams' knee isn't a torn ACL, but this could mean ugly times for the Washington offense in Week 6.

Jason Peters, knee: Also from the category of starting tackles hindered with knee injuries, the vulnerable Eagles' offensive line lost another notable part on Sunday. Peters hasn't been very good this year, but a serious knee injury would still be bad news for an already diminished unit.

Clay Matthews, hamstring: After hearing Mike McCarthy's post-game press conference, Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel expects Matthews to miss Week 6. Bad news for the Packers D, while Chad Henne and the Miami offense very tentatively breathe a medium-sized sigh of relief.

HacheMan · Oct 11, 2010

Hakeem the Dream
Credit ESPN's "Football Scientist" K.C. Joyner with impeccable timing. Early last week, Joyner went out on a none-too-sturdy limb, boldly suggesting that Hakeem Nicks was "fast on his way to becoming the best wide receiver in the NFL."

With all due respect to the first quarterback trio with 1,600+ yards passing at the five-game mark, Nicks (and the Texans' combustible secondary) is this week's top story after emerging as the league's No. 1 fantasy receiver.

Eli Manning's new favorite target exploded for career-highs in receptions (12) and yards (130) at Houston. His two TDs didn't match his career-high only because he dropped a three-pack on the Panthers in the season opener. Nicks could have equaled those three scores while besting Amani Toomer's single-game franchise record for receptions if he hadn't taken his eyes off the ball on another easy touchdown opportunity. It hardly seems fair quibbling with his performance.

An uncannily precise route runner for a second-year pro, Nicks has also drawn comparisons to Anquan Boldin for his after-the-catch ability, topping ProFootballFocus.com's yards after contact metrics as a rookie. In addition to off-the-charts yards per attempt numbers, he's graduating to the level of Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson as a red-zone weapon.

Nicks is hardly the first receiver to expose an embarrassing Texans' secondary, though. The "piss-poor horrible" pass defense began the season by surrendering the most yards in three games since 1950. They've already given up double-digit reception performances to Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Santana Moss, Zach Miller, and Nicks through five weeks. A matchup with Houston is manna from fantasy heaven.

[SIZE=+1]Possibly Underrated Storylines[/SIZE]

1. Max Hall "successfully performed CPR" on Larry Fitzgerald's 2010 season. Fitz tied his season high in receptions (7) and his 93 yards were the most he's had all season. It could have been closer to 130 yards on eight catches had Saints FS Malcolm Jenkins not pried the ball out of Fitz's hands on a deep ball at the goal-line. A rejuvenated Fitzgerald also broke up a key near-interception by Jenkins in the end zone, grabbed the Saints' onside kick late in the game, and saved the team's bacon by recovering a big fumble in the waning moments.

2. Ray Rice converted two goal-line carries after Willis McGahee failed miserably at the stripe earlier in the day. That "missing piece of the puzzle" could be just the impetus Rice needed to salvage a slow start. As 2009 Chris Johnson owners can attest, his fantasy value skyrocketed after winning goal-line detail from LenDale White.

3. Rotoworld's Evan Silva wonders if Mark Clayton's season-ending knee injury might increase the Rams' interest in Vincent Jackson. Clayton and Laurent Robinson are both unrestricted free agents in 2011, and Donnie Avery will be recovering from ACL surgery next offseason. One thing is for certain: the Rams are not interested in recently jettisoned Redskins bust Devin Thomas.

[SIZE=+1]Quarterback Carousel[/SIZE]

Cardinals - Though Arizona's upset win over the Saints was rooted in defense and special teams, the Cardinals rallied around the fearless play of rookie Hall. The results weren't always pretty, but veteran teammates described Hall as a tough little guy with a big heart and a "defensive head-hunting mentality" who "goes down swinging." There's something vaguely "Flutiesque" about Hall's game. He became the first undrafted rookie QB to start by Week 5 of his rookie season since Jim Zorn of the expansion Seahawks started in Week 1 in 1976.

49ers - Alex Smith answered the home crowd's "We want Carr!" chant with a clutch touchdown drive, but was it too little too late? Though Smith has the full support of his key teammates, coach Mike Singletary deems a Week 6 QB change "possible." Niners fans will probably have Smith's "late surge" to blame for one more week of the status quo.

Panthers - As @NFLFanHouse's Chris Burke suggested, just imagine Clausen in a Panthers uniform and this is what his performance looked like Sunday. Beat writer Steve Reed can't imagine Clausen being benched "for good" at this point, but he's clearly not ready to play at the NFL level. Clausen has shown no timing, no accuracy, bad hands, and a long windup. Worse, he "treats the football like a grenade with the pin pulled." It's easy to see why so many QB-needy teams passed on him in the draft. Here's hoping John Fox turns back to Matt Moore during the bye week.

Bears - Sunday's four interception performance with a 6.3 passer rating should just about close the books on Todd Collins' career. Coach Lovie Smith is "hopeful" that Jay Cutler will be back for Week 6 against the Seahawks. If Cutler is still showing concussion symptoms, look for Caleb Hanie to get the nod.

Raiders - Bruce Gradkowski managed just one completion on seven attempts before leaving for good with a shoulder injury Sunday. After a slow start, Jason Campbell engineered touchdown drives of 97 and 73 yards to lead the Raiders to a come-from-behind victory over the divisional bullies. The victory ended seven years of futility against the Chargers, and Campbell may have another shot in Week 6 at San Francisco with Gradkowski's throwing arm on the fritz.

Browns - Seneca Wallace played well before leaving with an ankle injury. Jake Delhomme, who needed a painkilling injection just to suit up, came on in relief as a sitting duck. PFT's Mike Florio suggests the Browns may need to sign a street free agent for this week's game at Pittsburgh. Brett Ratliff, a favorite of Eric Mangini, could be be nabbed from the Pats' practice squad. It's too early to guess at a Week 6 starter.



[SIZE=+1]Committee Time[/SIZE]

1. Cowboys - Owner Jerry Jones wasn't messing around when he suggested a changing of the guard in the Dallas backfield last week. Felix Jones registered 126 yards on 19 touches compared to Marion Barber's 19 yards on six touches. The Cowboys' 511 total yards were their most in a loss since the Thanksgiving Day "revenge game" for Randy Moss in 1998. If he can stay healthy, this is Felix's backfield going forward.

2. Chiefs - The Chiefs impressed more in their first loss than than they did in three wins, so perhaps Todd Haley will stick with Sunday's backfield breakdown going forward. Jamaal Charles (19 touches, 101 yards) finally operated as the feature back, predictably outplaying a slow-footed Thomas Jones (8 touches, 19 yards). Charles has yet to truly break out, so there's still time to buy while his stock is relatively low.

3. Chargers - Ryan Mathews (10 touches, 59 yards) outplayed Mike Tolbert (14 touches, 35 yards, fumble), and he's expected to be the "lead guy" next week as long as he can get through practice healthy.

4. Raiders - The Oakland ground attack remained successful even without Darren McFadden (hamstring). Michael Bush was expected to receive a heavy workload, and he didn't disappoint with 29 touches for 135 yards and a touchdown. McFadden is still the feature back if he can return to practice this week.

5. Panthers - There's nothing wrong with DeAngelo Williams (14 touches, 59 yards) or Jonathan Stewart (9 touches, 34 yards) that an upgrade to quarterback mediocrity couldn't fix. On a positive note, passing-down specialist Mike Goodson is no longer in the picture.

6. Cardinals - Beanie Wells was wearing a wide smile Sunday after a career-high 20 carries and goal-line work. Coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't tipping his hand on the carry distribution going forward, but Tim Hightower's (four touches, six yards) role looks to be diminished heading into the bye.

7. Bills - New starter Fred Jackson (13 touches, 67 yards) and C.J. Spiller (six touches, 34 yards) raced out to a fast start, but the Bills neglected the backfield once they fell behind. That ratio between F-Jax and Spiller is a fair guideline heading into Week 6.

8. Packers - Despite Brandon Jackson's 115-yard performance, coach Mike McCarthy still abandoned the ground game. Jackson carried the ball just ten times while John Kuhn managed just three totes for 12 yards. Jackson is the back to own between the two, but he's not going to have reliable value going forward.

9. Buccaneers - Poor Caddying! Despite the LeGarrette Blount (four carries, three yards) hype for two straight weeks, Cadillac Williams still led the backfield with 11 carries for 33 yards. Earnest Graham (three carries, 65 yards, TD) continues to outproduce Caddy from the fullback spot, but there's no indication that his role will expand. Kareem Huggins (1 carry, four yards) was an afterthought.

10. Saints - For the second straight week, veteran Ladell Betts (15 touches, 71 yards) and rookie Chris Ivory (10 carries, 39 yards) split the workload with Pierre Thomas (ankle) sidelined. Neither back capitalized on the opportunity against a previously porous Cardinals defense. Coach Sean Payton insists that Thomas doesn't have a high ankle sprain, and P.T. has a "good shot" to return in Week 6.

Falling Out: Ravens (Ray Rice), Redskins (Ryan Torain), Jets (MNF), Patriots / Dolphins / Seahawks (bye)

Already Graduated: Bears (Matt Forte), Eagles (LeSean McCoy), Giants (Ahmad Bradshaw), Browns (Peyton Hillis)

[SIZE=+1]Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Mark Clayton, Rams - Knee
Jermichael Finley, Packers - Hamstring
Aaron Rodgers, Packers - Concussion
Calvin Johnson, Lions - Shoulder
Joseph Addai, Colts - Shoulder
Arian Foster, Texans - Knee
Peyton Hillis, Browns - Quad
Dez Bryant, Cowboys - Ankle
Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders - Shoulder
Seneca Wallace, Browns - Ankle
Jake Delhomme, Browns - Ankle
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos - Head
Stephen Williams, Cardinals - Back
Donald Lee, Packers - Shoulder
Clay Matthews, Packers - Hamstring

Matt Stroup's "Jermichael's Missing Hammy" column has in-depth analysis on all of this week's high-impact injuries.

[SIZE=+1]Fantasy Leaders[/SIZE]

Top 10 QB: 1. Philip Rivers, 2. Peyton Manning, 3. Kyle Orton, 4. Aaron Rodgers, 5. Drew Brees, 6. Ryan Fitzpatrick, 7. Michael Vick, 8. Drew Brees, 9. Tom Brady, 10. Shaun Hill

Top 10 RB: 1. Adrian Peterson, 2. Arian Foster, 3. Chris Johnson, 4. LeSean McCoy, 5. Rashard Mendenhall, 6. Darren McFadden, 7. Matt Forte, 8. Jahvid Best, 9. Peyton Hillis, 10. Frank Gore

Top 10 WR: 1. Hakeem Nicks / Brandon Lloyd 3. Austin Collie, 4. Miles Austin 5. Malcom Floyd, 6. Reggie Wayne, 7. Roddy White, 8. Terrell Owens, 9. Roy Williams, 10. Anquan Boldin

Top 10 TE: 1. Antonio Gates, 2. Dustin Keller, 3. Zach Miller, 4. Marcedes Lewis, 5. Dallas Clark, 6. Vernon Davis, 7. Chris Cooley 8. Visanthe Shiancoe, 9. Tony Moeaki, 10. Jermichael Finley

Top 10 K: 1. Matt Bryant, 2. Mike Nugent, 3. Sebastian Janikowski, 4. Graham Gano, 5. Josh Scobee, 6. Nick Folk, 7. Jason Hanson, 8. Neil Rackers, 9. Jeff Reed, 10. Adam Vinatieri

Top 10 D: 1. Patriots, 2. Seahawks, 3. Steelers, 4. Cardinals, 5. Titans, 6. Lions, 7. Chargers, 8. Packers, 9. Chiefs, 10. Eagles



[SIZE=+1]Awards Section[/SIZE]

Stat of the Week: For the first time since the 1970 merger, no NFL team has started the season 4-0. October 10 is the earliest date that Hall of Fame LB Nick Buoniconti and his 1972 Dolphins teammates have popped the champagne bottle, saving us dozens of annoying interviews from relentless self-promoter Mercury Morris in November and December.

Runner-Up: The Chargers have allowed six offensive TDs and six non-offensive TDs (two kick returns, two fumble returns, one punt return and one blocked punt return) through five games. As Profootballtalk's Gregg Rosenthal suggests, the Bolts' special teams unit has surpassed the Panthers passing attack as the "single worst thing in football" (Editor's note: Gregg may have missed Jimmy Clausen's performance on Sunday).

Quote of the Week:

1. Courtesy of 30-year-old investment analyst Rupesh Shingadia a/k/a "Cigar Guy" from last week's Tiger Woods camera-lens shot, described as one of the best sports pictures ever taken: 'I wanted to do something to show my support for the European team and I thought of [Miguel Angel Jimenez]. These days sportsmen have become devoid of character. But Miguel does his own thing and I love the way he walks around the course with a cigar clamped between his teeth."

2. Companion Quote: From legendary former baseball owner/showman Bill Veeck in 1966: "What we have are good gray ballplayers, playing a good gray game and reading the good gray Wall Street Journal. They have been brainwashed, dry-cleaned and dehydrated! They have been homogenized, orientated and indoctrinated! Their mouths have been washed out, their appetites stunted, their personalities bleached! They say all the right things at all the right times, which means that they say nothing."

3. Steelers LT Max Starks on prepping RT Flozell Adams for the intense Ravens rivalry: "I don't have to explain anything to Flozell. He hates everybody. We just tell him, 'Flo, we don't like these guys.' He's like, 'Cool, I hate them too.'"

4. Bill James, father of baseball's sabermetrics movement, on The Simpsons Sunday night: "I made baseball as fun as doing your taxes."

Tweet of the Week:

1. From @greggrosenthal of Rotoworld/Profootballtalk: "Problem with NFL holdouts: 1 player only means so much. Rivers on pace to break Marino's record. Pats lead league in points [per game]."

2. From @greggdoyelcbs: "Antoine Bethea just hit Jamaal Charles like the world wants to hit (Jay) Mariotti, assuming the world hits invertebrates. Which we do not."

3. More from @greggdoyelcbs: "Dwayne Bowe is like Chuck Knoblauch in reverse. Can't catch easy throws."

4. More from @greggrosenthal: "Stop with the 0-5 isn't so far out of the NFCWest. 49ers look like a team to go 8-3 or 9-2 rest of way? I'm gonna go Jim Mora on someone."

5. From Packers beat writer @Greg_A_Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, calling out a player who continually shied away from tackling Shonn Greene in the AFC Championship game last January: "Kettle. Pot RT @ProFootballTalk: Cromartie on Moss: 'He plays when he wants to.'"

Fantasy MVP of Week 5: Hakeem Nicks, Giants
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 5: Malcom Floyd, Chargers
Fantasy Rookie of Week 5: Mike Williams, Buccaneers
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 5: Arian Foster, Texans
Fantasy Fraud of Week 5: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
Fantasy Fluke of Week 5: Brandon Jackson, Packers

[SIZE=+1]Shut-Down Corner[/SIZE]

Champ Bailey, Broncos - Anquan Boldin: 1 reception, eight yards
Brandon Flowers, Chiefs - Pierre Garcon: 6 receptions, 67 yards on 14 targets
Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders - Burned once by Malcom Floyd, but didn't play shadow coverage the rest of the way.

[SIZE=+1]Not Just Space Cadets?[/SIZE]

Jaguars PK Josh Scobee is a "remorseless field-goal machine." One week after his 59-yard game-winning field goal against the Colts, Scobee drilled 5-of-5 three-pointers at Buffalo, tying a single-game franchise record. Scobee has nailed all 10 field-goal attempts this season, nine of which have come from outside of 40 yards. He's arguably the MVP of a Jags team that is somehow in a four-way tie for the division lead at 3-2.

The Colts won Sunday despite posting season lows in points (19), total yards (341) and passing yards (244). Adam Vinatieri drilled four field goals and an extra point, giving him 15 fantasy points in distance scoring leagues.

[SIZE=+1]Fine Fifteen Fantasy Offenses[/SIZE]

1. Colts - Romeo Crennel owns Peyton Manning.
2. Cowboys - Felix Jones now a RB2 to go with Romo, Austin, Witten?
3. Packers - Brandon Jackson finally shows up, Finley goes down.
4. Texans - This is their one mulligan.
5. Chargers - Rivers and Gates are unconscious.
6. Eagles - Shady McCoy is a borderline RB1.
7. Broncos - Brandon Lloyd is the most shocking unstoppable weapon in years.
8. Patriots - Losing Moss will hurt the passing attack.
9. Saints - Haven't topped 25 points in eight straight regular season games.
10. Vikings - Randy Moss has the remedy.
11. Giants - Is Hakeem Nicks a legit top-five WR?
12. Ravens - Ray Rice the new goal-line back?
13. Jets - Santonio Holmes gives passing game a boost.
14. Lions - Shaun Hill has been a top-five QB the past four weeks.
15. Steelers - Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, and Heath Miller have new life.

Falling Out: Falcons
Feeling Frisky: Raiders

[SIZE=+1]Week 6 Byes[/SIZE]

Cardinals, Panthers, Bengals, Bills

[SIZE=+1]Early Waiver Look[/SIZE]

QB - Shaun Hill (51%), Matt Flynn, David Garrard, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Freeman, Jason Campbell
RB - Deji Karim, Mike Hart, Earnest Graham, Tashard Choice, James Starks, Earnest Graham
WR - Kenny Britt, Danny Amendola, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson, Davone Bess (38%), James Jones, Robert Meachem, Golden Tate, Nate Burleson, Steve Johnson, Mardy Gilyard, Devin Thomas, Anthony Armstrong
TE - Marcedes Lewis (44%), Owen Daniels (52%), Andrew Quarless

* Number is percent of CBSSports.com leagues in which that player is own

HacheMan · Oct 12, 2010

Welcome Home
The Vikings' new-look offense had a lot going against them Monday night. Randy Moss didn't know the playbook. Brett Favre's elbow tendinitis was acting up badly. The conditions were miserable thanks to the rain. They were facing the league's best defense featuring two world-class corners.

And still, we saw the upside that we knew this offense would have thanks to the addition of Moss. Favre chucked it up 10 times for Moss and the born again Viking was unlucky to only come down with four catches for 81 yards and one touchdown. Against any other defense in any other conditions, Moss and Favre would have brought the house down.

Just as important was seeing Percy Harvin back roaming free in his natural slot position. He would have had at least 150 yards if Favre didn't flat-out miss him on two easy throws. Harvin is a solid WR2 now as his talents are on full display in the right position.

So despite a miserable first 2 1/2 quarters Monday night, this Vikings offense is on the rise big time. We'll never know if Moss was going to have a dud of a season in New England as I suspected. But it's a certainty that he's back to elite status in Minnesota. He fits like a glove while he was looking like a square peg with the Patriots.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning, tons of exclusive columns, subscriber-only chats, full projections updated all week and much more, get our award-winning Season Pass.

Vikings vs. Jets quick slants
Bernard Berrian has been phased out of the offense. Greg Camarillo played ahead of him as the third receiver. ... Mark Sanchez repeatedly threw high to Dustin Keller, and Keller didn't help himself with drops. Just a fluke, Keller is still a TE1. ... Does anyone really believe Favre's play early on was hindered by the sexting controversy? Come on. ... LaDainian Tomlinson is playing like he's 25 again. But if he gets hurt, Shonn Greene is clearly ready to be an elite RB1 option. This Jets offensive line is tremendous at run blocking. ... Santonio Holmes split time with Jerricho Cotchery in two-wide sets. That will gradually change. Holmes saw nine targets in his first game back. ... Antonio Cromartie shadowed Randy Moss for the entire game. It's a tough matchup for Moss thanks to Cromartie's length. ... Brett Favre's elbow is something to watch. He was really struggling with it late in the game.

<BIG>HEADLINERS</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
The Patriots and Seahawks finally consummated a deal that had been in the works for a week now. Deion Branch was shipped back to New England in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Of course, it's pretty ridiculous that Randy Moss is worth a third-round pick and Branch is worth a fourth. But I digress.

Branch is no longer a playmaker. Multiple knee surgeries have crippled his on-field production and ability to separate. He isn't really an upgrade over Julian Edelman or Brandon Tate, so he's just another piece for the Patriots to play with. He'll run underneath routes as Tom Brady shifts to more of a quick-pass attack. I'd rather have Danny Amendola, Kenny Britt or James Jones before Branch off the waiver wire by a mile.

Back in Seattle, Branch was playing on 83 percent of the snaps. That's a lot of reps to pick up, even if Branch wasn't producing. Mike Williams and Deon Butler will now be the receivers in two-wide sets with Golden Tate rotating in often. It's possible Butler and Tate will split time as the nominal starter. There's opportunity here for all three, but Amendola and Britt are clearly better waiver options. I'd also give Tate the edge over Butler in terms of upside.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Jermichael Finley has a torn meniscus in his right knee and will be out 3-6 weeks. We'll get some insight on this injury tomorrow from Dr. Brian Eckenrode, but the earliest owners can realistically expect Finley back is Week 11. Backup Donald Lee would have been a decent add, but he is out two weeks with a shoulder injury. Third-string rookie Andrew Quarless will start and is a desperation option in the deep formats.

Before you cut Finley, remember that he came back from a knee injury last season and racked up 416 yards with four touchdowns over the final seven games. Try to stash him if you can.

Hopefully Finley owners drafted Zach Miller or Dustin Keller as a TE2. If not, Chris Wesseling will have some waiver options for you tomorrow in his all-encompassing Waiver Wired column. John Carlson, Marcedes Lewis and Tony Scheffler are reasonable choices.

Editor's Note: Pick a new fantasy team just for today and win real cash with Snapdraft!

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Calvin Johnson's right shoulder injury did not appear serious when it happened on Sunday. But after the game, Megatron admitted he could not have gone back in the game, even if it was close. Never good. Then, coach Jim Schwartz said Monday the Lions are "very concerned" with Johnson.

At this point, it would not be a surprise if Calvin is held out of Week 6 with a Week 7 bye looming. Schwartz's concern suggests there may have been a brief dislocation or bad sprain.



<BIG>MONDAY QUICK SLANTS</BIG>
DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Coach Wade Phillips said Felix Jones' role will continue to grow even more. ... Coach Tom Cable insists Bruce Gradkowski (shoulder) is his starter when healthy. ... Danny Amendola saw 19 targets on Sunday with Mark Clayton leaving early. ... Vincent Jackson to the Patriots is not happening. Drop him if you haven't already. ... Andy Reid confirmed that Michael Vick will be his starter when healthy. Vick likely won't be ready for Week 6, though.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
The Panthers claimed Devin Thomas off waivers, ensuring he will not be a fantasy factor. ... Damien Williams has moved past Lavelle Hawkins for the No. 4 WR job. ... Alex Smith's job is safe for now. ... It is unclear if Jimmy Clausen or Matt Moore will start when the Panthers come out of their bye. ... The Saints may turn back to Garrett Hartley after John Carney missed a 29-yarder in Week 5. ... Ryan Mathews is expected to retake his starting job shortly. He's a buy low.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Aaron Rodgers' (concussion) status for Week 6 is completely unknown right now. ... Darren McFadden (hamstring) is tentatively expected to miss another week. ... Arian Foster (knee) was able to run Monday and he should be a go for Week 6. ... Demaryius Thomas (head) has not yet been ruled out for Week 6. ... Jay Cutler (concussion) is tentatively expected to play Sunday. Caleb Hanie will start if Cutler can't. ... Joseph Addai (shoulder/neck) is sore and the Colts gave no update on his status. He should be okay.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
The X-rays on Maurice Jones-Drew (wrist) came back negative. He should be fine. ... Matthew Stafford (shoulder) will not play until Week 8. ... Steve Smith (ankle) probably will not be ready when the Panthers come out of their bye. ... Mark Clayton (knee) is done for the season. ... With Jake Delhomme (ankle) and Seneca Wallace (ankle) both likely out, Colt McCoy and Brett Ratliff will be the Browns quarterbacks Sunday. Yikes. ... Legedu Naanee has a mild hamstring injury. Drop him.

<BIG>WAIVERS</BIG>
DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll give out three defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes. The options are limited this week with the weak offenses of Buffalo, Arizona and Carolina on a bye.

1. TITANS at Jaguars: This unit could stick as an every-week kind of play. They lead the league in sacks with 22 and are fourth in interceptions. Facing a scuffling Jaguars unit with Maurice Jones-Drew at less than 100 percent is a bonus.

2. SAINTS at Bucs: Following an ugly loss to a Max Hall led Cardinals team in Week 5, the Saints should come out with fire against the Bucs. Josh Freeman is improving, but he has already been sacked nine times and thrown three picks in four games.

3. GIANTS vs. Lions: Don't be scared off by the 44-spot the Lions put on the Rams last week. Protecting Shaun Hill will not be nearly as easy this week. The Giants' pass rush is rounding back into elite form.