NFL Fantasy Football News 2009-2010

[HacheMan]

Willie Who?

Week 4 of the NFL Season taught us a very important lesson – fantasy football is extremely unpredictable.

Favorable matchups quickly turned south – gotta love Darren McFadden and Braylon Edwards – while others had you scratching your head in disbelief while saying, "Really?"

Let's check out the rest of the action from around the league.

Top 5 Quarterbacks:

1. David Garrard – 323 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 38 Rush Yds, 1 FL – There comes a point where calling something a fluke becomes a trend, and that point has come for the Titans' secondary. When David Garrard and the Jaguars' anemic pass offense lights you up there's a problem, but let's give credit where credit is due. Garrard has quietly put together three solid performances in a row and he becomes a very intriguing option going forward.

2. Philip Rivers – 254 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 1 FL – After the Chargers fell behind 28-0, Rivers took to the air, much to the delight of fantasy owners everywhere. Sunday was a typical Rivers-esque performance with multiple touchdowns and a sizable chunk of yards.

3. Ben Roethlisberger – 333 Pass Yds, 2 TDs, 0 INTs – Big Ben has been an extremely pleasant surprise this season, and Sunday was no different. With the Steelers having a ton of success running the ball that opened up more passing lanes for Roethlisberger and the Steelers' wideouts.

4. Eli Manning – 292 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 1 FL – That now makes three consecutive multi touchdown weeks for Eli, as he has quickly established chemistry with ALL of his receivers. It doesn't always look pretty for him, but you can't argue with the results thus far.

5. Peyton Manning – 353 Pass Yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT – Big brother was barely outdueled by little brother on Sunday, but you won't hear any of his owners complaining. Through the quarter point of the season, Manning has been the clear-cut favorite for MVP, as he has done nothing to hurt his cause by throwing for over 300-yards in all four games.

Top 5 Running Backs:

1. Rashard Mendenhall – 165 Rush Yds, 2 TDs, 2 Rec, 26 Yds – Mendenhall looked uncharacteristically powerful and quick on Sunday night – the complete opposite of what we're accustomed to seeing. It will be very interesting to see how the ball gets shared once Willie Parker gets healthier, but my bet is on the second-year back out of Illinois, especially since the Steelers' running game has been pretty much nonexistent until now.

2. Ronnie Brown – 115 Rush Yds, 2 TDs – Over the past three weeks, Brown has been as consistent as they come, and the success should continue. The Dolphins have no passing game, and that should only lead to an increase in carries for both Brown and Ricky Williams, as they look to take the pressure off of the inexperienced Henne.

3. Matt Forte – 121 Rush Yds, 1 TD, 2 Rec, 19 Yds – Playing the Lions defense solves all problems. Forte found paydirt for the first time this season, and it's about time, because it was getting a little ridiculous. The Bears have a bye this week, but tune in come Week 6 for Forte to continue to build off his success.

4. Steve Slaton – 65 Rush Yds, 1 TD, 2 Rec, 24 Yds, 1 TD, 1 FL – It was nice to see another first-round running back decide to stop by on Sunday. Slaton finally broke out on Sunday, and it only took him four weeks to do it. Labeled a fantasy bust after the first three weeks, Slaton kept the critics at bay for one more week.

5. Pierre Thomas – 86 Rush Yds, 1 TD, 4 Rec, 46 Yds – After suffering a nagging injury for the first two weeks, PT has turned it on in the past two games. He shredded the Jets' defense for some big runs and looked impossible to tackle at times. He's officially back as the Saints main option, so feel confident using him from here on out.

Top 5 Wide Receivers:

1. Steve Smith – 11 Rec, 134 Yds, 2 TDs – He's already got my vote for fantasy breakout player of the year, and there are still twelve games to go. Manning loves throwing his way, as is evident by his four scores in the past three games and his 28 catches. Smith has officially elevated himself to must start status.

2. Mike Sims-Walker – 7 Rec, 91 Yds, 2 TDs – If it weren't for Steve Smith, Sims-Walker would have to be the biggest surprise thus far. He has totaled at least six catches for 80-plus yards in three straight weeks, surpassing Torry Holt as the Jags' top receiver in the process.

3. Brandon Marshall – 4 Rec, 91 Yds, 1 TD – Marshall's score on Sunday is the reason why every team in the NFL would love to have him on their roster. He has now scored a touchdown in two consecutive games, as he and Kyle Orton appear to be on the same page. He's a must start every week, and Sunday showed why.

4.Mohamed Massaquoi – 8 Rec, 148 Yds, 0 TDs – Braylon Edwards gets held catchless, and the rookie decides to go bonkers – go figure. It looks like Massaquoi has firmly established a spot for himself on this team. In an offense in complete dismay, those are prime circumstances.

5. Calvin Johnson – 8 Rec, 133 Yds, 0 TDs, 12 Rush Yds – Megatron is back in the Top 5…oh happy day. Johnson has found it difficult to produce with rookie Matthew Stafford at the helm thus far this season, but if Culpepper starts, Johnson's numbers are bound to take off.

Top 5 Tight Ends:

1. Antonio Gates – 9 Rec, 124 Yds, 2 TDs – Antonio Gates looked like, well, Antonio Gates on Sunday, as he caught the ball in traffic and made defenders miss. Gates has been pretty solid from a yardage standpoint this season, but it was nice to see him break out in a multi-score big way.

2. Heath Miller – 8 Rec, 70 Yds, 2 TDs – Sunday night's tilt was not short of offense, as both opposing tight ends managed to find the endzone twice. This was Miller's first big game of the season, with his soon to be second to come next week against the Lions.

3. Marcedes Lewis – 4 Rec, 76 Yds, 1 TD – So far this season, Lewis has developed an "every other game" approach – next week beware. If the Jags throw it around, how could Garrard not help but look Lewis' way – he's every bit of 6'6'' 275-pounds.

4. Chris Cooley – 5 Rec, 65 Yds, 1 TD – If you take last week out of the picture, Cooley has been as consistent as you can be from the tight end position. With Sunday's score, Cooley surpassed his entire touchdown production from all of last season – not bad in a day's work.

5. Sean Ryan – 5 Rec, 58 Yds, 1 TD – This is nothing more than a player taking advantage of the situation that is present at hand – a.k.a falling behind early and being forced to throw.

Bottom 5 Quarterbacks:

1. Drew Brees – 190 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 0 INTs – Two consecutive weeks without a passing touchdown.
2. Mark Sanchez – 138 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 3 INTs, 24 Rush Yds, 1 FL – Hit the rookie wall…big time.
3. JaMarcus Russell – 128 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 0 INTs
4. Trent Edwards – 192 Pass Yds, 1 TD, 3 INTs
5. Tony Romo – 255 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 1 FL – Same goes here as did for Brees.

Bottom 5 Running Backs:

1. Darren McFadden – -3 Rush Yds, 1 Rec, 5 Yds, 0 TDs – If not now, then when?
2. Julius Jones – 25 Rush Yds, 3 Rec, 10 Yds, 0 TDs
3. LaDainian Tomlinson – 15 Rush Yds, 0 TDs, 1 Rec, -1 Yds – Has lost a step and then some.
4. Leon Washington – 17 Rush Yds, 4 Rec, 24 Yds, 0 TD
5. Fred Taylor, 25 Rush Yds, 1 Rec, 13 Yds, 0 TDs

Bottom 5 Wide Receiver:

1. Braylon Edwards – 0 catches.
2. Eddie Royal – 2 Rec, 16 Yds, 0 TDs – Huge sophomore slump.
3. Patrick Crayton – 3 Rec, 16 Yds, 0 TDs
4. Justin Gage – 1 Rec, 15 Yds, 0 TDs
5. Dwayne Bowe – 1 Rec, 11 Yds, 0 TDs

Bottom 5 Tight Ends:

1. Jason Witten – 4 Rec, 31 Yds, 0 TDs
2. Anthony Fasano – 1 Rec, 7 Yds, 0 TDs – Completely different production than last yr.
3. Kellen Winslow – 2 Rec, 21 Yds, 0 TDs
4. Zach Miller – 3 Rec, 33 Yds, 0 TDs – The Raiders' offense is so bad it's frustrating.
5. Jeremy Shockey – 4 Rec, 34 Yds, 0 TDs

 

[HacheMan]

Marshall Saves the Day



[SIZE=+1]#5. Saints 24 Jets 10[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Jets CB Darrelle Revis is the real deal. Almost every time Marques Colston lined up wide, Revis was on him like glue. He's quickly turning into the league's premier shut-down corner.

* Mark Sanchez was rattled for the first time. Before this game, his only road trip was to Houston in Week 1. He quickly learned what going on the road in the NFL is about. He held the ball way too long and cost his team the game with two turnovers that went for touchdowns.

* Reggie Bush's fumble isn't going to help him get more carries. He went between the tackles and barely took a hit on the ball and it came out. That's why he's a slot receiver these days that gets an occasional handoff.

GOING FORWARD

* Pierre Thomas slammed the door shut on all the other issues that have bothered him in the first three games. He is a sneaky and elusive runner, getting big gains when it doesn't look like there's much there. Even when Mike Bell gets healthy, there shouldn't be too much of a timeshare.

* It was interesting that Jets rookie RB Shonn Greene was active and got the first four carries of his career. The Jets have struggled running the ball the last two games and it was clear they wanted to see what kind of boost Greene could give them. Greene ran well and did nothing to hurt himself. It's unlikely he'll get too many carries going forward as long as Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are healthy, but it's a situation worth monitoring.

* Lance Moore (hamstring) returned to action but played limited snaps. He was sent back to field a punt but didn't get a chance to return it. Leave Moore on the waiver wire for now, but know that he is almost back to health.


[SIZE=+1]#4. Patriots 27 Ravens 21[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* The Patriots entered Saturday's action having converted just four touchdowns in 13 red zone appearances. They did a better job of capitalizing on opportunities in Week 4, driving home three touchdowns on five trips inside the Ravens' 20-yard line.

* The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 39 straight games, spanning close to three seasons. That is the longest streak of its kind in the NFL and should be noted by all fantasy owners.

* Flacco is still one of the coolest quarterbacks under pressure and truly played a solid game. His lone interception was the result of a miscommunication with receiver Mark Clayton and he was the victim of several drops by the Baltimore receiving corps.

* Derrick Mason was brilliant on the Ravens' opening drive, hauling in six passes for 77 yards and capping it all off with a 20-yard leaping touchdown. He was targeted twice more in the end zone during the contest, but New England stepped up their coverage on the veteran wideout after he exploited them so easily in the first quarter.

* Tom Brady was given far better protection this week by the Patriots' offensive line. That group still has some issues, but it was good to see at least a little improvement.

GOING FORWARD

* Willis McGahee drew his first start of the season, but was barely involved in the offense beyond red zone opportunities. Most of the Ravens' tailback touches are going to Ray Rice, and rightly so. Despite McGahee's gaudy touchdown total, Rice is the man in Baltimore.

* Laurence Maroney was bottled up easily at the line of scrimmage and did a bit too much dancing for our liking. He's little more than a kick returner at this point in the Patriots' offense.

* Randy Moss was bumped at the line of scrimmage and was doubled often by the Ravens' secondary, but was still able to find pay dirt in the third quarter. The score moved him past Marshall Faulk into sixth all-time on the career touchdown receptions list.


[SIZE=+1]#3. Steelers 38 Chargers 28[/SIZE]


BBEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Rashard Mendenhall was handed seven consecutive carries at one point in the first quarter. Coach Mike Tomlin was clearly trying to test both his knowledge of the playbook and his will to run hard under fatigue. He passed with flying colors.

* Both of Antonio Gates' touchdowns are worth re-watching. He boxed out a Pittsburgh defender to snag a three-yard catch in the third quarter and bowled over several arm tackles on a 30-yard scamper in the fourth. Absolutely beautiful football plays.

* Vincent Jackson has posted excellent numbers through four weeks and should be able to keep the pace. The Chargers' bread and butter is their spread passing game. Once coach Norv Turner figures that out, all will be well in San Diego, at least offensively.

* The Steelers dominated time of possession by more than 20 minutes, which allowed them to hang on for the victory despite a valiant San Diego comeback.

GOING FORWARD

* LaDainian Tomlinson might not be done as a runner, but he doesn't mesh with the Chargers' game plan. Or at least he shouldn't. It makes more sense for the Bolts to field a speedy, slippery back who can make plays out of the backfield on all downs. Darren Sproles, who had zero rushes and just one catch Sunday, happens to fit that description like a glove.

* Rashard Mendenhall entered Sunday's action with just seven carries for 45 yards on the season. He was also called out by his coach and members of the Steelers during Week 3 for his lack of preparation and limited knowledge of the offensive playbook. With 191 total yards and two scores, it's safe to say he silenced all critics and gained himself consideration for the starting gig, even when Willie Parker (turf toe) returns.

* Chris Chambers is no longer able to create separation with his feet and will struggle to gain any sort of fantasy relevancy this season. Malcolm Floyd would be a better option for the Chargers at this point.


[SIZE=+1]#2. Broncos 17 Cowboys 10[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Showing where they stood on their backfield committee, the Broncos introduced both Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter with the starting offense. Buckhalter has been used as the receiving back and outside runner, helping to boost his yards per touch. Though Moreno is running very well, he's handling all of the tougher, high-traffic inside runs.

* Romo had accuracy issues throughout the game, often missing wide open receivers. He looked uncomfortable and lacked confidence. To his credit, he bought time, escaped a sack and floated a perfect pass to a streaking Sam Hurd for a 53-yard gain on fourth down with the game on the line. He brought the Cowboys to the 2-yard line with just seconds left, but he couldn't connect with Sam Hurd for the gamewinner.

* Roy Williams was sidelined for the entire final drive. He revealed after the game that he was still dealing with the effects of a D.J. Williams hit that he called the hardest he had ever received in his life. Williams' asthma was also a contributing factor in the thin, mile high air.

* Brandon Marshall showcased his entire skill set on his 51-yard game winning touchdown. Terence Newman had good coverage, but Marshall leaped over him to snag the pass and then bounced off tacklers and hit the open field for 30 more yards and paydirt. It's worth noting that Knowshon Moreno had an outstanding blitz pickup to facilitate the play.

* The Broncos defense is for real. Brian Dawkins has taken over as the leader, Champ Bailey made several clutch plays, and Elvis Dumervil is leading a swarming front-seven. Dumervil picked up two more sacks to increase his total to eight.

* Marion Barber touched the ball just one time in the second half. Though he played well early, he was clearly laboring on several runs. The Cowboys denied that Barber aggravated his injury. Make sure to check his practice updates this week, where we'd expect him to be limited.


GOING FORWARD

* Brandon Marshall is the only Denver receiver or tight end worth using in fantasy leagues right now. Marshall reportedly had a fantastic week of practice and seems to have turned his attitude around.

* Correll Buckhalter was playing well before leaving with an ankle injury. If misses time, Knowshon Moreno will pick up receptions and outside carries.

*Eddie Royal remains primarily a return specialist and an offensive decoy.

* Similar to the Broncos, Jason Witten is the only Cowboys receiver or tight end worth using. Roy Williams can probably be used as a WR3, but he just isn't gaining much separation from defenders.

* Tashard Choice had 19 touches to 13 for Marion Barber. Barber clearly wasn't 100 percent, so expect a similar ratio next week against the Chiefs.

* If you predicted Tony Romo to see a dramatic dropoff in touchdowns this season, you were right.


[SIZE=+1]#1. Bengals 23 Browns 20[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Buoyed by a string of screen passes, Carson Palmer and the Bengals passing game dominated the first quarter. Palmer then lost control, growing frustrated and confused while failing to pick up a first down until late in the fourth quarter. He came through in the clutch (mostly because the Browns blew it), but he was awful for much of the game.

* Chad Ochocinco's first-quarter touchdown was a spectacular diving, one-handed effort. He hasn't reached 100 yards in 17 straight games, but that streak will end soon.

* Bengals longsnapper Brad St. Louis had an embarrassingly erratic game. Browns DT Shaun Rogers took advantage, blocking an early field goal as well as the extra point that would have won the game in regulation.

* The Bengals defense used bracket coverage on Braylon Edwards to hold him without a catch. He was targeted twice in the end zone but never came close to hauling in a touchdown.

* Mohamed Massaquoi's receptions came down field, many on outstanding catches in traffic. Leon Hall provided good coverage, but Anderson throws a nice deep ball and Massaquoi went after it aggressively.

* Cedric Benson could have had a high rushing total, but the Bengals went away from the run in the second and third quarters.

* Josh Cribbs was a difference maker on special teams. Bengals punter Kevin Huber did a nice job late in the game to keep it out Cribbs' hands after he had put the Browns in scoring position earlier.

GOING FORWARD

* Despite the loss, Derek Anderson gave the Browns a spark and put some space between himself and Brady Quinn.

* The Browns offense runs better with Jerome Harrison. He's earned a much larger role going forward, and the Browns may have to seriously consider making him the feature back with Jamal Lewis in a complementary role.

* Mohamed Massaquoi emerged as Anderson's go-to guy and cemented the No. 2 receiver role.

* While he's no threat to Cedric Benson's job, rookie Bernard Scott may have earned a steadier change of pace role with his six carries for 41 yards.

* Laveranues Coles is useless for fantasy purposes. Drop him if there's a more appetizing option on the waiver wire.

* Now fully recovered from last year's ACL surgery, Steve Heiden may have overtaken Robert Royal as the Browns primary tight end.

 

[HacheMan]

Questions Answered

1. Is Joe Flacco ahead of Tom Brady?

Through three weeks, there was no question Joe Flacco was playing better football than Brady. That's not a huge knock on Brady, Flacco had been among the best handful of quarterbacks in the league. I wondered if Flacco could already be close to Brady's value in fantasy.

Sunday showed that the two players are close. Brady ended up with a slightly better fantasy afternoon, but he's not going to rush for a score more often. The two reversed roles somewhat; Flacco threw 47 passes and wasn't as efficient in the second half.

Brady easily played his best game of the year, showing improved accuracy. He was sacked three times, but he generally handled pressure well. Wes Welker made a big difference; Brady owners should be very encouraged he's on his way "back."

Flacco owners should also be grinning ear-to-ear. Dude is on pace for 600 pass attempts! He's having a better fantasy season than Brady thus far because he's hitting vertical passes for scores; four of his eight touchdowns went for more than 20 yards. He made difficult and accurate throws on third downs.

Flacco could cool down, but his emergence isn't a fluke. He's a QB1. If you drafted him, it's worth thinking about dealing the guy you drafted ahead of him.

2. Can Clinton Portis still take advantage of an easy matchup?

At least Portis finished the game after failing to practice all week. But let's not get too excited if 98 rushing yards with no catches against a terrible defense is what he does in plus matchups. Portis is going to get you four yards per carry, no receiving value, and he plays for a low-scoring offense that struggles in short-yardage situations. He also seems fairly likely to break down before the end of the year.

I'd wait for him to play the Panthers and Chiefs the next two weeks, rack up more decent yardage, and trade him.

3. Can Mo-Jo get it done against a quality rush defense?

As a MJD owner, I have no doubt he'll be a solid RB1. But there are still questions about whether he can be worth that top pick in PPR leagues with so little offensive firepower around him. Beating on the Texans was nice, but let's see it against a stout Titans front.

Jones-Drew was held to 14 rushing yards, but this was still an incomplete grade. The Jaguars got such a big lead, they didn't even need Jones-Drew in the fourth quarter. The Titans stacked the box against Jacksonville, and David Garrard made them pay through the air. Jones-Drew still helped out with three catches and 26 yards, plus a rushing score. He also had a touchdown taken away by a Torry Holt penalty. Holt has now scored negative touchdowns on the year.

Jones-Drew's rushing numbers are similar to someone like Clinton Portis after four weeks. The difference is that he's on pace for 64 catches and is tied for the league lead in rushing scores. That's why he was drafted first. Ultimately, Sunday's game was so strange it didn't tell us much. The Jaguars need to be careful about overworking MJD, and we'll take a quiet Week 4 if it means he's playing in Week 15.

(And by the way, Mo-Jo owners need to own Rashad Jennings as insurance.)

4. What will Josh Johnson mean for the Bucs offense?

Some may read this question, and wonder who cares about the Bucs? I do! It's too early to give up on an entire team worth of fantasy value. Kellen Winslow, Antonio Bryant, Cadillac Williams, and Derrick Ward will all depend on Johnson for a while.

The early signs were mixed for the passing game, but not overly encouraging. Johnson averaged fewer than five yards per attempt. Johnson made a few impressive throws, but stared down his receivers and lacked touch on short passes.

Only one receiver topped 25 yards. Antonio Bryant owners could at least be encouraged that he was that receiver, catching four passes for 44 yards, including a 27-yard snag and a short touchdown grab. I was close to writing off Bryant as a fantasy option the rest of the way, even a WR3, but Sunday provided a glimmer of "let's see him do it again" hope.

Kellen Winslow only had 21 yards and I would not be confident in him as an every-week TE1 in this offense. He's not explosive enough to rack up yards after the catch, and he won't see enough passes to be a PPR monster.

The running game wasn't snuffed out by Johnson. Cadillac ended up with 99 yards on 20 touches while Derrick Ward watched from the sidelines. Johnson is probably the best running quarterback in the league with 41 yards on the ground.
<!--RW-->
5. Is Matt Forte's slump over yet? Please?

What a weird day for the Bears. They scored 48 points, yet Matt Forte only had 12 carries. It's not like Jay Cutler lit up the scoreboard; Chicago had 125 net yards passing and the Bears only ran 50 plays – 28 less than the Lions!

In the end, Forte did plenty with his touches. His 61-yard run was the longest of his career. His 37-yard touchdown was three times longer than any other run he had this season.

Nothing is physically wrong with Forte. The offensive line needs to improve, but all the things we liked about Forte before the season still exist, and the offense is better overall than expected. He remains a top-five running back.

6. McFadden vs. Slaton

This was a matchup of two early season disappointments, facing tasty matchups. The feeling was that if Darren McFadden and Steve Slaton couldn't turn it around Sunday, when would they?

Slaton owners left the game with renewed hope, and a good chance for a fantasy victory. McFadden owners like my wife left the game ready to give up on him.

Slaton started the game poorly with six carries for seven yards and his fourth fumble of the year. But he broke through for a 32-yard touchdown run and an 18-yard receiving score. The speed from last year is still there, but the blocking isn't. The Texans didn't churn up consistent yardage the rest of the day, and Slaton doesn't want to rely so much on big plays.

Still, Slaton has 202 yards from scrimmage with five catches and two scores over the last week. After a dreadful start against two great rush defenses, he's been competent. There is still plenty of room for skepticism that he'll provide true top-ten value, but he's on his way to being a solid RB2. I'd still buy low.

McFadden is in big trouble. Blame the offensive line, blame JaMarcus Russell, or blame the fumbles. But the kid lost three yards on six carries against the worst rush defense in football and was ultimately benched for Justin Fargas. His status as Oakland's lead back is in question. So is whether Oakland's running game will be half as useful in fantasy leagues as hoped. Is the loss of Robert Gallery this big a deal?

Normally, I'd think about buying low on McFadden. But with the Giants, Eagles, and Jets coming up, it doesn't make sense. Buy lower in three weeks.

7. Can Carson Palmer and Chad Ocho Cinco turn back the clock?

A funny thing happened to the Bengals on the way to being NFL's Cinderella team: they are doing it without a boffo passing game. Carson Palmer only seems to move the ball when the Bengals absolutely need a score. (That works in real football, not fantasy.) And while Ocho Cinco has been playing well, the vertical strike hasn't clicked for Cincy yet.

A matchup against the hapless Browns was ripe for big numbers, but we got more of the same from the Bengals. Yes, Ocho scored twice, so his fantasy owners won't complain. But he caught three balls for 24 yards overall and is still waiting for that big play.

J.P. Foschi and Daniel Coats led the Bengals in receiving yards – both under 50. Brian Leonard had the most catches with 6. Palmer had under 170 yards passing in regulation, and the biggest play he made all season was with his feet. Just a weird season right now for the Bengals.

It's a great sign that the Bengals are winning while Palmer is averaging only 6.2 yards per attempt, but he's not a true QB1 with days like this against Cleveland.

[SIZE=+1]On Second Thought [/SIZE]
I'm going to explore this topic in far more depth over the upcoming two weeks, but here are 15 players we'd rank significantly higher if drafts took place again, in no particular order. And yeah, this list isn't remotely complete yet.

1. Steve Smith, NYG
2. Joe Flacco
3. Eli Manning
4. Willis McGahee
5. Cedric Benson
6. Tim Hightower
7. Jerome Harrison
8. Mike Sims-Walker
9. Carnell Williams
10. LeSean McCoy
11. Nate Burleson
12. Pierre Garcon
13. Jerricho Cotchery
14. Brent Celek
15. Vincent Jackson

And 15 players we'd rank significantly lower, in no particular order

1. Matt Cassel
2. Carson Palmer
3. Chris Wells
4. Steven Jackson
5. Darren McFadden
6. LaDainian Tomlinson (we had him outside of top 15, should have been more)
7. Roy Williams
8. Eddie Royal
9. Terrell Owens
10. Laveranues Coles
11. Braylon Edwards
12. Antonio Bryant
13. Derrick Ward
14. Lance Moore
15. Greg Olsen

 

[HacheMan]

Finley shines on Favre's night

When a game is labeled as Favreaggedon 1.0, it's nearly impossible for the main character to live up to the hype. And as much as it pains a certified Brett Fraud hater like myself to say it, Favre was unreal last night.

His numbers (24-of-31, 271 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions) don't even do it justice. He was simply amazing; looking off safeties, throwing lasers over the middle and putting balls 20 yards down the field on the money. Now I'm going to the bathroom to throw up.

OK, I'm back. Last night isn't going to change Favre's value as a mid-range QB2. So let's move on to another guy that had some hype. Yeah, he had about 1/1000th of the hype, but Packers TE Jermichael Finley created quite a buzz for himself in the preseason.

The 2008 third-round pick out of Texas "tore up" training camp, making a host of "wow" plays and was "unguardable" according to teammates and beat writers. Before last night, that camp hadn't really translated into much production. Finley had a 4-56 line in Week 2, but he sandwiched that between a one-catch and a zero-catch game.

Then, last night Finley popped off for 128 yards and a touchdown on six catches. He also was targeted on a goal-line pass but was tackled a couple yards short of the end zone. It's a big-time breakout on a big-time stage.

Now, let's not go chasing Finley's stats from this game. Donald Lee is still in the mix and Finley will be inconsistent. But he's a receiver in a tight end's body and with Aaron Rodgers' impressive arm manning the controls, Finley will have more big games like this. Once the Packers get their offensive line woes squared away, Finley will be asked to chip defensive ends even less and run more routes.

Bottom line: Add Finley in deep leagues as a TE2. Add him in all dynasty leagues. Monitor the snap and target counts between Finley and Lee in shallow leagues.

Packers vs. Vikings quick hitters:
Packers left tackle Chad Clifton better get back soon before Aaron Rodgers' head gets dislodged from his neck. … Jared Allen is scary good, but it wasn't really fair when he was going up against a third-stringer. … Antoine Winfield is no joke as a cover guy and a tackler. … Greg Jennings has just five catches in the last three weeks. Consider him a "buy low."

Editor's Note: For early rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 5, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
After 24 hours of media members and fans trying to play doctor, the Giants finally said that Eli Manning has been dealing with plantar fasciitis for a few weeks and he aggravated it Sunday. He's officially day to day. Manning says his "gut feeling" is that he will play Sunday against Oakland, but what do you expect him to say?

The scary part of this is that Eli aggravated the injury without being touched. He's reportedly going to get a second opinion, even though the Giants are denying that. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham owners need to watch this situation as the Giants would likely employ a run-heavy attack if Eli sits out this week.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
When horses get hurt on the track, they are often put out their misery by being killed on the spot. That's kind of what the Darren McFadden situation feels like. One day after picking up negative three rushing yards and getting benched, it was revealed that McFadden will be out at least 2-4 weeks with a torn meniscus.

Michael Bush and Justin Fargas will split carries going forward, but they don't figure to do much better. McFadden is still a talented runner and in the right situation, he could excel. The simple truth is that JaMarcus Russell's regression has killed this offense.

NEWS OF THE DAY #4
Ted Ginn's snaps were cut considerably in the Week 4 win and coach Tony Sparano said it was a case of receiver rotations. As in, Ginn isn't a No. 1 receiver, or anywhere close, and he's going to be rotated out. It's going to be tough to count on Ginn going forward, even though he will get more snaps when he's making plays.

Editor's Note: For early rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 5, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Marion Barber's quad got "tight" in Sunday's loss, according to coach Wade Phillips. The Barbarian is hard to trust right now. … There's not much information out there on Matt Stafford, but we'd be surprised if he plays this week despite being listed as day to day. Dislocated knee just sounds nasty. … Brian Westbrook (ankle) returned to practice Monday. We're betting that Andy Reid is serious this time about spelling B-West some with LeSean Mcoy. … Zach Miller is expected to play in Week 5 despite his Week 4 concussion. … Matt Hassel beck (ribs) sounds like he's going to sit out once again this week. … Adrian Peterson (of the Bears) will be out at least 2-3 weeks with a strained MCL. Garrett Wolfe is Matt Forte's primary backup. … Marc Bulger did some light throwing Monday and is questionable for Week 5. … Devin Hester's shoulder or neck injury (depending on who you ask) isn't expected to give him any trouble at all. … Mike Bell (knee) is expected back after the Saints' bye, but he's just a Pierre Thomas handcuff at this point. … Kevin Curtis (knee) returned to practice Monday but is a shell of his former self. … Ahmad Bradshaw had his ankle in a boot for the second straight week, but it's not an issue. … Willie Parker says he'll play next week, but we'll see. The Steelers can afford to let him rest his turf toe against the Lions. … Johnny Knox (shin) will be fine when the Bears come out of their bye. … Correll Buck halter (ankle) says he just has a sprain and X-rays were negative. His status for this week is unknown. … Roy Williams has damaged cartilage in his ribs and his status for Week 5 is in doubt. … Donovan McNabb returned to practice and will almost certainly start Sunday. You can be sure he won't be tucking and running though.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Bucs K Mike Nugent got a vote of confidence from coach Raheem Morris after Sunday's game. Then he got cut in favor of Shane Andrus. Pretty standard. … Mohammad Massaquoi likely wrapped up the starting flanker job with his breakout game Sunday. … Brandon Marshall hugged coach Josh McDaniels - the same guy that suspended him - at a press conference. Love is in the air. … Braylon Edwards reportedly punched LeBron James' friend a few hours after his zero catch performance Sunday. Love is not in the air. … Michael Crabtree has reportedly agreed to resume talks with the Niners. It's almost time for Crabtree to give up.

DEFENSE SPOT STARTS
Here are two ideas for owners adding a new defense each week based on matchups:

EAGLES vs. Bucs - It's possible the Birds were dropped in shallow leagues because of their bye week. Snatch them up immediately.

BILLS vs. Browns - Cleveland is looking much more dangerous with Derek Anderson and Jerome Harrison, but they're still a turnover waiting to happen.


POSITIONAL SPOT STARTS
Chris Wesseling will cover this topic from head-to-toe in his Waiver Wired column, but here are three guys that are worth a quick add:

WR Mohammad Massaquoi - If teams are really going to double cover Braylon Edwards, Massaquoi can beat single coverage. He's just as

WR Sam Hurd - With Roy Williams (ribs) very questionable for Week 5, Hurd will get a chance to make some plays. He can't do much worse than Williams was doing.

RB Jerome Harrison - He should have been owned in all leagues coming into this week considering he was the clear starter. But he's just 25 percent owned in Yahoo leagues, a staggering number.

 

[HacheMan]

New era: Running backs no longer the key to victory


Something is different when the Chicago Bears average more than seven yards a carry — and still give the ball to their running backs only 20 times while scoring 48 points.
Something is different when the Indianapolis Colts' idea of a balanced offense is having two running backs get an equal number of carries while Peyton Manning throws the ball all over the field in a blowout win.

WAIVER WIRE: Massaquoi likely a one-week wonder
THE SLOT: Colts' Collie emerging

And something is different when the San Francisco 49ers repeatedly discuss their love for running and then score their only offensive touchdowns through the air in an easy win.
If you want an idea of what's different about the NFL this season, look at what has happened over the first month: Running backs barely matter anymore. That has a big effect on fantasy football, where big-time backs no longer are necessary to win.

A lineup of Calvin Johnson, (the other) Steve Smith and Mike Sims-Walker is all you need. Of course, when you do get huge games from your backs, you will dominate.
But gone are the days when those runners determined fantasy winners.
Thank years of gradual rules changes in favor of passing offenses as well as the league's over-reliance on running backs-by-committee for breaking down the importance of the position.
Maybe the tide will turn back as we get deeper into the season and the weather turns. For now, your focus should be on getting big receiving stats while getting whatever you can from your backs.
To wit, check out some of what happened last week:
•The former run-loving Baltimore Ravens are one of the league's biggest passing teams. Willis McGahee is one of the most valuable backs, but much of his damage comes as a receiver. Same story with Ray Rice, who just needs the ball in the open field to be effective. He does just as well as a receiver as a runner.
•With a 28-point lead against the Seattle Seahawks, the Colts kept throwing, despite claiming to search for a true run-pass balance for much of the Manning era. In fact, the Colts have two good runners in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. Their combined 21 carries in a blowout paled next to Manning's 41 pass attempts.
•The New York Giants have lived on the ground in recent years but, despite running for 382 yards the past two weeks, have one rushing TD in that span compared to five passing TDs by Eli Manning. The safest Giants starter is Smith, not bruising runner Brandon Jacobs.
•I don't think the Jacksonville Jaguars can thrive for long without much from Maurice Jones-Drew, but they scarcely needed him with David Garrard (323 passing yards, three TDs) hurling darts through the Tennessee Titans. Nine touches for Jones-Drew (40 total yards, TD) typically is a recipe for a loss, but not in this passing-crazy day.
Not every team is trying to turn into the New Orleans Saints.
The Dallas Cowboys still aren't worried about lacking a dominant receiver, because they keep the ball on the ground.
The Buffalo Bills still haven't figured out how to use Terrell Owens, who is averaging two receptions a game. And any team counting on unproven quarterbacks is not going to regularly pile up passing stats.
NFL teams, however, are scoring — and winning — by throwing. One of your best chances to do the same is loading up on receivers while not expecting those unproductive backs on your team to jump back into the spotlight and carry your roster.
Going Young
Sooner or later, the Titans will turn things over to Vince Young to replace veteran Kerry Collins as their disappointing season threatens to spiral out of control after a 0-4 start.
That raises the question of what will happen to Chris Johnson, who is virtually the team's only legitimate fantasy star.
Running back sidekick LenDale White is wasting away — producing one TD this season and failing to generate more than 28 yards rushing in any game.
If the Titans continue to collapse, will Johnson be far behind?
Johnson figures to remain a good starter unless the Titans turn into a complete mess. He still is the main cog in the offense and will get plenty of touches as a runner and receiver. The problem will be if Johnson does not get the same scoring chances as he did in 2008 if the Titans always are far behind.
The flip side is that the defense is not good enough for regular low-scoring games as in the past. That might mean some games like last week's, when Kenny Britt (seven catches, 105 yards) and Nate Washington (seven catches, 66 yards, TD) put up nice stats.
And if you have a deep roster and need quarterback help, you might as well tuck away Young now. If Young plays, there is no telling how he would do. If he harnessed all of his ability, he could be worth starting. Of course, he never has done it.
Defensive Saints
The world isn't quite ending, although Drew Brees has gone two games in a row without a touchdown pass (which has happened only one other time since the 2004 season).
But it's the Saints' defense that's getting a lot of the credit for the team's 4-0 start.
The praise comes on the heels of two defensive touchdowns, four sacks and four turnovers against the New York Jets. Last week's game might be the high-water mark for the defense, but the Saints clearly are good enough to earn regular starting consideration.
This level of performance might be surprising, but it is not unusual for a previously mediocre defense to piggyback on a strong offense to put up big numbers.
The pressure for opponents to keep up with the Saints forces them to be more aggressive and make additional mistakes.
And the best news for the Saints? They have four games left against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers offenses.

 

[HacheMan]

Brown Sugar


I was all set to write up Rocket Rashard Mendenhall as this week's featured waiver wire grab after his Sunday night coming-out party against the Chargers. Last year's embattled first-rounder shook off his reputation for looking "ordinary" by crashing through would-be tacklers and finishing his runs with authority (albeit against an overwhelmed run defense). It was a dramatic doghouse-to-the-penthouse story for Mendenhall; unfortunately, he's already owned in two-third of all cbssports.com leagues. If he remains available in your league, he's easily the top option this week.

The unlikely waiver story this week, then, is the Cleveland "Brown-out" headlining three different positions. While I'm certainly not in the habit of backing an offense that just scored its first offensive touchdown of the season, the Brownies showed signs of life against a frisky Cincinnati defense and move on to a dream matchup at Buffalo this week. The Bills are allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and are currently without three-fourths of the starting secondary. For those with bye week blues, it's now or never for Derek Anderson, Jerome Harrison, and Mohamed Massaquoi.

In order to better serve the waiver wire wranglers, I've begun adding a handful of "long-term fliers" to consider at each position as well as a list of players on whom to "cut bait" due to disappointing play or factors beyond their control.

One final note: Several players went unlisted below simply because they're not widely available except in the smallest of leagues. If David Garrard (69 percent) is available, he should top the quarterback list. Tashard Choice (88 percent) and LeSean McCoy (84 percent) would follow Mendenhall on the running back list. Pierre Garcon (91 percent) and Patrick Crayton (81 percent) would fall in after the first couple of receivers.

On to the lists. 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.

Running Backs
1. Rashard Mendenhall
2. Jerome Harrison
3. Michael Bush / Justin Fargas
4. Ladell Betts
5. Rashad Jennings
6. Jerious Norwood

Wide Receivers
1. Mohamed Massaquoi
2. Antonio Bryant
3. Kenny Britt
4. Austin Collie
5. Sam Hurd
6. Donnie Avery

Quarterbacks
1. Derek Anderson
2. Seneca Wallace
3. Shaun Hill
4. Jake Delhomme
5. Vince Young

Tight Ends
1. Jermichael Finley
2. Heath Miller
3. Bo Scaife
4. Brandon Pettigrew

Defenses
1. Eagles / 49ers / Packers
2. Cardinals

</FONT+1>RUNNING BACKS

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers – Does FWP now stand for Fast Wally Pipp? No longer able to provide the Steelers with a consistent ground attack, the aging and oft-injured Willie Parker has lost more than a step. In stark contrast, the much bigger and more physical Mendenhall ran north and south with authority and provides the offense with their one missing piece. Parker is "looking forward" to playing this week, but turf toe injuries have a tendency to linger. Though Mendenhall is already owned in many leagues, he should be snatched up immediately in shallow leagues where he remains available. Last year's first-rounder has juicy matchups against the Lions and Browns the next two weeks. Expect him to take the job and run with it – if he hasn't already.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Jerome Harrison, Browns – Previously though to be too slight of build to handle a high workload, Harrison touched the ball 34 times for 152 total yards in a workhorse performance against the Bengals. He was able to establish a consistent ground attack while turning in the first 100-yard rushing performance for the Browns since 2007. While Jamal Lewis' pending return could throw a wrench into the works, there's no question this offense runs better with Harrison in the backfield. Whether the Browns continue to give him a heavy workload or not, he's earned an increased role. At the very least, he should have one more fantasy start left in him against a vulnerable Bills defense this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Michael Bush / Justin Fargas, Raiders – Darren McFadden is out 2-4 weeks with a torn meniscus, leaving Bush and Fargas to fight for scraps in a moribund offense. Bush had been higher on the depth chart entering the Texans game, but he appeared to hit the doghouse after fumbling. Fargas took over with the game out of hand and led the team in carries. If McFadden owners want to dabble in finding his replacement, I'd recommend Bush. We've already seen what Fargas could do as the starter, and it barely registered on fantasy radars. Bush is the better, more explosive talent. Just be prepared for a split in carries against three tough defenses (Giants, Eagles, Jets) the next three weeks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Ladell Betts, Redskins – Another aging and oft-injured running back, Clinton Portis is running his heart out to unimpressive fantasy results. Already on his last legs as an NFL back after being overused the past five seasons, Portis is currently battling a calf contusion and possibly bone spurs in both ankles. Owners expecting several more game-time decisions over the next couple of months should grab Betts as insurance.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Rashad Jennings, Jaguars – Maurice Jones-Drew's handcuff emerges. Jennings finished his runs with power in garbage time against what had previously been the league's No. 1 ranked run defense. Separating himself from fullback Greg Jones, the rookie is quality insurance for MJD owners.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Jerious Norwood, Falcons – Dropped in many leagues after a Week 2 concussion and Week 3 bye, Norwood is worth picking up as a possible flex play to get owners through the bye-week blues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Bernard Scott - Much quicker than Cedric Benson, could see increased change-of-pace role.
Sammy Morris - Jack-of-all trades may be worth a flex play during bye weeks.
LaMont Jordan - Could see an increased role if Buckhalter's injury keeps him out.
Jamaal Charles - Still fumbling, but Chiefs don't have options behind struggling LJ.
Shonn Greene - Finally received a few carries and looked good.

Cut Bait

Jamal Lewis - Wasn't worth starting even when healthy. Harrison to keep job?
LenDale White - Only worth a spot in touchdown-heavy leagues.
Laurence Maroney - Least effective player in the Pats backfield committee.
Mike Bell - Pierre Thomas owners can keep him as a handcuff.

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</FONT+1>WIDE RECEIVERS

Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns – Before I was assigned to cover Massaquoi's game Sunday, I had pictured a raw rookie with questionable hands. Throughout the game, though, Massaquoi kept earning more and more of Derek Anderson's trust with a series of difficult down-field catches against Leon Hall's solid coverage. While there is sure to be plenty of week-to-week inconsistency with the second-rounder, it's worth noting that Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow have gone through hot streaks under Anderson in the past. Targeted 13 times in his breakout game, Massaquoi has cemented the No. 2 receiver job. He's well worth carrying to see if that hot streak develops; meanwhile, owners could do worse than a spot-start against Buffalo this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers – Owned in just half of all leagues after early-season knee soreness kept him sidelined, Bryant returned with four catches for 44 yards and a touchdown in Week 4. Josh Johnson certainly caps his upside, but Bryant should resume his standing as the top option in the passing game. He's worth a trip to the waiver wire if only to see if he can do it again this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Kenny Britt, Titans – Coming off an 11-target, 7-catch, 105-yard performance (most coming in garbage time), the impressive first-round rookie has two problems right now. First, he's a similar player to physical, down-field split end Justin Gage, and the Titans don't appear ready to demote the veteran. Secondly, Vince Young is looming as the second-half starting quarterback, which should lower expectations for all of the Titans receivers. Britt is worth a flier, but his Week 4 numbers could be season highs.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Austin Collie, Colts – Coming off his best game as a pro, the third-round rookie was targeted more than Pierre Garcon. He responded with six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. His value will disappear when Anthony Gonzalez returns in a few weeks, but there's a nice Week 5 matchup against the Titans' league-worst secondary in the mean time.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Sam Hurd, Cowboys – Roy Williams damaged cartilage in three of his ribs after taking a brutal hit from Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams. Should Williams miss this week's game against the Chiefs, Hurd would likely take over opposite the Patrick Crayton/Miles Austin rotation. It's worth noting that Hurd was targeted four times with Williams on the sidelines during the final drive of Sunday's loss. In fact, Tony Romo looked to Hurd in the end zone twice despite the presence of Champ Bailey.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Donnie Avery, Rams – The good news is that he led the team in both receptions and yardage against the Niners in Week 4, as expected. The bad news is that the offense has been shut out in two of four games – and nearly a third as well. If pickings are getting slim on your waiver wire, grab Avery and hope for the best. The Rams can't hand it off to Steven Jackson on every play.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Josh Morgan - Finally found the end zone and should have had a pair of touchdowns in Week 4.
Lance Moore - Worth a dice roll in deeper leagues. Now healthy, but has a bye in Week 5.
Jeremy Maclin - Keep an eye on Kevin Curtis' health. Maclin would be worth grabbing if he vaults into the starting lineup.
Hakeem Nicks - Has shown playmaking ability, but stuck behind Smith and Manningham.
Julian Edelman - Now the No. 3 in New England, he's sent Galloway to the bench.
Deion Branch - Six catches on six targets in garbage time last week.
Michael Crabtree - Resuming talks with 49ers? Wouldn't be a factor until late in the season.

Cut Bait

Torry Holt - Officially bypassed by Mike Sims-Walker.
Justin Gage - Splitting production with rookie Kenny Britt. Vince Young to take over?
Ted Ginn - Now in a rotation with Brian Hartline? Ouch.
Laveranues Coles - Left on the bench in key third-down situations in overtime last week. Losing looks to Andre Caldwell and Chris Henry.
Chansi Stuckey - The Jets No. 2 receiver isn't relevant even in deep leagues.

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</FONT+1>QUARTERBACKS

Derek Anderson, Browns – Most of the quality options have already been snatched, leaving owners to wonder if the 2007 Pro Bowler might be able to recapture some of the old magic. Anderson still has major accuracy and consistency issues, but he finally provided the Browns offense with signs of life against a solid Bengals defense. If coordinator Brian Daboll can get Braylon Edwards going alongside rookie Mohamed Massaquoi, he can take advantage of Anderson's down-field aggressiveness. Desperate Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler, Drew Brees, and Philip Rivers owners could do worse than Anderson, who draws Buffalo's injury-ravaged secondary this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Seneca Wallace, Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck's status remains up in the air, but there's no indication that his return is imminent. As poorly as the offensive line is playing, the Seahawks would do well to hold out their 34-year-old starter for another week. Wallace has averaged 259 yards on 44.5 pass attempts the past two weeks and has a quality matchup at home against a Jacksonville secondary allowing the fourth most points to opposing quarterbacks.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Shaun Hill, 49ers – Now an amazing 10-4 as a starter for the formerly woebegone 49ers, Hill is still unowned in half of all leagues because of San Fran's ball control offense. Despite the low pass attempt numbers, he has thrown for two touchdowns in each of the past two games and remains a plus 60 percent passer. Don't expect a monster game against the Falcons, but he's a safe play for those with bye week issues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Jake Delhomme, Panthers – For all of the talk of Delhomme falling apart, he's been over 60 percent with at least 220 yards in each of his past two games. I wouldn't recommend starting him against the Redskins in Week 5, but he's a better use of a roster spot right now than Kerry Collins (job security) or Matt Cassel (inept offense).

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Vince Young, Titans – Deep-league special. Collins draws the Colts (4-0, elite pass defense) and Patriots (3-1) the next two weeks, with a good shot of leading his team to an 0-6 start entering the Week 7 bye. While Colormen, TV analysts, and even his own coach deflect blame elsewhere, the 35-year-old Collins continues to be an inaccurate quarterback making unbelievably poor decisions on a weekly basis. If Fisher's not ready to make a bye-week change in a lost season, expect owner Bud Adams to nudge him toward Young.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Josh Johnson - Still needs plenty of polish as a passer, but quite possibly the best running quarterback in the league.
Matt Leinart - The Cardinals won't bench Kurt Warner, but he's an injury waiting to happen right now.
David Carr - Eli Manning is officially day-to-day with plantar fasciitis and will likely be a game-time decision.
Daunte Culpepper - Even if Culpepper starts in place of Matthew Stafford (knee subluxation), he belongs on the bench against Pittsburgh in Week 5.

Cut Bait

Matt Cassel - The offensive line is a sieve, and Cassel's "weapons" are impotent.
Kerry Collins - Two more games as the starter?
Trent Edwards - Starting to show signs of shell-shock with his tackles getting bum-rushed constantly.

</FONT+1>TIGHT ENDS

Jermichael Finley, Packers – Hyped throughout training camp and preseason action, the 2008 third-rounder finally broke out in the Favre-a-palooza last night. He's still splitting snaps with Donald Lee, but Finley's upside is definitely worth a flier if you're dealing with Zach Miller or Kellen Winslow as your starter.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Heath Miller, Steelers – Miller headlined this list last week as a great bye-week fill-in against the Chargers defense. Though he's a borderline candidate at 62 percent ownership, Miller still makes for a nice fill-in against the Lions if he remains unowned in your league. After an 8/70/2 line in Week 4, he's now No. 8 in fantasy points and No. 9 in points per game.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Bo Scaife, Titans – Owned in just 25 percent of all leagues, Scaife has been a forgotten man after suffering a knee injury in Week 1. He returned to action this past week and could be worth a look as a bye-week solution.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions – Averaging four catches and 44 yards per week since going without a catch in the opener, Pettigrew is slowly working his way into the passing offense. The rookie was the recipient of 10 targets in Week 4, including a near touchdown. He's worked his way into TE2 consideration, but Pettigrew is little more than a bye-week patch right now.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Marcedes Lewis - A risky bye-week fill-in, Lewis has simply been too inconsistent.
Dante Rosario - Featured more this season, Rosario had three catches and a score in each of his last two games.
Sean Ryan - Has nine catches the last two weeks, mostly in garbage time. The Chiefs will play a lot of garbage time this year.

Cut Bait

Zach Miller - JaMarcus Russell is killing his value. Hold on in deeper leagues, but cut the fish loose if you're looking for a more reliable option in shallow leagues.
Anthony Fasano - On pace for a 16-catch season.
Robert Royal - Dump him in all leagues. He's a lesser talent plus Steve Heiden is taking over.

</FONT+1>DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

Eagles / 49ers / Packers - Unlike Week 4, all of the great matchup plays are already owned in most leagues this time around. If Philly (vs. TB) was dropped on their bye week, run to the waiver wire and grab them as a Week 5 starter. If San Fran (vs. ATL) is still available, by all means, grab them after their 35-40 point outburst. The Packers have bye this week but make for a nice stash for the Week-6 matchup against the Lions.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Cardinals - The best of a weak group of matchup plays currently available on the majority of waiver wires. Arizona has been bringing the heat on opposing quarterbacks and shutting down running games early in the season. They draw the Texans at home, which is a better matchup than one would believe. Steve Slaton is averaging a fumble per game, and Matt Schaub has been susceptible to the sack the past couple of weeks.

Recommendation: Worth picking up as a desperate matchup play

 

[HacheMan]

Departure from Cleveland won't Jet Edwards up the charts

One thing is clear about Braylon Edwards going to the Jets: He can't be much worse than he was with the Browns.
Edwards' horrible start culminated with being shut out in last week's loss and then allegedly being involved in an off-field incident with a friend of LeBron James. He had just 10 catches for 139 yards and no scores in the first four games. Now, he gets to start over with the Jets. But should he go back in your lineup?
The first problem is trying to jump into a new offense midseason. Expect him to pick up playing time slowly. It is difficult to see him having a major impact for at least a few weeks. Edwards could be another Roy Williams -- who never was a factor after joining the Cowboys last season and had just 19 catches and one TD in 10 games.
Consider too that Edwards will be catching passes from rookie QB Mark Sanchez, and we saw how risky that can be during the Jets' loss last week to the Saints. Plus, Edwards has trouble actually catching balls thrown to him and you can only imagine how well drops will go over with Jets coach Rex Ryan.
I would not consider Edwards as more than a third receiver. I would pick up Edwards if he hit waivers but I would not trade anybody I thought I might need this season to acquire him.
Naturally, the addition of Edwards hurts Jerricho Cotchery's value. He has at least 71 yards in every game so far and was rounding into a consistent No. 2 receiver.
Left behind in Cleveland, rookie Mohamed Massaquoi is the flavor of the week coming off a 100-yard game. And running back Jerome Harrison better keep pulling his weight until Jamal Lewis gets healthy. If it's possible for the fourth-worst scoring offense to be any worse, the Browns will be worse.
Coming over from the Jets is Chansi Stuckey; he might be the Browns' most gifted receiver, but that is faint praise indeed because Stuckey fizzled since getting 64 yards and a TD in Week 1. Take a chance on Massaquoi first, then Stuckey if you are in a deep league.
Another thing to watch is if tight ends Steve Heiden and Robert Royal catch a few more passes. Edwards was barely doing anything anyhow so it's not as if those guys have much slack to pick up. Joshua Cribbs, Brian Robiskie and Mike Furrey are other receivers left behind. -- Matt Pitzer

 

[HacheMan]

San Francisco Treaty


Michael Crabtree's holdout is finally over. Profootballtalk.com kicked off the festivities Tuesday morning with the news that the ice was thawing and negotiations were underway for the first time in weeks. ESPN's Adam Schefter "tweeted" that he believed the sides would come to an agreement by the end of the day Tuesday, and he wasn't far off.

Early Wednesday morning FoxSports.com's Jay Glazer reported that the Niners have agreed to terms with the No. 10 overall pick on a six-year deal that could void to five if Crabtree has two great years in the first four. If he fails to reach statistical incentives, the sixth year pays him just $4 million.

Of course, the most interesting question is whether the 49ers stuck to their guns on maintaining slot money despite the previous threats of a full-year holdout. San Fran was offering a guarantee of just $16 million while Crabtree was holding out for at least as much as No. 7 overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey's $23.5 million guaranteed. With the 49ers off to an impressive 3-1 start and currently in the driver's seat in the NFC West, it's far more likely that Crabtree and his agent came to the table with hat in hand knowing any leverage they may have had was long gone. The likely scenario is that the lengthy deal will provide enough ambiguity on the back side for Crabtree and his agent to save face.

Crabtree is expected to report to 49ers headquarters and begin working with the team immediately. While he's been working out religiously with a personal trainer, he'll have a ways to go before he's in true NFL game shape. It's believed that he won't be game ready for at least another week or two. The holdout along with the Niners run-oriented offense will limit his fantasy potential, but Crabtree's upside is worth a lottery ticket on the waiver wire this week – especially in larger leagues. The guess here is that he's an extreme longshot for steady WR3 value in the second half of the season, so shallow leaguers should hold off on dumping a valuable player to take a flier. If you have the roster space, however, by all means buy the ticket and take a ride.

Editor's Note: Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cold hard cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly league and rewards the most skilled fantasy players that know matchups and value.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would not commit to naming Rashard Mendenhall his starting running back for this week's game at Detroit. "We haven't pondered the division of labor to this point," Tomlin said. "At this point, the ball's in Rashard's hands until we get further information in regards to Willie Parker." Tomlin did say that Parker's availability will be the most important factor this week, but turf toe injuries have a tendency to linger. Expect Parker to be limited in practice all week, with Mendenhall garnering the majority of the touches against the Lions on Sunday. The offense clearly runs better with the more physical Mendenhall in the backfield. Don't be surprised if Week 4 ends up being the passing of the torch.

ESPN.com's Bill Williamson believes Correll Buckhalter could miss "a week or two" with a high ankle sprain. Adam Schefter also believes Buckhalter will sit out this week. While this is the first we've heard of the injury being of the high-ankle variety, both reporters are reliable sources with close ties to the Broncos organization. Buckhalter was handling outside runs and passing-game work as part of his committee attack with rookie Knowshon Moreno. Out of the remaining Denver backs, Moreno is best suited to take on that role, so expect to see his workload expanded against the Patriots this Sunday. New England is a mediocre 17th in points allowed to opposing running backs, so Moreno will have a shot at a breakout game with 22-25 touches.

Eli Manning was at the Giants practice facility Tuesday, getting ice and electrical stimulation on his right foot. He maintains that he plans on playing Sunday against Oakland and expects to practice on Wednesday. While we expect him to be a game-day decision, his teammates have no doubt that Eli will play through the pain.

Profootballtalk.com confirms CBS analyst Boomer Esiason's report that JaMarcus Russell has been fined heavily for tardiness and weight problems. Coach Tom Cable would not answer questions about Russell's fines, saying "I'm not going to talk about our internal stuff." According to PFT's source, Russell has missed multiple team activities, and his behavior was described as a "pattern not an aberration." Currently sporting a 39.8 completion percentage, 4.7 yards per attempt, and a laughable 42.4 passer rating, the 2007 No. 1 overall pick's career has jumped the tracks. Once again, there's no light at the end of the tunnel in Oakland.

The NFL and local police are investigating Braylon Edwards for his alleged punching of an entertainment promoter early Monday morning in Cleveland. The Browns are also looking into the matter and aren't ruling out team discipline.

Two-Minute Drill: Redskins hired former Packers, Vikings, and Lions coordinator Sherman Lewis as an offensive consultant. … Ravens coach John Harbaugh expressed no regret over Joe Flacco's 47 pass attempts while abandoning the run in Week 4. … Jets coach Rex Ryan plans to get RB Leon Washington more involved this week after he received just eight touches in Week 4. … Browns coach Eric Mangini praised Derek Anderson's performance against the Bengals and confirmed that he will be the quarterback going forward. … The Saints appear to be leaning toward keeping both John Carney and Garrett Hartley coming out of their Week 5 bye. … The Giants brought in free agent kickers Matt Bryant and Matt Stover but elected to stay with Lawrence Tynes for now. … Chiefs RB/KR Jamaal Charles is in danger of being deactivated again after fumbling the opening kickoff in Week 4. … Jets OLB Calvin Pace returned to practice after serving his four game suspension. … Eagles MLB Jeremiah Trotter is already seeing first-team snaps in practice and is in line for split-snaps with Omar Gaither this week. … Free agent LB Junior Seau reportedly tried out for the Patriots on Tuesday, an a signing appears to be imminent. … Gerald Alexander has officially unseated Sean Considine for the starting strong safety job. … Pat Watkins will start at strong safety for the Cowboys in place of Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb surgery). … Dolphins beat writer Mike Berardino is predicting that rookie WR Patrick Turner will be inactive all year, barring injuries. … Texans signed former Titans bust Chris Henry to the practice squad.

Red Zone: ESPN's Tim Hasselbeck said Tuesday that he'd be surprised if his brother, Matt (ribs), sat out this week's game against the Jags. … ESPN's John Clayton expects the Lions to play it cautiously and sit Matthew Stafford (knee subluxation) this week against the Steelers. … Marion Barber (quad) feels better this week than last and will start against the Chiefs barring a setback. … Clinton Portis (calf, ankles) is expected to practice at some point this week, so he should be fine for Sunday's game at Carolina. … Adrian Peterson "tweaked" his leg during Monday night's game, but it's not expected to be an issue going forward. … Though the Raiders are calling WR Chaz Schilens (foot) day-to-day at this point, his status for Week 5 is in doubt. … Saints RB Mike Bell (knee) will be "full go" when the team returns to practice next week. … Troy Polamalu (knee) is expected to participate in Wednesday's practice, but his status for Sunday's game at Detroit is up in the air. … Giants WLB Michael Boley is out four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. … Bills FS Donte Whitner (thumb), SS Bryan Scott (ankle), and LB Paul Posluszny (arm) are all in doubt for Sunday's game against the Browns. … The Colts are still not setting a timetable for SS Bob Sanders (knee) to resume playing. … Packers KR/PR Will Blackmon

 

[HacheMan]

What can Brown do for you?


When everything goes as planned -- or even better than planned -- there are few things more fun than Fantasy Football. Then there are weeks like this past one. Whether it's the San Francisco defense ruining your weekend, or the Titans getting blown out by the Jaguars leaving my boy LenDale White barely any chances to run the ball, the unpredictable can, and in my case, will inevitably leave you breaking a remote or two (or drowning your sorrows in buffalo wings, by the dozen).

However, in the words of some smart person who probably contributed more to society in an hour than I do in a month: life must go on. And of course with the bad stuff comes the good, like calling Steve Smith's monster Week 4. So, my bitching and moaning aside, let's get into what I saw in Week 4 and what it means going forward:

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Stock Up

Donald Brown, Colts RB

It hasn't taken long for the rookie from Connecticut to gain his coaching staff's favor in crucial situations. Although Brown has split Red Zone carries right down the middle with Joseph Addai (12 for each) overall, over the last two weeks Brown has gotten 11 out of the 17 RZ carries the Colts have had. In addition, Brown got the call for every Goal Line carry (5-of-5) in the last two games.

Despite Addai's experience, Colts coach Jim Caldwell is definitely gaining more trust in Donald Brown with each passing week, mainly because the rookie possesses a trait Addai does not: He Runs Hard. The results haven't been there yet, but Brown is undoubtedly the guy to own in that backfield. The combination of his playmaking ability, with new found scoring opportunities, makes acquiring him an excellent low risk move with high upside.

Nate Washington, Titans WR

After 3 years of being Pittsburgh's occasional home run threat, Nate Washington has found himself a home. He's scored in three straight games, and it isn't a fluke. Not only has Washington racked up the 15th most targets among WRs (31), but he has been Kerry Collins' safety blanket in scoring situations. Of the 12 passes Collins has thrown in the RZ this season, 7 have gone to Washington. That ties Washington for 2nd in the NFL with 59% of RZ targets with some guy on the Giants named Steve Smith (how's that working out?).

Although this percentage is unlikely to remain this high for the duration of the season, it's a great sign that Nate Washington's value is going to continue to climb.
Right now I see Washington as a solid WR3 who could quickly become a reliable 2nd receiver for your squad.

Jerome Harrison, Browns RB

This isn't breaking news. In fact, I may be the last fantasy writer to tout Jerome Harrison. However, it is worth noting a few things. Jerome Harrison, to this point in his career, has been your typical change of pace back. On Sunday, Harrison was not only an every-down RB, but he was trusted by Eric Mangini (I'm not sure if that's good or bad in real life, but it works for fantasy) in those important scoring situations. Harrison got the call for each of the 7 RZ carries the Browns had.
This is impressive, considering it was the first time he was ever used (in the NFL) to carry the full load.

It's surprising that no other, bigger RB was mixed in as the team closed in on the end zone. While I expect Jamal Lewis (hamstring) to get some RZ and GL carries when he returns, Harrison's excellent performance rewarded the faith that Mangini showed in him. That should take him a long way to building a sustainable fantasy value.

Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars WR

Much like Jerome Harrison, I'm probably not the first guy you've heard recommend MSW, but I will at least give you a different reason. Not only is he tied at 15th in the NFL with Nate Washington at 31 targets, but Sims-Walker has been one of the most popular Red Zone passing targets as well. David Garrard has looked for MSW 41% of the time in the Red Zone, good for a top 10 ranking in RZ target percentage.

So Sims-Walker won't only be dangerous in the open field, he'll have a good chunk of the Jags' touchdown opportunities thrown his way. Right now he's a definite WR3, and plausibly a WR2. With the Jags having no real #1 entering the season, it's conceivable that Mike Sims-Walker's value still has a ton of room to grow. It also doesn't hurt that the Jaguars' next 4 opponents are: Seattle, St. Louis, Tennessee and Kansas City- four of the worst secondaries in the NFL.

Vernon Davis, 49ers TE

Another week, another touchdown. Yes, I wrote about him last week, but I can't believe he's owned in just 41% of ESPN leagues. Production wise, Davis has been a top 5 TE this season, and it hasn't been a fluke. In fact, the dynamic TE is currently just edging out the Giants' Steve Smith (and Nate Washington -- don't forget to get him) for the highest RZ target rate in all of football.

Davis has been targeted with 63% of the 49ers' passes in scoring opportunities. This means those touchdowns are for real, and Vernon Davis could finally be living up to all the hype and potential he had coming out of Maryland. He should be owned in every league, and it's not ridiculous to call him a top 5 TE going forward.

Heath Miller, Steelers TE

Currently ranking as the 4th most popular WR/TE target in the Red Zone, Heath Miller seems to be Big Ben's go-to option when it counts. Although he doesn't have elite athleticism, Miller has shown that he can be a reliable TE option for fantasy owners in the past. Once again, Miller is a quality TE1, I'd say top 10 through the rest of the season. Especially in the upcoming game against the Detroit Lions, Miller could have an Antonio Gates-esque performance.<!--RW-->

Back in the Saddle (Again)

Matt Forte, Bears RB

After an alarmingly paltry first 3 weeks, Forte rebounded with a great performance. So, which Forte is for real? While I wouldn't say he's all the way back, Forte looks to be close. Despite all of his struggles, no player in football has touched the ball more in the Red Zone than Forte (19 carries, 2 targets). Tied for 7th in the NFL getting 79% of the Bears' carries inside the 20, more importantly, Forte continues to get GL carries at an elite rate of 83%.

It seems that it was only a matter of time before Forte broke out; as long as he continues to receive scoring chances at this encouraging frequency, expect him to come close to being the back you spent a top 5 pick on during draft day.

Marion Barber, Cowboys RB

I've been on board with Marion the Barbarian as a top 5 back for a while, mostly because he's clearly the back Wade Phillips and OC Jason Garrett trust in scoring position. Although Felix Jones is bound to grab 5-10 touches between the 20s, once in crucial situations neither he nor Tashard Choice are getting the chances. Barber's RZ carry rate sits at an excellent 78%, while his GL usage has skyrocketed to 89% (8 of 9, also has the most GL carries in football).

Against one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Broncos, Barber only scratched out 41 rushing yards, but as usual, he got those GL carries and converted for a touchdown, making it still a solid fantasy week.

Pierre Thomas, Saints RB

Saints Running Back seems to be a cursed title these days. Over the past year Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Mike Bell and of course Pierre Thomas have all had success, only to end up losing the gig to injury. Now it appears that once again, Thomas is the back to have in New Orleans. While you may have been disappointed with the first quarter of the season Thomas turned in, from this point on he looks like he's back on track to perform as expected.

This past week he got 3 of the 4 carries on the Goal Line, with fullback Heath Evans stealing one. But it's a great sign that Pierre is back to being used in those vital situations. With Mike Bell nicked up, and Reggie Bush not a real factor inside of the 5 yard line (although he does get plenty of passing "looks" inside the 20), Thomas has all of the Saints' easiest scoring chances to himself. With Drew Brees driving this high powered offense, there should be plenty of touchdown opportunities for Pierre to go along with the 20-25 carries he should get each game.

And here are is the updated Red Zone Data for Running Backs:

<STYLE type=text/css>table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
.tableizer-table th {background-color: #104E8B; color: #FFF; font-weight: bold;}</STYLE>

<TABLE class=tableizer-table>
<TBODY><TR class=tableizer-firstrow><TH>Player</TH><TH>Team</TH><TH>RZ Car</TH><TH>Team RZ</TH><TH>RZ%</TH><TH>GL Car</TH><TH>Team GL</TH><TH>GL %</TH><TH>TD</TH><TH>RZ tar</TH><TH>RZ Chances</TH></TR><TR><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>19</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ryan Grant</TD><TD>Green Bay Packers</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Clinton Portis</TD><TD>Washington Redskins</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>82</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Turner

</TD><TD>Atlanta Falcons </TD><TD>8</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>21</TD></TR><TR><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>89</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kevin Smith</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lendale White</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>75</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>73</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>20</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>67</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>14</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>Buffalo Bills</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>58</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>n/a</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>New York Jets</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>Carolina Panthers</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>57</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>19</TD></TR><TR><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>17</TD></TR><TR><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>Indiannapolis Colts</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>Indiannapolis Colts</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ladanian Tomlinson</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>5

0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>Carolina Panthers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>45</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>New York Jets</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>Pittsburgh Steelers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fred Taylor</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>14</TD></TR><TR><TD>Glen Coffee</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chris Brown</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>Oakland Raiders</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mike Bell</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Amhad Bradshaw</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Bennet</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jamal Lewis</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kevin Faulk</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

And the updated Red Zone Data for Wide Receivers:
<TABLE class=tableizer-table><TBODY><TR class=tableizer-firstrow><TD>Player</TD><TD>Team </TD><TD>RZ Targets</TD><TD>Team RZ</TD><TD>RZ%</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>59</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>59</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>Pittsburgh Steelers</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mark Clayton</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD>
!
> <TD>31</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>Arizona Cardinals</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>TJ Houshmandzadeh</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jason Avant</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>Atlanta Falcons</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jhonny Knox</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>2

1</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Andre Caldwell</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>Indianapolis Colts</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bobby Wade</TD><TD>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Laveranues Coles</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD>4</TD>

> <TD>18</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bryant Johnson</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Heath Evans</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>John Carlson</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Laurent Robinson</TD><TD>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD>4</TD>

<TD>13</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

What can Brown do for you?


When everything goes as planned -- or even better than planned -- there are few things more fun than Fantasy Football. Then there are weeks like this past one. Whether it's the San Francisco defense ruining your weekend, or the Titans getting blown out by the Jaguars leaving my boy LenDale White barely any chances to run the ball, the unpredictable can, and in my case, will inevitably leave you breaking a remote or two (or drowning your sorrows in buffalo wings, by the dozen).

However, in the words of some smart person who probably contributed more to society in an hour than I do in a month: life must go on. And of course with the bad stuff comes the good, like calling Steve Smith's monster Week 4. So, my bitching and moaning aside, let's get into what I saw in Week 4 and what it means going forward:

Editor's Note: Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who understand matchups and value.



Stock Up

Donald Brown, Colts RB

It hasn't taken long for the rookie from Connecticut to gain his coaching staff's favor in crucial situations. Although Brown has split Red Zone carries right down the middle with Joseph Addai (12 for each) overall, over the last two weeks Brown has gotten 11 out of the 17 RZ carries the Colts have had. In addition, Brown got the call for every Goal Line carry (5-of-5) in the last two games.

Despite Addai's experience, Colts coach Jim Caldwell is definitely gaining more trust in Donald Brown with each passing week, mainly because the rookie possesses a trait Addai does not: He Runs Hard. The results haven't been there yet, but Brown is undoubtedly the guy to own in that backfield. The combination of his playmaking ability, with new found scoring opportunities, makes acquiring him an excellent low risk move with high upside.

Nate Washington, Titans WR

After 3 years of being Pittsburgh's occasional home run threat, Nate Washington has found himself a home. He's scored in three straight games, and it isn't a fluke. Not only has Washington racked up the 15th most targets among WRs (31), but he has been Kerry Collins' safety blanket in scoring situations. Of the 12 passes Collins has thrown in the RZ this season, 7 have gone to Washington. That ties Washington for 2nd in the NFL with 59% of RZ targets with some guy on the Giants named Steve Smith (how's that working out?).

Although this percentage is unlikely to remain this high for the duration of the season, it's a great sign that Nate Washington's value is going to continue to climb.
Right now I see Washington as a solid WR3 who could quickly become a reliable 2nd receiver for your squad.

Jerome Harrison, Browns RB

This isn't breaking news. In fact, I may be the last fantasy writer to tout Jerome Harrison. However, it is worth noting a few things. Jerome Harrison, to this point in his career, has been your typical change of pace back. On Sunday, Harrison was not only an every-down RB, but he was trusted by Eric Mangini (I'm not sure if that's good or bad in real life, but it works for fantasy) in those important scoring situations. Harrison got the call for each of the 7 RZ carries the Browns had.
This is impressive, considering it was the first time he was ever used (in the NFL) to carry the full load.

It's surprising that no other, bigger RB was mixed in as the team closed in on the end zone. While I expect Jamal Lewis (hamstring) to get some RZ and GL carries when he returns, Harrison's excellent performance rewarded the faith that Mangini showed in him. That should take him a long way to building a sustainable fantasy value.

Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars WR

Much like Jerome Harrison, I'm probably not the first guy you've heard recommend MSW, but I will at least give you a different reason. Not only is he tied at 15th in the NFL with Nate Washington at 31 targets, but Sims-Walker has been one of the most popular Red Zone passing targets as well. David Garrard has looked for MSW 41% of the time in the Red Zone, good for a top 10 ranking in RZ target percentage.

So Sims-Walker won't only be dangerous in the open field, he'll have a good chunk of the Jags' touchdown opportunities thrown his way. Right now he's a definite WR3, and plausibly a WR2. With the Jags having no real #1 entering the season, it's conceivable that Mike Sims-Walker's value still has a ton of room to grow. It also doesn't hurt that the Jaguars' next 4 opponents are: Seattle, St. Louis, Tennessee and Kansas City- four of the worst secondaries in the NFL.

Vernon Davis, 49ers TE

Another week, another touchdown. Yes, I wrote about him last week, but I can't believe he's owned in just 41% of ESPN leagues. Production wise, Davis has been a top 5 TE this season, and it hasn't been a fluke. In fact, the dynamic TE is currently just edging out the Giants' Steve Smith (and Nate Washington -- don't forget to get him) for the highest RZ target rate in all of football.

Davis has been targeted with 63% of the 49ers' passes in scoring opportunities. This means those touchdowns are for real, and Vernon Davis could finally be living up to all the hype and potential he had coming out of Maryland. He should be owned in every league, and it's not ridiculous to call him a top 5 TE going forward.

Heath Miller, Steelers TE

Currently ranking as the 4th most popular WR/TE target in the Red Zone, Heath Miller seems to be Big Ben's go-to option when it counts. Although he doesn't have elite athleticism, Miller has shown that he can be a reliable TE option for fantasy owners in the past. Once again, Miller is a quality TE1, I'd say top 10 through the rest of the season. Especially in the upcoming game against the Detroit Lions, Miller could have an Antonio Gates-esque performance.<!--RW-->

Back in the Saddle (Again)

Matt Forte, Bears RB

After an alarmingly paltry first 3 weeks, Forte rebounded with a great performance. So, which Forte is for real? While I wouldn't say he's all the way back, Forte looks to be close. Despite all of his struggles, no player in football has touched the ball more in the Red Zone than Forte (19 carries, 2 targets). Tied for 7th in the NFL getting 79% of the Bears' carries inside the 20, more importantly, Forte continues to get GL carries at an elite rate of 83%.

It seems that it was only a matter of time before Forte broke out; as long as he continues to receive scoring chances at this encouraging frequency, expect him to come close to being the back you spent a top 5 pick on during draft day.

Marion Barber, Cowboys RB

I've been on board with Marion the Barbarian as a top 5 back for a while, mostly because he's clearly the back Wade Phillips and OC Jason Garrett trust in scoring position. Although Felix Jones is bound to grab 5-10 touches between the 20s, once in crucial situations neither he nor Tashard Choice are getting the chances. Barber's RZ carry rate sits at an excellent 78%, while his GL usage has skyrocketed to 89% (8 of 9, also has the most GL carries in football).

Against one of the best defenses in the NFL, the Broncos, Barber only scratched out 41 rushing yards, but as usual, he got those GL carries and converted for a touchdown, making it still a solid fantasy week.

Pierre Thomas, Saints RB

Saints Running Back seems to be a cursed title these days. Over the past year Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush, Mike Bell and of course Pierre Thomas have all had success, only to end up losing the gig to injury. Now it appears that once again, Thomas is the back to have in New Orleans. While you may have been disappointed with the first quarter of the season Thomas turned in, from this point on he looks like he's back on track to perform as expected.

This past week he got 3 of the 4 carries on the Goal Line, with fullback Heath Evans stealing one. But it's a great sign that Pierre is back to being used in those vital situations. With Mike Bell nicked up, and Reggie Bush not a real factor inside of the 5 yard line (although he does get plenty of passing "looks" inside the 20), Thomas has all of the Saints' easiest scoring chances to himself. With Drew Brees driving this high powered offense, there should be plenty of touchdown opportunities for Pierre to go along with the 20-25 carries he should get each game.

And here are is the updated Red Zone Data for Running Backs:

<STYLE type=text/css>table.tableizer-table {border: 1px solid #CCC; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;} .tableizer-table td {padding: 4px; margin: 3px; border: 1px solid #ccc;}
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<TABLE class=tableizer-table>
<TBODY><TR class=tableizer-firstrow><TH>Player</TH><TH>Team</TH><TH>RZ Car</TH><TH>Team RZ</TH><TH>RZ%</TH><TH>GL Car</TH><TH>Team GL</TH><TH>GL %</TH><TH>TD</TH><TH>RZ tar</TH><TH>RZ Chances</TH></TR><TR><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>19</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ryan Grant</TD><TD>Green Bay Packers</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Clinton Portis</TD><TD>Washington Redskins</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>82</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Turner

</TD><TD>Atlanta Falcons </TD><TD>8</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>21</TD></TR><TR><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>89</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kevin Smith</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR><TD>Lendale White</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>75</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>73</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>20</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>67</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>14</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>Buffalo Bills</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>10</TD></TR><TR><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>58</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>n/a</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>New York Jets</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>56</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>11</TD></TR><TR><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>Carolina Panthers</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>57</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>55</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>19</TD></TR><TR><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>17</TD></TR><TR><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>Indiannapolis Colts</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>12</TD></TR><TR><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>Indiannapolis Colts</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ladanian Tomlinson</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>5

0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>Carolina Panthers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>45</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>New York Jets</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD></TR><TR><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>Pittsburgh Steelers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>60</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD></TR><TR><TD>Fred Taylor</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>8</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>14</TD></TR><TR><TD>Glen Coffee</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chris Brown</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>100</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>Oakland Raiders</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>37</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mike Bell</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Amhad Bradshaw</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD></TR><TR><TD>Michael Bennet</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jamal Lewis</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Kevin Faulk</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

And the updated Red Zone Data for Wide Receivers:
<TABLE class=tableizer-table><TBODY><TR class=tableizer-firstrow><TD>Player</TD><TD>Team </TD><TD>RZ Targets</TD><TD>Team RZ</TD><TD>RZ%</TD><TD>TD</TD></TR><TR><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>59</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>San Francisco 49ers</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>Tennesee Titans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>59</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>Pittsburgh Steelers</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>Jacksonville Jaguars</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mark Clayton</TD><TD>Baltimore Ravens</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD>
!
> <TD>31</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>Arizona Cardinals</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>TJ Houshmandzadeh</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jason Avant</TD><TD>Philadelphia Eagles</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>Atlanta Falcons</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>13</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jhonny Knox</TD><TD>Chicago Bears</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>2

1</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Andre Caldwell</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>Cleveland Browns</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>Houston Texans</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>Indianapolis Colts</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bobby Wade</TD><TD>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>Kansas City Chiefs</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>Minnesota Vikings</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Laveranues Coles</TD><TD>Cincinnati Bengals</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>Dallas Cowboys</TD><TD>4</TD>

> <TD>18</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>Denver Broncos</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Bryant Johnson</TD><TD>Detroit Lions</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>Miami Dolphins</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>New England Patriots</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>28</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD></TR><TR><TD>Heath Evans</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>New Orleans Saints</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>San Diego Chargers</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>1</TD></TR><TR><TD>John Carlson</TD><TD>Seattle Seahawks</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>2</TD></TR><TR><TD>Laurent Robinson</TD><TD>St. Louis Rams</TD><TD>4</TD>

<TD>13</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Knowshon knocking on the door

After Correll Buckhalter went down in the third quarter last Sunday, Knowshon Moreno got 11 carries. LaMont Jordan and Peyton Hillis combined for two.

If you need more proof that the Broncos are ready for their rookie to take over, check out the tape of Brandon Marshall's ridiculous game-winning touchdown catch last week. The Cowboys rushed six players, forcing Moreno to pick up blitzing linebacker Keith Brooking. Moreno took out Brooking's legs, allowing Kyle Orton to find Marshall. Plays like that lead to trust in rookie backs.

So with Buckhalter almost certainly out this week with his ankle injury, the door is more than a little open for Moreno. It's almost as wide as the door Rashard Mendenhall burst through last week.

The situations aren't exactly the same. Mendenahall was in Mike Tomlin's doghouse, was barely playing and missed the majority of his rookie year due to injury. Moreno, on the other hand, is already putting together a very nice rookie season despite sharing time with Buckhalter.

Could a big game by Moreno Sunday slam that door on Buckhalter in Willie Parker fashion? Probably not. C-Buck was just playing too well. But this won't be the last time Buckhalter misses a game or two as his knees are long lost cousins of Caddy Williams' knees. And there are even whispers that Buckhalter may have a high ankle sprain, which would keep him out much longer than just this week.

So what will Moreno do with this chance to start? He's facing the Patriots, who are giving up 4.5 yards per carry so far this season. It's not a dream matchup, but it's not the worst either. Expect at least 20 carries and more involvement in the passing game. If Moreno can break out like Mendenhall did, we could look back at this week as the springboard to a fantasy rookie of the year campaign.

Editor's Note: For rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 5, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass..

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Gregg covered the Braylon Edwards trade from a fantasy perspective in full on Pancake Blocks, but here is a quick look at all the involved parties:

Derek Anderson - His value takes a small hit. Even though Edwards wasn't making plays, he was still drawing the attention of the defense.

Mohamed Massaquoi - The rookie is in for a ton of targets as the No. 1 receiver, but how will he respond to teams game planning for him? He'll be an inconsistent flex play.

Chansi Stuckey - Is he really any better than Mike Furrey? Leave him on the waiver wire in most formats.

Brian Robiskie - Coach Eric Mangini said yesterday that Robiskie, a huge flop so far, will get more opportunities now. It's hard to believe the rookie will have any value considering he has zero catches on the season and all reports on him have been negative.

Mark Sanchez - His value gets a boost. Edwards is another weapon that can make things happen after the catch and spread the field.

Jerricho Cotchery - The great chemistry with Sanchez will still be there, but Sanchez will have to give Edwards at least eight targets or so. That's going to hurt Cotchery's numbers.

Braylon Edwards - There's something to be said for a simple change of scenery. Expect Edwards to be motivated and his value can only go up.

Editor's Note:</I> Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Dwayne Bowe was not on the Chiefs' injury report at all Wednesday for the first time since hurting his hamstring a couple weeks ago. Bowe was clearly not 100 percent last week against the Giants and couldn't even separate from unheralded Giants CB Bruce Johnson let alone shutdown corner Corey Webster. Consider Bowe as a buy low guy before he has a big game against Dallas this week.

NEWS OF THE DAY #4
Jamal Lewis (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game against the Bills is up in the air. One can only hope that the Browns coaching staff has seen enough good things out of Jerome Harrison that they will put Lewis out of his misery and make him the No. 2 back. If they can't see that Harrison gives them a better chance to win, there's no hope.

Editor's Note: For rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 5, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass..

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: RUNNING BACKS
Frank Gore (ankle) is officially out this week, as expected. Glen Coffee gets another start. … Marion Barber (quad) returned to a complete practice Wednesday. … Felix Jones (knee) is not expected to play in Week 5. … Kevin Smith also returned to a full practice. He surprisingly ended up missing no time with his shoulder injury. … Brian Westbrook (ankle) is practicing fully this week, but coach Andy Reid says he'll be spelled by LeSean McCoy. We'll see if Reid means it this time. … Derrick Ward (knee) returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 4. … Pierre Thomas is hoping to play without his knee brace this week. … Willie Parker (turf toe) admitted he probably won't play this week. With a game against the Lions this week, can the situation set up any better for Rashard Mendenhall?

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: QUARTERBACKS:
Eli Manning (foot) did not practice Wednesday, but he will be a game-time decision Sunday. Expect a run-heavy attack even if Eli plays. … Marc Bulger (shoulder) will "almost certainly" be held out this week, according to reports. Kyle Boller will start against the Vikings. … Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) shared reps with Seneca Wallace at practice Wednesday. For what it's worth, Tim Hasselbeck says his brother will play. … Kyle Orton is finally practicing without a glove. … Matthew Stafford (knee) didn't practice Wednesday and Daunte Culpepper is likely to start Sunday against Pittsburgh. … Donovan McNabb (ribs) returned to practice and will start Sunday against the Bucs. Kevin Kolb will be the third quarterback and Michael Vick will be the Wildcat specialist as the No. 2.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS:
Donnie Avery was limited Wednesday with a hamstring injury, but should be fine for a brutal matchup with the Vikings. … Kevin Boss (ankle) seems unlikely to play this week, even though he played the entire second half after hurting the ankle last week. … Zach Miller (concussion) didn't practice but the Raiders say he'll play Sunday. … Chaz Schilens (foot) is out and his recovery is behind schedule. … In a shocking development, Wes Welker (knee) was limited in practice. He'll play Sunday. … Devin Hester says he has a strained muscle. He'll be fine when the Bears come out of their bye. … Roy Williams (ribs) did not practice Wednesday but said he expects to play Sunday. He's not much of a fantasy option even when he's 100 percent. … Kevin Curtis (knee) returned to practice but isn't 100 percent. He'll split time with rookie Jeremy Maclin.

Editor's Note:</I> Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
It's still unclear who will start between Michael Bush and Justin Fargas with Darren McFadden (knee) out. Expect an ineffective timeshare this week against the Giants. … Kyle Orton says he has no chemistry issues with Eddie Royal and predicted that Royal will break out at some point. Don't count on it. … Junior Seau will sign with the Patriots next week.

 

[HacheMan]

Week 5 Rankings

Eddie Royal is not Michael Clayton.

He's not a rookie fantasy phenom that will fade into obscurity despite staying in the starting lineup. His quickness, hands, and route running are skills that will eventually serve him well with a creative pass-first coach like Josh McDaniels.

Royal is a reminder that a career arc isn't always a smooth ride, especially when your quarterback and head coach change. Donnie Avery knows this well.

Along with Royal, Avery was one of three rookie wideouts in '08 to take fantasy football by storm early in the year. The thought that Avery would naturally emerge as a true "number one" receiver just because Torry Holt left now looks as silly as assuming Eddie Royal would immediately become the new Wes Welker just because he was in the same offense.

While these two struggle, DeSean Jackson is making the gains we hope for in a second-year wideout. He's going to make too many big plays not to finish in the top-15 receivers. It's no coincidence he's the only one of the three that remains in the same offensive system.

Perhaps Royal's struggles teach us a lesson that players with overwhelming physical tools – Brandon Marshall, a younger T.O. – are the best suited to overcome a change in schemes. Maybe there isn't a lesson; it's just fantasy football kicking us in the ass again.

Either way, Royal's road to every-week fantasy starter status has clearly taken a detour. With a quarter of the season behind us, this week's set of rankings notes will skip the tape analysis and focus on other players that have seen their value take an unexpected turn.

[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>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Ben Roethlisberger</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>Probable(-)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>Probable(ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Kurt Warner</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Tony Romo</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brett Favre</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>Questionable(foot)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Trent Edwards</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Seneca Wallace</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Derek Anderson</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Jake Delhomme</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Shaun Hill</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Kerry Collins</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Josh Johnson</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Kyle Boller</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Daunte Culpepper</TD><TD>vs. PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>JaMarcus Russell</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

QB Notes: All position notes will post by Friday morning, so check back here. Weekend updates to the rankings are posted by Saturday at noon.

Editor's Note: Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.

You can even play against me in "Gregg Rosenthal's League" this week. Although I can't keep the money if I win. So that's my excuse if I don't.
<!--RW-->
[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>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>4</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>5</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>6</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>7</TD><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Clinton Portis</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Glen Coffee</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>Probable(quadriceps)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>We believe </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Kevin Smith</TD><TD>vs. PIT</TD><TD>Probable(shoulder)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>Now splitting work? </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Julius Jones</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Carnell Williams</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Larry Johnson</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Mewelde Moore</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Chris Wells</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Derrick Ward</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Fred Taylor</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>Questionable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Jerious Norwood</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Justin Fargas</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>LenDale White</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Ladell Betts</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Chris Brown</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>LeRon McClain</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Rashad Jennings</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Laurence Maroney</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[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>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>vs. PIT</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Kevin Walter</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Terrell Owens</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Lee Evans</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>T.J. Houshmandzadeh</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>Questionable(ribs)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Antonio Bryant</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>Questionable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>Probable(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Josh Morgan</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Sidney Rice</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Justin Gage</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Torry Holt</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Donnie Avery</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Isaac Bruce</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Mark Clayton</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Patrick Crayton</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Steve Breaston</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Kevin Curtis</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Ted Ginn Jr.</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Laveranues Coles</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Andre Caldwell</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Kelley Washington</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Probable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Chansi Stuckey</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Bobby Wade</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Mark Bradley</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Antwaan Randle El</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<!--RW-->
[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>Jason Witten</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Dallas Clark</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>John Carlson</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Probable(back)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>Probable(concussion)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Randy McMichael</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Bo Scaife</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Kevin Boss</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>Looking unlikely, don't count on him</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Alge Crumpler</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Anthony Fasano</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Tony Scheffler</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Martellus Bennett</TD><TD>at KC</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>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. MIN</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>Stephen Gostkowski</TD><TD>at DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>vs. HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Kris Brown</TD><TD>at ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>vs. TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Jason Elam</TD><TD>at SF</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Steven Hauschka</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Joe Nedney</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>vs. NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>at MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Jeff Reed</TD><TD>at DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Shaun Suisham</TD><TD>at CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Jason Hanson</TD><TD>vs. PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Shayne Graham</TD><TD>at BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>vs. NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>Doubtful(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>vs. JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>vs. WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Shane Andrus</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Value Meter: Big Ben could post huge numbers


Here is Matt Pitzer's updated Value Meter for Week 5.

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger faces a Detroit defense that has surrendered a NFL-high 12 touchdown passes. Kurt Warner and Matt Schaub will likely be engaged in a track meet when Houston visits Arizona.
Remember, Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans and San Diego have bye weeks.
* Check status
Quarterbacks
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>Kurt Warner, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Peyton Manning, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>Matt Schaub, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>Ben Roethlisberger, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>Tom Brady, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>*Eli Manning, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>Joe Flacco, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Brett Favre, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Carson Palmer, Cin.</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Matt Ryan, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>David Garrard, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Tony Romo, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>*Seneca Wallace, Sea.</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>Kyle Orton, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Matt Cassel, K.C.</TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>Shaun Hill, S.F.</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>Trent Edwards, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>Jason Campbell, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>*Kyle Boller, St.L.</TD><TD>vs. Min.</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>*Matthew Stafford, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Kerry Collins, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Derek Anderson, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Jake Delhomme, Car.</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Running backs
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>Chris Johnson, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams, Car.</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>Steve Slaton, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>Marion Barber, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>Michael Turner, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>*Cedric Benson, Cin.</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Glen Coffee, S.F.</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>Willis McGahee, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown, Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Steven Jackson, St.L.</TD><TD>vs. Min.</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>Clinton Portis, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Fred Taylor, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>Tim Hightower, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>*Rashard Mendenhall, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>*Jerome Harrison, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>Ray Rice, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>Kevin Smith, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Joseph Addai, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Thomas Jones, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>26.</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>27.</TD><TD>Julius Jones, Sea.</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>28.</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart, Car.</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR><TR><TD>29.</TD><TD>Donald Brown, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>30.</TD><TD>Michael Bush, Oak.</TD><TD>at N.Y.-G</TD></TR><TR><TD>31.</TD><TD>Fred Jackson, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>32.</TD><TD>*Carnell Williams, T.B.</TD><TD>at Phi.</TD></TR><TR><TD>33.</TD><TD>Ricky Williams, Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>34.</TD><TD>Larry Johnson, K.C.</TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>35.</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD>36.</TD><TD>Leon Washington, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>37.</TD><TD>*Willie Parker, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>38.</TD><TD>Sammy Morris, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD>39.</TD><TD>Tahsard Choice, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD>40.</TD><TD>Chester Taylor, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD>41.</TD><TD>*Jamal Lewis, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>42.</TD><TD>*Derrick Ward, T.B.</TD><TD>at Phi.</TD></TR><TR><TD>43.</TD><TD>*Mewelde Moore, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>44.</TD><TD>LenDale White, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>45.</TD><TD>LaMont Jordan, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>46.</TD><TD>Chris Wells, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD>47.</TD><TD>Justin Fargas, Oak.</TD><TD>at N.Y.-G</TD></TR><TR><TD>48.</TD><TD>Bernard Scott, Cin.</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>49.</TD><TD>Ladell Betts, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>50.</TD><TD>Jerious Norwood, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Wide receivers
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>Andre Johnson, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>*Calvin Johnson, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>Randy Moss, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>Santonio Holmes, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Roddy White, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Steve Smith, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Derrick Mason, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>Nate Burleson, Sea.</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Hines Ward, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Steve Smith, Car.</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco, Cin.</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Sea.</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>Santana Moss, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>Wes Welker, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>Kevin Walter, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Terrell Owens, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe, K.C.</TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>26.</TD><TD>Mark Clayton, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD>27.</TD><TD>Roy Williams, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD>28.</TD><TD>Percy Harvin, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD>29.</TD><TD>Bobby Wade, K.C. </TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>30.</TD><TD>Patrick Crayton, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD>31.</TD><TD>Mario Manningham, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD>32.</TD><TD>Donnie Avery, St.L.</TD><TD>vs. Min.</TD></TR><TR><TD>33.</TD><TD>Nate Washington, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>34.</TD><TD>Lee Evans, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>35.</TD><TD>Josh Morgan, S.F.</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD>36.</TD><TD>Antonio Bryant, T.B.</TD><TD>at Phi.</TD></TR><TR><TD>37.</TD><TD>Davone Bess, Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>38.</TD><TD>Bernard Berrian, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD>39.</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>40.</TD><TD>Torry Holt, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD>41.</TD><TD>Austin Collie, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>42.</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>43.</TD><TD>Kenny Britt, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>44.</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>45.</TD><TD>Ted Ginn, Jr., Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>46.</TD><TD>Justin Gage, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>47.</TD><TD>Mark Bradley, K.C. </TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>48.</TD><TD>Bryant Johnson, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>49.</TD><TD>Chansi Stuckey, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>50.</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Tight ends
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>Dallas Clark, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>Chris Cooley, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>Owen Daniels, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>Jason Witten, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>Todd Heap, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>Vernon Davis, S.F.</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>John Carlson, Sea</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Brent Celek, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Heath Miller, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Ben Watson, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Dustin Keller, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Brandon Pettigrew, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>Zach Miller, Oak.</TD><TD>at N.Y.-G</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow, T.B.</TD><TD>at Phi.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>*Bo Scaife, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>Tony Scheffler, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>Sean Ryan, K.C.</TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>Kevin Boss, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>Steve Heiden, Cle.</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Alge Crumpler, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Anthony Fasano, Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Randy McMichael, St.L.</TD><TD>vs. Min.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Kickers
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes, N.Y.-G</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Stephen Gostkowski, N.E.</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>David Akers, Phi.</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell, Min.</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>Joe Nedney, S.F.</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>Matt Prater, Den.</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>Josh Scobee, Jac.</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>Steven Hauschka, Bal.</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Jason Elam, Atl.</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Nick Folk, Dal.</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Jay Feely, N.Y.-J</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri, Ind.</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Jeff Reed, Pit.</TD><TD>at Det.</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Jason Hanson, Det.</TD><TD>vs. Pit.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Neil Rackers, Ari.</TD><TD>vs. Hou.</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>John Kasay, Car.</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Rian Lindell, Buf.</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>Rob Bironas, Ten.</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>*Olindo Mare, Sea.</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>Kris Brown, Hou.</TD><TD>at Ari.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter, Mia.</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>Shaun Suisham, Was.</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Shayne Graham, Cin.</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski, Oak.</TD><TD>at N.Y.-G</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Shane Andrus, T.B.</TD><TD>at Phi.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Defenses
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width=420 align=center><TBODY><TR><TD> 1.</TD><TD>New York Giants</TD><TD>vs. Oak.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 2.</TD><TD>Pittsburgh</TD><TD>at. Det</TD></TR><TR><TD> 3.</TD><TD>Minnesota</TD><TD>at St.L.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 4.</TD><TD>Philadelphia</TD><TD>vs. T.B.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 5.</TD><TD>New York Jets</TD><TD>at Mia.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 6.</TD><TD>Baltimore</TD><TD>vs. Cin.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 7.</TD><TD>Dallas</TD><TD>at K.C.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 8.</TD><TD>Tennessee</TD><TD>vs. Ind.</TD></TR><TR><TD> 9.</TD><TD>Miami</TD><TD>vs. N.Y.-J</TD></TR><TR><TD>10.</TD><TD>Washington</TD><TD>at Car.</TD></TR><TR><TD>11.</TD><TD>Cincinnati</TD><TD>at Bal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>12.</TD><TD>San Francisco</TD><TD>vs. Atl.</TD></TR><TR><TD>13.</TD><TD>Buffalo</TD><TD>vs. Cle.</TD></TR><TR><TD>14.</TD><TD>Denver</TD><TD>vs. N.E.</TD></TR><TR><TD>15.</TD><TD>Oakland</TD><TD>at N.Y.-G</TD></TR><TR><TD>16.</TD><TD>New England</TD><TD>at Den.</TD></TR><TR><TD>17.</TD><TD>Indianapolis</TD><TD>at Ten.</TD></TR><TR><TD>18.</TD><TD>Kansas City</TD><TD>vs. Dal.</TD></TR><TR><TD>19.</TD><TD>Seattle</TD><TD>vs. Jac.</TD></TR><TR><TD>20.</TD><TD>Carolina</TD><TD>vs. Was.</TD></TR><TR><TD>21.</TD><TD>Cleveland</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>22.</TD><TD>Atlanta</TD><TD>at S.F.</TD></TR><TR><TD>23.</TD><TD>Jacksonville</TD><TD>at Sea.</TD></TR><TR><TD>24.</TD><TD>Arizona</TD><TD>at Buf.</TD></TR><TR><TD>25.</TD><TD>Detroit</TD><TD>vs. Pit</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Fragile Fred Strikes Again


Believe it or not, there was once a time when the words "Fragile Fred" caused more weeping and teeth-gnashing among fantasy football players than "Skeletor Shanahan," "The Curse of 370" and "Questionable: Turf Toe" combined. After a 1644-yard, 17-touchdown breakout season as a rookie in 1998, Taylor solidified his status as a first-round fantasy selection into the 21st century. Unfortunately, a rash of injuries caused him to miss 23 of the next 48 games from 1999 through 2001.

The high water mark for the "Fragile Fred" moniker came in 2001 when Taylor's season ended in Week 2 with a torn groin muscle. Then the head coach of the Jaguars, Tom "Colonel" Coughlin began listing Taylor as "questionable" every week on the injury report even though he knew his starting running back's season was over. Coughlin's frustration quickly transferred to Jaguars fans as well as fantasy football nuts, who swore off a player that had seemingly turned into a hothouse flower.

Though Taylor later admitted that he seriously contemplated retirement in 2001 due to the injury woes and agent "Tank" Black's laundering of close to $5 million, he turned his career around with healthy and productive seasons from 2002-2004. By the end of his first Pro Bowl season in 2007, Taylor had surpassed 10,000 yards and become something of a national darling. With a late-career renaissance, the over-thirty feature back had come to represent perseverance personified.

That perseverance will be tested once again following Thursday's news that Taylor's season is in jeopardy due to a high-ankle sprain and severe ligament damage that required surgery. Taylor hopes to return this season, but he admitted the surgery was "more serious than a scope." According to the Boston Globe, the earliest he could return is December. While the Pats would certainly prefer to have the luxury of his veteran presence for a playoff run, they may not be willing or able to reserve a roster spot for the next two months. Turning 34 in January, Taylor will be an aging running back coming off a serious ankle injury and facing an uncertain future with the Patriots. This could be the end of the line for a borderline Hall of Famer once known as "Fragile Fred" Taylor.

What does Taylor's injury mean for the Patriots backfield? The weekly leader in carries through the first four weeks has been 10, 8, 21, and 7. Even without Taylor, fantasy owners should expect more of the same committee approach with Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, and even BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Maroney, averaging 2.9 yards per carry and fresh off a performance that got him lustily booed several times by the home crowd, will likely get first shot at early-down carries. Simply put, he's not a great bet to succeed. His dancing, east-west style is a poor fit for what the Patriots want to do on offense. Morris, on the other hand, has come through with first-down conversions on key plays for two straight weeks and has earned coach Bill Belichick's trust "in every phase of the game." While both back will see an increased role, Morris is the better candidate for RB3/flex value over the rest of the season. Just be sure to keep expectations low with the Patriots' matchup approach.

Editor's Note: For early rankings, complete projections, Dynasty league coverage and a host of other exclusive material for Week 5, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette fully expects Rashard Mendenhall to start his second consecutive game Sunday against Detroit. Willie Parker missed practice again on Thursday and admitted that his turf toe injury is "nothing to play with." The Lions rank 20th against the run, so expect another strong performance for Mendenhall. ESPN's Adam Schefter suspects the torch will officially be passed if Mendenhall comes close to repeating last week's showing.

Eli Manning (plantar fascia) was held out of practice again on Thursday. Though he's expected to try to practice Friday, beat writer Mike Garafolo tweeted Thursday night that he's "not hearing a lot of optimism" from the Giants: "Too far away from Sunday to say he'll be out, but a lot of progress must be made." Though Manning's teammates have been positive about his chances of suiting up, Friday's practice will be telling.

All signs are pointing toward Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) starting at home against the Jaguars this week after he practiced in full on Thursday. Hasselbeck reportedly looked sharp while "dramatically increasing" his first-team reps. He'll be a risky play behind a banged up line, but the Jags are a nice matchup at Qwest Field.

Bucs offensive coordinator Greg Olson said Wednesday that he thinks "it's time we become more committed to Cadillac Williams as a full-time guy." While it's good news for Caddy in the short-term, it's a questionable strategy in the long-term. Williams hasn't made it through more than six games in a season since 2006, and it's doubtful that his twice-repaired knee can take the pounding of a heavy workload. If Olson gets his way, Derrick Ward owners should exercise patience. Caddy's not going to last long as the "full-time guy."

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Two-Minute Drill: Brian Westbrook has been rotating first-team snaps with rookie LeSean McCoy at practice this week. Coach Andy Reid plans to use McCoy to spell Westbrook more often going forward. … Cowboys coach Wade Phillips indicated that Miles Austin – not Sam Hurd – would start at split end if Roy Williams is held out this week. … Braylon Edwards picked up the offense well in his first practice with the Jets and is line to start Monday night against the Dolphins. … Kyle Boller is expected to start at quarterback for the Rams for the second straight week. … Clinton Portis has not been listed on the injury report this week. … Browns coach Eric Mangini expressed confidence in Jerome Harrison's ability to handle a heavy workload after his 29-carry, 34-touch performance last week. … The Packers are attributing Greg Jennings' slow start to defensive pressure on Aaron Rodgers, which is prohibiting Jennings from getting open downfield. … 49ers coordinator Jimmy Raye indicated that Michael Crabtree will be eased into the offense as a slot receiver in the third-down package, starting in Week 7. … Brandon Marshall is drawing raves from teammates for his new and improved attitude. … Chargers coordinator Ron Rivera has put all of his starters on notice that their jobs are up for grabs during the bye week. … Lions coordinator Gunther Cunningham indicated that rookie DeAndre Levy will start Sunday at the expense of one of his veterans, likely the injured Ernie Sims. … The Bills are moving WLB Kawika Mitchell to the middle until Paul Posluszny returns from his broken arm. … Frank Gore, targeted a Week 7 return, will begin running this week to test his injured ankle. … The Patriots are optimistic that rookie WR/KR Brandon Tate (knee) will be ready to play when he's eligible to come off the PUP list in Week 7. … Vikings owner Zygi Wilf made it clear that he wants Brett Favre to return for the second year of his contract in 2010. … Congress is looking into the suspensions of Vikings DTs Kevin Williams and Pat Williams to ensure that performance enhancing drug policies aren't becoming too lenient.

Red Zone: Matthew Stafford (knee subluxation) missed practice again on Thursday. Daunte Culpepper is expected to start against the Steelers. … Calvin Johnson (thigh) returned to practice Thursday and is on track to start. … Marion Barber (quad) practiced in full again on Thursday and "seems to be better and better," according to coach Wade Phillips. … Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle) is not expected to play this week after missing practice again Thursday. … Cowboys WR Roy Williams (ribs) missed practice Thursday, but the team is not ruling him out yet for Sunday. … Wes Welker (knee) was limited again on Thursday, but he's fully expected to play in Week 5. … Ravens WR Derrick Mason returned to practice Thursday and is in line to start against the Bengals. … Jamal Lewis (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday after participating in a second straight limited practice. … Raiders TE Zach Miller was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and is fully expected to play this week. … Giants TE Kevin Boss (ankle) was held out of practice Thursday and is looking like a no-go for Sunday's game. … Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot/ankle) was still in a walking boot Thursday, but he's expected to assume his normal role against the Raiders this week. … Bucs WR Antonio Bryant (knee) was limited again on Thursday and remains likely to play at Philly. … Rams WR Donnie Avery (hamstring) was limited again for the second straight day. … Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) and Joseph Addai (hand) popped up on the Jets and Colts injury reports respective, but both players are fully expected to start this week. … Dolphins OLB Joey Porter (hamstring) returned to a limited practice for the first time in two weeks. … Patriots ILB Jerod Mayo (knee) has a chance to play this week after practicing for the third straight day.

 

[HacheMan]

Miles Away

Wide receivers went absolutely bonkers in Week 5, hauling in pass…after pass…after pass.

In fact, if you tallied up all of the receiving yards by the Top 5 wideouts this week, you will have traveled almost a half a mile – 2,403 feet to be exact. While one of these receivers might have single-handedly won the week for you, let's get caught up on what the other positions players did as well.

Top 5 Quarterbacks:

1. Matt Hasselbeck – 241 Pass Yds, 4 TDs, 0 INTs, 23 Rush Yds – After sitting out the past two weeks due to injury, "Mr. Clean" came out firing on Sunday. The Jags had no answer for the Seahawks' passing game, and Hasselbeck took full advantage, while not appearing hampered by the rib injury that kept him out of action.

2. Donovan McNabb – 264 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 30 Rush Yds – Like his counterpart above, McNabb did not appear bothered one bit after returning from a rib injury of his own. With the Eagles already having had their 'Bye', McNabb should be all systems go for the remainder of the season.

3. Matt Ryan – 329 Pass Yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 Rush TD – Matty Ice was as cool as could be on Sunday, as the Falcons jumped all over the 49ers early and often. The most encouraging thing to be taken from this game is the fact that Ryan rekindled the magic with "Rowdy" Roddy, as eight of his twenty-two completions went number 84's way.

4. Peyton Manning – 309 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT – "Mr. 300" is having one of his best seasons to date, as his five 300-yard games to start the season are a fantasy owner's dream come true, especially in leagues that award bonuses for milestone games. The only thing that can stop Manning right now is a 'Bye', but he should more than make up for it against the lowly Rams in Week 7.

5. Ben Roethlisberger – 277 Pass Yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT – The clock has yet to toll midnight on Big Ben's extremely productive fantasy season thus far. Sunday marked the third time in as many weeks that Roethlisberger totaled over 275-yards passing, as Coach Mike Tomlin has opened up the playbook this year.

Top 5 Running Backs:

1. Ahmad Bradshaw – 110 Rush Yds, 2 TDs, 1 Rec, 55 Yds – Bradshaw is lightning in a bottle and then some, as he needed only eleven carries to do all his damage. He gauged the Raiders' defense almost every single play, and made the most of his playing time in a blowout win.

2. Michael Turner – 97 Rush Yds, 3 TDs – "The Burner" had his first monster game of the season, even though he has quietly managed to score in three straight. He was a Top 5 fantasy pick this season for a reason, and Sunday showed why, as he was able to deliver against a tough Niners' defense.

3. Cedric Benson – 120 Rush Yds, 1 TD, 2 Rec, 16 Yds – Benson made Ray Lewis and Co. look pedestrian on Sunday, and that is by no means an easy task. So far this season, Benson has looked every bit of the player that was supposed to be the next "big thing" when the Bears drafted him fourth overall in 2005. The Bengals are not afraid to hand him the rock, as the offensive balance Benson has provided is a big reason why the team is 4-1.

4. Ray Rice – 69 Rush Yds, 0 TDs, 7 Rec, 74 Yds, 1 TD – Rice did a little bit of everything on Sunday, as he was both the Ravens' leading rusher and receiver. His score was also as impressive as it gets, as he took a short pass that looked "dead to rights" and turned it into an electric run after the catch.

5. Clinton Portis – 57 Rush Yds, 1 TD, 2 Rec, 17 Yds, 1 TD – CP finally found the endzone for the first time this season, and it's about time. When he's not battling an injury, it's good to see that he can still be productive, although he has been far too inconsistent this season.

Top 5 Wide Receivers:

1. Miles Austin – 10 Rec, 250 Yds, 2 TDs – No, that is not a typo. This performance came out of nowhere, as half of Romo's completions went to the Cowboy miracle man, or "Mr. Y.A.C." (Yards After Catch) as he shall now be called. He took simple routes and spun and stiff-armed his way into the endzone not once, but twice.

2. Roddy White – 8 Rec, 210 Yds, 2 TDs – It took a while, but the chemistry is back in "Hotlanta". It's pretty unbelievable how this performance isn't even tops at the receiver position, but I don't think you'll hear many complaints from "Rowdy" Roddy's owners. There was never a cause for concern because of White's slow start, and Sunday supplied that affirmation in a big way.

3. Jeremy Maclin – 6 Rec, 142 Yds, 2 TDs – Two touchdowns was a prerequisite for receivers to make the list this week, and the rook had his coming out party in the process. Maclin made the most of his playing time, and showed good concentration on both of his scores from over 40-yards out.

4. Andre Johnson – 8 Rec, 101 Yds, 2 TDs – AJ slightly edged out Larry Fitzgerald in the battle of the league's best receivers, as he got back on track in the PPR department, after hauling in just six catches in his past two games. Johnson's second score of the day showed just how strong he is, as he pinballed off defenders to somehow cross the goal line.

5. Nate Burleson – 6 Rec, 98 Yds, 2 TDs – Burleson is starting to party like it's 2004, when he had his breakout year with the Vikings. Sunday's performance marked Burleson's third big game of the season, and he is someone to keep an eye on in the next couple of weeks.

Top 5 Tight Ends:

1. Kellen Winslow – 9 Rec, 102 Yds, 2 TDs – It's pretty remarkable how Kellen "the soldier" Winslow is still able to excel, when the opposing team knows that he's the Bucs' only offensive threat. He bounced back in a big way after two very sub par performances, and remains a must start fantasy tight end.

2. Heath Miller – 5 Rec, 54 Yds, 1 TD – Miller has now found paydirt for the third time in two games, as The Steelers continuously look for ways to get him the ball. He's emerged as one of the more reliable tight ends in the game, while being a major threat inside the red zone.

3. Visanthe Shiancoe – 4 Rec, 49 Yds, 1 TD – Shiancoe has now scored in three of the Vikings five games this season, although sometimes it isn't pretty – ala Week 2 (1 Rec, 1 Yd, 1 TD). He's a risky start every week, but his ability to find the endzone so consistently makes him tempting to use.

4. Owen Daniels – 8 Rec, 94 Yds, 0 TDs – Daniels gives you consistency from the tight end position, and Sunday was a perfect example. He'll give you a few flashy games throughout the season, but more often than not, he'll be a player you can rely on week-in and week-out.

5. Jeff King – 2 Rec, 30 Yds, 1 TD – It's a merry-go-round as far as the tight end position goes in Carolina. You never know if Rosario or King is going to be the one to get touches, therefore making both of them irrelevant from a fantasy perspective.

Bottom 5 Quarterbacks:

1. David Garrard – 188 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 2 FL – Big time flop after an early season tease.
2. Derek Anderson – 23 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT – How the Browns won the game with a statline like this is beyond me.
3. Trent Edwards – 152 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 40 Rush Yds
4. Joe Flacco – 186 Pass Yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
5. Kerry Collins – 164 Pass Yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT

Bottom 5 Running Backs:

1. Chris Johnson – 34 Rush Yds, 2 Rec, 9 Yds, 0 TDs
2. Willis McGahee - -2 Rush Yds, 1 Rec, 4 Yds, 0 TDs – Value is based solely on goal line carries.
3. DeAngelo Williams – 40 Rush Yds, 2 Rec, 19 Yds, 0 TDs, 1 FL
4. Cadillac Williams – 8 Rush Yds, 3 Rec, 8 Yds, 0 TDs
5. Larry Johnson – 37 Rush Yds, 1 Rec, 9 Yds, 0 TDs – This is not a recipe for fantasy success.

Bottom 5 Wide Receivers:

1. Lee Evans – 2 Rec, 11 Yds, 0 TDs
2. Calvin Johnson – 1 Rec, 2 Yds, 0 TDs – Got hurt, so this is a little unfair.
3. DeSean Jackson – 1 Rec, 1 Yd, 0 TDs – Where were the warning signs on this one?
4. Randy Moss – 1 Rec, 36 Yds, 0 TDs
5. Derrick Mason – 0 catches

Bottom 5 Tight Ends:

1. Chris Cooley – 0 catches – Major disappointment.
2. Marcedes Lewis – 3 Rec, 13 Yds, 0 TDs
3. John Carlson – 2 Rec, 31 Yds, 0 TDs – Expected a little bit better performance.
4. Steve Heiden – 1 Rec, 7 Yds, 0 TDs
5. Alge Crumpler – 3 Rec, 14 Yds, 0 TDs, 1 FL

 

[HacheMan]

Austin rolls up a ton of points, on the bench


Who says the Dallas Cowboys needed helped on offense? Miles Austin finally put a big-play charge in the Cowboys by catching 10 passes for a team-record 250 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys' 26-20 win against the Chiefs.

The only problem is Austin likely was in less than 20% of starting lineups on major websites while filling in for the injured Roy Williams. With this kind of effort, though, he almost certainly will retain a significant role in the team's offense. As such, look for opportunities to play him further following the Cowboys' Week 6 bye instead of the disappointing Williams and Patrick Crayton.

Time off turned out to help a couple of quarterbacks, the Eagles' Donovan McNabb and the Cardinals' Kurt Warner. McNabb finished with 240 yards and three TDs in a rout against Tampa Bay and should be considered a safe option going forward. Warner piled up 302 yards and two TDs, most of it coming in the first half. The Cardinals' offense still moved in enough fits and starts that the team's earlier struggles still might return as an issue later in the season.

Some owners thought about benching Falcons receiver Roddy White because of a slow start that saw him fail to crack 53 yards and score only once. Hopefully you were not one of them because White had 210 yards and two TDs.

Altanta running back Michael Turner also finally silenced critics with his three touchdowns. -- Matt Pitzer

 

[HacheMan]

Cardiac Cats Strike Again


[SIZE=+1]#5. Panthers 20 Redskins 17[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* After DeAngelo Williams was stuffed at the goal line in the first half the Panthers went to fullback Brad Hoover on 4th-and-1 and he fumbled. Jeff King recovered the ball in the end zone, but thanks a crazy Raiders play from 1978 only the original fumbler can recover a ball for a touchdown. Fortunately for Carolina they tackled Clinton Portis for a sack on the ensuing possession.

* Chris Cooley going catchless without even being targeted is shocking after he had at least one grab in 76 straight games. Cooley had 22 catches through four games this season.

* Albert Haynesworth was in and out of the game quite a bit with what appeared to be nothing more than horrible conditioning, although he was on the field (and being double-teamed) for the aforementioned goal-line stop.

* A controversial non-call on a fumbled punt may have cost the Redskins the game, as Jonathan Stewart put the Panthers up for good on the next possession.

GOING FORWARD

* Washington's offensive line was a sieve even before losing left tackle Chris Samuels to a shoulder injury. If he's forced to miss any further action Jason Campbell has almost no chance to get on track and dump-offs will continue to be prevalent.

* This game could be the start of Stewart emerging with more of an even split of carries. Williams struggled, lost a fumble, and couldn't convert in short yardage, while Stewart ran well in the second half despite playing through an injury that had him questionable to suit up.

* Washington is now 4-9 since beginning last year 6-2 and head coach Jim Zorn's chances of making it through the season aren't looking good.


[SIZE=+1]#4. Cardinals 28 Texans 21[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* The Cardinals' offense remains decidedly pass heavy, which makes Tim Hightower a better fit as the featured back. He is much more effective in blitz pickup that Chris Wells, and Wells has not caught a pass all year. Using Wells simply limits Arizona's offense. When opposing defensive coordinators see Beanie in the game, they know the Cardinals are probably going to run and safeties can "cheat" into the box. Wells has 23 touches for 95 yards (4.1 average) and no touchdowns on the year. Hightower has 63 touches for 328 yards (5.2 average) and two TDs.

* The Texans continue to replace Steve Slaton with Chris Brown in virtually every short-yardage situation. It isn't paying off. Brown did score a third-quarter touchdown from one yard out, but was stuffed twice on the goal line near the end of regulation with Houston down seven points. Brown already blew a Week 3 win over Jacksonville with a fumble on the goal line. Some shakeup is likely with regard to backfield roles with the Texans sitting at 2-3 on the year.

* Larry Fitzgerald is still the Cardinals' leading receiver, but the team's short passing-based offense perfectly complements possession beast Anquan Boldin. It does limit Fitzgerald's upside somewhat because he and Kurt Warner are not hooking up for long passing plays, although Fitz is scoring frequently enough to be a fantasy WR1. Boldin is a WR1 in points-per-reception leagues.

* Matt Schaub cost his team the game by short-arming a fourth-quarter pass Kevin Walter's way. Cardinals LCB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie easily jumped the route and picked off the throw, returning it 49 yards for the game-winning TD. Schaub had led Houston to 21 unanswered points before then and played a strong second half for the most part, but this mishap was more confirmation that Schaub lacks the "it" factor to turn the Texans into a truly dangerous team.

GOING FORWARD

* Slaton has been fairly disappointing, but is averaging 100 total yards per game with two touchdowns in his last three outings. He may not be the Texans' long-term answer at tailback, but the high-powered offense will keep Slaton's fantasy value afloat all season.

* Don't give up on Wells, but he may need a Hightower injury to overtake the featured running role. Beanie still has plenty of late-season fantasy upside. You don't want an opposing owner to scoop him up and use Wells against you. There's no doubt that he is the most talented back on Arizona's roster.


[SIZE=+1]#3. Bengals 17 Ravens 14[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* We at Rotoworld could not wrap our minds around the idea of a truly reborn Cedric Benson. Benson has been a head case throughout his NFL career, was not a threat to run outside with the Bears, and has never been effective in the passing game. But Benson exhibited true homerun speed on his 28-yard up-the-gut touchdown sprint in the third quarter, is averaging 4.63 yards per touch on the season (Ced-Ben had a career average of 3.98 coming into 2009), and is on pace for 356 carries, which would easily be his most ever. We're on board, and he faces a weak Texans run defense in Week 6.

* Ray Rice re-confirmed his status as Baltimore's every-down back with the best game of his career. A magnet for Joe Flacco on checkdowns, Rice saw 21 touches for 143 all-purpose yards to short-yardage specialist Willis McGahee's two yards on two touches. Rice has gotten the football 37 times in the last two games, while McGahee has touched it on just eight occasions. Rice runs very hard with outstanding pad level, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him get more goal-line opportunities going forward while McGahee and LeRon McClain are weeded out.

* Carson Palmer continues to struggle in the first three quarters of games, then deliver in crucial situations. His game-winning 20-yard touchdown pass to slot receiver Andre Caldwell was on an absolute rope between two Ravens defensive backs. Palmer also should've had three more touchdowns, but TE Daniel Coats dropped two and FB Jeremi Johnson let another slip through his hands.

* The Bengals' defense completely shut down the perimeter of the field, with Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton combining for just 36 receiving yards. While it limited what Baltimore could do and possibly cost the Ravens the game, it opened up the short to intermediate passing game, allowing Rice and Todd Heap to combine for 14 receptions.

GOING FORWARD

* Chad Ochocinco is playing at a level never seen from him before. He's showing supreme toughness, his usual confidence, and is running terrific routes. He's a WR1 the rest of the way.

* Chris Henry, Andre Caldwell, and Laveranues Coles are a solid rotation opposite Ochocinco, but they cancel each other out for fantasy purposes.

* Play Benson even in tough matchups from here on out. His talent is real and he won't see eight in the box because Cincinnati's passing offense is high powered.

* Joe Flacco will be fine. The Bengals got an inspired effort from their defense with coordinator Mike Zimmer in the sideline despite the tragic passing of his wife late in the week. We wouldn't use Flacco against Minnesota next week, but he's a top-12 QB going forward.


[SIZE=+1]#2. Cowboys 26 Chiefs 20[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Usually a sub-package wideout, Miles Austin moved into an every-down role as the Cowboys' split end with Roy Williams (rib) inactive. Austin dropped a possible touchdown early, but more than atoned by catching lead-grabbing and game-winning scores in the fourth quarter and overtime. He was simply too fast for the Chiefs' slow-footed defensive backs. Tony Romo showed supreme confidence in the toolsy deep threat, targeting Austin 13 times to eight for Patrick Crayton and five for Jason Witten.

* Mark Bradley started opposite Dwayne Bowe, but had an inefficient day along with fellow rotational wideout Bobby Wade. Bowe and Wade each saw 11 targets, while Bradley saw eight. Wade has overtaken Bobby Engram for slot receiver duties. Engram was a healthy scratch on Sunday. Bowe is clearly the team's No. 1 wideout. He beat Cowboys RCB Mike Jenkins for his game-tying 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

* Marion Barber (quadriceps) was clearly not 100 percent, and limited the Cowboys' offense when he was in the game. He was not sent on many routes, so the Chiefs all but knew Dallas would pass whenever he was on the field. Tashard Choice was much more productive, and showed great speed on his 36-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter. He was also featured on Dallas' overtime drive. Look for Choice and Barber to dominate this backfield when Felix Jones (knee) returns.

* An already impotent Chiefs running game was further set back by injuries to RG Mike Goff and LT Brandon Albert on Sunday. The unit continued to open no holes, which are what Larry Johnson must have at this stage of his career because he isn't fast enough to get around the corner and into open space. Jamaal Charles does have that ability, but the coaching staff doesn't trust his ball security enough to give him a large role on offense.

GOING FORWARD

* The Cowboys have a Week 6 bye to get Roy Williams (ribs) and Barber (quadriceps) back to 100 percent. There are two key questions, however: 1) How will Austin be used after the off week? 2) Will Felix Jones return with a large offensive role? The answer to the latter is "probably not" because Choice has played so well. Barber will likely resume feature back duties, but with Choice replacing Jones as a change of pace off the bench.

* Austin has clearly earned a bigger piece of the receiving pie. The guess here is that he will now become the starting flanker, overtaking Patrick Crayton. Crayton can stay active in the slot, but Dallas is desperate for playmakers and Austin fits the bill. He'll be this week's No. 1 waiver add.

* The 1-4 Chiefs' schedule lightens up considerably going forward. They face Washington, San Diego, Jacksonville, and Oakland in their next four games. While it's unreasonable to think that L.J. will suddenly turn it on, Matt Cassel is a good buy low for two-quarterback leaguers. This is a pass-first offense and Bowe is a true No. 1 receiver. He's scored a touchdown in 75 percent of the games he's played so far.


[SIZE=+1]#1. Broncos 20 Patriots 17[/SIZE]


BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

* Knowshon Moreno's numbers weren't eye-popping, but he played very tough. He had to come out of the game twice while gimpy, but immediately went back in the game. He picked up the blitz well and got more yards than what was blocked. He's the real deal.

* Eddie Royal's surprising and sudden big game was not a result of him shifting back into the slot. Royal was still lined up wide.

* Jerod Mayo was back in the starting lineup and forced a fumble in the first quarter.

* Randy Moss was not injured. He was overthrown on a sure touchdown pass and was double-covered. Consider his one-catch game a fluke.

GOING FORWARD

* Sammy Morris is clearly the New England running back to own. With Fred Taylor out, the roles of Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk did not change at all. Morris isn't a great option as his carries will be inconsistent, but if you're going to carry one Patriots back on your roster make it Morris.

* Even though Joey Galloway could find himself cut soon, Julian Edelman isn't doing enough as the No. 3 receiver to be worth a roster spot. He'll only have value if Wes Welker goes down.

* Expect the timeshare between Correll Buckhalter and Moreno to resume once Buckhalter (ankle) gets healthy. As we stated above, Moreno was very good but got nicked and winded. Buckhalter was playing very well before going down.

 

[HacheMan]

A season of balance

Through five weeks, only six running backs are on pace for 300 carries, a rather low number for this early in the year before injuries have fully taken their toll.

Out of the six players, only two are making consistent contributions as receivers and are on pace for more than 35 receptions: Kevin Smith and Steven Jackson. Owners of Smith and Jackson will be the first to say that these two players aren't the most complete backs in the league. Their low-wattage offenses are holding down their scoring and yards.

The point here is that the perfect RB1 isn't out there, ready to carry your entire team on his own. Adrian Peterson comes close enough, but there is only one of him. And he has virtually the same yardage totals as Cedric Benson, and fewer yards from scrimmage than Ray Rice.

I like fantasy football better this way. More players matter. Depth matters. There will be ups and downs to a season for your players and team that you have to navigate carefully. Backups like Ahmad Bradshaw are worth more than plenty of starting running backs, if you have the guts to play them. (Heck, Bradshaw has been worth more than Brandon Jacobs lately.)

If someone blames their season on an injury or a bad first-round pick, you know they are full of Mangini.

Different players on your fantasy team will take turns carrying you; it's your job to continue to keep perfecting your depth with trades and pickups.

Fantasy football is still the fantasy sport most based on luck, matchups, and random touchdowns. But this relatively star-less season we're in rewards the best owners more than ever.

Editor's Note: I keep my blinders on during football season, and count on Steve Alexander and his awesome basketball crew to tell me every last thing I need to know about fantasy basketball draft season. The draft guide is out, and it's got all the features you expect from Rotoworld, with expanded custom scoring and cheat sheets. Don't screw this up.

[SIZE=+1]Don't Panic [/SIZE]

1. The conditions for Derrick Mason still exist for him to have a surprising top-25 fantasy wideout season. The Bengals did a great job double covering him, but that won't happen often.

2. DeAngelo Williams had a rough afternoon and Jonathan Stewart scored, but Williams' role has remained consistent this year and we still believe in Carolina's run-blocking offensive line.

3. For now, Calvin Johnson's knee injury doesn't sound devastating. The Lions have a Week 7 bye, though, so they could play it safe with him this week.

4. Santonio Holmes had his third straight quiet week, but I refuse to believe the wide open Pittsburgh passing attack isn't going to help him big in the long run. He's a WR2 that will have quiet weeks, but the monster outings are still on the week.

5. The schedule has a lot to do with Kevin Smith's 3.1 yards per carry average. His usage is still very encouraging and his talent level is plenty for a starting running back, even if he's not "special." The yards should come.

6. The bye week comes at a good time for Marion Barber, who didn't look fully recovered from his quadriceps injury Sunday. The Cowboys made a mistake not using Tashard Choice more.

[SIZE=+1]Austin's Limits[/SIZE]

Miles Austin has been a Rotoworld favorite for a while, and finally came through with a monster outing (to put it mildly) in his first career start. I co-own an NFFC team with my boss, and we debated letting Austin go this week, but I wanted to hold on to him if possible because I still thought there was talent there. (Although we would have happily dropped him for the right player – Mohammad Massaquoi – and just didn't bid enough.)

That's the good news.

The bad news is that we had him on our bench in favor of Patrick Crayton and Lee Evans Sunday, missing Austin's most useful moment of his fantasy football life.

Hopefully Austin's breakout – despite three touchdowns he didn't catch -- will gain the trust of Tony Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Austin is Dallas' fastest receiver, and deserves a bigger role.

But he's not particularly likely to have the same conditions as Sunday again anytime soo: an easy matchup, with Roy Williams out. It's easy to second-guess now, and it's also easy to understand why Austin is on so many waiver wires. He had four catches for 39 yards in the previous three games combined.

But that doesn't make it much easier to stare at the 47 freaking fantasy points he scored Sunday on our bench without wanting to puke.
<!--RW-->
[SIZE=+1]Some Panic is Acceptable [/SIZE]

1. The wind was brutal in Buffalo, but Trent Edwards still figured out how to put up 152 yards. The Browns won't turn from Derek Anderson after they won despite his ugly performance, but it's hard to trust their passing game no matter who is at the helm.

2. Maybe it was the matchup, but it was a bad sign for Jerome Harrison's value long-term that Jamal Lewis got 31 carries to only eight for Harrison. Then again, Lewis won't stay healthy for long if he gets 31 carries every week.

3. There isn't much left to say about Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, who each have 12 catches this year and far fewer yards on the season than Miles Austin had Sunday. But they can't be used against the Jets next week.

4. The Redskins will play their sixth straight winless team this week, but Clinton Portis has averaged more than four yards per carry only once this season. Including last year, he's topped 4 ypc once in his last ten games. The offensive line bears much of the blame, but blame won't score fantasy points. And left tackle Chris Samuels is expected to miss this week. What's going to happen when Washington plays some decent teams?

5. The impressive start to Hakeem Nicks' career is going to hurt Mario Manningham more than it hurts Steve Smith, although it will hurt both a little.

6. It's not a great sign for Brandon Jacobs owners when Ahmad Bradshaw is tearing up New York's easy matchups, while Jacobs is just plodding along.

Against three of the worst defenses in football, Jacobs piled up 68 for 251 rushing yards and a score. He had four receiving yards. This is acceptable, but not overly exciting considering the matchups.

Bradshaw had 37 carries for 278 rushing yards and two scores over the same stretch. He's also not very involved in the passing game, but did take his one catch Sunday for 55 yards. Bradshaw has turned into a quality RB2/flex option most weeks. You can't bench Jacobs because the touchdowns will come, but he's underperforming.

[SIZE=+1]When good players have bad teammates [/SIZE]

Steve Smith of the Panthers is on pace for just over 1,000 yards. The Panthers passing attack isn't going to be good enough for him to live up to his top-ten receiver draft value. Some touchdowns will come, and he won't kill owners, but the lack of receiving weapons around him will continue to make life difficult. He's more of a WR2 now than a WR1.

[SIZE=+1]Real and Spectacular [/SIZE]

1. Cedric Benson and the Bengals running game are very real. The only concern for Benson owners is whether he can hold up to the workload. He's on pace for 370 carries and his previous career high was 214, set last year. That's a concern Benson owners are just going to have to deal with unless you can get top-five value for him in return.

2. Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Mendenhall continued to play to their new status in fantasy football. Roethlisberger is a top-eight option worth starting nearly every week. Mendenhall will be an every-week play until Willie Parker is back at the least.

[SIZE=+1]Short, declarative sentences about defenses [/SIZE]

Baltimore's pass defense is now a plus matchup. The Bengals defense shuts down opposing top receivers. The 49ers aren't quite as nasty as we thought. Anyone playing Oakland, Cleveland, Tampa, Washington, and St. Louis remain excellent plays.

[SIZE=+1]Quickly changing regular season storylines [/SIZE]

1. That committee in Baltimore has turned into a one-man show, starring Ray Rice. His value on passing downs makes the difference for coordinator Cam Cameron. Willis McGahee is going to still have some high workload weeks, I suspect, when the conditions are right. Rice is proving to have consistent RB1/2 value, which is hard to find.

2. Owners who picked up Marshawn Lynch last week in a trade should be smiling. I was particularly impressed with his play in the passing game, where he has underrated skills. Fred Jackson will continue

 

[HacheMan]

Low productivity leads to high anxiety


One of the major themes of the NFL season is players who are not performing up to expectations. A fair amount of the blame goes to the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, teams that are redefining how poor an offense can be.
But some better teams and players also are causing considerable angst among fantasy owners. Here are a few of the most aggravating questions through five weeks:
•Why doesn't Adrian Peterson have more big games? Don't get me wrong; the touchdowns are great — seven so far. But Peterson is averaging 75.3 rushing yards since he charged out the gate for 180 yards in Week 1.

FANTASY JOE: Orton, Dumervil powering Bronco's fast start

The theory that Brett Favre at quarterback would loosen up defenses and provide Peterson more running room hasn't materialized.

Favre certainly is enjoying the presence of Peterson. He has thrown nine touchdown passes and is virtually a regular starter.
Defenses, though, still are more content to let Favre pick them apart than have Peterson trample them. That might change as opponents try to figure out how to knock the Minnesota Vikings off their 5-0 pedestal.
While we wait to see if that happens, don't get greedy with Peterson. While not running for 150 yards every week, he still leads the league in rushing touchdowns. And anybody scoring on such a regular basis is a tremendous threat, so take what you can get and be happy.
•Why can't Tom Brady hit more big plays to Randy Moss? Moss' one-catch, 36-yard performance against the Denver Broncos was the latest in a string of underwhelming games for the New England Patriots wideout. He has one TD to go with his 367 yards.
That's almost the same production you'd have gotten from the other Moss (Santana, with 337 yards and two TDs) despite the Washington Redskins offense being a mess.
The frustrating part is seeing Brady and Moss just miss on deep passes. Moss gets open but the two can't connect they way they did during their record-setting 2007 season. If the Patriots lose left tackle Matt Light, that will add to the challenge of hooking up consistently.
Assuming Brady gets protection, their old chemistry should return at some point, so don't think about sitting Moss. If somebody offered you Andre Johnson for Moss, you should consider it. But by fantasy playoff time, Moss will be much closer to generating the first-round value you expected than he is now.
•Can the Cincinnati Bengals play better earlier in games? The Bengals have had great comebacks the past three weeks, but it would be nice if they didn't always wait so long to get their act in gear.
With the team at 4-1, quarterback Carson Palmer should be more of a fantasy threat, as he was back in the high-flying days of 2007. Instead, Palmer has one or zero TD passes in three games and failed to hit 200 yards twice.
True, the Bengals have an improved run game thanks to Cedric Benson. But Palmer is still too risky to be a safe start, even in what should be an appealing Week 6 matchup against the Browns. At receiver, Chad Ochocinco is back as a regular starter, but other threats including Andre Caldwell, Chris Henry and Laveranues Coles are far riskier than even Palmer.
Watch for this offense to become more consistent as the season goes on.
•Why is Chris Brown the Houston Texans' goal-line back? Brown sucked up his first cheap touchdown vs. the Arizona Cardinals, but the Texans might be 4-1 if not for Brown. In Week 3, he fumbled on the goal line late in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars. And last week he was stoned twice at the 1 by Arizona. Brown has no business being the team's short-yardage runner. His presence does little more than anger Steve Slaton owners and, apparently, doom his own team.
•When will the St. Louis Rams figure out how to score? Or, more importantly, what is going to happen with Steven Jackson? The Rams have four offensive touchdowns, none rushing. They have been outscored 73-10 the past two weeks and have committed seven turnovers. Give Jackson credit for hitting 100 yards twice and averaging 90.2 yards per game. But the TDs will be hard to come by all season. In the next two weeks, the Rams play at Jacksonville and host the Indianapolis Colts. Week 8 against the Detroit Lions might be his best chance to find the end zone.
In the preseason, if you had known Jackson wouldn't score until Week 8, you wouldn't have drafted him at all.
•Why can't the Bills figure out how to use Terrell Owens and Lee Evans? Through five games, neither receiver has had more than 60 yards in a game and each has one TD. Owens has fallen so far so fast, he no longer is an automatic start.
What you are seeing is the effects of an unproven quarterback and an offensive coordinator switch right before the start of the season.
This should be correctable, but new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt hasn't helped, and coach Dick Jauron is on the hot seat. The Bills even seem to have trouble kicking field goals, much less hitting explosive plays.
The return of running back Marshawn Lynch— who hasn't given the team a more dynamic offensive threat — robbed Buffalo of its only solid fantasy contributor, Fred Jackson. The talent on this team is undeniable, but if the only two legitimate productive players are splitting yards 60-60 and the Bills aren't scoring TDs, you need to find your starters elsewhere.
•How can a team win while completing only two passes? Against the Bills, the Browns showed how inept they can be and made us wonder if they will be relevant at any point. While Jamal Lewis had a good game (117 yards on 31 carries) against the Bills' bad run defense, expecting him to continue to play well or stay healthy is unreasonable.
The Browns have not scored an offensive touchdown in nine of their last 11 games. If you completely ignore every Browns player, your team should not suffer.

 

[HacheMan]

Broadway Braylon's opening act

Roy Williams was traded from Detroit to Dallas in the middle of last season and his numbers went down. A season before that, the Dolphins sent Chris Chambers to San Diego and mediocre numbers followed.

After seeing how Braylon Edwards was used Monday night, it's safe to say Edwards' change of scenery is going to reap much greater benefits for his owners.

Edwards was targeted nine times in his very first game as a Jet while Jerricho Cotchery saw one pass come his way and Dustin Keller had two targets. Edwards' final line of five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown didn't come close to doing him justice. He also was ruled down at the one-yard line and drew a (phantom?) 49-yard pass interference penalty in the end zone.

It was a performance that surely left Browns fans poking their Edwards Voo Doo dolls extra hard. This looked like Edwards circa 2007, making tough catches on the sideline and eating corners like Will Allen for lunch. It's hard to believe Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn were so inept over the last two seasons that they couldn't get Edwards going at all.

Bottom line: It couldn't have been a much better night if you own Edwards. Seeing Mark Sanchez stare him down all game should make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Consider Edwards a very solid WR2 going forward.

Jets vs. Dolphins quick hitters:
Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) wasn't 100 percent, but he played the entire game. … Chad Henne's arm is no joke. The man has a rifle. … Ted Ginn was a situational receiver once again, but his huge 53-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter showed some potential with Henne. He even burned Darrelle Revis on the play. … Leon Washington is a better running back than Thomas Jones and needs more touches.

Editor's Note: For early rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 6, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Kevin Curtis, it was nice knowin' ya. Eagles coach Andy Reid won't admit it yet, but Jeremy Maclin has taken Curtis' starting job. Even when Curtis' knee allows him to get back on the field (which won't be this week), Reid would have to be blind to keep Maclin on the bench.

That said, Maclin is going to be inconsistent. He's not a priority in the Eagles offense and even if he was, the Eagles are known for spreading the ball around. You could ask DeSean Jackson about that and his one-catch day Sunday, but he didn't stick around in the locker room to answer questions about the win over the Bucs.

Add Maclin as he'll be a useful plug-in during bye weeks, but don't count on him as a every week fantasy starter yet.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Somehow, Chris Brown is still the Texans' goal-line back, according to coach Gary Kubiak. He's fumbled away one game at the goal-line and then couldn't convert this past week against the Cardinals when it mattered most (Brown did score on a goal-line carry earlier in the game). It appears that only Swine Flu can keep Brown from getting the goal-line work.

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NEWS OF THE DAY #4
It's rare we discuss offensive lines in the Dose, but the Packers' situation was so putrid it's worth a quick look. Thanks to injuries and bad play, the Packers have allowed Aaron Rodgers to get sacked 20 times in four games. It's a miracle Rodgers' head is still attached to his neck.

On Monday, Rodgers got two bits of great news. His starting left tackle, Chad Clifton, is fully expected to return from an ankle injury this week. Also, the Packers re-signed free agent tackle Matt Tauscher, who probably won't start this week but will eventually be a significant upgrade over tight tackle Allen Barbre. This is the beginning of Greg Jennings' breakout.

Editor's Note: For early rankings, complete projections, and a host of other exclusive material for Week 6, head to Rotoworld's Season Pass.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
The Lions do not consider Calvin Johnson's knee injury serious. Still, it's concerning that he left in the first quarter Sunday and did not return. … Frank Gore (ankle) is expected to practice during the Niners' bye week. Expect him back for Week 7. … Roy Williams (ribs) says he'll be ready to go after the Cowboys' bye this week. Expect him to start and Patrick Crayton to lose snaps to Miles Austin. … Matthew Stafford's (knee) status won't be decided until later this week. We're tentatively expecting Daunte Culpepper to get another start. … Peyton Manning's left knee is sore, but it's nothing to worry about. … Eli Manning (heel) is expecting to put a full week of practice in. … Chris Samuels (neck) is out for Week 6, hurting virtually all of the Redskins' skill players value. … Willie Parker (turf toe) admitted he isn't sure if he'll go this week. Sounds like another Rashard Mendenhall start.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
The Colts will work out Matt Stover Tuesday, a sign that Adam Vinatieri isn't healthy. Feel free to drop Vinatieri during his bye week. … Browns coach Eric Mangini said he's sticking with Derek Anderson as his starting quarterback. Winning a game while completing two passes takes serious talent. … Mark Bulger is on track to regain his starting job for this week's game against the Jaguars. … The Cardinals are planning on getting Chris Wells more involved in the passing game as the season goes on. We're not buying it. … Jordy Nelson will assume the Packers' return duties with Will Blackmon (knee) out for the season. … In the "no duh" news of the day, the Cowboys said Miles Austin's role in the offense is going to increase. … Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner is reportedly "re-committing" to making Greg Olsen break out. … Maurice Stovall is looking at more playing time with Michael Clayton dropping passes at an alarming rate. … Jeff Fisher reiterated that Kerry Collins is his starting quarterback. How many losses until Vince Young takes over? … Coach Eric Mangini praised Jamal Lewis after his 31-carry effort Sunday. Hang on to Jerome Harrison until Lewis breaks down again. … Mike Sims-Walker was suspended because he violated the team itinerary. Expect him back in the lineup this week.

DEFENSE SPOT STARTS
Here are two ideas for owners adding a new defense each week based on matchups:

PACKERS vs. Lions - It's a nice spot with Green Bay coming out of their bye with a home game and the Lions banged up (Matt Stafford). The Pack have forced 10 total turnovers in their four games.

JAGUARS vs. Rams - It's rare we recommend the No. 30 defense in the NFL, but a home matchup with the hapless Rams can cure any defense's woes.

Editor's Note:</I> Not happy with your fantasy teams? New weekly leagues are drafting every single day at Snapdraft. Draft your team during the week, even Sunday morning, and win cash by Tuesday. It's a great complement to your yearly leagues and rewards the most skilled fantasy players who know matchups and value.

POSITIONAL SPOT STARTS
Chris Wesseling will cover this topic from head-to-toe in his Waiver Wired column, but here are three guys that are worth a quick add:

WR Miles Austin - Roy Williams (ribs) is expected back after the Cowboys' bye this week, but Austin clearly earned more playing time with his ridiculous game Sunday.

WR Jeremy Maclin - See above for a full look at the situation. Add him for bye week depth.

RB Sammy Morris - We thought Morris would be the Patriots runner to own with Fred Taylor out, but the way Morris was used against the Broncos confirmed it.