Week 5 -- Start, Bench, and Waiver

Byes: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Seattle, Houston

Start
QB
Brad Johnson, Vikings – Johnson hasn’t had a great season thus far. He’s throwing for nice yardage, but he’s failing to score through the air. Johnson is efficient, but not a world beater, but facing a Detroit secondary that has been one of the worst in the league (giving up 10 TDs and a 71% completion rating over the first four games).
Marc Bulger, Rams – Bulger had his season breakout last week, but it was against the 30^th ranked pass defense in the league. However, Green Bay is giving up more yards through the air than Detroit. Bulger may get picked off once, but he’ll throw for another 3 TDs in a blowout at Lambeau.
Alex Smith, 49ers – I have a feeling that Smith is going to perform as he did the first couple weeks of the season. Charlie Frye had a pretty good week last week with 3 TD passes and Smith will be looking to rebound from an awful performance against KC. Gore and Bryant should be putting up good numbers as well. Smith is a good backup this week if your #1 QB has a tough matchup (Culpepper, Roethlisberger, Rivers, etc).
Mark Brunell, Redskins – Brunell has been hot the past two weeks and proved last week that he could handle one of the league's best defenses. The Giants pass defense is terrible, giving up an average of 280 yards and 2 TDs per game. Brunell should have another good day with Clinton Portis and Santana Moss both having huge days once again.

RB
Joseph Addai, Colts – Joseph Addai should have a big week this week as the Colts face a Titans defense that ranks last in the league against the rush and has given up a whopping 8 TDs in four games. The Colts should run the ball as much as they did last week, meaning 16 or so touches for Addai, who should net around 90 yards and a score. Dominick Rhodes is another solid start as well.
Frank Gore, 49ers – Gore started out as one of the hottest backs, and biggest surprises, of the season, but has tailed off. Oakland’s run
defense is terrible, giving up over an average 145 yards per game this season. Gore should return to week one form and score at least once.
Ahman Green, Packers – Green is ‘the man’ at RB in Green Bay. He’s good at running the ball, catching the ball, and blocking, so he won’t lose situational playing time. St. Louis has given up an average of 120 yard per game and 5 TDs so far this season. Green should see around 30 touches this week and should go for over 100 yards rushing and 40 yards receiving.
Fred Taylor, Jaguars – Cleveland gave up 128 yards to LaMont Jordan last week, who was terrible through the first two games of the season. Jacksonville has a much better passing and rushing offense than Oakland, which is sure to be a good 30+ point week for the Jags offense. Despite getting shut down last week by Washington, Taylor should bounce back and score at least once this week.

WR
Terrell Owens, Cowboys – The Eagles pass defense has given up over 240 yards per game and 5 total TDs this season. Those aren’t bad
numbers, but Drew Bledsoe has two very good receivers, an excellent TE, and a very good running back at his disposal. Bledsoe should have a 2 TD, 1 INT game, with at least one TD going to Owens, who has failed to live up to the hype this season. Keep in mind, the Eagles have given up over 100 yards to three of four #1 WRs this season.
Randy Moss, Raiders – Moss has been dormant for three weeks, but should really open some eyes this week against the 49ers. San Francisco has allowed an average of 2 TDs per game so far this season and has zero INTs. Moss should have a big day, despite double coverage.
Troy Williamson, Vikings – Williamson has a lot of speed, the Lions secondary doesn’t. The Lions have one of the worst pass defenses in the league and Williamson gets a lot of looks from Brad Johnson, but needs to shake the case of the “dropsies” he’s had. Williamson should have his first 100 yard game on the season this week against the Lions, who gave up 100 yards to both Bruce and Holt last week.
Isaac Bruce, Rams – Bruce should be matched up on Charles Woodson this week in what should prove to be an advantage for Bruce. Bruce is an excellent route runner and Bulger can place the ball very well. Combine this with the combination of Woodson showing very little speed this season and Brady Poppinga being terrible in coverage, Bruce should have a good day.

TE
Jeremy Shockey, Giants – Shockey is a big part of the Giants offense, but hasn’t produced much this season. Last week, the Redskins gave up 7 receptions for over 90 yards to Jags TEs, so expect Shockey to do some damage as he’s had a bye week to rest and let a 1-2 record sink in.
Ben Watson, Patriots – The Dolphins haven’t been very successful at stopping TEs this season. Heath Miller had a career day and gave up a combined 94 yards and 1 TD to Bo Scaife and Ben Troupe.
Jermain Wiggins, Vikings – The Lions pass defense over the middle is absolutely terrible. Against Green Bay, Favre completed 13 passes to his backs and TEs for over 100 yards. With a lot of time, Johnson will have much more opportunities to check down to his TEs and backs who should be an integral part of the receiving offense this week.

K
Ryan Longwell, Vikings – Longwell has been good this season and the Vikes should put up big numbers against a bad Lions defense. 12 points should be in order for Longwell at the Metrodome this week.

DEF
Saints – The Saints defense is underrated and ate up the Falcons offense in their last home game. The Saints’ 12^th man will show up for this game as they did against the Falcons and will help the Saints to shut down a Simms-less Bucs offense that has failed to produce in all forms this season.
Patriots – This is an excellent matchup for the Pats, who face a struggling Miami offense. Culpepper has been terrible, Chambers has been somewhat inconsistent, McMichael has been awful, and Brown has shown little of his rookie form. The Pats should net a season-high sack total this week against an OL that is on pace to give up more sacks than anyone.
Chiefs – The Chiefs should have a similar performance as last week when they shut out the 49ers when they face Matt Leinart and the Cardinals this week. Leinart is raw and should make a few mistakes in his starting debut.

Bench
QB
Chad Pennington, Jets – Chad started off the season great. Nobody’s doubted the guy’s talent, just his ability to stay healthy, which hasn’t been a factor…yet. The Jets face a Jacksonville defense that has given up a good chunk of yardage through the air, but have more INTs than TDs. Pennington should throw for 240 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs this week as the Jags rebound from a 3 TD aerial attack by Brunell and the Redskins last week.
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers – Roethlisberger has looked absolutely terrible in his two games this season, throwing for an abysmal 49% completion rating, 0 TDs, and 5 INTs. It doesn’t get better this week against a top Charger defense. San Diego has 4 INTs on the season and has only allowed 3 TDs. They have 11 sacks in three games as well.
Jake Plummer, Broncos – Baltimore’s pass defense has been absolutely dominant this season, allowing only 2 TDs and snagging 8 INTs. Plummer, who’s thrown 2 TDs and 4 INTs through three games, will be lucky to throw for a score this week.
Steve McNair, Ravens – McNair has good solid this season, but he’s not netting very many fantasy points. McNair has been only average against bad defense (Tampa Bay, Tennessee, and Cleveland) and performed about the same against San Deigo. Expecting more than 1 TD and 180 yards from McNair this week is wishful thinking.

RB
Ronnie Brown, Dolphins – Brown is a definite bench this week, facing an always improving Patriots defense. This week’s magic number is 2; the number of TDs Brown has scored through four games and the number of rushing TDs allowed by New England through four games.
Chester Taylor, Vikings – The Lions have a very good rush defense, limiting opponents to 3.0 yards per carry and only 1 TD on the season. Taylor is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry and only has 1 TD on the season, so don’t expect him to hit anywhere near the 100 yard mark.
Jamal Lewis, Ravens – Lewis has failed to hit 100 yards in four games this year and he’s only scored once. The Ravens offense isn’t producing points like most thought they would. Lewis should lay another egg this week as he faces another good rush defense this week, which has held opponents out of the endzone on the ground so far. Lewis isn’t even worth a #3 starting spot this week.
Willis McGahee, Bills – McGahee is getting nearly 25 carries per game and is near the top of the league in rushing, but he only has 1 TD through four games. Chicago’s run defense hasn’t been that great this year giving up nearly 4.0 yards per carry, but they’ve limited opponents rushing attempts by scoring early and often, forcing them to pass. McGahee should get 80 yards, but held out of the endzone.

WR
Donte Stallworth, Eagles – Stallworth was limited last week due to a hamstring injury (1 catch for 26 yards) and will be limited this week, if he plays. Start Reggie Brown in Stallworth’s place, as he’s more than likely to be on the sidelines for a large chunk of the game.
Lee Evans, Bills – It seems like any offensive player who faces the Bears should be benched. Just keep in mind that the Bears have allowed zero passing TDs this season and Evans has scored zero as well. Evans should ride the pine this week.
Mushin Muhammad, Bears – Moose should have a decent day as a #3 WR this week. The Bears offense is clicking, but the Bills defense is actually very good. Despite giving up 5 TDs through the air in four games, the Bills have allowed less than 200 passing yards per game and have a solid pass rush. Grossman makes mistakes when under pressure, which should have Lovie Smith calling much more on Thomas Jones this week.
Joey Galloway, Buccaneers – Galloway is as inconsistent as you can get in a WR. Check this out: Week 1 – 0 catches, Week 2 – 9 catches for 161 yards, Week 3 – 1 catch for 8 yards. Whether Chris Simms will be playing this week or not, Galloway should ride the pine.

TE
Randy McMichael, Dolphins – McMichael should ride the bench until he starts producing. I have my doubts that Culpepper will be the QB to turn that around, but either way, McMichael is a poor start, especially against a defense like New England.
Todd Heap, Ravens – Steve McNair has been looking for Todd Heap quite a bit, especially in goal line situations. Heap has 3 TDs through 4 games, but the Broncos defense has given up only 1 TD through three games. Denver has done especially well with TEs (see Tony Gonzalez’ 2 catch, 8 yard performance).

K
Rian Lindell, Bills – The Bears should keep the Bills struggling offense to their side of the field, leaving very few opportunities for Lindell. It’s a losing battle to bet on opponents scoring points at Soldier Field.

DEF
Giants -- The Giants defense was great last season, which makes it that much more difficult to understand why they’re so terrible this season. They’ve given up an average of nearly 37 points per game. They’ve allowed 8 TDs through the air this season but have done a solid job against the run. Definitely bench them as they face a potent Redskin offense.
Vikings – The Lions offense has been very good the past couple games, despite facing average defenses. They’re potent both through the air and on the ground. Minnesota’s defense has been good all around, but they’re forcing few turnovers and the Lions could put up at least 3
TDs.

Waiver
Damon Huard, QB, Chiefs – Huard should have a repeat performance of last week as he’s facing a decent Arizona defense. If you need a QB (Palmer, Vick, Hasselbeck, or Carr are your #1 QBs), Huard should be on the waiver and should net about 15 fantasy points.
Greg Jennings, WR, Packers – Jennings is an excellent big play receiver. Favre gives him a lot of looks and Jennings is quickly earning respect for his speed and his ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Favre will be throwing a lot, as every week, and Driver could be out with an injury, which makes Jennings stock skyrocket.
Greg Lewis, WR, Eagles – Donte Stallworth’s hamstring injury could force Lewis into the #2 role for much of the game. I wouldn’t expect huge things from Lewis, but if you’re #2 is, say, Anquan Boldin, Lewis would be a good waiver pickup this week.