Week 5 Start/Sit: Some Surprise Starts This Week
Start ‘Em!
Quarterbacks
Tony Romo: You might be worrying that Romo isn’t going to be the fantasy quarterback you wanted him to be. And on certain days that may be true, but not against teams like KC. Remember his game against Tampa Bay? Well, this could be similar.
Ben Roethlisberger: The Steelers are a pass first team. They pass so they can run and Detroit can be passed on and passed on and passed on some more. He probably won’t need to pass for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, but he should be good for 250 and a pair of touchdowns.
Matt Hasselbeck: His status is still uncertain, but looking better everyday. If it looks like he’ll play he has a great matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are the worst pass defense in the league and Seattle loves playing at home. Even if Hasselbeck doesn’t go, Seneca Wallace would be a decent start against this poor defense.
Running Backs
Marshawn Lynch: Fred Jackson isn’t going away, but the Cleveland Browns have enough rushing yards to go around. Lynch has now had a couple weeks of practice and will be in Beast Mode! The Bills need a little heart because they seem pretty soft. Lynch will give that to them this week.
Rashard Mendenhall: Well, you saw what he could do when he ran over the Chargers on Sunday night. This weekend against an even worse rushing defense in Detroit there is no reason to think he won’t put up big numbers.
Marion Barber: The Chiefs run defense at it’s best is poor. Marion Barber has practiced fully and should be the main back this week. Feel good about putting him in your lineup.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Johnson: If the Steelers have a weakness it is their pass defense, especially with Troy Polamalu out once again. Matthew Stafford probably won’t play, but Daunte Culpepper fared well last year when he tossed it to Johnson. Detroit should be losing and will need to throw the ball. Megatron can catch about anything thrown to him and he should have ample opportunity.
Kevin Walter: The Cardinals weakness is their pass defense. Walter is healthy again and should get plenty of targets in what could be a high scoring affair.
Jason Avant: The Tampa Bay pass defense has been giving up big plays and Avant is looking more and more like the best option after Desean Jackson and Brent Celek. He should be a good bye-week filler.
Sit Down!
Quarterbacks
Jason Campbell: Chris Gamble should shut down the streaky Santana Moss and Campbell will really only have Chris Cooley to pass to. If they succeed at all it will be with Portis on the ground. The Redskins just aren’t a good offense and Campbell needs to be going against extremely bad pass defenses to produce any fantasy numbers.
Kerry Collins: The Colts pass defense is tough. The only chance the Titans have of winning this game is keeping Peyton Manning off the field by running, running and running some more.
Eli Manning: If he plays there is a chance that he re-aggravates his plantar fascia and even if he doesn’t there’s a good chance they’ll run the ball down Oakland’s throat and break their will to continue on.
Running Backs
Steven Jackson: SJax is a stud. A stud on a team with a bunch of duds. This week he gets the Vikings’ Williams Wall to run into over and over. He will get his yards, but have trouble getting into the end zone once again. There are a lot of good matchups this week and you could easily have some lesser names that are better plays this week.
Tashard Choice: He just won’t get the opportunities this week. Marion Barber is good to go so Choice goes back to being the change of pace back.
Kevin Smith: With Matthew Stafford probably out and the Steelers tough rush defense swarming, Smith may not have many opportunities.
Wide Receivers
Santana Moss: Gamble should shut Moss down. Moss is extremely streaky and this is a perfect time for him to start the down side of his streak.
Donnie Avery: The Rams passing offense is non-existent.
Ted Ginn Jr.: Darrelle Revis + Chad Henne = Ted Ginn Jr. has absolutely no chance.
