Play Action - Week 5
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by Fantola
This is a weekly Game-By-Game breakdown of the NFL's Week 5 slate of games, featuring analysis of who to start, consider and bench for the purposes of Fantasy Football.
Yes, it is time for some Game-by-Game analysis once again. 2007 has rapidly turned into the Year of the Backup Running Back, so there are plenty of unfamiliar names below, and by now your waiver wire options should be extremely thin...perhaps Edgar Bennett or Bam Morris are available.
Click on the Game link to view the weather forecast. Players marked as (check) are injury concerns, so make certain that you check the game day inactives before finalizing your roster.
Teams are listed with their YPG (NFL Rank) in the given categories. As always, these recommendations are based on 12-team leagues.
BYES: Bengals, Eagles, Raiders, Vikings
1:00pm EST Games
Browns @ Patriots Brown Offense - Receiving: 249.5 (9), Rushing: 114.8 (15) Patriot Defense - Receiving: 179 (4), Rushing: 69.8 (3)
Patriot Offense - Receiving: 279.5 (5), Rushing: 157 (4) Brown Defense - Receiving: 273.8 (29), Rushing: 160 (30)
START: Tom Brady, Laurence Maroney (check), Sammy Morris (check Maroney), Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Ben Watson, Patriot Defense CONSIDER: Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth (check) BENCH: Jamal Lewis, Joe Jurevicius, Kellen Winslow (check)
This game should be an absolute slaughter...we thought that about the Browns/Bengals in Week 2 as well, but let's be serious, now we're talking about the Patriots, a team that actually plays defense. The Browns, on the other hand, do not play defense. Unleash all of your Patriots, possibly even Donte Stallworth. Anderson and Edwards are only considerations since the Browns should be so far behind that they'll have no choice other than to throw. Even if Winslow plays, he'll likely be limited and could very well be pulled once the game is out of hand.
Jets @ Giants Jet Offense - Receiving: 219.2 (20), Rushing: 82.5 (28) Giant Defense - Receiving: 239.8 (17), Rushing: 105.2 (14)
Giant Offense - Receiving: 232.5 (15), Rushing: 99.2 (19) Jet Defense - Receiving: 258.5 (27), Rushing: 112.5 (16)
START: Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, Eli Manning, Brandon Jacbos, Plaxico Burress (check), Jeremy Shockey CONSIDER: Thomas Jones, Giant Defense BENCH: Chad Pennington, Derrick Ward, Amani Toomer
The Giants' defense is quite the enigma, apparently all it takes to motivate them is a coach in the locker room with an air horn. They have been lights out for the past 6 quarters. Expect them to pressure Pennington early and often. Still, Coles and Cotchery are too hot to bench. Thomas Jones is still struggling mightily with his calf injury and if you have a more consistent option, you should give them a long look. Look for Eli and Plax to exploit a weak Jet pass defense. Shockey has a strong chance to finally find the end zone this week. If he doesn't, it's time to consider playing match ups with your TEs. Jacobs is expected to carry a heavy load.
Jaguars @ Chiefs Jaguar Offense - Receiving: 210 (21), Rushing: 124.7 (13) Chief Defense - Receiving: 191.2 (7), Rushing: 118 (19)
Chief Offense - Receiving: 222 (19), Rushing: 79.5 (30) Jaguar Defense - Receiving: 116.7 (3), Rushing: 137 (26)
START: Jaguar Defense, Larry Johnson CONSIDER: Fred Taylor, Tony Gonzalez BENCH: David Garrard, Maurice Jones-Drew, Reggie Williams, Marcedes Lewis, Damon Huard, Dwayne Bowe
Bench Dwayne Bowe, but he's smoking hot after these past 2 weeks?! Yes, against the stout Jags pass defense, he should ride the pine. Look for a low-scoring game here. If you haven't bought low on Larry Johnson, you've missed your opportunity. Look for him to piece together another nice game. Reggie Williams is putting up Matt Spaeth numbers, 2 TDs, not much to speak of in yardage...he's not reliable enough to start. MJD still bears keeping an eye on.
Falcons @ Titans Falcon Offense - Receiving: 245.8 (11), Rushing: 89.8 (22) Titan Defense - Receiving: 247 (22), Rushing: 63.3 (2)
Titan Offense - Receiving: 149.3 (30), Rushing: 173.7 (2) Falcon Defense - Receiving: 229.2 (11), Rushing: 128.5 (23)
START: Vince Young, LenDale White CONSIDER: Joey Harrington, Roddy White, Alge Crumpler, Falcon Defense, Titan Defense BENCH: Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Chris Brown, Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones, Bo Scaife
Another game with limited offensive fireworks. The Falcons have a good pass defense, the Titans have awful WRs, but Vince Young should mix in some nice runs. The Titans should also ride LenDale White hard, especially near the goal line. Yes, you should consider a hot performing Joey Harrington against a weak Titan pass defense. None of the Falcon WRs have proven to be reliable enough to start. Alge Crumpler is only an option if you really have no other choices, he's only had one decent performance all season.
Seahawks @ Steelers Seahawk Offense - Receiving: 258 (7), Rushing: 104.5 (17) Steeler Defense - Receiving: 201.5 (8), Rushing: 81.2 (8)
Steeler Offense - Receiving: 201.8 (24), Rushing: 168 (3) Seahawk Defense - Receiving: 244.8 (20), Rushing: 103.8 (13)
START: Deion Branch, Willie Parker, Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, Steeler Defense CONSIDER: Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Bobby Engram, Ben Roethlisberger BENCH: Nate Burleson, Hines Ward (injured)
You should actually bench Shaun Alexander if it's an option for you. The Steeler defense is going to look to assert itself after Week 4's embarrassing loss to the Cardinals. Look for Fast Willie to reappear this week after being a non-factor last week. Santonio Holmes could very well assert himself as the Steelers #1 WR in Ward's absence. It's going to be tough sledding for all Seahawks, their hot passing game deserves consideration, but don't expect anything extraordinary.
Panthers @ Saints - Dome Panther Offense - Receiving: 209.2 (22), Rushing: 131.5 (11) Saint Defense - Receiving: 239 (16), Rushing: 116.3 (18)
Saint Offense - Receiving: 225.7 (18), Rushing: 79.7 (29) Panther Defense - Receiving: 232.8 (13), Rushing: 118.8 (21)
START: Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Steve Smith CONSIDER: DeShaun Foster BENCH: David Carr, Jake Delhomme (injured), Drew Carter, Jeff King, Panther Defense, Aaron Stecker, Pierre Thomas, Saints Defense
A collision of two of the NFL's (and fantasy's) most disappointing teams. Give the Saints a pass and start their big names. They're at home, coming off a bye, the Panthers can't buy an INT and the Saints should be looking to prove something. If Steve Smith can't produce against a relatively weak Saint pass defense, it's time to downgrade him seriously as long as David Carr is at the helm. Keep in mind that Carr got Andre Johnson 100+ receptions last season, though. Foster is a borderline RB2 for the week, given his match up against an average rush defense. Wait and see what happens with Stecker and Thomas, maybe they're roster-worthy, maybe not.
Cardinals @ Rams - Dome Cardinal Offense - Receiving: 234.2 (14), Rushing: 110 (16) Ram Defense - Receiving: 204.2 (9), Rushing: 157 (29)
Ram Offense - Receiving: 198.5 (25), Rushing: 83.8 (24) Cardinal Defense - Receiving: 233 (14), Rushing: 95.5 (11)
START: Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin (check), Torry Holt CONSIDER: Cardinal Defense, Gus Frerotte, Isaac Bruce (check), Drew Bennett (check Bruce) BENCH: Matt Leinart, Kurt Warner, Bryant Johnson, Marc Bulger, Brian Leonard, Randy McMichael
Coach Whisenhunt continues to employ his curious QBBC, although Warner is clearly out-performing Leinart at this point; neither is a good choice as a fantasy starter currently. Edgerrin James has been the Edge of old so far this season, he's a must-start against the Rams feeble run D. Boldin is unlikely to play, but keep an eye on him just in case. Bruce is also extremely unlikely to play. If he is out, Drew Bennett should get more looks. Bulger has been benched for running The Worst Show on Turf. Frerotte was a capable QB for the Dolphins a couple seasons ago and may actually help Holt's value. The Cardinal D is a nice "sleeper" pick this week.
Lions @ Redskins Lion Offense - Receiving: 343.9 (1), Rushing: 74.5 (31) Redskin Defense - Receiving: 230.3 (12), Rushing: 92 (9)
Redskin Offense - Receiving: 207 (23), Rushing: 134.3 (10) Lion Defense - Receiving: 293 (32), Rushing: 114.2 (17)
START: Jon Kitna, Roy Williams, Shaun McDonald, Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley CONSIDER: Kevin Jones, Calvin Johnson (check), Mike Furrey, Jason Campbell, Santana Moss (check) BENCH: Tatum Bell, Antwaan Randle El, Redskin Defense
It's been a long, long time since the Lions won in the nation's capital. Look for the Lions to pass, a lot, only the Packers have a more unbalanced offense. Kevin Jones will see an increased workload this week, and is a viable option if your other options are injured or unattractive. Lion WRs are must starts. Calvin Johnson will likely be limited if he plays this week, increasing the value of McDonald and Furrey. It's tough to recommend Campbell again, after his disappointing performance against the Giants a couple weeks ago, but the Lion pass D is horrible. It is extremely unlikely that Santana Moss plays, but if he does start, he makes a nice option although he likely wouldn't see a ton of action.
Dolphins @ Texans - Dome Dolphin Offense - Receiving: 245.5 (12), Rushing: 95 (21) Texan Defense - Receiving: 245 (21), Rushing: 80 (6)
Texan Offense - Receiving: 251.2 (8), Rushing: 88.8 (23) Dolphin Defense - Receiving: 151.8 (2), Rushing: 199.2 (32)
START: Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, Ahman Green (check), Ron Dayne (check Green) CONSIDER: Dolphin Defense, Texan Defense BENCH: Trent Green, Marty Booker, Matt Schaub, Kevin Walter, Andre Davis, Owen Daniels
The Dolphins have an awesome pass defense, to go along with a terrible rush defense. The Texans WRs are all injured, so they should look to pound the rock with Ahman Green if he's active, or else with Ron Dayne. The Texans have a tough rush defense, but Ronnie Brown is absolutely on fire at the moment. Their pass defense is shaky, so Chambers makes a nice start.
Please visit Image:Fantola.jpg Fantola - for further analysis, including the late games and the prime time games.
Sorry, the formatting on ArmchairGM is extremely difficult to do correctly, so everything is bunched together here.
