Week 5 Oct 6, 2004

Studs (* = new addition to the list)

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. Oakland
Dante Culpepper, Minnesota vs. Houston

-Steve McNair, Tennessee: Bruised sternum
-Michael Vick, Atlanta: inconsistent

Vinny Testaverde, Dallas (vs. N.Y. Giants): Vinny posted his lowest passing numbers of the season two weeks ago as the Cowboys defeated the Redskins before their bye week. This week, Vinny returns rested and should surpass the 300-yard mark for the third time this season with at least one score against a Giants pass defense that has already allowed 8 TDs via the air.

David Carr, Houston (vs. Minnesota): In case you haven't noticed, the Texans and David Carr especially, are posting solid fantasy numbers. Carr hasn't thrown for less than 220 yards in four weeks and have five TD passes. Expect a shootout in Texas as Carr tries to keep up with Culpepper and the Vikings.

Jeff Garcia, Cleveland (vs. Pittsburgh): Paging Kelly Holcomb...Kelly Holcomb please report to the huddle. Expect that call to be made very soon as Garcia doesn't look close to improving his game enough to retain the starting job.

Drew Brees, San Diego (vs. Jacksonville): Brees went from being on the verge of being replaced by youngster Philip Rivers to throwing three TDs and holding off Rivers for another week. Don't expect another 3-TD outing this week against the stingy Jags defense.

Studs (* = new addition to the list)

LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego vs. Jacksonville
Ahman Green, Green Bay vs. Tennessee
Clinton Portis, Washington vs. Baltimore
Jamal Lewis, Baltimore vs. Washington
Edgerrin James, Indianapolis vs. Oakland
Curtis Martin, N.Y. Jets vs. Buffalo
Shaun Alexander, Seattle vs. St. Louis

Removed from Studs list:
-Deuce McAllister, New Orleans: high ankle sprain, out
-Domanick Davis, Houston: ankle injury, questionable

Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants (vs. Dallas): This just in: Tiki is good. Real good. Leading the NFL in rushing with 415 yards and total yards with 619, Barber will soon find his way on the Studs list. Some sites recommend selling high with Barber, but if your league values receiving stats for RBs, you'd be better suited hanging on to Barber. Tiki matches up well again this week and should do some damage against Parcells' mates.

Chris Brown, Tennessee (vs. Green Bay): Brown finally came back to earth last week rushing for just 55 yards on 15 carries. With McNair expected to play this week and the Titans facing a Packers run defense that has allowed over 130 yards per game on the ground, expect Brown to crack the 100-yard mark again on his way to a big game.

Corey Dillon, New England (vs. Miami): Dillon has averaged close to five yards a carry this season, but has only received more than twenty carries once in a game. Expect the Pats to feed Dillon often this week against a Dolphins defense that has been susceptible to the run.

Kevin Jones, Detroit (vs. Atlanta): Chances are Jones will be listed as questionable this week with a high ankle sprain. Even if Jones was 100% healthy, he would not be recommended against a Falcons defense allowing only 63 yards per game on the ground.

Fred Taylor, Jacksonville (vs. San Diego): My, how the mighty have fallen. Taylor has been a stud for many years when healthy, but this year he just can't seem to put the whole package together. With Jacksonville rumoring to give Greg Jones more chances at the goal-line (thanks to Taylor's inability to gain the short yardage last week), Taylor's value take a huge hit.

Travis Henry, Buffalo (vs. N.Y. Jets): At least Henry hasn't fumbled yet this season! With Henry averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, it won't be long before McGahee starts getting longer looks. Things won't get any better for Henry this week against the undefeated J-E-T-S.

Studs (* = new addition to the list)

Randy Moss, Minnesota vs. Houston
Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis vs. Oakland
Torry Holt, St. Louis vs. Seattle
Hines Ward, Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland
Joe Horn, New Orleans vs. Tampa Bay
Derrick Mason, Tennessee vs. Green Bay
Laveranues Coles, Washington vs. Baltimore
Isaac Bruce, St. Louis vs. Seattle

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis (vs. Oakland): With Brandon Stokely emerging as yet another option for Manning (like he needs one), defenses may begin to shift their focus away from Wayne. If that happens, Wayne will make them pay. Expect Wayne to post a solid week in the Dome.

Darrell Jackson, Seattle (vs. St. Louis): D-Jax has been so-so thus far. No 100-yard games and no TDs aren't quite what we were expecting from the #1 option in the Seattle passing game. Expect Hasselbeck to open things up this week after the bye and he'll find Jackson enough to give him his first 100-yard game of the '04 season.

Roy Williams, Detroit (vs. Atlanta): In case you were wondering, yes, Williams is the real deal. Look for Williams to continue to impress this week against a porous Falcons pass defense padding his lead in the rookie of the year voting.

Muhsin Muhammad, Carolina (vs. Denver): Muhammad made some very impressive catches last week against Atlanta, but moving from the comfortable Carolina surroundings to Denver will make a significant difference. Expect a return to the middle of the pack for WRs for Muhammad.

Randy Hymes, Baltimore (vs. Washington): Hymes is the flavor of the week after a Monday night performance when he scored on a 57-yard TD pass. Just even thinking about picking up a Ravens WR should be a criminal offense. Keep it moving. Nothing to see here.

Marty Booker, Miami (vs. New England): Those that thought the Miami offense would find a spark with the return of Jay Fiedler last week against the Jets (present company included), were sadly mistaken. Booker came into a bad situation that has no signs of improving anytime soon. Who would have thought Booker would have been better in Chicago even with Jonathan Quinn at QB!

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. (San Francisco): Fitzgerald has been decent, but nothing overwhelming thus far. It'll be tough to have too many breakout games with the lack of weapons in Arizona. Unless Emmitt continues to drink from the fountain of youth, defenses will key on Fitzgerald keeping his stats to a minimum.

Studs (* = new addition to the list)

Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants vs. Dallas
Randy McMichael, Miami vs. New England
Daniel Graham, New England vs. Miami
*Eric Johnson, San Francisco vs. Arizona
*Antonio Gates, San Diego vs. Jacksonville

Removed from Studs list:
-Kellen Winslow, Cleveland: broken leg
-Todd Heap, Baltimore: ankle injury

Alge Crumpler, Atlanta (vs. Detroit): Okay, I'm now a believer. I watched Crumpler against the Panthers last week, and he is QUITE impressive. This will probably mark his last week not being on the Studs list as Crumpler should once again impress at home against the Lions.

Jason Witten, Dallas (vs. N.Y. Giants): With Testaverde throwing 80 passes a game, everyone in the Dallas offense has a chance to catch 5-7 passes per week. Look for Witten to play a role in the short passing game as well as on the goal-line this week against the G-Men.

Freddie Jones, Arizona (vs. San Francisco): The Cardinals offense isn't going to confuse anyone with the likes of Indy and Minnesota. The Niners have been decent against the pass and will be looking for payback after getting beat down by the Rams last week on Sunday night.

Jermaine Wiggins, Minnesota (vs. Houston): With Wiggins still recovering from a fractured hand, his status is up in the air for this week's game against the Texans. You'll need to look elsewhere for this week, but keep Wiggins on the brain for future reference.