Fantasy points galore in week four as the Brett Favre/Laveranues Coles connection dominated the Cardinals. Who cares about six turnovers when you get 472 yards and two TDs from Kurt Warner trying to respond? You won’t find as much fire power in the air this week, but there are some gems for running backs in week five despite the rash of injuries at the position.
When using this list, try and remember a couple basic rules:
1) Studs – Always play your studs. Each position will include a list of players that are considered studs and should not be benched. If you have the luxury of needing to decide between studs, check out the matchups or feel free to let the shark tank assist you in your decisions. This list will change from week to week.
2) Depth – Every fantasy team is different and some have more depth than others. Only follow the recommended moves if your team depth allows you to make such a move.
Enough of the chit-chat, onto the list!!
Teams on a bye week: N.Y. Jets,
Quarterbacks
Bye Weeks: Brett Favre, JaMarcus Russell, Marc Bulger, Derek Anderson
Studs
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis at Houston
Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. Minnesota
Tony Romo, Dallas vs. Cincinnati
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. Washington
Jay Cutler, Denver vs. Tampa Bay
Start
Matt Cassel, New England (at
Bench
Matt Schaub, Houston (vs.
Running Backs
Bye Weeks: Leon Washington, Thomas Jones, Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush, Steven Jackson, Jamal Lewis
Studs
LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego at Miami
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota at New Orleans
Clinton Portis, Washington at Philadelphia
Marion Barber, Dallas vs. Cincinnati
Larry Johnson, Kansas City at Carolina
Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. New England
Joseph Addai, Indianapolis at Houston
Reggie Bush, New Orleans vs. Minnesota
Start
Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants (vs. Seattle): Jacobs saw his 5.8 yards per carry average after the first two games drop after rushing for only 35 yards on 14 carries in week three against the Bengals. Look for a return to the five yards per carry this week as Eli Manning and the Giants keep the Seahawks on their heels with the passing game, and Jacobs dominates the middle bowling his way down field.
Steve Slaton, Houston (vs. Indianapolis): After catching only seven passes for 14 yards in his first two games, Slaton exploded with eight catches for 83 yards and a TD last week against the Jaguars. While Slaton is unlikely to match those receiving totals, it’s a safe bet that he will improve on the 33 rushing yards from last week as the Colts as still reeling from the beating they took from the Jaguars on the ground back in week three.
Bench
Wide Receivers
Bye Weeks: Jerricho Cotchery, Laveranues Coles, Chansi Stucky, Javon Walker, Ronald Curry, Dane Looker, Torry Holt, Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, Syndric Steptoe
Studs
Calvin Johnson, Detroit vs. Chicago
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at Houston
Greg Jennings, Green Bay vs. Atlanta
Randy Moss, New England at San Francisco
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona vs. Buffalo
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati at Dallas
Terrell Owens, Dallas vs. Cincinnati
Santana Moss, Washington at Philadelphia
Brandon Marshall, Denver vs. Tampa Bay
Steve Smith, Carolina vs. Kansas City
Andre Johnson, Houston vs. Indianapolis
Start
Wes Welker, New England (at
Roy Williams, Detroit (vs. Chicago): Tell me is you’ve heard this one before: 1) player grumbles to the press; 2) rumors fly about possible trades; 3) player shuts up and just plays posting big numbers squashing the trade talk. You’re about to see Step 3 take place in
Bench
Kevin Walter, Houston (vs.
Tight Ends
Bye Weeks: Chris Baker, Zach Miller, Randy McMichael, Kellen Winslow
Studs
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis at Houston
Jason Witten, Dallas vs. Cincinnati
Chris Cooley, Washington at Philadelphia
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City at Carolina
Antonio Gates, San Diego at Miami
Start
Reggie Kelly,
Bench
Tony Scheffler, Denver (vs. Tampa Bay): How the mighty have fallen! After Scheffler’s performance in week two, you would have expected his name listed up above under Antonio Gates. Scheffler continues to share time with Daniel Graham and with Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall showing no signs of slowing down, there’s simply not enough to go around for Scheffler.
Dante Rosario, Carolina (vs. Kansas City): After exploding for seven catches, 96 yards and a TD in week one, Rosario has combined for five catches for 42 yards and no TDs in the three last three weeks. Expect more of the same this week as the Chiefs hold Rosario and the rest of the Panthers passing attack in check.