Week 5
Games through October 6

• Tweet

• Tweet

START

QB:

Jeff Garcia, SF: Fantasy owners had great expectations of Garcia this season, but so far, San Francisco’s signal-caller hasn’t delivered. Last week’s loss to Minnesota, in which Garcia threw three interceptions, was particularly frustrating, and culminated in Terrell Owens criticizing his quarterback. Garcia has something to prove this week, and a visit by the Lions, whose defense is third-worst in the league against the pass, looks like a good opportunity to bounce back.

Jake Delhomme, Car: The Panthers have taken a lot of people by surprise this season, remaining unbeaten after the first four weeks. Of course, the defense and Stephen Davis deserve much of the credit, but Delhomme has played an important role by bringing stability to the QB position. While that doesn’t make him a fantasy star, Delhomme, who faces the struggling Saints at home on Sunday, could be a good option as a bye-week fill-in.

Others to start:
Tommy Maddox, Pit
Trent Green, KC
Tom Brady, NE
Peyton Manning, Ind
Joey Harrington, Det
Donovan McNabb, Phi

No-brainers:
Rich Gannon, Oak
Brett Favre, GB
Drew Bledsoe, Buf
Steve McNair, Ten
Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
Patrick Ramsey, Was

RB:

Anthony Thomas, Chi: Last week, the A-Train rushed for over 100 yards for the first time this season, and might be able to do it again on Sunday against Oakland. The Bears still have all kinds of problems on offense, but the Raiders defense, is banged up (and allowing 154 yards rushing per game). Starting any member of Chicago’s offense is a risk, but if you’ve been patiently holding on to Thomas, you might not find a better matchup for some time. Note that although the shoulder injury Thomas sustained last week shouldn’t prevent him from starting, it would be wise to make sure before submitting your roster.

Troy Hambrick, Dal: Hambrick is one of the prototype players you might want to start if the matchup is right, but should leave on your bench against stingier defenses. This week it looks like thumbs up, as Hambrick should find room to run against the Cardinals, who have allowed more points than any other team so far.

Others to start:
Charlie Garner, Oak
Kevin Faulk, NE
Garrison Hearst, SF
Tiki Barber, NYG
Amos Zereoue, Pit

No-brainers:
Fred Taylor, Jax
Ahman Green, GB
LaDainan Tomlinson, SD
Deuce McAllister, NO
Clinton Portis, Den (if cleared to start)
Stephen Davis, Car
Ricky Williams, Mia
Shaun Alexander, Sea
Priest Holmes, KC

WR:

Antonio Bryant, Dal: Bryant could surpass disappointment Terry Glenn on the Cowboys’ depth chart very soon, and might even receive the start this week. But even if he doesn’t start, Bryant could still produce decent numbers against the Cardinals at home.

Steve Smith, Car: While Muhsin Muhammad is a very unreliable fantasy option, Smith has displayed good separation, and should have a lot of room this Sunday against the lowly Saints pass defense. Smith’s return yards (212 through three games) are a nice bonus in many scoring formats, so if you need a fill-in this week, Smith could fit the bill.

Others to start:
Troy Brown, NE
Rod Smith, Den
Derrick Mason, Ten
Plaxico Burress, Pit (if cleared to start)
Quincy Morgan, Cle
Anquan Boldin, Ari
Donald Driver, GB
Chris Chambers, Mia
Jimmy Smith, Jax
Keyshawn Johnson, TB

No-brainers:
Amani Toomer, NYG
Terell Owens, SF
Marvin Harrison, Ind
Randy Moss, Min
Hines Ward, Pit
Eric Moulds, Buf
Laveranues Coles, Was
Joe Horn, NO
Chad Johnson, Cin
Jerry Rice, Oak
Koren Robinson, Sea

TE/K/D:

Jay Riemersma, TE; Pit: Riemersma is getting more and more comfortable with the offense in Steel City and should be an endzone threat again soon, as he was in his days in Buffalo. If you’re hurting at the tight end position, Riemersma could be worth a shot, assuming his various bumps and bruises don’t limit him on Sunday.

Paul Edinger, K, Chi: If you need a bye-week replacement at kicker this week, you might want to consider Paul Edinger. The Bears have showed slight improvement offensively and are playing an Oakland defense which hasn’t been able to stop anyone so far. This should work out well for Edinger, who could get several scoring opportunities this week.

Kansas City: While the Chiefs were known for a high-powering offense in the last season, their defense was porous at best. They’ve made considerable strides, however, and even lead the league in takeaways with 14. If they are still available, picking them up could pay dividends in leagues which award significant points for turnovers, even though they face a solid Denver offense.

 
BENCH

QB:

Jake Plummer, Den: Plummer has looked solid the last three weeks, throwing for a total of seven touchdowns with no interceptions since a bad game on opening day. We still aren’t sure whether to believe in Plummer, as the defenses he faced in that span – Oakland, San Diego and Detroit – haven’t been a true test of his value yet. The Chiefs could prove to be a greater challenge and will attempt to put serious pressure of Plummer. He has had trouble in similar situations throughout his career, and we can’t sure how he will fare on Sunday. If you have other options, this might be a week to play safe.

Aaron Brooks, NO: Brooks was a disappointment last Sunday against Indianapolis, and he might have another rough week at Carolina this week. The Panthers field a daunting defense, and the Saints, whose offense hasn’t started to click yet, could have trouble moving the ball.

RB:

Eddie George, Ten: George was on this list last week and deservedly so, as he was practically invisible in the Titans’ rout of the Steelers. It may not get any better for George this week, as New England’s defense has improved against the run.

Edgerrin James, Ind: The Edge didn’t play last week, and it’s still uncertain whether he will play on Monday night. He might be a game-time decision, which would leave a lot of owners guessing at Sunday’s submission deadline. However, we will make it easy for you: unless it’s confirmed that James will definitely play, simply bench him and look for other options this week. Receiving a zero from your RB is too great a risk, and even if he does wind up starting, he may not produce solid numbers against Tampa Bay.

WR:

Marty Booker, Chi: Chicago’s passing game is still under construction with Kordell Stewart at QB, and the Bears may look to run often on Sunday. Even worse for Booker owners, it doesn’t appear as if he has established a solid on-field relationship with Stewart. While Booker is always a threat, he’s an unreliable option right now.

Donte Stallworth, NO: If the QB is on the sit list, that doesn’t spell good news for the WRs as well. The Saints offense is sputtering, and Aaron Brooks is looking for Joe Horn more often than Stallworth. Stallworth is another WR who can post good numbers in any given week, but could also disappear. If you have more dependable receivers, consider benching Stallworth in spite of his upside.

TE/K/D:

Dallas Clark, Ind: We had him on this list last week, and Clark proved us wrong by scoring a TD. However, that eleven yard catch was his only reception of the game, and he will face an even tougher matchup this week. The young TE will play Tampa Bay’s strong and quick LBs for the first time and may struggle against the Bucs’ fierce coverage.

Phil Dawson, K, Cle: With the Browns struggling to advance the ball, Dawson hasn’t been a good fantasy option this season. Starting him against Pittsburgh has to be considered a risky proposition.

Green Bay: The Packers face off against one of the strongest teams in the NFL so far, the Seattle Seahawks. Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselbeck spearhead a solid attack, and also had a bye week to prepare for this meeting. There are safer options for your defense this week.

 
Fantasy Football Cafe’s Start & Sit lists are suggestions intended to give fantasy football players an edge in their weekly matchups. Savvy owners will see these lists not as an absolute ranking, but as an indication of possible outcomes of a given week, and use them together with their own opinions and hunches to field the lineup that will give their team the greatest odds of winning. The Start & Sit lists are compiled by Dan Spazierer (not Madame Zelda). For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section.