The Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, and Packers registered impressive wins last week to move to 4-0, while the Dolphins and Rams once again failed to collect their first victory. Hopefully your fantasy team’s record is closer to the former than the latter. If you did manage to make it out of Week 4 unscathed, consider yourself lucky. Many fantasy teams were devastated by a rash of injuries around the league combined with the first round of bye weeks. But now Week 4 is over, and Week 5 is rapidly approaching. For some insight into this weekend’s matchups, I give you the Cafe’s Start and Sit!
Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.
Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.
Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.
The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:
Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.
| Quarterbacks | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Tom Brady – NE | vs CLE | 18.0 | 1.3 | 9.3 |
| Tony Romo – DAL | at BUF | 17.3 | 1.7 | 9.1 |
| Peyton Manning – IND | vs TB | 17.1 | 1.8 | 8.9 |
| Jon Kitna – DET | at WAS | 14.1 | 3.5 | 7.6 |
| Vince Young – TEN | vs ATL | 13.8 | 3.8 | 7.6 |
| Brett Favre – GB | vs CHI | 13.7 | 3.8 | 7.5 |
| Ben Roethlisberger – PIT | vs SEA | 13.6 | 4.1 | 7.7 |
| Eli Manning – NYG | vs NYJ | 13.3 | 4.2 | 7.5 |
| Jason Campbell – WAS | vs DET | 12.9 | 4.0 | 6.9 |
| Jay Cutler – DEN | vs SD | 12.2 | 4.2 | 6.4 |
| Drew Brees – NO | vs CAR | 12.2 | 5.7 | 7.8 |
| Matt Hasselbeck – SEA | at PIT | 12.0 | 5.0 | 7.1 |
| Matt Schaub – HOU | vs MIA | 11.9 | 4.7 | 6.6 |
| Chad Pennington – NYJ | at NYG | 11.2 | 5.4 | 6.6 |
| David Garrard – JAC | at KC | 10.8 | 4.9 | 5.7 |
| Derek Anderson – CLE | at NE | 10.6 | 6.4 | 6.9 |
| David Carr – CAR | at NO | 10.5 | 5.6 | 6.0 |
| Trent Green – MIA | at HOU | 10.2 | 5.3 | 5.5 |
| Philip Rivers – SD | at DEN | 10.1 | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| Joey Harrington – ATL | at TEN | 10.1 | 5.9 | 6.0 |
| Jeff Garcia – TB | at IND | 10.0 | 5.8 | 5.8 |
| Trent Edwards – BUF | vs. DAL | 9.2 | 6.2 | 5.3 |
| Kurt Warner – ARI | at STL | 9.1 | 7.3 | 6.4 |
| Matt Leinart – ARI | at STL | 9.1 | 7.4 | 6.4 |
| Damon Huard – KC | vs JAC | 9.0 | 6.0 | 5.0 |
| Steve McNair – BAL | at SF | 8.8 | 6.1 | 4.9 |
| Brian Griese – CHI | at GB | 8.1 | 6.4 | 4.5 |
| Gus Frerotte – STL | vs ARI | 7.5 | 7.2 | 4.7 |
| Trent Dilfer – SF | vs BAL | 7.3 | 7.4 | 4.8 |
Start:
Brett Favre, GB (13.7 rating): The Packers are letting Favre go to the air early and often, and so far it’s working. The NFL’s all time leading touchdown passer has eight touchdowns this year and only two interceptions. The Bears were missing both of their starting corners last week against the Lions, and it showed. Jon Kitna put up 247 yards and a couple of TDs, leading the Lions to a big come-from-behind win. With corners Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman still banged up, and other big names like Tommie Harris and Lance Briggs also on the injury report, Favre should have a nice game.
Sit:
Derek Anderson, CLE (10.6 rating): I’ll admit, I think Derek Anderson may actually be pretty good. He’s had at least two touchdowns in each of his three starts. That alone would entice many owners to give him a look this week, but unfortunately the matchup is not in his favor. It is hard to recommend anyone against the Patriots with the way they are playing right now. Then again, if Anderson produces against New England, he’s certainly going to turn a lot of heads.
| Running Backs | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| LaDainian Tomlinson – SD | at DEN | 17.0 | 1.9 | 8.8 |
| Willie Parker – PIT | vs SEA | 15.7 | 2.9 | 8.6 |
| Joseph Addai – IND | vs TB | 15.5 | 3.1 | 8.6 |
| Ronnie Brown – MIA | at HOU | 15.0 | 3.2 | 8.3 |
| Edgerrin James – ARI | at STL | 14.9 | 2.7 | 7.6 |
| Marion Barber – DAL | at BUF | 14.5 | 3.1 | 7.6 |
| Willis McGahee – BAL | at SF | 14.4 | 3.0 | 7.4 |
| Larry Johnson – KC | vs JAC | 13.6 | 3.5 | 7.2 |
| Reggie Bush – NO | vs CAR | 13.6 | 4.3 | 7.9 |
| Shaun Alexander – SEA | at PIT | 12.9 | 4.4 | 7.2 |
| Selvin Young – DEN | vs SD | 12.8 | 4.8 | 7.6 |
| Frank Gore – SF | vs BAL | 12.7 | 4.6 | 7.3 |
| Clinton Portis – WAS | vs DET | 12.2 | 4.5 | 6.7 |
| Marshawn Lynch – BUF | vs. DAL | 12.1 | 4.9 | 7.0 |
| DeShaun Foster – CAR | at NO | 12.0 | 4.4 | 6.4 |
| Sammy Morris – NE | vs CLE | 11.9 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| Thomas Jones – NYJ | at NYG | 11.8 | 4.2 | 6.1 |
| Julius Jones – DAL | at BUF | 11.8 | 3.8 | 5.6 |
| LenDale White – TEN | vs ATL | 11.6 | 4.6 | 6.2 |
| Derrick Ward – NYG | vs NYJ | 11.4 | 5.2 | 6.6 |
| Brian Leonard – STL | vs ARI | 11.1 | 4.6 | 5.6 |
| Ladell Betts – WAS | vs DET | 11.1 | 5.4 | 6.5 |
| Cedric Benson – CHI | at GB | 10.8 | 5.1 | 5.9 |
| Chris Brown – TEN | vs ATL | 10.6 | 5.0 | 5.6 |
| Kevin Jones – DET | at WAS | 10.4 | 5.4 | 5.8 |
| Fred Taylor – JAC | at KC | 10.3 | 5.1 | 5.4 |
| DeAngelo Williams – CAR | at NO | 10.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Jamal Lewis – CLE | at NE | 10.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Laurence Maroney – NE | vs CLE | 10.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC | at KC | 10.0 | 5.4 | 5.4 |
| Earnest Graham – TB | at IND | 9.9 | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Warrick Dunn – ATL | at TEN | 9.8 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Michael Pittman – TB | at IND | 9.8 | 5.5 | 5.3 |
| Tatum Bell – DET | at WAS | 9.1 | 5.7 | 4.8 |
| Aaron Stecker – NO | vs CAR | 8.9 | 5.6 | 4.5 |
| Brandon Jacobs – NYG | vs NYJ | 8.7 | 6.8 | 5.5 |
| Ron Dayne – HOU | vs MIA | 8.6 | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Jerious Norwood – ATL | at TEN | 8.4 | 6.4 | 4.8 |
| Ahman Green – HOU | vs MIA | 8.3 | 5.9 | 4.2 |
| Kenton Keith – IND | vs TB | 7.9 | 6.4 | 4.2 |
| Kevin Faulk – NE | vs CLE | 7.8 | 5.9 | 3.7 |
| Travis Henry – DEN | vs SD | 7.7 | 6.5 | 4.2 |
| DeShawn Wynn – GB | vs CHI | 7.6 | 6.5 | 4.1 |
| Michael Turner – SD | at DEN | 7.5 | 6.0 | 3.4 |
| Reuben Droughns – NYG | vs NYJ | 7.4 | 6.4 | 3.8 |
| Vernand Morency – GB | vs CHI | 7.3 | 6.7 | 4.0 |
| Samkon Gado – HOU | vs MIA | 7.2 | 6.4 | 3.6 |
| Leon Washington – NYJ | at NYG | 6.9 | 6.7 | 3.6 |
| Adrian Peterson – CHI | at GB | 6.8 | 6.8 | 3.6 |
| Najeh Davenport – PIT | vs SEA | 6.6 | 6.7 | 3.3 |
| Brandon Jackson – GB | vs CHI | 6.5 | 7.1 | 3.6 |
| Chris Henry – TEN | vs ATL | 6.3 | 6.9 | 3.1 |
| Maurice Morris – SEA | at PIT | 6.2 | 6.8 | 2.9 |
| Marcel Shipp – ARI | at STL | 6.1 | 6.9 | 2.9 |
| Jesse Chatman – MIA | at HOU | 6.1 | 7.2 | 3.2 |
| Greg Jones – JAC | at KC | 5.9 | 7.1 | 2.9 |
| Michael Bennett – KC | vs JAC | 5.8 | 7.2 | 2.9 |
| Musa Smith – BAL | at SF | 5.6 | 7.1 | 2.7 |
| Mike Anderson – BAL | at SF | 5.4 | 7.3 | 2.7 |
| Anthony Thomas – BUF | vs. DAL | 4.7 | 7.9 | 2.6 |
| Michael Robinson – SF | vs BAL | 4.3 | 7.9 | 2.1 |
| Jerome Harrison – CLE | at NE | 3.2 | 8.5 | 1.6 |
Start:
Reggie Bush, NO (13.6 rating): It will be interesting to see how Deuce McAllister’s injury affects Bush. Will the extra carries allow Reggie to put up better numbers? Or will Deuce’s absence allow defenses to key on the Heisman trophy winner and limit his effectiveness? My guess is that it will help more than hurt. Bush will have to step up this week if the Saints are going to get their first win against a struggling Carolina Panthers squad.
Sit:
Tatum Bell, DET (9.1 rating): Kevin Jones appears to be officially back in the fold. Jones and Bell are likely split carries 50-50 for the foreseeable future, and at this point half of the Detroit running game does not seem to be worth starting. The Redskins run defense is much improved over last season. Mike Martz will probably look to Jon Kitna and the passing game to carry the load this week.
| Wide Receivers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Randy Moss – NE | vs CLE | 18.1 | 1.2 | 9.2 |
| Terrell Owens – DAL | at BUF | 16.2 | 2.1 | 8.3 |
| Steve Smith – CAR | at NO | 15.5 | 2.8 | 8.3 |
| Plaxico Burress – NYG | vs NYJ | 15.1 | 3.2 | 8.3 |
| Reggie Wayne – IND | vs TB | 14.8 | 3.7 | 8.5 |
| Roy Williams – DET | at WAS | 14.8 | 3.3 | 8.0 |
| Larry Fitzgerald – ARI | at STL | 13.9 | 4.0 | 8.0 |
| Santonio Holmes – PIT | vs SEA | 13.6 | 4.1 | 7.7 |
| Patrick Crayton – DAL | at BUF | 13.5 | 3.4 | 6.8 |
| Laveranues Coles – NYJ | at NYG | 13.4 | 3.8 | 7.2 |
| Wes Welker – NE | vs CLE | 13.0 | 3.5 | 6.5 |
| Marques Colston – NO | vs CAR | 12.9 | 4.1 | 7.1 |
| Torry Holt – STL | vs ARI | 12.9 | 4.6 | 7.6 |
| Braylon Edwards – CLE | at NE | 12.6 | 4.8 | 7.4 |
| Donald Driver – GB | vs CHI | 12.4 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| Deion Branch – SEA | at PIT | 12.3 | 4.8 | 7.1 |
| Antwaan Randle El – WAS | vs DET | 12.3 | 3.5 | 5.8 |
| Bernard Berrian – CHI | at GB | 12.3 | 4.4 | 6.7 |
| Brandon Marshall – DEN | vs SD | 12.2 | 3.9 | 6.2 |
| Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ | at NYG | 12.2 | 4.1 | 6.3 |
| Chris Chambers – MIA | at HOU | 12.2 | 4.4 | 6.6 |
| Dwayne Bowe – KC | vs JAC | 12.1 | 4.5 | 6.6 |
| Santana Moss – WAS | vs DET | 11.9 | 4.9 | 6.7 |
| Joey Galloway – TB | at IND | 11.8 | 4.9 | 6.7 |
| Shaun McDonald – DET | at WAS | 11.7 | 4.8 | 6.5 |
| Greg Jennings – GB | vs CHI | 11.7 | 4.8 | 6.5 |
| Lee Evans – BUF | vs. DAL | 11.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 |
| Vincent Jackson – SD | at DEN | 10.9 | 5.4 | 6.3 |
| Donte Stallworth – NE | vs CLE | 10.7 | 4.4 | 5.2 |
| Derrick Mason – BAL | at SF | 10.6 | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Darrell Jackson – SF | vs BAL | 10.5 | 5.2 | 5.7 |
| Marvin Harrison – IND | vs TB | 10.4 | 6.2 | 6.6 |
| Joe Jurevicius – CLE | at NE | 10.2 | 5.6 | 5.8 |
| Amani Toomer – NYG | vs NYJ | 10.2 | 4.7 | 4.9 |
| Javon Walker – DEN | vs SD | 10.2 | 5.7 | 5.9 |
| Mike Furrey – DET | at WAS | 10.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Michael Jenkins – ATL | at TEN | 10.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| James Jones – GB | vs CHI | 10.1 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Roydell Williams – TEN | vs ATL | 9.9 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Isaac Bruce – STL | vs ARI | 9.9 | 5.5 | 5.4 |
| Calvin Johnson – DET | at WAS | 9.9 | 5.7 | 5.6 |
| Eric Moulds – TEN | vs ATL | 9.8 | 4.9 | 4.7 |
| Brandon Jones – TEN | vs ATL | 9.8 | 5.2 | 4.9 |
| Roddy White – ATL | at TEN | 9.8 | 5.6 | 5.4 |
| Drew Carter – CAR | at NO | 9.7 | 5.0 | 4.7 |
| Muhsin Muhammad – CHI | at GB | 9.6 | 5.1 | 4.7 |
| Reggie Williams – JAC | at KC | 9.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 |
| Marty Booker – MIA | at HOU | 9.6 | 5.3 | 4.9 |
| Anthony Gonzalez – IND | vs TB | 9.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Devery Henderson – NO | vs CAR | 9.4 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Brandon Stokely – DEN | vs SD | 9.4 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Bobby Engram – SEA | at PIT | 9.3 | 6.0 | 5.3 |
| Brandon Lloyd – WAS | vs DET | 9.1 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Nate Burleson – SEA | at PIT | 8.8 | 6.1 | 4.9 |
| Roscoe Parrish – BUF | vs. DAL | 8.7 | 5.9 | 4.6 |
| Anquan Boldin – ARI | at STL | 8.5 | 7.5 | 5.9 |
| Michael Clayton – TB | at IND | 8.3 | 5.7 | 4.0 |
| Drew Bennett – STL | vs ARI | 8.2 | 6.0 | 4.2 |
| Nate Washington – PIT | vs SEA | 8.2 | 5.9 | 4.0 |
| Mark Clayton – BAL | at SF | 7.9 | 6.2 | 4.0 |
| Bryant Johnson – ARI | at STL | 7.8 | 6.3 | 4.1 |
| Rashied Davis – CHI | at GB | 7.7 | 5.4 | 3.1 |
| Arnaz Battle – SF | vs BAL | 7.7 | 6.2 | 3.8 |
| Jabar Gaffney – NE | vs CLE | 7.6 | 5.9 | 3.4 |
| Ernest Wilford – JAC | at KC | 7.4 | 6.4 | 3.8 |
| Joe Horn – ATL | at TEN | 7.3 | 6.4 | 3.6 |
| Sammie Parker – KC | vs JAC | 7.2 | 6.6 | 3.7 |
| Hines Ward – PIT | vs SEA | 7.1 | 7.4 | 4.5 |
| Matt Jones – JAC | at KC | 6.9 | 6.6 | 3.4 |
| Kevin Walter – HOU | vs MIA | 6.9 | 7.0 | 3.9 |
| Demetrius Williams – BAL | at SF | 6.8 | 6.6 | 3.4 |
| Buster Davis – SD | at DEN | 6.6 | 7.0 | 3.6 |
| Derek Hagan – MIA | at HOU | 6.5 | 6.5 | 3.1 |
| Cedrick Wilson – PIT | vs SEA | 6.5 | 6.5 | 3.0 |
| Dwayne Jarrett – CAR | at NO | 6.5 | 6.2 | 2.7 |
| Maurice Stovall – TB | at IND | 6.5 | 6.8 | 3.3 |
| Jacoby Jones – HOU | vs MIA | 5.8 | 7.3 | 3.1 |
| Sam Aiken – BUF | vs. DAL | 5.7 | 6.8 | 2.5 |
| Terrance Copper – NO | vs CAR | 4.9 | 6.8 | 1.7 |
| Robert Meachem – NO | vs CAR | 4.6 | 7.4 | 1.9 |
Start:
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (13.9 rating): Fitzgerald got off to kind of a slow start, and he still has not found the endzone, but his fortunes seem to be turning. With Anquan Boldin banged up, Fitzgerald has become the clear #1 threat in the Cardinal offense. He recorded ten catches for 120 yards in Arizona’s upset win over the Steelers last week. Boldin is questionable to start this week, but whether he does or not, Fitzgerald has the potential for a huge day. The Rams offense fell apart last week against Dallas, but the Cowboys still have a suspect secondary. Arizona’s offense is not as explosive as Dallas, but Fitzgerald could wreak havoc on a weak secondary.
Sit:
Darrell Jackson, SF (10.5 rating): 49ers quarterback Trent Dilfer looked lost against the Sehawks last week in relief of Alex Smith, and that’s putting it nicely. He completed less than 40% of his passes with two interceptions. With Dilfer at the helm again this week against the Ravens, I would avoid starting any 49er offensive players.
| Tight Ends | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Jason Witten – DAL | at BUF | 16.1 | 2.2 | 8.2 |
| Antonio Gates – SD | at DEN | 15.9 | 2.8 | 8.6 |
| Ben Watson – NE | vs CLE | 15.1 | 2.6 | 7.7 |
| Chris Cooley – WAS | vs DET | 14.8 | 2.7 | 7.6 |
| Dallas Clark – IND | vs TB | 14.7 | 3.4 | 8.1 |
| Jeremy Shockey – NYG | vs NYJ | 14.4 | 3.0 | 7.4 |
| Tony Gonzalez – KC | vs JAC | 13.5 | 4.0 | 7.5 |
| Heath Miller – PIT | vs SEA | 13.3 | 3.5 | 6.8 |
| Todd Heap – BAL | at SF | 12.7 | 3.9 | 6.6 |
| Alge Crumpler – ATL | at TEN | 12.4 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
| Kellen Winslow – CLE | at NE | 11.8 | 4.3 | 6.1 |
| Desmond Clark – CHI | at GB | 11.3 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Jeff King – CAR | at NO | 10.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 |
| Eric Johnson – NO | vs CAR | 10.6 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| Owen Daniels – HOU | vs MIA | 10.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 |
| Bubba Franks – GB | vs CHI | 10.4 | 5.2 | 5.6 |
| Bo Scaife – TEN | vs ATL | 10.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 |
| Tony Scheffler – DEN | vs SD | 10.1 | 4.9 | 4.9 |
| Daniel Graham – DEN | vs SD | 9.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Chris Baker – NYJ | at NYG | 9.5 | 5.5 | 4.9 |
| Marcus Pollard – SEA | at PIT | 9.3 | 5.6 | 4.9 |
| Ben Troupe – TEN | vs ATL | 8.9 | 5.2 | 4.1 |
| Donald Lee – GB | vs CHI | 8.9 | 5.5 | 4.4 |
| Anthony Fasano – DAL | at BUF | 8.8 | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| Greg Olsen – CHI | at GB | 8.7 | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Randy McMichael – STL | vs ARI | 8.7 | 6.1 | 4.8 |
| David Martin – MIA | at HOU | 8.3 | 5.6 | 3.9 |
| George Wrighster – JAC | at KC | 8.0 | 6.2 | 4.3 |
| Alex Smith – TB | at IND | 7.8 | 5.6 | 3.4 |
| Marcedes Lewis – JAC | at KC | 7.6 | 6.4 | 4.0 |
| Ben Utecht – IND | vs TB | 7.6 | 6.4 | 4.0 |
| Dan Campbell – DET | at WAS | 7.4 | 6.2 | 3.6 |
| Matt Spaeth – PIT | vs SEA | 7.4 | 6.5 | 3.9 |
| Leonard Pope – ARI | at STL | 7.3 | 6.3 | 3.6 |
| Anthony Becht – TB | at IND | 7.3 | 5.8 | 3.1 |
| Kyle Brady – NE | vs CLE | 7.2 | 5.8 | 2.9 |
| Itula Mili – SEA | at PIT | 6.9 | 6.5 | 3.4 |
| Robert Royal – BUF | vs. DAL | 6.8 | 6.3 | 3.1 |
| Jeb Putzier – HOU | vs MIA | 6.5 | 6.6 | 3.1 |
| Delanie Walker – SF | vs BAL | 6.3 | 7.1 | 3.4 |
Start:
Ben Watson, NE (15.1 rating): My vote of confidence for Dallas Clark last week seemed to work out well for him (yes I am taking the credit!). Let’s see if I can do the same for Watson. The Patriots should have plenty of opportunities in the redzone against Cleveland. Watson has caught three touchdowns in the first four games, so Brady is looking his way near the goal line.
Sit:
Jeff King, CAR (10.7 rating): Jeff King was looking like a solid sleeper in the early weeks of the season, but Jake Delhomme’s absence from the lineup last week hurt him and the rest of the Panther’s receivers. With Carr likely to start again this week, Jeff King is an iffy start.
| Kickers | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Adam Vinatieri – IND | vs TB | 15.1 | 3.2 | 8.3 |
| Stephen Gostkowski – NE | vs CLE | 14.8 | 2.4 | 7.1 |
| Nick Folk – DAL | at BUF | 14.2 | 3.1 | 7.2 |
| Matt Stover – BAL | at SF | 13.6 | 3.9 | 7.5 |
| Jeff Reed – PIT | vs SEA | 13.5 | 4.1 | 7.5 |
| Jason Hanson – DET | at WAS | 12.9 | 4.0 | 6.9 |
| Neil Rackers – ARI | at STL | 12.8 | 3.9 | 6.7 |
| Robbie Gould – CHI | at GB | 12.5 | 3.8 | 6.4 |
| Jason Elam – DEN | vs SD | 12.4 | 4.2 | 6.5 |
| Shaun Suisham – WAS | vs DET | 12.1 | 3.7 | 5.8 |
| John Kasay – CAR | at NO | 12.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 |
| Lawrence Tynes – NYG | vs NYJ | 12.1 | 3.7 | 5.8 |
| Morten Andersen – ATL | at TEN | 11.9 | 4.1 | 6.0 |
| Josh Brown – SEA | at PIT | 11.5 | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| Mason Crosby – GB | vs CHI | 11.4 | 4.8 | 6.3 |
| Nate Kaeding – SD | at DEN | 11.1 | 4.6 | 5.7 |
| Matt Bryant – TB | at IND | 10.9 | 4.8 | 5.8 |
| Kris Brown – HOU | vs MIA | 10.7 | 5.2 | 5.9 |
| Olindo Mare – NO | vs CAR | 10.5 | 4.6 | 5.0 |
| Jay Feely – MIA | at HOU | 10.5 | 4.9 | 5.4 |
| Dave Rayner – KC | vs JAC | 10.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Jeff Wilkins – STL | vs ARI | 10.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Rob Bironas – TEN | vs ATL | 10.1 | 5.0 | 5.1 |
| Mike Nugent – NYJ | at NYG | 10.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| John Carney – JAC | at KC | 10.0 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Joe Nedney – SF | vs BAL | 9.5 | 5.6 | 5.1 |
| Rian Lindell – BUF | vs. DAL | 9.3 | 5.2 | 4.5 |
| Phil Dawson – CLE | at NE | 9.3 | 6.2 | 5.4 |
Start:
Shaun Suisham, WAS (12.1 rating): I have been looking for a chance to show my boy Swishy some love, and this seems like a good week to do it. Suisham has hit 6 of 7 field goals on the season. The Lions are giving up over 30 points per game. And best of all, Suisham is probably a free agent in most leagues if you need a bye week replacement.
Sit:
Olindo Mare, NO (10.5 rating): Before the season, Olindo Mare looked to be a consistent kicker playing for a dome team with an explosive offense. Now, through three games, Mare has only made one field goal out of three, and the Saints offense is struggling. He should probably already be off your team until something changes in New Orleans.
| Team Defense | Opponent | Rating | Risk | Reward |
| Baltimore | at SF | 14.6 | 3.1 | 7.7 |
| Green Bay | vs CHI | 14.1 | 3.0 | 7.2 |
| Dallas | at BUF | 14.1 | 2.9 | 7.0 |
| Arizona | at STL | 12.3 | 3.7 | 6.0 |
| Indianapolis | vs TB | 12.3 | 4.4 | 6.6 |
| New England | vs CLE | 12.2 | 4.9 | 7.2 |
| Pittsburgh | vs SEA | 12.2 | 5.0 | 7.2 |
| Houston | vs MIA | 11.6 | 3.5 | 5.1 |
| Jacksonville | at KC | 11.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 |
| Denver | vs SD | 11.2 | 4.9 | 6.2 |
| New York Giants | vs NYJ | 11.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Tennessee | vs ATL | 11.2 | 4.6 | 5.7 |
| Chicago | at GB | 11.2 | 5.6 | 6.7 |
| Kansas City | vs JAC | 11.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 |
| San Diego | at DEN | 10.9 | 5.1 | 6.0 |
| Carolina | at NO | 10.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| San Francisco | vs BAL | 9.9 | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Atlanta | at TEN | 9.6 | 5.0 | 4.6 |
| Washington | vs DET | 9.3 | 5.9 | 5.2 |
| Miami | at HOU | 9.2 | 6.0 | 5.1 |
| Detroit | at WAS | 8.9 | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Seattle | at PIT | 8.8 | 6.3 | 5.1 |
| New York Jets | at NYG | 8.4 | 5.9 | 4.4 |
| New Orleans | vs CAR | 8.3 | 5.2 | 3.5 |
| St. Louis | vs ARI | 7.8 | 6.1 | 3.9 |
| Tampa Bay | at IND | 7.0 | 7.4 | 4.4 |
| Buffalo | vs. DAL | 5.2 | 8.0 | 3.2 |
| Cleveland | at NE | 4.6 | 8.4 | 3.0 |
Start:
Indianapolis (12.3 rating): The Colts’ defense has been surprisingly strong this year, even after losing key players like Cato June and Booger McFarland, helping the Colts to their 4-0 record. Tampa Bay is not off to a bad start either, thanks to the great play of their own defense. The Bucs offense however, was not exactly “explosive” to start with, and now they have lost their starting runningback, Cadillac Williams, for the season. Indianapolis is a solid, if unspectacular, start against Tampa.
Sit:
San Diego (10.9 rating): San Diego’s defense was a force last season, led by their dominating front seven. But nothing has gone right in for the Chargers this year. When you give up 30 points to a struggling Kansas City offense, fantasy owners are going to take notice. The Chargers don’t have the ideal matchup this week at Denver. The Broncos have some missing pieces on offense in Javon Walker (and potentially Travis Henry) but they do currently rank 5th in the NFL in scoring offense, and Mike Shanahan does do a good job of plugging backups into the skill positions. I would look elsewhere for a starting defense this week.
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, m16a, knapplc, MoDee, treat24, dream_017, Joelamosobadiah, latraffic, PMoneyTKE, and WaCougMBS for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
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