The Fantasy Football Geek Blog

Why not K and DST? Because screw K and DST, that’s why.

Quarterback

1. Peyton Manning (@ HOU) – The Houston franchise belongs to Bob McNair on paper, but here in the real world, Peyton Manning owns the Texans (last four games: 297.2 yards on average, 10 total TDs, 0 total INTs). This has bounce-back game written all over it. 
2. Tony Romo (vs CIN) – He’ll be getting T.O. the damn ball as much as he needs to against the atrocious Cincy defense. If Carson Palmer is able to start, move him to #1. Without Palmer, Cincy won’t be able to score much, which means the Dallas offense will mostly go through Marion Barber.
3. Drew Brees (vs MIN) – The solid Vikings defense remains better at stopping ground attacks than aerial assaults, which suits the pass-happy Saints just fine. Receiver Robert Meachem is an emerging star who has taken advantage of Colston’s absence by gaining Brees’ trust.
4. Jay Cutler (vs TB) – The Bucs’ secondary has been subpar all season, and they’re likely in for a humbling afternoon in the mile-high city. Drew Brees tore them apart in week 1 to the tune of 343 yards and 3 TDs, and I’d expect something similar out of Cutler.
5. Philip Rivers (@ MIA) – Sunny skies, an opposing defense that gives up the 7th-most passing yards per game, and the #2 overall fantasy QB through four weeks… what’s not to like?

Running Back

1. Adrian Peterson (@ NO) – I’ve got your game recap already: Drew Brees with another touchdown pass! Adrian Peterson with another touchdown run! (Repeat until game conclusion.)
2. Marion Barber (vs CIN) - If Palmer won’t start, move Barber to #1, and consider Felix Jones a worthy flex play.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson (@ MIA) – The Miami rush defense has been surprisingly solid, allowing only 90 yards per game (10th-best in the league), but Tomlinson is healthy again – he isn’t even on the team’s injury report. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s 100%, but I wouldn’t bet against a big game from him this week.
4. Frank Gore (vs NE) - After what the ‘Fins did to them in week 3, the New England defense is officially labeled “vulnerable” until further notice. And Gore’s looking good, by which I mean the inevitable major injury hasn’t happened yet. Oh, and the 4.9 ypc is nice.
5. Joseph Addai (@ HOU) - He’s healthy, he’s due for a big game, and Houston’s 27th-ranked rush defense is in his way. 

Wide Receiver

1. Terrell Owens (vs CIN) – He’ll bitch, he’ll cry, and he’ll be rewarded.
2. Brandon Marshall (vs TB) - Averaging 133 yards and 1 TD per game. 
3. Steve Smith (vs KC) - Delhomme and Smith are back to their old antics, and with the Chiefs in town, expect big things.
4. Reggie Wayne (@HOU) – He’s been solid but unspectacular so far. The weird thing about Wayne is that it’s hard to get too excited about him – during his excellent overall season in ’07, he only had one multi-TD game. He’ll get his share this week, at least.
5. Calvin Johnson (vs CHI) – Only four teams are giving up more passing yards per game than the Bears. I think CJ and Brandon Marshall are going to be the two best receivers in the league for years to come.

Tight End

1. Jason Witten (CIN) – Looks like the shoulder issues are behind him. He’s on a different plane from everyone else (even Gates, for the moment anyway), and is the #1 TE every week. Except his bye week. He’s like #3 or so then.
2. Antonio Gates (@ MIA) - The touchdowns keep on coming in, but that train could derail at any moment, and then what do you have? He’s averaging 3.75 receptions per game, compared to just under 7 per game for Witten. On the bright side, he’s getting healthier, and the rest of the competition at the position is pretty lame this year.
3. Tony Gonzalez (@ CAR) – He’s going to break Shannon Sharpe’s all-time TE yardage record this week (just needs 3 more yards). Way to go Tony.
4. Chris Cooley (@ PHI) – He’s getting plenty of targets, so the touchdowns will come.
5. Dallas Clark (@ HOU) – When Peyton has dominated the Texans in the recent past, it’s usually been with a lot of help from Clark. Expect more of the same this week.