FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Five Starters

It is now Week #5 in the NFL season, and this could be the week some fantasy football teams pull ahead of others and never look back. Here are some players to consider this week for your fantasy football team.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Kurt Warner- Once again, Kurt Warner had an awesome game last weekend. This is one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL in quite some time. Last weekend, Warner threw for four TDs and had over 300 yards passing. This weekend, Warner and the Rams host the San Diego Chargers. Warner will have another great game this weekend, as he should throw at least two more TDs and have over 300 yards passing.

2. Peyton Manning- What a game Peyton Manning had last Monday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Manning threw for 440 yards passing and had four TDs to four different receivers. This weekend will be a little harder for Manning, as he goes to Buffalo to face the Bills. Manning should still be in the 275 yard passing range with two scores.

3. Steve Beuerlein- This weekend looks like a great start for Beuerlein and all the Panther’s receivers. This weekend they play host to the Dallas Cowboys at home. Look for Beuerlein to throw a lot in this game, as the Cowboys have one of the worst secondary’s in the NFL. Beuerlein should have two scores and around 250 yards passing.

4. Tony Banks- So far this season, Tony Banks has proved he can be a consistent quarterback for your fantasy football team. Banks has thrown for over 800 yards and eight TDs. This weekend, Banks and the Ravens should have a pretty easy time against the Cleveland Browns. Look for Banks to have around 225 yards passing and two TDs.

5. Daunte Culpepper- Coming off a bye week, Culpepper and the Vikings go to Detroit to face the Lions. This will be a difficult game for Culpepper, but with the weapons the Vikings have he should do fine. Look for the Vikings to come out throwing, as Culpepper should finish with three total TDs and around 250 yards passing.

Sleeper of the Week-

Donovan McNabb- This Sunday night, Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles play host to the Atlanta Falcons. This could be a good game for McNabb who is starting to come into his own. Look for McNabb to throw some long passes in this game, possibly one for a TD. McNabb should finish the game with two scores and around 250 yards passing.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Edgerrin James- In the past two seasons, Edgerrin James has become one of the best all-purpose backs in the NFL today. Last week, James had over 125 total yards and another touchdown. This is a common occurrence for James and he is a must start every week for your fantasy football team. This week, James and the Colts go to Buffalo to play the Bills. This will be a tough game for James, as Buffalo has one of the better defenses in the NFL. Still, James should have a decent game. Look for over 100 total yards for James and one score.

2. Fred Taylor- Last weekend, Fred Taylor made his 2000 NFL season debut. Taylor had a pretty good game, but he was a non-factor. The Jags were so far behind early in the game, that they were forced to throw the ball. Look for that to change this weekend, as the Jags host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Taylor should have a good game this weekend, as he should be close to 100 yards rushing and one TD.

3. Marshall Faulk- Last weekend, Faulk had his worst game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons. Faulk was playing injured and was really not a factor in the game. This week he tries to get back on track as he and the Rams face the San Diego Chargers. Look for Faulk to once again get over 100 total yards and one score.

4. Jamal Lewis- This weekend, The Baltimore Ravens go to Cleveland to face the Browns. Lewis has started to look good in the past few games and that should continue this week. Look for Lewis to score once and have close to 100 yards rushing.

5. Stephen Davis- This weekend, Davis and the Redskins play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is going to be a very difficult game for Davis. The Bucs have one of the best defenses in the league and they don’t give up many points. Still, Davis should be close to 100 yards rushing and one TD.

Sleeper of the Week-

Ron Dayne- Boy, a lot of teams that drafted Ron Dayne have been very disappointed this season so far. The other running back for the Giants, Tiki Barber, has been stealing all of the touchdowns away from Dayne. That might change this week, as the Giants will face the Tennessee Titans. The Giants might use Dayne this week to pound the ball more. Dayne should run a lot this weekend, getting close to 100 yards rushing and one score.

WIDE RECEIVERS-

1. Randy Moss- So far this season, Randy Moss has not been able to do much of anything. In three games this season, Moss has 12 catches for 196 yards and one TD. Every week, Moss has been double and triple teamed. Look for that to change soon, as Moss is due for a breakout game. This weekend, Moss and the Vikings go to Detroit to face the Lions. Last season, Moss had two very good games against the Lions. Look for Moss to get back on track this week, as he should score at least once and have over 100 yards receiving.

2. Marcus Robinson- Another receiver that is off to a slow start is Marcus Robinson. One of the reasons for the slow start, is the lack of a running game. The Bears were supposed to be one of the surprise teams in the league, but have lost every game this year. This weekend, the Bears will try to get their first win of the season against the Packers in Green Bay. The Packers have a lot of injuries on defense, so Robinson should be in for a big game. Look for Robinson to have over 100 yards receiving and at least one TD.

3. Marvin Harrison- Last Monday night, Harrison and the Indianapolis Colts walked all over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harrison had over 100 yards receiving and one score. This weekend, they face a much better defense in the Buffalo Bills. Still, Harrison should still have a pretty good game. Look for Harrison to score again and have close to 100 yards receiving.

4. Isaac Bruce- This weekend, Bruce and the high-powered St. Louis Rams play host to the San Diego Chargers. This should be another blowout for the Rams, as the Chargers can not put any points on the board. Look for Bruce and all the other Rams receivers to be in for a good day. Bruce should lead the way, by scoring once and having over 100 yards receiving.

5. Mushin Muhammad- This game should be another great start for Muhammad and the Carolina Panthers. This weekend, they host the woeful Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys defense has given up over 1500 total yards in the past four games. With that being said, Muhammad will have a very good game. Look for Muhammad to finish with over 100 yards receiving and one TD.

Sleeper of the Week-

Tim Dwight- Dwight, coming off of an injury, is close to being 100 percent. Tim Dwight and the Falcons go to Philadelphia to play the Eagles. Dwight should have a good game this week, because the Eagles secondary is still banged up. Look for Dwight to possibly catch a long TD this weekend and be close to 80 yards receiving.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Wesley Walls- This weekend, Walls will be the best starting tight end in fantasy football. Walls and the Carolina Panthers play host to the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys defense is one of the worst in the league, so Walls and all of the Panthers receivers will take advantage of it. Look for Walls to score at least one TD and have over 60 yards receiving.

2. Tony Gonzalez- Gonzalez and the Chiefs play host to the Seattle Seahawks this Monday night. Last weekend, Gonzalez finally broke out of his slump. This Monday night should be no different. Gonzalez should end up with around 50 yards receiving and one score.

3. Shannon Sharpe- Another good TE to start this weekend is Shannon Sharpe. Sharpe and the Ravens go up against the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens will put up a pretty good amount of points this week, so Sharpe should definitely be started. Sharpe should end up with close to 50 yards receiving and one TD.

4. Jackie Harris- One player that has performed very well this year for the Dallas Cowboys has been Jackie Harris. Harris has scored in almost every game he has played in this year and this week should be no different. Harris will score again this week and have close to 50 yards receiving.

5. Frank Wycheck- Last weekend, Wycheck left the game early with a mild concussion. He didn’t practice much this week, but the Titans said that he would start against the New York Giants. Wycheck has been a solid performer for the Titans and that should continue. Look for Wycheck to get close to 50 yards receiving and one score.

Sleeper of the Week-

Kyle Brady- Brady should be in for a decent game this week as the Jaguars take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brady probably won’t catch many passes, but he should get close to 50 yards receiving and possibly one score.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS-

1. Miami- This weekend, the Miami Dolphins will be the best starting defense to have on your fantasy football team. The Dolphins visit the 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals who have scored a total of seven points this season. Don’t look for that trend to change this weekend.

2. Baltimore- The Ravens go to Cleveland this weekend to face the Browns. This game might stay close early, but the Ravens defense is too much for the young Browns offense.

3. St. Louis- The Rams play host to the San Diego Chargers this weekend. This will be another easy game for the Rams defense. The Rams will pressure the Chargers early, forcing the Chargers to have a lot of turnovers. Also, there is always the possibility of a long return TD from the special teams.

4. Jacksonville- The Jaguar defense will come back strong this weekend, as they were embarrassed last Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. This weekend, they have a much easier opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jaguars defense will make a lot of big plays this weekend, as this game will not even be close.

5. Kansas City- This Monday night, the Chiefs play host to the Seattle Seahawks. The Chiefs run defense is very strong and they shouldn’t have a problem with Jon Kitna. Look for this to be a low scoring affair.

Sleeper of the Week-

New York Giants- The Giants defense is ranked 14th this year, and with all the injuries to Tennessee this season, this could be a good game for them. Steve McNair is the starting QB in this game and just about every wide receiver on the Titans team is banged up. Look for another low scoring game in this one.