Start'em or Sit'em - Week 5

Start’em

Kyle Orton, Bears. Maybe these national television games mess up my evaluations, but Orton made some great throws last week against the Eagles. This week he was my recommendation to pick up on the waiver wire. The Bears are putting up points and their running game is working. Look for Orton to have a big game against a very weak Detroit defense.

Matt Schaub, Texans. Indianapolis has to be very careful coming off their bye week and going on the road against Houston. The Texans should have won last week against Jacksonville. This game could be a New Orleans Saints situation from two years ago. Texans return home to a great crowd. Schaub always moves the ball up and down the field. If Andre Johnson can make some big plays, Schaub is looking at a 250 yard game with 2 touchdowns.
***12:10 pm - Sunday. Schaub is sick and Sage Rosenfels will start. Rosenfels should fill in admirably for Schaub, if you have him go with Rosenfels in this spot.

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins. Was the Patriots’ game a fluke? I don’t think so. The Dolphins probably add a couple of more plays for Brown with a direct snap. The Chargers are flying across the country and their defense has given up points all year long. This is a high-scoring game with Brown having several chances to score in the red zone.

Ryan Grant, Packers. Against the Falcons, this week is the time for Ryan Grant to bust out. He signed a new contract this summer and has not produced. My situation is typical of Grant owners. I drafted him with the first pick of the 2nd round of the draft and have not even played him in a Fantasy game. Most owners have given up on Grant, but with the Aaron Rodgers injury he has to have a great game for the Packers to win.

Eddie Royal, Broncos. The Broncos are at home against a solid Tampa Bay defense. The Broncos still will put up points on Tampa Bay. This game should be another high scoring affair. Royal has been great for a rookie this year. Playing opposite Brandon Marshall, he is close to a must start every week.

Sit’em

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks. The inability of West coast teams to travel to the East coast and play well is well-documented. Seattle was destroyed by the Bills in week 1. Their injured receivers return and that will help Hasselbeck out, but he personally has even more distractions in New York. His brother’s wife probably hounds him for tickets. The Giants defensive line hounds him all day on Sunday. Poor outing for Hasselbeck.

Larry Johnson, Chiefs. Johnson had a monster game last week against Denver. Most owners probably are happy and ready to start him every week, but be cautious. This team is the same one that had lost 12 straight games. The Panthers stack the box against Johnson, Peppers goes after the quarterback, and the Panthers win.

Lee Evans, Bills. Bills’ fans must have uttered a simultaneous groan when the news came out about Evans’ contract extension. Evans received a pretty large dollar guarantee for a guy that has been mostly inconsistent. Big party at Evans’ house this week leads to a pedestrian performance this week at Arizona. Too hot out there to play football anyway.

Greg Jennings, Packers. Will Aaron Rodgers play? The answer is critical for Fantasy owners this week. If he plays, the Packers’ wide receivers increase in value. Jennings has been great this year, but do not start him if Rodgers can not play.

Minnesota Vikings Defense. Minnesota was a very high draft pick in both of my drafts this season. In the past few years, that defense is one of the highest scoring in the NFL. In their home game against Carolina, they scored a huge game winning touchdown. However, if you have another option this week, you have to consider playing another defense. The Saints are going to move the ball and score against anybody. Brees will throw the ball 50+ times if they get behind.

My Picks

@Panthers -9.5 Chiefs - Panthers
Bears -3.5 @Lions - Bears
@Packers -7 Falcons - Packers
Chargers -6.5 @Dolphins - Dolphins
@Giants -7.5 Seahawks - Giants
@Eagles -6 Redskins - Redskins
Titans -3 @Ravens - Ravens
Colts -3.5 @Texans - Texans
@Broncos -3 Buccaneers - Broncos
@Cardinals -1 Bills - Cardinals
Patriots -3.5 @Niners - Niners
@Cowboys -17 Bengals - Bengals
@Jaguars -4.5 Steelers - Steelers
@ Saints -3.5 Vikings - Saints

Fantasy Games. Mediocrity is the word that defines my Fantasy teams so far. My record is 2-2 in both my leagues. I was able to acquire Muhsin Muhammed on the waiver wire and he quickly went into the starting line-up. My biggest decision this week is which QB to start Ben Roethlisberger or David Garrard. I have been going back and forth all week. I am 90% sure I am going with Garrard at home. Big Ben is banged up with a suspect running game; and he is coming off a Monday night game. Garrard had a big game last week and he is always a threat to run for a touchdown.

Odds and Ends. O.J. found guilty. It makes you think about what you were doing 13 long years ago. I was working in a mall and sleeping on the floor of an empty apartment. If you believe that finding his plane means that adventurer Steve Fossett is dead, you do not understand conspiracy theory. I would be surprised if Fossett is not alive and well and living on the beach somewhere. Finally, I watched The Hills this week. The scene in which Doug is hammering Stephanie and she is listening in the bedroom (where you know they hooked up) was the most real thing I have scene on TV in a while. Check out CNN's new anchor Brook Baldwin from Atlanta. You know that scene happens every weekend amongst small groups of friends. Oklahoma and Penn State look very good right now.