WEEK FIVE FANTASY PREVIEW

Jacksonville @ Kansas City
My bold call to sit LJ last week may have been a bit too bold, as he had his best game of the season with 123 yards. Dwayne Bowe continues to impress, catching a touchdown in his third straight game, but has a tough matchup this week. Jacksonville is great against opposing WR and has not allowed a TD to a wideout yet this year. Bowe may struggle this week, but is still the Chiefs’ only viable receiver. He’s becoming an every week start. KC’s defense has played well, and is a solid play against a Jaguar team that has difficulty scoring. Stay away from all Jacksonville receivers, as none seems to be reliable yet.

Atlanta @ Tennessee
I don’t quite believe in Joey Harrington just yet, but keep watching him and receivers Roddy White and Michael Jenkins. They are getting almost all of the targets from Harrington, and Jenkins scored twice last week. Tennessee is a decent matchup this week, and you should consider these two WR for your lineup. RB LenDale White has looked better than Chris Brown since Brown’s 175 yard game in Week 1, and is definitely getting goal line carries. He is the better play right now, and has a solid matchup if you need him.

Arizona @ St. Louis
St. Louis’ offense is a disaster right now. The O-line is in shambles, Steven Jackson is out, Isaac Bruce hurt his hammy, and now Marc Bulger is out. RB Brian Leonard wasn’t too impressive in place of Jackson last week, and faces a solid Arizona run D. He’ll probably catch a few passes, and could see more action than in last week’s blowout, but temper expectations. This could be the week for Drew Bennett to finally wake up. With Bruce out, he will probably start, and Arizona has trouble against opposing WR.

Cleveland @ New England
In yet another bonanza matchup for the Patriots, look for a solid game from Sammy Morris again. Definitely monitor Laurence Maroney’s status this week, but if Maroney is still too hurt to play, Morris will be able to run wild again this week. Also notable from last week was a hint of a Donte Stallworth sighting. Stallworth will continue to suffer from Brady’s past tendency to spread the ball, and from Brady’s uncanny connection with Randy Moss (34 targets, 31 catches!), but Cleveland is as good a matchup as any for Stallworth to get open. He’s worth a gamble if you need him. Wes Welker also remains a good start. Braylon Edwards caught another deep touchdown last week, and should still be started even against this defense. Joe Jurevicius had only 2 catches last week, but did catch a touchdown. If New England focuses on Edwards, as it did in shutting down Chad Johnson last week, then Jurevicius could benefit. He’s a long shot, but startable if you’re desperate.

Detroit @ Washington
Detroit’s receivers continue to benefit from Mike Martz’s socialist tendencies. Kitna targets everyone there, so Furrey and McDonald don’t suffer from their position on the depth chart. Keep using them if you have been. The Detroit running back situation isn’t pretty, but I’d lean toward Kevin Jones over Tatum Bell. He’s run for a TD in the past 2 games, and his goal line carries are the tie-breaker for me. Washington has also been making news this week, signing WR Keenan McCardell. Don’t get excited over McCardell yet, but this could mean they are worried about Santana Moss’ health. If Moss is out, Antwaan Randle-El’s value gets a boost, especially against Detroit’s defense. Clinton Portis’ knee is acting up, so keep an eye on his status this week. This could finally be Ladell Betts’ week to step up, especially if Portis is limited or out.

Carolina @ New Orleans
We’ll see if New Orleans figured anything out during its bye. The big story with them will be whether Aaron Stecker or Pierre Thomas can be of any value in fantasy trying to replace Deuce McAllister’s production. Carolina has been pretty tough against the run, so don’t count on big days from those two. Carolina TE Jeff King’s production slowed last week with only one catch, probably due to QB David Carr’s general lameness, so he could continue to struggle this week. DeAngelo Williams seems to have taken a backseat to DeShaun Foster after only 2 carries in the loss to Tampa. Foster did fumble twice, so keep watching this situation, but for now, Foster has an excellent matchup this week.

New York Jets @ New York Giants
The Jets can’t seem to stop anyone these days, with Buffalo’s Trent Edwards being the most recent beneficiary last week. Amani Toomer has a nice matchup this week. Both RBs Brandon Jacobs (returning from his Week 1 knee injury) and Derrick Ward are starts against the Jets. The Jets have trouble protecting the quarterback, and the Giants defense is coming off of a 12 sack game against the Eagles, so give the Giants’ D a look this week. Jets’ RB Leon Washington was very involved against the Bills, and should be again this week, both on offense and special teams. I’d also give RB Thomas Jones another chance this week. TE Chris Baker also has an excellent matchup, and should be played.

Seattle @ Pittsburgh
Seattle’s Bobby Engram caught another TD last week, and he seems to be emerging as the number two. Pittsburgh is tough, though, so he isn’t great this week. Pittsburgh’s Nate Washington was a hot play last week, but managed only 2 catches. This doesn’t look like a great week for Washington, either, especially if Hines Ward comes back.

Miami @ Houston
Ronnie Brown is having a great year so far, but has been known for peaks and valleys in production. Houston could bring him back to Earth a little. Houston’s Andre Davis had a great game last week, and is a start this week. Kevin Walter was also targeted last week, but he had done little before, and could have been a one-week flash. Miami is terrible vs. the run, so either Ahman Green or Ron Dayne will be a great play this week as well.

Tampa Bay @ Indianapolis
Tampa took some hits in last week’s win, losing Carnell Williams and LT Luke Petitgout for the season. There have been rumors of Tampa bringing in a runner in a trade, but for now Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman will share the load. Graham is a bruiser, while Pittman is good in space and will be better at catching passes. Since Graham will get goal line carries, he is the better option here. Interestingly, Indy’s Bob Sanders may not play this week. He was the catalyst for that defense last season, and without him they were embarrassing against the run. This makes Graham’s and Pittman’s matchup all the better. Tampa WR Ike Hilliard is also worth a look here, coming off a huge game last week. For the Colts, Marvin Harrison’s injury would bring Anthony Gonzalez into the starting lineup, making him a play this week. The injury will also help Dallas Clark, likely giving him an even larger role in the offense.

Baltimore @ San Francisco
Baltimore looked awful last week in its loss to Cleveland. Demetrius Williams is likely to start this week at receiver. He has shown some talent, and has the reach to catch Steve McNair’s errant throws. He’s worth a play if you’re desperate. I’d stay away from all 49ers other than Frank Gore this week. Alex Smith is banged up, and wasn’t playing well to begin with. Plus, look for Baltimore’s defense to come out even angrier and scarier than usual after last week’s embarrassment.

San Diego @ Denver
This is a tough matchup for San Diego receivers against Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly this week, so sit them all. The Chargers will look to pound LT anyway, as they should always be doing. Keep tabs on the Broncos’ RB spot this week. If Travis Henry can’t go, the logical choice is Selvin Young, but Shanahan is crazy and could surprise us with Cecil Sapp or Mike Brown.

Chicago @ Green Bay
Consider sitting Cedric Benson, who looks uninspired on the field, against this Green Bay defense. WR Muhsin Muhammad apparently still exists, and caught a touchdown from Brian Griese. Griese could target Muhammad more in the future, and his large frame is always a threat in the red zone. Desmond Clark is worth a look also. Green Bay still looks disinterested in running, so don’t even bother with that RB mess. Greg Jennings caught another touchdown last week, and he, Donald Driver and James Jones are all getting looks from Favre. Chicago is tough vs. the pass, but the Packers will pass no matter what, so these guys are solid plays. TE Donald Lee is also a great play against a Bear defense that is surprisingly bad at stopping opposing tight ends.

Dallas @ Buffalo
Dallas’ offense is looking pretty unstoppable, and Patrick Crayton was the beneficiary last week with 2 TDs. Start him again. Also start both RBs Marion Barber III and Julius Jones against this defense. Jason Witten also. Start all Cowboys. Buffalo’s Trent Edwards looked good against the Jets last week, completing 22 of 28 passes and making Lee Evans relevant again. Dallas will be a far greater challenge for this week, though, but keep an eye on him as he may beat out J.P. Losman in the long run.