Thursday Morning Quarterback - Week 5 Recommendations (Thu 10/8/09)
Thursday, October 8th, 2009Lots of mismatches and a few interesting contests on tap for Week 5. Here are my recommendations:
Cleveland at Buffalo - With Wednesday’s trade of enigmatic WR Braylon Edwards to the Jets it’s pretty obvious who’s calling the shots in Cleveland. Unfortunately for the Browns, neither the players nor the draft picks they received from the Jets are likely to alter the course of this once-proud franchise. The best their fans can hope for in this case is the proverbial “addition by subtraction”. Sadly, this weekend’s game against the struggling Bills is almost certainly the Browns’ best chance for a victory prior to their Nov. 22 contest in Detroit, a game in which they would now figure to be the underdogs. The only Brown who should be in starting lineups this weekend is RB Jerome Harrison, although QB Derek Anderson and WRs Mohamed Massaquoi & Mike Furrey can be started by those in deeper leagues. Avoid RB Jamal Lewis (Questionable-hamstring), even if he is healthy enough to play. Buffalo figures to be able to move the ball both on the ground and through the air against Cleveland’s defense. QB Troy Edwards, RBs Fred Jackson & Marshawn Lynch, WRs Lee Evans & Terrell Owens, and the Bills’ Defense should all be started.
Cincinnati at Baltimore - Bengals’ WR Chad Ochocinco has recently been making more news for his Twitter account than he has for his exploits on the field. That may change this weekend against a Ravens’ pass defense that isn’t as good as you might think. The Bengals don’t figure to have much success running against the Ravens, giving them even more incentive to take to the air. QB Chad Palmer and WRs Ochocinco & Laveranues Coles are all worth starting. Avoid RB Cedric Benson (Questionable-hip) even if he is healthy enough to play. The Ravens’ offense has unexpectedly transformed itself into the “Air Flacco” show. Accordingly, QB Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, TE Todd Heap, WR Derrick Mason, K Steven Hauschka, and the Defense should be in starting lineups.
Washington at Carolina - The official word from the Redskins is that this week’s hiring of offensive guru Sherm Lewis is meant to provide Head Coach Jim Zorn with “a fresh set of eyes”. Unfortunately for Zorn, it’s difficult to see this as anything other than the beginning of the end of his tenure as Head Coach. Zorn, Lewis, and the rest of the ‘Skins should get a reprieve this weekend in the form of a date with the Panthers’ porous defense. QB Jason Campbell, RB Clinton Portis, TE Chris Cooley, WR Santana Moss, K Shaun Suisham, and the Defense should all be started. The only Panthers worth starting are RB DeAngelo Williams and WR Steve Smith, although RB Jonathan Stewart (Questionable-Achilles’) can also be started in deeper leagues if he’s healthy enough to play.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia - Besides his on-field exploits, Eagles’ QB Donovan McNabb is also well-known for the series of Chunky Soup commercials he and his mom have filmed (yes, that’s the late, great Harry Kalas on the voice-over). Unfortunately for McNabb, Campbell’s still hasn’t come up with a flavor that will make a cracked rib heal faster. Unfortunately for the visiting Bucs, it doesn’t figure to make much difference who starts at quarterback for the Eagles this week; the visitors figure to come out on the short-end of the score yet again. The only Buc who should definitely be in your starting lineup this week is TE Kellen Winslow. RBs Carnell Williams and Derrick Ward (Probable-knee) can be started in deeper leagues. Avoid RB Earnest Graham (Questionable-hamstring) and WRs Antonio Bryant (Questionable-knee) & Michael Clayton (Questionable-ribs). For the Eagles, McNabb (Probable-ribs), RB Brian Westbrook (Probable-ankle), TE Brent Celek, WR DeSean Jackson, K David Akers, and the Defense should all be started. If QB Kevin Kolb is forced to start again in place of McNabb, substitute him for McNabb on this list. RB LeSean McCoy can also be started in deeper leagues. Avoid WR Kevin Curtis (Probable-knee) even if he’s healthy enough to play.
Oakland at New York Giants - While it’s obvious the Raiders could use an upgrade over QB JaMarcus Russell, former Raider QB (and now former Eagle QB) Jeff Garcia recently took himself out of the running. I know this will come as a shock to all of you, but there are no Raiders I’d recommend for your starting lineup this weekend. If you’re in a deep league, RBs Michael Bush & Justin Fargas can be started, and if the Giants are forced to start QB David Carr in place of QB Eli Manning (Questionable-foot), you can add the Raiders’ Defense to that list. If Manning is healthy enough to play, he’s definitely worth starting, but if Carr is forced to start, do the smart thing and stay away. Either way, RBs Brandon Jacobs & Ahmad Bradshaw (Questionable-ankle, knee) are worth starting, as are TE Kevin Boss, K Lawrence Tynes, and the Defense. I would avoid starting WR Steve Smith this weekend if you have other options with favorable matchups. Smith will likely be shadowed by Raiders’ shutdown CB Nnamdi Asomugha, and especially if Carr is the quarterback, you’ll want nothing to do with Smith this week.
Minnesota at St. Louis - If you happened to miss last Monday night’s showing of “Revenge Game - Favre Gets Even”, fear not. You can have your own Skybox Suite on the 30 yard line at Lambeau Field (seats 20) for November 1st’s “Revenge Game - The Return of Favre” for a mere $35,000. The Vikings don’t have their official bye week until Week 9, but they have something almost as taxing this weekend - a game against the Rams, who figure to battle the Raiders all season long for the first choice in next April’s draft. Vikings to start include QB Brett Favre, RB Adrian Peterson, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, WR Bernard Berrian, K Ryan Longwell, the Defense, and the equipment manager. RB Chester Taylor and WRs Percy Harvin & Sidney Rice can also be started in deeper leagues. The only Rams I’d consider starting are RB Steven Jackson and TE Randy McMichael. If WR Donnie Avery (Questionable-hamstring) is able to play, he should be started in deeper leagues. No matter whether the Rams decide to go with QB Marc Bulger (Questionable-shoulder) or QB Kyle Boller (Questionable-judgment), you don’t want either one within a country mile of your roster, much less your starting lineup.
Dallas at Kansas City - Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo is used to having his intelligence questioned publicly. Whether it’s his taste in women, his play selection late in tight games, or even his ability to count to four, Romo is a lightning rod for criticism. Fortunately, Romo and his teammates get a reprieve this weekend in the form of a date with the winless Chiefs. Cowboys to start include Romo, RB Marion Barber (Probable-thigh), TE Jason Witten, K Nick Folk, and the Defense. Add WR Roy Williams (Questionable-ribs) to the list if he’s able to play. If Williams is unable to play, then WR Patrick Crayton should be started in deeper leagues. Avoid starting RBs Felix Jones (Questionable-knee) and Tashard Choice. Chiefs to start include RB Larry Johnson, TE Sean Ryan, and WR Dwayne Bowe. QB Matt Cassel can be started in deeper leagues.
Pittsburgh at Detroit - Daunte Culpepper is likely to be the Lions’ starting quarterback on Sunday against the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, and the Lions have sold out the game. No, the two facts are not related (or at least I hope they aren’t). I suspect this may end up being a de facto ninth home game for the visitors, but if that allows the good citizens of Detroit to watch Culpepper overthrowing his receivers on live television, then so be it. Steelers to start include QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Rashard Mendenhall, TE Heath Miller, WRs Hines Ward & Santonio Holmes, K Jeff Reed, and the Defense. Avoid RB Willie Parker (Questionable-toe) even if he is able to play. The only Lions worth starting are TE Brandon Pettigrew and WR Calvin Johnson (Questionable-thigh), assuming the latter is healthy enough to play. Avoid RB Kevin Smith (Probable-shoulder) and the Lions’ starting quarterback, whether that turns out to be Culpepper or Matthew Stafford (Questionable-knee).
Atlanta at San Francisco - Parties to a stalled negotiation are often encouraged to “think outside the box”, but representatives of the 49ers and newly-signed rookie WR Michael Crabtree may have taken this advice to new extremes by including M.C. Hammer in the talks that resulted in Crabtree’s signing. Hammer’s role in the negotiations is unclear, but Crabtree’s role in this weekend’s game against the Falcons is crystal clear: none. The 49ers have already announced Crabtree won’t play until Week 7 at the earliest, and it’s unwise to count on him contributing anything substantial to your fantasy team in 2009. Leave him to someone else in your league to speculate on. Falcons to start this weekend include QB Matt Ryan, RB Michael Turner, TE Tony Gonzalez, and WR Roddy White. WR Michael Jenkins can be started in deeper leagues. Avoid K Jason Elam (Questionable-hamstring). 49ers to start include RB Glen Coffee, TE Vernon Davis, and K Joe Nedney. If you’re in a deeper league, then QB Shaun Hill and WRs Josh Morgan & Isaac Bruce are also worthy starters.
New England at Denver - The Broncos have already had two improbable game-winning receptions this season on their way to a 4-0 record, one each by WRs Brandon Stokley and Brandon Marshall. Incredibly, the Broncos have yet another wide receiver named Brandon on their roster, but their luck will run out this weekend as they suffer their first defeat at the hands of the visiting Patriots. Patriots to start include QB Tom Brady (Probable-shoulderthanks, Mr. Belichick), TE Ben Watson, WR Randy Moss, K Stephen Gostkowski, and the Defense. Add WR Wes Welker (Questionable-knee) to the list if he’s able to play; add WR Julian Edelman to the list if Welker can’t play. RB Fred Taylor (Out-ankle) may be done for the season, but since his replacement isn’t clear (my guess would be Laurence Maroney), don’t speculate, and leave all Patriot running backs out of your lineup this weekend. The only Bronco definitely worth starting is Marshall, although QB Kyle Orton and RB Knowshon Moreno can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave RB Correll Buckhalter (Questionable-ribs) and WR Eddie Royal out of your lineups.
Houston at Arizona - Some will look at this matchup as a battle for wide receiver supremacy between Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Others will look at two teams with explosive offenses and mediocre defenses and wonder whether the 2009 Texans may be capable of following in the 2008 Cardinals’ footsteps and ending their season with an appearance in the Super Bowl. I prefer to look at it as a game that could well be the most entertaining contest of the weekend. Texans to start include QB Matt Schaub, RB Steve Slaton, TE Owen Daniel, WRs Johnson & Kevin Walter, and K Kris Brown. Cardinals to start include QB Kurt Warner (Probable-shoulder), WRs Fitzgerald & Anquan Boldin, and K Neil Rackers. Add WR Steve Breaston (Questionable-knee) to the list if he’s healthy enough to play. RBs Tim Hightower and Chris Wells can also be started in deeper leagues.
Jacksonville at Seattle - When Seattle last hosted a game at Qwest Stadium, their lime-colored alternate jerseys sent many viewers scurrying for the remote. Hopefully, the Seahawks’ marketing department was given this week off, and the team will take the field in their regular bland jerseys. While this game may not feature quite the offensive firepower of the Texans-Cardinals game, it also figures to be a high-scoring contest. Jaguars to start include QB David Garrard, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, TE Marcedes Lewis, WRs Mike Sims-Walker & Torry Holt, and K Josh Scobee. QB Matt Hasselbeck (Questionable-ribs) looks likely to return this week, and he should be started if he does in order to take advantage of a very favorable matchup. Ditto for Seahawks’ backup QB Seneca Wallace if Hasselbeck suffers a setback and is unable to play. Other Seahawks to start include TE John Carlson, WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh & Nate Burleson, and K Olindo Mare.
Indianapolis at Tennessee - With the Titans off to an 0-4 start speculation has already begun on how soon Head Coach Jeff Fisher will replace quarterback of the past Kerry Collins with quarterback of the (past and) future Vince Young. While the Titans will undoubtedly be fired up for this Sunday night contest, in all likelihood they will fall to 0-5 against a Peyton Manning-led offense that is hitting on all cylinders in spite of the absence of WR Anthony Gonzalez (Questionable-knee). Colts to start include Manning, TE Dallas Clark, WR Reggie Wayne, and K Adam Vinatieri. RBs Joseph Addai & Donald Brown and WRs Pierre Garcon & Austin Collie can also be started in deeper leagues. The only Titan I’d definitely start would be RB Chris Johnson, although Collins, RB LenDale White, and WRs Justin Gage & Kenny Britt can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave WR Nate Washington (Probable-concussion) on the bench.
New York Jets at Miami - Brett Favre’s feud with the Packers has nothing on Jets’ Head Coach Rex Ryan’s feud with Dolphins’ LB Channing Crowder. Unfortunately, only one from that pair will be able to get on the field to determine the game’s outcome, but at least the media will have something to talk about besides the game itself. The other story that figures to get a lot of play during the ESPN telecast is the Jets’ acquisition of troubled WR Braylon Edwards (will we be subjected to a Braylon-cam?). Edwards figures to make a minimal contribution this week even if he does start, so leave him out of your starting lineup unless you have no other alternatives. Jets to start include RB Leon Washington, TE Dustin Keller, WR Jerricho Cotchery, and the Defense. QB Mark Sanchez can also be started in deeper leagues. Leave RB Thomas Jones out of your lineups for this matchup with a tough Dolphins’ run defense. The only Dolphins worth starting are RBs Ronnie Brown & Ricky Williams and the Defense (I’d be surprised if the winner of this game scores more than 21 points). Since QB Chad Henne figures to struggle against the Jets’ defense, leave him and all Dolphins’ receivers on the bench this week.
Good luck to your teams this weekend!
Until next time,
The Sherpa
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