Game Recaps Week 5

Eagles (27) v. 49ers (24)

Alex Smith reached double-digit fantasy points (which he has done in every game this season except when he fell just short during W1) once again - but did so ignonimously with his fans booing him incessantly. In what was likely Smith's last chance at breathing life into the 49ers 2010 season, Smith mismanaged the 49ers final drive by lobbing a game-ending interception. Though Singletary has already stated that Smith is still "the guy" moving forward, look for his leash to be tightened. From a strictly fantasy perspective, Smith's line was not that bad - this was, after all, the first time he has ever thrown for 300 and thrown 3 TD's in the same game. You don't get points for winning games - so Smith is probably still a startable option for teams (i) in deep leagues and (ii) with QBs on byes. Meanwhile, if you own VD and/or Crabtree, you can't really complain with 100+ yds/1 td against a tough Philly D. While the 9ers chances stink with Smith at the helm, the 'Canes TE remains a top tier option while the young Texas wideout is probably a top 25 option going forward. Still, I'm not excited to see any of these guys play down the stretch when the old miners are 2-10...


On the Phily side of the game, Kolb came in with a serviceable performance throwing for 253 yards and one TD, but there is no controversy yet. Vick is still the guy. And with his uncanny athleticism, he's a guy you still want stashed on your bench. Meanwhile, McCoy is quietly assuming "stud" status with his Westbrook-esque 138 all-purpose yards. There aren't many guys who are locks at running back anymore - McCoy is proving that he is one. On the receiving end, Maclin was the man with a season-high 95 yards. He caught 6 of his 9 targets and is beginning to become a consistent part of the passing game - but he's probably not a safe start given the tumult behind center in Eagletown. What was intriguing was seeing Celek struggle quite a bit. While any owner is going to be grateful to a TE that gets him 47 yards and a TD, I am worried about the fact that he missed 6 of his targets. Some were the product of good D - others were just..messy play. Celek thrives with Kolb under center, so look for his value to drop a tad with Vick re-emerging - but keep an eye out in case he has lost any of the trust of the Eagles coaching staff.


Chargers (27) v. Raiders (35)

Don't look now, but the Raiders are in second place...ok, well, tied for second...with two other teams....and 2-3... Still, the Raiders put up a season-high in points against what should be a better San Diego defense. You probably shouldn't be starting many players from Oakland - but Zach Miller needs to be started every week. It doesn't matter if it's Bruce Gradkowski or Jason Campbell - look for Miller to continue to thrive as a TE1. Meanwhile, with McFadden out, Bush carried the load nicely breaking the century mark and finding paydirt. You are stoked with those numbers if you started him. Murphy had 61 yards - but that basically was all on one 58 yard bomb. While Murphy is still an intriguing play, he is not always a safe start.

Meanwhile, the Chargers reminded us why sometimes we like having QBs on losing teams. Philip Rivers went crazy yesterday throwing a whopping league-high 400+ yards yesterday remaining the number one QB in terms of passing yards. The primary beneficiary of Rivers' second mammoth game of the season was Malcolm Floyd. This is his 3rd "breakout" game of the season - you should probably be starting him as a WR2 going forward. The run-game was a non-issue - which is probably more of a cause than a symptom of Rivers' explosive performance. One reassuring thing for Matthews owners is his high YPC (6.6) compared to Tolbert's miniscule TPC (.9). Matthews has been a disappointment but at least Tolbert isn't doing much to make a case for a true committee. Oh, yeah, and that Gates guy - what's his first name? - racked up 90+/1TD. I'd tell you to start him every week - but you already know that.


Titans (34) v. Cowboys (27)

Yup, the Cowboys have fallen to 1-3. Mr. Romo threw 3 interceptions - but one was late and probably more a product of desperation. You still are starting this guy as a Tier 1.5 QB. 400 yards is 400 yards. Miles Austin picked up another monster game with 166 yards on 9 catches. Even before the Moss deal, this guy has got to be the best fantasy wideout in the league. Meanwhile, if you started Felix Jones, you are very happy. The word has always been that Jones was going to be more integrated into the offense - but this time it finally happened. Jones had his most carries and most yards all season (15/109). Meanwhile, Marion Barber stumbled getting the rock only 6 times. Felix is officially the Dallas back to own and start. Witten found the endzone - but if you have him, you're not wondering whether you need to start him. I'm most intrigued by Roy Williams. Coming off a monster performance before the bye, Williams found the endzone again, and more importantly, had his season-high in receptions (6). He should be in starting lineups during bye weeks in 14 person leagues.

Chris Johnson reassured us why he's going to be the #1 pick next year as he broke out with 131 yards on 19 carries and 2 scores. You're starting him every week and you're not trading him unless you're getting someone named AP or MJD and an upgrade somewhere else. Vince Young threw for the same number of yards as he did last week - but added on another TD. Unless he starts picking up yards on the ground, don't start VY yet. Kenny Britt needs to be picked up in all leagues - but you shouldn't be starting him regularly... Scaife has been a disappointment. In the past, he was serviceable - but now, it's safe to drop him.


Saints (20) v. Cardinals (30)

If ever there was a chance to "buy low" on Brees, this would be it. I know, I know, he still had a solid game. But with the defending champs at 3-2 and playing below their potential, people who invested first or second round picks in Brees might be nervous. Colston returned to form - you should feel safe starting him every game. The Saints run-game looks non-existent as all of their premiere backs are out. Ivory and Betts had a perfect split - but if you need to start one, start Betts...but don't expect much. Shockey scored, but his yardage is just not where you want it to consider him an elite TE. The Saints just don't lean on their tight ends enough to make him startable every week.

Max Hall took over quarterbacking duties for the Cards and was unspectacular. Don't start him. Beanie was supposed to be used more to take "pressure off" the novice QB --- but Wells didn't shine amassing only 35 yards. This team is hardly a mess - but don't expect Wells to be the R2/R3 value where he was drafted from here out. Fitzgerald who had a very blue collar effort in catching 7 balls for 93 yards (with a long of 26) is the only Cardinal you can really count on at this point.


Giants (34) v. Texans (10)

Hakeem Nicks is a top wide receiver. Period. He's averaging 17+ points a game - and his standard deviations are low. Start him every game. I'd say consider selling high, but there's no way you're getting Miles Austin or Randy Moss for him, so what's the point? Eli didn't crack 300 but he had a competitive game. He's too inconsistent right now. Neither back did much, which is suprising considering how dominant the Giants D was. They are for real. Be patient with both backs...

Where did the Texans go?! Schaub and Foster both laid eggs on Sunday. You probably can't buy them low - but don't expect too many performances that are this bad from these two. They are monsters and Houston is for real. Andre Johnson - still the most talented wide receiver in football - aggregated 95 yards saving his day. Don't be worried about the fact that he only caught 5 of his 13 targets - chalk that up to an improved D rather than a struggling AJ. Keep your eye on Owen Daniels. He grabbed 45 yards (his season high). Don't forget how good he once was and could soon become in that offense.


Broncos (17) vs. Ravens (31)

Kyle Orton - you are a stud. There's no way around that. Nipping at Rivers' tail in the lead for most passing yards, Orton has now thrown for 295+ yards and a TD in every game this season. Relatedly, you have Brandon Lloyd emerging as a TRUE stud wideout. His 589 yards on the season rank first - and by a long shot. Maroney stinks and Buckhalter didn't do much with his 5 carries. Moreno is still the only Denver RB you should be starting during 2010. Gaffney was targeted 11 times while no TE more than 2 times. The TE's on this team just aren't being utilized. Strongly consider adding Gaffney if he's available in your league.

Finally, Ray Rice puts up a DOMINANT fantasy day. Rice found the endzone for the first time this season - not once, but twice. 159 all-purpose yards and you've got yourself a justification for passing on MJD in the first round to take the Baltimore youngster next time your fellow GMs give you grief. Don't get excited about McGahee's 10 carries and a TD - only 2 of his carries came in the first half. He racked up the bulk of his points in the fourth quarter - it wasn't garbage time - but it is not something sustainable. Flacco had a yawner - and Boldin was a non-issue. Don't be worried about him; he was covered by Champ Bailey. He'll be back - particularly when the Ravens are in tighter ballgames.


Bears (23) v. Panthers (6)

After last week's disaster, some people were wondering if the Bears were one of the worst teams to start out 3-0 of all-time... After this week? They probably still are (especially without Cutler). They played the pathetic un-un-defeated Panthers. Without their premiere QB, they got a whopping...51 yards in the air. The show was Forte's who scored twice and racked up 166 yards. Forget about last week - this guy is legit and will continue to be used in the passing game (22 yards yesterday). Knox may be legit - but he isn't without Cutler.

The Panthers? It's sad to think that Steve Smith is no longer an elite wideout. He will be back - but he will have to fight for his yards with how awful the Panthers' QBs are. DeAngelo is not a top 10 running back anymore - and Jon Stewart is a fringe flex option.


Packers (13) v. Redskins (16)

McNabb racked up a big day in the air for the second game this season. But throwing 1 TD a game is just not going to cut it. He's serviceable, but not elite. On the other end of McNabb's 300+ yards was Santana Moss. This is Moss's second 100+ yard game. In the last 3 years of his career, he was too inconsistent to be anything more than a flex option, but that seems to have changed. Despite catching the lone score, Anthony Armstrong is not an option at WR. Cooley was targeted 12 times - and with 69 yards on the day, he's got the 4th most receiving yards of any TE. Start him every week.

The Packers looked flawed last week - their run-game looked anemic and the pressure on the passing game looked insurmountable. But B-Jax picked up 115 yards on the ground. Be happy about that if you started him yesterday - but with a long of 71 yards, you shouldn't feel THAT vindicated after spending your entire FAAB on him. I'm more bull-ish on B-Jax because of his 5 catches - if he can be used in the passing game (which R.Grant really never was), he (and the entire team) will thrive. A-Rod was steady but not superb. He's spreading the ball out nicely - with 4 guys having 4 catches or more. And as the old fantasy adage goes, the more the ball is spread, the better it is for the QBs...but not the WRs. Look for A-Rod to remain elite, but be concerned about whether Driver's start was more a fluke than a fact. The Jermicheal Finley injury could be serious, and not great news for Rodgers if and when he returns.


Chiefs (9) v. Colts (19)

The Chiefs came back to earth losing their first game of 2010 in Indy yesterday. You knew this would happen - Cassel is just not good enough for KC to be a real contender. Indy's pass D is legit - but that doesn't excuse his 156yds/0td game. Charles had another solid game - in 3 of his 4 games, he has gone over 100 all-purpose yards. Thomas Jones wasn't used much getting 1 carry for every 2 for Charles. But TJ was brought over because he doesn't fumble - so Charles' fumble made my heart skip a beat. I don't know what to do with Bowe - he is freakishly talented but the numbers aren't there. Indy's pass D is solid - but 2 catches per his 8 targets makes me think I need to start looking for other options, and possibly drop Bowe.

No Colt put up noteworthy numbers yesterday as Peyton threw for just 244 yards and nobody else broke 100 rushing or receiving yards. The Colts are so good at winning you have to expect these types of games...from time to time where they just spread things out, slow things down, and close ballgames despite lackluster statistical days. I long for the day where I can say that Peyton is not a QB1 option - but today is not that day. Garcon was targeted 14 times and Collie was only targeted 6 times. Is Garcon going to step in and replicate numbers like Collie has over the last several weeks? Probably not - unfortunately, they probably both eat into the other's production too much to be top-tier WR2s.


Rams (6) v. Lions (44)

Hold your horses. The Lions' first victory of the season probably looks like someone would have had a monster day...however, despite the most points of the day, no Lion really broke out yesterday. Shaun Hill would be the closest; anytime someone throws 3 TDs, you have to pay some respect. But his 227 yards kept him behind Alex Smith, Tony Romo, and Philip Rivers in most formats. Still, Hill needs to be owned in all leagues and should be starting in 2-QB leagues. Megatron and Burleson put up nearly identical stat-lines with 54 and 56 yards respectively and a TD a piece. Trust Calvin, but don't trust Nate. Pettigrew and Scheffler both had workmen days as TE's - but they both eat into each other's work too much to be startable. Meanwhile, Javid Best crossed the century mark in all-purpose yards once again. He is the man in Detroit. And the nice thing with Best is his pass catching abilities. Even if the Lions continue to stink, he will still be a passing target. Best actually has more receiving yards (254) than rushing yards (241) on the season. Start him with pride.

You probably aren't starting many Rams, but Steven Jackson got 100+ yards for the first time all-season. It really is a shame - I always wonder how good S-Jax would have been had he played on a team that could compete. He is a stud - but always an injury risk. The only other Ram you could have been starting is Mark Clayton. He's out - so you should be adding Danny Amendola who got targeted, get this, NINETEEN times yesterday! The Rams were losing big - but that Sam Bradford so quickly focused in on him bodes well for his long-term value in STL.


Falcons (20) v. Browns (10)

The 4-1 Falcons had stellar performances from Mike Turner (140 yards) and Roddy White (101). They are must-starts every week. Ryan struggled - but the job got done. You still should feel comfortable starting Ryan going forward. Tony G's numbers weren't fantastic but his 8 targets should keep you feeling comfortable calling him a TE1.

Big Seneca Wallce did not deliver \ throwing for 139 yards and 1 td. Unsurprisingly, no receiver thrived. You might be starting Ben Watson - his 45 yards were encouraging. But he is not an elite option. The only elite Brown is Hillis and yesterday demonstrated Harrison is not going to take much action from him. Neither was stellar but Hillis' 49 receiving yards saved his day. Start him with pride.


Bucaneers (24) v. Bengals (21)

The Bengals lost this game. Palmer is a disaster who some are saying could be CUT. How the mighty have fallen. You're not safe if you're counting on him to reach a title. TO had a huge score - but he is not an elite wideout anymore. Benson had a MONSTER game with 144 yards. But he is part of a deteriorating offense. I think he finishes the season as "the guy" in Cincy - but don't expect many games with triple digit yardage.

The Bucs had a breakout performance from Syracuse grad Mike Williams with his 99 yards and a score. He's probably worth starting in most leagues. On the other hand, Winslow looked dominant amassing 75 yards on 6 grabs. His 9 targets suggest that he is going to remain a prominent piece of the offense. No Tampa back looked stellar - I wouldn't be excited starting Caddy or Graham.


Jaguars (36) v. Bills (26)

The Bills are pathetic. Fitzpatrick tossed three TDs - and can be considered as a deep option. However, keep in mind the fact that the Bills may be more interested in Brian Brohm's development than seeing the Harvard grad continue at the helm. Fred Jackson are CJ Spiller are not great options yet, but Jackson looks to be the guy so far. Lee Evans is what he always has been - a deep option with high standard deviations that is a threat to sometimes grab a long ball.

On the Jags side of the ball, nobody really did anything to write home about. I am curious about UCLA grad Marcedes Lewis. He got his 4th and 5th TDs of the season with a serviceable 54 yards.  The fact that MJD isn't being utilized much in the passing game is really stifling his value. He hasn't broke 20 yards all year - compared to the 11 times he accomplished the feat last season. He is still awesome - but he is not "the" top 3 back he was advertised to be.