Week 5 begins on Sunday as the NFL treks into the 2nd quarter of the NFL season. For the most part, fantasy football has been a block of duds with few surprises. High draft picks have not panned out for some while others have found late draft or undrafted gems. This however is week 5, and there are some guys you should consider sitting this week although they may be healthy, and others that you probabably never thought about starting in the first place. Beware: These are some names that you may have to risk starting, but you need to seriously watch up to the last minute of game starts to see if they will play.
Aaron Rodgers – He says he will play, his team mates want him to play, but his shoulder and the coaches have yet to decide. As of now, he is a game time decision.
Carey Davis – RB – Pittsburgh – The Steelers lost Rashard Mendenhall for the year last week and then lost Davis in the 2nd half. Mewelde Moore is the starter this week but Davis is listed as doubtful. If you are planning on playing Davis, or forced to, you have some issues with your roster.
Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice – The Viking WR’s are both listed as questionable, and in reality neither may play. Both are banged up and it would not be out of the question to see them struggle if they do play. Very risky plays this week even in deep leagues.
Willis McGahee – He was limited all week in practice and still appears banged up. He is questionable but in reality unless you have no one else to start, you shouldn’t play him this week. The Ravens will be facing the Titans and their stingy run defense. The Ravens may be better off sitting Willis this week just to make sure as well.
Ben Rothlisberger – Ben didn’t practice fully this week and while he is still likely to start, his ailing shoulder could give way to Byron Leftwich at some point in the game. If you have “Big” Ben, take a strong look at your back-up QB and if your back-up isn’t that good…go pick up Kyle Orton for the weekend…they play the Lions.
Brian Westbrook – Westbrook is listed as questionable but the Eagles expect him to play against Washington. This is risky because they Eagles may take it easy on him and allow him to rest more through out the game. Of course BW may very well explode for a huge game as he has in the past following a missed game. While it may be smart to start him, especially if your other backs have strong opponents, don’t be upset if he doesnt’ score you much. This week, plan on BW’s performance to be “bonus” points if you start…and expect that and you should be o.k.
SIT THEM:
Lendale White – White has been splitting carries with his rookie counterpart and now is nursing an injury. While he is likely to see the field, the Titans face the Ravens and that could be a tough task. Your better off looking elsewhere unless there is nowhere else to look.
Deion Branch & Bobby Engram – For those of you who had these two WR’s and held on to them on your roster, wait another week and then play them. Both are due back this week after missing the entire first quarter of the season with injuries. The Seahawks face a formidable opponent in the Giants and it may be a good idea to let them get some game time under their belts before you rely on them.
START THEM:
Stever Breaston – With Anquan Boldin out, Breaston is a perfect fill in for any roster. Facing the Bills who are missing two safeties this weekend, the Cardinals should be airing it out and the Bills could struggle a bit to contain them. Two things in this game will happen and both mean a lot of Kurt Warner passes. Either the game is a blow out for the Bills and KW spends the day playing catch-up or the game is close and KW is trying to drive the field. Either way, Breaston is good start opposite Larry Fitzgerald.
Matt Forte – While most by now are starting the first year Chicago runner, Forte faces the Detroit Lions this week and could have a really solid day.
Kyle Orton – As with Forte, Orton is slowly starting to turn some heads. A 3 TD day last week could be repeated against a Lions team is celebrating it’s first “real” victory in like 9 years…the firing of Matt Millen.
Roy Williams – Williams is back after a quick miss following an injury and has a decent match with Chicago’s back-up corner this weekend. Williams is rumored to be on the trade block and he may want to show he is fine physically for that trade.
Santonio Holmes – He is banged up but will play. He faces a back-up corner in his game this week against Jacksonville as well. Even if Big Ben goes down, Leftwich can sling it downfield and Holmes could be the difference in this game.
JT O’Sullivan – It’s amazing for one that anyone is talking about this guy but also that I am recommending him to start against New England. The Patriots will either come out and play far better football or they were exposed by the Dolphins as a weak team. My guess is the latter.
FanSided