Note: Sleeper alert focuses on players who aren't considered regular starters but have favorable matchups and could produce at a high level. Owners beware focuses on prominent players with unfavorable matchups who could fail to meet statistical expectations.
Edgerrin James, RB, Arizona: James has had a solid start to his second season with Arizona, and his success should continue this week in St. Louis. The Rams rank an atrocious 29th in the NFL against the run, and teams have averaged close to 140 rushing yards per game against them at the Edwards Jones Dome. The Cardinals will look to exploit this obvious weakness with 20-25 carries from James, who averaged 102.4 yards per game on the ground against the Rams last season and seems destined to produce nice numbers in this important NFC West clash.
QUARTERBACKS: START 'EM
Tony Romo, Dallas: Romo has been the most productive player in all of fantasy football after four weeks, and it's hard not to love his matchup on Monday Night Football in Buffalo. The Bills are riddled with injuries on the defensive side of the football, so it's no shock that opponents have averaged over 280 passing yards per game against them. In an offense that is loaded with weapons and has averaged an NFL-high 37.8 points per game, Romo should have his fifth consecutive impressive stat line and is a must-start quarterback across the board.
Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants: You'll be able to hear Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" emanate from the Meadowlands this weekend, as the Jets and Giants battle for the Big Apple crown. This should be a nice matchup for Manning, who is on pace to throw for close to 30 touchdowns and faces a Jets defense that ranks 27th against the pass. The Men in Green have also allowed an average of over 300 passing yards per game at home -- that's worst in the NFL -- so Manning should play large for the Giants.
More quarterbacks with favorable matchups: Tom Brady vs. Cleveland, Drew Brees vs. Carolina, Jay Cutler vs. San Diego, Jon Kitna at Washington, Vince Young vs. Atlanta.
Sleeper alert: Joey Harrington at Tennessee.
QUARTERBACKS: SIT 'EM
Derek Anderson, Cleveland: It's unreal to think that Anderson, who wasn't even selected in most fantasy drafts, is in the top six in points after four weeks. But with a contest on the road against New England on the slate, Anderson is far from an attractive option despite his solid numbers. The Patriots rank fourth in the NFL against the pass, and they've allowed a mere 156.2 passing yards per game. Furthermore, the return of SS Rodney Harrison from suspension makes Anderson an even less attractive choice in what could be a one-sided affair.
David Garrard, Jacksonville: Garrard has been a solid addition for fantasy owners this season, but he'll be hard pressed to produce solid numbers this week in Kansas City. The Chiefs have one of the more underrated defenses in the NFL. They're ranked fifth against the pass and have allowed an average of just 167.8 passing yards with two passing touchdowns on the season. What's more, the Chiefs have allowed a miniscule average of 129.0 passing yards per game on their home field of Arrowhead Stadium. Those numbers don't bode well for Garrard in this AFC matchup.
More quarterbacks with unfavorable matchups: Jeff Garcia at Indianapolis, Matt Leinart at St. Louis, Steve McNair at San Francisco, Philip Rivers at Denver, Ben Roethlisberger vs. Seattle.
Owners beware: Matt Hasselbeck at Pittsburgh.
RUNNING BACKS: START 'EM
Clinton Portis, Washington: Portis does have a mild knee sprain, but he had extra time to heal after Washington's bye week and is expected to start against Detroit. The Lions have an incredible offensive attack under coordinator Mike Martz, but their defense leaves a lot to be desired. They rank 17th in the NFL against the run, and they've surrendered an average of 132.5 rushing yards on the road and six rushing touchdowns overall. Barring setbacks, fantasy owners should expect Portis to deliver solid numbers at FedEx Field.
More running backs with favorable matchups: Marion Barber at Buffalo, Ahman Green vs. Miami, Larry Johnson vs. Jacksonville, Laurence Maroney vs. Cleveland, Willis McGahee at San Francisco.
Sleeper alert: LenDale White vs. Atlanta.
RUNNING BACKS: SIT 'EM
Cedric Benson, Chicago: Benson was considered a viable breakout candidate in the preseason, but his lack of production has instead broken the hearts of fantasy owners. He has more fumbles than touchdowns, and his 3.2 yards-per-carry average is a career low. Aside from the chance that he will lose some backfield work to Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe, Benson should be avoided based on this week's matchup. In two games at Lambeau Field, the Packers have allowed an average of less than 90 rushing yards per game.
Warrick Dunn, Atlanta: Dunn has rushed for 1,000-plus yards in three consecutive seasons, but that streak seems destined to end based on his current numbers. The veteran out of Florida State has rushed for 222 yards after four contests, so at this point the 900-yard rushing mark is even in question. With Jerious Norwood in the backfield mix and a difficult road matchup against a Tennessee defense that has allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL (63.3 YPG), Dunn should be left on the bench in Week 5.
More running backs with unfavorable matchups: Shaun Alexander at Pittsburgh, Tatum Bell at Washington, Jamal Lewis at New England, Marshawn Lynch vs. Dallas, Vernand Morency vs. Chicago.
Owners beware: Frank Gore vs. Baltimore.
WIDE RECEIVERS: START 'EM
Marques Colston, New Orleans: Much like most of his New Orleans teammates, Colston has been a serious disappointment for fantasy owners. In fact, last season's breakout rookie is on pace to record fewer than 1,000 yards at his current rate of production. While these numbers are all negative, Colston should still be active this week based on a matchup against Carolina. The Panthers rank 20th against the pass and have allowed an average of almost 260 receiving yards per game on the road, so Colston is a more viable choice in most leagues.
Brandon Marshall, Denver: Marshall has been one the better sleepers of the season, and his success should continue this week against San Diego. The Chargers rank 27th overall against the pass and have allowed eight receiving touchdowns after four weeks. Furthermore, the Bolts have allowed an average of over 320 receiving yards on the road. Should Javon Walker miss another week due to an injured knee, Marshall will become that much more attractive as a No. 2 or 3 fantasy receiver in all formats.
More wide receivers with favorable matchups: Plaxico Burress vs. N.Y. Jets, Laveranues Coles at N.Y. Giants, Donald Driver vs. Chicago, Randy Moss vs. Cleveland, Terrell Owens at Buffalo.
Sleeper alert: Antwaan Randle El vs. Detroit.
WIDE RECEIVERS: SIT 'EM
Deion Branch, Seattle: Branch is on pace to record the first 1,000-yard season of his NFL career, but those projections could decrease a bit this week in Pittsburgh. The Steelers rank eighth against the pass and have allowed just three receiving touchdowns on the season, and the opposition's No. 1 wideout has averaged a miniscule 43.0 yards with no touchdowns at Heinz Field. While Branch will remain active in most leagues with 12-plus teams because of the bye week, don't be shocked if his numbers are far less than stellar.
Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Aside from his 98-yard, one-touchdown performance against Green Bay, Jackson has been quiet this season. The Northern Colorado product has averaged a mere 44.3 yards with no touchdowns in his other three starts, and now he'll have to face Denver and the inpenetrable combination of Champ Bailey and Dre' Bly. The Broncos rank first against the pass and have allowed an average of just 113.5 receiving yards per game at Invesco Field, so it could be a long and difficult afternoon for Jackson.
More wide receivers with unfavorable matchups: Dwayne Bowe vs. Jacksonville, Braylon Edwards at New England, Joey Galloway at Indianapolis, Darrell Jackson vs. Baltimore, Derrick Mason at San Francisco.
Owners beware: Torry Holt vs. Arizona.
TIGHT ENDS: START 'EM
Chris Cooley, Washington: Cooley's numbers after three contests (six catches, 54 yards) leave much to be desired, but he's still scored twice despite his lack of overall numbers. This week he'll face a Detroit defense that ranks tied for 30th in the NFL against the pass and has surrendered eight receiving touchdowns, so this favorable matchup is more than evident. Another reason to like Cooley is the Lions' ineffectiveness on the road, where they've allowed an average of 335 receiving yards with seven touchdowns.
Dallas Clark, Indianapolis: Clark has already posted more than half of his total receiving yards and duplicated his touchdown total from last season, and we're still in early October. With the status of Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison both in question, Clark could see an even greater increase in offensive opportunities against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have been solid in all aspects on defense this season, but they haven't faced a prolific offense like the Colts. What's more, Clark is just too hot to reserve at this point in time.
More tight ends with favorable matchups: Eric Johnson vs. Carolina, Jeremy Shockey vs. N.Y. Jets, Benjamin Watson vs. Cleveland, Jason Witten at Buffalo.
Sleeper alert: Donald Lee vs. Chicago.
TIGHT ENDS: SIT 'EM
Randy McMichael, St. Louis: The fact that head coach Scott Linehan will call the plays this week is a positive for all the Rams' offensive skill position players, but it's not enough to consider McMichael a viable starter. He has averaged a mere 25.2 receiving yards and has no touchdowns after four weeks, and now he'll have to face an underrated Arizona defense that will be aggressive throughout the contest. Unless McMichael has a few decent stat lines, he should be reserved on all fantasy teams.
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh: Miller's numbers have been serviceable this season, but he's been far less than consistent. In fact, the veteran tight end has recorded 50-plus yards just once in four starts, and he hasn't scored a touchdown since the regular-season opener. This week he'll face a Seattle defense that has allowed an average of 13.2 points and two receiving touchdowns, so Miller could be in for another mediocre stat line. Unless you're desperate for a tight end, he should be reserved in most fantasy formats.
More tight end with unfavorable matchups: Owen Daniels vs. Miami, Marcedes Lewis at Kansas City, Marcus Pollard at Pittsburgh, Alex Smith at Indianapolis.
Owners beware: Alge Crumpler at Tennessee.
KICKERS: START 'EM
Stephen Gostkowski, New England: Gostkowski hasn't been spectacular this season -- he's made 5 of 6 field goals and doesn't have a conversion longer than 36 yards -- but he's still a solid option behind what has become an incredible New England offense. The Memphis product is tied with Nick Folk for the most extra points with 19, and he'll add to that total this week against Cleveland. The Browns have allowed almost 30 points per game on the road, and only San Francisco has allowed more field-goal conversions.
Matt Stover, Baltimore: No kicker has attempted or converted more field goals than Stover, who is 10 of 13 on the season with a long conversion of 46 yards. Combine those numbers with a matchup against San Francisco, which has allowed the most field-goal conversions on the season, and you've got a nice option at the kicker position. Each of the last three booters to face the Niners have connected on three field goals apiece, so Stover's chances to produce a nice stat line this week seem tremendous.
More kickers with favorable matchups: Nick Folk at Buffalo, Robbie Gould at Green Bay, Nate Kaeding at Denver, Olindo Mare at Carolina.
Sleeper alert: Shaun Suisham vs. Detroit.
KICKERS: SIT 'EM
Josh Brown, Seattle: Brown has had a nice start to the season, as he's converted on all eight of his field-goal attempts and all nine of his extra points. However, this week's contest against Pittsburgh makes him a bit of a risk for fantasy owners. The Steelers have allowed a miniscule 9.5 points per game at Heinz Field, and only one kicker (Joe Nedney) has connected on multiple field goals against them overall. Kickers are just 1 of 2 in field goals against Pittsburgh this season aside from Nedney, so it could be a hard afternoon for Brown.
Dave Rayner, Kansas City: Rayner recorded a monster stat line last week with three field goals and a total of 13 fantasy points against San Diego, but he's not a recommended starter in Week 5. The Chiefs face what looks like a defensive battle on paper against Jacksonville, which has allowed just 14.0 points per game on the road and are tied with New England for the fewest field-goal conversions allowed. Unless you're in a league with 16-plus teams, Rayner should be left on the sidelines this week.
More kickers with unfavorable matchups: Morten Andersen at Tennessee, Phil Dawson at New England, Jason Hanson at Washington, Rian Lindell vs. Dallas.
Owners beware: Jeff Wilkins vs. Arizona.
DEFENSES: START 'EM
Dallas defense: The Cowboys started the season slow, but their defense has turned it on in recent games. This week they'll face a Buffalo offense that has averaged just 10.2 points per game and is starting a rookie quarterback in Trent Edwards, so Dallas should shine on Monday night.
New England defense: All of the Patriots' offensive skill position players are nice options against Cleveland, and so is their defense. The P-Men have allowed an average of 12.0 points per game on the season, and they'll put the clamps on Derek Anderson and the Browns offense in what could be a blowout.
More defenses with favorable matchups: Baltimore defense at San Francisco, Green Bay defense vs. Chicago, Houston defense vs. Miami, Indianapolis defense vs. Tampa Bay.
Sleeper alert: Arizona defense at St. Louis.
DEFENSES: SIT 'EM
Tampa Bay defense: The Buccaneers have improved on defense after several offseason moves, but they're still not formidable enough to start against Indianapolis. Even if Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison are out of action, the presence of Peyton Manning is enough reason to keep the Bucs reserved in Week 5.
Buffalo defense: The Bills are riddled with injuries on the defensive side of the football -- DE Ryan Denney (foot), LB Kevin Harrison (knee), S Jim Leonhard (calf), LB Coy Wire (knee) are all out -- and now they'll have to face a Dallas offense that has become a juggernaut under new coordinator Jason Garrett.
More defenses with unfavorable matchups: Denver defense vs. San Diego, N.Y. Jets defense at N.Y. Giants, San Francisco defense vs. Baltimore, Washington defense vs. Detroit.
Owners beware: Seattle defense at Pittsburgh.




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