Studs:
Willis McGahee(RB-Denver Broncos) –
The former Buffalo Bill has quietly produced a solid 2011 campaign. He'll look to build on his success this week at home against Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers. McGahee has proven that he is clearly a more explosive and dependable athlete in the Denver backfield. Knowshon Moreno has been battling injuries and he hasn't given the coaches any reason to give him another look. Last week against the Packers, he had just two carries for four yards while McGahee was able to go for his second 100-yard rushing game of the 2011 season. The Chargers have a fairly stout defensive front, but I like McGahee to have another solid performance, as he's averaged one touchdown per contest in four career games against San Diego. The last time he faced the Chargers was in 2009, while he was still with the Ravens. He had 89 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns, both coming on the ground.
Projection: 104 rush yards, 1 rush td, 3 rec, 36 rec yards
Dexter McCluster(RB-Kansas City Chiefs) –
Kansas City has gotten off to a slow start this year and the injury to Jamaal Charles hasn't helped things. From a fantasy perspective, on the other hand, Charles' injury has helped Dexter McCluster's fantasy value immensely. Last week, McCluster had just 38 total yards – 26 rushing and 12 receiving on three receptions. McCluster should take on a bigger role in the offense this week against the Colts defense. I can't envision a scenario in which the Colts will be able to turn around their nightmare season. Look for McCluster to have a much bigger impact on the offensive side of the ball this week and he may also have a big play or two in the return game as well. In a many leagues, McCluster has dual eligibility as a wide receiver and running back. Any time you can slip a starting running back into a receiver slot you can bet on positive results, especially against the putrid defense of the Indianapolis Colts.
Projection: 88 rush yards, 4 rec, 55 rec yards, 1 rec td
Brandon Pettigrew(TE-Detroit Lions) – Detroit has been one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this year, thanks in large part to the emergence of third-year tight end Brandon Pettigrew. The big tight end has already hauled in 22 receptions for 240 yards through four games, which puts him behind only Calvin Johnson for the team lead in both categories. The 6-foot-5 Pettigrew is an exceptional athlete, and he will be able to show off his skills against the longtime division rival Chicago Bears on Monday night. Although the Bears are the reigning division champs, they sure haven't played like it yet this year. They rank 29th in the NFL against the pass coming into this game, while Matthew Stafford and the Lions rank among the league's best through the air. This is an ominous forecast for the boys from the windy city and the Lions will be 5-0 for the first time since 1956. You can expect Pettigrew to be a major contributor again.
Projection: 6 rec, 114 rec yards, 1 rec td
Duds:
Ben Roethlisberger(QB-Pittsburgh Steelers) –
Big Ben and the Steelers' offense have been plagued by injuries all season long. And for week five you can add another key injury to their laundry list of already dinged-up players – starting left offensive tackle Max Starks. Starks has been key to the Steelers' success over the past few seasons, and with him out of the line-up, it just may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. With Roethlisberger dealing with a foot injury similar to the one he suffered last year, he needs solid protection on his blind side now more than ever. Not only is the diagnosis to Ben's foot similar to the injury he suffered last year on his other foot, but so is the remedy. He will be wearing a metal plate in his cleat to prevent his foot from any unnecessary bending. This should cause a normally nimble and elusive Roethlisberger to be somewhat limited in his escape-ability. The Steelers' injuries, coupled with an above average defense in the Tennessee Titans, which ranks seventh overall against the pass, should make for a long day for Roethlisberger. Try and find a healthy alternative if you can.
Projection: 186 pass yards, 0 td, 2 int, 12 rush yards
Marques Colston(WR-New Orleans Saints) –
Sean Payton came out and said that Colston will resume his normal role in the offense in week five, after he returned from a broken collar bone last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a limited capacity. Drew Brees will enjoy having his top receiving threat back at full speed, but it's not going to translate into big fantasy numbers this week against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been very stingy against the pass this year, allowing just 215 yards per game to opposing QBs. On the flip side, Carolina has been atrocious against the run, allowing nearly 150 yards per game on the ground. I like the Saints to take an early lead in this game by allowing rookie Mark Ingram to flourish. Ingram and the Saints' running game should be in for a big week, while the Saints' passing game will put up less-than-stellar numbers. I know it's hard to bench a guy like Colston, but if you can, wait one more week for him to truly return to full strength.
Projection: 3 rec, 38 rec yards
Reggie Wayne(WR-Indianapolis Colts) –
Over the past decade, Reggie Wayne has been the model of consistency for receivers in the NFL, averaging 79 receptions and 1,075 yards receiving per season. Unfortunately, this year is much different in Indianapolis than years past. If you haven't heard by now, Peyton Manning is hurt and there is no clear timetable for his return. That means that there is no clear timetable for Wayne's return to fantasy relevance. Wayne and the Colts have gotten progressively worse. He started off strong with a seven-catch, 107-yard performance while scoring his lone touchdown of the season against the Houston Texans in week one. Since then, he has averaged less than four catches and 50 yards per game. Wayne has fallen to the wayside with new starting quarterback Curtis Painter favoring Pierre Garcon. I know this is a tough pill to swallow if you are a Wayne owner, because you probably drafted him with a fairly high pick, but try and find an alternative for him until he and Painter can get on the same page, if they ever do.
Projection: 4 rec, 39 rec yards
Sleepers:
A.J. Green(WR- Cincinnati Bengals) –
Green is coming off a fantastic performance last week against the Buffalo Bills and he seems to be building solid rapport with fellow rookie quarterback Andy Dalton. Green had his second 100-yard outing of the year last week, and he will be looking to get his third against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Although the Jags have been fairly solid against the pass this season, Green is a rare talent. He is currently making a strong case for AFC Rookie of the Year honors, with Dalton also in the conversation. They should continue to impress this week against a Jaguars team that has struggled to find its footing, starting the season 1-3. I expect the Bengals to keep it somewhat close this week, but I don't expect them to beat the Jaguars on the road. Green will need to show up big this weekend in order for the Bengals to avoid a blowout, and I expect him to do just that.
Projection: 6 rec, 114 rec yards, 1 rec td
Mark Ingram(RB-New Orleans Saints) –
Although Cam Newton is the clear front runner for NFC Rookie of the Year, Mark Ingram is leading NFC rookies in rushing yards, despite playing in a time-share capacity so far this year. I expect that to change this week against the Panthers. Carolina is ranked second-to-last in the league against the run through the first four games of the season. The Panthers allowed the Jaguars' Maurice Jones-Drew to accumulate 122 rushing yards, despite the game's near monsoon conditions. Last week, Matt Forte ran roughshod on the Panthers' defense, going for 205 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, while adding 23 yards receiving. I don't expect Ingram to have that sort of a day, but I do like him to solidify his spot atop the Saints' depth chart and have his best game as a professional.
Projection: 112 rush yards, 1 rush td, 3 rec, 42 rec yards, 1 rec td
Plaxico Burress(WR- New York Jets) –
The New England Patriots' defense is having a horrible start to the season. The ‘D' ranks dead last in pass defense, allowing 377 yards per game, while also allowing nearly 25 points per game, which ranks the Pats 22nd overall in that category. Expect Burress to take advantage of the Patriots' mediocrity. He already has two touchdowns through four games in 2011, but he hasn't had more than four catches in any one game. He will definitely surpass that amount this weekend. The Patriots have been decimated by injuries on the defensive side of the ball and I like Plaxico to take advantage of the mismatches. He is a big target for Mark Sanchez, who is having his best season as a pro. Even though they may not win this game in Foxboro this weekend, look for Plaxico to re-establish himself as an impact player and have his best game as a Jet.
Projection: 8 rec, 124 rec yards, 1 rec td
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