Week 5 Preview

Game of the Week

Madd Skillz vs. ChamPeons (+11)

4-0 takes on 3-1, CHM has one eye on a share of first place...The four Cowboys starting in this matchup (Bledsoe-Glenn vs. Owens-Jones) will go a long way towards deciding it...Week 5 is Champ's 2nd worst week (by a hair) averaging just 84.50 at this stage...With exactly 107 points this week, Champ would bring his career average to 100 ppg...With 63.25 points this week, Schillinger can reach 4,000 for his career, he would be the first owner to that fancy round number...Schillinger has beaten Whitlock 3 of 4 games lifetime.

News and Notes, SKL

LaDanian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates draw their second straight tough defense in PIT this week. After combining for just 13.50 against the Ravens last time out, the duo will need to be more productive with the Bengals Johnson out this week...Drew Bledsoe gets his second straight start, and outside an early interception last week, played well. Bledsoe loves Terry Glenn, who has been a pleasant suprise this season, and the two could again give Schillinger the exhiliration of double touchdowns...Made a trade during the week, acquiring Chester Taylor and a 7th rounder for Kevan Barlow and a 3rd. Taylor needs to make an impression this week against a weak Detroit defense because he sits next week for SKL's matchup with The Slumpbusters...Steve Smith has a great matchup against Cleveland...Key Byes: Matt Hasselbeck, Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, CHM

The man on everyone's hotlist right now is Patriot rookie Laurence Maroney. Maroney already has 51 fantasy points, putting him at 7th amongst all RBs in our league. He does have a tough matchup this week with Miami, which gets tougher when you factor in he's still sharing the football...Marcus Robinson is a good one week gamble against a miserable Lions team, he'll look to compensate for Andre Johnson's bye. He can also help combat any damage that Chester Taylor can do...Despite Frank Gore's recent failings, he and Eric Johnson are set up for big weeks against the Raiders- a defense that let Ruben Droughns go for 100 yards and Kellen Winslow catch a TD last week...I expect a huge game from Terrell Owens in Philadelphia this week; two TDs isn't unreasonable to expect...Joseph Addai vs. TEN is also a great thing to have; expect Indy to get a big lead and run out the string with their rookie getting some experience along the way...Key Byes: Andre Johnson, David Carr...Key Injuries: Vernon Davis (Out)

On Deck

The Slumpbusters vs. Cellar Dwellers (+18)

Last year's runner-up takes on the team that outscored them over the season, but missed the playoffs...Every game is an important game, but this one is moreso because 1) they both have designs on the postseason and can knock down a competitor and 2) I need to build some sort of drama early in the season...Game #5 is Eli's best by far- averaging 143.25 points in that week...Stem is 2-1 against Gieryna lifetime, winning the last two, including a 115.75-101.00 decision over a bye-depleted Sex Panther in 2005.

News and Notes, SLM

I write this every week, but the Rams are all a great play this week, taking on Green Bay. Eli's had three key players take on SF, ARI, DET and now GB consecutively this season. Expect big things from Steven Jackson, Marc Bulger and Torry Holt. That streak comes to a close next week vs. SEA, theoretically...The Giants are terrible against the pass this year, great news for Santana Moss, worse news for Clinton Portis. Portis should still be a factor in the game...On the extreme other end of the matchup spectrum, Tatum Bell and Willis McGahee take on Baltimore and Chicago, resp. That's awful...Reggie Williams is becoming a force, it's a shame that he doesn't really have an every day spot in SLM's lineup...Both Jeremy Shockey and Ben Watson have both been considerable disappointments considering their preseason expectations...Key Byes: Michael Vick, Maurice Morris...Key Injuries: None

News and Notes, CD

If LaMont Jordan is going to be a real factor this season, he's going to have to have big games against bad teams. He did so last week, and has SF on deck this week. He won't be the stud back he was last year, but if he can put up numbers against inferior opponents, it goes a long way for CD...Early season suprise Donte Stallworth is fizzling as of late, he can't seem to shake that pesky hamstring injury...Keenan McCardell gets a flex spot in place of Donte, but he's a risky play until the Chargers Coaching Staff grows a pair and lets Philip Rivers throw the ball...Mike Sellers is an interesting play. He's got only 2 carries in his career but he is a receiving threat. For him to steal a TD from Moss or Portis would be gi-normous...Key Byes: Shaun Alexander, Eric Moulds...Key Injuries: Donte Stallworth (Doubtful), Larry Fitzgerald (Probable), LJ Smith (Probable)

The 3 Spot

Fresh Legs vs. Naj Davenport's Poop (-4)

Despite the identical records, this game doesn't hold the same stress as the Eli-Stem tilt because niether team will fall more than a game behind the other. A loss by either side won't mean it's time to panic...FL is coming off their worst performance of the season, while NDP is coming in on a high note...Baron could be missing his two best players in this one...Viano is 2-0 in week 5, despite a subpar 91.63 ppg- that average is dragged down by a 69.25, good enough for a win last year...Baron beat Viano in their only meeting, a 75.25-71.50 slugfest last year.

News and Notes, FL

Thomas Jones finally came alive last week, getting into the end zone twice. Great news, sure- but the better news is that he got 24 carries and averaged over 4 yards per...There are 4 daunting red "Qs" in Baron's lineup (though Reggie Brown has been upgraded to probable) which is just a miserable thing to go through...Dominic Rhodes plays Tennessee this week, and would be a good start for that alone, but the fact that he's assured to play makes him even more attractive...Worst case scenario: Baron moves Westbrook to the flex spot, and subs out Green for Rhodes at Noon, subs in Rod Smith at flex at 4. It's nice to have options this week, wheras last week was a total screwjob...I know Baron doesn't want my advice, but Dallas Clark is a safer play than Heath Miller against SD, at least until Ben Roethlisberger remembers how to play football...Welcome to the lineup, Jake Delhomme. You picked a good week to schedule Cleveland...Key Byes: Carson Palmer...Key Injuries: Brian Westbrook (Questionable), Ahman Green (Questionable), Laverneus Coles (Questionable), Reggie Brown (Probable)

News and Notes, NDP

Quoth Gieryna: "Peyton is going to score 45 points against Tennessee. That alone is going to be good enough for a win." Unfortunately, that's the only real good matchup for Andy this week...Ronnie Brown and Willie Parker play NE and SD, resp which is troubling...Marion Barber III has been great in limited action this year- 5.4 ypc, with a TD every 10 rushes. He also averages over 14 yards per reception. As long as he's involved, he's a solid RB3 play- potentially greater if Julius Jones goes down...Amani Toomer has 3 TDs his last 2 games...Big game for Hines Ward, as he could break both the 10 catch and 100 yard barriers on the season with just one catch for one yard...Key Byes: Jerious Norwood, Bobby Engram...Key Injuries: Matt Jones (Doubtful), Namesake (Questionable)

Batting Cleanup

The Nihilst Marmot vs. Father Abraham (+22.5)

6 of Lincoln's 9 career wins have come before Week 5, a bad sign for him...Lincoln is the only owner to have his point totals drop every week...On the other side, both Tomke and Viano have increased their totals each week. There's a chance all 3 of those streaks stop this week...JR Radcliffe has been merciless on Souzek through their careers, winning all 4 meetings; 1 of 5 unanimous matchups with more than 3 games played. (JR is 4-0 vs. Lincoln, Ed 4-0 vs. Stem, JR 3-0 vs. Champ, Eli 3-0 vs. Baron and Lincoln.)

News and Notes, TNM

Since his writing talents are sorely missed here (especially around recap time) I'll lead with a quote from Eli again: "A marmot who has no beliefs or ideologies? Do marmots have those anyway?"...I feel like I bring up Tennessee a lot- but they're dreadful. JR has two stud receivers yet to reach the end zone on the season that play the Titans this week. That has to end here...Chad Pennington's starts this week now that Kurt Warner's body has officially gone cold...What do we make of Cadillac Williams? He showed he has tremendous stud talent last season, but this year has yet to reach 50 yards and is averaging a measly 2.5 yards per rush. True, Tampa Bay has been awful, but Williams has to get at least part of the blame for their ineptitude, right? You can't put it all on Chris Simms. Anyway, things probably won't get better soon with Bruce Gradkowski running the show. Has anyone ever put 10 men in the box on a two receiver set? We may see that Sunday in the Superdome...Tiki Barber has been solid, but TNM needs more than 'solid' from their RB1...JR has exactly 2 TDs from his keepers this year...Key Byes: Darrell Jackson...Key Injuries: Chad Pennington (Probable), Brett Farve (Probable)

News and Notes, FA

Souzek has three young RBs buried on his roster that have yet to see the lineup, but could before the season is over, which is huge because he needs some healthy runners. First in line is LenDale White, as it's only a matter of time before the chubby rookie gets to show his stuff in the Tennessee backfield with Vince Young. White probably won't be a factor this season, but we will see his keeper potential when he plays. Musa Smith is this year's version of Chester Taylor- a talented back stuck behind Jamal Lewis, though Lewis show no interest in being a monster. Even though it would mean a demotion for his RB1, it's in Lincoln's best interest to see Musa hit the field...Anquan Boldin's relationship with Matt Leinart is worth watching. Boldin has gotten along with every QB he's ever played with (even John Navarre) but if he can get Leinart to look his way before he finds Larry Fitzgerald, that's a big boost for FA...Fred Taylor's got a nice setup this week against the Jets, though he has to reestablish himself as the man in JAX, with Maurice Jones-Drew playing well...Key Byes: Mack Strong, Samkon Gado...Key Injuries: Drew Bennett (Questionable), Desmond Clark (Questionable), Domanick Davis (IR)

The 5 Hole

Tice's Partyboat vs. Who is Ron Mexico (+2)

Battle of two teams that pulled the trigger on a 4 player deal this week, Drew getting two talented rookie backs in DeAngelo Williams and Maurice Jones-Drew for two veteran backs, Warrick Dunn and Chris Brown...Week 5 was when Dave managed just 42 points (all-time VUFSA low) which was what allowed Viano to win with that 69.25 mentioned above...Drew won the meeting between these franchises last season.

News and Notes, TPB

Strange as it may seem, if the Wolfman can pull off a win this week, he could find himself just one game out of a playoff spot, with only 2 teams to leapfrog...DeAngelo Williams' future is bright, but as an every week fantasy back this year, he's shaky. He's gained 136 of his 135 yards in 2 games this year (he had a 0 and a -1 in the other 2). His matchup against Cleveland makes him a good RB3 play...Fellow newcomer Maurice Jones-Drew has a nice matchup as well (NYJ) and has scored a TD the last 2 weeks; both through the air...Vernand Morency is looking better each week that Ahman Green is hobbled. Adding him just before Maurice Morris was gobbled up doesn't look so bad now...Seeing what has happened to Randy Moss since his 111-1632-17 season in 2003 is just depressing...Key Byes: Alge Crumpler...Key Injuries: Donald Driver (Questionable), Ruben Droughns (Questionable)

News and Notes, WIRM

Two new backs take center stage for Dave Tomke, who has some decent depth at the position now. Chris Brown and Kevan Barlow- two maligned 1st round selections this year- get the nod. Barlow has scored 26 points and 3 TDs over his past two games...Shit-ton Bush is still waiting to get things going on the ground, but at least he's contributing in some way...Both Braylon Edwards and Muhsin Muhammed are having fine seasons for Dave, and with Deion Branch and TJ Houshmandzadeh on board as well, he's got a hell of a receiving crew...Michael Robinson gets a backdoor start at WR this week. He may get goal line carries for SF vs. the Raiders, and it's worth noting that Dave is unabashedly rooting for the death of Frank Gore so he can have a starting RB start at WR to go with his WR at TE...Key Byes: (edit) Warrick Dunn, TJ Housh, Deion Branch, Ron Dayne...Key Injuries: Kevan Barlow (Probable), Cedric Houston (Doubtful)