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[Editor's Note: This post was originally posted by Finhead83 as "Fantasy Football Week 5: Start 'em and Sit 'em"]
This is the week you don't tell your wife the Dolphins are on a bye week. If you do, you'll find your living room TV set tuned into 'Pretty Woman' instead of football. Without further adieu, here is this week's Start 'em and Sit 'em players.
QBs:
Start 'em:
Eli Manning: He has thrown at least 2 TDs in his 3 games and is going against an underwhelming defense. Seattle's pass defense hasn't been bad, but they haven't been very good either. They have tallied only 5 sacks and 2 INTs on the season, making it a safe bet Eli won't have many negative plays.
Kevin Kolb: The Vikings have been successful shutting down the run, but they rank 28th in pass defense. They have allowed 6 passing TDs in 4 games and have only created 3 interceptions. Opposing QBs have a 96.7 QB Rating against the Vikings.
Sit 'em:
Blaine Gabbert: This will save you from having to watch this snoozefest. The Bengals rank 3rd in the NFL in pass defense, allowing just under 189 YPG through the air. Leon Hall and Nate Clements form a pretty good duo against the rookie QB as well.
Kyle Orton: The Chargers rank 5th in pass defense the Broncos passing attack ranks 24th in the NFL. Orton's 8 TDs in 4 games seem like a decent number, but he also has 6 INTs and may be prone to a few more negative plays this week. San Diego has done pretty well against QBs not named Tom Brady this year.
RBs:
Start 'em:
Fred Jackson: I probably shouldn't even include him here. If you're using Jackson as a role player or a bench warmer at this point, you either play in a 2-man league or you deserve to lose. Jackson is not only 4th in the NFL in rushing, but he's going against the Eagles defense that is weak in the front 7. Philadelphia ranks 30th in rush defense this year.
Stevan Ridley: He finally broke out last week and I expect his performance to carry over. In fact, he may end up as New England's leading rusher, which would not have surprised me if someone said that prior to week one. The Jets also rank 27th against the run.
Sit 'em:
Shonn Greene: Yes, the Jets say they want to run the ball more, but that means they'll be running more behind a banged up center with a RB averaging only 3.1 YPC. He only has 1 TD on the season.
Rashard Mendenhall: He's averaging a paltry 3.0 YPC and the Titans defense has been quite good so far. Backup Isaac Redman has been more impressive so far and may get more chances to steal carries. Mendenhall is also listed as questionable for Sunday and will be a game-time decision. He's not a good start even if he does play.
WRs:
Start 'em:
Dwayne Bowe: He's been the steady producer for KC with 275 yards and 2 TDs in the past 3 games. He's going against the Colts, a defense teams scare even less when they don't have to play catchup with Peyton Manning.
AJ Green: He only has 2 TDs, but he is the #1 target for the Bengals. He has gone over 100 receiving yards twice so far this year. He will be going against a Jacksonville defense without Derek Cox, their top CB.
Sit 'em:
Mike Thomas: He has a rookie QB throwing to him and is going against Leon Hall. Thomas' season high for receiving yards is 73 yards and he only has 1 TD on the year. That doesn't sound like a WR that will produce for you.
Denarius Moore: With Jacoby Ford returning, Moore's opportunities will significantly decrease. With less chances will come less yards and fewer TDs.
TEs:
Start 'em:
Brandon Pettigrew: 17 receptions and 176 yards in the past two games. That is very good for PPR leagues. Now if only he can add a TD. Still, he's a solid target in Detroit's offense and his role is increasing.
Jimmy Graham: He's had at least one reception of 20+ yards in each game. Like Pettigrew, his role is expanding in New Orleans. He has 232 yards and 2 TDs in the last two games.
Sit 'em:
Zach Miller: Even with Sidney Rice returning to draw more attention to the outside, Miller has still not seen his role increase in Seattle. It's a shame such a great talent is going to waste.
Scott Chandler: He's popular because of 4 TDs in 4 games, but he doesn't receive many targets or yards. He has a favorable matchup against a weak LB corps, but consider this one more of a gut feeling.