Week Five Fantasy Football Start and Sit

(Could Romo finally play up to his draft value?)

Last week brought us one step closer to fantasy enlightenment, with Week Five potentially closing the door on several would-be star players, while also possible opening the doors on supposed "duds."

Pay attention to bye weeks, severe matchups, and consider the ramifications for both the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns in regards to Braylon Edwards getting shipped off to New York.

Read on for the best sit, sit, and sleeper picks:


Start

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings

If a game-winning touchdown toss and a nearly flawless performance against his former team didn't convince you, maybe a trip to St. Louis will.

After starting the season with two efficient, yet underwhelming efforts, Favre has established himself as a fantasy factor.  Don't miss the hype bus.

Prediction: 21-28, 239 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys

This vouching for Romo says more about Kansas City's weak defense than it does about the future of the Cowboys' passing game.

Romo and his crew still can turn things around, and if they're going to, it's likely it starts with a big offensive display on the road against the Chiefs.

Prediction: 23-33, 293 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants

We know that Jacobs and the Giants rush offense has been rolling lately, but something tells me we haven't seen anything yet.

Now, with the Raiders at home, and the Eli Manning heel injury having the team lean more on the rush offense than ever before, Jacobs could be up for huge numbers.

Prediction: 21 rush, 116 yards, 2 TD, 2 rec, 16 yds, 0 TD

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Westbrook and the rest of the Philly offense has been battling nagging injuries all season.  The perfect medicine?  The Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home.

Give Westbrook the start, even if he will share time with LeSean McCoy, as he should have no trouble putting up solid points against one of the worst defenses in the league.

Prediction: 16 rush, 97 yards, 1 TD, 4 rec, 36 yds, 1 TD

Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins

I know, I can't believe it, either.  The prospect of Moss being an elite WR3 for the third straight game isn't just surprising, it's downright amazing.

Hey, as long as Jason Campbell keeps zoning in on just Moss and Chris Cooley, the numbers are there to be had.  Especially with a matchup against the beatable Carolina secondary.

Prediction: 5 rec, 83 yards, 1 TD


Sit

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Eli Manning has been having issues with plantar fascias, which could keep him from playing in Week Five, and even if it doesn't, the pain could take him out of the game without much warning.

On top of the possibility of him not playing or finishing the game, there's the strong likelihood that he's just used as a decoy, as the Giants run all over the Raiders.  Don't bank on another three-touchdown performance.

Prediction: 11-17, 166 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Cedric Benson, RB, Cincnnati Bengals

Benson has been solid in every game so far this season (at least 74 yards), but with a matchup against the stout Baltimore defense coming up next, this may be the week he actually plays down to his name.

Yes, the Bengals and their offense are "back" to some extent, but don't expect Benson to find enough room to make him a RB1 in week five.

Prediction: 16 rush, 57 yards, 0 TD, 2 rec, 7 yds, 0 TD

Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Johnson has been running hard the past few weeks, but he still isn't living up to his RB2 billing, and really hasn't even put up strong flex numbers.

While most fantasy owners are giving up and dropping Johnson, I suggest to just wait until he has a decent matchup.  He still has some value, just not in week five.

Prediction: 15 rush, 40 yards, 0 TD, 1 rec, 4 yds, 0 TD

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

Okay, Smith scored twice last week, but it took him 19 carries just to get to 30 yards.  And while it was against the Chicago Bears, you can't be loving his chances at repeating that "success" against the Steelers, who completely shut down the Chargers' ground game last week.

Smith could get through on a plunge for a score, but the yardage won't be there.  Like the Men's Wearhouse George Zimmer, I guarantee it.

Prediction: 12 rush, 27 yards, 1 TD, 3 rec, 20 yds, 0 TD

Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos

Royal has 58 yards on the season, and we still haven't seen even a remote glimpse of fantasy potential.  The fact that Brandon Marshall has been progressing offers promise, but you shouldn't be getting your hopes up.

It's very likely that Royal will finally "break out," but it won't be what you're hoping for.  Anticipate him surpassing his season total of yardage, but not much more.  It's baby steps in this Josh McDaniels offense, folks.  Very small baby steps.

Prediction: 5 rec, 60 yards, 0 TD

For the Sleepers section, as well as tons of other fantasy advice and tips, head over to The Red Zone Report.