B/R Pro Football Challenge Week 5: Jaguars’ Jones-Drew Could Be Top Scorer

The more I play it, the more I find that the Pro Football Challenge here on B/R is a great way for fantasy players of all types to come together and prove their fantasy prowess.

It's free to enter, and the grand prize is two tickets to this year’s Super Bowl.

Miss a week? No problem—you’re still eligible to win the weekly prize, which is a jersey of your choice.

Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

But as I’ve recommended this contest to friends and some family members, I’ve heard quite a few people saying “I don’t understand the rules,” or “I don’t know enough about fantasy football.”

I’m here to help, friends. Maybe it'll cost me a jersey one week, but I like a challenge.

Let’s start with the rules. Each week, players will choose a lineup that includes one of each of the following:

• Quarterback
• Running Back
• Wide Receiver
• Tight End
• A Team That Will Win Its Game

The catch is that players only get to choose the player once throughout the season—so picking the right matchup for each player is of significant importance.

The NFL is a somewhat of a crapshoot from week-to-week, but understanding matchups and opportunities is an area that can be used to help make informed decisions throughout the Quick Picks contest here at Bleacher Report.

One major thing to keep in mind with this contest is that the perceived top players may not be the best players to put in your lineup early in the year.

Because we only get to use them once throughout the season, players should consider that there may be better opportunities for the top players as the season goes along.

Although strictly copying my picks will likely not lead you to win this contest, these picks may be a good guideline for visitors who might be wondering what to do at a position or two.

On to the picks!

QUARTERBACKS—Play: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (at Arizona Cardinals)

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to throw a pass against the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

It goes without saying, but Drew Brees is a fantasy football stud. With Pierre Thomas ruled out for this week’s contest, the Saints will rely even more heavily this week on the passing game led by Brees.

Though he hasn’t had the hot start he had in 2009, Brees has remained an elite quarterback even in defeat. His lowest game so far this season saw him accumulate 13 points, but don’t look for another game like that—the Cardinals are notoriously bad at stopping the pass, even if they know it’s coming.

The last time Brees had an opportunity to face this defense, in last season’s playoffs, he lit them up for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Look for more of the same this week.

Other Good Options

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (at Cleveland Browns)

Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams (at Detroit Lions)

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buffalo Bills (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

QUARTERBACKS—Avoid: Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Excitement is in the air with Randy Moss joining the team, but this simply isn’t the time to use him in this contest. Favre hasn’t shown us the ability to be a competent fantasy quarterback in 2010 and even with Moss on the team, he is facing a Jets defense that has made better quarterback—Moss’s previous partner Tom Brady included—look pedestrian.

With upcoming games against the Patriots and Cardinals, there will be better opportunities to use Favre this season—he may even have Sidney Rice back by that time. 

RUNNING BACKS—Play: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (at BUF Bills)

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 12: Quarterback David Garrard #9 gives the ball to Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the NFL season opener game against the Denver Broncos5 at EverBank Field on September 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Flor

Everything in this matchup is looking great for Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rushing attack.

One week after finally getting into the end zone and breaking 100 yards for the first time this season, Jones-Drew faces a Buffalo Bills defense that just got done surrendering nearly 300 total yards to the Jets’ running backs.

The Jaguars have struggled offensively so far this season, but if there is a time to use an elite back like Maurice Jones-Drew, it’s now while he’s healthy against a terrible defense.

Other Good Options

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams (at Detroit Lions)

Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers (at Oakland Raiders)

RUNNING BACKS—Avoid: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons (at Cleveland Browns)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons walks to the locker room with trainers after injuring his groin against the Arizona Cardinals at Georgia Dome on September 19, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

On the surface this seems like an excellent play, but we have to examine the situation a bit more thoroughly than that.

In 2009, the Browns allowed a disappointing 21.8 points per game to opposing running backs, fifth worst in the NFL. But in 2010, the Browns have cut that nearly in half, down to just 11.8 points per game.

Not only that, but these numbers have come while stopping some of the better running backs in the league—Ray Rice, Cedric Benson, and even one of the top running duos in the game in Kansas City’s Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles. Despite this excellent competition, the Browns haven’t even allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season.

With Turner and the Falcons running game still trying to get on their feet this season, this just isn’t a good matchup.

WIDE RECEIVERS—Play: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. KC Chiefs)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts is pictured during warmups before the NFL game against the New York Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

So much for the belief that Reggie Wayne’s value is dropping in 2010. Through four weeks, the veteran Colts wide receiver now leads the entire league in receptions and yards—if that’s “declining,” we all need to be looking for some declining players!

The Chiefs have allowed a touchdown every week to opposing receivers and this doesn’t look like a likely time for that to stop. Peyton Manning and the Colts’ offense are on an absolute tear—now if they could only stop someone on defense…

Other Good Options

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons (at Cleveland Browns)

Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants (at Houston Texans)

Mark Clayton, WR, St. Louis Rams (at Detroit Lions)

WIDE RECEIVERS—Avoid: Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens (vs. Denver Broncos)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens runs after a catch in front of Bryant McFadden #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Get

Currently the third-ranked wide receiver, Anquan Boldin seems to be fitting in very nicely with his new team in Baltimore. Boldin has caught five or more passes in every game this season including a three touchdown performance against the Browns in week three.

Though he seems to be everything that the Ravens hoped he’d be, a matchup with the Broncos is a lot more difficult than it seems on the surface. Denver tends to use All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey as a shadow to the opposing team’s top receiver and he has done an excellent job of shutting them down in 2010 and really over his entire career.

Boldin is a stud this year, but it’d be wise to wait until he faces the Patriots next week to insert him into your Pro Football Challenge lineup.

TIGHT ENDS—Play: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit Lions (vs. St. Louis Rams)

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 03: Brandon Pettigrew #84 of the Detroit Lions runs after a catch against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 3, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 28-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Imag

Who?

You heard me—Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew has quietly been a very productive fantasy tight end in 2010.

He was very quiet in Week 1 with Matt Stafford behind center, but he has caught 21 passes for 243 yards in three games with Shaun Hill at the helm. Though he has failed to get into the end zone during that time, with as many catches as he is making, it’s only a matter of time before he gets into the touchdown column.

The Rams have done well stopping opposing tight ends this season, but Shaun Hill has targeted his tight ends more than any quarterback in the league. 

Other Good Options

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers (at Oakland Raiders)

Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (at San Francisco 49ers)

Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers (at Washington Redskins)

TIGHT ENDS—Avoid: Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers (vs Philadelphia Eagles)

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers loses the ball while defended by Malcolm Jenkins #27 and Marvin Mitchell #50 of the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Pho

It’s hard to justify not playing one of the most physically talented tight ends in the league, but Vernon Davis is one of just two players (Frank Gore being the other) in this offense who the Eagles could possibly be worried about stopping.

Opposing defenses have done an excellent job stopping Davis so far this season, keeping him to single digit points in every game. After leading the entire league in receiving touchdowns in 2009, he has caught just one in 2010. That number can certainly go up with a nice game or two, but until this offense starts moving the ball more efficiently, Davis’ opportunities will be limited.

TEAM TO WIN—Play: Indianapolis Colts (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

DENVER - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts directs the offense against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Colts defeated the Broncos 27-13. (Photo by Doug

That’s right—a 2-2 team beating the only undefeated team in the league.

The Colts are a seven point favorite to be the first team to notch an “L” on the Chiefs’ record this Sunday, and for good reason—Peyton Manning is going to pick this defense apart for big yardage all day.

Though the Chiefs have one of the top running games in the league and the Colts have struggled mightily to stop the run, this week could be a bit different. Not only do the Colts have a chip on their shoulder after their second loss of the season, but they also know that the run is coming—Matt Cassel and the Chiefs’ passing game simply isn’t up to par.

The Colts have stumbled a bit out of the gate this year, but does anyone really believe that they’re going to fall below .500?

Other Good Options

Baltimore Ravens (vs. Denver Broncos)

Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

New Orleans Saints (at Arizona Cardinals)

TEAM TO WIN—Avoid: Philadelphia Eagles (at San Francisco 49ers)

Doug Benc/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms-up on the sidelines while taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-

San Francisco stayed competitive in games against the Saints and Falcons so they can’t be this bad, can they?

After another disappointing loss brought them to 0-4 in 2010, the 49ers fanbase has to be asking, “What went wrong?”

The preseason favorites to win the NFC West, the 49ers are now simply trying to get into the win column. It’s hard to believe that a team anchored by Frank Gore on offense and Patrick Willis on defense could struggle this much, but that’s the reality.

This week, they get a Philadelphia Eagles team without Mike Vick and with an injured LeSean McCoy. McCoy is set to play, but his ribs are certainly a concern and the Eagles can’t afford to have him aggravate the injury—there’s a good chance that he sees a limited number of touches in this week’s game.

With that information, we know that the Eagles are likely to lean heavily on Kevin Kolb. While San Francisco has been mediocre at stopping opposing quarterbacks this season, this is their chance to make a quarterback pay when they know that the pass is coming early and often.

The 49ers have been terrible this season—we all know that. But Mike Singletary and his team simply cannot afford to fall to 0-5. If they do, Singletary’s head could very well be on the chopping block, even as early as next week.