Week 5 Sit/Start

Week 5 Start/Sit

Quarterbacks

Start

Matt Schaub (Texans) vs. Colts- Coming off his best game of the season where he passed for 307 yards and threw for three TDs against the Jaguars. This week the QB faces a Colts defensive unit that only has one INT and five sacks through 3 games. They have only produced two takeovers to start the season, compared to the seven they forced a season ago. Last season in  Week 3 Schaub completed 81% of his passes against the Colts. Rookie Steve Slaton has emerged as dual-threat runner and receiver out of the backfield. Last week he had 116 total yards and a receiving touchdown. With opposing secondaries concentrating on receiver Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels have combined for 249 yards and 2 TDS.  Indy is 11-1 lifetime against the Texans but the Colts are not as strong as they used to be on both sides of the ball.

Jake Delhomme (Panthers) vs. Chiefs- Delhomme is also coming off his best game of the season where he finished 20-29 for 294 yards and two TDS against the Falcons. The Chiefs did a formidable job last week forcing 4 turnovers and holding Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler in check last week. However, they still allowed 449 yards and recorded only one sack. Panther’s receiver Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad torched the Falcons secondary last week combining for 243 yards and two TDs.

Honorable mention: Kyle Orton (Bears) vs. Lions

Sit

Jon Kitna (Lions) vs. Bears- Sprained his knee in the fourth quarter in Week 3 against the 49ers. He finished the game completing only 50% of his passes for 146 yards. The Bears defense has four interceptions the past two weeks and sacked eagles QB Donovan McNabb three times last week.

Aaron Rodgers (Packers) vs. Falcons- He sprained his shoulder last week in a loss to the Bucs. The injury came on a scramble in the third quarter and he was forced to leave the game. He had his worst game of the season last week throwing for only 165 yards and three INTs. Considering the Falcons allowed 401 yards and did force a fumble, sack or INT starting Rodgers makes sense. However, his shoulder situation should make you lean toward another option if possible.

Honorable mention: David Garrard (Jags) vs. Steelers

Runningbacks

Start

Steve Slaton (Texans) vs. Colts- Has rushed the ball at least 10 times in each of his three games. Last week he caught career high eight balls for 83 yards and a TD. He is tied for fourth among running backs with 15 receptions. Rookie running back Matt Forte rushed for 123 yards a TD against the Colts in Week 1.

Matt Forte (Bears) vs. Lions- Had his worst game of his young career against the Eagles last week rushing for only 43 yards. However, the Lions have allowed 623 rushing yards which is 28th in the league. Forte’s rushing yards have decreased since his 123 outburst in Week 1 but he should get back on track this week.

Honorable mention: Michael Turner (Falcons) vs. Packers

Sit

Julius Jones (Seahawks vs. Giants)- Has rushed for at least 127 yards and scored two touchdowns the past two weeks before his bye in Week 4. However, those games came against the soft defenses of the Rams and 49ers. The Giants have only allowed 254 rushing yards which is third in the league. Also the Seahawks receivers Bobby Engram and Deion Branch are coming back which should liven up the passing attack. Backup running back Maurice Morris may see some action as well and could get some goal line reps.

Reggie Bush (Saints) vs. Vikings- Totaled only 38 yards last week against the 49ers. He had five receptions for only seven yards and Deuce McAllister finished the game with 20 carries for 73 yards and a goaline TD. The Vikings are sixth in the league allowing only 71 rushing yards per game. 

Honorable mention: Laurence Maroney (Pats) vs. 49ers

Wide Receivers

Start

Lance Moore (Saints) vs. 49ers- Moore is coming off a career game finishing with 101 yards and 2 TDs. He has  stepped up the past two weeks catching 14 balls with Marques Colston, David Patten and Jeremy Shockey out due to injury. The Saints could struggle to run the ball against a stout Vikings run defense so quarterback Drew Brees will be airing the ball out quite often on Monday night. The Vikings only have two interceptions this season which, both of which coming in Week 2.

Wes Welker (Pats) vs. 49ers- Has caught at least six balls for 50 yards in three games. Welker has become quarterback Matt Cassel’s number one option and is looking for his first touchdown this week. Randy Moss only has four catches for 47 yards his past two games.

Lee Evans (Bills) vs. Cardinals- Jets quarterback Brett Favre torched the Cardinals secondary last week throwing for a career best six TDs. Evans finally scored his first touchdown last week against the rams and finished with 88 yards. He is averaging 23 yards per reception and should burn a unit that only has two interceptions in four games.

Honorable mention: Hines Ward (Steelers) vs. Jags

Sit

Donald Driver (Packers) vs. Falcons- Finished with only one catch and eight yards last week. With Aaron Rodgers enduring a shoulder injury his production could be inconsistent again this week. Greg Jennings has become the Qbs favorite target as he has topped 100 yards the past three weeks and scored twice last week.

Chad Johnson ( Bengals) vs. Cowboys- Finally scored his first TD of the season last week but also finished less than 30 yards receiving for the third time this season. He only has 11 catches through four games and starting quarterback Carson Palmer may miss Week 5.

Roy Williams (Lions) vs. Bears- Has struggled to start the season catching only eight balls in three games. Williams is also unhappy that he is the no. 2 receiver in the offense.  He has not scored a TD yet and posted a season low 18 yards against the 49ers in Week 3.

Honorable mention: Brandon Lloyd (Bears) vs. Lions

Tight End

Start

Heath Miller (Steelers) vs. Jaguars- With the running woes affecting the Steelers look for Miller to get some red zone targets. He faced the Jags twice last year and caught 10 balls for 109 yards and a TD.

Honorable mention: Owen Daniels (Texans) vs. Colts

Sit

Tony Scheffler (Broncos) vs. Bucs- After scoring twice in Week 2 has not reached the end zone since and caught only pass last week.

Honorable mention: Ben Watson (Pats) vs. 49ers

Kicker

Start

Rian Lindell (Bills) vs. Cardinals- Has missed only one field goal this season and has scored least 10 points twice this season. He converted three field goals last week against a soft Rams defense and faces another one this week in the Cardinals.

Honorable mention: Ryan Longwell (Vikings) vs. Saints

Sit

Jason Hanson (Lions) vs. Bears- The Lions offense could struggle this week which will limit the opportunities for Hanson. He only has five attempts through three games.

Honorable mention: David Akers (Eagles) vs. Skins

Defense

Start

Titans vs. Baltimore- The Titans defense is only allowing 11.5 points per game and have a strong matchup against rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. The Titans recorded four sacks agianst the Vikings last week. They are tied for first with eight interceptions and lead the NFL with eight forced fumbles.

Honorable mention: Cowboys vs. Bengals

Sit

Vikings at Saints- The Vikings are great against the run which means Drew Brees has a solid chance of passing for 300+ yards.  Brees has thrown for at least 343 yards in three out of his four games and has tossed three touchdowns in two games. The Vikings defensive unit has underachieved so far  with only seven sacks in four games.

Honorable mention: Colts vs. Texans