Week 5 Starters & Benchwarmers

Wondering whether or not to start Matt Forte and Calvin Johnson, or to bench Blaine Gabbert and Devin Aromashodu? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you’re looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 5 of the 2011 season.

Watch ‘em roll

Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers at 49ers. Freeman has been a big disappointment this season, underscored by his dismal touchdown-to-interception ratio. But he showed some spunk last week, and he heads west to play a squad that defends against the run much better than the pass. Trust Freeman to deliver in this one.

Isaac Redman, RB, Steelers vs. Titans. There’s a very good chance both Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring) and Mewelde Moore (ankle - out) will miss this game, leaving the Steelers’ backfield in Redman’s capable hands. Though Tennessee is stout against the run, Redman should get plenty of opportunities with a gimpy Ben Roethlisberger (foot) directing the offense.

Mark Ingram, RB, Saints at Panthers. In a week when six teams are on bye, your options are probably limited. Though the rookie is still sharing time with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles, Ingram is a good flex play this week against the second-worst rush defense in the league. He should get at least one goal-line plunge among his 15-20 touches.

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons vs. Packers. With 17 receptions for 242 yards over the past two weeks, the highly touted rookie has been out-performing fellow wideout Roddy White. All Jones is missing is his first TD, which should come this week against the NFL’s 31st-ranked pass defense.

Plaxico Burress, WR, Jets at Patriots. Burress has alternated good and bad outings, but actually out-ranks teammate Santonio Holmes in fantasy production thus far. Both are great starts this week against a New England secondary that has been consistently torched.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Eli Manning, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Mark Sanchez, Kevin Kolb, Cam Newton; RBs Fred Jackson, Joseph Addai, Cedric Benson, Ryan Mathews, Jonathan Stewart; WRs Stevie Johnson, Eric Decker, Mike Williams (TB), Jordy Nelson, Percy Harvin, A.J. Green.

Roll ‘em back

Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Titans at Steelers. As he marches toward his Comeback Player of the Year award, Hasselbeck will encounter the occasional set-back. Heading into Pittsburgh to face-off with the league’s stingiest pass defense, this looks like one of those occasions. The Titans will surely lean on Chris Johnson to gash a suddenly vulnerable Steeler run defense.

James Starks, RB, Packers at Falcons. With the rejuvenated Ryan Grant fully healed from his bruised kidney, and Aaron Rodgers poaching scoring runs, there may not be enough carries for Starks to make a difference this week.

Shonn Greene, RB, Jets at Patriots. Though Rex Ryan says he’s committed to running more, his tailbacks don’t seem to be cooperating. While the Patriots aren’t exactly impenetrable, Greene is hard to trust in a game that could easily turn into a shoot-out early.

Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks at Giants. Rice has performed admirably since returning in Week 3 from his shoulder injury. But he’ll face his stiffest test yet against a Giants secondary that has been playing very well of late. Traveling cross-country won’t help the Seahawks’ cause.

Mario Manningham, WR, Giants vs. Seahawks. Though he is fully recovered from his concussion, he may have lost his starting job to Victor Cruz due to poor route running. If Eli Manning doesn’t trust him, you shouldn’t either.

More thumbs down: QBs Ben Roethlisberger, Kyle Orton, Tarvaris Jackson; RBs Knowshon Moreno, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, DeAngelo Williams; WRs Kevin Walter, Deion Branch, Denarius Moore, Chad Ochocinco, Devery Henderson.

Taking a flier

Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Chiefs at Colts. The Chiefs are starting to get their moxie back on offense; and while McCluster hasn’t produced much to date, he’s an important part of both the running and receiving games. Against a banged-up Indy defense, the dual-threat back can be a decent flex pinch-hitter for those with bye/injury problems.

Don’t be the bonehead who…continues to carry dead weight on your roster. Incredibly, Jamaal Charles is still owned in more than half of all ESPN leagues. Kenny Britt resides on slightly fewer benches. Chad Henne and Danny Amendola are the latest players headed to injured reserve. Don’t be lazy…make room for someone who actually plays.

Week 5 Starters & Benchwarmers

You don’t need me advising you to start Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson, or to bench JaMarcus Russell and Michael Crabtree. So I’ll leave the obvious recommendations to the network bozos and focus instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy lineups. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 5.

Watch ‘em roll

Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles vs. Buccaneers. Rested and rehabbed, McNabb returns for a delectable matchup. Only two defenses have surrendered more passing TDs than the Bucs’ nine. Flack jacket and all, McNabb will soar at home.

Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals vs. Texans. Arizona failed to take advantage of Indy’s soft run defense in Week 3, and lost the game. They shouldn’t repeat the mistake against a Houston squad that surrenders 165 rushing yards per game and has given up a league-high eight TDs on the ground. For now, Hightower remains the Cards’ lead runner and a key weapon in the passing game.

Jerome Harrison, RB, Browns at Bills. Even if Jamal Lewis (hamstring) suits up, Harrison should get the bulk of the reps against Buffalo’s sieve-like run defense. The multi-dimensional tailback excelled against the Bengals last Sunday, and should be leaned upon heavily again.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs vs. Cowboys. Injuries and offensive ineptitude have slowed the Chiefs’ top receiving weapon over the past two weeks, but Bowe will get back on track when he faces one of the league’s softest secondaries.

Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings at Rams. With touchdowns in two consecutive games, Rice has emerged as a solid fantasy play thanks to his strong rapport with Brett Favre. Though his quarterback won’t be forced to throw as often as he did on Monday night, his receivers should have little trouble racking up the points against the lowly Rams.

More thumbs up: QBs Matt Schaub, Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger; RBs Rashard Mendenhall, Knowshon Moreno, Glen Coffee; WRs Santonio Holmes, Bernard Berrian, T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Roll ‘em back

Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos vs. Patriots. He has thrown five TDs in four games, which isn’t that impressive to begin with. Then consider that two of the five were last-minute miracles (Brandon Stokley in Week 1, Brandon Marshall on Sunday). Don’t count on big numbers from Orton against New England.

Kevin Smith, RB, Lions vs. Steelers. He managed to score twice against the Bears last weekend, though his lingering shoulder injury contributed to a lackluster 30-yard rushing effort. The going gets tougher this week, though, as Pittsburgh has allowed just 61 yards per game and only one rushing score to date.

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams vs. Vikings. I hate to pick on him two weeks in a row, but the once-elite runner is unlikely to be the first back to score against Minnesota this season. With the dearth of talent surrounding him, he’ll be lucky to penetrate the red zone, much less the end zone.

Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets at Dolphins. A fresh slate and more potent offense should salvage his fantasy prospects; but not this week. It will take his rookie quarterback some time to get comfortable with him, and he must first learn a new playbook. The Jets have little choice but to start Edwards. Hopefully you have better options.

Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars at Seahawks. With the emergence of Mike Sims-Walker, the veteran wideout has taken a back seat in the Jags’ air attack. Throw in the fact that none of David Garrard’s five TD passes has come on the road, and Holt is a very risky play.

More thumbs down: QBs Tom Brady, Trent Edwards; RBs Michael Turner, Thomas Jones, Cadillac Williams, Ricky Williams; WRs Donnie Avery, Ted Ginn, Laveranues Coles, Justin Gage.

TAKING A FLIER

Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs vs. Cowboys. Both of the defenses in this game are giving up tons of yardage and plenty of passing scores, so don’t be surprised to see Cassel winging it often with success. In a week when four of the top fantasy passers are on bye, Cassel could come through in the clutch, even if that means padding his stats during garbage time.

DON’T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO…fails to check the inactive reports (or my Sunday morning tweets) before finalizing your starting roster. Several key players – including Eli Manning, Matt Hasselbeck, Brian Westbrook, Jamal Lewis, Willie Parker, Roy Williams and Kevin Boss – could be late scratches, which would have a domino effect on multiple players’ value.