#ThumbsUp!
Mark Sanchez (QB, New York Jets) – We’ve seen what opposing quarterbacks do to the New England Patriots defense. Week after week the Pats’ secondary gets torched, and they provide a perfect bounce-back opportunity for Sanchez after last Sunday’s abysmal statline against the Ravens.
Matt Ryan (QB, Atlanta Falcons) – Ryan has always performed much better at home than on the road throughout his career, sporting a QB rating almost 17 points higher in the Georgia Dome. Remember his last home game? It was week two, when he tossed four touchdown passes against Nnamdi Asomugha and the Philadelphia Eagles. This time he plays against the Green Bay Packers, who have already given up big days to Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Jay Cutler.
Mark Ingram (RB, New Orleans Saints) – Last week he was in the “Thumbs Down” section, but his week five matchup with the Panthers is just too good to pass up. Carolina is fresh off allowing Matt Forte to romp for 205 yards in week four, and Ingram is more of a true running back than Darren Sproles. Don’t get me wrong, Sproles will finish with over 100 total yards, but I think Ingram finds the end zone with a healthy amount of yardage to go with it.
Joseph Addai (RB, Indianapolis Colts) – Addai and the Colts battle the Chiefs this week, and it figures to be a fairly competitive game between two dreadful teams. Addai only had 48 total yards last week, but that will change when he gets to run against a defense with hardly any playmakers. As an additional benefit, Addai might get some garbage time rushing yards if the Colts are in position to win near the end. This might be the last time you get to see that situation this season, so enjoy!
Julio Jones (WR, Atlanta Falcons) – Even though Roddy White is the star receiver on the Falcons, it’s been Jones who has been carving out a spot for himself as the team’s leading receiver. As opposing teams focus on locking down White with double teams, Jones quietly has over 100 yards in consecutive games. The rookie looks to take advantage of that decreased attention again this Sunday, as the Falcons host the Packers.
Michael Crabtree (WR, San Francisco 49ers) – Crabtree’s reception and yardage totals have increased in each of the three games he’s played this year. He’s always had incredible talent, but injury problems and ego issues have held him back so far in his short NFL career. I think the 49ers are for real, and Crabtree is one of their top weapons when he’s at full speed. If Alex Smith continues to look his way, Crabtree will definitely put up solid numbers against the Buccaneers on Sunday (similar to the way Pierre Garcon dominated them last week).
Jermaine Gresham (TE, Cincinnati Bengals) – The Jaguars allow the second most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, and Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is becoming more comfortable throwing to Gresham. Last week Gresham had a nifty one-handed catch in the end zone for a late touchdown, and I expect an even better outing this Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals defense – Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert has yet to top 200 passing yards, and the Bengals have two ball-hawking cornerbacks in Leon Hall and Nate Clements. The Jaguars have scored 23 points TOTAL over the last three weeks, so you know the Bengals will get a nice fantasy bonus in the points allowed category.
#ThumbsDown
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers) – I get it: he’s a warrior, he won’t let a broken foot stop him from playing, blah blah blah. The Steelers o-line constantly lets defensive players through, and it’s been Roethlisberger’s agility in the pocket that’s helped him stay on the field and out of the locker room so far. Now that he has suffered a broken foot, he won’t be quite as nimble. If he doesn’t get knocked out of this game he’ll be running for his life the whole time, and that will certainly contribute to some poor fantasy numbers.
DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart (RBs, Carolina Panthers) – It was encouraging to see each of them finish with 80+ yards last week, but don’t get overconfident and start them this week against the Saints. Though Saints games usually result in a defense-optional shootout, the damage against them always comes through the air. New Orleans allows an average of only 13 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, and any production from the Panthers will be split between Williams and Stewart. If you have to start one, Stewart is a bigger receiving threat out of the backfield. I’d roll with him.
LaGarrette Blount (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – If you own Blount and are riding high after his superb week four performance, I’d advise you to reconsider starting him this week; the Bucs play against the 49ers, who are tops in the league in rushing defense. Led by All Pro linebacker Patrick Willis, they haven’t allowed more than 74 rushing yards in a game yet this year, which is phenomenal. I know it might be difficult because of the six teams on bye this week, but try to find a replacement for Blount.
Nate Washington (WR, Tennessee Titans) – About the only thing the Steelers have done right this year is their pass defense. They allow an average of 84 yards to opposing receiving corps, which is obviously split among several different players. I expect a heavy dose of Chris Johnson for Tennessee in this game, so Washington and the rest of the Titans’ pass-catchers won’t be relied on too heavily.