Elite (26-plus points)
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
at Titans
Manning is pretty much entrenched in the top spot for now, especially when he's facing a pass defense like Tennessee's. Opposing QBs have a rating of 107.1 against the Titans.
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
at Rams
Peterson has had two subpar games by his standards, but expect him to get his fair share of carries in this one. Brett Favre has thrown a lot of passes the past two weeks and the Vikes are dedicated to keeping Favre's aging arm fresh for a late season and playoff run.
3. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
at Lions
Detroit has arguably the worst pass defense in the league, allowing opposing QBs to post a rating of 118.7. Big Ben is off to a good start and should be the top scorer among many high-quality fantasy performers for the Steelers Sunday.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
at Seahawks
Jones-Drew was seemingly pulled out of the game in the first quarter against the Rams as the Jags treated Sunday like a preseason game. MJD will get his fair share of totes against Seattle, which allows more than 5 yards per carry.
Super (21-25 points)
5. Brett Favre, QB, Vikings
at Rams
Confession: Favre is still fun to watch play. It was mentioned above that the Vikes probably want to save Favre's arm somewhat against the Rams. Fortunately for fantasy owners, Favre won't have to throw much to post big numbers in St. Louis.
6. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles
vs. Buccaneers
McNabb will be back under center and he couldn't ask for a better team to get re-acquainted to the game against. Tampa Bay is about to 0-4 against the NFC East.
7. Eli Manning, QB, Giants
vs. Raiders
The Raiders defense actually hasn't been that bad considering how often the offense puts them in pitiful situations. They have played a team as opportunistic as the Giants, either. Manning is off to the best start of his career and should continue his solid play.
8. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
at Titans
Wayne is the best fantasy option week in and week out, especially with Peyton honed in the way he is this season.
9. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers
at Lions
Holmes has had two quiet weeks in a row. It's going to be difficult to find a low score on the Steelers this week.
10. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
vs. Redskins
Williams and backfield mate Jonathan Stewart have been kept highly under wraps thus far this season. It's about time for them to bust out. Just call this a gut feeling.
11. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
at Cardinals
Shaub is still a top five fantasy QB this season and the Cardinals have a knack for surrendering big plays in the passing game.
Strong (16-20 points)
12. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
vs. Colts
Johnson might be the most complete back in the NFL not named Adrian Peterson. He can give the Colts fits this weekend.
13. Steve Smith, WR, Giants
vs. Raiders
Who is the league leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches? Steve Smith. No, not the one that plays for the Panthers. The other one that plays for the Giants.
14. Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals
vs. Texans
Houston's secondary has performed better than expected this season, but that's partly because most teams prefer to just run all over the Texans' defense. Warner and the Cards will change that.
15. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills
vs. Browns
Marshawn Lynch is back, but it's evident Jackson is the go-to guy on this offense right now. Cleveland allows 177 yards rushing a game.
16. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers
at Lions
Another Steeler. Yes, big games for Ward and Holmes can be expected against the Lions.
17. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
at Lions
And the Steel Curtain keeps getting love. Mendenhall had his coming out party last week and has a great opportunity to expound on those efforts in Detroit.
18. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
vs. Buccaneers
Very quietly, Jackson has posted numbers good enough to make him the No. 4 WR in fantasy football so far this season. Of course, most couldn't guess but maybe one of the top five fantasy receivers after four weeks. (1. Steve Smith, 2. Reggie Wayne, 3. Vincent Jackson, 4. D. Jackson, 5. Mike Sims-Walker).
19. David Garrard, QB, Jaguars
at Seahawks
Garrard has a good matchup here and that's why he makes this list. However, don't be surprised if he doesn't post great numbers since the Jags can probably dictate the game against Seattle with their run game alone.
20. Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals
vs. Texans
It's about time for Boldin to have a big game. He's yet to post big numbers and this matchup with the Texans might be his moment to shine.
21. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
at Cardinals
Johnson is the most complete WR in the league. As long as Schaub is healthy, Johnson is an elite play at his position.
22. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
vs. Raiders
Jacobs has been a slight disappointment this season, routinely being outproduced by backup Ahmad Bradshaw. Still, his coaches are sticking with him and he's the obvious choice to get goal line carries.
Solid (11-15 points)
23. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
vs. Bengals
Flacco is the No. 4 overall QB after four weeks. The Bengals defense is finally playing like a Marvin Lewis unit, but Flacco is having a special season.
24. Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs
vs. Cowboys
The Cowboys struggle to get a consistent pass rush, making their secondary look subpar against some of the league's more mediocre QBs. That's the case here.
25. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons
at 49ers
Turner's numbers haven't been close to resembling what they were last season, but he's due to have a big game. It will be the best test the 49ers run defense has had this season.
26. Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys
at Chiefs
Barber's spot here only holds true if offensive coordinator Jason Garrett decides to call plays to the strength of his unit (run game) rather than have an unconfident Tony Romo air it out 42 times.
27. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals
at Ravens
Palmer is back. Has that been said on this column before? Once or twice?
28. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
at Broncos
Brady isn't quite back. He's not that bad, either.
29. Kyle Orton, QB, Broncos
vs. Patriots
Orton hasn't thrown an interception this season and is facing a Pats defense not playing to the caliber we've grown accustomed to.
30. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts
at Titans
Best fantasy TE this season. Hands down. |
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