Week Five Match-ups
October 08, 2004
Quarterbacks
Plus Play:
David Carr, Hou -- Carr is improving in each game as the season progresses. He's thrown for at least 225 yards in every game while having averaged one passing TD and one INT per game. Minnesota has allowed an average of 283 passing yards with one passing TD per game, while the Vikings have not intercepted a pass yet this season. Go with Carr if your starter is on a bye.
Negative Play:
Jake Delhomme, Car -- Denver ranks third in the league in pass defense, allowing just 137 yards per game. Delhomme has thrown for more than one TD pass only once in 11 home game with Carolina. He will struggle once again.
1 Daunte Culpepper, Min
2 Peyton Manning, Ind
3 Matt Hasselbeck, Sea
4 Tom Brady, NE
5 Marc Bulger, StL
6 Chad Pennington, NYJ
7 Brett Favre, GB
8 Aaron Brooks, NO
9 David Carr, Hou
10 Vinny Testaverde, Dal
11 Michael Vick, Atl
12 Kerry Collins, Oak
13 Steve McNair, Ten
14 Byron Leftwich, Jac
15 Jake Plummer, Den
16 Kurt Warner, NYG
17 Joey Harrington, Det
18 Jake Delhomme, Car
19 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
20 Tim Rattay, SF
21 Drew Bledsoe, Buf
22 Jeff Garcia, Cle
23 Drew Brees, SD
24 Mark Brunell, Was
25 Josh McCown, Ari
26 Chris Simms, TB
27 Kyle Boller, Bal
28 Jay Fiedler, Mia
Running Backs
Plus Play:
Michael Pittman, TB -- New Orleans is the 31st-ranked rushing defense in the league, giving up 160 ypg. The Saints have also allowed nine rushing TDs so far. Last year, Pittman had 31 carries for 145 yards and a TD in two games with New Orleans. Pittman looked to be in mid-season form after his return from suspension last week (15 carries for 72 yards), so he's a good start in Week Five.
Negative Play:
TJ Duckett, Atl -- Don't let the burst of carries Duckett received late in last week's game fool you. If he's still on your roster, keep him on your bench.
1 Shaun Alexander, Sea
2 Ahman Green, GB
3 LaDainian Tomlinson, SD
4 Edgerrin James, Ind
5 Chris Brown, Ten
6 Jamal Lewis, Bal
7 Tiki Barber, NYG
8 Curtis Martin, NYJ
9 Clinton Portis, Was
10 Corey Dillon, NE
11 Warrick Dunn, Atl
12 Marshall Faulk, StL
13 Kevan Barlow, SF
14 Fred Taylor, Jac
15 Michael Pittman, TB
16 Travis Henry, Buf
17 DeShaun Foster, Car
18 Duce Staley, Pit
19 Lee Suggs, Cle
20 Emmitt Smith, ARI
21 Domanick Davis, Hou
22 Quentin Griffin, Den
23 Moe Williams, Min
24 Aaron Stecker, NO
25 Eddie George, Dal
26 Amos Zereoue, OAK
27 Leonard Henry, Mia
28 Mewelde Moore, Min
29 Jerome Bettis, Pit
30 Artose Pinner, DET
31 TJ Duckett, Atl
32 Jonathan Wells, HOU
33 Steven Jackson, StL
34 Stephen Davis, Car
35 Richie Anderson, DAL
36 Mike Alstott, TB
37 William Green, Cle
38 Shawn Bryson, DET
39 Tatum Bell, Den
40 Chester Taylor, BAL
41 Ron Dayne, NYG
42 Troy Hambrick, Ari
43 Justin Griffith, Atl
44 Tony Hollings, Hou
45 Justin Fargas, Oak
Wide Receivers
Plus Play:
Amani Toomer, NYG -- Toomer is not a safe every-week starter, but he can excel as a spot starter, which he should in Week Five. Dallas is thin in the secondary, with Terrence Newman off to a poor start this season, and rookie Jacques Reeves makes his first start. The Cowboys must focus on Tiki Barber and watch out for Jeremy Shockey underneath, leaving Toomer as a big target.
Negative Play:
Donte' Stallworth, NO -- Stallworth's production has improved from previous years, but he continues to drop the ball. He has averaged 65 yards a game. Tampa Bay has done well in shutting down the pass this year, allowing only 119 yards per game and a TD every other week to WRs. He's a weak play, at best a No. 3 WR this week.
1 Randy Moss, Min
2 Marvin Harrison, Ind
3 Hines Ward, Pit
4 Torry Holt, StL
5 Andre Johnson, Hou
6 Roy Williams, Det
7 Isaac Bruce, StL
8 Eric Moulds, Buf
9 Darrell Jackson, Sea
10 Derrick Mason, Ten
11 Javon Walker, GB
12 Joe Horn, NO
13 Jimmy Smith, Jac
14 Reggie Wayne, Ind
15 Laveranues Coles, Was
16 Santana Moss, NYJ
17 Amani Toomer, NYG
18 Rod Smith, Den
19 Koren Robinson, Sea
20 David Givens, NE
21 Terry Glenn, Dal
22 Jerry Porter, Oak
23 Reche Caldwell, SD
24 Muhsin Muhammad, CAR
25 Donte' Stallworth, NO
26 Keyshawn Johnson, Dal
27 Brandon Stokley, IND
28 Michael Clayton, TB
29 Drew Bennett, Ten
30 Ronald Curry, Oak
31 Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
32 Rod Gardner, Was
33 David Patten, NE
34 Donald Driver, GB
35 Plaxico Burress, Pit
36 Curtis Conway, SF
37 Randy Hymes, Bal
38 Ashley Lelie, Den
39 Antonio Bryant, DAL
40 Chris Chambers, Mia
41 Cedrick Wilson, SF
42 Quincy Morgan, Cle
43 Andre' Davis, Cle
44 Peerless Price, Atl
45 Keary Colbert, Car
Tight Ends
1 Alge Crumpler, Atl
2 Daniel Graham, NE
3 Randy McMichael, Mia
4 Eric Johnson, SF
5 Antonio Gates, SD
6 Jeremy Shockey, NYG
7 Jason Witten, Dal
8 Freddie Jones, Ari
9 Marcus Pollard, Ind
10 Jeb Putzier, Den
11 Bubba Franks, GB
12 Boo Williams, NO
13 George Wrighster, Jac
14 Shad Meier, Ten
15 Doug Jolley, Oak
16 Billy Miller, Hou
17 Itula Mili, Sea
18 Dallas Clark, Ind
19 Stephen Alexander, Det
20 Chris Baker, NYJ
21 Aaron Shea, Cle
22 Jerramy Stevens, Sea
23 Chris Cooley, Was
24 Terry Jones, Bal
25 Ben Troupe, Ten
26 Kris Mangum, Car
27 Ernie Conwell, NO
28 Christian Fauria, NE
Kickers
1 Jason Elam, Den
2 Adam Vinatieri, NE
3 John Carney, NO
4 Jeff Wilkins, StL
5 Josh Brown, Sea
6 Matt Stover, Bal
7 Morten Andersen, Min
8 Sebastian Janikowski, Oak
9 Kris Brown, Hou
10 Jay Feely, Atl
11 Doug Brien, NYJ
12 Phil Dawson, Cle
13 Mike Vanderjagt, Ind
14 Ryan Longwell, GB
15 Neil Rackers, Ari
16 Martin Gramatica, TB
17 Nate Kaeding, SD
18 John Kasay, Car
19 Jason Hanson, Det
20 Billy Cundiff, Dal
21 Gary Anderson, Ten
22 Steve Christie, NYG
23 Olindo Mare, Mia
24 Jeff Reed, Pit
25 John Hall, Was
26 Josh Scobee, Jac
27 Todd Peterson, SF
28 Rian Lindell, Buf
Team Defenses
1 New England Patriots
2 Baltimore Ravens
3 Atlanta Falcons
4 Pittsburgh Steelers
5 New York Jets
6 Seattle Seahawks
7 Dallas Cowboys
8 Jacksonsville Jaguars
9 Denver Broncos
10 New Orleans Saints
11 Carolina Panthers
12 Arizona Cardinals
13 Washington Redskins
14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
15 Miami Dolphins
16 Buffalo Bills
17 New York Giants
18 Minnesota Vikings
19 Cleveland Browns
20 Tennessee Titans
21 Detroit Lions
22 Indianapolis Colts
23 Green Bay Packers
24 Houston Texans
25 St. Louis Rams
26 San Francisco 49ers
27 San Diego Chargers
28 Oakland Raiders
Defensive Backs
1 Darren Sharper, GB
2 Rodney Harrison, NE
3 Roy Williams, Dal
4 Edward Reed, Bal
5 Bryan Scott, Atl
6 Troy Polamalu, Pit
7 Tony Parrish, SF
8 Adrian Wilson, Ari
9 Robert Griffith, Cle
10 Mike Minter, Car
11 Nick Harper, Ind
12 Corey Chavous, Min
13 Matt Bowen, Was
14 Terrence Kiel, SD
15 Adam Archuleta, StL
16 Jay Bellamy, NO
17 Jerry Wilson, SD
18 Antoine Winfield, Min
19 Aeneas Williams, StL
20 Ronde Barber, TB
21 Sean Taylor, Was
22 Gary Baxter, Bal
23 Jermaine Phillips, TB
24 Tank Williams, Ten
25 Marcus Coleman, Hou
26 Sammy Knight, Mia
27 Ken Hamlin, Sea
28 Ifeanyi Ohalete, Was
29 Eugene Wilson, NE
30 John Lynch, DEN
31 Ray Buchanan, OAK
32 Michael Boulware, SEA
33 Mark Roman, GB
34 Erik Coleman, NYJ
35 Brent Alexander, NYG
36 Donovin Darius, Jac
37 Ty Law, NE
38 Marques Anderson, GB
39 Nate Clements, BUF
40 Quentin Jammer, SD
41 Brock Marion, DET
42 Dwight Smith, TB
43 Phillip Buchanon, OAK
44 Antuan Edwards, Mia
45 Brian Russell, Min
46 Fred Thomas, NO
47 Ashley Ambrose, NO
48 Brian Williams, Min
49 Reggie Tongue, NYJ
50 Charles Woodson, OAK
Defensive Linemen
1 Michael Strahan, NYG
2 Charles Grant, NO
3 John Abraham, NYJ
4 Patrick Kerney, Atl
5 Jason Taylor, Mia
6 Leonard Little, StL
7 Julius Peppers, Car
8 Greg Ellis, Dal
9 Mike Rucker, Car
10 Darren Howard, NO
11 Grant Wistrom, Sea
12 Dwight Freeney, Ind
13 Shaun Ellis, NYJ
14 Richard Seymour, NE
15 Aaron Smith, PIT
16 Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, GB
17 Bertrand Berry, Ari
18 Tyler Brayton, Oak
19 Rod Coleman, Atl
20 Simeon Rice, TB
21 Kenard Lang, Cle
22 Aaron Schobel, Buf
23 Chike Okeafor, Sea
24 Marques Douglas, Bal
25 James Hall, Det
26 Kenechi Udeze, Min
27 Kevin Williams, Min
28 Reggie Hayward, Den
29 John Henderson, Jac
30 Brady Smith, Atl
31 Marcellus Wiley, Dal
32 Ebenezer Ekuban, Cle
33 Cornelius Griffin, Was
34 Shaun Rogers, Det
35 Marcus Stroud, Jac
36 Pat Williams, Buf
37 Carlos Hall, Ten
38 Ty Warren, NE
39 Jason Ferguson, NYJ
40 Kris Jenkins, Car
41 Kelly Gregg, Bal
42 La'Roi Glover, DAL
43 Albert Haynesworth, Ten
44 Adalius Thomas, Bal
45 Anthony McFarland, TB
46 Andre Carter, SF
47 Anthony Weaver, Bal
48 Antwan Odom, TEN
49 Bryce Fisher, STL
50 Chris Hovan, Min
Linebackers
1 Ray Lewis, Bal
2 Zach Thomas, Mia
3 Donnie Edwards, SD
4 Dan Morgan, Car
5 Nick Barnett, GB
6 Jamie Sharper, Hou
7 Keith Bulluck, Ten
8 Mike Peterson, Jac
9 Derrick Brooks, TB
10 Keith Brooking, Atl
11 London Fletcher, Buf
12 Julian Peterson, SF
13 David Thornton, Ind
14 Andra Davis, Cle
15 Jay Foreman, Hou
16 Jonathan Vilma, NYJ
17 Dat Nguyen, Dal
18 Takeo Spikes, Buf
19 Al Wilson, Den
20 James Farrior, Pit
21 Anthony Simmons, Sea
22 Tedy Bruschi, NE
23 Pisa Tinoisamoa, StL
24 Akin Ayodele, Jac
25 Antonio Pierce, WAS
26 Shelton Quarles, TB
27 D.J. Williams, Den
28 Danny Clark, Oak
29 Marcus Washington, Was
30 Napolean Harris, Oak
31 Junior Seau, Mia
32 Barrett Green, NYG
33 Travian Smith, Oak
34 Na'il Diggs, GB
35 Teddy Lehman, Det
36 Kevin Lewis, NYG
37 Terrell Suggs, Bal
38 Courtney Watson, NO
39 James Davis, DET
40 Robert Thomas, StL
41 Derek Smith, SF
42 Tommy Polley, STL
43 Ed Hartwell, Bal
44 Will Witherspoon, Car
45 Clark Haggans, PIT
46 Eric Barton, NYJ
47 Raynoch Thompson, Ari
48 Ian Gold, TB
49 Chris Draft, Atl
50 Daryl Smith, Jac
Fantasy Football 
Negative:
Jake Delhomme, Car -- Denver ranks third in the league in pass defense, allowing just 137 yards per game. Delhomme has thrown for more than one TD pass only once in 11 home game with Carolina. He will struggle once again.
What's your best guess on who'll do better: delhomme or carr? Or is that already answered by your rankings ? Are the rankings year to date or just this week?
Thank you!!
You're welcome.
Thank you!!
I'd still go with Carr since he has the better match-up.
These rankings are for this week only. For the rest of the year, I still have Delhomme (No. 11) ahead of Carr (No. 14), but Carr is closing in.