Week 5 Start Em’ & Sit Em’

First, my apologies for a lack of a weekly impressions article this week. I ended up with quite a busy schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday and was not able to get to it. However, I’ve still got your backs with this week’s starts and sits! A couple notes before that though…. Last week’s WVU – Baylor game was a very exciting game to be at and I couldn’t have asked for a better Morgantown experience. That stadium was shaking for virtually the whole game and seeing the highlights since doesn’t do it justice to just how loud it was in there. We’re also heading into week 2 of byes with 4 teams having off. They are Dallas, Detroit, Oakland and Tampa Bay. That means that there will be some very big names out this week, and the impacts of those players will be felt. This is why it’s important to tweak during the first 4 weeks to get you bench in shape to weather the byes. Also, if you own Stafford or Romo, there should be plenty of options to replace them this week as almost all of the top 15 QBs for the week have good matchups.

START EM

Christian Ponder: I whiffed on this one last week, but I’m sticking to my guns. Ponder is reminding me of Alex Smith from last year. He rarely will be spectacular, but he also will rarely kill your team. This is important if you are a Stafford or Romo owner this week. He just isn’t turning the ball over, and Tennessee has been generous to QBs this year.

Andy Dalton: His week 1 stinker may have cooled some owners on his abilities as a fantasy starter. In the three games since he has put up 28, 30 and 25 points. Miami has been pretty stout against the run this year, but they can be thrown on.

Bye Week Bonus: I also like Jay Cutler this week. He’s probably out there in a couple league if you need a bye-week filler.

Jackie Battle: I think owners might overreact to Battle being listed as the Chargers #1 ahead of Ryan Matthews. While I don’t think That will last, I’m starting him against New Orleans this week. That defense is pretty bad…..

Ryan Matthews: I’m doubling down. Yes, I really think the New Orleans defense is bad enough right now that you can start both Battle and Matthews.

Cedric Benson: He is getting a 2nd straight week against a sub-par defense and the Packers have said they are committed to Benson as the workhorse back in that offense. he has taken over 90% of the team’s carries and is on pace to smash his career highs in the passing game.

Domenik Hixon: The Barden thing didn’t last long…. Hixon’s return relegated Barden to the 3rd receiver last week during which he had a concussion. Nicks will most likely be out again this week, making Hixon a starter alongside Victor Cruz once again this week. Cruz should be a no-brainer, but against the Browns secondary Hixon should also put up some numbers.

Eric Decker: Decker is getting the Red Zone targets, and Manning usually elevates his game against the Patriots and Tom Brady. I think you can expect between 70-80 yards and a TD for Decker this week.

Malcom Floyd: He started off with two big games and followed that up with two stinkers. The New Orleans defense should give him the opportunity to get back on track.

Kyle Rudolph: See Ponder, Christian.

Fred Davis: Davis has had two strong weeks of yardage, and I think he finally finds the end zone in this one. The Falcons defense has been pretty tough, but TEs have fared pretty well against them.

Vikings D/ST: CJ?K comes back to earth and they get a QB who stays in the pocked. You’re welcome Jared Allen.

SIT EM

Ryan Fitzpatrick: He has thrown for a lot of TDs, which may have made his owners warm up to him as a bye-week play. He also has turned the ball over a lot and is facing a stout 49ers D.

Michael Vick: Turnovers. Vick managed not to turn the ball over last week, but Pittsburgh gets James Harrison and Troy Polomalu back this week. It could get ugly, and Vick might not even be able to finish this game.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Miami is giving up a league-best 56.6 rushing yards per game. The Law Firm hasn’t been a world beater the last few weeks either.

Shonn Greene: This is getting ugly fast. How many more weeks can Rex Ryan say Mark Sanchez and Greene are undisputed starters?

Fred Jackson/CJ Spiller: They are going to take touches away from each other, and against a tough defense that exacerbates the problem.

Steve Smith: This is the Carolina version again, and he goes from one tough defense to the next in Seattle.

Pierre Garcon: He returned from injury last week but didn’t make too much of an impact. He looked like it was still bothering him a bit, and this week he faces the toughest defense in the league against opposing WRs.

Steve Johnson: Notice a theme? I’m not big on the Bills offense this week.

Jermichael Finley: The Colts defense is actually the stingiest per game against opposing TEs. A few years ago I was certain Finley was on the verge of breaking into the elite TEs in the league, but he has routinely disappointed only showing occasional flashes.

Greg Olsen: Olsen has put up back to back strong weeks, but I think he might let down against the Seahawks.

Bengals D/ST: Miami actually put up some numbers against an impressive Cardinals defense last week and Cinci has given up some yards and points this year.

There you have it, good luck this week everyone. Don’t forget you can send you lineup and trade questions to me on twitter (@ask2guys).

Last Week’s Results: Season totals in parentheses

Starts: 5-6, .454 (21-23, .477)

Alex Smith: 6pts = L, Christian Ponder: 4pts = L, Ryan Williams: 2pts = L, Ben Tate: 1pt = L, Stevan Ridley: 22pts = W, Torrey Smith: 15pts = W, Percy Harvin: 9pts = L, Vincent Jackson: 16pts = W, Kyle Rudolph: 0pts = L, Owen Daniels: 13pts = W, 49ers D/ST: 27pts = W

Sits: 8-3, .727 (30-14, .681)

Cam Newton: 34pts = L, Jake Locker: 0pts = W, Bradshaw/Brown: 6/1 pts = W, Steven Jackson: 6pts = W, Shonn Greene: 3pts = W, Steve Smith: 4pts = W, Brandon Marshall: 19pts = L, Kenny Britt: opts = W, Brent Celek: 5pts = W, Jermichael Finley: 5pts = W, Bears D/ST: 20pts = L

Last week I went 13-9, bringing my season total to 51-37 (.579). It wasn’t a good week for me with my starts, but I made up for it with the sits. Britt was a surprise inactive, so I kept that as a win. I also don’t allow in-game injuries to void my picks.