2011 Fantasy Football Week 5: Start’ Em Sit ‘Em

Start Em

Eli Manning QB – While Manning will never be his brother Peyton, it’s hard to argue with how consistent Eli brother has been in terms of fantasy over the years. Once again Manning is on pace to throw for over 4,000 yards making this the third season in a row. This week the youngest Manning has a dream matchup at home vs. the Seahawks.  Seattle was 27^th against the pass in 2010, so don’t look too much into their current ranking of 16. New York has struggled running the ball, so look for Manning to air it out in what should be a blow out. Eli is a top 10 QB in all formats for Sunday’s massacre at the new Giants Stadium.

Darren Sproles RB – Sproles was brought into New Orleans to be a Reggie Bush replacement, but through four games he’s been the feature back. Even with six or seven touches out of the backfield, he’s third in the league with 26 receptions and has been a dominant force in ppr leagues. After watching Matt Forte whose skill set is similar to Sproles run all over the Panthers, expect a heavy dose of Sproles on Sunday. Unfortunately for Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas owners, Sproles is the back to own in New Orleans.

Reggie Wayne WR – For the first time in his career Wayne isn’t an automatic start. With Curtis Painter under center, Wayne won’t put up his usual numbers but on Monday night in Tampa he was targeted eight times. With the inexperienced Painter slinging the rock, Wayne should continue to be relied on in what will be miss match against Brandon Flowers. Owners of Wayne are in the dumps, but believe in the Hall of Famer who still has a green light at the end of the tunnel.

More Start Em and Sit Em after the jump:

Vernon Davis TE – Similar to a season ago Davis is off to a slow start as other tight ends such as Jimmy Graham and Ed Dickson look like late round steals. Not to take anything away from Graham and Dickson, but Davis is an elite talent who will once again finish in the top five at his position. Currently a buy low, the Buccaneers linebackers will be crawling on the field as Davis will use his athleticism to blow by defenders.

San Francisco D/ST – Two years ago the 49ers defense were a legitimate play every week, and in 2010 they stayed on the waiver wire for the majority of the year. Through four weeks they have been up and down, so the 49ers look like a matchup play and this week is a good one. Going against an average Tampa Bay offense at home, I lean towards picking up San Francisco with Baltimore and Washington on byes. Michael Vick might have had 400 yards last week, but the 49ers buckled down in the 2^nd leaving me with optimism for Sunday as Tampa Bay travels west on a short week.

Sit Em

Jason Campbell QB – Last week I recommended him and this week I am jumping off the bandwagon. Yes, I can do that. Look if you can’t dominate the Patriots defense, you have no shot against a revamped Texans defense under Wade Philips. To win this game Oakland is going to keep the ball on the ground with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, so Campbell wont air it out more than 25 times. In what should be a low scoring game, expect the defenses to show up and for Campbell to look like the Campbell of old.

DeAngelo Williams RB – I urge owners to not be fooled by the 10 carry 82 yard performance this past Sunday. Before that game Williams had rushed for 61 yards on 27 carries, as he continues to split rushing attempts with Jonathan Stewart. Yes, you can run on the Saints (4.6 ypc), but the Saints are the type of team that gets up by 14 and forces you to pass. Not only will the Saints be up, but Cam Newton has been the goal line back as he’s scored four times on the ground through four weeks. Williams is the third best rushing option in Carolina behind Stewart and his own quarterback so continue to leave him on bench him until he proves otherwise.

Sidney Rice WR – Honestly, I root for Rice. Most people thought Seattle signing him was a big mistake coming off a season where he didn’t play; Rice has shined through two games as a Seahawk and looks to be fully recovered. I’m optimistic for the season, but Tavaris Jackson will have no time to throw as that New York defensive line is beastly. The defensive lines in the NFC West are a little different then what the Giants bring so bench Rice as he won’t see the ball coming his way.

Jared Cook TE – With Kenny Britt out for the season, many expect Cook to pick up the load and become an important part of the passing game. While Cook might get more looks, he’s not close to talent the Titans thought he was coming out of South Carolina.  If you take away that 80 yard reception against the Browns, Cook has 6 catches for 69 yards on the season. With Pittsburgh coming off a loss against the Texans, expect an angry defense that will have Matt Hasselbeck on his back. Bench you’re Titans as the Steelers defense brings the heat in what they will treat as a must win.

Tennessee Titans D/ST – Overall, I am off the Titans bandwagon this week. Even with a weak offensive line and Rashard Mendenhall likely out, Pittsburgh has a more explosive offense then anything Tennessee has seen this season. The Titans have played the Jaguars, Broncos and Browns so they haven’t been tested by an elite quarterback or a top notch receiver corpse. I would be wary of Tennessee this week in what could be a big letdown as they head to Pittsburgh.