Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

WIDE RECEIVERS – START ‘EM

Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Detroit

It is good advice to start any QB/WRs playing against Detroit until this theory is disproven. Allowing 12 passing TDs in 4 weeks is no easy feat, but the Lions have been able to reach that statistic. Unfortunately as good as Ward has been at putting up solid yardage, his TDs have been non-existent. He should find the end zone in this match-up. Granted WR Santonio Holmes and TE Heath Miller could steal some of his flair, but Ward should put up numbers comparable to a WR1 for this week 5 contest.

Antonio Bryant (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) @ Philadelphia

While it’s hard to tell fantasy owners to start a WR who has done almost nothing, been injured, has a bad match-up AND has a brand new QB; that’s exactly what we are doing. Antonio Bryant had a tidy 10-point effort in week 4 against the 4th ranked pass defense of Washington. Look for the Eagles to attack early in this match-up, forcing the Bucs to play catch-up all game. Bryant could see a solid amount of targets leading to a good fantasy week for him in Philly.

Kevin Walter (Houston Texans) @ Arizona

This game has the potential to be a shoot-out. Those words typically echo exactly what fantasy owners want to hear. Kevin Walter is a big part of the Texans passing attack, and this is a week he could exceed all expectations. Arizona’s pass defense isn’t bad…it’s absolutely terrible. They have allowed 280 yards per game and 7 TDs in only three contests, and this one seems like it could definitely increase those numbers with plenty of fantasy stars in this match-up. Walter should be looking at the realm of 75 yards and a TD, so confidently plug him into your lineup in week 5.

TIGHT ENDS – START ‘EM

Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit Lions) vs. Pittsburgh

The Lions big TE and other 1st round pick has been a pleasant surprise as a deep league sleeper, especially last week where he posted 64 yards, while having a potential TD catch taken away. While it seemed like he was getting on the right page with QB Matthew Stafford (OUT for week 5, Daunte Culpepper IN), the Steelers have been less than stellar against opposing TEs (Gates- 124 yards & 2 TDs; Chicago TEs- 79 yards and a TD). This Start ‘Em relies mostly on if Troy Polamalu is able to play or not in week 5; if he does play, consider Pettigrew removed from this list.

John Carlson (Seattle Seahawks) vs. Jacksonville

Just in case Troy Polamalu does play, making Pettigrew a Sit, Carlson has a great match-up versus a suspect Jaguars pass defense. Another game that could be high-scoring, Carlson has been non-existent since week 1. He is too talented to struggle for this long, so he should be in for a nice 10 point week for fantasy owners. Plug Carlson into your lineup in week 5, whether Hasselbeck or Wallace is his starting QB.

KICKERS – START ‘EM

Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers) @ Detroit

Pittsburgh should be able to post some decent numbers against Detroit. Actually, decent is an understatement. The Steelers most likely will not be stopped by a poor Lions defense, and Jeff Reed should be able to post some gaudy kicker stats. We’re not going to tell you to go out and drop your starting kicker for him, but if you have Robbie Gould, Mason Crosby, John Carney, or Nate Kaeding, you may be looking for some help, and Reed can provide that. Gould posted 12 points on the Lions last weekend (more if you get a bonus for a 50+ yarder), so it’s not unrealistic for Reed to get that as well.

DEFENSES – START ‘EM

Dallas Cowboys D/ST @ Kansas City

Game in Arrowhead? So what. The Chiefs have proven that they really can’t score on anyone (16 points per game, 31st in the NFL with 246.5 yards of offense per game), and the Cowboys are coming off a gut-wrenching loss to the Denver Broncos. Well, at least the Chiefs have done well on third downs this season (9 out of 51 for 18%). It seems that the Cowboys will have ample time to let their defense rest, and perhaps LB DeMarcus Ware can come out and actually get to QB Matt Cassel. The Chiefs QBs have been sacked 13 times for t-27th in the NFL. The Cowboys are typically not a D/ST we recommend, but start them this week against perhaps the second worst offense in the NFL.

Week 5 Rankings:  QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D  (click to read)

Week 5 Start & Sit: START ‘EM  |  SIT ‘EM  (click to read)

Week 5 Waiver Wire Advice:  PICK THEM UP  |  CUT THEM LOOSE  (click to read)

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