Geeks of the Week - Week 5

Week 5 of the NFL season is upon us and along with it brings many surprises on the fantasy football landscape. Former fantasy studs have been reduced to liabilities in your lineup and fantasy no-names are slowly becoming household names to die hard fantasy players. This has to be one of the biggest years in recent memory for formerly obscure players bursting onto the fantasy football scene.

For example, those who selected Aaron Brooks and Randy Moss on draft day thinking they had a lethal QB/WR combination, probably have a very sour taste in their mouths since neither player ranks in the top 50 of fantasy rankings for their respective positions. But the lucky fantasy owners who drafted Bears quarterback Rex Grossman and wide receiver Bernard Berrian find themselves with two players who are currently rank in the top five of fantasy rankings for their respective positions. Grossman is currently tied for second in the league with eight touchdown passes and Berrian is tied for first with 3 TD catches. Who would have thunk it!?

The running back position is not without its surprise players either. Many fantasy owners selected Tampa Bay’s Carnell Williams in the first round of their fantasy drafts thinking they could ride a Caddilac to fantasy success. But if you turn to actual fantasy production, you’ll see that Williams is waddling in fantasy obscurity, being ranked in the same neighborhood as journeyman running backs like Kevin Faulk, Travis Henry and Mack Strong, respectively. While Williams is struggling, Frank Gore, who had an average draft position of 76 in drafts this preseason, is the second-highest scoring back in the league right now.

Just these couple of examples shows that in fantasy football, just like in life, there are no sure things. You have to be prepared when you team doesn’t produce as well as you thought. Always keep your eye on the waiver wire and keep you mind open to trades for ways to help your team through the tough times!

Here are a few players that you might want to take a look at plugging into your starting lineup this week to either turn around your luck or keep your success going! They may not be the top names in fantasy football, but most are the 'in between' guys that you might have to make a tough decision on. The good fantasy owner is able to pick these players out from a crowd and stick them in their lineup for fantasy success!

QB – Bryron Leftwich – Leftwich is currently ranked at the 7th best quarterback in fantasy football and has a great matchup this week as he faces the N.Y. Jets. The Jets currently rank 20th in the league in fantasy pass defense, giving up just under 240 yards per game passing. Look for Leftwitch to hook up with his oversized wide receivers in this game and bring you some quality fantasy points.

RB – Joe Addai – Addai and Domonic Rhodes have been splitting carries for the first four games of the season with Rhodes having the slight edge 59 to 46. While we think both backs will be a good start this week against a struggling Titans defense, we are giving the edge to Addai. The Titans rank dead last in the NFL in run defense, allowing 177 yards per game on the ground and will be missing big defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who is serving a suspension. Opponents have also rushed for a league high, eight touchdowns on the Titans. Look for Addai to add to this total and maybe see his most action of this young season.

RB – Frank Gore – After getting off to a hot start, Gore has run into some problems with ball security and a rib injury. Niners coach Mike Nolan came out this week and showed support for his running back and vows to stick with him through this tough spell. We expect Gore to bounce back this week against a Raiders defense that ranks 21st in the league at stopping the run from a fantasy perspective. Gore may be able to break off a long TD run this week since the Raiders give up an average of over 145 rushing yards per game. Owners in leagues that reward for longer TDs may want to note this statistic!

WR – Isaac Bruce – Bruce had a nice week last week, catching 7 balls for 100 yards and a TD. We thought Bruce was ready for a bounce back year and, so far, we have been correct. Bruce should have continued success this week while facing a Packers defense that ranks 29th against the pass from a fantasy perspective and has allowed 7 TD’s through the air thus far. The Rams offense seems to be getting back on track after putting up 41 points against the Lions last week. While this game is going to be played outdoors, we still like the fantasy potential of Bruce this week.

WR – Amani Toomer – Toomer has been a pleasant surprise to fantasy owners so far this season, with 3 TD catches through 3 games. He will be facing a Redskins secondary that has been banged up and currently ranks 28th against the pass from a fantasy perspective and has given up 8 TD’s through the air. Plaxico Burress had a rough outing in the team’s last game and quarterback, Eli Manning could start looking Toomer’s way more often, since he is the more consistent receiver catching the ball. Expect good yardage and another TD out of this 11 year veteran in this important division matchup.

TE – Heath Miller – Miller has been up and down so far in this young season. After recording over 100 yards receiving and a TD in his first game this season, the second year tight end posted only 4 catches for 45 yards in his next two outings. We expect to see his cathes and yardage total increase this week as the Steeler will face an aggressive Chargers defense. Expect Steeler’s quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger to look Miller’s way when the Chargers turn up the heat on him.

DEF – New Orleans Saints – The Saints have been the surprise team of the season so far, sitting at 3-1. They will be facing a Tampa Bay team that will start rookie QB Bruce Gradgowski at quarterback. The Bucs have the worst rushing offense in the league, averaging only 43.3 yards per game on the ground. . Expect the Saints to try to confuse the rookie into mistakes and turnovers all day after they shut down the Bucs running game in the early going.

Huddlegeeks Fantasy Anlaysis - Week 4

Listen to the Geeks take of Week 4 Fantasy Football Action!

Week 4 Analysis

Geeks of Week 4

As we head into week four of the NFL season, fantasy owners can start truly evaluating what type of team you have and what direction your team is headed in. You have now been through the first round of bye weeks and probably already suffered a key injury (or two). It's either time to stand back and admire what a great job you did drafting or time to shake up your roster a bit and make some moves that could change the fortunes of your team. A good fantasy owner shouldn't have too much of a falloff when these things happen. Staying abreast on the latest new and NFL information will allow you to make wise free agent pickups and trades that work in your favor.

Hopefully, when you drafted, you drafted for not only starting talent, but also depth on your bench for when the tough times hit. You should have the backup to your stud running back and you should have drafted a sleeper or two in the later rounds that is paying some dividends. You should also be aware of names like Greg Jennings, Maurice Colston, Ron Dayne and Michael Robinson as players that may still be available on your waiver wire that could really help you team and solidify your reputation as a team to be reckoned with. These are some early, in-season moves that can separate the good teams from the also-rans and provide a launching pad for fantasy success later in the season.

Here are a few players that you might want to take a look at plugging into your starting lineup this week to either turn around your luck or keep your success going! They may not be the top names in fantasy football, but most are the 'in between' guys that you might have to make a tough decision on. The good fantasy owner is able to pick these players out from a crowd and stick them in their lineup for fantasy success!

QB - Charlie Frye - Frye has been one of the big surprises of the fantasy football season so far, ranking as the 7th best fantasy QB overall in 2006. His legs and guts give him an edge on other QB's as he has scored three rushing touchdowns through three games in this young season. He will be facing a Raiders defense that is surprisingly ranked 3rd against the pass in the Huddlegeeks team fantasy rankings, but we're going against the grain on this one. The reason the Raiders rank so high against the pass is because teams have been running all over them on the ground. Look for the Browns to try to establish the run, but for Frye to use his arm more this week and have his first game in which he throws multiple touchdowns.

RB - Julius Jones - Jones hasn't had a 100 yard game yet this season, but he is clearly the No. 1 RB in Dallas. He will be facing a Titans defense that is the worst in the league at defending the run from a fantasy perspective, giving up an average of over 163 yards on the ground per week. Look for Jones and the Cowboys to do a lot of damage on the ground since their receiving corps figures to be without Terrell Owens this week. Jones could be poised to have a huge game this week and you should have him in your lineup if you want to win!

RB - Chester Taylor - Taylor has been pretty consistent so far this year. Consistent, but not spectacular. We expect him to be a little closer to spectacular in this game as the Vikings will be facing a Bills defense that currently ranks 20th in team fantasy rankings when it comes to stopping the run. Expect Taylor to get plenty of carries behind his massive offensive line. Taylor currently leads the NFL in rushing attempts with 75. Rushing behind that big line, against a weak rushing defense, Taylor should be able to produce his second 100+ yard game of the season.

WR - Troy Williamson - Williamson has been the deep threat in the Vikings offense so far this season averaging 15.6 yards per catch. Expect Brad Johnson to look Williamson's way often, since the Bills start a pair of inexperienced players at the safety position. Even thought the Bills rank 12th in passing defense, we think the Johnson will be able to find Williamson deep on at least one big play.

WR - Terry Glenn - With Terrell Owens not expected to suit up this week, Glenn should be a definite starter in any league. The Cowboys are going against a Titans team that currently ranks 23rd against the pass and gives up an average of over 222 yards per game through the air. Look for Glenn to be the focal point of the Cowboys passing game and put up some quality fantasy points for you this week.

TE - Eric Johnson - With the injury to rookie tight end Vernon Davis last week, Johnson will be the clear No. 1 tight end for the Niners. Look for Johnson to be QB Alex Smith's safety valve against an aggressive Chiefs defense. Johnson had a fine game last week after Davis left the game (7 rec. 87yds. 1 TD) and should be able to produce some points for you this week when he will carry the full load.

DEF - San Diego - The Chargers will be facing a Ravens offense that hasn't looked good as expected so far. Look for them to expose the Ravens offensive line that has some questions to it and get to Steve McNair repeatedly. The Charges only give up a little over 173 yards per game, total, and we don't expect they will give up much more than that, even though they playing on the road.