FantasyFootball Week 5 Studs & Duds
By: David Bachman
Fantasy Football Editor For WagerOnFootball.com

Here's a quick rundown of the NFL's week 5 fantasy football stars. These guys are the WagerOnFootball.com "ALL Week 5 STUD Team". After you check out these top performers surf over to our NFL sportsbooks page and see what great sponsors we have here at Wager On Football Sportsbook Review.

A quick look at the big fantasy performers from the weekend.

More Weeks 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9  .10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17

Well, it took a whole 5 weeks to reach that point in the season where I ask myself...self, why on earth do you play fantasy football? It has to be masochism. I have come to the definite conclusion that I don't know my ass from a hole in the wall anymore. None of us do. If you proclaim to be a fantasy football expert, you should stop huffing paint. I would like to take 10 so-called experts and 10 drunk monkeys and see who can pick the best lineup. What? Look at that, the drunk monkeys threw poop at Rueben Droughns...experts picked Fred Taylor. Whoa! Monkeys just peed on the name Marcus Robinson...experts pick Marvin Harrison. Detecting a trend? Yeah, me too. I'm going to play fantasy football like a drunk monkey. (It looks like I already am.)

Now onto business.....While quarterbacks are the glamour boys in the NFL, running backs are the prized commodities for fantasy football owners. By the time the second round ends, it's not surprising to see about 18-20 backs taken off the board. Even more telling is that key backups like Steven Jackson, Quentin Griffin, and Willis McGahee were sometimes taken before top quarterbacks like Matt Hasselback or Tom Brady.
In most leagues, you can still find decent quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends off the waiver wire to fill needs, which is why they're drafted lower. If you have a 12 team or higher league, well you might have better luck with a ball boy or cheerleader though. Anyways, having said that we have to tell you that quality running backs are usually so hard to find that you have to hoard them when you can.

But this week proved otherwise as many guys who weren't on the radar (even as fantasy backups) came up with big weeks.

Reuben Droughns, the former Oregon star and Lions castoff, became the latest Bronco to pile up a 100-yard game. Meanwhile, Tatum Bell owners are crying in a corner somewhere. Mewelde Moore, Minnesota's fourth-stringer, had more than 180 total yards. Artose Pinner stepped in for Kevin Jones in Detroit and scored a TD. Jesse Chatman ripped off a 100-yard game for the Chargers. Troy Hambrick, in a cruel ironic twist now backing up Emmitt Smith, scored a TD for the second straight week.

Some of these guys were scooped up last week, while many others will be the first taken off the waiver wire this upcoming week.

The performance of these running backs nearly upstaged a plethora of 300-yard passing games, especially in the late afternoon games. Nothing like late rallies and overtime shootouts to pump up the fantasy stats.

Top 10 studs

1. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings (36-50, 396 yards, 5 TDs; 6 carries, 30 yards): Welcome back from the bye, Daunte, your fantasy owners missed you. Even with fourth-string running back Mewelde Moore starting, the Minnesota offense kept on clicking.

2. Tim Rattay, QB, 49ers (38-57, 417 yards, 2 TDs; 3 carries, 14 yards; 2-point conversion run, 2-point conversion pass; 1 lost fumble): Another week, another late rally to pad the stats. However, this time Rattay actually pulled out the win, leading San Francisco from 16 down in the fourth quarter to force overtime and eventually a win. It doesn't matter how or when, just as long as you put up the numbers.

3. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans (12 catches, 170 yards, 2 TDs): Many believe this will be his breakout season. With consecutive 100-yard games, he's well on his way. Plus, he made one ridiculous catch in the end zone for the first of his touchdowns.

4. Marcus Robinson, WR, Vikings (9 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs): He came into the season as a possible solid No. 2 behind Randy Moss, much like Reggie Wayne is to Marvin Harrison in Indy. But after just five catches for 68 yards entering the game, he was probably off many people's rosters. So now he decides to have the huge game, almost doubling all of his stats in one fell swoop. For those who started him this week, more power to you.

5. David Carr, QB, Texans (27-43, 372 yards, 3 TDs): Carr did his best to keep up with Culpepper and led a furious rally from 21-0 down to force overtime. He's working well with Andre Johnson and quickly moving into a potential No. 1 fantasy QB role.

6. Reuben Droughns, RB, Broncos (30 carries, 193 yards; 4 catches, 18 yards, 1 TD): Quentin Griffin was held out of the game with an ankle injury, so the former Lions castoff further proved just about anybody can have a big game behind Denver's offensive line. He wasn't as widely pursued this week as Amos Zereoue or Mewelde Moore, but he had the best week of those "desperation" fantasy backs.

7. Tiki Barber, RB, Giants (23 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD; 5 catches, 76 yards): So much for that tough Cowboys defense. Barber continues to be one of the top fantasy backs this season. His re-emergence is one reason for the Giants' surprise season. One other note: Ron Dayne got no carries this week.

8. Eric Johnson, TE, 49ers (13 catches, 162 yards, 1 TD): He's easily Tim Rattay's favorite target and it showed Sunday as he helped bail out San Francisco from a big deficit. If he isn't on a roster by now, he should be. Johnson played the game with bruised ribs.

9. Marc Bulger, QB, Rams (24-42, 325 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs; 4 carries, 9 yards, 1 TD): He went from BRUTAL dud to stud very quickly, atoning for three early interceptions by firing three scoring strikes in the fourth quarter and overtime to rally St. Louis to a wild 33-27 win over Seattle, who was supposed to be the class of the division. But other owners could be mad at Bulger since his TDs went to Brandon Manumaleuna, Kevin Curtis and Shaun McDonald.

10. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (23 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 4 yards): Another welcome back from the bye week. Alexander shredded the Rams early, although you probably expected him to do more to run out the clock.

Other top performers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (16-21, 231 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 6 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD); Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (16-26, 198 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT); Josh McCown, QB, Cardinals (19-34, 231 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT; 3 carries, 11 yards); Byron Leftwich, QB, Jaguars (36-54, 357 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; 4 carries, 6 yards, 1 TD); Chad Pennington, QB, Jets (31-42, 304 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT); Mewelde Moore, RB, Vikings (20 carries, 92 yards; 12 catches, 90 yards); Edgerrin James, RB, Colts (32 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 19 yards); Duce Staley, RB, Steelers (21 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD); LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers (19 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 78 yards); Jesse Chatman, RB, Chargers (11 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 17 yards); Keary Colbert, WR, Panthers (4 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD); Andre Davis, WR, Browns (5 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD); Plaxico Burress, WR, Steelers (6 catches, 136 yards, 1 TD); Randy Moss, WR, Vikings (5 catches, 90 yards, 2 TDs); Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers (8 catches, 93 yards, 2 TDs)

Duds

Koren Robinson, WR, Seahawks (5 catches, 69 yards) He nearly has more drops than he has catches. We thought with this being his third season we'd see him emerge ahead of DJack, well, now we don't !!! Keep him on your bench until you hear otherwise, but as with most higher WR picks, don't drop him and let someone else hit his lucky spells, let him do it on your bench.

Michael Vick, QB, Falcons (18-29, 196 yards, 1 INT, 2 lost fumbles): This time the turnovers were too much for Atlanta to overcome as it lost to Detroit. Vick is a feast-or-famine quarterback these days, but it's too hard to bench him no matter how spotty he might be.

Roy Williams, WR, Lions (3 catches, 18 yards): After a sparkling start to the season, he did little Sunday. Plus, he got hurt.

Kevan Barlow, RB, 49ers (14 carries, 34 yards; 3 catches, 23 yards): He did little against the Cards' defense early, forcing Tim Rattay to throw the ball a ton.

Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts (3 catches, 44 yards): Usually he'll either have a TD or a big-yardage game. He had neither Sunday. He hasn't had a 100-yard game this season. Reggie Wayne and Brandon Stokley are definitely cutting into his production.

Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers (1 catch, 9 yards): It appears Keary Colbert is making his way as the main man in Carolina with Steve Smith out.

Kyle Boller, QB, Ravens (9-18, 81 yards, 3 INTs; 3 carries, 1 yard): His picks put Baltimore behind. The defense and special teams put the Ravens ahead. When it came time to seal the game, he was just handing the ball off to Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor.

Travis Henry, RB, Bills (12 carries, 33 yards): He usually burns the Jets, but an injury slowed him down.

Waiver Wire Wonders

Mewelde Moore, RB, Vikings (20 carries, 92 yards; 12 catches, 90 yards): He was the fourth-string running back, but some fantasy owners were paying attention to him in the summer because of Onterrio Smith's impending suspension. With Smith finally serving his time, and Moe Williams and Michael Bennett hurt, it was Moore who stepped in and didn't miss a beat. Minnesota has a knack for cycling in all sorts of productive running backs.

Reuben Droughns, RB, Broncos (30 carries, 193 yards; 4 catches, 18 yards): Same goes with Denver, which went with the former Oregon star in place of the injured Quentin Griffin and further proved that seemingly any back can come in there and have a 100-yard game. On the other hand, Tatum Bell owners are wondering when it'll be his turn.

Brian Griese, QB, Buccaneers (16-19, 194 yards, 1 TD): It was Griese, not Brad Johnson, who stepped in for the injured Chris Simms and showed some flashes of his better days in Denver.

Derick Armstrong, WR, Texans (6 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD): He's strung together a handful of good games and is emerging as Houston's No. 2 guy behind Andre Johnson, vaulting ahead of Corey Bradford and Jabar Gaffney.

Keary Colbert, WR, Panthers (4 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD): If you weren't convinced the former USC star deserves a spot on your team, this game may change your mind. He did all this in 4 catches folks. S-T-U-D

Jesse Chatman, RB, Chargers (11 carries, 103 yards, 1 TD; 1 catch, 17 yards): LaDainian Tomlinson aggravated his groin injury, so in steps Chatman, who did his best Tomlinson imitation, including a 42-yard TD dash in the fourth quarter. He is the first back other than Tomlinson to get a 100-yard game since Jermaine Fazande in 2000.

Wayne Chrebet, WR, Jets (8 catches, 90 yards): The longtime Jet again led New York in receiving, while Santana Moss (2 catches, 62 yards) and Justin McCareins (3 catches, 32 yards) are still scuffling a bit.

Injuries

Antonio Bryant, WR, Cowboys: He injured his ankle late in the game and needed to be helped off the field.

Chris Simms, QB, Buccaneers: His first career start was ended early with a shoulder injury. Veteran Brian Griese stepped in and played well.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: He aggravated a groin injury in the second half and was rested as a precaution since San Diego had a big lead. Jesse Chatman had a huge game in his place.

DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers: He broke his collarbone, and with Stephen Davis still out with a knee injury, Nick Goings got the bulk of the carries but only had 22 yards rushing. Carolina hopes Davis will be back next week, or else it's in trouble.

Olindo Mare, K, Dolphins: He injured his calf during pregame workouts, leaving kick returner Wes Welker to handle the kicking duties. Welker hit a 29-yard field goal and an extra point.

Mike Vanderjagt, K, Colts: A hamstring injury kept him inactive Sunday. Matt Bryant came in to kick five extra points.

Jay Fiedler/A.J. Feeley, QB, Dolphins: Fiedler injured his ribs, while Feeley suffered a concussion in late relief work. More reason to pass on them in your league.

Travis Henry, RB, Bills: An ankle injury limited him to just 12 carries for 33 yards. Willis McGahee had eight carries for 42 yards in relief.

Corey Dillon, RB, Patriots: He seemed to have tweaked his ankle during the game, which explains why Rabih Abdullah got the short TD against Miami. It doesn't seem serious, but just keep an eye on it.

Marcus Pollard, TE, Colts: A knee injury kept Pollard out of the game. Dallas Clark filled in as a starter and caught a four-yard TD pass, his only reception of the game.

Roy Williams, WR, Lions: The rookie wideout was carted off with an ankle injury. Are the young Detroit wideouts jinxed? On the other hand, Az Hakim caught Detroit's lone TD pass Sunday.

Now get back to work!!!

Weeks 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9  .10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17

Top | NFL Wager | FantasyFootball | NFL Bet At Our NFL Sportsbooks