Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 5 prognosis from SB Nation Minnesota

If there is one thing I love about fantasy football, it keeps things interesting.

Heading into Monday night's Chicago Dallas game I was trailing a friend of mine by 14 points in one of my more valued leagues. His players were all done. I had Bears' corner Charles Tillman.

Side bar, while I understand IDPs (Individual Defensive Players) are not for everyone, they do provide a fun change-up. Our scoring is set up where solo tackles and passes defended are one point each, sacks are two, forced and recovered fumbles are both three, interceptions are four and of course if your players scores a touchdown, you get six points. The average score for an IDP is around six or seven, with high scores around the 10-12 range. So I will admit it, I thought I was done.

If you recall, in the second quarter of Monday night's game, Charles Tillman intercepted (barely)Tony Romo's pass and took it to the house.. A 10 point play! That brought me to within three. Suddenly, I was in the game!

The second half was an assault of Romo mistakes and it turned into a Bears' blowout win, but my friend and I watched every play to see if Tillman was going to make score enough to finish the comeback.

Tillman ended the night with 14 points on the dot, good enough for a tie. However, when I woke up the next morning, a trusty, yet usually very frustrating, stat correction came through, giving Tillman another pass defended and giving me the W.

It was one of the greatest comebacks in my personal fantasy football career and I will never let my friend forget about it.

*Since writing this, another stat change occurred, bringing the game back to a tie, which is quite embarrassing for the guy that rubbed his win in his friend's face for a few days already with multiple text messages and Facebook posts in an attempt to publicly humiliate him (me). While I love this fantastic game, she is a cruel mistress.

The point of the story is, take fantasy football for what it's worth. A fun way to have something in common with friends and get even more enjoyment out of the game we love, football. I very likely would have turned off that game if not for the fantasy aspect. That's why I love fantasy football.

Obviously, It's a little more fun if you win and I hope to help all of you do that.

Here's this week's LIKES and DISLIKES.

QUARTERBACKS

LIKE ‘EM

Philip Rivers

I have Rivers safely inside my top 10 this week. Why? He got back on track against the Chiefs last Sunday, throwing for 200 yards and 2 TDs... and he is playing that awful New Orleans' secondary. Look for a huge day from the Chargers' offense, lead by their quarterback.

Projection: 22 points

Joe Flacco

Flacco's owners have to be loving the start to this season. Baltimore is in a pass first mode, and their quarterback has put up 19+ in three of his four starts. With the emergence of Torrey Smith in the last two week's Flacco's value has only gone up. With Kansas City's secondary giving up the fifth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, Flacco joins Rivers in my top 10 this week.

Projection: 21 points

Ryan Fitzpatrick

It's tough for me to write off the fifth highest scoring quarterback in Yahoo standard leagues just because he plays that vaunted 49er defense.. so I won't. Fitzpatrick has been one of the steadiest fantasy QBs this season, scoring above 15 points every week. While Bills' coach Chan Gailey would like to run the ball more than the team did against New England, that likely will not happen against San Fran's run defense and Fitzpatrick will be putting the ball in the air often if the Bills fall behind. At the very least I expect some garbage time production.

Projection: 16 points

Sleepers: Alex Smith has had some troubles over the past few weeks and his accuracy issues have been duly noted. However, the Bills' secondary has been brutal against the pass this year, as highlighted by touchdown Tom Brady's performance last week. Also, Andrew Luck will be at home to face a fantasy-friendly Packers' secondary. Following two solid performances and an extra week to prepare for the Pack, Luck could have some success.

DISLIKE ‘EM

Cam Newton

Newton is tough to sit, but i do expect him to struggle this weekend. It's no secret that Seattle's defense is among the elite and their secondary is one of the best in the game. This is the same defense that humbled Aaron Rodgers and Tony Romo. If Newton is going to have any success, expect it to be on the ground.

Projection: 12 points

Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben and the Steeler passing game has been clicking on all cylinders this year. Can the Philly defense that has been solid this year and very tough on passing games slow them down? My guess is yes. The Eagles have the physical secondary necessary to slow down the Steelers' smaller receivers like Brown and Wallace on the outside. Pittsburgh should also attempt to establish the run with the return of Rashard Mendenhall.

Projection: 11 points

RUNNING BACKS

LIKE ‘EM

Reggie Bush

Bush is still struggling with a knee injury, but this week he takes aim at a Bengals' rushing defense that has allowed 133.5 yards per game. Look for Bush to return to form this week and I expect his numbers to do the same.

Projection: 18 points

Cedric Benson

Green Bay seems to have discovered their need to establish the run and Benson has answered the call. Benson toted the rock 18 times against New Orleans and averaged over four yards per carry. He has recorded double digit fantasy points each of the last three weeks and takes on a poor Indy run defense this week.

Projection: 14 points

Donald Brown

The Packers have been solid against the run, but I look for the Colts to attempt to establish the ground game to keep Rodgers and company on the sideline. I also expect Brown to benefit from some check-down looks in the passing game from Andrew Luck to avoid pressure from that Green Bay pass rush.

Projection: 11 points

Sleeper: Jackie Battle is actually listed as the number one back on the Chargers' current depth chart. While it wouldn't be smart to expect him to get more work than Ryan Mathews, I do think Battle will garner around 30 percent of the carries and most of the goal line work, making him a viable flex option.

DISLIKE ‘EM

Chris Johnson

I didn't like Johnson last week and he exploded for 130 yards.. Well I still do not like him. While last week's performance was a good sign of possible solid performances down the line for CJ2K, don't expect much this week. The Vikings rank second in points allowed to backs in Yahoo standard leagues and no one has come close to having success against them on the ground.

Projection: 5 points

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

In his last three games Green-Ellis has averaged just over three yards per carry. The Dolphins' defense is allowing the fewest yards per carry in the league this season (2.4 yards per attempt). What does this mean? If "The Law Firm" fails to reach the end zone this week, his fantasy owners are in trouble.

Projection: 6 points

WIDE RECEIVERS

LIKE ‘EM

Reggie Wayne

Wayne is averaging over 11 fantasy points per week in the young season. Marques Colston just torched Green Bay's pass defense. The game is in Indianapolis. Look for Wayne to be featured in Andrew Luck's coming out party.

Projection: 14 points

Malcom Floyd

Floyd has been quiet the last few weeks, including a disappoint two catch day last Sunday against the Chiefs. I expect him to bounce back this Sunday, as the Saints' secondary has not had luck stopping anyone yet this season and the Superdome has hosted some fantasy feasts for opposing wide receivers.

Projection: 15 points

Brian Hartline

It's hard not to like the guy that just recorded 253 receiving yards. Hartline has clearly established himself as the improving Ryan Tannehill's number one target. Hartline should be busy this week going up against the Bengal's corners and should definitely be considered as a high #3 wideout.

Projection: 12 points

sleepers: Andre Roberts was a beast last week, putting up 118 receiving yards and getting into the end zone twice. With Cortland Finnegan likely matched up with Larry Fitzgerald most of the night Thursday, Cardinals' quarterbackKevin Kolb could look Roberts' way often. Domenik Hixon was one of Eli Manning's favorite targets in the Giants' game against Philly Sunday night. If Nicks and Barden remain sidelined this weekend, I would expect that trend to continue.

DISLIKE ‘EM

Steve Smith (Carolina)

Smith has lacked that major production his fantasy owners have come to expect over the years. Last week was a major let down, as Smith was held to 52 yards, even as Newton had a nice passing day. Don't expect things to get any better against Seattle this week. I expect the Seahawks' big corners to have their way with Carolina's top wideout.

Projection: 6 points

Jeremy Maclin

Maclin is not on the Eagles' injury report this week, yet I still question how healthy his hip actually is. In his first game last week he recorded just one catch for seven yards. It will take a solid week from him before I regain full trust. I don't expect Philadelphia's passing game to be overly successful against the Steelers and if that's the case, Maclin will be one of the first ones to suffer

Projection: 4 points

TIGHT ENDS

LIKE ‘EM

Kyle Rudolph

Simple math on this one. Kyle Rudolph is Christian Ponder's number one target when the Vikings' offense nears the goal line. I expect the Vikings to move the ball well against the Titans' defense, meaning Rudolph should have plenty of opportunities to find the end zone.

Projection: 12 points

Antonio Gates

Gates' 59 receiving yards last week were the most he has had all season. Look for even more this week as the Chargers will be throwing all night against New Orleans. Gates should have a big game.

Projection: 15 points

sleepers: Denver has discovered the positives of a the two tight end system with Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessenin the lineup. The Patriots have allowed the second most points to tight ends this year, so there should be plenty to go around for the both of them. Dreessen is only owned in five percent of Yahoo leagues, so he could be a solid fill in for Pettigrew and Witten owners this week.

DISLIKE ‘EM

Martellus Bennett

After scoring touchdowns in each of his first three games with the G-Men, Bennett came up with just one catch for two yards last Sunday against the Eagles. Moving forward I am a Bennett believer, but I am not a big fan of his match up this week against Cleveland. The Browns have given up the fourth-least amount of fantasy points to tight ends this season as their athletic linebackers cause matchup problems in the middle of the field. The Giants' offense should be productive, but I don't expect Bennett to see much of the action.

Projection: 4 points

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS

LIKE ‘EM

Minnesota

The Vikings placed the emphasis on the special teams part of the name last week, scoring on both a punt and kick return en route to a great fantasy performance. Over the last two weeks they have stifled both the 49ers and the Lions and now welcome Tennessee into the Metrodome. I don't see how Chris Johnson can run the ball against Minnesota's front seven, so look for the Titans to rely on the arm of Matt Hasselbeck, who threw two interceptions and lost a fumble last week in relief of the injured Jake Locker.

Projection: 14 points

New York (N)

The Giants' defense should benefit from a very favorable matchup this week against the Browns. If New York can focus its efforts on shutting down rookie running back Trent Richardson, quarterbackBrandon Weeden (3 touchdowns, 7 interceptions through 4 games) should take care of the rest.

Projection: 13 points

DISLIKE ‘EM

Green Bay

Last season the Packers' defense was a trendy play, giving up high point totals but making up for it by forcing high volumes of turnovers and often times scoring touchdowns. That is not happening this year. The secondary has lacked that playmaking ability and the only big plays have come at the hands of Clay Matthews. Even against a rookie quarterback this week, I am not crazy about Green Bay's chances.

Projection: 7 points

Remember you can always tweet any additional questions or concerns regarding your fantasy football team to Frederick at @SpaceJace27.

Week 5 Positional Rankings

Quarterbacks

1	Matt Ryan
2	Aaron Rodgers
3	Drew Brres
4	Tom Brady
5	Robert Griffin III
6	Eli Manning
7	Peyton Manning
8	Phillip Rivers
9	Joe Flacco
10	Cam Newton
11	Andy Dalton
12	Michael Vick
13	Matt Schaub
14	Ryan Fitzpatrick
15	Christian Ponder
16	Ben Roethlisberger
17	Jay Cutler
18	Andrew Luck
19	Alex Smith
20	Kevin Kolb
21	Ryan Tannehill
22	Matt Cassell
23	Matt Hasselbeck
24	Sam Bradford
25	Russell Wilson

Running Backs

1	Arian Foster
2	Marshawn Lynch
3	Ray Rice
4	Adrian Peterson
5	LeSean McCoy
6	Jamaal Charles
7	Frank Gore
8	Reggie Bush
9	Maurice Jones-Drew
10	Alfred Morris
11	Trent Richardson
12	Matt Forte
13	Michael Turner
14	Ryan Mathews
15	Darren Sproles
16	Cedric Benson
17	Ahmad Bradshaw
18	Willis McGahee
19	BenJarvus Green-Ellis
20	Stevan Ridley
21	Chris Johnson
22	Steven Jackson
23	C.J. Spiller
24	Fred Jackson
25	Donald Brown
26	Ryan Williams
27	Rashard Mendenhall
28	Shonn Greene
29	Michael Bush
30	DeAngelo Williams
31	Jonathon Stewart
32	Ben Tate
33	Pierre Thomas
34	Andre Brown
35	Jackie Battle
36	Jacquizz Rodgers
37	Brandon Bolden
38	Kendall Hunter
39	Isaac Redman
40	Mark Ingram

Wide Receivers

1	A.J. Green
2	Roddy White
3	Victor Cruz
4	Brandon Marshall
5	Andre Johnson
6	Wes Welker
7	Percy Harvin
8	Julio Jones
9	Larry Fitzgerald
10	Marques Colston
11	Brandon Lloyd
12	Reggie Wayne
13	Jordy Nelson
14	Mike Wallace
15	Torrey Smith
16	Steve Smith
17	Demaryius Thomas
18	DeSean Jackson
19	Dwayne Bowe
20	Eric Decker
21	Malcom Floyd
22	Pierre Garcon
23	Steve Johnson
24	Antonio Brown
25	Brian Hartline
26	James Jones
27	Lance Moore
28	Danny Amendola
29	Domenik Hixon
30	Jeremy Maclin
31	Anquan Boldin
32	Nate Washington
33	Michael Crabtree
34	Andre Roberts
35	Kenny Britt
36	Jerome Simpson
37	Donnie Avery
38	Brandon LaFell
39	Randall Cobb
40	Andrew Hawkins

Tight Ends

1	Rob Gronkowski
2	Jimmy Graham
3	Tony Gonzalez
4	Antonio Gates
5	Jermichael Finley
6	Vernon Davis
7	Dennis Pita
8	Kyle Rudolph
9	Owen Daniels
10	Scott Chandler
11	Brent Celek
12	Fred Davis
13	Martellus Bennett
14	Jared Cook
15	Greg Olsen
16	Jacob Tamme
17	Heath Miller
18	Jermaine Gresham
19	Joel Dreessen
20	Coby Fleener

Defense/Special Teams

1	Chicago
2	Baltimore
3	San Francisco
4	Houston
5	Arizona
6	New York (N)
7	Minnesota
8	Seattle
9	Pittsburgh
10	Philadelphia
11	Atlanta
12	Cincinnati
13	St. Louis
14	Green Bay
15	New England
16	Carolina
17	Buffalo
18	Miami
19	Jacksonville
20	Cleveland

*You might notice some projections do not match up with the rankings (Fitzpatrick is four spots behind Newton, yet I have Fitzpatrick projected for four more points). Projections indicate how I believe the players will perform, while rankings indicate who I would start at the position (Newton may not outscore Fitzpatrick this week, but I would still start Newton over Fitzpatrick based solely off upside).