Fantasy Football Chatter: Week 5

Three to start

1. Packers defense

Green Bay allows 25.2 points per game, but Sunday the Packers host Atlanta, which has scored nine points in each of its two road games.

 2. RB Steve Slaton, Texans

The rookie out of West Virginia has at least 110 total yards in each of the past two games. On Sunday, Houston faces Indianapolis, which is 31st against the run (199.3 ypg).

 3. WR Chris Chambers, Chargers

He's leading San Diego with four TD catches. On Sunday, the Chargers play at Miami, which is 26th against the pass (227.3).

Three to sit

1. RB Chris Johnson, Titans

The rookie out of East Carolina has rushed for 337 yards through four games, but 202 of those came in the first two games. On Sunday, Tennessee plays at Baltimore, which is second against the run (69.7) and has yet to allow a rushing TD.

 2. WR Andre Johnson, Texans

He has only five total catches for 67 yards the past two games and hasn't scored all season. On Sunday, Houston faces Indianapolis, which is second against the pass (141.0) and hasn't allowed a receiving TD all season.

 3. Vikings defense

Minnesota has only six forced turnovers and seven sacks. The Vikings also allow 27 ppg on the road and Monday play at New Orleans, which averaged 31.5 ppg the past two games.

Extra point

Ravens RB Le'Ron McClain has 3 TDs the past two games. He's a better fantasy starter than Willis McGahee, who has been limited in practice by a chest injury.

LAST WEEK'S PICKS

Three to start

Bills QB Trent Edwards threw for 197 yards and 1 TD with 1 INT, ran for 8 yards.

Broncos RB Michael Pittman rushed for 36 yards, caught two passes for 45 yards.

Bills defense allowed 14 points, forced 2 turnovers, had 2.0 sacks, scored 1 TD on an INT return.

Three to sit

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for 191 yards and 1 TD with 1 INT, ran for 3 yards.

Ravens RB Willis McGahee rushed for 42 yards, caught three passes for 19 yards.

Vikings WR Bernard Berrian caught five passes for 78 yards.

Readers' forum

Each week, readers can e-mail their pick for the top scoring fantasy player, as determined by a Yahoo! league, to michael.connors@pilotonline.com.

Deadline is 1 p.m. Sunday. The winner will be announced each Tuesday at http://hamptonroads.com/blogs/mike-connors

Here's Week 3 winner Ron Tocci from New York, who picked Cowboys QB Tony Romo:

Although the Redskins squeaked by the Cowboys last week, Romo still had a pretty good day, at least fantasy-wise. Things were all downhill from there though. After lathering on the icy-hot and taking a consoling call from Jessica Simpson, I'm sure Tony caught Terrell Owens' postgame press conference. Apparently Owens wasn't happy receiving only 38 percent of Romo's pass attempts. Thirty-eight percent! I get the feeling Terrell wasn't big on sharing his animal crackers in kindergarten. Maybe the Cowboys could save money and cut the rest of their tight ends and receivers and simply line up with nine offensive linemen, Romo and Owens at flanker. There is a QB in Philadelphia that is loving this right now.

So my advice this week is to start Owens without hesitation. Romo is going to be concentrating on finding him harder than an 8-year-old reading a "Where's Waldo" book. I also like Bears RB Matt Forte against Detroit's abysmal defensive front, Bills WR Lee Evans vs. the Rams and Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Miami. Stay away from the Broncos RBs - they're more enigmatic than Britney Spears.