QUARTERBACKS
Stud – Joe Flacco (BAL): The Ravens’ signal caller is having a monster season with seven passing TD’s already on the board and averaging 317 yards per game on the air.  He is on pace to set career high in both categories and this week’s matchup at Kansas City should only help Flacco keep the momentum rolling. The Chiefs are have allowed a league-worst 11 touchdown passes to opposing QB’s and are good for a few more this weekend.

Dud – Michael Vick (PHI): Vick and the Eagles’ offense has looked out of sync since the season’s onset and now they get to face a Pittsburgh defense that is fresh off the bye and getting healthy as both Troy Polamalu and James Harrison are expected to back. With two weeks to prepare look for Dick LeBeau to have some good stuff drawn up and that doesn’t bode well for Vick, who has been prone to big mistakes. While the potential for a breakout day is always there for the Philly offense, there are likely safer QB options.

Sleeper – Andy Dalton (CIN):  The Bengals’ passing attack entered the season with questions, but enter Week 5 ranked in the top 10 in yards, completion percentage, touchdowns, and yards per attempt and Dalton has been a big reason for that.  The second-year QB has tossed for eight scores over his last three games for a quarterback rating of 118.7. Miami is stout at stopping the run which will lead to Cincinnati throwing early and often. Expect QB 1 production from Dalton on Sunday.

RUNNING BACKS
Stud – Frank Gore (SF):  After a 112 yards rushing in Week 1, Gore owners have watched his totals drop consecutively in each week. He still has managed to score in three of the team’s first four contests and now gets to face a Buffalo defense that is allowing over 24.5 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs and that allowed New England to march all of over them last week for 247 yards.  While I was hesitant coming into the season on Gore he’s impressed early on and all signs point to him having his best game to date on Sunday.

Dud – BenJarvus Green-Ellis (CIN):  Through four weeks of action the Bengals’ rushing attack has posted some decent numbers, leaving the Law Firm as a decent pick for a RB2. A closer look though reveals that Cincinnati is still only averaging 3.8 yards per carry on the ground as a team. Now they get a Miami rush defense that as mentioned above has been stellar. Not only have the Dolphins ceded the least amount of rushing yards (227), but they also boast the lowest yards per carry average (2.4), and have yet to give up a run over 14 yards yet this season.

Sleeper – Jackie Battle (SD):  Despite the fact I’m not reading too much in to the Chargers putting Jackie Battle over Ryan Mathews on top of the depth chart. Battle drew the start last week and put up solid numbers.  Look for Mathews to have a better day this week, but the Saints’ rushing defense is bad enough and Battle is clearly going to get some touches in the offense that he is not a bad bye-week filler as a low-end RB2 option.

WIDE RECEIVERS
Stud – Julio Jones (ATL):  Jones owners are clamoring for something big from their highly-coveted receiver and this week is likely to be the week second-year wideout delivers. Atlanta is making a trip to Washington to tangle with a Redskins’ secondary that has been very welcoming for opposing receivers.  Washington ranks 31st against the pass, giving up 362.2 yards per week. They've also allowed the most fantasy points to receivers through the first quarter of the season.

Dud – Stevie Johnson (BUF): Somehow Johnson saw his three-game TD streak snapped in last week’s shootout with the Patriots, finishing with just two catches for 23 yards. This time around he’s set to face an even better 49ers’ defense. The 49ers rank third in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, surrendering just a single touchdown all season. Johnson is a low-end WR3 in this matchup and needs to find more consistency before being considered a weekly lineup option.

Sleeper – Randall Cobb (GB): The Packers are set to face Indianapolis indoors on Sunday and that spells good thing for Green Bay’s passing attack. The Colts’ secondary has struggled at times and with Greg Jennings already ruled out someone is going to have step in the offense. While James Jones is slated to start, look for Cobb to see enough targets to warrant consideration as a flex options, especially in PPR formats or leagues where kick returns count.

TIGHT END
Stud – Owen Daniels (HOU): Daniels has scored in back-to-back games and is averaging seven targets a contest. He’s the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Andre Johnson. The Jets are on tap this week and injuries have the team reeling. Even though they’ve only allowed modest numbers to TE’s through four weeks, expect Daniels to do enough to post double-digits points in this matchup.

Dud – Heath Miller (PIT): Miller has scored four times over three weeks heading into his bye and has some buzz around him. However, the Eagles are a more capable defense that has only allowed one TE to score all season. Without a touchdown, Miller’s numbers lose their luster quickly. Look for him to see a dip in production in Week 5.

Sleeper – Jared Cook (MIN):  Even though he lost his starting quarterback with Jake Locker going down with a shoulder, injury Cook should get enough looks to be productive against a Vikings defense that is yielding 9.5 fantasy points per game to tight ends. Consider Cook a high-end TE2, making him a decent bye-week option.

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