Each week when compiling this report, I take into consideration not only the individual players mentioned, but also the state of their teams and their opponents, team schedules, historical player performance, inclement weather (when applicable), and of course, injuries. This is a dynamic, stat-driven article that aims to assist you in making the right roster decisions for your fantasy squad. Your feedback is important to me, so please keep the emails coming. Got a specific roster question relative to your team? Fire away.

Quarterbacks

Bye Weeks: Tony Romo, Peyton Manning

Start 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Outperform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Aaron Rodgers vs. DET
Rodgers is on pace for his second consecutive 4,000-yard season. Despite being sacked a league-high 20 times, he has 6 TDs and just 1 INT through 4 games. Dating to last season, he has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 11 straight games and, remarkably, in 18 of his first 20 career starts. The Lions have been extremely friendly to opposing QBs, serving up a league-high 15 passing TDs while intercepting just 3 balls through five games.

David Garrard vs. STL
Garrard has been a hit-or-miss this season. A further look at the numbers reveals the following trend: In odd numbered weeks 1, 3, and 5 (all ‘away’ games) he has thrown for a combined 0 TDs while averaging 175 passing YPG. In even numbered weeks 2 & 4 (both ‘home’ games) he threw for a combined 5 TDs while averaging 302.5 passing YPG. This week in Jacksonville, Garrard’s trend will continue against the Rams, 1 of only 5 NFL teams to allow opposing QBs a rating of 100+.

Tom Brady vs. TEN
Yes, Brady is a stud, but he hasn’t quite looked like the same QB who threw 3+ TD passes in ten straight games to start the 2007 season. This serves as a reminder to make sure he is in your lineup this week against the Titans. You may have considered another option, but bear this in mind: In the NFL, the Lions are the only team to allow more aerial scores than Tennessee (13); and only the Cardinals allow more passing yards per game (303) than the Titans (288).

Another 4-TD game coming for Hasselbeck?

Matt Hasselbeck vs. ARI
Matt Hasselbeck is back with a vengeance from his rib injury, as evidenced by his 4-TD, 240-yard effort last week. In two full games this season, Hasselbeck has thrown 7 TDs with just 2 INTs and averaged 260 passing YPG. He should have continued success in a big divisional game this week against the Cardinals. Arizona is the only team in the NFL to allow more than 300 passing YPG (303). They have allowed 9 passing TDs in 4 games; Hasselbeck’s last 4 TD game came at the expense of the Cardinals in December, 2007.

Bench 'Em:
Quarterbacks Who Will Under Perform Relative To Their Draft Position And Recent Hype

Philip Rivers vs. Den
The first two TD passes of the season against the Broncos came last week (Brady); still they have picked off more passes (6) than aerial TDs allowed. Denver is 1 of 5 NFL teams who have allowed less than 175 passing YPG and they are holding opposing QBs to a 64.6 rating, 3rd best in the league. Philip Rivers is capable of big games against good defenses (3 TDs in his last start against Pittsburgh), and he is 5-1 against Denver, but it is time to give the Broncos their due. If you have another solid option, you are not crazy if you consider them over Rivers this week.

Eli Manning @ NO
For the first time in Eli Manning’s career he has thrown multiple TDs in 4 straight games. The Giants schedule has been extremely passer-friendly to date. He’ll face his toughest test of the season this week in his hometown of New Orleans. In four games the Saints have 10 interceptions (leads NFL) and have allowed only 3 passing TDs. Opposing signal callers have a 51.3 QB rating against New Orleans, which leads the NFL. Alternatively, Eli is the best QB to face the Saints this year and in a shootout his numbers could be good, but if both defenses play up to task, Manning maybe be better served on your bench.

Kyle Orton @ SD
Orton has 7 TDs and 1 INT and a 97.4 QB rating through five games. He stepped up last week and played well in defeating the Patriots, but I am not about to go Orton-crazy when considering that 4 of his TD passes came against Cleveland, Oakland and Dallas. My gut says that Kyle will come back to earth this week in San Diego. The Chargers have the 12th best passing defense in the NFL; they have allowed 6 aerial scores and have picked off 4 passes (tied for 9th in the league) in four games this season. This will be Orton’s biggest test of the year thus far. In three seasons he has never finished with a passer rating above 79.

Matt Cassel @ WAS
Cassel showed poised and confidence in the pocket while withstanding pressure from the Cowboys defense last week, and he rewarded owners with a 2-TD, 253-yard effort. The Redskins somehow seem to find a new way to be bad every Sunday, but their defense has been one of the bright spots in their season. They allow just 16.4 points per game (5th in the NFL) and are holding opposing QBs to 171.2 passing YPG. Washington is 1 of 4 teams (Eagles, Colts & Panthers) who have not allowed a 40+ yard passing play this year.

Running Backs