Here are our starts and sits for week five. The bye weeks are now kicking in, so it’s a little thinner out there. If you are looking for more help, you can check out our full lineup rankings at Rotobahn.com. The quarterbacks have been posted and we’ll be adding running backs and receivers later today.  Check it out!

Quarterbacks

Starts

Eli Manning vs Seahawks

Eli has settled in and he’s no longer missing his old weapons. New guys like Victor Cruz have filled the void and the Giants’ offense is looking solid again. We like the home matchup with Seattle.

Mark Sanchez @ Patriots

Granted, the Jets/Patriots games tend to have a life of their own; you never know what’s going to happen. Having said that, we think New England gets the upper hand and forces the ground-and-pound Jets to the air. New England has given up yardage to most teams so far this season, and we like Sanchez’ chances of posting some nice numbers. Though, it may be cosmetic at the end of the day.

Andy Dalton @ Jaguars

We really like this kid, and he could post solid stats this week as the Bengals put the ball in the air. It will be tough sledding against a fairly stout Jaguar front seven, and Dalton will throw more than normal. He also has some really dynamic targets in AJ Green and Jermaine Gresham.  He’s a solid bye-week replacement.

Sits

Matt Cassel @ Colts

He’s looking a shade better, but we do not like this match-up for him as the Colts harass the passer very well. Cassel has a little more upside than he did a week ago, and we like what Rookie Jon Baldwin might bring if they give him a role, but you can do better than Cassel on the average waiver wire.

Alex Smith vs Buccaneers

He’s looked better, but don’t be fooled.  His fantasy ceiling is just too low unless you are really desperate.  Even if he plays a flawless game, his fantasy stats will be mediocre.  They just don’t get the ball downfield enough.

Running Backs

Ryan Mathews @ Broncos

He’s looking very good these days and the Chargers plan on upping his workload this week. Until he tweaks something, which is always a strong possibility, he is looking like a RB1. You’d have to be absurdly stacked to keep him on your bench.

Willis McGahee vs Chargers

The former raven is running the ball well and he is hitting the hole with some gusto.  He’s 29-years old and he may not hold up for sixteen games, but we like him right now.  He’s clearly passed Knowshon Moreno and is the back to own in Denver. Start him as a RB2 or flex if you need him this week.

Isaac Redman vs Titans

It is a very tough matchup, but we want to point out Redman’s situation for those who may not know. The Steelers’ backup will be the man this week, and we like his skills in the passing game enough to think he’ll produce in this game … even if the Steelers fall behind. We don’t see a big game due to the quality of the Titans’ defense, but we see plenty of volume for Redman. He’s a very nice flex and a decent emergency RB2. He’s an option for Mendenhall owners as Mendy will most likely sit out this Sunday.

Sits

Thomas Jones @ Colts

Yes, it’s his best chance to produce so far, but we doubt that Jones is your best chance. At least, we really hope he’s not. He needs a score to post a good day. Jones is clearly on the down side and near the end.

Shonn Greene @ Patriots

He’ll probably get a chance early to establish the ground game, but the Jets will have to abandon him by halftime. He is playable, but we do not like his odds this week. We’d consider other options if you have them.

Wide Receivers

Starts

Vincent Jackson @ Broncos

We’re putting him here to make a point. First, remember to check his game-day status as he hasn’t practiced all week due to a pulled muscle in his abdomen and a minor hamstring pull. He may not go, but if he does, you need to get him in there. This man is a menace and he can post a week’s worth of stats in a quarter as he did last week.

Dwayne Bowe @ Colts

He doesn’t need a ton of volume to make enough plays. We think he’ll score versus the Colts and have a solid all-around day in what we see as a competitive game. Get him in there.

Nate Washington @ Steelers

He’s really come on strong and we like him to have a very solid outing against his former team. He can handle the Steelers’ corners, and Matt Hasselbeck is looking for him. Washington is now a number one option. He is a WR3 at minimum this week.

Sits

Jacoby Jones vs Raiders

We like Jones and he has increased opportunity with Andre Johnson out. What we don’t like is the way he is moving as he nurses a bad knee. Even if he starts, he could be limited. For now, Kevin Walter is the better bet to take advantage of the vacuum left by Johnson’s absence.

Legedu Naanee vs Saints

Don’t let his high target total fool you. Even with Cam Newton throwing it all over the place, Naanee is not posting because he has not been able to get separation. He’s not a guy to help you through the bye. We’d sooner start their number three guy, Brandon LaFell.

Tight Ends

Starts

Owen Daniels vs Raiders

For the time being, he will be Matt Schaub’s best option, and that should lead to more targets. Start Daniels with confidence as a TE1 or flex option.

Dallas Clark vs Chiefs

He’s clearly just another guy now without his stud quarterback at the helm, but we like him against a decimated Chiefs defense. There should be a lot of opportunity in the middle of the field.

Brandon Pettigrew vs Bears

Not a bad matchup, but it’s more about how well Pettigrew is playing.  With Calvin Johnson getting tons of extra attention, the big tight end can operate freely.  He’s a good bet to produce in week five.

Sits

Randy McMichael @ Denver

Like we said last week, don’t go back to the well on this guy.  He is not what he was, and though Gates absence leaves a lot of targets on the table, he’s probably not the guy who will take them. There are better waiver wire options out there like Visanthe Shiancoe.  Break the glass on McMichael only in case of emergency.

Heath Miller vs Titans

Big Heath is just not being targeted consistently. He has the talent, but not the opportunity. You should be able to find a better option on the average waiver wire. Miller just isn’t viable outside of 14-team leagues, and he’s a backup there too.