We are already a quarter of the way through the fantasy football season. Hopefully, your fantasy football team is getting off to a good start.

This week marks the second week of a seven week marathon for bye weeks in the NFL. For everyone that has key players on the Saints, Chargers, Bears and Packers you may be scrambling to your bench for production.

Below we have our top border line players at different positions that are worth starting and worth sitting for the fifth week of the NFL fantasy football season.

Start’Em

Quarterbacks

• David Garrard @ Seahawks
• Ben Roethlisberger @ Lions

Running Backs

• Rashard Mendenhall @ Lions
• Jerome Harrison @ Bills
• Glen Coffee vs Falcons

Wide Receivers

• Mike Sims-Walker @ Seahawks (Every Week Starter)
• Pierre Garcon @ Titans

Tight Ends

• Daunte Rosario vs Redskins
• Vernon Davis vs Falcons (Every Week Starter)
• Heath Miller @ Lions

Kickers

• Josh Schobee @ Seahawks
• Rian Lindell vs Browns

Defense/ Special Teams

• Cowboys vs Chiefs
• Eagles vs Buccaneers

Sit’Em

Quarterbacks

• Carson Palmer @ Ravens
• Mark Sanchez @ Dolphins

Running Backs

• Cedric Benson @ Ravens
• Willie Parker @ Lions (Turf Toe)

Wide Receivers

• Braylon Edwards @ Bills (Drama, might get suspended)
• Ted Ginn Jr. vs Jets
• Derrick Mason vs Bengals (Cincy is shutting down No.1 receivers)

Tight Ends

• Zach Miler @ Giants

Kickers

• Sebastian Janikowski @ Giants

Defense/ Special Teams

• Broncos vs Patriots Titans vs Colts

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Many fantasy football owners must have been surprised to have seen the box score last week as Matt Forte faced off against the Seahawks. For the game Forte managed just 66 yards rushing on 21 carries.

Just the week before Frank Gore torched Seattle’s defense for two 80-yard touchdowns and had a fabulous day. This matchup was supposed to jump start Forte’s slow beginning to the season as he finally played a weak run defense.

On Sunday Forte will have another strong opportunity for success as he will face off against the Lions. If Forte should struggle to produce a solid game this week, some fantasy football owners may panic about his abilities in his sophomore season.

How Banged Up is Forte?

On Wednesday Forte was limited in practice with a knee problem, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s limited all week.

Next week the Bears have a bye week and Forte will get plenty of rest in that time.

I will be interested to see if Forte can shrug off his aliment and have his first strong showing of the young season.

If he has another disappointing game than it will be two week’s in a row that he has failed to produce against an easy matchup.

Hopefully, the Bears running back will produce for fantasy owners, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he as another average game. Knee injuries take time to get right, and it’s obvious he’s not playing up to his capabilities right now.

Forte’s Fantasy Football Outlook from Here

I wouldn’t panic if Forte has another slow game this week. If he should have another slow game after the bye week when he plays the Falcons than it could be trouble.

Unless Forte’s ailments become sever than worst case he should still make for a good player on your fantasy football team.

With that said he may not be the fantasy stud that many fantasy players drafted him to be either.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

After this week, we will already be a quarter of the way finished with the fantasy football season. With that being said there’s still plenty of time for fantasy football owners to salvage the season, if you’ve started off slow.

Week four is the first week that fantasy owners will start losing players because of teams being on their respective bye weeks. With this in mind it is always good to find strong waiver pickups and have a strong bench.

If you are able to get production from fantasy players outside of your normal starters than your chances of making the playoffs are much stronger.

This week we have our weekly section on wounded warriors, as well as our top rankings for top position players. We have the top 16 ranked QB, TE, K and D/ST ranked. We also have the top 30 RB’s and top 40 WR’s as well.

Every week we will start off with our wounded warrior’s section. These are the key players that are on the injury report that you need to pay attention too before games begin.

Wounded Warriors

Frank Gore vs Rams- Frank Gore will be out for the next two games against the Rams and the Falcons with an ankle injury. Look for rookie Glen Coffee to get the feature back duties as Gore is out of action.

Matt Forte vs Lions- A fellow teammate of Matt Forte’s admitted that he doesn’t believe Forte is running a 100%. Week three he dinged his knee up, and he also may still be slowed from his hamstring injury from June.

Hopefully, Forte can play and produce this week against the Lions poor defense. Week five the Bears are on a bye week and that should help Forte get some rest.

Felix Jones/ Marion Barber vs @ Broncos- The Cowboys will be without Felix Jones until at least mid October because of a knee injury he suffered on Monday night.

If Marion Barber can play at all I’m sure Dallas will put him back in the lineup as they are down to only Tashard Choice in the backfield.

Look for Choice to be a nice flex play this week, even if Barber does come back to action.

Willie Parker vs Chargers- The Steelers top running back Willie Parker suffered a turf toe injury last week against the Bengals. While the Steelers maintain that Parker can still play this week, he would be best served to wait for a few games.

Turf toe can linger for a very long time if it does not heal right and this makes Rashard Mendenhall a sneaky play for week four.

Kevin Smith vs @ Bears- Unfortunately, for the Lions and fantasy owners Kevin Smith has both a shoulder and knee injury. The Lions were working out different running backs today and will probably sign someone in a day or so.

Look for Smith to be out for a couple of weeks as the team will lean on Maurice Morris and a committee of backs to run with. The Lions face the Bears, Steelers and Packers in the next three weeks. Unless your desperate I would not suggest you pick Morris up.

Dwayne Bowe vs Giants- The Chiefs are not confident that their star receiver Dwayne Bowe will play this week. Unfortunately, for the Chiefs they need Bowe on the field every week as he’s the one star they have.

Look for the Chiefs passing attack to struggle as long as he is out.

Quarterbacks

• Peyton Manning vs Seahawks
• Aaron Rodgers vs @ Vikings
• Jay Cutler vs Lions
• Carson Palmer vs Browns
• Drew Brees vs Jets
• Tom Brady vs Ravens
• Philip Rivers vs @ Steelers
• Matt Schaub vs Raiders
• Ben Roethlisberger vs Chargers
• Eli Manning vs @ Chiefs
• Joe Flacco vs @ Patriots
• Tony Romo vs @ Broncos
• Shaun Hill vs Rams
• David Garrard vs Titans
• Trent Edwards vs @ Dolphins
• Mark Sanchez vs @ Saints

Running Backs

• Adrian Peterson vs Packers
• Steve Slaton vs Raiders
• Matt Forte vs Lions
• Chris Johnson vs @ Jaguars
• Cedric Benson vs @ Browns
• Ronnie Brown vs Bills
• Brandon Jacobs vs @ Chiefs
• Steven Jackson vs @ 49ers
• Julius Jones vs @ Colts
• Darren McFadden vs @ Texans
• Glen Coffee vs Rams
• Maurice Jones-Drew vs Titans
• Joseph Addai vs Seahawks
• Ryan Grant vs @ Vikings
• Tashard Choice vs @ Broncos (Move up if Barber is Out)
• Thomas Jones vs @ Saints
• Pierre Thomas vs Jets
• Willis McGahee vs @ Patriots
• Ray Rice vs @ Patriots
• Larry Johnson vs Giants
• Jerome Harrison vs Bengals
• Rashard Mendenhall vs Chargers (Move up if Parker is Out)
• Ahmad Bradshaw vs @ Chiefs
• Donald Brown vs Seahawks
• Marion Barber vs @ Broncos ( Check Injury Report)
• Willie Parker vs Chargers (Check Injury Report)
• Darren Sproles vs @ Steelers
• Clinton Portis vs Buccaneers
• Marshawn Lynch vs @ Dolphins
• Fred Jackson vs @ Dolphins

Wide Receivers

• Reggie Wayne vs Seahawks
• Andre Johnson vs Raiders
• Calvin Johnson vs @ Bears
• Greg Jennings vs @ Vikings
• Santonio Holmes vs Chargers
• Chad Ochocinco vs @ Browns
• Terrell Owens vs @ Dolphins
• Devin Hester vs Lions
• Donald Driver vs @ Vikings
• Randy Moss vs Ravens
• Marques Colston vs Jets
• Jerricho Cotchery vs @ Saints
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh vs @ Colts
• Mario Manningham vs @ Chiefs
• Steve Smith (NY) vs @ Chiefs
• Vincent Jackson vs @ Steelers
• Santana Moss vs Buccaneers
• Ted Ginn Jr vs Bills
• Brandon Marshall vs Cowboys
• Braylon Edwards vs Bengals
• Mike Sims-Walker vs Titans
• Hines Ward vs Chargers
• Roy Williams vs @ Broncos
• Derrick Mason vs @ Patriots
• Wes Welker vs Ravens (Check Injury Report)
• Mark Clayton vs @ Patriots
• Laveranues Coles vs @ Browns
• Lee Evans vs @ Dolphins
• Justin Gage vs @ Jaguars
• Nate Washington vs @ Jaguars
• Torry Holt vs Titans
• Dwayne Bowe vs Giants (Check Injury Report)
• Pierre Garcon vs Seahawks
• Percy Harvin vs Packers
• Bernard Berrian vs Packers
• Bryant Johnson vs @ Bears
• Earl Bennett vs Lions
• Davone Bess vs Bills
• Chris Chambers vs @ Steelers
• Eddie Royal vs Cowboys

Tight Ends

• Dallas Clark vs Seahawks
• Owen Daniels vs Raiders
• Vernon Davis vs Rams
• Jason Witten vs @ Broncos
• Greg Olsen vs Lions
• Antonio Gates vs @ Steelers
• Dustin Keller vs @ Saints
• Chris Cooley vs Buccaneers
• Jeremy Shockey vs Jets
• John Carlson vs @ Colts
• Visanthe Shaincoe vs Packers
• Heath Miller vs Chargers
• Kellen Winslow vs @ Redskins
• Zach Miller vs @ Texans
• Todd Heap vs @ Patriots
• Ben Watson vs Ravens

Kickers

• Stephin Gostkowski vs Ravens
• Rob Bironas vs @ Jaguars
• Nick Folk vs @ Broncos
• Mason Crosby vs @ Vikings
• Ryan Longwell vs Packers
• Josh Schobee vs Titans
• Kris Brown vs Raiders
• Robbie Gould vs Lions
• Sebastian Janikowski vs @ Texans
• Adam Vinatieri vs Seahawks
• Steven Hauschka vs @ Patriots
• Nate Kaeding vs @ Steelers
• Josh Brown vs @ 49ers
• Joe Nedney vs Rams
• John Carney vs Jets
• Lawrence Tynes vs Chiefs

Defense / Special Teams

• Giants vs @ Chiefs
• 49ers vs Rams
• Bengals vs @ Browns
• Colts vs Seahawks
• Bears vs Lions
• Ravens vs @ Patriots
• Vikings vs Packers
• Bills vs @ Dolphins
• Packers vs @ Vikings
• Redskins vs Buccaneers
• Jets vs @ Saints
• Saints vs Jets
• Titans vs @ Jaguars
• Cowboys vs @ Broncos
• Steelers vs Chargers
• Chargers vs @ Steelers

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

This was a crucial game for both teams as the Cowboys and Panthers faced off on Monday Night Football. The game started out slow as both teams failed to score in the first quarter. As the game moved on the Cowboys flexed their muscle and beat the Panthers 21 to 7.

Felix Jones Impressive Before Injury

Second year running back Felix Jones got the start for Dallas as Marion Barber was out with a quad injury. When Jones got his hands on the football he was explosive with 94 rushing yards on only eight carries. He also add a 20 yards through the air on only one catch.

Unfortunately, for the Cowboys (and fantasy owners) Jones went out of the game in the third quarter with a knee injury and didn’t come back.

Tashard Choice then ran the football as the feature back and had 18 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.

If Jones and Barber can’t go next week, Choice will make for a fabulous play next week against the Broncos.

Panthers Passing Game Struggles

The Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme struggled in different spots of the game. Both of his interceptions could have been avoided if his receivers would have fought for the football. While Delhomme continue to struggle he did find tight end Dante Rosario for a nice 25 yards touchdown to make things interesting in the middle of the game. Rosario helped his team say in the game for awhile with three receptions for 58 yards and the touchdown

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were effective in the running game when they got opportunities.

For a game that was close most of the time, this team needed to keep the Cowboys offense off of the field. If they ran the football they would have accomplished that goal.

Hopefully, Carolina will correct there mistakes and come off of their bye week with strong play in week 5.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

Three weeks of the fantasy football season are already gone, and I hope your fantasy team is having success. If you had players like Maurice Jones-Drew or Peyton Manning, you probably had a very successful week.

Unfortunately, this week like every week had fantasy disappointments and for my money Matt Forte and Steve Slaton are on top of the list. Both runners had over 100 total yards but neither has had over 76 yards rushing in any game this year.

Beyond their failures in the running game, neither of these runners have a touchdown this season. Hopefully, these running backs are not killing you so far this season as they both need to get it going.

Fortunately for both runners, they have good matchups again this week as Forte plays the Lions and Slaton gets the Raiders.

Below I have some observations from the third week of the regular season and how I see those points of interest playing out from a fantasy perspective.

2009 NFL Regular Season Week Three

• Lions vs Redskins
• Jaguars vs Texans
• Vikings vs 49ers
• Jets vs Titans
• Rams vs Packers
• Falcons vs Patriots
• Eagles vs Chiefs
• Bengals vs Steelers
• Colts vs Cardinals
• Cowboys vs Panthers

Regular Season First Two Weeks

• Week One
• Week Two

Fantasy Football Regular Season Week Three Notes:

Mark Sanchez Rookie of the Year?

With this win, Mark Sanchez became the first rookie quarterback to ever start a season and win his first three games. For the game, he was only 17 of 30 passing for 171 yards, but he did have two passing touchdowns.

Early in the game Sanchez also had a 14 yard touchdown run as he pounded his way into the end zone.

This steady play means, No.1 receiver Jerricho Cotchery is now becoming a fantasy football starting receiver once again. For the game, Cotchery had 8 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown catch.

Look for Cotchery to be a steady option moving forward. The Jets will still be a run first offense, but Sanchez is playing well enough for Cotchery to produce.

Kevin Kolb, DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek have Great Games

Much has been made about Donovan McNabb’s backup Kevin Kolb, and if he is a worthy player to have on the roster. Especially when the Eagles now have Michael Vick on the roster as he is now officially back in an NFL jersey.

Today, Kolb was 24 of 34 passing for 327 yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions. This was the kind of game that will make everyone in the Eagles organization feel better about Kolb and his abilities to run the offense.

Kolb found the Eagles two top targets in Jackson ( 6 catches, 149 yards and a TD) and tight end Brent Celek ( 8 catches, 104 yards and a TD) all game long.

This coming week the Eagles are on a bye week and the team has already announced that MacNabb will be back in week five.

If McNabb should get injured again, except Kolb to get the start over Vick as he is the more polished quarterback at this time.

Cedric Benson just keeps running

Cedric Benson has now officially restarted his career, and now he is the feature back we all thought he would be coming out of college. At the end of the last season, Benson ran hard and continued that tough running this season.

Today, on only 16 carries, Benson had 76 yards and his day was highlighted by a 23 yard touchdown.

Next week Benson plays the Browns, and he should enjoy another strong game as the Bengals are now a playoff contender.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

This game was all about the Eagles and their strong bounce back play from last week’s loss against the Saints. DeSean Jackson play is smoking hot and should be started every week by fantasy football owners.

Kevin Kolb, DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek have Great Games

Much has been made about Donovan McNabb’s backup Kevin Kolb, and if he is a worthy player to have on the roster. Especially when the Eagles now have Michael Vick on the roster as he is now officially back in an NFL jersey.

Today, Kolb was 24 of 34 passing for 327 yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions. This was the kind of game that will make everyone in the Eagles organization feel better about Kolb and his abilities to run the offense.

Kolb found the Eagles two top targets in Jackson ( 6 catches, 149 yards and a TD) and tight end Brent Celek ( 8 catches, 104 yards and a TD) all game long.

This coming week the Eagles are on a bye week and the team has already announced that MacNabb will be back in week five.

If McNabb should get injured again, except Kolb to get the start over Vick as he is the more polished quarterback at this time.

Chiefs Just Suck

It was nice to see Matt Cassel throw two touchdowns this week, but he only had 90 yards passing. This team needs help in a lot of areas, and it doesn’t help that Dwayne Bowe was out and good defensive players as well.

I still believe Larry Johnson can be a productive fantasy football running back, but he probably won’t be a good play until later in the season.

Right now, the Chiefs have a lot to work on and everyone except for Bowe is a very risky fantasy play.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

The Cardinals and Colts matched up in what many believed would be a high scoring affair in Arizona. While two teams were on the field, it was the Colts’ offense that did most of the scoring in this game.

Peyton Manning is on Fire

So far, this season Peyton Manning is on fire with 7 touchdown passes and almost 1,000 passing yards. Tonight was his best game yet as he had 379 yards passing and 4 touchdowns.

This passing game is playing out of its mind and new starting receiver Pierre Garcon looks like a real find. Garcon may not be as polished as Reggie Wayne but that is because he’s only a second year player.

I think Garcon can help fantasy football teams this year, but he will probably help Manning owners the most. In the past two games, we have seen Garcon make big touchdown plays, but at the same time not catch a lot of passes.

This is mainly because of Wayne and Dallas Clark being the veterans in the offense, will get first licks. As this season progresses, I believe Garcon and Manning will develop more chemistry and Garcon will have more catches.

Look for Manning, Wayne, Clark and Garcon to all have fine season for fantasy teams this season.

Kurt Warner Struggles

The Cardinals veteran quarterback Kurt Warner had a good yardage total with 332 yards passing. The reason he had that many yards are because the Cardinals were playing from behind for most of the game.

Look for the Cardinals to regroup next week as they are on a bye week. Warner could use the rest as the Colts’ defense harassed him the entire game.

NFL Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

This week I noticed a new receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars named Mike Sims-Walker. After the game against the Cardinals in which Walker had 6 catches for over 100 yards. I looked around on the internet and found out it was, in fact, the third year receiver, formally known as Mike Walker.

The reason he changed his name to Sims-Walker is in honor of his father Michael Sims, who died in December from colon cancer.

This week Walker will be a starter for the Jaguars, and as I’ve written in a previous article this summer, he is a very talented player. Walker’s main problem, so far in his career, has been health.

Knee problems have dogged, what could be a promising career for the third round pick out of UCF.

Possible No.1 Receiver

Torry Holt has started out slow for the Jaguars, and if he can’t get it going soon than one might have to believe that his career (as a top receiver) is done. If this is in fact the case it would allow for Walker to become the major focal point in the Jaguars’ offense.

I do believe that David Garrard is good enough to make Walker a starting option in fantasy football this season. All we need to see is if Walker can put two quality games together, and if he can stay healthy.

Fantasy Football Ranking for Mike Sims-Walker

Right now, I would recommend that you at least have Walker on your roster for the next few weeks. Next week the bye weeks start and Walker can at least make for a nice fill in player.

This week Walker plays the Texans, and he should have some opportunities to find success against their sorry defense.

NFL Fantasy Football Information Writer: Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

For all that has been written about the Raiders first round receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, it’s been another rookie receiver that is producing. Fourth round pick Louis Murphy is now entrenched as the top receiver for the Raiders’ passing game.

At one point, I believed that Chaz Schilens would be the clear top receiver in this offense. Unfortunately, Schilens had a foot injury in preseason and will now be out until week four. Not only that but Schilens has admitted he will have to play in pain all year.

Producing Right Away

With Schilens aliment and Bey’s seemingly inability to catch the football, quarterback JaMarcus Russell has turned to Murphy. In Murphy’s first contest against the Chargers, he had four receptions and a touchdown.

On the touchdown score Murphy flashed his 4.4, 40 yards dash time by burning the defense from 57 yards out. Murphy also had another touchdown taken away, late in the first half. On that touchdown catch the league maintains Murphy didn’t have possession, but I respectfully disagree.

By the end of the game, fellow rookie Bey, didn’t even have a reception. If Bey can’t step it up in the next week or two, he will lose his starting job to Javon Walker or Schilens when they are ready to play.

Murphy, on the other hand, will continue to start on this team and may be their top receiver all yearlong. In some ways Murphy reminds me of Eddie Royal a season ago. He’s not a big guy, but at the same time he’s not small. He has good hands and has done a good job at handling the NFL’s speed of the game.

Fantasy Football Rankings for Raider Receivers

The Raiders should be a run heavy offense with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush, leading the charge.

Bey has much to learn and right now he’s not going to help your fantasy team.

If Schilens can come back healthy and produce than I would suggest picking him up. Right now he’s not healthy enough to play, so we will have to see on his progress, moving forward.

Walker is a major wild card, as we just don’t know if he can ever be what he once was. It looks like he might be a go this week against the Chiefs. If he does anything worth noting I will update you on his status moving forward.

With all that said, grab Murphy off the waiver wire if you need another option. I wouldn’t recommend you start him every week, but he makes for a solid bye week fill in.

Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

It’s only been one week, but it looks like the Steelers will struggle for this season running the football. Willie Parker looks slow and old and Rashard Mendenhall has failed to show why he was a first round pick.

Passing the Football

With the Steelers reeling in that running game, they will turn to Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game to win. Against Titans, Roethlisberger threw the football 43 times for 363 yards and a touchdown.

Roethlisberger stands to throw the ball more and this will benefit receivers Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward. Both Ward and Holmes had at least 8 receptions and over 100 yards receiving last week.

Tight end Heath Miller should be the third option in this passing game, and he will post good numbers. At this point in time, I would use Miller in fantasy lineups until the Steelers can prove to be effective in the running game.

Below I have the Steelers next 10 weeks of their schedule listed below.

• WK. 2- @ Bears
• WK. 3- @ Bengals
• WK. 4- Chargers
• WK. 5- @ Lions
• WK. 6- Browns
• WK. 7- Vikings
• WK. 8- Bye Week
• WK. 9- @ Broncos
• WK. 10- Bengals
• WK. 11-@ Chiefs

As you can see this offense has a plethora of opportunities to succeed.

Fantasy Football Ranking for Steelers Passing Game

If you’re in need for a starting quarterback on your fantasy team, and you can still get Roethlisberger then go for it. He might not have a great game this week against the Bears, but he will have solid production going forward.

Both Holmes and Ward are good options to start every week as this team will lean on them for success.

Miller makes for a decent starter if you are desperate for a tight end in your league. If anything Miller is always a player Roethlisberger goes to for touchdowns in the red zone.

As far as the running game goes, I wouldn’t use them until bye weeks. Parker makes for a good fill in player, but he needs to show more before he’s a fantasy starter, regularly.

Fantasy Football Information writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com