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Sunday's Best Usual suspects step up in wild Week 5
By James Quintong, CNNSI.com This appeared to be one of those weekends where it might've actually been better not to be a fantasy football owner. There were so many amazing finishes this week that you didn't have to manufacture your own drama through your fantasy leagues. In fact, I'd love to cue up that old Alcoa Fantastic Finishes music right now. While there were plenty of great performances this weekend from the usual suspects, there were even more than usual from surprise players -- which probably caused more oohs and ahs while looking at box scores than real impact on your fantasy matchups.
Top 10 Studs1. Jeff Garcia, QB, 49ers (27-41, 332 yards, 3 TDs; 14 carries, 70 yards, 1 TD): He doesn't have the swagger or cache of Joe Montana or Steve Young, but Garcia knows how to get the job done. He rallied the Niners from a 13-point halftime deficit, then led a late drive to send the game into overtime. Garcia even overcame a fumble in OT to give San Francisco a 4-1 record. 2. Terrell Owens, WR, 49ers (9 catches, 183 yards, 3 TDs): The scariest thing about this is that he had no catches at halftime. But when his team needed him most, Owens delivered, snaring those three TD passes, including a 52-yard catch-and-run to win it. After a slow start, Owens is proving to be a stud again. 3. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings (20-27, 244 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 7 carries, 83 yards, 2 TDs): Yet again, it looks like Culpepper is doing everything for the Minnesota offense. He was the reason the Vikes raced out to a huge early lead. This time he relied more on Cris Carter and Randy Moss, like most people would've expected. It looks like the Vikings will have a lot of ugly shootouts like this all year, but as long as Culpepper piles up the points, it won't matter much for fantasy owners. 4. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks (33 carries, 142 yards, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 24 yards): Another week, another tremendous effort from Alexander. I guess you could say he's for real. Of course, it helps that Seattle is content with having him run it more than 30 times a game. I suppose Ricky Watters will be looking elsewhere for work next season.
5. Priest Holmes, RB, Chiefs (20 carries, 150 yards, 2 TDs): With Trent Green struggling, someone needs to carry the offense. Might as well be Holmes. This effort was even more surprising than his huge game against Washington because the Pittsburgh defense is tough to crack. Unfortunately, Holmes couldn't do it all this time. 6. Charlie Batch, QB, Lions (31-41, 345 yards, 3 TDs): I guess if you play the Vikings defense, you, too, can have a big game. Batch was the lesser of two evils coming into the game, taking the starting job from Ty Detmer mainly because he was not as terrible. So he turns around and has a huge game, leading Detroit from a huge deficit before falling just short. In a word: Huh? 7. Brett Favre, QB, Packers (27-33, 337 yards, 3 TDs): This result is also a bit surprising, but only because he did it against one of the best defenses in the game. After getting stifled by Tampa Bay last week, Favre had his way with the Ravens. Plus, he was able to find Antonio Freeman a lot, a few days after his star wideout asked for the ball more. 8. Steve McNair, QB, Titans (15-23, 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 9 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD): Whereas Daunte Culpepper has to do everything because he has no reliable running backs, McNair has to do a lot because he doesn't have many reliable receiving targets. However, with Eddie George around, McNair's numbers won't be anywhere near Culpepper's. Otherwise, their stats look nearly alike. 9. Ricky Williams, RB, Saints (31 carries, 147 yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 31 yards): It's been a good year for recent Heisman Trophy winners as Ron Dayne looked sharp and Chris Weinke has been at least serviceable. Williams has been huge all year, although it looked like he'd have another Jerome Bettis day (lots of yards, no scores) until he came through with a touchdown as time expired to give New Orleans the win. He's now proving to be worth all of those draft picks Mike Ditka traded a couple of years ago. 10. Brad Johnson, QB, Buccaneers (24-50, 287 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT): He hadn't thrown a TD pass all year coming in, and going against a hungry Tennessee defense, chances are that streak would've continued. Instead, the Tampa Bay running game stalled despite the return of Warrick Dunn. However, he did take advantage of the injury to the Titans star safety Samari Rolle and showed the big play capability he and Keyshawn Johnson can provide. Just missing the cut: Corey Dillon, RB, Bengals (31 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 16 yards); Kevin Johnson, WR, Browns (8 catches, 153 yards, 1 TD); Antonio Freeman, WR, Packers (9 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD); Curtis Martin, RB, Jets (22 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD; 2 catches, 16 yards); Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts (8 catches, 60 yards, 2 TDs).
Top 5 Duds1. Marshall Faulk, RB, Rams (8 carries, 25 yards, 2 fumbles; 5 catches, 38 yards): Not only did have problems holding on to the ball, he's out at least one week with a bruised knee. Many fantasy owners are breathing a brief sigh of relief ... but if he's available, go get Trung Canidate - now. 2. Trent Green, QB, Chiefs (16-33, 127 yards, 1 INT; 2 carries, 14 yards): He has an all-world tight end in Tony Gonzalez and some decent but banged-up receivers in Derrick Alexander and Snoop Minnis. However, Green hasn't been able to do much all year, and the struggles continued Sunday. If you've got other options, go ahead and use them. 3. Marcus Robinson, WR, Bears (2 catches, 6 yards): Robinson was dealing with some back problems earlier in the week but was ready to go on Sunday. However, the passing game never really clicked on Sunday and Robinson's numbers suffered accordingly. 4. Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Panthers (2 catches, 8 yards): It's nice to see Wesley Walls get more action in the Carolina offense, but Muhammad was practically invisible Sunday. It won't happen often, but those are the breaks. 5. Elvis Grbac, QB, Ravens (11-21, 138, 1 TD, 2 INTs): He was knocked out with a concussion during the game, paving the way for the return (yet again) of Randall Cunningham. He didn't look good before that, though.
Top 5 Surprises1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (33-54, 364 yards, 2 TDs) Yet again, we have to ask: Huh? Brady, filling in for Drew Bledsoe, picked his way through the San Diego defense for the upset. Does he come recommended? Maybe a little bit more now, especially with Indianapolis up next, and especially because of the next person on the list. 2. Terry Glenn, WR, Patriots (7 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD): After sitting out the first four games of the season because of suspension, Glenn immediately paid dividends for New England. I guess it's safe now to play him. With Glenn and Troy Brown now out there as targets, maybe Brady might be worth your time if you're really desperate. 3. Laveranues Coles, WR, Jets (5 catches, 77 yards, 2 TDs): I think the Jets have found their big-play receiver they've been lacking since trading Keyshawn Johnson. Coles came up big twice to lead the comeback over the Dolphins. He's not as big as Keyshawn, but who is. Coles has the speed and is physical enough to make the big plays. 4. Joe Jurevicius, WR, Giants (6 catches, 101 yards): Jurevicius has quietly become a solid target for his fellow Penn State alum Kerry Collins. Jurevicius is a huge target and is finally being used the right way. 5. Eddie Kennison, WR, Broncos (6 catches, 84 yards, 1 TD): It's about time Kennison did something trying to replace Ed McCaffrey. He finally put up big stats just as Rod Smith was contained for the most part by the Seahawks. Denver fans are hoping he can come up big in the future, although most are still shocked by the whooping Seattle gave them. James Quintong is Fantasy Sports producer at CNNSI.com
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