Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning is a beast.  5 straight 300+ yard games.  He did get hit more last night than he had all season though.  He is heading into bye Week 6, but a juicy matchup agianst the Rams in Week 7 will be waiting for him to continue this 300 yard streak.
Matt Schaub is having a Top-5 season.  He threw an ugly pick six that closed out the game for the Texans. 
The Seahawks are so much better with Matt Hasselbeck at the helm.  His Dynasty value is limited, but he is a must start every week.
Kyle Orton had his breakout party against the Pats.  He is starting to look extremely comfortable in McDaniels system.   If he keeps throwing 40+ times a game like he did in Week 5 he will be a Top-10 fantasy QB at seasons end.  His INT (1st of the season) in Week 5 came on a Hail Mary.
Donovan McNabb showed no ligering effect from his rib injury.
Despite the Chiefs deficiencies, Matt Cassel can still put up fantasy points.  He isn't yet a QB1 however, but can be counted on as a bye week filler.
Tom Brady's production is proving that the Pats are getting old on the offense side of the ball.  He is looking to fall outside the Top-10 in 2009.  He is still a solid fantasy play however.
Trent Edwards is bad.  Part of it is the Bills offense, but Edwards shouldn't be started. Ever.
Derek Anderson is worse than Edwards.  At least this week he was.  He threw for 2 for 17 for 23 yards and an INT.  How is that possible?  Brett Ratliff anybody?
Jamarcus Russell may be worse than both Edwards and Anderson.  It is crazy.  He throws a missle on one play and into the dirt on the next.  Too bad physical talent isn't the only requirement to play QB in the NFL, because this guy has no idea about the other aspects.
Mark Sanchez vs. Chad Henne tonight on Monday Night Football.

Running Backs

Ahmad Bradshaw.  Ladies and Gentleman.  Your Week 5 top RB performer.  Anyone who considered starting him in this great matchup and then passed for another option, shame on you.  We are guilty as well.
Michael Turner finally had a 3 TD day we have all be waiting for.  This was also the first game this season where his yards per carry was over 4.
Willis McGahee is being phased out.  You knew this wouldn't last all season.  Ray Rice is being phased in.  His TD reception was ridiculous. Pocket Hercules style.
Speaking of Pocket Hercules.  Where has Maurice Jones-Drew been the last two weeks?
Cedric Benson was the first 100 yard rusher against the Ravens in 39 straight games.  He is now the leagues leading rusher.  Cedric Benson, really?
Just when you are ready to start counting out Joseph Addai, he runs extremely hard, makes good blocks and shows great receiving skills.  Expect him to hang around a little longer.
Rashard Mendenhall showed skills again this week.  Another great matchup against the Browns in Week 6 will keep fantasy owners happy.  Much of the hype about Willie Parker getting the starting role again is most likely associated with the Steelers trying to keep Mendenhall focused and motivated.
Tashard Choice continues to take advantage of his touches.  The backfield situation in Dallas is going to be interesting when Felix Jones returns from injury.
Marshawn Lynch is back, most noteably in the passing game.  Feel comfortable starting him weekly, despite the Bills struggles.  Fred Jackson is disappearing into the background.
Steven Jackson owners can officially be frustrated.
Knowshon Moreno was versatile in his first start.  He also did a great job protecting the football after an early game fumble.
Steve Slaton is still only an RB3.  Kevin Smith is about the same.
Chris Johnson who was leading the league through Week 4 was stymied in Week 5.  The Colts run defense is not as bad as everyone thinks.
DeAngelo Williams is hugely underperforming.  Jonathan Stewart is becoming a more reliable RB.
Since Adrian Petersons Week 1 - 180 yard peformance against the Browns, he has averaged only 75 yards two games of which have come against the Lions and Rams.
Where was Jerome Harrison?  Jamal Lewis had a great game pounding the rock.  Harrison only has value if Lewis is out.

Wide Receivers

The breakout performance of the day was most likely either on the waiver wire or on someones bench in Week 5. Miles Austin went off for 10 catches, 250 yards and 2 TDs in the Cowboys win over the Chiefs. Yes it was somewhat of a mirage obviously, but Austin is worth a flier, especially with Roy E. Williams and Patrick Crayton not exactly lighting the world on fire thus far.
From one Austin to another. Colts rookie Austin Collie produced in a big way on Sunday Night and seems to have the confidence of Peyton Manning right now. Collie hauled in 2 TDs, 8 catches and 98 yards against the Titans. He has three TDs in his last two games. Peyton will continue to spread the ball around, so Collie may not be a viable fantasy option just yet, but this is a good sign for the future. Hopefully Dynasty owners have been paying attention.
Collie was not the only rookie WR that had a big day, as Jeremy Maclin clicked with Donovan McNabb for 2 TDs and 146 yards.
Not to be forgotten, Steelers rookie Mike Wallace found the endzone for the first time in his career Sunday against the Lions.
Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson faced off on Sunday and the matchup did not disappoint as both caught 2 TDs in the Cardinals win.
Welcome back Roddy White? You bet. A huge performance on Sunday and he is back in sync with Matt Ryan. He was too talented to not start producing and this 200 yard, 2 TD performance was a welcome back that his fantasy owners were looking for.
Welcome back Eddie Royal? That remains to be seen, but it was good to see some signs of life from the second year player.
Another disappointing sophomore, Donnie Avery, stepped up with 5 catches, 87 yards and a touchdown for the hapless Rams.
Mohamed Massaquoi was the Browns leading receiver again on Sunday. 1 catch and 16 yards was enough to account for more than half of Derek Andersons 23 yards. Ugly.
Seahawks receivers T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Nate Burleson each grabbed two TDs from a healthy Matt Hasselbeck. They will continue to be the top options in the passing game, along with TE John Carlson.
Mike Sims-Walker was shut down on Sunday, but the Seahawks had nothing to do with it. He was a surprise inactive for violating team rules. Hopefully fantasy owners were able to switch him out in time. Not what you want to see from a potential breakout candidate, but as long as there is no further discipline it should be safe to get him back in your lineup next week.
How serious is the injury to Calvin Johnson? Hopefully it is nothing major, but Megatron owners will be holding their breathe waiting for those test results this week.
Randy Moss's biggest play was on defense when he came in as part of the hands team on a Denver Hail Mary play to end the 1st half. Ugly.

Tight Ends

The soldier came to play on Sunday. The only reliable fantasy option on the Bucs right now, Kellen Winslow put up over 100 yards, 9 catches and two TDs on Sunday. His value this season is on the rise.
Dallas Clark continues to do work. Because of his consistency and the guy throwing him the ball, he is the best fantasy TE option right now.
Owen Daniels is like a younger version of Dallas Clark.
A perennial fantasy disappointment, Ben Watson just might be a low level TE1 this season. Brady is looking for him in the redzone more often and with a suspect running game, that means opportunity.
Vernon Davis continues to impress. He caught 5 more balls on Sunday, giving him 22 on the season along wtih 262 yards and 3 TDs. He still has a ways to go, but he is going to have his best season yet if he continues.
There are a number of reasons to avoid a tight end that plays for the Titans. For one, the offense looks ineffective and Kerry Collins looks old. For another, there are three TE options. We love Jared Cook for the long term and expect that he will see more opportunity as the season continues to go down the toilet for Tennessee. Bo Scaife is probably the most useful this season, but his value will be hurt by the gigantic Alge Crumpler.
Redskins TE Chris Cooley was held catchless for the first time since his rookie season. Do not expect that to be a trend, he is still a TE1 moving forward.