Saturday, October 6, 2012

Homer Guide: Week 5 AFC East fantasy glance

BY SAM HOLLINGSWORTH

Ranking potential fantasy starts in the AFC East:

QUARTERBACK
1. Tom Brady: He's heading into the biggest statement game of the young season vs. the Manning-led Broncos. Expect him to make one.
2. Ryan Tannehill: He's been impressive for a rookie and looks to get the Fins their second win of the year against a team that's surrendering a 102.4 QB rating by opposing signal-callers.
3. Ryan Fitzpatrick: From a fantasy standpoint, Fitzpatrick's number are great. This weekend versus the 49ers, they will not be.
4. Mark Sanchez: He'll be starting on Monday night. But I can't guarantee he'll be finishing.

RUNNING BACK
1. Reggie Bush:
Bush slipped down the fantasy ranks a bit as far as the league is concerened, but he's still a dominating force. He'll showcase that against the Bengals.
2. Stevan Ridley: Ridley is sharing the backfield with Brandon Bolden but is still No. 1. He'll prove it against a stingy Denver defense.
3. C.J. Spiller: Banged up for the last couple weeks, Spiller will put together the best effort of the Bills' RB core, but it's not much against the Niners.
4. Fred Jackson: Jackson does his best to be a factor in the game, but he's splitting carries and facing the San Fran defensive unit. He's still a better option than Jets' Shonn Greene.

WIDE RECEIVER
1. Stevie Johnson:
Despite a struggling Bills team, Johnson's numbers have not really wavered. Last week was his first down week of the year, and the ball was simply thrown to and caught by his teammates in a high-scoring affair.
2. Brian Hartline: Hartline totaled a team-record 253 yards receiving last week. He's obviously a favorite target of Tannehill, and their production this weekend is the difference-maker in the game.
3. Wes Welker: After a slow start, Welker is right back where everyone expected him to be. If anything, the slow start made him want it even more.
4. Brandon Lloyd: Welker's teammate in Lloyd is very dangerous too, as he and Brady already have some developed some chemistry. It's just going to be tough to get much separation from Champ Bailey and the Denver secondary.

TIGHT END
1. Rob Gronkowski:
Gronkowski was a big factor last week, and with Aaron Hernandez still out, watch for his success to continue.
2. Scott Chandler: Chandler is a much-targeted red zone option of Fitzpatrick, and he'll be vital to putting points on the board in San Fran.

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