Upgrades

QB David Carr (Hou) - He threw for 372 yards and 3 TDs yesterday. More importantly he rallied his team to get the into overtime. Carr is averaging 275 passing yards a game through 5 weeks. He is becoming a must-start every week.

QB Byron Leftwich (Jac) - He threw for 357 yards yesterday and looks comfortable in the shotgun (which the team is running a lot to make it easier on Byron).

*** Waiver Wire *** - QB Sage Rosenfelds (Mia) - Sage will be the starter in week 6 after both Fiedler and Feeley were hurt (Fiedler has broken ribs and will be out awhile; Feeley suffered a concussion and may be cleared later this week). Sage looked the sharpest of all the Miami QBs in the preseason so it's possible that he could be the spark the team needs. Certainly the Dolphins need to try something different as Fiedler and Feeley have struggled badly.

QB Daunte Culpepper (Min) - He threw for nearly 40 yards, 5 TDs and no interceptions. He is going through his reads, checking down and spreading the ball among all of the Vikings players. He has to be the early favorite for the MVP award. He is an absolute start every week regardless of matchups. Through 4 games, he is averaging 335 passing yards, 3.25 passing TDs, 27 rushing yards, 0.25 rushing TDs. Most QBs would salivate to have that kind of game once a year.

QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pit) - The kid is getting it done. This week he got Plaxico Burress more involved. With a trio of excellent receivers at his disposal, Ben should continue to build on his early success the rest of this season.

QB Drew Brees (SD) - The talks of trading away Drew Brees certainly have quieted down, haven't they? Drew is playing great football and had another solid game yesterday completing 17 for 26 for 211 yards and 2 TDs (with no interceptions). Philip Rivers may not see the field all season.

QB Tim Rattay (SF) - The 49ers defense is horrible. And now that they are without their best player (Julian Peterson ruptured his Achilles on Sunday and is lost for the season), they are going to be even worse defensively (if that is possible). This means that the 49ers will be forced to throw often. Tim Rattay lit up the Cardinals for a mind-numbing 417 yards yesterday because the team had to play catch up. Expect that to be the game recap every single week. Tim may not rally and win the games each week like he did this one, but expect his fantasy stats to be very good.

QB Marc Bulger (StL) - Against a rock-solid Seattle defense, Marc Bulger went nuts in the second half rallying his team to an overtime win. He finished with 325 passing yards and 3 TDs (also threw 3 interceptions). The fact that he could put up these statistics against a tough defense says everything about what he is capable of the rest of the way.

*** Waiver Wire *** - QB Brian Griese (TB) - He gets the start in week 6 after Chris Simms left the game with a spraining throwing shoulder and is doubtful for next week. Brian Griese looked great in reserve completing an impressive 16 of 19 passes for 194 yards and 1 TD (with no interceptions). Gruden commented in the press conference that Simms was playing great, but Griese could win the job with continued strong play. If you are desperate at QB, Brian could be your man.

*** Waiver Wire *** - QB Patrick Ramsey (Was) - This has more to do with the terrible game Mark Brunell played. We think Brunell has about 1 more half of bad football in him before he gets pulled.

RB Emmitt Smith (Ari) - Through 5 weeks, Emmitt Smith sits at #17 in fantasy points per game. He is ahead of many notables (Corey Dillon, Rudi Johnson, Marshall Faulk, Kavan Barlow, Fred Taylor, Travis Henry). HC Dennis Green believes in Emmitt so he should continue to get the touches and TD opportunities.

RB Chester Taylor (Bal) - Chester takes over while Jamal Lewis sits out his two game suspension.

RB Willis McGahee (Buf) - Let's look at the facts: The Bills are struggling. Travis Henry is struggling. Travis Henry is a free agent at the end of the year. Look for McGahee to start seeing a bigger workload in the very near future.

RB Stephen Davis (Car) - DeShaun Foster broke his collarbone and will be out at least 4-6 weeks. Stephen Davis was unable to go this week, but will play against the Eagles in week 6. That is an awful matchup, but Stephen gets the upgrade because he will not be in a RBBC due to the injury to Foster.

RB Lee Suggs (Cle) - Lee tore up the Bengals at the end of last year. He gets them in week 6. We expect this game to catapult him into the fulltime starter.

RB Eddie George (Dal) - Stop the presses...Eddie George averaged 5 yards per carry yesterday (75 yards on 15 carries). Eddie is currently getting the bulk of the running back work in Dallas due to to the injury of Julius Jones.

*** Waiver Wire *** - RB Reuben Droughns (Den) - Wow. Talk about a nice fill-in game. He gained a whopping 193 yards (on 30 carries) and gained another 18 yards receiving (plus a receiving TD). With Portis struggling and Reuben Droughns exploding for huge yardage, I am now convinced that this Denver system might be more about the blocking schemes than the actual back. Reuben will be a hot commodity this week on the waiver wire. Quentin Griffin was close to ready to go (and is expected back this week) so it remains to be seen if Droughns has much value going forward.

RB Edgerrin James (Ind) - The Colts can run and pass at will right now. He piled up another 136 yards on the ground and added a TD. He also had 19 yards receiving on 2 receptions. Playing for a new contract, James is on a mission.

*** Waiver Wire *** - RB Brock Forsey (Mia) - He wasn't even suppose to be the starter, but he outplayed Leonard Henry. If you are desperate at RB, he could be your guy.

*** Waiver Wire *** - RB Mewelde Moore (Min) - How good is this Minnesota offensive line? This is a RB's dream to play in this system. Mewelde Moore ran for 92 and caught 12 passes for another 90. He did not score. With Moe Williams hobbled, Michael Bennett still a few weeks from returning and Onterrio Smith suspended for 3 more games, Mewelde will get to be the man a few more weeks. Behind this offensive line, he looks to be a solid option for every game he starts.

RB Corey Dillon (NE) - He managed 94 yards on 18 carries and hardly played in the 4th quarter (after tweaking his ankle). His ankle is fine, but the team opted not to use him (they had the game in control). Although the Patriots are mostly a passing team, Dillon is running very strong in this system. As a team that looks like it will be holding onto many leads this year, Dillon could be a monster going forward.

RB Duece McAllister (NO) - Deuce was back on the field for owners. The Saints did not involve him in the passing game, but he did manage 102 yards (on 21 carries). Expect his workload to increase in the coming weeks.

RB Tiki Barber (NYG) - He leads all rushers with 577 yards after 5 weeks. He has done this on just 96 carries. He also leads all backs with 240 yards receiving. Combined, he is averaging 163.4 yards per game. He has yet to fumble this season (His problem last year). He is a must start every week regardless of matchup.

RB Amos Zereoue (Oak) - He had just 41 yards on 10 carries, but added another 53 yards on 7 receptions. For leagues that award points per receptions, Zereoue is a good to great play each week.

RB Duce Staley (Pit) - This makes three games in a row where he has rushed for 100+ yards (21 carries for 117 yards). He also scored a TD, although expect Jerome Bettis to continue to be the man near the goal line. The Steelers are committed to running the ball more and it is showing up in Duce Staley's box score each week.

RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) - This is another back that appears on a mission. He added another 150 yards and a TD on 23 carries. He is a must-start every week.

RB Michael Pittman (TB) - Michael has yet to have a breakout game, but did manage 5 catches for 29 yards to go with his 51 rushing yards (on 15 carries). Because he is sure to be involved in the passing game too, Pittman should be a solid play going forward.

WR Keary Colbert (Car) - While Muhsin draws the tougher coverage, Keary is putting up the numbers. He remains a solid option every week.

WR Andre Davis (Cle) - He has emerged as the #1 WR in Cleveland. The OL does not give Garcia muc

WR Andre Johnson (Hou) - He had 17 targets. That is insane. Even better, he caught 12 of them for 170 yards and 2 TDs. He is among the best receivers in the game right now.

WR Jimmy Smith (Jac) - Leftwich locks onto him when he needs a first down. Jimmy was targeted 11 times catching 8 for 113 yards.

WR Chris Chambers (Mia) - The QB play has been awful, but Chambers was targeted 15 times. The Dolphins are going to be losing a lot of games. Now could be the time to trade for Chris Chambers.

*** Waiver Wire *** - WR Marty Booker (Mia) - Marty had 12 targets and did the most with them. He posted 123 yards on 7 catches.

*** Waiver Wire *** - WR Marcus Robinson (Min) - Marcus is more talented than Nate Burleson, but isn't always 100% healthy. But when he is healthy, he can dominate games (especially when teams scheme to take away Moss). Marcus showed what he is capable this week grabbing 9 catches for 150 yards and 2 TDs (on 15 targets).

WR David Givens (NE) - He only caught 4 passes for 33 yards and a TD, but had an impressive 10 targets. While Branch remains sidelined, Givens is the man in the passing game.

WR Ronald Curry (Oak) - He had an impressive 13 targets this weekend. He has supplanted Jerry Rice in the starting lineup. He caught 10 for 72 yards.

WR Plaxico Burress (Pit) - He finally had a good game. He is still option number 2 (behind Hines Ward), but showed under the right circumstances that he too can be productive.

WR Darrell Jackson (Sea) - He is the clear #1 WR on the Seahawks. Because Koren Robinson continues to drop passes, more and more of the passing game is going to Darrell Jackson.

Brandon Lloyd (SF) - He is still nursing a sore groin, but had 11 targets go his way. He caught 5 for 56 including an acrobatic TD. This team will be playing from behind so Brandon Lloyd could have a productive 2nd half of the season if he can get and stay healthy.

TE Jason Witten (Dal) - He caught just 5 passes for 35 yards, but was targeted 8 times.

TE Daniel Graham (NE) - He just keeps scoring TDs. It's hard to upgrade him as we loved him in the preseason too, but no one is as reliable near the endzone as Daniel Graham. He is on pace to score 20 TDs for the season.

TE Jeremy Shockey (NYG) - He scored two touchdowns in two weeks (although definitely pushed off to get open this past week). He is a big part of their goal line offense and should be started every week.

*** Waiver Wire *** - TE Courtney Anderson (Oak) - The Raiders are getting this guy more involved each week. He had 3 catches for 38 yards and a score this past week.

TE Antonio Gates (SD) - He has 31 catches already and is option number 1 in the San Diego passing game. He added 93 yards and 2 TDs yesterday. He is a must start every week.

TE Eric Johnson (SF) - Wow. We did not expect him to even play as he was unable to practice all week. Right before the game he takes a pain killing shot and then proceeds to catch 13 passes for 162 yards and a TD. That is a tight end career. He leads all receivers (receivers and tight ends) with 41 receptions this season. And it's only week 5. He is as good as a tight end has ever been in this league right now.

PK Doug Brien (NYJ) - With a nice running game and a stout defense, the Jets look to have their share of FG opportunities.

PK Jeff Reed (Pit) - The offense is starting to roll. Reed also draws easy matchups in his conference (Cincinnati and Cleveland). He managed 10 points this week.

Def Baltimore - They allowed 107 total yards (52 rushing and 55 passing). That is crazy. They are the number one defensive by a wide margin.

Def Detroit - We have to give them their due. They rattled Michael Vick all day and ended up with 7 sacks.

Def Indianapolis - OK it's hard to get excited about a defense that had been yielding 300+ passing yards a contest, but they looked sharp when they needed to in rattling the Raiders. They halted the Raider running game cold yielding only 53 yards on the ground. Expect Dungy to continually improve this unit. No way should they be last in yards allowed.

Def Miami - It's a shame this team doesn't have even a respectable offense, because the Miami defense is playing lights out. They held the Patriots to just 69 passing yards all game.

Downgrades

QB Michael Vick (Atl) - He had the dream matchup and struggled. He is way too inconsistent right now in this offense for us to recommend him highly each week. Until he reels off some good games, we advise you to leave Vick on the bench. He is more likely to disappoint than thrill you right now as he struggles to learn this new offense.

QB Kyle Boller (Bal) - 9 for 18 for 81 yards. 0 Touchdowns. 3 interceptions. 7 rushes for -6 yards. So much for drafting your QB in the 1st round. This guy is horrible and not getting better.

QB Vinny Testaverde (Dal) - He has had a worse game each and every week. This week he had just 126 yards of passing on 24 attempts (5.25 yards per attempt). That is beyond awful considering the weapons he has at his disposal in the passing game (Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Antonio Bryant, Richie Anderson, Jason Witten).

QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) - He cracked his ribs and is out indefinitely.

QB Kerry Collins (Oak) - Another week, another 3 interceptions. The team will continue to start him, but we expected a lot better than he is playing.

QB Brad Johnson (TB) - He now sits at number 3 on the depth chart (behind Chris Simms who is now hurt and current starter Brian Griese).

QB Mark Brunell (Was) - He threw for a whopping 83 yards on 29 pass attempts (2.86 yards per attempt). Add an interception and a fumble on his day and Mark Brunell's stock could not be any lower.

RB Jamal Lewis (Bal) - He will sit week 7 and 8 (team is on a bye this week) based on his guilty plea agreement. It could have been worse so this may actually be decent news for Lewis owners. If Chester Taylor does well during Jamal's absence, Chester may get additional reps going forward too.

RB Travis Henry (Buf) - He had just 33 yards on 12 carries. He has not scored in 7 games. His contract is up at the end of the season. The team spent a #1 last year on Willis McGahee and wants to know what he can do. Need I say more? His stock is low and going lower by the day.

RB DeShau Foster (Car) - He broke his collarbone and will miss a minimum 4-6 weeks.

RB Quentin Griffin (Den) - It doesn't look good when Reuben Droughns comes in and tears up the field. Between Tatum Bell deserving a chance and Droughns performing on the field, Quentin Griffin's stock is taking a major hit.

RB Fred Taylor (Jac) - The Jaguars are running out of the shotgun a lot to help Byron Leftwich in the passing game. This is limiting Fred Taylor's carries. Through 5 games, Fred has just 82 carries.

RB Leonard Henry (Mia) - He struggled and eventually gave way to Brock Forsey.

RB Michael Bennett (Min) - We don't know anything more, but won't be surprised when the timeline on Bennett keeps slipping to the right. The fact that Mewelde Moore played well also might slow down the Bennett timeline.

RB Aaron Stecker (NO) - He is now the backup again.

RB Kevan Barlow (SF) - 14 carries for 34 yards. He added 23 yards receiving, but Tim Rattay threw for 417 yards. Barlow has become a non-factor this season.

RB Clinton Portis (Was) - 25 carries for 53 yards. He added another 16 on 4 receptions. Well now we know...It was the system.

WR Marvin Harrison (Ind) - He had just 3 targets this week. He caught all 3 for 44 yards. With the development of Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokley and Dallas Clark, Peyton doesn't need to force the ball into Marvin Harrison any more. The team is clicking on all cylinders, but Harrison's stats are taking a major nosedive this season.

Justin McCareins (NYJ) - He was targeted 4 times catching 2. He finished with just 32 yards receiving while Wayne Chrebet had 8 targets (and caught all 8). This team is now a running team first.

Jerry Rice (Oak) - No targets and no catches. It is official. He is done.

Koren Robinson (Sea) - With an emphasis to work on catching the ball this past offseason, we think he should have more than 13 catches (on 27 targets). He has not improved and the team is using Shaun Alexander and Darrell Jackson more than ever.

TE Billy Miller (Hou) - In what should have been a good matchup, Billy Miller comes up empty. He has been a huge disappointment all year.

TE Doug Jolley (Oak) - He had just 1 catch for 12 yards. Courtney Anderson appears to be the better pass-catching TE on the Raiders right now.

PK Sebastian Janikowski (Oak) - If your QB throws 3 interceptions a game, you are not going to see many chances to kick FGs each week.

Def Carolina - They yielded all those yards to Reuben Droughns. They also managed just 1 sack and everybody sacks Jake Plummer. Someone has to be accountable.

Def Houston - Admittedly it was against the Vikings, but when you allow 500+ yards and 5 TDs you get downgraded.