Week 5 Rankings

I usually start the rankings with some long-winded observations gleaned from watching games during the week, and I'll get to those eventually. Sometimes, however, pure numbers can tell a better story about where this surprising season is headed. Here are the fourteen surprising (and longwinded) facts gleaned from our target report.

1. Shaun McDonald has more targets this season than Roy Williams. This could turn into a disastrous contract year for Williams and his owners if Jon Kitna gets replaced.

2. Antonio Chatman has the same amount of targets the last two weeks than Chad Ocho Cinco.

3. A different Colts wideout has led the team in targets each week. The big three (Wayne, Harrison, Gonzalez) are only six targets apart on the season. In terms of attention, the distinction between starter and reserve here is minor.

4. A similar phenomenon is happening in San Francisco, where Bryant Johnson, Isaac Bruce, and Arnaz Battle are taking turns being JTO's top option. Battle could be Martz's San Francisco version of Shaun McDonald.

5. Lance Moore has 17 targets the last two weeks. The next closest Saints wideout has six. This year's Wes Welker is not going away.

6. Lee Evans has only 25 targets in four weeks, which makes his 332 yards remarkable. He's getting more yards-per-target than anyone in football. Look for him to get more targets moving forward, which can only help.

7. Kevin Walter has more targets over the last two weeks than Andre Johnson. (Both have plenty). While Owen Daniels is a huge factor, the lack of any decent third receiver in Houston makes Walter an underrated asset for owners.

8. Dwayne Bowe leads the NFL with 46 targets. No other Kansas City wideout has more than 10. Vive le Huard!

9. Laurence Maroney and Jonathan Stewart haven't been targeted on a pass yet. LenDale White has once.

10. Vincent Jackson has five more targets than Chris Chambers on the season; Chambers only has five the last two weeks. The "number one" tag in San Diego is meaningless and Chambers' high-wire act of scoring long touchdowns every week can't keep up.

11. Greg Jennings (36 targets) has clearly emerged as the go-to receiver with Aaron Rodgers. Donald Driver's targets (24) are solid, but they are closer to Jordy Nelson (17) than to Jennings.

12. Antonio Gates is seeing the fewest targets/game of his career. He's not quite over that foot injury.

13. Vernon Davis is averaging 2.5 targets per week. That's fewer than Marcedes Lewis, Reggie Kelly, and Daniel Graham. Davis simply can't be trusted in lineups at this rate.

14. Santana Moss has seen a minimum of nine targets in each game this season. Once a boom-or-bust weekly option, Moss is as steady as a metronome this year.

For projections of all the rankings below, head to Season Pass. I'll also be chatting there with subscribers on Friday afternoon.

Week 5 Quarterbacks

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Jay Cutlervs. TB -
2Tony Romovs. CIN -
3Drew Breesvs. MIN -
4Peyton Manningat HOULine is getting healthy
5Donovan McNabbvs. WAS
6Kurt Warnervs. BUF -
7Philip Riversat MIA -
8Eli Manningvs. SEA -
9Trent Edwardsat ARZ -
10Brian Grieseat DEN -
11Aaron Rodgersvs. ATLRanked as if he'll start
12Ben Roethlisbergerat JAC -
13David Garrardvs. PIT -
14Jason Campbellat PHI -
15Kyle Ortonat DET -
16Jake Delhommevs. KC -
17Matt Schaubvs. IND -
18Matt Hasselbeckat NYG -
19J.T. O'Sullivanvs. NE -
20Chad Penningtonvs. SD -
21Gus Frerotteat NO -
22Matt Casselat SF -
23Jon Kitnavs. CHI -
24Damon Huardat CAR -
25Kerry Collinsat BAL -
26Matt Ryanat GB -
27Joe Flaccovs. TEN -
28Ryan Fitzpatrickat DALPalmer looks unlikely to start.

QB Notes: Notes for all positions coming by Thursday evening

Week 5 Running Backs

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Adrian Petersonat NO
2Marion Barbervs. CIN -
3LaDainian Tomlinsonat MIASlowly healing
4Marshawn Lynchat ARZ -
5Frank Gorevs. NE -
6Matt Forteat DET -
7Joseph Addaiat HOU -
8Reggie Bushvs. MIN -
9Clinton Portisat PHI -
10Brian Westbrookvs. WASRanked as if he'll start, but we doubt he will
11Steve Slatonvs. IND -
12Michael Turnerat GB
13Earnest Grahamat DEN -
14Brandon Jacobsvs. SEA -
15Jonathan Stewartvs. KC
16Chris Johnsonat BAL -
17Larry Johnsonat CAR -
18Ronnie Brownvs. SD -
19Ryan Grantvs. ATL -
20Maurice Jones-Drewvs. PIT
21Julius Jonesat NYG -
22Edgerrin Jamesvs. BUF -
23DeAngelo Williamsvs. KC -
24Chris Perryat DAL
25Laurence Maroneyat SF -
26Mewelde Mooreat JACShould start
27Fred Taylorvs. PIT
28Selvin Youngvs. TB -
29Willis McGaheevs. TENRibs makes him questionable
30Rudi Johnsonvs. CHI -
31LenDale Whiteat BAL
32LeRon McClainvs. TENMcGahee injury impacts him
33Warrick Dunnat DEN -
34Sammy Morrisat SF -
35Ricky Williamsvs. SD -
36Correll Buckhaltervs. WASMove him to 21 if Westbrook is out
37Fred Jacksonat ARZ -
38Felix Jonesvs. CINHard to trust coaching staff
39Deuce McAllistervs. MIN -
40Derrick Wardvs. SEA -
41Michael Pittmanvs. TB -
42Kevin Jonesat DET -
43Jerious Norwoodat GB -
44Chris Taylorvs. IND -
45Darren Sprolesat MIA -
46Chester Taylorat NO
47Tim Hightowervs. BUF -
48Gary Russellat JAC
49Andre Hallvs. TB -
50Ladell Bettsat PHI -
51Brandon Jacksonvs. ATL -
52Kevin Smithvs. CHI -
53LaMont Jordanat SF -
54Dominic Rhodesat HOU -
55Maurice Morrisat NYGQuestionable(knee)

Week 5 Wide Receivers

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Brandon Marshallvs. TB -
2Larry Fitzgeraldvs. BUFNo Boldin would help him
3Steve Smithvs. KC -
4Terrell Owensvs. CIN -
5Reggie Wayneat HOU -
6Greg Jenningsvs. ATLRanked as if Rodgers is starting, falls out of top 35 otherwise
7Andre Johnsonvs. IND -
8Santana Mossat PHI -
9Lee Evansat ARZ -
10Calvin Johnsonvs. CHI -
11Dwayne Boweat CAR -
12Randy Mossat SF -
13DeSean Jacksonvs. WAS -
14Santonio Holmesat JAC -
15Wes Welkerat SF -
16Hines Wardat JAC -
17Marvin Harrisonat HOU -
18Eddie Royalvs. TB
19Roddy Whiteat GB -
20Roy Williamsvs. CHI -
21Lance Moorevs. MINHere to stay
22Chris Chambersat MIA -
23Bobby Engramat NYG
24T.J. Houshmandzadehat DALRanked as if Palmer is out
25Donald Drivervs. ATLNot an option if Flynn starts
26Bernard Berrianat NO -
27Anthony Gonzalezat HOU -
28Antonio Bryantat DEN -
29Vincent Jacksonat MIA -
30Steve Smithvs. SEA -
31Amani Toomervs. SEA -
32Patrick Craytonvs. CIN -
33Matt Jonesvs. PIT -
34Chad Ocho Cincoat DALRanked as if Palmer is out
35Steve Breastonvs. BUFBoldin's potential replacement
36Kevin Waltervs. INDProbable(toe)
37Isaac Brucevs. NE -
38Justin Gageat BALProbable(knee)
39Derrick Masonvs. TEN -
40Robert Meachemvs. MIN -
41Deion Branchat NYGWait a game
42Arnaz Battlevs. NE -
43Brandon Lloydat DETKeep eye on status
44Reggie Brownvs. WAS -
45Muhsin Muhammadvs. KC -
46Bryant Johnsonvs. NE -
47David Pattenvs. MINQuestionable(groin)
48Jerry Portervs. PIT -
49Sidney Riceat NOQuestionable(knee)
50Ike Hilliardat DEN -
51Josh Reedat ARZ -
52Antwaan Randle Elat PHI -
53Justin McCareinsat BAL
54Greg Camarillovs. SD -
55D.J. Hackettvs. KC -
56Mark Claytonvs. TEN -

Week 5 Tight Ends

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Jason Wittenvs. CIN
2Antonio Gatesat MIA
3Tony Gonzalezat CAR -
4Chris Cooleyat PHI -
5Owen Danielsvs. IND -
6Anthony Fasanovs. SD -
7Dallas Clarkat HOU -
8Tony Schefflervs. TB -
9Greg Olsenat DET -
10Heath Millerat JAC -
11John Carlsonat NYG -
12Todd Heapvs. TEN -
13L.J. Smithvs. WASQuestionable(back)
14Vernon Davisvs. NE -
15Billy Millervs. MIN -
16Ben Watsonat SFRole unclear
17Visanthe Shiancoeat NO -
18Donald Leevs. ATL -
19Kevin Bossvs. SEA -
20Desmond Clarkat DET -
21Jerramy Stevensat DEN -
22Marcedes Lewisvs. PIT -
23Bo Scaifeat BAL -
24Alge Crumplerat BAL -
25Dante Rosariovs. KC -
26Robert Royalat ARZ -

Week 5 Team Defense

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Bears Def/Spec Teamat DET -
2Titans Def/Spec Teamat BAL -
3Ravens Def/Spec Teamvs. TEN -
4Cowboys Def/Spec Teamvs. CIN -
5Patriots Def/Spec Teamat SF -
6Giants Def/Spec Teamvs. SEA -
7Panthers Def/Spec Teamvs. KC -
8Packers Def/Spec Teamvs. ATL -
9Bills Def/Spec Teamat ARZ -
10Steelers Def/Spec Teamat JAC -
11Chargers Def/Spec Teamat MIA -
12Jaguars Def/Spec Teamvs. PIT -
13Eagles Def/Spec Teamvs. WAS -
14Seahawks Def/Spec Teamat NYG -
15Colts Def/Spec Teamat HOU -
16Vikings Def/Spec Teamat NO -
17Saints Def/Spec Teamvs. MIN -
18Fortyniners Def/Spec Teamvs. NE -
19Redskins Def/Spec Teamat PHI -
20Broncos Def/Spec Teamvs. TB -
21Cardinals Def/Spec Teamvs. BUF -
22Falcons Def/Spec Teamat GB -
23Texans Def/Spec Teamvs. IND -
24Buccaneers Def/Spec Teamat DEN -
25Dolphins Def/Spec Teamvs. SD -
26Chiefs Def/Spec Teamat CAR -
27Bengals Def/Spec Teamat DAL -
28Lions Def/Spec Teamvs. CHI -

Week 5 Kickers

RankPlayer NameOpponentNotes
1Nate Kaedingat MIA -
2Matt Pratervs. TB -
3Josh Scobeevs. PIT -
4Stephen Gostkowskiat SF -
5Rob Bironasat BAL -
6Nick Folkvs. CIN -
7Adam Vinatieriat HOU -
8Robbie Gouldat DET -
9Ryan Longwellat NO -
10Joe Nedneyvs. NE -
11Olindo Mareat NYG -
12John Kasayvs. KC -
13Mason Crosbyvs. ATL -
14Martin Gramaticavs. MIN -
15Jeff Reedat JAC -
16Jason Elamat GB -
17David Akersvs. WAS -
18Shayne Grahamat DAL -
19Shaun Suishamat PHI -
20Matt Bryantat DENQuestionable(-)
21John Carneyvs. SEA -
22Rian Lindellat ARZ -
23Neil Rackersvs. BUF -
24Dan Carpentervs. SD -
25Jason Hansonvs. CHI -
26Kris Brownvs. IND -
27Matt Stovervs. TEN -
28Nick Novakat CAR -
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