by Dustin Sullivan

By this time in the season, you need to be checking your rosters daily not only for injuries, but bye weeks come into play and you don’t want to be stuck losing points because you forgot to take that running back out of your lineup on his bye week. So, here we go with the players that will have the biggest impact on your fantasy team for week five. This information will also be useful if you’re in some kind of salary league.

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts – Manning is going up against the 0-4 Titans on Sunday nights. Manning has been one of the best players in the NFL this season and he will definitely put up more than 300 yards against a struggling Titans’ defense. You can also count on Manning to throw for (at least) 3 TD’s. With a receiving core that consists of Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and Pierre Garcon Manning will have plenty of targets to throw to.

RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings – There is no way that the Rams defense will be able to stop Peterson from gaining over 100 yards and possible scoring 1-2 TD’s. This could be the best game for Peterson since he is going up against a Rams team that is 0-4 and is the worst ranked defense in the NFL. Look for Peterson to get his number called often early in the ballgame as he will run right through the Rams’ defensive line.

WR: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs – People may think I’m crazy about picking Bowe, but he’s going up against a Cowboys defense that cannot put pressure on a QB. Look for Matt Cassel to get the ball to Bowe on most passing plays and then Bowe will run right through a depleted Cowboys’ secondary. I think Bowe will accumulate just over 100 yards receiving and catch a couple of TD’s inside the red zone.

TE: Dallas Clark, Colts – Clark has quickly become Payton Manning’s #2 receiver. Clark is a consistent pass catcher who can earn you 5 or more yards after the catch. He is also the best red zone TE in the business, and with him going up against the Titans, be sure that he’ll have at least 1 TD catch and go for about 65 yards.

K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots – I recently witnessed, in person, this guy in action as he was a vital key in the Patriots’ win over the Ravens. He will be very important again for the Patriots as they take on the Broncos. Look for him to rack up 3 FG’s and a couple of extra points as I think the Patriots will defeat the Broncos in an offensive shootout.

DEF: New York Giants – Well, the Giants will have an easy week as they take on the Raiders. The Raiders will barely get 100 yards of total offense and look for Osi Umenyiora to sack JaMarcus Russell at least 3 times.