[The Immortal Ramirez]

Week Five is upon us and no longer are we in the beginning of the season, but coming quickly up on half way done. Teams are beginning to jocky for play-off spots and or see how high they can get a pick in next spring’s Rookie Draft. This is Tank D’Season to go over this week’s match-ups.

** Week five roster page is not available, so if I pick someone (generally last week’s roster) you are not starting, you can file a complaint (not telling you with whom or how). Byes this week: Cincinnati, KC, Philly & Chicago.

We’ll start this week with Nittany Dodgers (1-3) going against the Liquid Swords (2-2). Dodgers are hoping Pennington gets out of his funk and against the Bills that let Brady put up some nice points last week. Tiki Barber has me starting to believe he’ll do well this week, but faces a tough Dallas DT. Staley will put up solid numbers as well, but has to hold on to the ball (though he’ll lose short-yardage TDs to Jerome). Reche Caldwell is the only producing WR right now and he’s a little inconsistent Dodgers will miss Tony G on his bye week. Pittsburgh should do well against the Browns (but that’s a little iffy too). The Swords want to bounce back from their loss to the Predators last week and may take it out on the Dodgers. Daunte comes off a week of rest to play Houston and should put up great numbers. Ahman Green is also poised for a big game (he’s had a weekly slide in production since his monster game week 1), but will do better with Favre playing. Like his opponent, the Swords a little week on WR, but should have two breaking into double digit scoring. McMichael is still a solid fantasy TE and NE should crush the Dolphin offense.

Prediction: Dodgers put up a good fight, but can’t keep pace with the Swords who want to get back on their winning ways. Swords win by 15.

Game of the abbreviations – BDSC (2-2) take on SBDC (0-4). SBDC are looking for yet another big game from Peyton Manning and there are no signs that he’ll slow down this week against the Raiders. The Cards are hoping Stephen Davis is cleared to play this week because they lose Westbrook to his bye week. They do get a couple of WRs back from their bye weeks, which should help. Crumpler seems to be the only target that Vick is throwing to, while the Washington DT will try to curtail the stunning Testeverde throwing machine. BDSC on the other hand is looking forward to getting Hasselbeck back – expecially against the Rams DT. Faulk, on the other hand is NOT looking forward to facing the Seattle DT that has allowed only 13 (yes 13) points in three games. Wheatley is out, so we’re not sure who he’ll bring in to replace him. Randy Moss is looking forward to getting back on the field and having a monster game. The Jags are looking to face off against SD.

Prediction: This is really a close game. Both QB’s should do well, while all RB’s shouldn’t. Looks like it will come down to WR’s and right now Moss gives the edge to the Chasers. I see them pulling out a close game.

The Urza’s Ragers (3-1) face off against the RH Opihi (3-1). Opihi are not looking forward to Bulger facing the Seattle DT, but he’s show to be passing a lot since they’ll most likely be behind in the score. Dunn is up on the air with injury, but if he plays he should do well against Detroit. Henry will have some room to run against the Jets who have improved, but let the Miami Henry run well last week. Holt, as written above should have some good numbers, but don’t look for anything in the 20s. Shockey, Elam and Carolina should all do well. What, not going to start Seattle DT against your starting QB & #1 WR??? The Ragers hope Vick actually puts up some fantasy points this week against Detroit, but that’s always in question with him. Jamal Lewis’ suspension situation is up in the air, but as of now, I expect him to play against Washington and to run well. Taylor should have a great game against SD. All three of his WR have questionable match-ups. I see Gardner scoring in the double digits, but Hyme coming back to reality. As for Moulds, it depends on how much time the OL gives Bledsoe to throw. Akers is on a bye this week, will he get a replacement??

Prediction: Man, you are putting me in a tough spot, this is also a close game. Neither QB will light it up. RB’s are all solid. WR will do fair. I actually see this coming down to TE, K & DT. Looks like this will also be a close game. Opihi will hate me for picking them to win, but I think they have a minor edge.

The BAB Insects (3-1) look to stop of the Freedom’s (1-3) winning ways. Insects are actually more worried about internal personnel situations. Do they have to start Collins vs Indy (not a bad match-up if he doesn’t turn the ball over) or will McNair be back to go against the Pack (also not a bad match-up). Portis is in for a long night against Baltimore on Sunday evening. Henry (Miami version) faces a wicked NE DT as well. So, it’s really up in the air which the Insects will bench to bring Alexander back against the Rams. Both Stockley and Porter are in favorable match-ups, but Coles should draw DB McAllister of the Ravens, hurting his numbers. Eric Johnson is the ONLY target for SF, so he’ll do very well, but Oakland is going up against Indy (which to put it bluntly…sucks for them). Freedom actually looks for a good matchup with Leftwich once more. Hollings right now is 3^rd on depth chart and not sure what his value is right now (well is D. Davis playing???). Martin will also have a tough time against the Bills DT. Isaac Bruce is looking to make it five 100 yard games, since they will be playing from behind a ton. LJ Smith has a bye and Vanderjagt is nursing a sore something… Tennessee hasn’t been able to stop anyone – let alone the Packers.

Prediction: Not looking like a good week to have back to back wins for the Freedom. Unless a lot of their players have record weeks, this is going to move the Insects to 4-1.

JT Waste (0-4) look to upset the Predators (4-0). Brady looks to be a good backup this week, while McNabb is on a bye (though Waste would love to have McNabb against Preds). Which Browns RB is taking the lead this week – I think no matter what Butch Davis says, Suggs is their #1 RB, but see some lost balls to Green to keep him happy. James should run wild against Raiders who will look to stop Manning. Speaking on Indy WR, Wayne will come back to have a good week. Muhammad & Driver will do ok, but not great. St Louis DT is going to give up a lot of points to Seattle and do you start injured Heap or bye-week Schobel? Preds, know the Waste are not as bad as their record indicates. They will be staring NO against TB (which will be tough for him). Barlow is actually going against the bend-not-break Arizona DT. Tomlinson will see if the Jags will give up another 100 yard game, but I’m not sure about that. I see him going over 130 combined yards, though, and a TD. Johnson & Walker both have favorable match-up, but Ward may not post great numbers again. The Preds are probably looking forward to benching Boo again. Baltimore is going to be looking for revenge after being dismantled on MNF last week.

Prediction: Two areas make a difference here. QB & ‘other’ I give the QB nod to Waste, but Preds have better TE, K & DT match-ups. Plus, WR have a slight edge. I think Preds sqeak out a close one.

Finally, Wonder Mutts (2-2) lock up with Indiana Undead (3-1). Undead hope Plummer puts up some good numbers this week because they are dying elsewhere due to bye weeks. Holmes, T Jones, C Johnson & R Johnson all on byes. Ouch! I have no idea what RB they will start…do they even have two extra??? Bennett & Harrison both should play well. Graham is one of the top TE this year and should get another TD this week. Indy DT is questionable at best. Mutts are glad Favre has been cleared to play and should do well against weak TN DT. Chris Brown (also on MNF looks to run wild against GB). Do either of these teams even have a DT??? Dillon may face some tough times against Miami. The Mutts were worried that the bye for TO would hurt them, but then they felt better when they saw the plethora of Undead players off. Gates will score well, but Mutts need to start TB DT against NO due to Philly’s bye

Prediction: The holy-cow low score of the week will be put up by the Undead. Mutts should walk away with this. If they don’t, they need to wear bags for the rest of the year….

Once again, I didn’t have all the stats and that’s how I see it. Tank D’Season will once again return Tues for the wrap-up. This week was actually one of the toughest to predict. Stop it! Make this easy on me…my brain is tired and I’m supposed to be working!!!