Quarterbacks

Must Start: The Top 10

1. Peyton Manning vs. MIN - This probably isn't earth-shattering news but he's the perfect fantasy signal-caller right now. His offense can't be stopped and his defense can't stop anyone. Expect zillions of points and more absurd numbers when he tangles with the equally explosive/generous Vikes this Monday night.

2. Daunte Culpepper @ IND - He, on the other hand, needs to get back to being a little less generous and a lot more explosive. It certainly hasn't helped he's been missing the best receiver/field-stretcher under the sun, but it's not like he doesn't have other capable targets. If Daunte really wants to show us what he's made of, he'll post large numbers against an atrocious Indy secondary, regardless who plays (or doesn't).

3. Marc Bulger vs. NE - If football games were contested between the twenties, he'd be an All-Pro. Alas, it's red-zone production that ultimately defines a quarterback. Amazingly, Bulger has only two multiple-TD games thus far, a pitiful number when you consider he's playing for Mike Martz. Expect him to make it three this weekend against a Pats team missing BOTH its starting corners.

4. Donovan McNabb @ PIT - Predictably, he found the going pretty rough against the suffocating Ravens D last week (219 yards and a touch). Surprisingly, he could struggle to do much better against a vastly improved (and confident) Steelers bunch this Sunday. He has an elite weapon at wideout but not much else if Brian Westbrook sits again. You heard it here first, folks: there won't be an undefeated team left after Week 9.

5. Tom Brady @ STL - The quickest way to go from undefeated to formerly undefeated? Try 43 passes against just FIVE rushing attempts. Though it could do wonders for Brady's fantasy numbers, that kind of imbalance will almost always get you beat in the NFL. Belichick and Co. know this but might be forced by the hand if Corey Dillon is forced to sit again.

6. Aaron Brooks @ SD - No team has yielded more completions than the Chargers this season (24.3 per game). That has more to do with their league-leading run defense than anything, but still means you want quarterbacks who oppose them. For all his foibles, Brooksy is still pretty good at racking up yardage and keeping it out of opponents' hands (at least via the air). He should be good for 250+ and, with some help, a couple scores at Qualcomm this Sunday.

7. David Carr @ DEN - He's thrown a touchdown pass in every game but one thus far (the first) and has yet to throw for fewer than 225 yards in a single contest. In other words, he's one of the steadiest plays you can make on a weekly basis. Though he'll likely explode at some point this season, you're better off expecting the same ol' 10-15 points he gives you every week.

8. Drew Brees vs. NO - I'm guessing you've probably noticed he's thrown 11 touchdowns (and just one INT) since I proclaimed him dead prior to Week 4. A mulligan, please? It's not like he has a wealth of talent at receiver, either. Maybe it's time we just gave the guy his due. I can tell you this: if I owned him, he'd be starting this week against the unsightly Saints secondary (289.1 yards/game).

9. Chad Pennington @ BUF - His 19 attempts on Monday night were a season low. Naturally, he parlayed them into his most prolific outing so far (189 yards and three scores). Go figure. The Jets are still a run-first (and second…and third) team but that doesn't mean Pennington won't be a worthwhile starter here and there. Try him this week against a Buffalo team he lit up for 300 yards earlier this season.

10. Vinny Testaverde @ CIN - For a change, the Cowboys ran fewer passing plays than running plays this past weekend. Not that it affected Vinny's bottom line much (19 of 24 for 235 yards and three TDs). He'll always turn it over but if your league doesn't penalize the picks too harshly, give him a go. He's remarkably productive for a guy his age. One note of caution: the 'Boys will probably sit him when they drop out of the playoff hunt (sooner, not later) so use him while you still can.

Grab A Helmet:

Ben Roethlisberger vs. PHI - What could I possibly say that hasn't already been said about the kid? He's big, strong-armed, mobile, and unflappable in the face of pressure. In other words, he's the new gold standard for incoming signal-callers. All that aside, he may not be the next great FANTASY quarterback…at least not this year. He'll give you good numbers but he's only gone over 200 yards once so far. Just something to think about.

Jake Plummer vs. HOU - He went over 200 yards twice in the same GAME last week…and then some. Can't say as though I saw that one coming. Of course, you never really know what to expect from The Snake. This much I'm sure of: he won't throw for 500 yards this week. 250 and a score or two? That's more like it.

Jake Delhomme vs. OAK - The other Jake has proven to be even less reliable than his notoriously unreliable namesake. A decimated backfield and receiving corps is largely to blame but so is his occasionally misplaced confidence. In fact, he reminds me of another young gunslinger who used to do too much when his team struggled. They Panthers won't this week against a brutal and bickering Raiders crew so he's a safe play.

Trent Green @ TB - After two sub-par outings to start the year, Green has been positively en fuego (72% completion rate and nine TDs). He should cool off a bit against the always-tough Bucs but will always benefit from having Priest running behind him. Continue to start him.

Matt Hasselbeck @ SF - He's thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, which should tell you all you need to know about Seattle's chances of reaching the Super Bowl this season. That said, he usually feasts upon his new division mates, the Niners. Seattle will run the ball a lot this weekend and will have lots of success. With the pressure off, Hasselbeck should be good for another 200 yards and a touch or two.

Grab A Clipboard:

Kyle Boller vs. CLE - The good: he finally tallied over 200 yards passing last week. The bad: he threw only his third touchdown pass of the season (against one pick). The ugly: he's still Kyle Boller. Rumor has it Anthony Wright could take his job when he gets healthy. Count on it if the Ravens are still in the playoff hunt.

Jay Fiedler vs. ARI - Miami is already out of the playoff hunt and bad quarterback play is just one of the many reasons why. He could put up decent numbers here and there but will continue to turn the ball over a lot and will never threaten the 300-yard mark. Translation? Not enough upside and too much downside.

Craig Krenzel @ NYG -Try too much downside and NO upside. Krenzel is better suited to a backup role but since the Bears have no other options, he's the man. I'm betting you have better options. Much better.

Mark Brunell @ DET - I finally had the opportunity to watch him for a whole game last week and I gotta tell you: he's worse than I thought. His inability to hit receivers in stride and his alarmingly poor arm strength will continue to hamper the 'Skins' offense for the rest of the year. If you're smart, you won't let it hamper yours.

Kerry Collins @ CAR - Arm strength has never been Collins' problem but he certainly knows a thing or two about inaccuracy. His interception percentage (4.9%) is the worst in the league and he doesn't compensate by throwing a bunch of touchdowns (just four in five starts). In other words, stay away.

Running Backs