Matchups, matchups, matchups.
Playing them right can be the difference between winning and losing in fantasy football. If you started Kyle Orton rather than Jason Campbell this week, you know what I'm talking about. Of course, the matchups don't always work out the way the numbers would suggest. Just ask anyone who started Calvin Johnson against Chicago's 28th-ranked pass defense. He finished with two catches, 16 yards and no touchdowns in what was a total disaster for any fantasy-relevant player in a Lions uniform not named Roy Williams.
Because the matchups don't always work in our favor, it's imperative to start your studs in most situations. I've been preaching that from the highest fantasy mountain for weeks, but yesterday's live chat proves the word isn't getting out. Some out there wonder if they should start Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson and other elite athletes. You must remember that superstars are such for a reason -- they're capable of huge numbers against all comers.
Let's take Clinton Portis into consideration. He might have had the worst matchup of any running back playing in Philadelphia, but he produced 145 yards and a touchdown. How about Kurt Warner? He threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns against a much-improved Buffalo defense. Did you think to reserve Andre Johnson against the Colts' 2nd-ranked pass defense? He went on to post his best stat line of the season with a reserve quarterback under center. Were you contemplating sitting Randy Moss in favor of Steve Breaston?
Come on.
Sure, you can tell me that Tomlinson laid an egg against Miami. But intangibles like time of possession (in this case) and the fact that he aggravated his injured toe were the main culprits to his poor stat line. Larry Johnson rushed for two yards against Carolina, but how could you sit him after he rushed for a combined 319 yards and three touchdowns the two previous weeks? Remember, fantasy football (like the NFL) is hard to predict. That was evident in the stat line of DeAngelo Williams, who led all players in fantasy points on NFL.com despite being active in just 25 percent of NFL.com leagues.
In fact, the last three fantasy leaders of the week (Williams, Brett Favre, Ronnie Brown) were active in less than 60 percent of leagues. Favre was active in 57 percent in Week 4, while Brown was started in 17 percent in Week 3.
So if deciding on whether to start Manning or Jay Cutler is making your fantasy life a living hell, trade one of them and improve a weaker part of your roster. If you've got Joseph Addai, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton and Michael Turner in your backfield, deal one while their value is high.
Make life simpler. It's already difficult enough!
OK, let's take a look at the five best and worst performances from Week 5:
Studs
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina (32 points): Jonathan Stewart, not Williams, was the back we expected to make mincemeat of the Chiefs run defense. But Williams was the hotter back and finished with 123 yards and three touchdowns. That's the risk fantasy leaguers take with the dreaded backfield committee.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay (28 points): Despite playing with an injured shoulder, Rodgers threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Atlanta. Barring setbacks, he'll be a solid starting option against Seattle in Week 6. The Seahawks field one of the league's worst pass defense this season.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh (28 points): Roethlisberger has taken a lot of physical punishment in five weeks, but he takes a licking and keeps on ticking. The veteran threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns on the road against a formidable Jaguars defense. The Steelers have a bye in Week 6.
Kyle Orton, QB, Chicago (26 points): One of the better sleeper picks of the week, Orton de-clawed the Detroit Lions with a 334-yard, two-touchdown performance. Believe it or not, but Orton currently has more fantasy points than Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer after five weeks of action.
Other notables: Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona (23 points); Eli Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants (22 points); Clinton Portis, RB, Washington (21 points).
Duds
Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City (0 points): Johnson might have been the biggest disappointment of the week, as he rushed for two yards on seven carries in Carolina. That comes after two monstrous performances that made him a must-start option in most fantasy formats. L.J. has a bye in Week 6.
Santana Moss, WR, Washington (0 points): Moss had been one of the hottest wide receivers in fantasy football. That is, before he went to Lincoln Financial Field in Week 5. The Eagles held Moss without a single catch during the 23-17 loss, which resulted in a big, fat zero in fantasy leagues.
Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit (1 point): The Lions were a mess on both sides of the football against the Bears, but the offense was particularly terrible. That was bad news for Johnson, who had a weak stat line despite a positive matchup. Imagine what he'd be if Mike Martz were still around?
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle (2 points): Hasselbeck got Deion Branch and Bobby Engram back from injuries, but it didn't matter against the Giants stout defense. The veteran threw for 105 yards, no touchdowns with one interception and finished the game on the sidelines in an embarrassing loss.
Laurence Maroney, RB, New England (2 points): Maroney showed some immense potential in the 2007 postseason, but he's taken a serious fall from grace in fantasy land. He rushed for just 26 yards against the Niners and is losing carries to Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan and Kevin Faulk.
Other notables:Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver (2 points); Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee (4 points), LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego (5 points); Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City (5 points).
Have a burning question for Michael Fabiano on anything fantasy football related? Send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**, and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com!