By ROB SHAW
Sportsnet.ca
Time to get your fantasy lineup set before the stars start cooking. Last weekend, Brett Favre and Kurt Warner proved to be well-done, while Reggie Bush and Thomas Jones were a bit too rare for my taste. Brian Westbrook and Carson Palmer sitting out was simply raw. Before you set your fantasy lineup, here's a look at the recipe for success.
TENNESSEE AT BALTIMORE
WELL-DONE
TENN- Justin Gage is a perfect selection this weekend now that his injury is in the past. With Kerry Collins under centre, this team is throwing the ball more than ever and last week's 92 yards receiving tells us that Gage is ready to rack up the yards and points.
BAL- The Titans might be 4-0, but let's not kid ourselves; Kerry Collins is a loose cannon. It's time to start the Ravens defence and hope for the Titans' mistakes to prove costly.
MEDIUM RARE
TENN - The rushing attack is split, but solid. Both LenDale White and Chris Johnson have managed to have some fantasy value, but be warned: against the Ravens, starting either might prove to be a raw deal.
BAL - The leading rusher for the Ravens is Le'Ron McClain. No, really. The fact that McGahee is once again banged up tells me McClain is the guy to start.
BURNT
TENN - For those who haven't done their homework, Alge Crumpler hasn't been all that good this year. At tight end, the name to know has been Bo Scaife.
BAL - Yes, Joe Flacco has enjoyed a marvelous season, but not from a fantasy perspective. Flacco has tossed just one touchdown this season.
KANSAS CITY AT CAROLINA
WELL DONE
KC- Larry Johnson is back and there is plenty to enjoy. Johnson is the focal point of the offence and could rack up 150-plus rushing yards with a touchdown or two each weekend.
CAR- Muhsin Muhammad appears to be the real deal once again. It must be something about Carolina, or perhaps it's his rapport with Jake Delhomme, but he's a decent third option.
MEDIUM RARE
KC - The move to Damon Huard seems to have helped Dwayne Bowe, as the second-year star is fresh off a seven-catch, 85-yard performance.
CAR - With a couple of receivers to choose between, Jake Delhomme is enjoying a fine bounce-back season. The only thing that hurts him this weekend is the Chiefs' ability to slow down the contest with a grueling rushing game.
BURNT
KC - The best defence is their slow-paced offence. How else to explain a team with just two interceptions and three sacks though four games?
CAR- The rushing game is split down the middle without a fantasy winner. DeAngelo Williams gets the yards while Jonathan Stewart gets the touchdowns. If desperate, Stewart seems to be the better start.
CHICAGO AT DETROIT
WELL DONE
CHI - After watching the past two games, I have to think that Kyle Orton is actually capable of a shootout.
DET - Rudi Johnson doesn't have the ideal matchup, but he will be the Lions' lead tailback.
MEDIUM RARE
CHI - Though his overall numbers are solid, Matt Forte's rushing yards have been in decline each week this season.
DET - The greatest flaw of Calvin Johnson is that he relies on a quarterback to get him the ball.
BURNT
CHI - All that excitement about Devin Hester as a receiver has been tempered, since there is a wide array of options for Orton to find.
DET - Jon Kitna has been banged up and a far cry from the steady performer of recent years.
ATLANTA AT GREEN BAY
WELL DONE
ATL - Considering Aaron Rodgers will not be at 100 per cent, plus the struggles of Ryan Grant, the Falcons' defence might be a decent option this weekend.
GB - Greg Jennings ranks among the best wideouts in the NFL this season.
MEDIUM RARE
ATL - Michael Turner hit his first road bump this past weekend. However, the Packers defence does allow 157 rushing yards per game.
GB - Keep an eye on Branson Jackson. The running back drafted in the second round last season may get a shot at some playing time if Grant continues to falter.
BURNT
ATL - Matt Ryan has yet to throw a touchdown on the road. Yikes!
GB - A sprained shoulder plus an ugly performance last weekend puts a damper on Mr. Rodgers.
INDIANAPOLIS AT HOUSTON
WELL DONE
IND - The Colts go against a porous secondary that Peyton Manning should be able to exploit.
HOU - Matt Schaub finally broke through last weekend. Now he faces a solid defence that will be lacking its glue (Bob Sanders).
MEDIUM RARE
IND - Anthony Gonzalez is the name to know as Marvin Harrison seems to take steps closer to retirement.
HOU - Steve Slaton seems to take steps to fantasy stardom, but will he be able to offer enough consistency without solid rushing totals? There will be some dry spells.
BURNT
IND - Without Bob Sanders, this is not the same defence that we have learned to love.
HOU - Andre Johnson has taken a back seat to Kevin Walter. That should change any game now.
SAN DIEGO AT MIAMI
WELL DONE
SD - Philip Rivers has taken a giant leap to stardom this season. Expect him to pass at will against the Dolphins early.
MIA - Ronnie Brown goes for an encore after a historic performance against the Patriots.
MEDIUM RARE
SD - It's good to have LaDainian Tomlinson back and healthy. He might have been a bit too rare early without preseason action, but he's plenty juicy now.
MIA - Anthony Fasano has climbed the charts this season as one of the better tight end options in the NFL.
BURNT
SD - Without Shawn Merriman the Chargers defence has lost its voltage. Three of four teams have scored greater than 25 points against them. Heck, the Raiders put up 18 last weekend, which is the equivalent of 40.
MIA - Chad Pennington's two touchdowns came in the season opener. His goal is to simply limit his mistakes.
SEATTLE AT NEW YORK
WELL DONE
SEA - Julius Jones has been the anchor of this team. Injuries may have opened the door, but he hasn't let it shut.
NYG - Eli Manning has let the momentum carry into this season and even without Plaxico, he should keep his fantasy managers happy.
MEDIUM RARE
SEA - Bobby Engram is expected to return, which is great news for the Seattle passing game.
NYG - Amani Toomer and Steve Smith are the names to know this weekend with Burress out due to suspension.
BURNT
SEA - Matt Hasselbeck will be just fine. However, the Giants aren't the team to start him against.
NYG - The Seahawks defence has allowed an average of 88 yards against on the ground this season. Sounds like a good time to rest Brandon Jacobs if you have better options.
WASHINGTON AT PHILADELPHIA
WELL DONE
WAS - Jason Campbell seems to be gaining steam. He just polished off the Cowboys on the road and has yet to throw an interception all season.
PHI - Rookie DeSean Jackson continues to play like a lead receiver for the Eagles.
MEDIUM RARE
WAS - Though there may be flashier options, Clinton Portis has been one of the most consistent running backs in the NFL.
PHI - Donovan McNabb has not enjoyed a multi-touchdown game since the season debut.
BURNT
WAS - Chris Cooley has yet to find the end zone, while Santana Moss has returned as the focal point of the offence.
PHI - Brian Westbrook has not looked much better in practice. Looks like another weekend of Correll Buckhalter.
TAMPA BAY AT DENVER
WELL DONE
TB - Earnest Graham came through last weekend with 111 rushing yards and a touchdown, while the passing game struggled.
DEN - Jay Cutler has elevated to fantasy stardom this season with nine touchdowns and four interceptions, while averaging a sensational 319 passing yards per game.
MEDIUM RARE
TB - After racking up 138 yards against the Bears, Antonio Bryant had four receptions for 39 yards last Sunday.
DEN - Eddie Royal is enjoying a fine rookie season as he ranks ninth in the league with 298 receiving yards this season.
BUNRT
TB - Brian Griese has thrown three interceptions in each of his past two games.
DEN - Thanks to a split backfield, and a pass-first offense, Selvin Young is only averaging 57 rushing yards per game.
BUFFALO AT ARIZONA
WELL DONE
BUF - Trent Edwards has led the way for Buffalo with four touchdowns and an average of 233 passing yards per game.
ARI - Kurt Warner is fresh off a 472-yard passing attack that brought the Cardinals back in a game without Matt Leinart ever leaving the bench. That spells job security, plus performance.
MEDIUM RARE
BUF - Thanks to improved talent in the receiving corps, Lee Evans has returned to fantasy relevance with 83 receiving yards per game.
ARI - Steve Breaston is a name to know. The Cardinals third receiver will likely spell Anquan Boldin in this contest. Last weekend, he established career highs with nine receptions and 122 yards.
BURNT
BUF - Despite all the optimism that rookie wideout James Hardy would play a big role this season, fantasy managers are frustrated to find that he has just two grabs for 12 yards on the season.
ARI - Though statistically Edgerrin James is enjoying a fine season, the numbers certainly show that Tim Hightower is landing a bigger role in a split backfield.
CINCINNATI AT DALLAS
WELL DONE
CIN - In trying season, T.J. Houshmandzadeh hasn't been all that bas as his 67 yards per game are just four yards short of last year's rate.
DAL - Jason Witten leads the Cowboys with 363 receiving yards, an average of 91 yards per game.
MEDIUM RARE
CIN - Though he has struggled recently, Chris Perry remains the lead tailback for the Bengals, while Cedric Benson will add some depth.
DAL - Even with all the frustration in not getting the ball enough, Terrell Owens ranks among the top wideouts with four touchdowns this season.
BURNT
CIN - The injury status of Carson Palmer remains up in the air, though you can probably expect the Bengals to rest him once again.
DAL - What happened to their defence? The Cowboys have allowed more points than any other team in the NFC East.
NEW ENGLAND AT SAN FRANCISCO
WELL DONE
NE - LaMont Jordan has been a surprise contributor, leading the Patriots in rushing yards with 90.
SF - Despite concerns that Frank Gore would struggle under Mike Martz, he has actually improved with three touchdowns and 92 rushing yards per game.
MEDIUM RARE
NE - During the bye week, Bill Belichick remained confident in Matt Cassel, despite reports that rookie Kevin O'Connell may garner more reps.
SF - Arnaz Battle has flourished under the role of lead receiver, while Bryant Johnson was out with an injury. He made seven grabs for 120 yards in Week 4.
BURNT
NE - The Patriots have yet to score 20 points in a game this season.
SF - With five grabs on the season, tight end Vernon Davis remains a bust since being drafted with the sixth pick in the 2006 draft.
PITTSBURGH AT JACKSONVILLE
WELL DONE
PIT - With a stalled running game, you can expect to see the Steelers go to the air. Santonio Holmes is usually the player who comes down with it.
JAC - Matt Jones has been the surprise star for the Jaguars offence this season. He's had at least five grabs in each game this season while averaging 61 receiving yards.
MEDIUM RARE
PIT - The Steelers have the second best defence in the NFL when it comes to yards allowed. Expect the Jaguars to struggle to move the ball.
JAC - David Garrard has struggled for most of the season, but did enjoy a possible breakthrough against the Texans last week with 236 passing yards and his second touchdown of the season.
BURNT
PIT - The Steelers rushing game is brunt to a crisp with Willie Parker out this week and rookie Rashard Mendenhall out for the season. Mewelde Moore gets the honour of leading the rushing attack.
JAC - Maurice Jones-Drew managed just 49 yards in his most recent contest. Fantasy managers are likely disappointed with his services for a second year in a row.
MINNESOTA AT NEW ORLEANS
WELL DONE
MIN - Adrian Peterson has lived up to expectations with a consistency we did not see his rookie season.
NO - Drew Brees has found ways to put up numbers, even with Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey sidelined by injuries. Expect more of the same against the Vikings this weekend.
MEDIUM RARE
MIN - The Vikings strength is their defence, as they are allowing just 279.3 yards per game. Of course, the Saints pose a challenge, averaging 327.3 passing yards alone.
NO - Lance Moore has evolved as a solid first option for the passing attack. He should be in fantasy lineups after racking up 179 receiving yards over the past two games.
BURNT
MIN - Gus Frerotte has not been the answer at quarterback. The passing game is nonexistent.
NO - After weeks of gathering dust, Deuce McAllister was fine last weekend. Looks like the aging tailback has a bit more left in him.
