It is in week five where the men are separated from the boys. 2-2 teams will be rising to the top of the league or falling to the bottom of it, so make your choices carefully. Here’s my spin on the week and, as always, I claim no responsibility for your failures, but all the credit for your successes.

Stock Trending Up

1.) Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be the biggest bust so far this year. New coach, new players, new system, yet some old Tampa Bay results. Well, Drew Brees will be in the comfort of the Superdome when he shreds Lovie Smith’s defense this Sunday. Buy high on all New Orleans offensive starters this week.

2.) Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers: What a tough start it’s been for the big man in the Packers backfield. Some injury concerns and tough matchups have led to a slow start. Well, for those of you who were like me and chose Lacy, it’s finally time to see his production turn around. He’ll be at home for his matchup against the Vikings where he should show why he was a top five fantasy pick.

3.) Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Is there another wide receiver in the NFL who has played better this year? No, there isn’t. Julio Jones is having a monster season this year after he lost the 2013 campaign for the foot injury. Julio is Matt Ryan’s favorite target in an offense that has enough weapons to take the focus off of just Jones. Add in a bad Atlanta defense that will find themselves in a shootout any given week and Julio’s potential is huge. This week he’ll play a Giants team that does not have a strong secondary, and I have a feeling Julio will be going off again.

Stock Trending Down

1.) Kirk Cousins, QB, Washington: Could Robert Griffin III be one of the biggest busts of draft history? Well that conversation is for a different day, but right now the Washington Redskins find Kirk Cousins their starting quarterback. Although he has looked great so far, this week he’ll take on the almighty Legion of Boom. And yes, I know Seattle does not travel well and in week two Philip Rivers tore this Seattle defense up when they weren’t in Seattle. I’d only start Cousins if you absolutely need to.

2.) Jamaal Charles, HB, Kansas City Chiefs: Speaking of draft busts, Jamaal Charles has been a pretty big fantasy draft bust so far. Yet, the “Big 3” of running backs have all played pretty bad so far. This week Charles will play a ruthless front seven in San Francisco. And yes, I know I told you to be aware of LeSean McCoy last week going against this same team at this same stadium, but that just goes to show how solid the 49ers are. Buy low on Charles this week.

3.) Donald Brown, HB, San Diego Chargers: I have torn apart the Jets secondary all year in these columns. But as terrible as their defensive backfield is, they boast one of the best defensive lines in all of the NFL. I can’t see the Chargers running backs doing much against this formidable front lead by Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. I’d look elsewhere this week.

Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

1.) Knile Davis, HB, Kansas City Chiefs: Anyone that drafted Jamaal Charles best already have this player. Knile Davis has proven that he can be a reliable running back when Jamaal goes down. If Jamaal continues to get beat up or shut down in games, Knile Davis is going to be the back that comes in and attempts to clean up the mess. Definitely worth a spot on your bench.

2.) Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis Rams: How can you not like a wide receiver whose last name is “Quick?” I mean come on, this guy sounds like a player I made in Madden 07! Well, regardless of his name, Quick has shown that he can flat out play. He’s also the new favorite target of Austin Davis, which shows he’ll get lots of targets the rest of the way this year. Quick could very well be this year’s version of Keenan Allen and be a key player for fantasy teams down the stretch.

3.) San Diego Defense: Is this the second week in a row I’m advising a pickup of the San Diego defense? Yes. Where are they playing this week? In San Diego. Who’re they playing? The New York Jets. Enough said.