Patience is rewarded for stars who are due

Week 5 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Coming off a crushing loss to Denard Span by less than one point (see below), the Star Tribune's Michael Rand welcomes in guest picker Mac Wilson, the weekend host on 89.3 The Current. Wilson is allowed to pick anyone except the three players chosen last week by Span. Rand is not allowed to pick anyone ranked inside the top 10 in scoring at their respective positions. Mystery! Intrigue! Here we go:MAC WILSON'S WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Philip Rivers, Chargers

NFL.com QB scoring rank: No. 21. Matchup: Saints

The great thing about Rivers is that win or lose, there's a pretty good shot he'll put up tremendous numbers. I have full confidence that he'll shred the suddenly putrid Saints defense this weekend.

WR: Wes Welker, Patriots

NFL.com WR scoring rank: No. 24

Matchup: Broncos

Welker has been a longtime favorite of mine, and it's nice to see him starting to heat up after the supposed brouhahas. With no TDs this year, he's due, and I see him torching the Broncos for at least two scores.

RB: Ray Rice, Ravens

NFL.com RB scoring rank: No. 2

Matchup: Chiefs

I've always intensely disliked the Ravens, so I'm subversively going with their franchise cornerstone. Plenty of opportunities -- on the rushing AND receiving fronts -- in Baltimore's offense.

MICHAEL RAND'S WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

NFL.com QB scoring rank: No. 12. Matchup: Eagles

Big Ben has put up some rather large numbers already this season, and it says here that the trend will continue against Philadelphia -- a 3-1 team that could implode at any moment.

WR: Andre Johnson, Texans

NFL.com WR scoring rank: No. 18

Matchup: Jets

Houston might be the best team in the NFL right now, and Johnson is still waiting for a true breakout game. He gets it against the Jets because thankfully he doesn't have NY's QBs throwing to him.

RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings

NFL.com RB scoring rank: No. 13

Matchup: Titans

Peterson looked about 90-95 percent in his first three games. Against the Lions? That was the AP of old. He will run wild against the Titans and will get into the end zone at least once.

MAC WILSON'S WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS