Week 5 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, WR and RB who he or she believes will score big in fantasy that week. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. This week's guest picker — KARE 11's Eric Perkins, who sent in an extended pun with his picks — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone ranked in the top 10 by NFL.com experts at their respective positions:
eric perkins' WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Peyton Manning, Broncos
NFL.com weekly ranking: No. 1
Matchup: Cowboys
I'll take him because he briefly went to Tanglen Elementary in Hopkins when his dad, Archie, lived here. And my mother-in-law works there.
RB: Reggie Bush, Lions
NFL.com weekly projection: No. 4
Matchup: Packers
2005 called and it wants its Reggie back. The Packers can't stop the run, and Reggie can't stop running. Expect big things from this Kardashian discard.
WR: Eric Decker, Broncos
NFL.com weekly projection: No. 11
Matchup: Cowboys
Manning is coming in like Miley on a wrecking ball. Last week he favored Welker and this week it's Decker's turn. Plus they're playing the Cowboys.
MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 5 FANTASY PICKS
QB: Jay Cutler, Bears
NFL.com weekly ranking: No. 23
Matchup: Saints
I'm going with the garbage fantasy points philosophy here and banking on the red-hot Saints being up big and the Bears needing to throw the ball. It's not a fun way to win, but winning is fun.
RB: Frank Gore, 49ers
NFL.com weekly projection: No. 13
Matchup: Texans
Houston is demoralized after last week's loss to Seattle, and downtrodden teams tend to lay down and let teams run all over them. I fully expect Frank Gore and the 49ers to do just that.
WR: Kenbrell Thompkins, Patriots
NFL.com weekly projection: No. 13
Matchup: Bengals
Tom Brady has to throw to somebody, and he is aiming it at Thompkins with increasing frequency. He was targeted 11 times last week, when he had 127 yards and a TD.
SCOREBOARD WEEK 4 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)
Winner: Maggie LaMaack — Philip Rivers (26.0), Adrian Peterson (26.0), Dez Bryant (20.1). Total: 72.1.
Loser: Michael Rand — Drew Brees (32.7), Jamaal Charles (18.7), Eric Decker (8.8). Total: 60.2.
Overall standings: Guest pickers 2-2.
