Patience is rewarded for stars who are due

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.

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.

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QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

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.

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.

QB: Philip Rivers, Chargers

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

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

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.

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QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

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

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

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.

Winner: Denard Span -- Aaron Rodgers (28), Calvin Johnson (5.4), Jamaal Charles (23.1). Total points: 56.5

Loser: Michael Rand -- Philip Rivers (14.3), Jordy Nelson, (15.3), Michael Turner (23.1). Total points: 52.7