Each week during the NFL season, we will rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Web site can give you.
Dallas, Detroit, Oakland and Tampa Bay are on bye this week.
2012 NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings — Quarterbacks
| Rk | Player | Team | OPPONENT | Notes |
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | at IND | Had best game yet (319-4-1) vs. Saints last week. |
| 2 | Drew Brees | NO | vs. SD | Leading league in yards (1,350), 24th in accuracy (57.6). |
| 3 | Matt Ryan | ATL | at WAS | No. 1 fantasy QB gets No. 31 passing defense. |
| 4 | Tom Brady | NE | vs. DEN | Put up 340 yards passing vs. Bills, 4 TDs (3 pass/1 rush). |
| 5 | Eli Manning | NYG | at CLE | Second to Brees in yards, Browns gave up 356 last week. |
| 6 | Robert Griffin III | WAS | vs. ATL | Rookie has same number of passing and rushing TDs (4). |
| 7 | Peyton Manning | DEN | at NE | No. 18 is 6-10 in regular season vs. Patriots, 36 TDs, 23 INTs. |
| 8 | Joe Flacco | BAL | at KC | Ravens throwing more than running, will it continue? |
| 9 | Cam Newton | CAR | vs. SEA | Rebounded vs. Falcons, but 'Hawks another tough test. |
| 10 | Philip Rivers | SD | at NO | Averaging less than 225 yards per game, breakout vs. NO? |
| 11 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | vs. PHI | Career vs. Eagles: 1-1, 314 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT total. |
| 12 | Matt Schaub | HOU | at NYJ (Mon.) | Revis-less Jets D not nearly as fearsome. |
| 13 | Andy Dalton | CIN | vs. MIA | Has 9 total TDs, only 3 INTs in last three games. |
| 14 | Michael Vick | PHI | at PIT | Steelers have had extra week to get healthy, ready for Eagles. |
| 15 | Jay Cutler | CHI | at JAC | Can he do it two games in a row? |
| 16 | Andrew Luck | IND | vs. GB | Had extra week to prepare for Packers. |
| 17 | Alex Smith | SF | vs. BUF | 49ers should feast on second straight AFC East opponent. |
| 18 | Christian Ponder | MIN | vs. TEN | Will Vikes let Ponder air it out against Titans (27th vs. pass)? |
| 19 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | BUF | at SF | First in league in passing TDs (12), tied for second in INTs (7). |
| 20 | Kevin Kolb | ARI | at STL (Thurs.) | Had first 300-3 game since Oct. 2010 last week. |
| 21 | Matt Hasselbeck | TEN | at MIN | Veteran gets start in place of Locker (shoulder). |
| 22 | Sam Bradford | STL | vs. ARI | Shaky O-line holding Rams' passing attack back. |
| 23 | Russell Wilson | SEA | at CAR | Rams bring rookie back to earth: 160 yards, 3 INT, 0 TDs. |
| 24 | Matt Cassel | KC | vs. BAL | Ravens not what Cassel needs to maintain hold on job. |
| 25 | Brandon Weeden | CLE | vs. NYG | Has 3:3 TD:INT ratio since tossing 4 picks in Week 1. |
| 26 | Ryan Tannehill | MIA | at CIN | Coming off of 432-yard effort (1 TD 2, INTs) at Arizona. |
Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:
OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points
Additional Week 5 Positional Rankings
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams
