NFL betting players are just as into the fantasy game as they are to the real thing, and here is who we think are going to have a big week; hopefully, they’re on your team.

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

Manning is going against Houston, and in Week 1, he was 40-of-57 for 433 yards and three touchdowns with no picks. In 17 career games against the Texans, Manning has a passer rating of 112.2 with 40 touchdowns and eight picks. We know Indy has a slew of injuries to their skill players, but we’re not betting against Manning, especially at home.

Dez Bryant, Dallas

Bryant caught just four passes for 54 yards against the Giants, but he had two scores in the fourth quarter, which means Jon Kitna, who replaces the injured Tony Romo, has faith in the rookie wideout that many think will be Dallas’ No.1 receiver sooner than you think. The Cowboys are going up against Jacksonville, who is 27^th in the league against the pass.

New York Jets’ Defense

The Jets are coming off a bye and will be playing at home against Green Bay, who played a tough game against Minnesota on Sunday night. The Jets will be anxiously awaiting the Packers at home, and they should have cornerback Darrelle Revis healthy for the first time all season. He’ll want to put on a show against Charles Woodson, who won the Defensive Player of the Year away over Revis last season. The Packers are also banged up, which not only aids your fantasy picks, but your sports betting picks as well.

In a league with so many elite quarterbacks, the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees has always managed to stick out as one of the best, and this season is proving no different. Fresh off his Super Bowl MVP campaign in 2009-10, Brees has been among the NFL’s passing and touchdown leaders again this year, leading the Saints to a 4-2 record with three games left to go before the team’s bye. Despite constantly achieving at the highest level, Brees has nevertheless faced doubt and criticism throughout his entire career. Questions about his size and throwing ability hurt his draft stock coming out of Purdue in 2001, and in San Diego, concerns about his durability and potential steered the Chargers away from offering him a max deal. In New Orleans, though, Brees has received the recognition and success he has desired, and with a Super Bowl victory under his belt, has finally entered the discussion of best quarterback in the NFL. This season, Brees started out relatively slowly, but following an injury scare in Week 3, has been leading the Saints to impressive football scores.

In New Orleans’ opening day tussle with Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings, Brees completed 75 per cent of his passes for 237 yards and a touchdown to kick-start the Saints’ title defence. History has shown that it takes a few regular season games for Brees to get back into top form, and sure

enough, most of Brees’ passes in both the opener and his second game were short throws, with his longest completions being only 29 and 30 yards, respectively.

The Saints dropped to 2-1 in Week 3 after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but concern in the locker room after the game centered more upon Brees’ health than the stunning late-game defeat. Brees was sacked in the second half of the game and injured his knee, but was ready to go in Week 4, leading New Orleans to 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers.

After a rough game against the Arizona Cardinals in which Brees was picked off three times and completed less than 62 per cent of his passes, the 10-year veteran came out on fire against Tampa Bay, throwing for two scores in as many quarters and finishing the game with 263 yards and three touchdowns.

Brees’ knee has apparently stopped bothering him, and the quarterback participated in the team’s full practice this week, as the Saints prepare to take on rookie pivot Colt McCoy and the lowly Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly, Brees’ most successful games this season have come against teams with weak pass defences. Against Cleveland, expect Brees to be able to hook up with his receivers more or less at will; the Browns allow their opponents to pass for nearly 230 yards per game. It remains to be seen if Brees can recapture the magic from last year, but it’s looking like the quarterback is gathering steam as the season progresses, which should translate directly to New Orleans’ rise in the NFL standings.