Storyline: Looking around the League here are my Fantasy picks for NFL Week 5.Written by Andrew Trentor, Wisconsin
Let start at the top with some QB’s-this week’s highest scoring game consists of 2 QB’s I really like in a potential shootout. Obviously we have Tom Brady8800 with the offensive team around him to embarrass the Cowboys at home. But that reasoning is exactly why I think we can find a little more value in Brandon Weeden6400, Most likely playing from behind and against a defense that allows a whopping 20.4 pts per game to opposing quarterbacks this season means Dallas should be forced to keep the ball in the air more than not, even with some garbage time points if we’re lucky.
Sam Bradford7500 and the Eagles, who are projected to be the 3rd highest scoring offense this week, should be a good play, especially if his porcelain knees don’t break before the 3rd quarter. The Saints have been giving up the most points of all teams to opposing team’s quarterbacks, meaning this is a favorable matchup for the mid-priced Sam.
Running backs have been the most volatile position for me this year, but I hope we’re getting it together soon. Dion Lewis6900 has arguably emerged and became the clear cut #1 for the Pats. If Vegas is right and the Pats score their projected 28 points, I could see him getting 2 of those bad boys before Blount takes over to kill the clock. Dion just signed a 2-year extension, meaning he has earned his spot on this team.
Of all the “top tier” running backs, this week I am paying up for Leveon Bell9000, He’s playing SD and their 2nd most points allowed to opposing running backs @a great 27,–contrary to them only allowing 14 points on average to opposing receivers total, means game flow should keep the ball in this man’s hands. Those stats paired with Vick still the interim QB means all signs point ^ for Mr. Bell today and Pitts’ running game.
Justin Forsett7200: With Baltimore projected to score 27 points this week at home vs. the Browns they should be up from the get-go, looking to play it safe and keep the ball on the ground, especially against a bottom 5 run D. It doesn’t hurt much either that Steve Smith is still banged up with his rib injury.
Any time we can get a starting positional player for the minimum value or close to it is a panty dropper for the rest of our lineup–even if the player himself may not be all that exiting, which brings us to the dud of the week–Anthony Dixon4500. I know nothing of Boobie, other than Buffalo could be on the struggle bus this week with Shady and Kwill out and Sammy Watkins being a game-time decision. However, if this guy even puts up 12 points you can go to pound town with the rest of your lineup and have a good shot at making a run for it.
Rashad Jennings6200: I understand it’s hard to get behind this guy. HOWEVER, he’ playing at home vs. the worst team in the league. NYG is favored by 7 but, realistically, winning by 12+ means he could be in for a heyday–and not highly owned heyday at that. Unless Ethan reads this, who knows. ***won’t be using him much given the RBBC, but guy has a high ceiling and and this is a favorable matchup.
Also, for what it’s worth, I think this is the week Freeman goes back into poop mode. People playing him are NUTS against the Washington D that allows only 9ppg to RBs. Coleman taking carries back from Freeman … it’s just not that viable of an option to keep riding this guy’s train. Hop off and be glad you enjoyed the ride if you did. if you didn’t the trains derailing so be glad you didn’t get on.
Let’s sneak over to wide receivers and the underrated, Travis Benjamin6200. Why he is only 6200 is beyond me. Playing Baltimore, which gives up the 2nd most points to receivers and more than likely playing from behind, I think Cleveland will want to keep the ball in the air and give Travis long-ball explosion potential. Not having scored less than 10 points in any game this year, and averaging 17pts, I am liking this week to one of his top 3 of the year.
I am pained to say this, but I think we can find some good value, or at least high upside (with high risk) in something like Snead5300. Snead is slowly creeping at becoming the #1 target in New Orleans offense. Cooks is the #1, but he runs the deep routes and takes the #1 corner (usually) with him. Currently Breese doesn’t have the arm to thrown down field as much as we would like to get Cooks the looks he deserves. This leads Snead to be more of an Edelman-type player and get short quick passes that help us build points fast with easy receptions. Saints should be trailing in this away game, making for a solid opportunity for the passing game to be dominant here.
Edelman7700 couldn’t ‘not’ make the list, for obvious reasons, and some mentioned above. He has a pretty good floor this week, and a good bit of upside if Dallas can make a game out of this and keep Brady throwing.
Alshon Jeffery7600, if he plays Sunday vs. KC he’s a top 5 WR potential with Cutler throwing to him and with the Bears playing from behind. I like the matchup a lot.
A lot of focus has been in the DAL/NE game but as they say. “Vegas knows best,” and these points have to come from somewhere. I like Terrence Williams5900 to hit is easily obtainable value, especially as a wr1 on a trailing offense. Love the matchup he has @home in a shootout.
Another guy we cannot forget to mention–playing above his pay grade this year is Jeremy Macklin6900 vs a god awful Bears. This guy’s floor is pretty high, to say the least. He should have no troubles @ home, other than Alex Smith being his QB. Chicago’s secondary should be bad enough to allow Jmack to go home eating good.
Keenan Allen7700 with Pit struggling to be better than average vs WR1 and Gates returning to take some pressure off of Keenan, we could see him help the squad from behind quite a bit. He has a good connection with Rivers from what it looks like, averaging 12 targets a game. The only thing I would watch for here IS Gates’ return. He might be pretty valuable in his own–nothing but solid press around him thus far.
Piercy Harvin5400 is pretty much the only healthy player left on Buffalo. He should be easy value if Watkins is out. If Watkins plays… maybe leave him on the bench. Maybe leave him on the bench, regardless. With Harvin who knows anymore.
Pierre Garcon6200 should be the only viable player off of Washington this week. Playing on the road and most likely from behind should at least provide opportunities for him to show some self-wort
**obviously your studs are studs, players like OBJ – Demaryius – Julio Jones…fit these guys in where you can, but they don’t change week-to-week, as volatile as the players we talked about here. However, I don’t like some of the studs’ matchups this week. So it might be a week to pay up for just 1, and ride the wave with 2 b players and monster-up everywhere else.
Let’s quickly get into tight ends. Owen Daniels4900 should be a solid hit vs. Oakland allowing the most points to tight ends this year. Same thing with Zack Erts5000. And I don’t mind paying for Charles Clay5500, if you can afford it against a poor tight end defending defense, Tennessee. Witten5700 and Gates5000 are facing decent matchups as well. As always, if you can afford GRONK8400 in your lineup you Minna swell get him in there.
I don’t see any huge Defenses this week. I’m going to play NYG against SF for cheap, easy points, and rotate a few GB at home in there for the shits of it as well.
Kickers are always a crap shoot. Maybe throw Bailey in there or Crosby should be good for 9.
