QUARTERBACKS:
STARTS
Jared Goff (@ WAS): It is tough to trust Goff with any sort of consistent production this year after last week’s debacle against the Giants, but I’m confident in a rebound performance against the Football Team. Washington is allowing 20.70 fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, which is 11th most in the NFL. The Rams are going to do what they can to get right this week after defeating the Giants last week.
Daniel Jones (@ DAL): Even though I am a fantasy football fan first before anything else nowadays, I have always been a Dallas Cowboys fan at heart. This team’s defense is so incredibly bad, and even struggled before all of the injuries. It’s clear through the first four weeks that something with the defensive scheme either is not clicking with the players, is not the right fit for the team, or some sort of adjustment needs to be made, somewhere. Daniel Jones is not the most accurate quarterback in the NFL, but against this defense, that statement likely will not matter this week. Dallas has allowed the third most passing touchdowns in the NFL, and simply cannot stop anyone right now. The Cowboys have an even bigger weakness against the run game, but being the Giants backs (without Saquon Barkley) are not all that special, the team is going to rely on Jones to air it out in this one. The Cowboys are going to be in a lot of shootouts this year, and in a game versus a division rival, and former head coach, I’d expect Jones to put up top 12 quarterback numbers this week.
SITS
Carson Wentz (@ PIT): Wentz is going against a Steelers defense that is top ten in the league against quarterbacks, averaging just 17.20 fantasy points per game to the position. Wentz himself has been struggling all year, and the lack of talent around him is showing. Wentz will be without DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Jalen Reagor, and Dallas Goedert in this matchup, leaving him with only RB Miles Sanders, TE Zack Ertz, and WRs Greg Ward, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and other wideouts you likely know nothing about, in a tough spot against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Baker Mayfield (vs. IND): The Colts are the very best defense against quarterbacks so far this season, though that is after a schedule of playing teams with below average quarterbacks in three of four weeks to this point. The Colts have played Gardner Minshew, Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins and Dak Prescott. This week, the red-hot Cleveland Browns take on the Colts. While Cleveland has been winning games recently, it’s been more about the production from their RBs. I’d rather avoid Mayfield if I can until a better matchup comes along.
RUNNING BACKS:
STARTS
Antonio Gibson (vs. LAR): The Football Team switched quarterbacks this week, naming Kyle Allen the starter against the Rams. Kyle Allen has been a career backup for the vast majority of his career, but it is noteworthy that he previously started games under Ron Rivera back in their Carolina days back in 2019 and peppered Christian McCaffrey with the most targets by any RB in the NFL last season. Now in Washington, rookie Antonio Gibson is the RB and is not even remotely close to the talent level of McCaffrey is in terms of skill, but that is the role he’s expected to play. I’m expecting tons of receptions in this game for Gibson as well as increased rushing totals, given Washington is trying to win football games and will do anything at this point.
Kenyan Drake (@ NYJ): I’ll list three reasons why you should start Kenyan Drake this week. First, the Jets will likely be playing from behind in this one, setting up game flow to be on Drake’s side. Let’s look into the numbers. The Jets are allowing the eighth most rushing attempts, eighth most rushing yards, and fifth most rushing touchdowns to running backs on the ground this year. The last reason I think you should start Drake this week is because, despite his lack of production to this point in the season, Drake is still averaging nearly 17 rushing attempts per game, so the volume is still there, he just hasn’t done much with it to this point. Expectations may have been a bit too high for Drake, who was a very late or early second round pick in most drafts, but now is not the time to bail on him just yet here in a good matchup. Game flow, matchup and volume are all on Drake’s side here.
SITS
Le’Veon Bell (vs. ARI): I would simply rather not trust a 28-year-old RB in his first game off of injured reserve, on a team with a backup quarterback, as 7.0 point underdogs, that still has Adam Gase as their head coach. This is an easy call. Pass.
Darrell Henderson, Jr (@ WAS): I’m not sure what happened in the game last week, but for some reason, Rams HC Sean McVay went away from using Henderson early in their game versus the Giants, opting for more Malcom Brown usage instead. This led to a mediocre eight carries for 22 yards on the ground and one reception for 16 yards as a receiver for Henderson. Henderson gets another tough matchup this week, and also, rookie teammate Cam Akers is set to return after missing the last few weeks due to an injury. Temper your expectations for Henderson this week.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
STARTS
CeeDee Lamb (vs. NYG): CeeDee Lamb has been an amazing find for the Cowboys. How he fell to the number seventeen overall spot in the draft is still beyond me. Lamb is currently the WR16 on the year and scored his first two touchdowns of the season last week. He now gets to face the 0-4 Giants in a divisional game that could shootout. With both Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, along with Ezekiel Elliott garnering most of the attention by the defense, Lamb in the slot might be the beneficiary of that all year, and especially in great matchups like he has this week at home against the Giants.
Justin Jefferson (@ SEA): This is an easy one. The Seahawks are allowing the most targets, receptions, yards, and fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Jefferson has been unleashed the last two weeks, in week 4 he put up 175 yards and one touchdown, and last week, Jefferson had over 100 receiving yards again. Let’s ride the hot hand in a good matchup this week.
SITS
A.J. Green (vs. BAL): It’s been a disappointing start to the season for the former top five receiver, but this is a matchup I’d strongly advise benching A.J. Green. The Ravens’ trio of defensive backs is among the best in the league, and over the last two weeks, it seems as if Tee Higgins is slowly earning Joe Burrow’s trust, more so than Green. Green is an easy fade this week.
DeVante Parker (@ SF): Currently sitting as a low-end number two wide receiver in fantasy, Parker has a tough matchup in San Francisco this week. The 49ers are allowing the sixth most receptions, ninth most targets, and allow the ninth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
TIGHT ENDS:
STARTS
Hunter Henry (@ NO): The Saints have been dreadful against the tight end this season, allowing 11 targets per game, eight receptions, 82.50 yards per game, and also five touchdowns to tight ends this season. Henry was regarded as a top ten tight end at the position by many this season, and I expect this to be a get right spot for him in New Orleans on Monday Night.
Eric Ebron (vs. PHI): Relying on Eric Ebron is not something you want to do all season, but in this matchup, he has a great chance to produce top 12 tight end numbers. The Eagles, against tight ends, have allowed the fifth most receptions, fifth most receiving yards, and five touchdowns to the position.
SITS
Austin Hooper (vs. IND): So far, my call to fade Austin Hooper this season has been working out, currently the number 24 tight end on the year, and I expect that to continue this week against the Colts in another tough matchup. The Colts and linebacker Darius Leonard just do not get frequently beaten by tight ends, and the numbers back that up. The Colts have allowed the least amount of receiving yards, no touchdowns, and are tied for the second least amount of receptions to the position this season. Given Hooper’s struggles to start the year, it’s safer to look elsewhere.
Mike Gesicki (@ SF): Gesicki has a matchup against a team that has allowed the fifth least amount of receptions, second least number of receiving yards, and no touchdowns to the tight end position this season. I like Gesicki as a player but look for an alternative this week.
DEFENSES:
STARTS
Steelers (vs. PHI): The Steelers defense are starting in your lineup just about every week, but in particular this week they have a great matchup. Wentz has really struggled this season, and without his top wideouts at his disposal, this one could get ugly for him. The Steelers have not only quality defensive backs, but their pass rush is among the best in the league as well.
Cardinals (@ NYJ): We were starting defenses against the Jets all year when Darnold was healthy. Now, with Darnold out, and Flacco named the starter, that is even more of a reason to start a defense verus the Jets. Every week.
SITS
Chargers (@ NO:) The Chargers will be travelling to New Orleans and facing on Drew Brees and the Saints offense. Brees is a shell of his former self, but if you’re looking for a defense to avoid, my suggestion is the Chargers. I just think all of the weapons New Orleans has, plus potentially the return of Michael Thomas, who is questionable, will be a bit much for the Chargers to handle.
Dolphins (@ SF): You most likely were not starting the Dolphins defense anyway, despite their top 15 rank at the defense position. However, this week in particular they are travelling across the country and will be in a tough matchup against the 49ers, who are getting healthier by the day. No thanks.
KICKERS:
STARTS
Zane Gonzalez (vs. NYJ): The Jets might be one of the five worst teams in the NFL at this point in time. Start whoever you can against them. Kickers included.
Joey Slye (@ ATL): I’m expecting a high scoring matchup between the Panthers and Falcons this week. Both of these teams have struggling defenses, and not quite elite offenses. Being this game has a 54.0 total and a close spread, I’d be willing to take a shot with Slye if I needed a fill in for this week.
SITS
Jake Elliott (@ PIT): I could be 100% wrong on my outlook of this game, but I just don’t believe the Eagles have any hope to keep this a competitive game against the Steelers here in week 5. It’s only a 44 total & the Steelers are seven-point favorites. I’ll pass on Elliott here.
Dustin Hopkins (vs. LAR): Easy avoid this week, with the QB change and the fact that this game only has a 46.0 total. On top of that, the Football Team is starting Kyle Allen instead of Dwayne Haskins this week, and while you’d think that might spark some life into the offense, I’d rather not take my chances here.
WEEK 5 SATURDAY NIGHT INJURY UPDATE:
QUARTERBACKS:
Sam Darnold (Shoulder) – DNP, Ruled Out. Flacco starts versus the Cardinals.
Jimmy Garoppolo (Ankle) – Named starting QB for Week 5.
Drew Lock (Shoulder) – Limited Practice on Friday. Questionable as of this writing.
RUNNING BACKS:
Austin Ekeler (Hamstring) – DNP, Ruled Out. Placed on Short Term Injured Reserve.
Le’Veon Bell (Hamstring) – Activated off short-term IR, will return.
Raheem Mostert (Knee) – Limited practice, looking towards a return.
Cam Akers (Ribs) – Full Practice, expected to return.
Zach Moss (Shin) – Limited practice, questionable.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Julio Jones (Hamstring) – DNP, Game Time Decision.
Henry Ruggs III (Hamstring) – Full practice, expected to play.
Bryan Edwards (Ankle) – DNP, out.
Breshad Perriman (Ankle) – DNP, not expected to play either.
A.J. Brown (Knee) – Limited practice. could return.
DeSean Jackson (Hamstring) – DNP, Ruled Out.
Corey Davis (COVID 19) – DNP, placed on the COVID-19 list, Will not play.
TIGHT ENDS:
Noah Fant (Ankle) – DNP, Ruled Out.
Jordan Akins (Concussion) – Limited practice, not expected to play.
COVID 19 SITUATIONS TO MONITOR AS OF SATURDAY NIGHT:
The Bills-Titans game was rescheduled to be played on Tuesday at 7:00 pm, but because the Titans do not follow rules, I am not so certain about the status of this one at this time.
Another game in question this week was Broncos-Patriots, but that game was moved to Monday night and should be able to play this week.
A strength coach in the Chiefs organization tested positive for COVID 19, but as of this writing, that game is not in jeopardy, to my knowledge.
It looks like all of these games are going to try and play, but have a backup plan in case, and keep all players from these games in your flex (Specifically BUF-TEN and DEN-NE) if you can.
That’s all for this week. Follow me on Twitter, @JoeyColonna if you would like to get in contact with me.
Good luck this week, everyone!
(Cover Photo: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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