What You Need to Know From Week 5

Photo: USA Today Sports

LAR-SEA

• The Seattle run defense was stout at first and briefly sidelined Darrell Henderson. Sony Michel was workmanlike but not special in Henderson’s stead. Henderson returned to the game and scored. When you add in Michel’s second score, the Seahawks remain a good matchup to exploit against the run. Michel still has value as Henderson can’t seem to avoid the injury bug.
• Sean McVay said he wanted to get more opportunities for Robert Woods and he wasn’t lying. After Woods posted a huge 12-150 line, we won’t get many more questions about whether to start him.
• Tyler Higbee scored, but also got a little banged up. He’s adequate at tight end, but this pass offense runs through the top two receivers. Even if Kupp or Woods go down, Van Jefferson would probably be the bigger winner for fantasy.
• Russell Wilson went down with a broken finger that will sideline him for a month or more. Geno Smith was better than expected, but he seemed better suited to support DK Metcalf’s value than Tyler Lockett’s.
• Alex Collins got the start with Chris Carson’s neck acting up. He wasn’t that impressive as a runner but got more passing game production and involvement than anticipated. He’s a hold with Carson’s neck issue looming.

NYJ-ATL

• The Jets offense looked better vs. the weak Titans defense in Week 4, but had trouble with the weak Falcons defense in Week 5. We can’t really trust any option in this offense after both Jamison Crowder and Corey Davis came up small in a great matchup.
• Michael Carter scored and led the Jets backfield in touches for the second straight week. He’s useful enough depth to carry through his bye in typical leagues.
• Kyle Pitts finally broke out but it’s unclear if it’s sustainable when the Falcons aren’t facing the Jets with Calvin Ridley out due to personal reasons, but now there’s at least something to fear if you don’t start Pitts.
• Cordarrelle Patterson is a foundational part of the Falcons offense and every week start going forward. Another productive high volume day should end any doubts about the nature of his breakout.

NE-HOU

• Damien Harris scored, but also had another costly fumble, this time at the goal line. Harris also left for a bit with a minor chest injury. Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t look like anything special and neither did this offense, so there’s probably not much there, but the Patriots didn’t have four of their five starting offensive lineman, so the running game could be better when the line gets healthier.
• Hunter Henry clearly moved ahead of Jonnu Smith in the target pecking order and he’s a good start against Dallas this week. Smith is on the fringe of rosterable at the ever-churning tight end position in fantasy.
• Mac Jones led a comeback win, but didn’t create any fantasy stars at wide receiver and didn’t generate much of a stat line for himself either. The erosion of the Patriots defense creating more garbage time against better teams is just about the only path to value for Jones in fantasy this year.
• Brandin Cooks was covered well, but Chris Conley and Chris Moore got free for long touchdowns. Davis Mills was actually very successful against Bill Belichick even though he’s a rookie who wasn’t supposed to start this early in his career. The Patriots are a bottom half of the league team, including the defense.

DET-MIN

• The Lions pass offense was underwhelming because the defense (and conservative decision making from the Vikings) kept them in the game. Jared Goff’s 2QB/Superflex value, and T.J. Hockenson’s value will be better if the Lions have to go into garbage time mode, but they keep fighting and hanging in against superior rosters.
• D’Andre Swift’s late touchdown was a gift-wrapped score after an inexplicable Alexander Mattison fumble with less than two minutes left. He has been a PPR RB1 more often than he has disappointed and looks like a hit at ADP.
• Kirk Cousins and Adam Thielen came up small in a great matchup because the Vikings wanted to coast home once they opened up a 13-6 lead in the first half. This conservative nature holding down passing production could be a risk against the inconsistent Panthers offense this week.
• Alexander Mattison was great for fantasy and until his near game-losing fumble, so if Dalvin Cook isn’t 100%, the Vikings have no reason to rush him back at Carolina.

PHI-CAR

• Jalen Hurts and the Eagles pass offense was miserable for most of the game, but he bailed out fantasy teams with two rushing scores, including one gift off of a late punt block.
• DeVonta Smith looks like the best weekly play from this pass offense, but Zach Ertz could be excellent on Thursday with Dallas Goedert likely to sit because he was placed on the covid list.
• Sam Darnold’s fantasy hot start hit a wall against an Eagles defense that had a strong day vs. San Francisco too. Only D.J. Moore is a reliable play in this pass offense, but Darius Slay did a good job against him on an afternoon when he picked Darnold twice. It still didn’t result in a good fantasy day for Robby Anderson despite enough targets to have one. Anderson is a tenuous hold at best.
• Chuba Hubbard was a workhorse in a close game after being marginalized in the second half of a blowout last week. He should be held on benches even though Christian McCaffrey is likely to return this week.

NO-WAS

• Jameis Winston’s volume is remaining low, but the Washington pass defense is generous and a prayer was answered on a first half hail mary (to Marquez Callaway so don’t call it a breakout game) to help the Saints deliver. This is more “play any quarterback against Washington” (Patrick Mahomes II this week) than proof of Winston maybe having sustained value.
• Taylor Heinicke looked like an overmatched backup, but the word is that the organization might stick with him even though Ryan Fitzpatrick is ready to come back in Week 7. Pick up Fitzpatrick in 2QB/Superflex. The Week 7 starter may be determined by how Heinicke plays against the Chiefs this week.
• Antonio Gibson scored twice and looked fine despite playing an injury that was revealed to be a stress fracture in his shin this week. J.D. McKissic played an insignificant role even though the Football Team was playing from behind.
• Ricky Seals-Jones was on the field for almost every snap, got eight targets, and three in the end zone. He’ll be a good streamer until Logan Thomas is back. Curtis Samuel’s groin keeping him out only enhances Seals-Jones viability.

TEN-JAX

• It’s Derrick Henry’s world, we’re just living in it. Never fade him vs. Jacksonville.
• A.J. Brown was back, looked healthy, and got through the game without a setback. Don’t sweat the small result despite a good matchup.
• James Robinson is going to overcome anything you put in front of him. He’s an everyweek fantasy play, no questions asked, even though Carlos Hyde was embarrassingly stuffed in the backfield on a decisive fourth down and goal.
• Arnold, Agnew, and Austin were the top pass catchers with D.J. Chark out, not Laviska Shenault or Marvin Jones. Trevor Lawrence might be ok because he’s getting more as a runner, getting the benefit of garbage time, and learning the quarterback sneak, but this passing game won’t support a consistent fantasy play otherwise.

MIA-TB

• Jacoby Brissett was set to make this a fun game until he hurt his hamstring. The Dolphins might really be better with him in, but Tua Tagovailoa is likely to return this week, or maybe next.
• Myles Gaskin broke out as a pass catcher with George Godsey calling plays. Coincidence? Maybe, since Brissett had to dump off more because of his lack of mobility and the Bucs encourage teams to pass almost exclusively, but here’s hoping the Dolphins realize he’s one of their best offensive players.
• Preston Williams showed he still has some run, so even with Will Fuller and Devante Parker out and the Dolphins going over 80% pass heavy, Mike Gesicki and Jaylen Waddle weren’t great plays.

GB-CIN

• The Bengals defense made some plays in coverage and with the pass rush to contain Aaron Rodgers for most of the game - as long as he wasn’t throwing to Davante Adams, who was getting open and catching passes at will.
• A.J. Dillon got more work as a pass catcher, including a touchdown, but it’s still Aaron Jones backfield.
• Joe Burrow had a couple of ill-timed interceptions, but he still had chances to win because Mason Crosby went on a nightmarish streak of missed game-winning kicks before finally making one on his fourth try. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson missed two game winners of his own. Burrow wasn’t super productive despite the good matchup, but he got hit hard in this one and ended up in the hospital because of a throat injury despite finishing the game. He’ll be fine for Week 6 vs. the Lions.
• Joe Mixon didn’t get the start, but he did score and didn’t look too limited. Samaje Perine also scored as a receiver and was adequate and stubborn on his touches. Perine just landed on the covid list, so as long as Mixon has a decent week of practice, he should carry the load against the Lions. Don’t drop Perine if you can help, it’s probably not the last time Mixon’s availability will be threatened by an injury this year.
• Tyler Boyd is going to make crucial conversions, but with Tee Higgins back and Ja’Marr Chase still balling out, Boyd isn’t worth starting in a typical week now that the Bengals offense is balanced.
• C.J. Uzomah came back to earth after his huge Week 4. He can go back to the waiver wire.

DEN-PIT

• Teddy Bridgewater was quiet until the tempo sped up and he threw more downfield in an attempt to come back from a huge deficit. Courtland Sutton’s ankle was fine on his long touchdown, and Tim Patrick continued to show good chemistry with Bridgewater, while Noah Fant’s chemistry with Bridgewater still hasn’t developed.
• Ben Roethlisberger had a couple of good downfield throws, but with a good defensive performance and the first good running game blocking performance, his volume was low. Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool caught touchdowns to anchor good fantasy days, and a season-ending shoulder injury to Juju Smith-Schuster will keep the target tree narrowed and supporting both as every week starts in fantasy leagues.

CHI-LV

• The Bears are going to be very boring for fantasy as long as the defense keeps games low scoring. We’ll see if they do that against the Packers this week at Soldier Field.
• Khalil Herbert was in a 50-50 committee with Damien Williams. Williams got the score, but Herbert was just as good and will keep Williams value down. Herbert is worth rostering in longer bench leagues.
• Derek Carr struggled for the second straight week. Defenses are containing Darren Waller and the pass offense is relying on shorter passers as Carr is reverting to the form that has been frustrating in fantasy leagues before his hot start. Who knows how he will respond to Jon Gruden leaving.
• Josh Jacobs looked a little better than last week, got more opportunities in the passing game, and scored, which is enough to put him back in lineups as an RB2 with Kenyan Drake a non-factor.

CLE-LAC

• This was an instant classic with Baker Mayfield bouncing back in a big way. David Njoku and Donovan Peoples-Jones were the top targets and Odell Beckham was invisible as this passing game was unpredictable even on a great day in a 47-42 contest.
• The Chargers defense was greatly improved this year under Brandon Staley, but they had no answer for the Browns running game.
• Justin Herbert had his first massive fantasy game of the year. He won’t be on benches in fantasy leagues any time soon.
• Mike Williams had another week winning performance to help soothe any pain from his Week 4 dud.
• Austin Ekeler looked like Christian McCaffrey in the win, although the Browns drug him over the goal line for his last score as he was looking to run down the clock to a game-winning chipshot instead.
• Donald Parham continues to impress and Jared Cook wasn’t as big a part of the passing game, so don’t be shocked if this situation shifts to Parham at some point. Keep Parham on your waiver wire watch list.

NYG-DAL

• Daniel Jones suffered a concussion, Saquon Barkley a sprained ankle, and Kenny Golladay a knee injury in this disastrous game. None are sure to play in Week 6. The Giants might start Mike Glennon and Devontae Booker against the Rams.
• Kadarius Toney took over the offense and might have made a big enough impression to be the #1 receiver going forward. He was also thrown out of the game for his role in a fight and suffered an ankle injury. He’s worth a lot of your waiver wire wallet.
• Ezekiel Elliott is getting his number autocalled in the red zone and the new defense/running game blueprint for a win is making him a top five fantasy back again.
• Dalton Schultz remains Dak Prescott’s favorite target and could be worth even more if he had surer hands.
• Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb had big scores, but the low volume underscores that their floors and ceiling are lower than we thought when we drafted them.

SF-ARI

• Trey Lance looked like a rookie from North Dakota State in his first NFL start. He was very productive as a runner, but generally uncomfortable as a passer and he also suffered a sprained knee that could keep him out of Week 7 after the bye.
• Elijah Mitchell returned and didn’t do much for fantasy, but it’s clear the team greatly prefers him to Trey Sermon. Sermon isn’t worth carrying through the bye if you need the roster spot.
• The offense generally looked ineffective without George Kittle, who won’t be back until Week 9 at the earliest.
• Kyler Murray had his first quiet game as the defense led the way for the Cardinals, but we should give some credit to a 49ers defense that held down the Seahawks for a half last week and frustrated the Eagles earlier this year.
• Rondale Moore was tackled just short of the goal line on a 26-yard run and had one of the best sideline catches of the season. His role is sure to grow and maybe significantly with Maxx Williams season-ending knee injury maybe necessitating more four wide sets.

BUF-KC

• Josh Allen stayed hot, lifting up Dawson Knox and Emmanuel Sanders with him. Cole Beasley didn’t do much but Allen creates a high ceiling for any of his top four targets in any given week. The Chiefs remains one to pick on when setting lineups.
• Zack Moss didn’t score, but he seemed to pull away from Devin Singletary to lead the backfield.
• Patrick Mahomes II struggled, throwing a pick six, as Tyreek Hill got dinged with a knee issue and Clyde Edwards-Helaire went out with a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve. Darrel Williams will become the starter, but the team has also looked into Marlon Mack’s availability.
• Mecole Hardman finally got a lot of volume, but it coincided with a terrible game for the offense, so it’s not certain to be a great sign for his value.

IND-BAL

• Carson Wentz is healthy and the Ravens pass defense is not one to be feared. Wentz is streamable in AFC South matchups like this week’s against the Texans.
• Jonathan Taylor’s speed is apparent on his passing game chances, and he turned two into long plays including one 70+ yard score.
• Michael Pittman finally got a score and should be in lineups every week as a WR3/Flex.
• Lamar Jackson has matured as a passer and then some, setting records with an 80+% accuracy rate on 40+ passes.
• Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews values are peaking with Jackson’s development as a passer, and this offense should get scary when Nick Boyle returns to key the running game.
• Sammy Watkins hurt a hamstring in this one, opening the door for Rashod Bateman to have value when he returns this week.
• The Colts defense helped stake the team to 22-3 lead and then collapsed in the fourth quarter and overtime. They are the best in the AFC South which tells you a lot about the quality of the defenses in the division.