What You Need to Know From Week 5

Sigmund Bloom's What You Need to Know From Week 5 Sigmund Bloom Published 10/11/2022

IND @ DEN

  • Alec Pierce’s snap share is going up, and he was the leading receiver for the Colts against Denver. He is looking like a WR3/Flex consideration and potential monkey wrench for Michael Pittman’s ceiling.
  • Nyheim Hines suffered a concussion on the first drive. Phillip Lindsay and Deon Jackson split the work, and both looked like viable NFL running backs against a Broncos defense that will encourage teams to run. The Chargers and a red-hot Austin Ekeler face Denver this week.
  • The Colts tight ends faded into the background after a massive Week 4.
  • Matt Ryan looked feeble at times, and it’s fair to wonder when we might see Nick Foles.
  • Russell Wilson was terrible again, and after the game, we learned he is playing with a partially torn muscle in his throwing shoulder. Time to lower expectations for this offense and Wilson even further. Wilson is droppable in typical 1QB leagues.
  • Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone split the backfield work. Both were viable flex plays, but Latavius Murray is coming this week to complicate matters.

NYG @ GB

  • Daniel Jones looked good, considering he hurt his ankle in Week 4. The Giants still used him as a runner a lot, and he could be a viable streamer/QB2/Superflex. He also led his third fourth quarter comeback this year.
  • Darius Slayton finally got the opportunity by default with the top four receivers out, and he was as productive (more really) as any of them. He’s worth a pickup in deep leagues.
  • A.J. Dillon is taking a backseat to Aaron Jones in the Packers' backfield and is only a what-the-heck flex until this offense gets on track.
  • Randall Cobb was the most targeted receiver by a large margin, a sign that Aaron Rodgers could be frustrated. Rodgers missed on all six deep balls and isn’t a clear starter in typical 1QB leagues with the Jets up next.

DET @ NE

  • Jared Goff had a miserable afternoon against the Patriots. The Patriots defense will try to slow down Nick Chubb this week.
  • T.J. Hockenson was shut down the week after his career-high game. He remains enigmatic for fantasy.
  • Bailey Zappe was safe with the ball and mainly targeted Hunter Henry (with Jonnu Smith out) and Jakobi Meyers. Meyers has leveled off as a clear WR3/Flex in PPR leagues, no matter who is starting at quarterback. Zappe played well enough to keep the Patriots from rushing Mac Jones back on the field. The Lions defense remains a target when we set lineups as they head into their bye.
  • Damien Harris went down with a hamstring injury, and Rhamondre Stevenson was dominant as the lead back after Harris left. Harris will likely miss multiple games, and Stevenson will be a must-start while he is out.

LAC @ CLE

  • Austin Ekeler had one of his best days ever as a runner. He’s back as a clear fantasy RB1.
  • Joshua Kelley scored, caught a few passes, and was involved enough to have some standalone desperation play value in addition to providing Ekeler injury upside on your bench. He’s worth an add in typical leagues.
  • Gerald Everett faded as the Chargers went run-heavy. Donald Parham is also back, so Everett’s window as a TE1 is likely closed.
  • Justin Herbert was quieter for fantasy, but with the offense doing well overall, there’s nothing to worry about here.
  • David Njoku had another strong game. He’s here to stay as a fantasy TE1.
  • Amari Cooper had a good game against J.C. Jackson. Jackson doesn’t look like the shutdown corner he was in New England last year. Courtland Sutton will face Jackson this week, but with a banged-up Russell Wilson.

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Analysis Davante Adams Josh Allen Rashod Bateman Eno Benjamin Mike Boone Tom Brady Cameron Brate Teddy Bridgewater A.J. Brown Dyami Brown Michael Carter II Ja'Marr Chase Nick Chubb Chase Claypool Randall Cobb Tevin Coleman James Conner Brandin Cooks Dalvin Cook Amari Cooper Andy Dalton Corey Davis AJ Dillon J.K. Dobbins Greg Dortch Devin Duvernay Chase Edmonds Clyde Edwards-Helaire Austin Ekeler Ezekiel Elliott Evan Engram Travis Etienne Jr. Mike Evans Gerald Everett Justin Fields Nick Foles Leonard Fournette Pat Freiermuth Russell Gage Myles Gaskin Zach Gentry Chris Godwin Dallas Goedert Jared Goff Melvin Gordon III Breece Hall Damien Harris Najee Harris Derrick Henry Hunter Henry Justin Herbert Khalil Herbert Tee Higgins Dontrell Hilliard Taysom Hill Tyreek Hill Nyheim Hines T.J. Hockenson DeAndre Hopkins Hayden Hurst Deon Jackson J.C. Jackson Lamar Jackson Josh Jacobs Justin Jefferson Diontae Johnson Aaron Jones Daniel Jones Julio Jones Marvin Jones Jr Mac Jones Zay Jones Alvin Kamara Travis Kelce Joshua Kelley Christian Kirk Cooper Kupp Trevor Lawrence Phillip Lindsay Drake London Marcus Mariota Alexander Mattison Baker Mayfield Christian McCaffrey Isaiah McKenzie Jerick McKinnon Terry McLaurin Jakobi Meyers Elijah Mitchell David Montgomery Darnell Mooney DJ Moore Elijah Moore Rondale Moore Foster Moreau Raheem Mostert Kyler Murray Latavius Murray David Njoku Cade Otton Donald Parham Jr Rashaad Penny Samaje Perine George Pickens Kenny Pickett Alec Pierce Dameon Pierce Kyle Pitts Michael Pittman Jr Tony Pollard Hunter Renfrow Desmond Ridder Allen Robinson II Brian Robinson Jr James Robinson Aaron Rodgers Matt Ryan Curtis Samuel Deebo Samuel Khalil Shakir Devin Singletary Ben Skowronek Darius Slayton Darius Slay DeVonta Smith Geno Smith Jonnu Smith Matthew Stafford Rhamondre Stevenson Courtland Sutton Michael Thomas Skylar Thompson Jaylen Waddle P.J. Walker Darren Waller Jaylen Warren Carson Wentz Rachaad White Darrel Williams Garrett Wilson Jeff Wilson Jr. Russell Wilson Zach Wilson Bailey Zappe

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