NFL
Fantasy Football Stud or Dud: Week 5
Week 4 of the NFL season brought us another Browns collapse in overtime (helped by poor officiating), pushing them to a record of 1-2-1. This is right about where most expected them to be at this point in the season. Meanwhile, two teams still remain are undefeated: the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. Many are clamoring for a Chiefs-Rams Super Bowl, as the boast some of the most exciting offenses in recent memory. Players on both teams, however, feature very little in Stud or Dud: Week 5.
Week 5, notably, will see the return of Mark Ingram to the Saints. It remains to be seen, though, if Ingram will take a lot of touches from current fantasy MVP Alvin Kamara. For the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes and his high-flying offense will face their first big test of the season against the Jaguars in Jacksonville. So, without further ado, here’s our latest picks in Stud or Dud: Week 5.
Quarterback
Stud
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: Newton is coming off back-to-back 30+ point fantasy weeks. The Panthers were on bye last week and, thus, gained an extra week to prepare for the Giants. The Giants, meanwhile, enter Week 5 fresh off a loss to the Saints. In the Giants’ loss, their defense notably struggled to keep pace, while their offense looked anemic from start-to-finish. The Giants will look to shut down dual-threat back Christian McCaffrey, which should allow Newton to throw all over their secondary. Newton’s fantasy value is also boosted, as always, by his rushing ability. In the Panthers’ last game, Newton managed two touchdowns on the ground. The Panthers will most likely find themselves in a shootout, though, if Eli Manning and Saquon Barkley can get going. Expect a high-end QB1 showing from Newton this week.
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans: Watson is coming off his best game of the season in Week 4. Facing the Colts, he passed for 375 yards and two touchdowns, with an additional touchdown on the ground. Watson has been playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, yet is still managing high-end QB performances. Watson and the Texans will face the Cowboys in Week 5. This Cowboys defense was just gashed for 300 yards from Matt Stafford and the Lions. The Texans don’t have much of a running game, as Lamar Miller has been largely ineffective this year. Watson will welcome the assumed return of Will Fuller V, with the emergence of Keke Coutee last week further helping their cause. In this primetime game, look for Watson to put up big numbers. Expect a high-end, start-and-forget QB1 showing.
Dud
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: Wilson has not lived up to expectations this season, averaging just 17 points per game. While this is far from bad, it certainly doesn’t meet his usual standards. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, this does not look to be something that will change — at least for this week. The Seahawks will square off against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. The Rams, in spite of last week’s performance, remain one of the top three defenses in the league. This Rams defensive line, alone, boasts enormous talent in Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh. Those two will look to wreak havoc on a typically-poor Seahawks offensive line. Despite some improvements this year, the Seahawks remain stuck with one of the league’s worst offensive lines for yet another season. Making matters worse, Russell Wilson lost emerging tight end Will Dissly last week and top receiver Doug Baldwin is still not a full health. Expect high-end to mid-tier QB2 numbers from Wilson against a lights-out Rams defense.
Running Backs
Studs
Joe Mixon, Cincinatti Bengals: Mixon returns this week from an arthroscopic knee surgery that saw him miss two games. Second-choice back Giovani Bernard, meanwhile, is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks from an injury sustained last week. With Bernard’s injury and no options beyond him, Mixon should see 25-30 touches as the undisputed backfield leader. This expected production, however, is based on Mixon being back at full speed and workload. The Bengals will face the Dolphins this week, making an interesting matchup for Mixon. Despite Miami’s 3-1 record, they allowed Patriots back Sony Michel to rush for 112 yards last week. Mixon has undeniable talent and the Bengals are committed to using him to relieve some of the pressure from Andy Dalton. Expect mid-tier RB1 numbers from Joe Mixon this week.
T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Fournette is out (again) this week, making Yeldon the man to lead the Jaguars run game. Yeldon hasn’t been particularly effective this season, failing to top 58 yards in any game so far. The Jaguars, however, will face the Kansas City Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have one of the worst run defenses in the league and the Jaguars will look to take advantage of that. The Chiefs offense, with Pat Mahomes at the helm, will be kept off the field as much as possible by the relentless Jacksonville defense. More running plays will allow a longer time of possession for the Jags, thus affording minimal time for Mahomes to work. Expect Yeldon to put up high-end RB2 numbers at worst, as the Jaguars look to run the clock down often.
Dud
Carlos Hyde, Cleveland Browns: Hyde has actually been able to put together a much better year than many thought. Seemingly buried in the Browns backfield, Hyde has emerged from the pack nonetheless as the Browns preferred rusher. He has averaged over 20 carries per game and has five touchdowns so far. That should change this week, however, as the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens have the fourth-best run defense in the NFL, allowing an average of just 82.5 rushing yards per game. This matchup should see the Browns trail throughout, with increased reliance on Baker Mayfield to carry the offense with big plays. Hyde, meanwhile, has two backfield competitors on the depth chart still vying for snaps. Rookie Nick Chubb showed his explosiveness last week, rushing for 105 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries. Hyde should come back down to earth this week, with the Browns likely to establish running back by committee. Hyde is a solidly touchdown-dependent RB3 for this week.
Wide Receiver
Stud
Antonio Brown/JuJu Smith Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers: Let me start this one with a stat about the Falcons defense, which has lost three starters already this season. The Atlanta Falcons have allowed an average of 284 passing yards per game to opposing QBs, eighth-worst in the league. Atlanta also allowed Andy Dalton to pass for 337 yards against them in Week 4. Ben Roethlisberger should have no problem taking advantage of such a favorable matchup. Smith-Schuster should be the prime benefactor here, as Antonio Brown will still be shadowed by Desmond Trufant. The Steelers will need to come out strong in the air to keep up with the Falcons offense. An almost-guaranteed shootout this Sunday should allow both Steelers receivers to deliver high-end WR1 production.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers: The Packers are facing a Lions secondary this week ranked second in the league in pass defense. While this seems impressive, such numbers have come from matchups with rookie Sam Darnold, Jimmy Garropolo, a struggling Dak Prescott, and Tom Brady on an off-day. Aaron Rodgers, if he comes out firing. should be able to shred the Lions secondary easily. Adams has at least 7 catches in his past three games and will look to keep that streak alive in Week 5. Adams also has three touchdowns so far this season. Additionally, veteran receiver Randall Cobb has been ruled out for Sunday’s game — further increasing Adams’ expected heavy usage. Davante Adams should post solid WR1 numbers this week.
Dud
Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants: Beckham is another top player performing below expectations in 2018. The Giants receiver has yet to score a touchdown this season and has only topped 100 yards in two games. Their offense, as a whole, has struggled mightily through these first four weeks. Eli Manning is continuing to underperform, forcing the Giants to rely heavily on rookie running back (and second-overall draft pick) Saquon Barkley to lead the offense. The Giants will travel south this week to face a well-rested Panthers team fresh off a bye. Beckham will likely be shadowed by standout rookie cornerback Donte Jackson, who will be eager to shut the star receiver down. Expect only WR2 numbers from the talented wideout this week.
Tight End
Stud
Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: The Redskins tight end has been largely ineffective in 2018, as he’s failed to top 65 yards or six catches in a game this season. Reed will look to turn that around. however, as the Redskins travel to New Orleans this weekend. The Saints defense has been a weak shadow of its old self, faring poorly through the first four weeks. This game has high shootout potential, with both offenses capable of high-scoring performances. All things considered, Reed looks to be a top option at the position this week as the Redskins try to keep pace. Alex Smith is devoid of receiving weapons this week and should look to his first-choice TE in Reed for targets. Expect solid TE1 numbers from Jordan Reed in Week 5.
Dud
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Kelce has strung together three good weeks in a row. That should come to an end in Week 5, however, as the Chiefs will host the Jacksonville Jaguars. Patrick Mahomes has been phenomenal this season, but when he struggled in the first half last week, he rarely targeted Kelce. While Kelce finished the game with 78 yards and a touchdown, most of his production came in the second half when the Chiefs offense got going. Kelce is as reliable as they come at TE and likely still warrants a start this week, but owners should be wary of the increased likelihood of a disappointing showing. The Jaguars defense is one of very few in the league that’s capable of shutting down explosive offensive players like Kelce.
Photo Credit: Nazrul Islam via Flickr
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