Garrett Lee | @TheBasedGarrett
Saturday, October 10, 2015 | BataviasBest.org
I don’t really have anything to open with, so let’s get right down to business with who I love in week 5 of Fantasy Football.
QUARTERBACK:
San Francisco isn’t the defense it once was, so I like Eli Manning this week. Eli has the weapons to put up a big day versus a depleted 49ers unit. With OBJ and Randle through the air and the combo of Vereen and Jennings in the backfield, a 20+ point day is a realistic possibility.
The Redskins are not good. The Falcons are good. Especially at home. Matt Ryan didn’t do much last week, but that was because the game was out of reach early. I expect Matty Ice to put up his stellar numbers in the Georgia Dome on Sunday, as he usually does.
RUNNING BACK:
CJ Anderson is no longer the top back in Denver, as Gary Kubiak announced that he’ll be splitting touches with Ronnie Hillman. I expect Hillman to command even more carries after his performance this week against a pretty average Oakland defense. I believe that Hillman is the back to own in the Broncos’ backfield.
I fully expect Rams rookie Todd Gurley to pick up where he left off in week 4 against a much easier Green Bay defense. Gurley ran for 146 yards on 19 carries against a very good Cardinals defense. While he probably won’t average nearly 7.5 yards per carry this week, triple-digit yards and a score are reasonable expectations.
WIDE RECEIVER:
With Steve Smith out, Kamar Aiken is the new top receiver in Baltimore. While I expect the Ravens to shift to a predominantly running offense, Aiken should still see his fair share of targets. I think Aiken has appeal has a WR3 or flex until Smith returns.
The Chicago Bears defense is any offense’s dream. The Chiefs have a date with the anemic defense, so I’m all in on Jeremy Maclin this week. Maclin has put up consecutive big weeks, and should do the same against the Bears this week. I think Maclin is on the verge of WR1 status this week.
TIGHT END:
As I just said with his teammate, Travis Kelce plays the Bears. Nothing else really needs to be said.
Who leads tight ends in receiving yards over the last two weeks? Here’s a hint; it’s not Gronk, Graham, Olsen or Kelce. It’s Buffalo’s Charles Clay. With a matchup versus the Titans, I expect Clay to put up around 65-80 yards and a score.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
Colin Kaepernick’s regression is something that I’ve seen before. He’s gone from a feared signal-caller for defenses, to one that defenses LOVE to face. Usually a regression like this means there’s been trouble with the law or an injury, but Kaepernick hasn’t had trouble with either. Anyways, the New York Giants get to face him this week. While the Giants aren’t the defense that won them two Superbowls this century anymore, a matchup against a mediocre Niners offense is vey desirable. The G-Men also have Dwayne Harris, who’s one of the better returnmen in the league.
Onto the Hate portion of the week:
QUARTERBACKS:
Seattle looks like a new team with Kam Chancellor back, so I don’t like Andy Dalton this week. The Red Rifle has been great so far this year, but he hasn’t faced a defense like this yet. I expect the Dalton that we’ve grown accustom to, to return this week.
Death, taxes, and turnovers from Jay Cutler. Three things that are always going to occur. A matchup against KC isn’t an elite defense, but Cutler is a turnover machine. If he’s starting for you this week, expect a few turnovers.
RUNNING BACK:
I’ve been a strong advocate for Latavius Murray this season, but a date with the Broncos isn’t ideal. If you own him, you’re obviously starting him. This isn’t so much a “hate” as much as it’s a “temper your expectations.”
After a monster week 1 performance against the Vikings, Carlos Hyde has done nothing but disappoint. He’s failed to score double-digit points in the last 3 weeks, and I wouldn’t be shocked if that trend continues. Hyde is the only real offensive weapon for the Niners, so I expect that Giants to stack the box quite a bit to slow him down. Like Murray, if you own him you’re going to start him. But don’t be upset if he doesn’t do much.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Like Latavius Murray, Amari Cooper will be facing the Broncos. Denver has been the best defense in the league so far. I think Carr will be under pressure all day long, so that’ll limit Cooper all day on Sunday. A bright future is in store for the rookie, but Sunday will be anything but bright.
Going into the year, Golden Tate was predicted to build off of his 2014 campaign. The Lions wide receiver has done anything but that. Matthew Stafford’s inconsistencies has limited Tate, and I think that’ll continue in week 5 vs. Arizona.
TIGHT END:
While he’s been a pleasant surprise this year, Tyler Eifert has a date with the Seahawks this week. If he had a more consistent QB, perhaps he’d avoid this list, but I expect the clock to strike midnight on Dalton. When Dalton struggles, the offense is a mess.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
A date with the Packers means the St. Louis Ram defense will be finding themselves on the bench, if I own them. Especially with the game being played at Lambeau.
That’s it for week 5. Sound off on Twitter if there’s anyone I missed or you disagree with. Be sure to check out the Waiver Wire as well, if you haven’t. Good luck in week 5.
Other articles you may like:
Week 5 Waiver Wire: Panthers, Vikings, Jets, Dolphins are on a bye week
Week 5 NFL DFS Preview: With recent news about illegitimacy of DFS, our own expert sounds off
Thursday Night Football Preview- Colts vs Texans: Fantasy Football Start/Sit
