Fantasy Week 5:
Trenches or Benches
Week 4 Review
Quarterback:
Sleeper Play: Ryan Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick looked great at times but a lack of accuracy on the deep balls kept him from a career day. Fitzpatrick finished with 350 yards passing and four touchdowns. Unfourunately, he also threw four interceptions.
Bust Play: Jay Cutler
Just when most were ready to write off Cutler, he surprised everyone with 275 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Running back:
Upside Play: Marshawn Lynch
Lynch looked like he was headed for a monster game early on but he stalled out in the second half. He still hooked fantasy owners up with 155 total yards and a touchdown.
Upside Play: Doug Martin
One of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the week was Martin. Martin had only 8 carries and 2 receptrions finishing the day with just over 40 total yards.
Sleeper Play: Ryan Williams
This sleeper went right to bed. Williams rushed for only 26 yards and was a bust in any fantasy league.
Bust Play: Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas
Bush and Thomas combined for 71 yards on the ground. As we anticipated, it was a quiet day for the Dolphins running backs.
Wide Receiver:
Upside Play: Brandon Lloyd
Lloyd wasn’t involved as much as hoped but did score a spectacular touchdown. Lloyd added 5o receiving yards.
Upside Play: DeSean Jackson
DJax grabbed 6 balls for 99 and touchdown.
Bust Play: NY Jets WRs
The combination of the 49ers defense and Sanchez and Tebow throwing the ball, led to 112 total passing yards. Ouch! I hope you ran and hid from this matchup.
Tight End:
Upside Play: Jermichael Finley
Finley seems to be content to catch four passes a week. Against the Saints, Finley got his four grabs for 54 yards.
Sleeper Play: Greg Olsen
Olsen was the leading receiver for the Panthers on Sunday. He caught 6 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Bust play: Vernon Davis
With an overwhelming running attack and a Jets team who showed no fight, Davis was not needed last week. He caught only 2 passes for 28 yards.
Week 5 Picks:
Quarterback:
Upside Play: Andrew Luck
Luck already has two 300 yard games under his belt and is coming off of a bye. Luck is at home against a Packers D which allowed close to 450 yards and 3 touchdowns to Drew Brees last week.
Projected Total: 350 yards and 2 touchdowns
Sleeper: Matt Hasselbeck
Filling in for the injured Jake Locker, Ole Matty should benefit from the reemergence of Chris Johnson. Look for a lot of short passes and controlled passing game.
Projected Total: 250 yards and a touchdown
Bust: Ryan Fitzpatrick
After being a nice sleeper pick the last 2 weeks, Fitzy runs into an overpowering 49ers defense. Keep him on your bench this week.
Running Back:
Upside: Adrian Peterson
This is the week that Peterson puts it all together. The Titans should expect a steady dose of the Vikings running back.
Projected Total: 125 yards and 2 touchdowns
Sleeper: Trent Richardson
The Browns will try to control the ball the best that they can and that means Richardson will get the rock early and often. Touching the ball over 25 times, Richardson should pile up yardage and find pay dirt.
Bust: Jamaal Charles
It’s hard to go against Chucky the way hes been running of late, but the Ravens will put a temporary stop to the Chuck Wagon this week.
Wide Receivers:
Upside: Steve Smith
Look for the desperate and tough luck Panthers to turn Cam Newton loose. That should lead to a huge day for Smith
Projected Total: 7 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown
Sleeper: Kendall Wright
With Kenny Britt hurting and Hasssleback in for Locker, the Titans will run a controlled passing attack. In a PPR format Wright could have a big day.
Projected Total: 8 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown
Bust: Steve Johnson
Look for another bad week for Stevie. His route running and effort was suspect last week and Fitzgerald’s huge passing day didn’t include Johnson. This week, the 49ers defense is staring him in the face.
Tight End:
Upside: Antonio Gates:
Do you remember him? Gates should reacquaint himself with fantasy owners this week as his Chargers prepare for a shootout against the Saints.
Sleeper: Jacob Tamme
Look for the Broncos and Peyton Manning to take advantage of the middle of the field much like the Bills and Scott Chandler did last week. With the Patriots worrying about Thomas, Decker, and Stockley, Tamme should have some room to work with.
