As we embark on another journey of the NFL’s sweet and sour, we go bold right out the gate. The Miami Dolphins will play their best game of the season on Sunday! In fact, I guarantee the Dolphins will not lose this time around. Along with Detroit, the Dolphins are on bye. We welcome back San Francisco and the New York Jets. Next week, four teams will be off. Those teams include Chicago, Oakland, Buffalo, and Indianapolis. As you plot free agent moves and trades, make sure you glance at those bye weeks. In the meantime, knowing the Sizzle and the Fizzle of the pro football world helps your championship quest! Here are some Week 5 fantasy football trends to help you win your week.
Sizzle
Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – In his last two games, Winston has thrown for 765 yards and seven touchdowns. The Tampa trio of Winston, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin leads a lot of fantasy owners to victory. Imagine Winston being even better if O.J. Howard ever gets going. At some point, Winston will struggle again as he remains prone to turnovers even in good times. But the weekly ceiling for Winston will always be high. He deserves to be a regular fantasy starter.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions – After a down 2018, many in the fantasy community opted to look away from Stafford. A big opening day at Arizona was viewed as an aberration. But Stafford shined again as Detroit lost a heartbreaker to Kansas City. He threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns. The loss of T.J. Hockenson hurts Stafford’s long-term value. However, with Detroit not as run-heavy as anticipated and Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones making plays, Stafford stays in play as a periodic streamer.
Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns – Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham spawn the headlines in Cleveland, resulting in Chubb being overlooked. But then Chubb becomes impossible to overlook. He rampaged through the Ravens defense for 165 yards and three touchdowns. The highlight was a memorable 88-yard dash to the end zone. Down the line, Kareem Hunt’s return poses a potential problem. Nonetheless, until that happens, Chubb will be an elite RB1.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – At a restaurant recently, I overheard some people at an adjoining table raving about the coolness of Gardner Minshew. And yes, the most famous mustache in the NFL dished out some last-minute magic in Denver. But Fournette was a large reason why Jacksonville evened their record at 2-2. Staying healthy through four weeks, Leonard burned the Broncos for 245 total yards. His best run went for 81 yards, but Denver caught him before he could reach the end zone. Somewhat surprisingly, Fournette has yet to score a touchdown in 2019. With the volume he receives, you can plan on that changing in a big way.
Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – After being totally uninvolved in Week 3, Samuels shockingly became a major part of the Pittsburgh offense again. Playing frequently in the Wildcat offense, Samuels accumulated 83 total yards and a touchdown. If James Conner ends up limited or out on Sunday, Samuels will be poised for a very productive day.
Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia Eagles – The anticipated eruption of Miles Sanders has yet to materialize. Instead, Howard unleashed a barrage on Green Bay. The former Chicago Bear rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Often thought to be a back who offers nothing as a receiver, Howard added another touchdown through the air. Sanders ended up with 72 yards and zero scores. Both backs could end up being productive in a good matchup with the Jets. Still, Howard has the momentum right now and gets more work near the goal line.
A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans – Although Tennessee’s passing game remains questionable overall, Brown looks like a keeper. His excellent adventure through Atlanta’s defense produced two touchdowns and 94 yards. He also had 100 yards in an opening day victory over Cleveland. All of the Titans outside of Derrick Henry seem to be hit or miss. After all, Delanie Walker had only four yards against the Falcons. But with bye weeks getting more intense soon, Brown can pitch in as an occasional starter with upside.
Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos – Viewed as a breakout candidate heading into his second season out of SMU, Sutton posted 62 yards and two touchdowns in a narrow loss to Jacksonville. Averaging close to 80 yards per week, Sutton has survived Joe Flacco and the resurgence of Emmanuel Sanders. Because of Flacco and Denver’s overall team situation, Sutton will not find fantasy stardom. But you could do a lot worse when seeking a WR3 or flex.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers – After going two weeks without catching a pass, Graham hauled in six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. With Davante Adams ailing and expected to miss time, Graham’s importance grows in Green Bay’s offense. Overall, Graham’s Green Bay tenure has been disappointing. Right now, everyone should try to overlook the past and focus on the present. Graham offers streaming value in most formats and ought to be on your daily league radar.
Fizzle
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots/Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – How often do you get a week where these two combine for zero touchdown passes? Be scared if you have to face either of them over the weekend. They will be roaring back with a vengeance.
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills – Before suffering a concussion, Allen struggled mightily against New England. He threw three interceptions and failed to complete 50 percent of his pass attempts. A tough matchup in Tennessee awaits Allen this week if he gets cleared. Then Buffalo will be on bye. However, if you can hang onto Allen until Week 7, he draws Miami.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – After averaging three touchdowns per game during the first three weeks of the season, Prescott plummeted in New Orleans. The Saints held Prescott to 223 yards and zero scores. An injury to tackle Tyron Smith makes life more difficult for Dak. This Sunday’s matchup against Green Bay will not be easy. By no means should you send Prescott to the bench, but he may be more of a low-level QB1. One positive for Prescott would be the potential return of Michael Gallup.
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Washington Redskins – Dwayne’s unexpected debut turned sour. Inserted in relief of an ineffective Case Keenum, Haskins tossed three interceptions. We know Haskins happens to be a much better dynasty than redraft option. Washington does not have much help for him right now outside of Terry McLaurin. Haskins will likely have a new coach and a new offense next year. Hopefully, the bumpy present will not faze him to the point where the future becomes cloudy.
Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Bad game flow can gobble up even the best running backs. Mack ceded more work to Nyheim Hines than usual as Indianapolis suffered an upset loss to Oakland. He finished with only 39 yards. Now an ankle injury clouds his outlook for a Sunday night showdown in Kansas City. The Colts may need Hines quite a bit if they are chasing points. Sitting Mack would be hard to do if he can play, but be very aware of his downside.
Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Williams does not belong in this category based on his play on the field. After all, Williams scored two touchdowns in Kansas City’s thrilling win over Detroit. But with Damien Williams looking likely to return this week, Darrel’s time to shine could be over. Damien and LeSean McCoy are poised to lead the backfield, with Darrel getting limited touches.
Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Barber managed a short touchdown run in Week 4. But that was pretty much all he did as Ronald Jones once again carried the load for the Buccaneers. Volume made Barber an adequate flex as recently as Week 2. He has rapidly gone from adequate to antiquated.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings – When a player of Thielen’s caliber produces two catches for six yards, it epitomizes the ineptitude of Minnesota’s offense. We all know about the greatness of Dalvin Cook. But how have Thielen and Stefon Diggs been so neutralized at times? Kirk Cousins makes a convenient scapegoat. However, scheme concerns and strategy go beyond Cousins. We would like to think Thielen gets fed a ton of passes this week. The Giants are certainly vulnerable through the air. Nevertheless, certainly outside of Cook no longer exists in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – Fear gripped Juju’s owners when Ben Roethlisberger went down for the season. Relief came in Week 3 when Smith-Schuster scored a 76-yard touchdown. Then disaster struck Monday night when Juju caught just three passes for 15 yards against a clownish Cincinnati defense. Can Juju develop enough chemistry with Mason Rudolph to where that never happens again? Unfortunately, the jury is out at the moment.
Come on back next week for our latest edition of Sizzle/Fizzle!
