NFL Week 5 Preview

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  • By Anthony Quaranta

    Last Updated on October 5, 2024 12:37 pm by Jon Marsales | Published: October 5, 2024

    The bye weeks have arrived, and there’s a couple of really important fantasy relevant teams and players that aren’t playing. Let’s talk a look through what could be some potential replacements as we go through every game every week, like always. If you’re here for the famous Q’s Quick Picks, notice the upward trend I’ve been establishing since a horrific week 1. Don’t forget to read Larry Vannozzi’s weekly weather report to make sure you’re prepared for last minute alerts about mother nature’s plans in NFL cities across the country. Good luck to everyone who isn’t playing against me this week!

     

    First, a few housekeeping notes..

    Q’s Quick Pick Total Record: 24-29, -6.18u

    Week 1: 3-12, -8.96u; Week 2: 6-5, +0.3u; Week 3: 7-7 +0.88u; Week 4: 8-5, +1.6u

    Picks: Odds are from DraftKings. Picks are for entertainment purposes only and are strictly based on vibes. Check out the Wager Pass for legit gambling talk.

    Start Sit Decisions: Start your studs. Otherwise, these are yours and yours alone to make. Hopefully my previews help provide context to assist you in making an informed, matchup winning decision.

    Week 4 Positional Rankings: QB’s courtesy of Jacob Dunne, RB’s courtesy of Nathan Hernandez, WR’s courtesy of Nathan Hernandez, TE’s courtesy of Max Silveira, and DST’s courtesy of Brandon Furtado

     

    BYE WEEKS: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers

     

    Matchup: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings

    Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

    Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 9:30am EST

    Q’s Quick Pick: Minnesota Vikings -2.5 (-115)

    The Quarterbacks: (MIN) Why did we ever doubt Sam Darnold? Probably because he had a subpar start to his career. What happened in New York and Carolina that was so bad? The suddenly rejuvenated veteran is looking like the number three overall pick he was just six years ago. Is he a must start now?.. (NYJ) The 2021 NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer followed in his Packers predecessors’ footsteps going from Green Bay to New York. And like Brett Farve. Aaron Rodgers has had a difficult transition. The Vikings defense has played better than expected, making Rodgers a middling QB2.

    The Running Backs: (MIN) Aaron Jones is turning back the clock, looking like the perennial top 12 guy of years past. He’s getting the majority of carries and at least 5 targets in 3 straight games. Ty Chandler played his lowest snap percentage of the year last week, and coincidentally saw the fewest touches he has all season. He’s falling into strict handcuff territory if he doesn’t earn a larger role soon.. (NYJ) It was a bummer last week for Breece Hall, but let’s not overreact. He’s been a top 13 back the first three weeks, and we should continue to confidently start the star running back. The more interesting conversation is rookie Braelon Allen. He’s looked good recently in his limited work. Will we eventually see more of him to help keep Hall fresh? Make sure he’s rostered everywhere, because at the very least he’s looking like a league winning handcuff should anything happen. He could earn his way to standalone value.

    The Wide Receivers: (MIN) Justin Jefferson remains firmly in the ‘best receiver in football’ conversation. Seeing Jets CB Sauce Gardner lining up across from him isn’t going to have me second guessing this guy. Sauce is an elite corner, but Jefferson is an elite receiver. They’ll both make plays. Jordan Addison had a couple touchdowns last week on four touches after returning from injury. That’s great but not sustainable. In Week 1 he had three touches and scored 6.5 points. While I’m not nervous about JJ, I am a bit worried about Addison. He’s a WR3 with upside. Jalen Nailor is a fringe deep league flex.. (NYJ) Garrett Wilson has been disappointing compared to expectations. I had him begged as a top 5-7 WR this year. That clearly hasn’t come to fruition, as he hasn’t finished above WR29 yet. He’s got a prime opportunity against a leaky Vikings secondary giving up the third most points to WRs. He’s a fine WR2. Allen Lazard has a chance to have another big game for the same reasons and is a first flex. Mike Williams is still getting up to speed, and could be a great spot for a big game introduction for Gang Green. Or, maybe he’s just the WR3 on this team. That probably isn’t great for fantasy purposes.

    The Tight Ends: (MIN) One of these guys finally caught our attention with a touchdown, and it was Josh Oliver. I bet it won’t happen again.. (NYJ) Tyler Conklin is a solid streaming option this week with the Vikings giving up the fifth most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

     

    Matchup: Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears

    Location: Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois

    Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 1:00pm EST

    Q’s Quick Pick: QB Andy Dalton UNDER 214.5 Passing Yards (-115)

    The Quarterbacks: (CHI) Okay, so Caleb Williams didn’t have a breakout last week. BUT, maybe I was just a week too early. The Panthers haven’t given up the yards, but have surrendered nine passing touchdowns, which is tied for the second most in the league. Alas, Williams remains in mid QB2 territory.. (CAR) Andy Dalton faces a tough Bears pass defense that’s been the worst matchups for QBs all year. He’s been good, but I’m looking away this week. He’s a borderline QB2.

    The Running Backs: (CHI) The more interesting part of playing the Panthers is going against their rush defense that has given up the fourth most rush yards. We saw D’Andre Swift right the ship last week, and even Roschon Johnson found some success with a touchdown. Swift is a low end RB2, and Johnson is a deep league flex. It seems like Khalil Herbert has been forgotten about, unless we start to see an unpredictable trend between the three backs.. (CAR) Chuba Hubbard has been a godsend the past two weeks. It’s incredible what competent quarterback play can do for your running game. Chicago has let up five rushing touchdowns in four games and is a big part of why they are ranked 23rd against fantasy running backs. He should continue to get the workload until Jonathon Brooks (knee) is active for game day. Hubbard is a rock solid top 15 back this week.

    The Wide Receivers: (CHI) DJ Moore has been the only trustworthy receiver for Chicago scoring 10 PPR points in every game so far. We aren’t seeing the high end games we did last year though, which obviously hinders his upside. He’s a mid to low end WR2. Keenan Allen has either been put or obsolete. Rome Odunze needs Allen out of the lineup to produce at this stage in the season.. (CAR) Diontae Johnson has been great with Dalton. The Bears are excellent at preventing receivers from accumulating fantasy points, but Johnson’s volume and early chemistry with Dalton suggest he may overcome that to put up fringe WR1 numbers. There’s a chance this becomes a reality check game for the suddenly hot Panthers offense, as the Bears have been great at shutting down opposing passing games. Xavier Legette had his first touchdown last week, and may be a candidate for an increased role with Adam Thielen (hamstring) on IR. It seems second year man Jonathan Mingo has been passed over on the depth chart.

    The Tight Ends: (CHI) Cole Kmet has a nice opportunity against a defense that’s given up the sixth most PPG to tight ends. The battle for targets has gotten tougher with Allen back healthy. The state of the tight end position still has Kmet somewhere in the TE10-15 range this week.. (CAR) There isn’t a fantasy viable option in this tight end room.

     

    Matchup: Cleveland Browns at Washington Commanders

    Location: Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland

    Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 1:00pm EST

    Q’s Quick Pick: WR Amari Cooper ANYTIME TD (+170)

    The Quarterbacks: (WSH) Jayden Daniels is here, and he’s more than just a runner. Daniels is one of the most accurate passers in football already, and he’s only played four games. He’s a locked in QB1 even though Cleveland has been a top tier defense when it comes to limiting production from fantasy quarterbacks. Yeah, that’s where I am with Daniels right now.. (CLE) Deshaun Watson has gotten a lot of flack this season, and sure, some of it is warranted. He’s a shell of his former self. He’s been pretty consistent though, as the QB17 has scored between 12-16 fantasy points each week. Maybe we see him push past 16 against a defense allowing the third most fantasy points per game to QBs.

    The Running Backs: (WSH) Brian Robinson, Jr. (knee) has been a fringe RB1/high end RB2 through the first quarter of the NFL campaign by total points. The Browns haven’t been as stout against running backs as their reputation suggests. BRob, as I like to call him, is an RB2 this week if he plays. Austin Ekeler, despite having a few serviceable to good fantasy outputs, has done so on minimal opportunities. Considering some of the running backs on bye this week, Ekeler might be the best of the bunch, but it doesn’t feel great.. (CLE) Jerome Ford is in a great position this week. The Commanders defense is bad, but they have limited the rushing touchdowns to just three through the first four games. That will make it tough for Ford to outperform expectations, but he should still be viewed as a top 24 option. Just wanting to throw it out there, Nick Chubb (knee) was designated to return from the PUP list. He’s of course still out this week, but a return to action is looming.

    The Wide Receivers: (WSH) This season has been so refreshing for Terry McLaurin. After years of mediocre at best QB play, and a slow start to this season, we may finally be getting the best of McLaurin. He’s been a top ten WR over the past two weeks. We might see a bump in the road here with a good defense on tap, but I’m riding the Washington wave and the man they call Scary Terry as a top 24 option. Olamide Zaccheaus had a nice game last week with 14.5 PPR points. Someone has to step up for this Washington offense to take the next step, and it hasn’t been rookie Luke McCaffrey, who’s scored 14.9 PPR points all season. Perhaps it’s Zaccheaus? He’s a name to monitor.. (CLE) Amari Cooper has been a dud through four, outside of his week three monster performance. He’s got a chance to do it again against the Commanders defense allowing the most receiving touchdowns in the league (10). Jerry Jeudy has been flex Worthy all season whether we realized it or not, and should be in play again.

    The Tight Ends: (WSH) With no tight ends standing out this year, Zach Ertz has been one of the few consistent players at the position and remains a better than average option. Consider him a fringe TE1 player. (CLE) If it’s not David Njoku (injury), we don’t want it.

     

    Matchup: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots

    Location: Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts

    Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 1:00pm EST

    Q’s Quick Pick: RB Antonio Gibson ANYTIME TD (+170)

    The Quarterbacks: (NE) Is it Drake Maye season yet? I’m quite bored with a Jacoby Brissett led offense.. (MIA) The start to the Tyler Huntley experience in Miami was as bad as it gets. It’s important to keep the situation in perspective. He was worth the team for less than a week, making it difficult to learn the playbook and even the players he’s lining up with. The Patriots defense offers a chance at redemption seeing as they’ve given up the fifth most passing yards in football. There’s a chance Huntley makes good on a QB2-esk performance.

    The Running Backs: (NE) Antonio Gibson is officially getting the start this week according to HC Jerod Mayo. Gibson is averaging over 5 yards a carry (29-155). The Dolphins have been a fantasy goldmine for running backs by way of the rushing touchdown, allowing seven already. Gibson hasn’t found the end zone yet, but there is a better than normal chance he does this week. It’s tough to project Rhamondre Stevenson this week for a few reasons now. First, he’s now the backup for the New England Patriots, which hasn’t been that great for fantasy to begin with. Second, as previously stated, this is a juicy matchup. Finally, even if he does get some volume there’s now a major ball security concern. Stevenson has fumbled in every game so far. He’s a scary bet this week.. (MIA) Okay look, we’re starting De’Von Achane every week he’s playing. That includes this one, even though his ceiling may be lowered with Huntley at the helm. Raheem Mostert (chest) is healthy and active for this one but is expected to be on a snap count. Hard to start him unless you’re desperate.

    The Wide Receivers: (NE) Demario Douglas and second round pick Ja’Lynn Polk are the names to monitor once Drake Maye enters the fold. Otherwise, we can confidently look away seeing as Miami is a bottom five opponent for receivers to be staring at.. (MIA) Tyreek Hill has to be wondering when his quarterback may return, because things just aren’t working. Even in a great matchup, it’s hard to trust him as more than a WR3. Jaylen Waddle is unfortunately off the fantasy radar for now. For perspective, he’s probably somewhere between Tutu Atwell and Allen Lazard.

    The Tight Ends: (NE) Hunter Henry is a mediocre streaming option who has a couple big weeks a year. (MIA) Jonnu Smith is in the same range as his counterpart on the other side of this preview. The nice matchup is negated by Huntley starting. You could do much better, but you could also do worse, I guess.


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    October 5, 2024, 12:37 pm