Quarterbacks settled in during week 4, with several QBs throwing for more than two touchdowns. In a season where touchdowns have been hard to find from the quarterback position, it was a nice reprieve for some fantasy owners.
One quarterback who hasn’t had difficulties this season once again generated the most fantasy points among quarterbacks. The matchup between Matt Ryan and Cam Newton was a microcosm of the fantasy season. Ryan has been hot, consistently going for a top-three number among quarterbacks. Newton has been an average option this season for fantasy owners, which has to be considered a disappointment considering his average draft position.
Now he’s in the concussion protocol, meaning he’s in danger of missing his week 5 assignment in a plus-matchup against Tampa Bay. Ryan, meanwhile, has solidified himself as matchup-proof, even with a difficult matchup against Denver awaiting in week 5.
Here’s the fantasy football week 5 start/sit for quarterbacks.
Start
Joe Flacco vs. Washington Redskins
Washington keeps showing an inability to stop anyone. The Redskins once again were leaky against the run and the pass against Cleveland, showing that pretty much any offense can move the ball at will against Washington.
I know there’s some optimism with two straight wins, but there’s some real questions to be answered on the defensive side of the ball, especially with Ryan Kerrigan’s injury from week 4.
With a depleted roster, I don’t expect Washington to put up much of a fight against the Ravens. Flacco showed that he can put up some decent fantasy points against a weaker defense in his week 4 showing against Oakland. Flacco totaled two touchdowns and 298 yards passing. It looks like the Ravens have finally found a running game, which should open up the passing game more.
Flacco can put up yards and Baltimore will still look to throw the ball. Washington can’t stop anyone, so Flacco should get a start in your fantasy league.
Philip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders
Rivers isn’t matchup-proof. That will come into play later in the season. But against the Raiders, Rivers should be a top-five fantasy option.
The Raiders own the worst pass defense in the NFL by eight yards. Oakland allows 8.3 yards per pass attempt, the third-worst mark in the NFL.
This should work out well for Rivers, despite the Raiders’ ability to rush the passer. I know Oakland hasn’t done a lot in the sacks department, but Baltimore had several difficulties in blocking Oakland up front in week 4.
But I’m not going to worry about that in week 5. San Diego is pretty much forced to rely on Rivers on a weekly basis. There aren’t many weapons available, but Rivers still is able to churn out yards and touchdowns.
He should be able to register big numbers again this week, allowing him to be an easy start for fantasy owners.
Derek Carr vs. San Diego Chargers
This should be a high-scoring game.
And Carr is becoming one of those quarterbacks who needs to earn a start each week. There are issues at times, but against the Chargers, that shouldn’t be a problem.
The Chargers are sixth-worst against the pass and with the way the Raiders have been playing lately, that will be a major problem. Carr didn’t rack up big yardage for the first time this season last week, but he still managed four touchdown passes.
He has the third-most fantasy points of any player in fantasy football this season. There’s no reason his hot start will stop in week 5. He was able to make a nice late-game drive against one of the best defenses in the NFL in week 4 against Baltimore. San Diego isn’t on the same level as Baltimore and with the Raiders struggling to get the running game going, Carr will shoulder the brunt of the action in week 5.
Sit
Tyrod Taylor vs. Los Angeles Rams
Taylor’s been an above-average fantasy option this year. I’ve been critical of him this year based on his inability to pass the ball on a consistent basis.
So I’m not giving up on that assessment just yet.
The Rams’ defense is legitimate. They’ve proven that year-after-year and after the week 4 win against Arizona, I believe they’ve proven it once again. People freaked out about that week 1 loss to San Francisco, but I’ve been railing against that attitude for weeks, telling people to slow down their assessment of the Rams.
Los Angeles is a team very similar to Buffalo. In a good year, both teams can win nine games. In a bad year, they’re probably winning six games. Both rely on solid defense and long scoring plays for their offensive output.
This game shouldn’t include much scoring, so that will limit Taylor’s effectiveness. Even in decent games, Taylor has scored 16 points apiece in the last two weeks. If he has another decent day, you’re not missing much.
Brock Osweiler vs. Minnesota Vikings
With some byes this week featuring quarterbacks Blake Bortles, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees, you may be in the market for a quarterback.
If that’s your situation, then stay away from Osweiler.
He just doesn’t do a lot for me. He’s decent enough, but isn’t close to good enough to put up numbers against Minnesota’s defense. The Vikings get after opposing quarterbacks more than any other team in the NFL. That’s a major issue for the Texans with a makeshift offensive line.
What also is concerning is that Minnesota is tough on the opposition in turnover-margin. And Osweiler already has more interceptions than touchdowns on the season.
Minnesota has always been a tough place to play. With the best defense in the NFL suiting up in purple and yellow, it’s becoming almost impossible for opposing quarterbacks.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Remember when Fitzpatrick held out in the offseason and everyone believed he was a valuable piece to New York’s future?
That seems like a distant memory.
Fitzpatrick has been putrid this season, throwing nine interceptions in the last two weeks. The Jets drove the ball well in week 3 against Kansas City, but were severely hampered by Fitzpatrick’s six interceptions. In week 4, there was little room to move against Seattle.
The Steelers have had a rocky road this season with plenty of injuries to the defensive unit. That doesn’t matter in this week with an underachieving Jets team going on the road. Fitzpatrick is missing wide receiver Eric Decker and his running back Matt Forte was carted off during the week 4 loss to Seattle.
Too many injuries have me worried that the interception brigade will continue in week 5.
