DEZELSKE: Fantasy Football 2014-15: Week 5

Written by Brian Dezelske

Week 5 is here and we have a list of players that fantasy owners need to consider when constructing their starting lineups this week. As always, obvious fantasy starters like Jamaal Charles and Peyton Manning won’t be found on this list, and we base our information on a 12-team standard scoring format. Now get to it and start dominating your fantasy league.

Starts

Ben Roethlisberger vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

This is pretty much a no-brainer plug-and-play option for the savvy quarterback streamers out there. Big Ben has scored at least 15 fantasy points in three of four games this year, and has five touchdown passes in the last two contests. On the flip side, Jacksonville has allowed at least two scores in every game so far, has was torched for seven touchdowns in the last two games. Owners who play Big Ben have a sure-fire QB1 with Top-5 potential this Sunday.

 

Andre Ellington vs. Denver Broncos

Fantasy owners may be a tad worried about Ellington’s upcoming matchup, and for good reason. Arizona faces the Broncos who can put up points in bunches, forcing teams to play catch-up and rendering them one-dimensional. And Ellington hasn’t exactly lit the league on fire either. But if there was a week for him to bust out, this would be it. First off, the Cardinals have the defense to slow Peyton Manning down enough to keep this game close (reference Denver’s game against Seattle). Also, Bruce Arians’ game plan is going to include a heavy dose of the run game, in order to control the clock and keep the ball out of Manning’s hands. Denver has also given up three rushing scores in the last two games.

 

Ben Tate vs. Tennessee Titans

Ben Tate returned to practice this week, after missing the Browns previous two games. If he continues to practice and gets the green light to play on Sunday, he will find himself back in the starting lineup. That’s great for fantasy owners because he should see close to 60 percent of their offensive snaps, and Tennessee’s defense has given up the second-most rushing touchdowns through four weeks of play.

 

Bishop Sankey vs. Cleveland Browns

It took four games, but Bishop Sankey finally found the end zone. He’s also getting more in Ken Whisenhunt’s offense over the last two games. He’s clearly the most talented back on the Titan’s roster, and the coaching staff simply couldn’t keep him sidelined any longer. The added work gives him flex appeal this week against a weak Cleveland Browns defense that’s allowed five touchdowns to runners in three games. Just a reminder that Sankey is still the backup, but his matchup still garners flex consideration.

 

Andre Johnson vs. Dallas Cowboys

Andre Johnson owners are probably starting to look for his replacement because he hasn’t found the end zone yet. But I wouldn’t rush to bench him just yet. Sure, Johnson has scored in just two of his last 22 games played, but you have to find some positive amongst all the negative. And that is he does have six receptions in three of four games this year, and leads the team with 34 targets. Dallas also lost cornerback Morris Claiborne (torn pectoral) for the season, so the Cowboys are thin in the secondary. Johnson has dropped into that WR3/flex range, but value is not all lost. PPR owners should feel more optimistic about playing him.

 

Vernon Davis vs. Kansas City Chiefs

The health issues that surround Vernon Davis (back spasms) may worry fantasy owners, but all signs point to him starting this Sunday. And that’s a good thing because the 49ers host the Chiefs, whose defense has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in four games this year. And those tight ends include the likes of Delanie Walker, Julius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski—all elite athletes at that position. Vernon Davis is definitely in that group, and should be able to take advantage of a K.C. defense that’s allowed 13.7 fantasy points to opposing ends.

 

Sits

 

Tom Brady vs. Cincinnati Bengals

To the fantasy owner who thinks Tom Brady is elite: You’re right. He is an elite quarterback. But that does not mean he is still an elite fantasy quarterback. Being able to separate the two only help you, the owner, become a savvy fantasy player. Brady, who is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer, has exactly one touchdown in each of his four games this year. He currently has more turnovers than touchdown passes. This trend continues this week against a Bengals defense that allows the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing gunslingers.

 

Donald Brown vs. NY Jets

After not taking advantage of a prime matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, there’s no way owners can consider even flexing out Donald Brown this week. The New York Jets give up the fewest points to opposing running backs, and have yet to allow a touchdown to the position.

 

Montee Ball vs. Arizona Cardinals

Right now Montee Ball is gutting out a 3.4 YPC average, and the Arizona Cardinals are allowing a meager 2.9 YPC through this season. That is not the formula for running back success. Ball fits right in that flex area this week, but there are plenty of other options to look at for production on Sunday.

 

Alfred Morris vs. Seattle Seahawks

This is going to be a tough guy for owners to sit on their bench, simply because owners drafted Morris relatively high. That being said, fantasy owners will want to really temper their expectations with Alf this week. Seattle allows just 2.8 YPC to opposing running backs, and they are coming off a bye, which has given them extra time to prepare.

 

Sammy Watkins vs. Detroit Lions

The rookie from Clemson has struggled the past two weeks, having only mustered up 49 receiving yards over that span. The one positive in all this is that Watkins did score last week. However, this week is shaping up to be another dud. The Bills go on the road to face a Lions team that gives up the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. Buffalo is also starting Kyle Orton at quarterback this week, in place of former first-round pick EJ Manuel who was benched. Orton is known to be an accurate passer, but wait to see how he fits into the Bills offense before playing Watkins.

 

Coby Fleener vs. Baltimore Ravens

Fantasy owners are jumping for joy seeing Coby Fleener finally contributing to the success of the Indianapolis Colts offense. Fleener scored touchdowns in back-to-back weeks for the first time in his career, and was targeted 10 times in those two games. But this week is a much tougher test for both Fleener and Dwayne Allen. The Baltimore Ravens are giving up an average of just 35.3 yards per game to tight ends, and no tight end has scored on them yet.