We’re five weeks down and eight or nine weeks to go until the playoffs. That’s pretty scary, eh? We’re already over 1/3 of the way past the NFL season. To those who wasted their money on Latavius Murray last week, we tried to warn you about spending big until a home run comes along. It didn’t pan out and you’ve got people like Aaron Jones out there racking up points. It is a somewhat confusing year. We somehow haven’t gotten that much production from the top end of talent, but doesn’t that make you think a little more?
Below is a list of guys I’m focused on for one reason or another this week. They’re especially important in daily fantasy sports (DFS). I never highlight your stars because you’re obviously starting them unless I tell you otherwise. If you’re curious about guys you don’t see listed here or have specific lineup questions, you can always find me on Twitter (@MrT_BroBible) to ask questions, but remember to mention league specifics like PPR. You can always ask about trades as well.
You Know Who You Should Start?
Jameis Winston (QB – Tampa Bay)
The list of QB streamers this week is really week. We’re going back to the well with Winston who goes up against a team that has allowed 20+ fantasy points to any quarterback that isn’t just keeping the position warm (aka Brian Hoyer and Jacoby Brissett).
C.J. Anderson (RB – Denver)
The Giants run defense has been porous this year compared to last. They’ve given up 99 or more rushing yards to running backs in every game this season and it will certainly be worse if Olivier Vernon doesn’t play.
Ameer Abdullah (RB – Detroit)
Matthew Stafford is banged up, which means Detroit will likely rely on the running game a little more this week. It’s also not a bad idea because it keeps the Saints offense off the field and the Saints have the third worst ranked running defense according to Football Outsiders DVOA.
Desean Jackson (WR – Tampa Bay)
This is one of those Desean weeks, but we still can’t guarantee much. What we can guarantee is the Cardinals defensive backs who will be matched up against him were bad enough to give up long touchdowns to Nelson Agholor and Torrey Smith. And that the Cardinals give up the sixth most points to the position through five week.
Willie Snead (WR – New Orleans)
Vegas see the game between New Orleans and Detroit being high-scoring given that it has a total of 50.5. Points are there to be scored and New Orleans will likely find them if they pass through the middle of the field. That’s what most teams do against Detroit and that’s where Snead runs his routes.
George Kittle (TE – San Francisco)
San Francisco will fall behind in this game against Washington and they will try to come back. Kittle’s the guy from where the comeback attempt will be focused. Washington is third worst in the league at defending the tight end position and Kittle’s become a valued member of that off.
Other guys you should start: Kirk Cousins (QB – Washington), Carson Palmer (QB – Arizona), Josh McCown (QB – N.Y. Jets), Jordan Howard (RB – Chicago), Mark Ingram (RB – New Orleans), Javorius Allen (RB – Baltimore), Jerick McKinnon (RB – Minnesota), Chris Thompson (RB – Washington), Terrell Pryor (WR – Washington), Adam Thielen (WR – Minnesota), Pierre Garcon (WR – San Francisco), Devin Funchess (WR – Carolina), Rishard Matthews (WR – Tennessee), John Brown (WR – Arizona), Jermaine Kearse (WR – N.Y. Jets), Delanie Walker (TE – Tennessee), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE – N.Y. Jets), Ryan Griffin (TE – Houston),
You Know Who You Should Sit?
Carson Wentz (QB – Philadelphia)
It never helps offensive numbers to work on a short week and Wentz has to go up against a defense that’s only allowed 1 QB to throw for over 230 yards this year.
Isaiah Crowell (RB – Cleveland)
Crowell was drafted in approximately the fourth round of every draft because the Browns had supposedly improved their offensive line and their offensive weaponry. That hasn’t exactly panned out and Crowell should be avoided at all costs for the time being. Add in the fact that he goes against the Texans, who are 5th at holding running backs down in fantasy points this year and it’s an ugly situation.
Carlos Hyde (RB – San Francisco)
Last week was very disconcerting for Hyde’s long term future. He ceded touches to Matt Breiza and now spends all week preparing as a 10-point underdog against the 8th best run defense according to DVOA.
Martavis Bryant (WR – Pittsburgh)
I was high on Bryant coming into this year, but he only has one touchdown and hasn’t surpassed 100 yards in a game yet. He’s obviously tied to Ben and if we don’t like Ben, we can’t like Martavis either.
Will Fuller (WR – Houston)
Cleveland’s cornerbacks have been surprisingly good, placing third and 14th in Player Profiler’s list of rankings. Houston will likely have an early lead and not be throwing that much as they burn second half clock. Plus fuller has done all his work with extremely limited touches through two games.
Kyle Rudolph (TE – Minnesota)
Don’t get too excited just because Kyle Rudolph found the end zone finally last week. This year he has to do it against the Packers, who are weakest on the outsides. They’re so weak on the outside that the Rams defense against tight ends is actually the second best in the league.
Other guys you should sit: Eli Manning (QB – N.Y. Giants), Jared Goff (QB – L.A. Rams), Doug Martin (RB – Tampa Bay), Mike Gillislee (RB – New England), LeGarrette Blount (RB – Philadelphia), Frank Gore (RB – Indianapolis), Wayne Gallman (RB – N.Y. Giants), Adrian Peterson (RB – Arizona), Demaryius Thomas (WR – Denver), Davante Parker (WR – Miami), Sammy Watkins (WR – L.A. Rams), Marqise Lee (WR – Jacksonville), Jared Cook (TE – Oakland), Jack Doyle (Indianapolis)