Fantasy Football Week 5: Start’em / Sit’em
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Steve Smith Sr @IND (72%, 12) – Maybe he has a let down game after his thrashing of the Panthers last week, but I don’t think so. Smith has become Flacco’s go-to receiver and is currently in the top 5 of all WRs in fantasy points.
Cordarrelle Patterson @GB (68%, 10) – I don’t blame you if you want to bench Patterson after 3 straight sub par games, but I think he has too much talent to keep putting up fantasy lines under 10 points. Before his three game slump Patterson had put up 10 or more points in 6 straight games going back to last year, so the potential is there. It’s just a hunch really but i think Patterson has a big game tonight vs the Packers.
UPDATE: Sorry! I should have added a note about benching him and all your Vikings if Christian Ponder is the starting QB. My bad.
DeAndre Hopkins @DAL (49%, 10) – it would be fun to see what Hopkins could do with a good QB, but even with a bum like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Hopkins is still putting up double-digit fantasy lines every week. I think he is just scratching the surface of his potential and still has a breakout game coming. The Cowboys have been surprisingly competent on defense so far, but their secondary isn’t good and Hopkins should be open all day.
Terrance Williams HOU (48%, 9) – I was getting worried about Williams, who was one of my breakout picks this season, but after two TDs last week it seems that Romo is making more of an effort to get him involved. With defenses focusing on Dez Bryant, Williams should be able to get open again this week. Houston’s defense has been good so far, but they haven’t played an offense with the talent or O-line that the Cowboys have.
Michael Floyd @DEN (48%, 11) – I know Floyd is coming off a bye week, but 48% is way to low. He’s the clear #1 WR in AZ now and HC Bruce Arians likes to throw the ball regardless of who is at QB. They will need to throw often this week anyway to keep up with the high-powered Broncos offense.
Kendall Wright CLE (26%, 10) – It’s been a slow start to the season for one of my breakout picks, but after catching 90 passes last year I’m pretty sure the talent is still there. Jake Locker should be back under center this week and Cleveland’s defense hasn’t been good. Either has Locker besides week 1, but he is an improvement over Charlie Whistehurst and should be able to put up some points this week.
Andrew Hawkins@TEN (9%, 9) – Baby Hawk isn’t getting any love this year despite averaging over 10 targets per game. He is Brian Hoyer’s go-to target and should continue to put up double-digit fantasy lines.
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Martellus Bennett @CAR (72%, 9) – The Black Unicorn is on a rampage and with Brandon Marshall still banged up, Bennett should continue to be Cutler’s go-to guy.
Travis Kelce @SF (47%, 8) – Has gotten better every week and is the Chiefs best weapon in the passing game. If he stays healthy, I think Kelce finishes the year as a top 7 fantasy TE.
Zach Ertz STL (50%, 6) – He’s had two disappointing weeks in a row, but is still getting open and getting targets in the red zone. QB Nick Foles is just having a hard time getting Ertz the ball. I have seen three plays that would have resulted in Ertz TDs, but Foles threw an errant pass. If these two get their timing down, Ertz will be a fantasy asset. Don’t give up on him yet.
Jordan Cameron @TEN (38%, 8) – He practiced fully this week for the first time all season and should put up solid numbers against the Titans, who have given up the 13th most fantasy points to TEs this season.