Fantasy Football Week 5 stat projections
Week 5 Waiver Wire: Vikes rookies among key fantasy pickups
Jamaal Charles returned with a bang in Week 4, Bishop Sankey found the end zone for the first time in his career, Aaron Rodgers finally put up an Aaron Rodgers game, and Steve Smith torched his old Panthers teammates. All of those things were projected to happen in this space one week ago.
• Fact or Fiction: Time to trade McCoy? | Week 4 recap | Injuries
What surprises does this week have in store? Find out in SI.com’s Week 5 fantasy football stat projections.
• Challenge your friends and win BIG in our weekly fantasy football game
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
QB: Jay Cutler – 313 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Matt Forte – 116 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 52 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Brandon Marshall – 5 receptions, 74 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Alshon Jeffery – 8 receptions, 102 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Santonio Holmes – 2 receptions, 18 rec yards
TE: Martellus Bennett – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards
K: Robbie Gould – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Bears – 1 sack, 2 INT, 1 FR, 17 points allowed
QB: Cam Newton – 255 pass yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, 17 rush yards
RB: Darrin Reaves – 59 rush yards, 3 receptions, 15 rec yards
WR: Kelvin Benjamin – 8 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jerricho Cotchery – 3 receptions, 42 rec yards
WR: Philly Brown – 2 receptions, 19 rec yards
TE: Greg Olsen – 6 receptions, 72 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Graham Gano – 2 PAT, 1 FG
K: Panthers – 1 sack, 1 INT, 31 points allowed
This Panthers defense has been exposed in the last two weeks, and the Chicago offense is equipped to take advantage. Even if Brandon Marshall is banged up, the Bears should have a nice day offensively. Newton, meanwhile, isn’t a fantasy starter if he isn’t running.
• Rookie Watch: Kelvin Benjamin improving faster than expected for Carolina
Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans
QB: Brian Hoyer – 242 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Ben Tate – 75 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
RB: Terrance West – 34 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Isaiah Crowell – 25 rush yards, 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
WR: Andrew Hawkins – 5 receptions, 68 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Miles Austin – 4 receptions, 49 rec yards
TE: Jordan Cameron – 6 receptions, 70 rec yards
K: Billy Cundiff – 3 PAT
DST: Browns – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 23 points allowed
QB: Jake Locker – 263 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Bishop Sankey – 73 rush yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 8 rec yards
RB: Shonn Greene – 32 rush yards
WR: Kendall Wright – 6 receptions, 70 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Justin Hunter – 4 receptions, 82 rec yards
WR: Nate Washington – 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
TE: Delanie Walker – 7 receptions, 90 rec yards
K: Ryan Succop – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Titans – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 21 points allowed
Jake Locker’s return might get more press, but the real news in the Tennessee offense is the slow emergence of Bishop Sankey. The rookie's progress will accelerate this week.
• Ben Tate returns to Browns practice for the first time since knee injury
St. Louis Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
QB: Austin Davis – 282 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Zac Stacy – 83 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
RB: Benny Cunningham – 21 rush yards
WR: Brian Quick – 6 receptions, 103 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Kenny Britt – 3 receptions, 33 rec yards
WR: Austin Pettis – 5 receptions, 53 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Jared Cook – 5 receptions, 60 rec yards
K: Greg Zuerlein – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Rams – 2 sacks, 38 points allowed
QB: Nick Foles – 289 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: LeSean McCoy – 131 rush yards, 2 TD, 4 receptions, 53 rec yards
RB: Darren Sproles – 50 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Maclin – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Jordan Matthews – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards
WR: Riley Cooper – 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
TE: Zach Ertz – 3 receptions, 37 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Cody Parkey – 5 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Eagles – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
The Eagles should bounce back after getting shut down by the 49ers last week. Austin Davis is a sneaky play against a Philadelphia defense that has allowed the second most points to quarterbacks.
• The Worst of Week 4: Eagles get a very, very early wake-up call
Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants
QB: Matt Ryan – 273 pass yards, 2 TD
RB: Steven Jackson – 64 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 12 rec yards
RB: Jacquizz Rodgers – 22 rush yards
RB: Antone Smith – 10 rush yards, 1 reception, 5 rec yards
WR: Julio Jones – 6 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Roddy White – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Devin Hester – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards
WR: Harry Douglas – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
TE: Levine Toilolo – 1 reception, 8 rec yards
K: Matt Bryant – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Falcons – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 30 points allowed
QB: Eli Manning – 293 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Rashad Jennings – 121 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 28 rec yards
RB: Andre Williams – 53 rush yards
WR: Victor Cruz – 8 receptions, 108 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Rueben Randle – 4 receptions, 59 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Larry Donnell – 5 receptions, 74 rec yards
K: Josh Brown – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Giants – 3 sacks, 2 FR, 27 points allowed
The Giants offense has looked a whole lot better in the last two weeks, and Larry Donnell’s emergence will open things up in the red zone. This could be a shootout.
• Sunday superlatives: What's next for the Falcons' banged-up O-line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
QB: Mike Glennon – 264 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Doug Martin – 90 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 37 rec yards
RB: Bobby Rainey – 26 rush yards
WR: Vincent Jackson – 6 receptions, 88 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Louis Murphy – 4 receptions, 32 rec yards
TE: Austin Seferian-Jenkins – 6 receptions, 93 rec yards
K: Patrick Murray – 2 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Buccaneers – 1 sack, 1 FR, 34 points allowed
QB: Drew Brees – 330 pass yards, 4 TD
RB: Pierre Thomas – 22 rush yards, 6 receptions, 61 rec yards, 1 TD
RB: Khiry Robinson – 82 rush yards
WR: Marques Colston – 5 receptions, 64 rec yards
WR: Brandin Cooks – 7 receptions, 89 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Jimmy Graham – 8 receptions, 106 rec yards, 2 TD
K: Shayne Graham – 4 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Saints – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 20 points allowed
The Saints might be the biggest surprise in the league at 1-3. They should be able to get back in the win column against a Tampa Bay team that is coming off an upset victory over Pittsburgh but still doesn’t inspire much confidence.
• Three Thoughts: Saints offense in trouble after primetime struggles
Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick – 236 pass yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
RB: Arian Foster – 53 rush yards, 4 receptions, 32 rec yards
RB: Alfred Blue – 22 rush yards
WR: Andre Johnson – 5 receptions, 77 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: DeAndre Hopkins – 4 receptions, 73 rec yards
TE: Garrett Graham – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards
K: Randy Bullock – 1 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Texans – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 23 points allowed
QB: Tony Romo – 257 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: DeMarco Murray – 121 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 12 rec yards
WR: Dez Bryant – 6 receptions, 92 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Terrance Williams – 5 receptions, 73 rec yards
WR: Cole Beasley – 2 receptions, 11 rec yards
TE: Jason Witten – 4 receptions, 49 rec yards
K: Dan Bailey – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Cowboys – 4 sacks, 3 INT, 10 points allowed
Can DeMarco Murray keep up his streak of 100-yard, one-score games? With the way the Dallas offensive line has been bullying teams this year, the bet here is yes. Andre Johnson has more overall and red-zone targets than DeAndre Hopkins.
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions
QB: Kyle Orton – 194 pass yards, 2 INT
RB: Fred Jackson – 45 rush yards, 3 receptions, 17 rec yards
RB: C.J. Spiller – 33 rush yards, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
WR: Sammy Watkins – 5 receptions, 64 rec yards
WR: Robert Woods – 3 receptions, 25 rec yards
WR: Mike Williams – 3 receptions, 50 rec yards
TE: Scott Chandler – 1 reception, 6 rec yards
K: Dan Carpenter – 3 FG
DST: Bills – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 20 points allowed (7 by offense)
QB: Matthew Stafford – 291 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Reggie Bush – 34 rush yards, 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
RB: Joique Bell – 43 rec yards, 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
WR: Calvin Johnson – 9 receptions, 120 rec yards, 2 TD
WR: Golden Tate – 5 receptions, 52 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Ross – 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
TE: Eric Ebron – 4 receptions, 50 rec yards
K: Alex Henery – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Lions – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD, 9 points allowed
Kyle Orton takes over as the starter in Buffalo this week, but chances are it won’t change things much for the Bills, who are facing a tough Detroit DST.
• BURKE: Desperate Bills dump Manuel for Orton at QB
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
QB: Joe Flacco – 312 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Bernard Pierce – 71 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
RB: Justin Forsett – 14 rush yards, 4 receptions, 43 rec yards
RB: Lorenzo Taliaferro – 35 rush yards
WR: Steve Smith – 6 receptions, 101 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Torrey Smith – 4 receptions, 80 rec yards
WR: Marlon Brown – 3 receptions, 34 rec yards
TE: Owen Daniels – 4 receptions, 38 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Justin Tucker – 2 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Ravens – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
QB: Andrew Luck – 285 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 30 rush yards
RB: Trent Richardson – 42 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 18 rec yards
RB: Ahmad Bradshaw – 39 rush yards, 4 receptions, 41 rec yards
WR: Reggie Wayne – 7 receptions, 91 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: T.Y. Hilton – 5 receptions, 63 rec yards
TE: Dwayne Allen – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
TE: Coby Fleener – 3 receptions, 28 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Adam Vinatieri – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Colts – 1 INT, 2 FR, 23 points allowed
No one really knows how the Baltimore backfield will shake out this week, which is why I’d avoid these three running backs altogether. Baltimore has been tough on quarterbacks this year, but they haven’t seen anyone like Andrew Luck yet.
• BURKE: Steve Smith among the big surprises of the season's first quarter
Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars
QB: Ben Roethlisberger – 325 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Le’Veon Bell – 115 rush yards, 1 TD, 4 receptions, 40 rec yards
RB: LeGarrette Blount – 47 rush yards
WR: Antonio Brown – 8 receptions, 118 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Markus Wheaton – 5 receptions, 70 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Heath Miller – 6 receptions, 80 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Shaun Suisham – 4 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Steelers – 1 sack, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
QB: Blake Bortles – 277 pass yards, 2 TD, 17 rush yards
RB: Toby Gerhart – 44 rush yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 10 rec yards
RB: Denard Robinson – 25 rush yards, 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
WR: Allen Robinson – 6 receptions, 68 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Allen Hurns – 6 receptions, 75 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Clay Harbor – 5 receptions, 50 rec yards
K: Josh Scobee – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Jaguars – 2 sacks, 37 points allowed
Pittsburgh’s offense curiously slowed down after a fast start against the Buccaneers. Don’t expect them to repeat that in Jacksonville.
• MMQB: Greg Bedard breaks down Blake Bortles' first career start
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos
QB: Drew Stanton – 252 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Andre Ellington – 76 rush yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
RB: Stepfan Taylor – 22 rush yards
WR: Michael Floyd – 6 receptions, 94 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Larry Fitzgerald – 6 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: John Brown – 5 receptions, 53 rec yards
TE: John Carlson – 1 reception, 9 rec yards
K: Chandler Catanzaro – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Cardinals – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 30 points allowed
QB: Peyton Manning – 309 pass yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
RB: Montee Ball – 56 rush yards, 2 receptions, 14 rec yards
RB: Demaryius Thomas – 7 receptions, 105 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Emmanuel Sanders – 6 receptions, 73 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Wes Welker – 5 receptions, 52 rec yards
TE: Julius Thomas – 4 receptions, 58 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Brandon McManus – 3 PAT, 3 FG
DST: Broncos – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FR, 24 points allowed
Both these teams will have had two weeks off by time they play on Sunday. Stanton looked a lot better in his second start of the season, but it’ll be hard for him to keep up with Peyton Manning and company.
• Cardinals RB Dwyer formally charged with assaulting his wife
Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers
QB: Alex Smith – 243 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Jamaal Charles – 86 rush yards, 2 TD, 5 receptions, 53 rec yards
RB: Knile Davis – 32 rush yards, 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
WR: Dwayne Bowe – 5 receptions, 64 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Donnie Avery – 2 receptions, 31 rec yards
TE: Travis Kelce – 4 receptions, 45 rec yards
K: Cairo Santos – 3 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Chiefs – 2 sacks, 2 INT, 26 points allowed
QB: Colin Kaepernick – 239 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 33 rush yards
RB: Frank Gore – 101 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Carlos Hyde – 34 rush yards
WR: Michael Crabtree – 5 receptions, 86 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Anquan Boldin – 4 receptions, 67 rec yards
WR: Steve Johnson – 2 receptions, 27 rec yards
WR: Brandon Lloyd – 2 receptions, 21 rec yards
TE: Derek Carrier – 1 reception, 8 rec yards
K: Phil Dawson – 2 PAT, 4 FG
DST: 49ers – 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 24 points allowed
The Chiefs looked like a juggernaut last week, but they draw a much tougher DST in San Francisco on Sunday. A healthy Jamaal Charles, of course, makes a huge difference. After the success the 49ers had with Frank Gore last week, expect them to keep on feeding him.
• BANKS: 49ers don't know how good they have it with Harbaugh at helm
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers
QB: Geno Smith – 203 pass yards, 2 INT, 12 rush yards
RB: Chris Ivory – 88 rush yards, 1 TD
RB: Chris Johnson – 26 rush yards, 3 receptions, 18 rec yards
WR: Eric Decker – 6 receptions, 76 rec yards
WR: Jeremy Kerley – 4 receptions, 33 rec yards
TE: Jace Amaro – 5 receptions, 57 rec yards
K: Nick Folk – 1 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Jets – 2 sacks, 24 points allowed (7 by offense)
QB: Philip Rivers – 324 pass yards, 3 TD
RB: Donald Brown – 25 rush yards, 2 receptions, 13 rec yards
RB: Branden Oliver – 17 rush yards
WR: Keenan Allen – 8 receptions, 113 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Eddie Royal – 5 receptions, 77 rec yards
WR: Malcom Floyd – 4 receptions, 71 rec yards, 1 TD
TE: Antonio Gates – 4 receptions, 46 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Nick Novak – 4 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Chargers – 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 FR, 1 TD, 13 points allowed
Might this be Geno Smith’s swan song? It could be tough for Rex Ryan to run him out there again if he has another bad game, and with a hostile environment looming in San Diego, that just might be what happens. Philip Rivers should cut up a Jets defense that has struggled against the pass this year.
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots
QB: Andy Dalton – 293 pass yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
RB: Giovani Bernard – 68 rush yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 37 rec yards
RB: Jeremy Hill – 44 rush yards
WR: A.J. Green – 7 receptions, 103 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Marvin Jones – 4 receptions, 54 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Mohamed Sanu – 5 receptions, 43 rec yards
WR: Brandon Tate – 2 receptions, 16 rec yards
TE: Jermaine Gresham – 3 receptions, 32 rec yards
K: Mike Nugent – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Bengals – 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR, 19 points allowed
QB: Tom Brady – 238 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RB: Shane Vereen – 33 rush yards, 3 receptions, 26 rec yards
RB: Stevan Ridley – 47 rush yards
WR: Julian Edelman – 7 receptions, 79 rec yards
WR: Brandon LaFell – 4 receptions, 36 rec yards
TE: Rob Gronkowski – 5 receptions, 65 rec yards, 1 TD
K: Stephen Gostkowski – 1 PAT, 4 FG
DST: Patriots – 2 sacks, 1 INT, 27 points allowed
It’s still hard to believe, but the Patriots offense under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick is a fantasy wasteland. There’s no one to really like all that much this week, other than Rob Gronkowski.
• MMQB: Andy Benoit details how Belichick can fix the Patriots' problems
Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins
QB: Russell Wilson – 234 pass yards, 1 TD, 26 rush yards, 1 rush TD
RB: Marshawn Lynch – 84 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 9 rec yards
WR: Percy Harvin – 5 receptions, 81 rec yards, 1 TD, 17 rush yards
WR: Doug Baldwin – 5 receptions, 52 rec yards
WR: Jermaine Kearse – 4 receptions, 47 rec yards
TE: Ricardo Lockette – 4 receptions, 39 rec yards
K: Steven Hauschka – 3 PAT, 2 FG
DST: Seahawks – 4 sacks, 2 INT, 2 FR, 17 points allowed
QB: Kirk Cousins – 245 pass yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
RB: Alfred Morris – 58 rush yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions, 17 rec yards
RB: Roy Helu – 12 rush yards, 3 receptions, 21 rec yards
WR: Pierre Garcon – 6 receptions, 74 rec yards
WR: DeSean Jackson – 5 receptions, 84 rec yards, 1 TD
WR: Andre Roberts – 3 receptions, 27 rec yards
TE: Logan Paulsen – 2 receptions, 20 rec yards
K: Kai Forbath -- 2 PAT, 1 FG
DST: Redskins – 2 sacks, 1 FR, 27 points allowed
Washington may be at home, but this is still a bad matchup for Kirk Cousins. Russell Wilson is a strong play against a defense that has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
