Fantasy Football Week 5: Sunday Morning Game-Day Preview

Welcome to the Sunday slate of Week 5 in the NFL. This is also the fifth week to earn another victory in your fantasy football leagues. It would certainly be nice to be 4-0 and headed for 5-0.

Week 5 began this past Thursday, with the Arizona Cardinals taking care of business over the San Francisco 49ers by riding running back David Johnson. Quarterback Drew Stanton completed just 11 passes.

This week, plenty of star players are on bye.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks are the teams we need to worry about this week.

No matter, though. These game previews will have some sleeper options that will make your Week 5 decisions easier.

Let's see...why don't we start with the Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings?

Fantasy Football Week 5: Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings

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Game Preview

For the third time in four weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will be at home. This season the Vikings are one of just two teams that are 4-0 and two of three that are undefeated (Philadelphia Eagles are 3-0). Even without quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikings—when you factor in their defense—are a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

On the flip side, their opponent—the Houston Texans—have gotten off to a rocky start, but they are 3-1. So far this season they are 0-1 on the road and have beaten the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Tennessee Titans at home.

This will be their tallest order yet. Yes, even more than going into Foxborough where they got trounced by the New England Patriots.

According to Odds Shark, the Texans are a 6.5-point road dog. This should be a gritty battle.

I like the Vikings in this one at home, 23-13.

Injury Updates

The Texans will finally get back starting left tackle Duane Brown. Protecting quarterback Brock Osweiler's blind side is an area the team needed to address. Getting Brown back will solidify an offensive line for the Texans that will need to contain some stellar defensive players on the Vikings.

For the home team, the Vikings may be without No. 1 wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who is listed as doubtful with a groin injury. Losing Diggs will be a detriment to the team, but we also may get to see more of 2016 first-round draft choice Laquon Treadwell.

Fantasy Fixtures

Houston Texans

For the Texans, it's hard to sit wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller unless you have a stacked wide receiving corps. I know—it's the Vikings, but these guys are hard to sit out. Also, start running back Lamar Miller. He is second in the league in carries but has yet to find the end zone. Given his workload, Miller is going to snap this funk sooner or later.

Minnesota Vikings

Last week, the Texans gave up more than 120 yards rushing to Titans running back DeMarco Murray and Co. Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon is no Murray, but given his role in the offense and his ability to catch passes, McKinnon is a guy I feel pretty confident in this week, especially without having to worry about Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

Sleepers and Streamers

The only real sleeper in this game is Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen. With Diggs most likely sitting this one out, Thielen becomes the somewhat No. 1 wide receiving option. Other than him, we could see Treadwell play meaningful snaps, making him someone to watch.

With all of this said, it would take some serious lineup issues to thrust either one of these guys in there.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts

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Game Preview

In a rematch of Super Bowl XLI, the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts will square off in Indianapolis with both teams sitting at 1-3. It will be Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer's third start of the season, and he's coming off back-to-back games of throwing for 300-plus yards and two touchdowns.

Coming back from London in Week 4, the Colts lost yet another heartbreaker to the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars, 30-27.

The Colts were thought to be one of the premier teams in the NFL with Luck coming back, but that early praise seems unwarranted so far.

This is about as close to a must-win game in Week 5 as we'll see.

As a 4.5-point home favorite, the Bears should cover, but the Colts will escape with the win, 30-27.

Injury Updates

As we knew going into the week, the Bears will likely be without running back Jeremy Langford once again. Not only that, but they're also down quarterback Jay Cutler and even perhaps wide receiver Eddie Royal. With fellow wide receiver Kevin White on injured reserve, the Bears need Royal to suit up.

No surprise here, but the Colts will be without wide receiver Donte Moncrief.

Fantasy Fixtures

Chicago Bears

Running back Jordan Howard has made me happy this season. With Langford active, it was hard for him to find playing time, but now that he has it, we can boot Langford to the curb. The Colts defense is an abomination that sets up nicely for Howard and also wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Sure, he'll be going up against Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, but Jeffery may be the only option in the passing game for Hoyer.

Indianapolis Colts

For the Colts, you need to start Luck—he's the QB5. Especially in standard leagues, you should start running back Frank Gore. Hopefully, he can break this never-ending streak of Colts running backs missing out on 100-yard rushing games. Lastly, T.Y. Hilton should be in for a decent day, going up against a young Bears secondary that is beatable.

Sleepers and Streamers

With Jeffery being the No. 1 wide receiver with White and perhaps Royal out, a deep sleeper option could be wide receiver Cameron Meredith. After White left Week 4 with an injury, Meredith was the next man up who played the most snaps among Bears wide receivers after Jeffery.

We cannot forget Hoyer. He's coming off two great fantasy performances and should have a similar game Sunday.

With Moncrief out, some thought second-year wide receiver Phillip Dorsett would step up in a big way. Well, that has yet to happen. Minus a 64-yard touchdown in Week 4, Dorsett would have finished with zero receptions. He's a sleeper/streamer option this week, as he's not exactly someone who is a staple in fantasy lineups like we thought he'd be. Again, the Bears defense is susceptible to the pass, so Dorsett can hopefully get some more action in Week 5.

Fantasy Football Week 5: New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

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Game Preview

In a battle of a couple of 2015 heavyweights, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the rapidly declining New York Jets.

After returning from a three-game suspension in Week 4, Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell ran wild and showed zero signs of rust.

With the gang all back together—Bell, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown—we are going to get to see the most talented triumvirate in the NFL. 

The Jets are 7.5-point underdogs on the road without cornerback Darrelle Revis against an unstoppable offense.

However, the Steelers defense isn't anything to brag about, and you'd have to think Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has to stop this streak of nine interceptions over the last two games.

I'll take the Steelers by a touchdown, with the chance of a backdoor cover.

Injury Updates

As already mentioned, Revis is likely to sit this one out with a hamstring injury. On the offensive side of the ball, the Jets will be without wide receiver Eric Decker, who has a partially torn rotator cuff. As for fellow wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, he's expected to play after not practicing Friday, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.

The injuries for the home team are somewhat limited. Nonetheless, the Steelers will be without one of their best defensive players in linebacker Ryan Shazier, who is dealing with a knee injury.

Fantasy Fixtures

New York Jets

With Decker out, fellow wide receiver and No. 1 option Brandon Marshall is a must-play, even with all the struggles from Fitzpatrick.

The past two weeks have been rough for Jets running back Matt Forte, who has 92 yards on 29 carries. However, we can't really blame him for that, as the Jets got dismantled by the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks. Forte should return higher-end RB2 value in this one.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Brown, Bell and Roethlisberger are must-starts, especially with Revis sitting this one out. If you need an explanation here as to why these three are staples, well, I just have no idea what to say. Start them.

Sleepers and Streamers

Three sleepers stick out here. 

Jets running back Bilal Powell makes for a decent flex fill-in, as he leads the Jets backfield in receptions and could provide decent value in points-per-reception formats.

The next two come from the Steelers: their defense and tight end Jesse James.

Picking this defense is based on a lack of confidence in Fitzpatrick and whether he'll continue this parade of interceptions.

James has proved to be of worth this season so far, catching two touchdowns including one in Week 4 against the Chiefs. The Jets give up double-digit fantasy points to opposing tight ends, so James fits in nicely on the off-chance he scores a touchdown in a bye week that includes Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham taking a breather.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins

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Game Preview

In a game that some thought Hurricane Matthew would postpone, the Tennessee Titans will be on the road against the Miami Dolphins.

I'll be honest—this is going to be unexciting.

Neither of these teams figures to be close to making the playoffs this season, and the game has fairly limited fantasy action.

The Dolphins are three-point home favorites, but the Titans win this outright since they have the better defense, 19-15.

Injury Updates

Shocker: Dolphins running back Arian Foster will likely sit out yet another game with a soft tissue injury, with fellow running back Jay Ajayi being the lead back. Besides Foster, the Dolphins will miss never-used tight end Jordan Cameron and cornerback Xavien Howard.

Fantasy Fixtures

Tennessee Titans

There is no way you're sitting down the No. 1 running back in fantasy. You know, Titans running back DeMarco Murray. He's been on a tear this year.

I'm playing Titans tight end Delanie Walker, too. After missing Week 3, Walker came back with a mediocre performance, catching two passes for 34 yards. Unlike Week 4, though, the matchup here is much more favorable for Walker, who has legitimate top-five tight end upside.

Miami Dolphins

A weekly staple in your lineups, especially in PPR leagues, is Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry. He's off to a heck of start once again, ranking second in the league in receptions—just behind Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green by one catch.

Sleepers and Streamers

With Howard out for the Dolphins, the secondary is that much more questionable. You know where I'm going here—Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe. I get it, he has not been what we all thought this season, catching fewer balls by the week and not yet finding the end zone. Most of that is on quarterback Marcus Mariota, though. 

The Dolphins are without Foster and are going to commit to one back as the go-to. In limited work in Week 4, Ajayi was productive with a number of great runs. He has mid-to-low RB2 value if they commit to him.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions

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Game Preview

After taking care of the Pittsburgh Steelers handily in Week 3, the Philadelphia Eagles will get their first real road test against the Detroit Lions. Granted, the Lions have shown flashes of brilliance and probably more of the same old head-scratching nonsense.

The Lions offense is loaded with weapons, but the defense needs to be much improved if Detroit wants to take out the Eagles and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz.

At home, the Lions are a 3.5-point underdog. Coming off an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears, the Lions need to win this game to keep pace in the NFC North.

However, the Eagles take this one, 24-20. This is going to be a tough matchup for the Lions and quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Injury Updates

The notable injuries here are on the Lions. Tight end Eric Ebron is out with ankle and knee injuries, and running back Dwayne Washington is listed as doubtful with a foot and ankle injury.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions will be without their best pass-rusher once again in Ziggy Ansah. He has a high ankle sprain.

Fantasy Fixtures

Detroit Lions

The only fixture from both of these two rosters is Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones, who, before Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald's Week 5 performance on Thursday night, was the WR1 in PPR formats.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have a few players who are worth a play, but they are not necessarily fixtures. See: tight end Zach Ertz.

Sleepers and Streamers

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews will return this week. This doesn't scare me away one iota from fellow running back Wendell Smallwood, though. It's hard to ignore how well he has done. Wentz is also a decent play here. No, he won't throw for 350 yards and three scores, but he will avoid turnovers and is a decent bet to finish as a QB1 this week.

Fantasy Football Week 5: New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns

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Game Preview

Lord have mercy on the Cleveland Browns this week.

Unless you've been under a rock for the last several months, you know this is the return of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after serving his four-game suspension for Deflategate.

From a betting perspective, this is a tough one. It's not too often you're tempted to go against the home double-digit dog, but this could be the exception.

Browns quarterback Cody Kessler is going to see so many different things from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that I'm not sure he'll be able to handle much of it.

Patriots 34, Browns 14. 

Injury Updates

There's nothing out of the ordinary here. The Browns will be without rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman for another week. 

Fantasy Fixtures

New England Patriots

Basically every single Patriots player should be started. Seriously, though, Brady, wide receiver Julian Edelman, running back LeGarrette Blount and tight end Rob Gronkowski are all necessary plays. I'm not sure I can fathom what we're about to witness, but the Pats won't let us down.

Cleveland Browns

Browns running back Isaiah Crowell has been one of the more underrated backs this season. Get this: Against defensive fronts with eight men or more in the box, he has the second-most rushing attempts at 28 with an incredible 225 rushing yards and three touchdowns against them. Crowell is becoming a necessary back to start each week.

Though not really a fixture—especially against the Patriots—Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor is an interesting option this week. He'll either contribute, or Belichick will make him a total non-factor.

Sleepers and Streamers

We all know how the Patriots used running back Dion Lewis early last season. Brady loves using his running backs out of the backfield. This could be the week when we finally see running back James White come into prominence and burst on to the scene as a must-have PPR back.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Washington Redskins at Baltimore Ravens

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Game Preview

With their stadiums separated by just 34 miles and 40 minutes, the Washington Redskins will be "on the road" against the Baltimore Ravens.

Shoot, the Redskins could leave early Sunday morning and arrive with plenty of time.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Redskins offense has come to life, scoring 60 points over their last two games and winning both.

The Ravens are 3-1, but they are coming off a heartbreaker in which they lost in the final minutes to the Oakland Raiders.

This will be the Ravens' first game since they released veteran running back Justin Forsett.

M&T Bank stadium could well be split 50-50 with Redskins and Ravens fans. This is always a fun interstate matchup to watch. Remember, the Redskins stadium is in Landover, Maryland.

Injury Updates

The Redskins will be without their No. 1 draft pick from 2016, Josh Doctson, who has been dealing with an Achilles injury for quite some time now.

Fantasy Fixtures

Washington Redskins

After finally getting off the touchdown-less schneid with a two-touchdown performance in Week 4, Reed will be the focal point of the Redskins aerial assault.

Baltimore Ravens

This is the week of Ravens running back Terrance West. Through four games, the Redskins have given up seven rushing touchdowns. With fellow running back Kenneth Dixon making his NFL debut, West's opportunities from here on out may be limited. This is his time to shine.

Dial up West.

Sleepers and Streamers

Speaking of Dixon, he's a definite sleeper option this week. With how generous the Redskins are against opposing running backs, Dixon could get enough work that will warrant at worst a flex play in 12-plus man leagues.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos

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Game Preview

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones are coming off a historic performance with a 500-yard passing and 300-yard receiving day in Week 4, respectively. The Falcons crushed the Carolina Panthers. They got so beat up they cut one of their starting cornerbacks in Bene Benwikere.

The Broncos have, once again, one of the stoutest defenses in the league. This week, the offense will be quarterbacked by rookie Paxton Lynch, according to Mike Klis of 9 News Denver. Trevor Siemian is out with an injury.

The Falcons are a 4.5-point road dog. They have a decent chance to cover with Lynch making his first career start, but that defense is just too darn good.

I'll take the Broncos, 24-18.

Injury Updates

Lynch is in. Siemian is out, battling a non-throwing shoulder injury. Expect him to resume his role as starter next week, though.

Fantasy Fixtures

Atlanta Falcons

The tandem of Ryan and Jones is one of the best right now. Although it's the Broncos, Jones should still put up WR1 numbers. Ryan could have a tougher time, though.

Denver Broncos

In Lynch's first career start, the Broncos may look to utilize running back C.J. Anderson more to take pressure off the rookie. Tied for the RB10 spot in PPR leagues, Anderson is what his ranking indicates—an RB1 in Week 5. Keep him in your lineups.

Sleepers and Streamers

Lynch is an intriguing bye week fill-in with his mobility. If you're in a two-quarterback league or in a deeper league with bye-week issues, Lynch could provide 13- to 15-point upside against the Falcons, who give up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys

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Game Preview

For the first time since 2008, the Cincinnati Bengals will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.

A win Sunday on the road would give the Bengals their first win in Dallas since 1988, when they won 38-24.

However, the Bengals will have a somewhat surprising tough task going up against the two Cowboys rookies, running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott.

At 3-1, the Cowboys will look to keep pace in what has become a rather competitive NFC East.

The same applies to the Bengals. They are in third place in the AFC North at 2-2, with the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of them.

Odds Shark has the Cowboys as a 2.5-point home favorite. Unfortunately for the Bengals, the losing streak in Dallas will continue. They'll get another shot in 2024, though.

Cowboys 26, Bengals, 21. 

Injury Updates

Thought to return in Week 5 from an ankle issue, Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert suffered a back injury this past week in practice and will not play. This is frustrating for Eifert owners, but hopefully he'll suit up in Week 6.

According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News, don't expect Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant to suit up Sunday. He has a hairline fracture in his knee and could return next week.

Fantasy Fixtures

Cincinnati Bengals

Leading the league in receptions, Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green is a lock for 15 points per week in PPR leagues. Start him.

Dallas Cowboys

On the other side, Elliott is just unreal, coming off back-to-back games with more than 135 yards. He's a locked-and-loaded top-10 running back this week.

Sleepers and Streamers

With Bryant all but out, fellow wide receiver Cole Beasley will hopefully get targeted more than the three times he was in Week 4 without Bryant. I'm expecting five to seven targets for him this week. With that workload, Beasley should return excellent PPR results.

Fantasy Football Week 5: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders

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Game Preview

One of the three divisional matchups in Week 5 and the only one on Sunday, the San Diego Chargers will travel north to Oakland and take on the likely soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders and quarterback Derek Carr are coming off a thrilling victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the final minutes of their Week 4 contest.

For the Chargers, it's about as polar opposite as you can get, as they blew yet another lead with less than two minutes to go to the New Orleans Saints.

Just think, the Chargers could be 4-0 if football games were 58 minutes long.

Numerous ACL tears have crippled the Chargers. Will quarterback Philip Rivers be able to take advantage of a Raiders defense that gives up the most passing yards per game to opposing quarterbacks at over 330?

As a 3.5-point home favorite, the Raiders should win this, but it will be close.

Raiders 28, Chargers 24.

Injury Updates

As previously mentioned, the Chargers have lost many players to ACL tears this season. Most recently, Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett went down. This is not good for a Chargers defense that is already somewhere between average and slightly below average.

The Raiders will be without running back Latavius Murray (turf toe).

Fantasy Fixtures

San Diego Chargers

At this point, it's impossible to sit Chargers running back Melvin Gordon. He continues to produce every week, coming into Week 5 as the RB4 in PPR leagues.

Oakland Raiders

With Verrett out, the Raiders should have a field day passing the ball. Because of that, second-year wide receiver Amari Cooper is someone I'd play here, although he's had a tough start to the season. He's not the only wide receiver, though. Michael Crabtree has been a force this year and is coming off a three-touchdown game. If you own these guys, you need to start them.  

Sleepers and Streamers

One of these weeks he'll be relevant. I'm talking about Chargers running back Dexter McCluster. Originally signed to fill in for the injured Danny Woodhead, McCluster has yet to do much of anything this season. What's a better spot than against the Raiders on the road?

Remember at the top when Murray was mentioned? Yeah, well, that means Oakland running back DeAndre Washington should be in for a decent day. The Chargers give up the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs. While the Raiders could use fellow running back Jalen Richard here and there, Washington should get first crack to do some damage.

Fantasy Football Week 5: Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams

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Game Preview

Outside of Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams fans and fantasy owners for players on the both teams, who cares about this game?

This one has borefest written all over it. But I digress.

However, this is pretty cool: This is the first game for the Bills against the Rams in Los Angeles since November 27, 1983.

I mean, a loaf of bread was $0.66!

This smells of a defensive, low-scoring affair. Now that I've said that, they'll combine for 90 points.

Odd Shark has this as a pick'em, but I'll take the Rams at home, 23-17. Welcome to 4-1, Rams fans. Don't worry—there's still plenty of time to finish 8-8.

Injury Updates

Outside of Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins being put on injured reserve, no other injuries will impact fantasy results directly.

Fantasy Fixtures

Buffalo Bills

Running back LeSean McCoy is my lone fixture for the Bills this week, after coming off a 25-touch, 100-plus-yard performance with a receiving touchdown. The passing attack will not be all that threatening.

Los Angeles Rams

I'm going with another running back here for the Rams in Todd Gurley. Yes, it's been a tough go of it so far for the second-year back, but he is too talented to continue to post dud after dud. The Rams passing attack needs to start getting more aggressive to keep opposing defenses honest, thus opening up more space in the running game.

Both teams give up a generous amount of rushing yards, but neither is terrible against the run game. I'm starting both backs this week. Gurley will get it going at some point, right?

Sleepers and Streamers

Bills wide receiver Robert Woods is the streamer/sleeper option here.

In Week 4 without fellow wide receiver Sammy Watkins, Woods saw 10 targets, caught seven of them and totaled 89 yards.

Double-digit targets are in his future once again this week.

Fantasy Football Week 5: New York Giants at Green Bay Packers

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Game Preview

Sunday Night Football this week will feature the New York Giants and the home-team Green Bay Packers.

This will be the second prime-time game in two weeks for the Giants, who lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.

Surrounding the Giants this past week has been wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and his actions on the field that have been considered by most as immature and/or passionate.

If you're reading this, OBJ, please play well so that story can just go away.

The Packers have given up the second-most passing yards this season at 330, so that could prove to benefit OBJ.

If he is reading this, though, he won't like my prediction with the Packers being seven-point favorites.

I'll take the home team by 10, 34-24. This is definitely not a game I'd recommend betting on, though. 

Injury Updates

The only injury that sticks out is Giants tight end Larry Donnell. Expect to see a heavy dosage of fellow tight end Will Tye.

Fantasy Fixtures

New York Giants

OBJ is a fixture no doubt. His antics the past few weeks do not bother me. Seven catches for 135 yards and a touchdown is right about where I'd pin this one.

Green Bay Packers

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson are locks on the Packers. This tandem is just ridiculous. This could be one of those games with fewer passing yards for Rodgers but with multiple touchdown passes.

Sleepers and Streamers

With Donnell out and Tye taking over the main tight end duties, he could find a cheap score. After all, the Packers do give up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and ESPN.com. Injury report news courtesy of the respective team's site. Betting odds courtesy of Odds Shark.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.