NFL Scores Week 5: Top Fantasy Stars, Results and Latest Team Stats
It took an injury to quarterback Carson Palmer for the Arizona Cardinals to refocus on their best weapon: running back David Johnson.
In a 33-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Johnson racked up 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. He added 28 yards on three receptions.
Johnson's 29 fantasy points in standard ESPN.com fantasy leagues comfortably led all players in Thursday's game.
His performance led to this comparison from teammate Tyrann Mathieu:
Other notable fantasy performers from the week can be found below:
| Arizona Cardinals | 33-21 | San Francisco 49ers | David Johnson (157 rush yds, 2 TDs, 3 rec., 28 yds) |
| New England Patriots | 33-13 | Cleveland Browns | Tom Brady (28-of-40, 406 yds, 3 TDs) |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 23-24 | Detroit Lions | Theo Riddick (49 rush yds, 6 rec., 33 yds, 2 TDs) |
| Chicago Bears | 23-29 | Indianapolis Colts | Adam Vinatieri (5-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 XPs) |
| Tennessee Titans | 30-17 | Miami Dolphins | Marcus Mariota (20-of-29, 163 yds, 3 TDs, 60 rush yds, 1 TD) |
| Washington Redskins | 16-10 | Baltimore Ravens | Jamison Crowder (3 rec., 35 yds, 89 return yds, 1 return TD) |
| Houston Texans | 13-31 | Minnesota Vikings | Sam Bradford (22-of-30, 271 yds, 2 TDs) |
| New York Jets | 13-31 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Ben Roethlisberger (34-of-47, 380 yds, 4 TDs) |
| Atlanta Falcons | 23-16 | Denver Broncos | Tevin Coleman (31 rush yds, 4 rec., 132 yds, 1 TD) |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 14-28 | Dallas Cowboys | Ezekiel Elliott (134 rush yds, 2 TDs, 3 rec., 37 yds) |
| Buffalo Bills | 30-19 | Los Angeles Rams | Buffalo D/ST (2 fumbles recovered, 2 INTs, 1 INT TD) |
| San Diego Chargers | 31-34 | Oakland Raiders | Philip Rivers (20-of-29, 359 yds, 4 TDs, 2 INTs) |
| New York Giants | 16-23 | Green Bay Packers | Aaron Rodgers (23-of-45, 259 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) |
Notable Week 5 Fantasy Performers
David Johnson
The average NFL fan may not have much in common with the Cardinals' star runner, but it's safe to say he or she is on board with Johnson's thoughts on his season so far, as the NFL shared:
After Thursday's performance, Johnson is on pace for 1,462 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 54 receptions and 762 receiving yards.
And those projections could go up over the course of the year if the Cardinals decide to shift away from a pass-heavy offense that depends on the 36-year-old Palmer.
In the meantime, enjoy Johnson's highlight reel from Week 5, via the NFL:
Tom Brady's revenge tour kicked off with a 33-13 win Sunday, as the New England Patriots quarterback came off his four-game suspension to complete 28 of 40 passing attempts for 406 yards and three touchdowns against a hapless Cleveland Browns defense:
Brady was so dominant in what could be seen as a "stick it to the league" performance that he was able to leave the game with six minutes to play. Patriots fans in Cleveland began chanting his name when he headed to the sideline, per ESPN.com's Mike Reiss.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense looked as potent as any other in the league over the first four weeks of the season. Nothing changed Sunday.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a 31-13 win by completing 34 of 47 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns against the New York Jets.
His ridiculous production continues to set him apart from any other quarterback in franchise history. The Steelers tweeted Sunday that Roethlisberger's 48th 300-yard game extended his own team record. Dom Rinelli, who works for Pittsburgh's public relations department, tweeted that Big Ben's 12th four-touchdown game also extended a franchise record.
Ezekiel Elliott
In the first couple weeks, Ezekiel Elliott relinquished his preseason post as the Rookie of the Year favorite to Carson Wentz. He may have taken it back Sunday, as he ran like a man possessed, according to Texas fast-food chain Whataburger:
"Ezekiel Elliott running like he wants a honey butter chicken biscuit but breakfast ends in 5 minutes
— Whataburger® (@Whataburger) October 9, 2016"
Elliott ran for 134 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. He hauled in another 37 yards on three receptions. The NFL shared video of his biggest play of the day:
According to Jim Nantz on CBS's broadcast, Elliott's 546 rushing yards are the most of any Dallas Cowboys running back through his first five games.
He's now on pace for a whopping, 1,747 yards and 16 touchdowns.
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