2012 Fantasy Football Week 5: Quarterback Rankings and Projections

After a horrible game against the Giants, it was important to see how second-year quarterback Cam Newton would respond against the Falcons.

Newton responded, running for 86 yards (and a rushing touchdown), and throwing for 215 yards and two scores.

While his maturity is still a question mark, fantasy football owners should feel good about his performance. This week, Newton takes on a tough Seahawks defense, so I'd recommend benching him.

What Did We Learn From Week 4?

The Lions continued to lack an aggressive passing game until late in the fourth quarter, playing from behind. This has been the trend through all four games in Detroit, as it appears to be focused on the running game.

This team is better suited attacking via the pass, building a lead and running the football to close out the game. Like the Colts with Peyton Manning, Detroit’s pass-rushers are most effective when playing with a lead.

Expect the Lions to come out throwing after their bye week.

DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek continue to play well, but until Jeremy Maclin steps his game up, I don’t like Michael Vick as anything more than a matchup play.

The Eagles offensive line did a better job against the Giants, and that is saying something as they failed to sack Vick. Let’s see how they hold up on the road against the Steelers this week.

Week 5 Watch List

Andrew Luck will suffer another defeat this week, but he should have a respectable stat line against the Packers.

Expect the Colts to abandon the running game by as early as the third quarter, and we should see Luck throw for over 300 yards and pick up a couple of scores.

The Dolphins have a strong run defense, and with Cameron Wake getting things going off the edge, we should be a little concerned about the Bengals giving Andy Dalton a clean pocket.

The Dolphins' main weakness is in the secondary, and the passing game just happens to be the Bengals' strength as a team.

Expect Dalton to have a good game in this one, and the Bengals should throw their way to another victory.

1	Aaron Rodgers	@ Colts
2	Tom Brady	Broncos
3	Matt Ryan	@ Redskins
4	Peyton Manning	@ Patriots
5	Drew Brees	Chargers
6	Robert Griffin III	Falcons
7	Philip Rivers	@ Saints
8	Eli Manning	Browns
9	Joe Flacco	@ Chiefs
10	Andy Dalton	Dolphins
11	Cam Newton	Seahawks
12	Michael Vick	@ Steelers
13	Andrew Luck	Packers
14	Ben Roethlisberger	Eagles
15	Jay Cutler	@ Jaguars
16	Christian Ponder	Titans
17	Ryan Fitzpatrick	@ 49ers
18	Alex Smith	Bills

Week 5 Standard Rankings – RB | WR | TE | Flex | D |