Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Projections for Players with Matchups We Love

There are some players I trust every week. Peyton Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Jimmy Graham, you get the drift. Simply put, I love starting those players every single week. 

Most fantasy owners do as well. Focusing on them in a rankings article would be pretty darn boring. 

So instead, I'll focus on players I love this week in particular, generally due to a great matchup. These are the players at their positions with huge upside and they're guys you'll absolutely want to have in your starting lineup this week. 

Let's break them down.

Schedule

Sunday, Oct. 5	Time (ET)
Monday, Oct. 6	Time (ET)
Chicago at Carolina	1 p.m.
Cleveland at Tennessee	1 p.m.
St. Louis at Philadelphia	1 p.m.
Atlanta at NY Giants	1 p.m.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans	1 p.m.
Houston at Dallas	1 p.m.
Buffalo at Detroit	1 p.m.
Baltimore at Indianapolis	1 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Jacksonville	1 p.m.
Arizona at Denver	4:05 p.m.
Kansas City at San Francisco	4:25 p.m.
NY Jets at San Diego	4:25 p.m.
Cincinnati at New England	8:30 p.m.
Seattle at Washington	8:30 p.m.

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Proj. Points
1	Drew Brees	25
2	Peyton Manning	23
3	Philip Rivers	22
4	Ben Roethlisberger	20
5	Russell Wilson	20
6	Matt Stafford	18
7	Andrew Luck	18
8	Matt Ryan	17
9	Cam Newton	17
10	Nick Foles	17
11	Colin Kaepernick	16
12	Jay Cutler	16
13	Joe Flacco	15
14	Andy Dalton	15
15	Eli Manning	14

Quarterbacks With Matchups We Love

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I spent a lot of time on this article last week picking on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and this week won't be much better. They simply aren't very good on defense, folks.

And that's why it's really hard to find a good reason why Ben Roethlisberger won't torch them in Week 5. 

The Jags are giving up 23.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week, worst in the NFL. They're giving up 320.8 passing yards per game, worst in the NFL. They've given up 11 passing touchdowns, worst in the NFL. They're giving up 8.4 yards per completion, 30th in the NFL. They have one interception on the season, tied with four other teams at 27th in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Big Ben has scored 15 or more fantasy points in three of his four games and just posted 22 fantasy points against Tampa Bay's suspect pass defense. He also has one of the most reliable receivers in the game today, Antonio Brown, another player who will feast this week (and while we're at it, so will Le'Veon Bell). 

Start Big Ben. Smile as the points roll in. Pat yourselves on the back if he helps you win your fantasy matchup. 

I also love Russell Wilson against Washington. Very quietly, Wilson has posted fantasy weeks with 17 points (twice) and 21 points so far this year. Dating back to last year, he's scored 14 or more fantasy points in 14 of his last 19 games (and 17 or more points in 10 of 19), making him a steady option for fantasy owners, even if he isn't the sexiest option out there.

He should have a big day against a Washington defense giving up 20.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks each week, 30th in the NFL. Washington has flashed a pretty solid run defense, however, they're giving up 87 rushing yards per game, eighth in the league, so Seattle could rely on Wilson to beat Washington through the air this week.

I'm betting he'll do just that and reward his fantasy owners in the process.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Proj. Points
1	Le'Veon Bell	20
2	Matt Forte	18
3	DeMarco Murray	18
4	Rashad Jennings	17
5	Giovani Bernard	17
6	Marshawn Lynch	16
7	LeSean McCoy	15
8	Zac Stacy	14
9	Andre Ellington	13
10	Jamaal Charles	12
11	Alfred Morris	12
12	Arian Foster*	12
13	Doug Martin	12
14	Frank Gore	11
15	Darren Sproles	10
16	Ben Tate*	10
17	Chris Ivory	10
18	C.J. Spiller	10
19	Montee Ball	9
20	Reggie Bush	8
21	Ahmad Bradshaw	8
22	Bishop Sankey	8
23	Jeremy Hill	8
24	Chris Johnson	7
25	Joique Bell	6
26	Fred Jackson	6
27	Trent Richardson	6
28	Justin Forsett	6
29	Khiry Robinson	5
30	Pierre Thomas	5
31	Shonn Greene	4
32	Steven Jackson	4
33	Stevan Ridley	4
34	Shane Vereen	4
35	Donald Brown	4

Running Backs With Matchups We Love

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Rashad Jennings' ascension to the realm of weekly RB1 status will continue on Sunday, as fantasy's No. 5 back after four weeks has a tasty matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta is giving up a whopping 29.5 fantasy points to opposing backs per week, easily the worst in the NFL, and they've allowed 30 or more fantasy points to opposing running backs three times already this season. 

Seeing as Jennings is firmly entrenched as New York's starter, he has the potential to absolutely explode this week. 

The Cincinnati pair of Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill should skewer the New England run defense this week. The Patriots just allowed Kansas City's backs to rush 34 times for 199 yards and a score against them, and the Bengals relied on the run heavily this year, rushing 102 times while throwing the ball 88 times. 

And keep in mind that Bernard has scored 10 or more fantasy points in all three games this season, while Jeremy Hill notched 15 points in Week 2 and nine points in Week 3. Consider Bernard a locked-and-loaded RB1 play, while Hill is certainly a flex option this week.

Finally, I think this is the week we'll see Tennessee's Bishop Sankey have his breakthrough. He's already starting to take over the reins in Tennessee's backfield, but the transformation should be complete this week, per John Glennon of The Tennesseean:

"

Sankey has been on the field for 22 and 29 snaps over the last two weeks, more so than any other Titans running back. He's carried 16 times for 95 yards in those contests and added three receptions for 32 yards, sparking the Titans to two of their better drives—both in the second half.

'You will see (more reps for Sankey). That's coming,' [head coach] Whisenhunt said on [his radio show on 104.5-FM]. 'And I think you'll see more of that earlier in the game this week.'

"

Whisenhunt added:

"

There's only so much that a young guy, you can throw on his plate, because you want him to continue on this curve where he is improving and getting better. He's made strides and done some of the things we've asked him, and in turn, he's going to get more reps and they're going to be earlier in the game. He's going to get in the game earlier no matter what because he's a good football player, but that's coming.

"

Sankey owners who have patiently held onto the rookie will be rewarded this week, as he should post solid numbers against a Cleveland defense giving up 27.2 fantasy points to opposing running backs per week, 31st in the NFL, and 153.7 rushing yards per contest, 29th in the league. 

Sankey presents his own risks, namely in the fact that we don't really know what his usage will end up being, but as high-risk, high-reward flex plays go, he's a guy I really like this week. 

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Proj. Points
1	Antonio Brown	20
2	Julio Jones	17
3	Jeremy Maclin	17
4	Vincent Jackson	16
5	Alshon Jeffery	16
6	Keenan Allen	15
7	Dez Bryant	15
8	A.J. Green	14
9	Demaryius Thomas	14
10	Kelvin Benjamin	13
11	Brandon Marshall*	12
12	Percy Harvin	12
13	Victor Cruz	12
14	Steve Smith	11
15	Emmanuel Sanders	11
16	Calvin Johnson*	11
17	Reggie Wayne	10
18	Brandin Cooks	10
19	DeAndre Hopkins	10
20	Michael Crabtree	10
21	Roddy White	9
22	Wes Welker	9
23	Michael Floyd	9
24	Larry Fitzgerald	8
25	Terrance Williams	8
26	T.Y. Hilton	7
27	Marques Colston	7
28	DeSean Jackson	6
29	Eddie Royal	6
30	Andre Johnson	6
31	Julian Edelman	6
32	Pierre Garcon	6
33	Golden Tate	6
34	Brian Quick	5
35	Malcom Floyd	5
36	Torrey Smith	5
37	Allen Hurns	5
38	Markus Wheaton	4
39	Anquan Boldin	4
40	Sammy Watkins	4

Wide Receivers With Matchups We Love

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Well, you have to say this for Vincent Jackson—he's continued to improve in every game this season for fantasy owners. In fact, he's managed to improve by exactly two points every single week, from three points in Week 1 all the way up to nine points last week. 

So, following that surprisingly convenient pattern, Jackson should have 11 points this week, right?

Think bigger, fantasy players. Think bigger. 

Jackson has a nice matchup this week against the New Orleans Saints, a team giving up 24.8 fantasy points to opposing receivers per week, 28th in the NFL. Plus, Mike Glennon appears likely to start again this week as he did in Week 4, when Jackson had a season high in fantasy points and targets (10). And with Mike Evans out with a groin injury, Jackson should see an even higher number of targets this week.

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports has more on the Evans injury:

Jackson has always been a feast-or-famine fantasy player, but the meals have been pretty small so far this year. Expect a full plate of fantasy points this week. 

Speaking of players breaking out of slumps, Keenan Allen did so last week, catching 10 passes for 135 yards against the Jaguars. The good times should keep on rolling against the dreadful secondary of the New York Jets, a team giving up 26 fantasy points to opposing wide receivers per week, 30th in the NFL. 

Even last week, when Calvin Johnson was nothing more than a decoy, the Jets still allowed Golden Tate to score 11 fantasy points and Jeremy Ross to notch 12. That would seem to be Allen's absolute floor this week, so his owners should enjoy the big performance.

And yes, while I have Eddie Royal and Malcom Floyd further down the rankings, they each have a very high upside, too, so you could do worse in deeper leagues than to flex either player. It isn't ideal, of course, since both are fairly touchdown reliant when it comes to having fantasy value, always a risky predicament for wide receivers. Twenty-four of Royal's 46 fantasy points have come from four touchdowns, while 12 of Floyd's 29 fantasy points have come from two scores.

Still, if you don't have many great options at flex, Royal and Floyd aren't terrible choices given how well Philip Rivers has played this season and how poorly the Jets secondary has performed.

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Proj. Points
1	Jimmy Graham	18
2	Julius Thomas	17
3	Rob Gronkowski	13
4	Martellus Bennett	13
5	Jordan Cameron	12
6	Vernon Davis*	11
7	Jason Witten	10
8	Delanie Walker	9
9	Greg Olsen	8
10	Jordan Reed/Niles Paul**	8
11	Larry Donnell	7
12	Zach Ertz	7
13	Antonio Gates	6
14	Travis Kelce	6
15	Dwayne Allen	5

Tight Ends With Matchups We Love

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Julius Thomas doesn't need a great matchup to have a big week for fantasy owners, but he has one this week against the Arizona Cardinals.

In Week 1, Vernon Davis caught six passes for 81 yards against this defense. In Week 2, Larry Donnell caught seven passes for 81 yards. And a season ago, the Cardinals gave up 13.1 fantasy points to opposing tight ends per week, far and away the worst mark for fantasy owners. This year, the Cardinals are giving up a more modest 8.7 points per week to the position, 23rd in the league.

Of course, I'm guessing that number would be inflated had Vernon Davis been able to play against the Cardinals in Week 3. And I'm also guessing that while Arizona tries to figure out how to slow down Peyton Manning and his arsenal of talented receivers, Thomas will find plenty of space over the middle and in the red zone to work. 

It should be another huge week for Orange Julius. 

Defense/Special Teams

Rank	Defense	Proj. Points
1	Seattle Seahawks	14
2	Cincinnati Bengals	13
3	Detroit Lions	11
4	San Francisco 49ers	11
5	San Diego Chargers	10
6	Philadelphia Eagles	10
7	Chicago Bears	10
8	Pittsburgh Steelers	9
9	Carolina Panthers	9
10	Houston Texans	8

Defense/Special Teams With Matchups We Love

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Sorry, Jacksonville fans, but I have to pick on your team again. 

The Jags are giving up 14.5 fantasy points to opposing defenses per week, worst in the NFL. They've given up 20 sacks, seven more than any other team in the league. Their eight turnovers are tied for 27th in the league. They've given up two scores to opposing defense/special teams units.

So yes, you should be starting the Pittsburgh defense this week. It's a pretty easy call.

Kickers

Rank	Player	Team	Proj. Points
1	Shaun Suisham	Pittsburgh Steelers	15
2	Cody Parkey	Philadelphia Eagles	14
3	Adam Vinatieri	Indianapolis Colts	13
4	Nick Novak	San Diego Chargers	12
5	Justin Tucker	Baltimore Ravens	11
6	Dan Bailey	Dallas Cowboys	11
7	Greg Zuerlein	St. Louis Rams	10
8	Chandler Catanzaro	Arizona Cardinals	9
9	Steven Hauschka	Seattle Seahawks	9
10	Dan Carpenter	Buffalo Bills	9

Kickers With Matchups We Love 

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Opponents have made 11 field goals and 17 extra points against the Jags. Both are the highest totals in the NFL, because of course they are. Start Shaun Suisham with confidence.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a Jay Cutler Fumblerooski.