NFL Week 5: Choosing Star Performers in Each Game
This week's NFL schedule is loaded with exciting matchups.
Some of the potential story lines include:
Will the Kansas City Chiefs give Jamaal Charles more opportunities? Can A.J. Green shred Seattle's tremendous secondary? Is this the week Golden Tate gets back on track?
Let's take a look at which players will have big performances in each game.
DeAndre Hopkins
1 of 14
DeAndre Hopkins is having a terrific season despite inconsistency at the quarterback position.
He's one of the NFL's top-five receivers with 409 yards on 31 catches. The third-year receiver averages 102.3 yards per game, according to NFL.com.
If it wasn't for poor quarterback play, Hopkins would likely have surpassed his season-long catch of 29 yards.
On Thursday, he faces Vontae Davis of the Indianapolis Colts. Davis is a savvy veteran who will get physical with the young receiver.
Still, Hopkins should have plenty of chances as he's been targeted 15 times per game this season. If his quarterback puts the ball anywhere near Hopkins, expect him to catch it.
Honorable Mention: Vontae Davis
Julio Jones
2 of 14
The Washington Redskins defense has made significant strides this season.
The group rates as the fourth-best in the NFL and gives up just 288 yards of total offense per game.
Yet the defense will face a serious challenge when the Redskins travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons.
Julio Jones continues to be one of the best wide receivers in the league and has accumulated 478 yards on 38 receptions. He has served as a safety blanket for Matt Ryan and helps keep drives alive.
The 26-year-old leads all receivers with 25 first downs.
Expecting Jones to have anything but a big day would be foolish.
Honorable Mention: Matt Ryan
Justin Forsett
3 of 14
Justin Forsett helped get the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack going against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
The 29-year-old ran for 150 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry, according to NFL.com.
After rushing for just 13 yards on 10 carries against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4, Forsett looks poised to make it back-to-back weeks with big games.
The Cleveland Browns defense has allowed 141.5 rushing yards per game.
Honorable Mention: Joe Thomas
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A.J. Green
4 of 14
Like Jones, A.J. Green is one of the best receivers in the game.
He's helped the Cincinnati Bengals jump out to a 4-0 start.
Seattle continues to have a good defense, but Green should break through.
He has just 25 catches, which is considerably less than other top receivers, but he gains yardage after the catch. He has 111 yards after the catch and averages 104.3 yards per game.
Honorable Mention: Kam Chancellor
Aaron Rodgers
5 of 14
Surprisingly, Aaron Rodgers doesn't rank in the top 10 in passing yards at the moment.
Yet he leads the top 20 in completion percentage (72.4), touchdowns (11) and interceptions (0).
His poise has helped lead the Green Bay Packers to a 4-0 record. Rodgers should have a big day against a St. Louis Rams team that gives up 235.2 passing yards per game.
Honorable Mention: Todd Gurley
Jamaal Charles
6 of 14
Jamaal Charles should get the ball early and often against the Chicago Bears.
Chicago is No. 24 in rushing defense and allows 119.2 yards per game.
The Kansas City Chiefs have limited Charles' attempts early in the season, but he still has 306 yards and a 5.2 yards per carry average.
He also ranks first among the top 10 running backs in touchdowns (4).
Honorable Mention: Matt Forte
Bobby Richardson
7 of 14
The New Orleans Saints defensive line should have a field day going up against the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line.
The offensive line lacks depth and is dealing with injuries.
Don't mistake the Saints for being a defensive juggernaut, but the state of Philadelphia's offensive line is a factor.
Honorable Mention: Marques Colston
Jacksonville's Secondary
8 of 14
The Jacksonville Jaguars secondary doesn't have an interception this season.
The group has a chance to change that this weekend when they face Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Winston has a 71.2 passer rating and has more interceptions (7) than touchdown passes (6).
Honorable Mention: Thurston Armbrister
Stephon Gilmore
9 of 14
Kendall Wright is a favorite target for rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota.
The Buffalo Bills will likely match Stephon Gilmore up with Wright this weekend.
Gilmore is a physical corner, and if he can stick with Wright, it could force the rookie quarterback into forcing throws, which usually leads to mistakes.
Honorable Mention: Ronald Darby
Golden Tate
10 of 14
When the Detroit Lions signed Golden Tate in free agency prior to the 2014 season, an instant chemistry developed between the receiver and quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The two haven't been on the same page in 2015.
After putting up career numbers in 2014, Tate is off to a slow start as the Lions are the only winless team in the NFL.
Tate has just 190 yards on 18 receptions.
This isn't a popular pick, but I expect Tate to break through (even against a talented Arizona Cardinals team) and have a big day.
Honorable Mention: Arizona's defensive line
Tom Brady
11 of 14
Like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady has yet to throw an interception.
As usual, he's having a tremendous season and has thrown for 1,112 yards with 10 touchdowns and 371 yards per game.
The Dallas Cowboys are No. 19 in the NFL in pass defense and allow 256 yards per game.
Expect Dallas to give up a lot more against Brady.
Honorable Mention: New England's run game
Charles Woodson
12 of 14
Will his skills ever deteriorate?
That's questionable.
The 39-year-old has accomplished a lot in his career, but he's never picked off a Peyton Manning pass.
He will add that achievement to his list of accomplishments on Sunday.
On the season, Woodson has 22 tackles, two interceptions and three pass deflections.
Honorable Mention: DeMarcus Ware
New York Giants Defense
13 of 14
The New York Giants have the No. 1 rush defense in the NFL.
The group limits opponents to just 69.8 rushing yards per game.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers have an excellent running back in Carlos Hyde.
He's run for 282 yards and averages 4.5 yards per carry.
Stopping Hyde should be the Giants top priority.
Honorable Mention: Eli Manning
Philip Rivers
14 of 14
Philip Rivers leads the NFL in yards (1,248).
He's completed 70.7 percent of his passes, has thrown eight touchdowns and averages 312 yards per game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a middle-of-the-road defense, and with Ben Roethlisberger sidelined, this should be a win for San Diego.
Honorable Mention: San Diego's defense
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