Fantasy Football Week 5: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines
With the fantasy football schedule hitting Week 5, the first quarter of the NFL season is in the books. We should have a pretty good idea of what most of the players in the NFL are capable of.
That being said, one of the toughest things to predict in the NFL is the big play. A running back rips off a 40-yard run, or a wideout or tight end hauls in a deep pass down the sideline for a monster gain; those are the big plays we're talking about. The kind that cause players to end their days with big yardage totals, even if the touchdowns aren't there.
These 20 players are the ones most likely to have a huge game in Week 5. We explain why they put up so many yards, who their matchup is, and what their final yardage totals will probably be.
Let's get to the picks.
20. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
1 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Good defenses, bad defenses, Randy Moss poaching potential carries by turning them into pass plays; none of it matters in the slightest. Peterson is like the Postal service: nothing stops him.
Who's the Matchup: The Jets defense does pose a challenge for AP. They give up fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs than any other defense in the NFL.
The Verdict: Don't expect one of his monster games, but a solid one is well within reach. 80 yards on 15 carries.
19. Randy Moss, WR, Minnesota Vikings
2 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Moss instantly gives the Vikings offense a boost. Their passing game suddenly looks dangerous for the first time all season, and if you think Brett Favre's not looking forward to trying out his new toy, you don't know Brett.
Who's the Matchup: Sure, the Jets defense is solid. But can they stop Moss without Darelle Revis? I doubt it very much.
The Verdict: It could take Moss and Favre a week or two to get their connection to full speed, but with the quarterback's arm and Moss' skills, expect at least one deep pass in this game. Four catches, 80 yards.
18. Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
3 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Because all of a sudden, the Cardinals can't throw the football to save their lives, and Wells is an excellent running back.
Who's the Matchup: The New Orleans Saints, who rank 29th against the run.
The Verdict: Expect to see a steady dose of Beanie all day in this one, as Ken Wisenhunt doesn't trust his quarterbacks yet. 20 carries, 83 yards, including a 20-yard rush.
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17. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
4 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Did you know that until Week 4, Finley had accumulated all of his fantasy points via yards? That's why he's a yard machine.
Who's the Matchup: The only aspect of the passing game the Redskins are formidable against is points to the tight end. But Finley's got a type of talent Washington has yet to face in 2010.
The Verdict: Another week, another big day from Finley. Five catches, 85 yards.
16. Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts
5 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: When teams key on Reggie Wayne, Manning looks to Dallas Clark and Collie to pick up the slack. He's fast and has great hands, making him a logical big play threat.
Who's the Matchup: Kansas City's defense is pretty solid, but they have yet to face an offense with the kind of horsepower the Colts bring to the table (get it? horsepower? I slay me!).
The Verdict: If the Chiefs will struggle to contain Wayne, no way can they stop Collie too. Seven catches, 85 yards.
15. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts
6 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: With as much as Peyton Manning targets Dallas, he's a virtual lock for 70 yards each week, with the potential to go off at any time.
Who's the Matchup: Kansas City struggles against opposing tight ends, and Clark's one of the NFL's best.
The Verdict: Seven catches, 87 yards. He's like clockwork.
14. Mark Clayton, WR, St. Louis Rams
7 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: As it turns out, the Rams don't need a big-name wideout to throw the ball in St. Louis. All they need is Clayton.
Who's the Matchup: The Lions crappy defense. Think Bradford's not going to look for his go-to wideout early and often? Think again.
The Verdict: Seven catches for 85 yards minimum. Big day in the works for Mark.
13. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
8 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: With his speed, and Kevin Kolb's arm, it makes a ton of sense to see Jackson running deep routes a lot this week. You don't really have to have a strong connection to hook up on those. Plus, with LeSean McCoy possibly out this week, Jackson is Philly's healthiest rushing threat as well.
Who's the Matchup: San Francisco's defense has been almost as big of a mess as their offense. They'll struggle to contain Jackson this week.
The Verdict: Five catches for 65 yards, and a 24-yard run.
12. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
9 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: It doesn't seem to matter how teams defend Roddy White. He always seems to get open, and always makes at least one big play in the passing game. He's turned into one of the NFL's premier wideouts.
Who's the Matchup: Did you see what Baltimore and Cincinnati did to the Browns secondary with just one receiver the last two weeks? Exactly.
The Verdict: Seven catches, 90 yards. Can't stop White this season.
11. Greg Jennings, WR Green Bay Packers
10 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Jennings hasn't been fantastic in 2010, but that breakout game is coming soon. I can feel it. He's still the best wideout in Green Bay, and he's going to go off sooner or later.
Who's the Matchup: Another easy secondary matchup for Jennings this week, as Washington ranks 28th in points allowed to wideouts this year.
The Verdict: Seven catches, 94 yards. This is the week.
10. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
11 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Much like Roddy White, Calvin Johnson can produce big days even when double covered, as we saw against Green Bay last week. He's a physical freak who is open even when he's not.
Who's the Matchup: St. Louis' pass defense has been solid, but they don't have anyone who matches up well with Megatron.
The Verdict: Eight catches for 95 yards. Could be more when all is said and done.
9. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
12 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Mathews is a rookie who hasn't run like it in the two games he's played in 2010. He had nine carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 4, and he's healthy again this week.
Who's the Matchup: The Oakland Raiders, who have been one of the league's worst run defenses through four weeks of 2010.
The Verdict: 20 carries, 95 yards. He'll make you forget all about Mike Tolbert.
8. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
13 of 20
Why He's A Yard Machine: Boldin has been Flacco's favorite target in 2010, and has put up big points against some of the stingiest defenses in the NFL. He's one of the game's premier wideouts.
Who's the Matchup: The Ravens get the Broncos stink-tastic defense, which ranks 28th in points allowed to wideouts. Boldin has to worry about Champ Bailey, but he'll break free a couple times, just like everyone else does.
The Verdict: Six catches, 97 yards. He's looked unstoppable this season, even against the league's best corners.
7. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
14 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Wayne reminded everyone that Mr. Consistent can go off, blowing through the Jags'secondary for nearly 200 yards last week. Anytime a guy can put up almost 20 points without scoring a touchdown, he's a yard machine.
Who's the Matchup: Kansas City lacks the talent in the secondary to keep up with Wayne, or anyone in Indy's passing attack.
The Verdict: Eight catches for 100 yards. Wayne is going to keep rolling this week.
6.Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
15 of 20
Why He's a Point Machine: The human bowling ball is back! He blew up the Colts defense in Week 4, and he's running with confidence again. That means you can play him with confidence, too.
Who's the Matchup: Buffalo's defense struggles mightily against elite running backs.
The Verdict: 25 carries, 115 yards. And that's a fairly conservative guess at MJD's production this week.
5. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
16 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Gates has been used like San Diego's top wideout in 2010, and leads all pass catchers with 72 points through 4 weeks. In short, he's been absolutely insane thus far.
Who's the Matchup: Oakland's pass defense is decent, but they won't be able to stop Antonio.
The Verdict: 10 catches, 115 yards. Another big day from Gates this week.
4. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
17 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Gore has shown his versatility through the first four weeks of the season, running and receiving with equal skill. His dual-threat capabilities make him an excellent yard grabber week in and week out.
Who's the Matchup: Philly's defense can't stop the run or the pass. What hope do they have of containing Gore?
The Verdict: 100 yards rushing, 20 yards receiving from Frank this week.
3. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
18 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Johnson's one of the NFL's most dynamic backs. The fact that he manages to have big games despite defenses loading the box, knowing the Titans can't beat them with the pass, makes his performances in 2010 even more impressive.
Who's the Matchup: Dallas' defense ranks fourth in points allowed, but gave up 124 rushing yards to Arian Foster in Week 3. Johnson's a better back than Foster, but the Cowboys don't have to worry about the pass in this one.
The Verdict: 25 carries, 125 yards at the minimum for Johnson this week.
2. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
19 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Johnson's one of the NFL's most talented runners, and his injured groin appears to be OK. He'd be on this list regardless, but his tasty matchup makes him a top two performer this week.
Who's the Matchup: Detroit. Jackson is going to have a field day with the Lions paper thin defense.
The Verdict: 100 yards rushing, 25 receiving. Like I said; Jackson will run roughshod over Detroit.
1. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
20 of 20
Why He's a Yard Machine: Foster has been a fantastic performer through the first four weeks of the season. He's got big play potential, but can get his yards in five and six-yard chunks all day, as well.
Who's the Matchup: Foster gets the Giants' run defense in Week 5. They rank 17th in points to running backs.
The Verdict: 130 yards on 20 carries. Another big game from the former Tennessee Volunteer.
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