Fantasy Football Week 5: Which NFL Players Are Coming Down to Earth?

Every season, a group of surprise players turn into solid fantasy producers. Some of those players may have been pegged as sleepers heading into fantasy drafts. Others, who come out of nowhere, are acquired by the lucky few through waivers.

While identifying these unexpected success stories is an important part of winning in fantasy football, knowing when to cut your losses on one of these players when their productions starts to level out is equally necessary.

Trading one of these short-term gems while their value is high could turn out to be a league-winning move. Let's take a look at some fantasy players that are destined to return to mediocrity in week five.

Kyle Orton

Orton has scored the fifth most fantasy points of all NFL quarterbacks. Somehow, Orton is still only owned in 81 percent of fantasy leagues on ESPN.com.

Why?

Maybe the other 19 percent of leagues are on to something. Orton has been able to offset the loss of Brandon Marshall by finding a new target in Brandon Lloyd. However, things do not bode well fantasy-wise for the duo in the upcoming weeks.

The Broncos will face the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, and Oakland Raiders in the next three weeks. Each of those teams have outstanding pass defense. Orton's early-season fantasy success could be coming to an abrupt halt very shortly.

Peyton Hillis

Hillis has been outstanding so far in this fantasy football season. The Browns running back has rushed for a touchdown in all four games this season and for over 100 yards in his last two games.

So, why is Hillis on this list?

Hillis will face a major test this week against the Atlanta Falcons run defense. In the last two weeks, the Falcons have held their opponents to 81 yards or fewer on the ground. Frank Gore was unable to reach the end zone against this team.

A slowdown for Hillis seems like an inevitability. A matchup against the Falcons run defense could mean that slow down will come sooner rather than later.

Kansas City Chiefs Defense 

Surprisingly, the Chiefs' defense has turned into a legitimate starting fantasy defense this year. With that being said, you may not want to start the Chiefs defense this week.

Why? 

The Chiefs will visit Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in week five. The Colts have scored 24 points or more in all four of their games this season.

Any time a defense is facing Manning, an alternative should be considered. However, an alternative should be more than considered when that defense is as unproven as the Chiefs defense.