Fantasy Football Week 5 Projections: Tom Brady and 3 Stars with Bad Matchups

No matter how dominant a player may be in fantasy football terms, there come a couple times in every season when that player has a very difficult matchup. As an owner of that player, there isn't much you can do except hope that your other players pick up the slack.

When it comes to stud players like New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, even when they are playing a tough defense like the New York Jets, as Brady is this week, it isn't advisable to sit them out of fear that they might go off anyway.

Here are three star players with bad matchups this week, whom you should temper your fantasy expectations for.

Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars' slow start, running back Maurice Jones-Drew has fared extremely well. While he has scored just once through four games, he also has 391 rushing yards and is averaging over five yards per carry.

This is particularly impressive when you consider that the Jags have been playing from behind for the majority of their past three games. While Jacksonville may not be playing from behind against the Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, the sledding could be very tough for MJD.

The Bengals rank first in the league as they allow just 3.1 yards per carry to the opposition and they have held some pretty good running backs in check to this point in the season with Peyton Hillis, Frank Gore and Fred Jackson among them. MJD may turn in a decent performance, but he won't be spectacular. 

Michael Turner - Atlanta Falcons

After a hot start to the season, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner has scuffled over the past two weeks. Turner turned in 100-yard efforts in each of the season's first two games, but has just 90 yards combined on 37 carries over the past two weeks.

Turner's struggles may continue as he and the Falcons take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Only the Dallas Cowboys have given up less rushing yardage than the Packers this season. While much of that has to do with Green Bay grabbing early leads, it is also a testament to the play of its defense—particularly that of nose tackle B.J. Raji.

If the Falcons can strike first, then Turner may have an opportunity to shine, but the Packers have a way of suckering opposing teams into their style of play. Everyone knows that quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are going to air the ball out, and quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons will want to oblige.

Tom Brady - New England Patriots

In fantasy terms, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has had three incredible games this season, and because of that, he should be in your lineup, but it wouldn't be surprising if he struggled against the New York Jets this week.

The Jets rank second in the NFL in passing yards allowed and first in interceptions, so there is certainly danger looming, even for Brady. Since Rex Ryan took over as New York's head coach, Brady's success against the Jets has varied. 

Generally speaking, Brady has had one good game and one poor game against the Jets in each of the past two seasons. By starting him, you're rolling the dice a bit, but there's really no other option unless you ended up with a stud backup such as Detroit's Matthew Stafford.

Brady is always a threat to have a monster game, but no defense holds him in check quite as well as the Jets.