Jackie Battle, Victor Cruz and the 5 Best Week 5 Fantasy Surprises

It happens every week in the NFL and in fantasy football.

Whether it's an unheralded player having the game of his career, an injured star gutting his way to a huge day or just a freakishly outstanding performance from a handful of players each week who come from nowhere to have monster games, these types of performances are the ones that reward those fantasy owners who were lucky or prescient enough to start them.

With that in mind, here are five players who shocked the fantasy football world in Week 5.

1. Jackie Battle: RB, Kansas City Chiefs

No ball carrier was a bigger surprise in Week 5 than Jackie Battle of the Kansas City Chiefs, as the fourth-year pro paced the team with 19 carries for 140 total yards. He was a key factor in propelling the Chiefs to their second consecutive victory.

2. Victor Cruz: WR, New York Giants

It's becoming less and less surprising to see New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz post solid fantasy numbers, as the second-year player posted his third straight good game in Sunday's loss to Seattle.

Despite the loss, his eight catches for 161 yards and a touchdown were still eye-popping.

3. Ben Roethlisberger: QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Many fantasy owners probably left Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his gimpy foot on the bench this week, so of course all he did was throw for 228 yards and five touchdowns in a win over the Tennessee Titans.

Gimpy foot indeed.

4. Darrius Heyward-Bey: WR, Oakland Raiders

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey turned in his second straight big game on Sunday, as the third-year speedster reeled in seven catches for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Oakland Raiders' win over the Houston Texans.

5. Matt Cassel: QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Quarterback Matt Cassel of the Kansas City Chiefs had by far his best game of the 2011 season in Sunday's victory over the Indianapolis Colts, completing 21-of-29 passes for 257 yards and tossing four touchdown strikes.