Week 5 Fantasy 5 Top 5 Recap
By Editorial Staff
How convenient that I’m starting this on week 5. These are a few of the things that I noticed fantasy wise from this week’s games with each player’s scores from the standard ESPN scoring system.
FANTASY STARS (not just the top 5 overall scorers)
1- Adrian Peterson (30 points)
Finally! I guess Leslie Frazier wants to keep his job after all. When it doesn’t work (McNabb), man up and move on. Will Minnesota bench McNabb earlier than Washington last year (week 8)?
2- BenJarvus Green-Ellis (26)
Ridley’s coming out party will have to wait. Seems like the Patriots know they can’t win throwing so much and they are trying to implement more running into their repertoire. Along with Woodhead’s injury— Green-Ellis looks to greatly benefit.
3- Fred Jackson (25)
This was a gold mine (Philly’s run defense) waiting to be mined and Jackson did not disappoint. His pass catching abilities give him a huge advantage over Spiller. Next up for the Philly Gold Mine—Washington (I write Washington and not a RB’s name, because who knows what Shanahan is going to do).
4- Dwayne Bowe (24)
Bowe is the WR version to what Forte is to the Bears—their only offensive weapon. Too bad he can’t just run the ball.
5- Michael Vick (21)
Wasn’t the highest total, but his output cannot be overlooked (was good last week as well). The INTs will go down (can they get any higher?) and he is running more than in the beginning of the year.
FANTASY SURPRISES (players that greatly exceeded expectations)
1- Ben Roethlisberger (27 points)
I advised someone to sit him over Hasselbeck—sorry mom. Where did this come from? And against the Titans, who were a top five fantasy QB defense! He should get injured more often.
2- Matt Cassel (27)
I guess if they can’t run they have to throw, but I’m not buying Cassel stock yet. See Fantasy Adds #1, this is a running team and Cassel makes too many mistakes (he has 8 TDs to 7 TOs this year).
3- Pierre Garçon (24)
Manning to Wayne 2010. Painter to Garçon 2011. Luck to ? 2012.
4- Jahvid Best (22)
The running game opens up after their passing game has carved opponents’ defenses apart. Best showed some great speed in this game—they need to get him into the open field some more.
5- DeAngelo Williams (17)
17 points? So, Carolina’s back to being a running team? No! He had nine carries and Cam Newton is still adding to his Rookie of the Year highlight reel. Sell high.
FANTASY DISAPPOINTMENTS (players that really underachieved)
1- Matt Ryan (6 points)
I’m done with him—that was a good matchup. Perhaps they were so run heavy in the past to mask his inefficiencies in the passing game. He turns into Orton when they’re in the Red Zone. I thought they could transition to a pass heavy team with Julio Jones in the mix, but Matty Ice (still relevant?!) is not catching on.
2- Percy Harvin (2)
Yeah they didn’t have to throw after getting the lead, but this is more of a trend now following a good matchup this week. Best bet for his owners is to see Ponder after their week 9 bye. Or a more creative offensive play caller (…Frazier pink slip?).
3- Jacoby Jones (0)
Could you ask for a better opportunity? I don’t care how long AJ is out; JJ should be out of your fantasy team (I’m talking to myself here actually).
4- Vincent Jackson (3)
Maybe he shouldn’t have played. He had a leg injury and still went out there, unlike Gates (foot) who decided to wait till after the bye week (this upcoming week). Still, he only caught half of his targets (3).
5- Brandon Lloyd (2)
Lloyd worked out with Tebow during the offseason expecting an Orton trade. And since his relationship with Orton (making him the #1 fantasy WR last season) has soured, perhaps Tebow will awaken him. His one reception was from Tebow for 20 yards.
FANTASY ADDS (not all owned, but should be considered this week)
1- Jackie Battle (13 points)
Thomas Jones is too old. Dexter McCluster is too small. Jackie Battle is just right.
2- Tim Tebow (16)
I had to start Kevin Kolb on one of my teams (Romo was on a bye) and boy did I regret it (4 points). If you need a viable backup (he has a bye this week however)—pick him up. His accuracy is bad, but he runs a lot and had very nice fantasy numbers last season. Could put up Cam Newton like numbers.
3- Victor Cruz (20)
Forget that Eli INT (unless you’re a Giants fan), that won’t count against his numbers. Manningham looks like he is in the doghouse and they are having trouble running the ball.
4- Kevin Walter (14)
Here is the AJ injury beneficiary. What’s the complete opposite of beneficiary? Because, that’s Jacoby Jones’ new name.
5- Darrius Heyward-Bey (15)
This may lead to nothing with J Ford and D Moore also on this team, but he had 12 targets in this game and looked pretty good after the catch.
FANTASY OVERREACTIONS (don’t go wasting a waiver spot for these guys just yet)
1- Joel Dreessen (17 points)
James Casey (week 3 19 points) and now Joel Dreessen. I don’t care who is the 2nd and 3rd string TE to Owen Daniels, you can’t invest a roster spot for one of these guys.
2- Hines Ward (17)
He still plays? My mom said was a dancer. Oh well, Antonio Brown is still there, so let’s forget this happened.
3- James Jones (20)
Way too many weapons to overreact to this big game. Even with Driver out—Jennings, Finley and Nelson are better starts in GB’s passing game. This is more a testament to Rodgers than Jones.
4- Earnest Graham (3)
It’s still early, but Blount’s left knee was injured and it could mean that he misses a few games. Graham still ended up splitting the carries with Allen Bradford after Blount left and this team has had trouble running the ball anyway
5.- Delone Carter (9)
Addai was injured, but he still split the carries with Donald Brown (although I thought he had his chance). If this team was any good (those points were against KC) I would suggest picking him up, but don’t waste a waiver wire spot on him.