Welcome to the 2015 Fantasy Alarm Game Recaps! Nobody watches more NFL football than yours truly — mostly because it is impossible to do so. Each week I’ll open up my notepad to all of our Fantasy Alarm readers so that you guys can go beyond the box score to get the information you need to win your league.
This week was a classic in the “it ain’t over til its over” lesson that so many fantasy football players need to learn. Twitter was on fire after the first half of games with people complaining about a lack of scoring. Fantasy owners are quick to write off players and teams despite a lot of time being left on the clock.
Now that all but 60 minutes of the Week 5 games are in the books, it is time for us to take a look back at all we saw, and some we didn’t see, during the games this week.
Here are the Week 5 Fantasy Football Game Recaps:
18 – Chicago at Kansas City – 17
This game took a dramatic turn after the Chiefs lost RB Jamaal Charles to what is believed to be a torn right ACL in the third quarter. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks saying how I believe that if anything happened long term to Charles, that Knile Davis and not Charcandrick West would fill the void. West certainly looked like the guy today, but he is way too small and slight of frame to endure the rigors of being a feature NFL RB.
The Chiefs offense even with Charles did little to nothing against a well-below average Chicago defense. Seven of the Chiefs' points today came on a fluky sack-fumble in their own end zone that Ramik Wilson fell on for a TD.
The Chiefs obviously have a lot of faith in their kicker Cairo Santos, who had seven field goals last weekend. They lined up for a 66-yard field goal at the end of the game to try and steal the win. Santos’ kick came up well short and wide-right, preserving the victory for the Bears.
I’ve always been a fan of Bears WR Marquess Wilson who made the most of being the team's WR1 today. Wilson hauled in six of his eight targets for 85 yards including a 22-yard TD reception today.
The answer is neither. That is if you are asking which of the Bears receivers today deserves attention on the waiver wire. I don’t like either Josh Bellamy or Cameron Meredith going forward.
24 – Seattle at Cincinnati – 27
The Seahawks actually held a 24-7 lead in this game midway through the third quarter. But despite that lead, the Bengals really controlled most of this game from start to finish. The Seahawks offense has turned into an all or nothing mess without Marshawn Lynch.
I am not sure what to make of Thomas Rawls. The numbers from this game (23-169-1) are terrific. But just as I said two weeks ago against the Bears, I am not impressed. His 69-yard TD run was a great job of running through traffic, jumping to the outside and breaking second-level tackles, but outside of that I would define his performance as “workmanlike.”
Russell Wilson is making a regular mistake that running QBs seem to make. He is exiting the pocket through the backside instead of stepping up into the pocket as the elite QBs of the league do. You may not realize it, but when a QB drops out of the pocket, their passing lanes become null and their ability to scramble even back to the line of scrimmage becomes difficult.
Seahawks Michael Bennett made a despicable play today when after an interception; Bennett knocked Bengals QB Andy Dalton to the ground then basically sat on him during the entire return. Dalton was not a threat on the play whatsoever and it was obvious that he only had intent to hurt Dalton.
A.J. Green had a 72-yard TD reception called back due to a holding penalty on LT Andrew Whitworth.
I’m going to say it again. Jeremy Hill’s fantasy value relies entirely on the flow of the football game. Many are going to be upset with him over his lack of production today, but since the Bengals were trailing for most of the game it should not be a surprise. Giovani Bernard is clearly the better fantasy back here in Cincinnati.
19 – Washington at Atlanta – 25
Redskins “fans” need to stop blaming Kirk Cousins for everything. I couldn’t believe what I saw on Sunday from people on Twitter. The game-losing pick six was on a standard out route in which his receiver completely lost balance and fell to the ground. His other interception was a ball that Pierre Garcon caught then coughed up into Robert Alford’s waiting arms.
Speaking of Pierre Garcon, in my opinion he is one of the most overrated WRs in the NFL. Every week I watch him drop passes that are well within his range. Today he had a horrible drop on the play right before he coughed up the ball for an interception.
Matt Jones started rolling early on in this game but was in and out with a toe injury later on. He was able to finally punch it into the end zone today after getting screwed over the past two weeks. Jones is a guy that must be owned in the majority of leagues but is still too risky to start on a regular basis.
Jamison Crowder caught all eight of his targets today, racking up 87 total yards. He’s quickly becoming Cousins' favorite target on both medium and longer routes. He needs to be owned in all leagues of 12 or more people.
Falcons kicker Matt Bryant missed his first two field goal tries in this games, each of which bounced off the uprights. Had Bryant knocked even one of those through, the Falcons wouldn’t have needed overtime to pull out this game.
Leonard Hankerson was knocked out of this game for a quarter and a half due to a rib injury but returned after halftime. He was clearly not himself, however, as evidenced by his lack of burst to catch up to a long Matt Ryan pass that should have been an easy TD for the Falcons and Hankerson.
I am of the mind that there has to be some kind of personal situation between Matt Ryan and Roddy White that has led to White’s complete fallout from the Falcons offense. I watched this game closely and isolated White’s routes when he was on the field. I counted a whopping seven times in which White was either open or had a seam on his man yet had zero targets on those plays. What concerned me the most, and led me to believe something is going on, was White appeared to be the primary read, and was open, on three of those plays. To me it appeared as if Ryan never even considered going to White on any of those reads.
There was no timeshare today between Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as some people were concerned about. Freeman has emerged as one of the better all-around RBs in the NFL right now and he is an absolute RB1 with a bullet this year. Oh and by the way, Freeman had a receiving TD that was overturned after review, although he scored on the ground just two plays later.
Julio Jones was non-existent in this game until very late when he racked up four of his five catches. But luckily for fantasy owners, Jones recovered a Devonta Freeman fumble in the end zone for a TD.
31 – Jacksonville at Tampa Bay – 38
Please don’t get yourselves too excited for either teams' offenses here today. This was a game littered with terrible defense much more than great offense.
Blake Borltes has 20-plus fantasy points in four straight games.
I really like the Jaguars' “Allen Twins” in WRs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. But at this time, only Robinson is a guy I believe can beat good coverage. Hurns has feasted of late against some really horrible cover corners but I worry about him against better competition.
Jaguars RB T.J. Yeldon left the game in the second half due to a groin injury and did not return.
Doug Martin was a beast today but remember who he was playing against. Yeah, some of you will cite the Jaguars were No. 1 against the run coming into the game, but I’d counter with the fact that nobody has had to run against them this year. Martin piled up 24-123-2 on the ground with another 3-35-1 receiving. This is the ultimate opportunity to sell high on Doug Martin in my opinion.
Before you go crazy, understand that the Buccaneers only attempted 19 passes in this game. They were able to control the flow on the ground and thus they didn’t force anything with rookie QB Jameis Winston. Winston, by the way, made it through his first home game today without throwing a pick six.
Don’t go cutting either Mike Evans or Vincent Jackson, because with as bad as the Bucs defense is, there will be plenty of pass attempts in Tampa Bay.
17 – New Orleans at Philadelphia – 39
The Saints offense did absolutely nothing all day until this game was out of hand. Overall, though, the final numbers for Drew Brees were solid with 335 yards passing and two TDs. He made a point early of throwing deep which was really good to see despite little success doing so.
Speaking of garbage time points for the Saints, Brandin Cooks' 14-yard TD from Drew Brees happened as time expired and the stadium was nearly empty. But hey, it counts and it was good to see those who stuck with Brees/Cooks get paid off today.
Marques Colston injured his shoulder early on in this game but never shared this with the Saints training staff. He was seen holding his shoulder for nearly a full quarter before finally being removed in the second half.
I said all week that if the Eagles offense didn’t break out in this game, they were in real trouble the rest of the way. Luckily the Saints defense was the solution as the Eagles racked up over 500 yards of offense today.
As good as it was for the Eagles, it really could have been better. The Eagles drove down the field on the first drive only for the Saints to get their first interception of the season inside their own end zone. Then later in the first half, Saints CB Delvin Breaux made a diving interception off Sam Bradford in the Saints' end zone once again, thwarting an impressive Eagles drive.
Jordan Matthews failed me miserably this week. Matthews had a horrible drop in the end zone in the second quarter right before Bradford’s second INT of the game. I know that a lot of fantasy analysts are going to take a negative approach to Matthews this week, but I am still a believer.
Rookie WR Nelson Agholor left this game in the first half due to what appeared to be a left ankle injury. After the game the Eagles announced that Agholor has a “muscle issue” in his shin and is day to day.
The Eagles coaching staff (not Chip Kelly but several others) got penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in this game after charging the field in protest of a turnover ruling.
33 – Cleveland at Baltimore – 30
I’d rather let Melissa McCarthy fart in my face for a week than to start Josh McCown on my fantasy team. I know the numbers have been there over the last few weeks, but if you can’t do better than McCown (on a regular basis) then you aren’t trying.
Speaking of McCown, he is the first Browns QB in the Super Bowl era to pass for 300-plus yards in three consecutive games. That just shows you how miserable of a franchise the Browns have been for so long.
Browns CB Joe Haden continues his downward spiral by leaving this game with a concussion in the second half. The Browns were supposed to have a lock-down secondary this season and that simply hasn’t been the case this year.
I am perfectly comfortable saying that I was, and am, wrong about Browns TE Gary Barnidge right now but his performance has a lot to do with Josh McCown’s success lately which I do not believe in. All that being said, Barnidge’s second half TD reception was one of the more incredible catches you will ever see. He literally caught the ball between his legs while falling onto the ground.
Ravens RB Justin Forsett left the game in overtime due to an ankle injury. He will be evaluated on Monday to determine the significance of the injury, but I wouldn’t be too worried about it. Forsett again rushed for over 100 yards and finally had some catches as well going for 4-49 through the air today.
Joe Flacco’s two rushing TDs are the absolute poster moments of today’s NFL slate. This is a feat I am confident will never happen again.
Without Steve Smith today, Flacco decided to spread the ball around more as he targeted 10 different receivers this afternoon. Kamar Aiken led the way with nine targets, four receptions and 78 yards receiving.
The Ravens should legitimately be 0-5 right now if not for a complete second half melt down by the Pittsburgh Steelers and former kicker Josh Scobee.
10 – St. Louis at Green Bay Packers – 24
This game was a shining example of everything that is right and wrong with the St. Louis Rams right now. The defense was terrific as always and had Aaron Rodgers out of rhythm all day long. But the offense simply cannot come back from multiple score deficits.
I was very happy to see Todd Gurley’s performance today. I can sit here and tell you that Gurley does not blow me away at this point but it is evident that he’s a difference-making player. He’s a solid RB2 now after this performance and should continue to be the focal point of the Rams offense moving forward.
The only things that can derail this Rams defense are injuries. Unfortunately, they lost DE Chris Long with a right knee injury late in the first half. Long will need an MRI and could wind up missing significant time. We should know more by Monday afternoon.
WR Kenny Britt left the game after suffering a shoulder injury but returned after receiving treatment in the locker room. Britt should not be considered in any fantasy league under 16 teams deep.
Aaron Rodgers threw his first home interception since December of 2012 a string of 587 pass attempts. His next interception-free streak lasted just six pass attempts, as the Rams were able to pick him off again later on in the first half.
Don’t forget that last year Eddie Lacy had a very slow start to the season as well. This year Lacy has rushed for 50-230-1 through five games. In 2014, he had amassed 66-266-3 through his first five games. So, we’re talking about 36 more yards and two more TDs for Lacy last year at this point. Basically, he is right on pace which is why you drafted him in the early rounds this summer.
14 – Buffalo at Tennessee – 13
This game was an absolute exhibit of bad, sloppy football. At halftime the score was 3-0 and I seriously considered changing the channel to Bar Rescue, Doc McStuffins or one of those hour-long infomercials for FanDuel or DraftKings.
Tyrod Taylor is doing enough to help his team win games and has been a real surprise in the early part of this season. But Taylor is also not a good passer and the further we go into the season the more opposing defenses will force him to stay in the pocket and deliver the football. At this point, if you can contain Tyrod in the pocket, you can beat the Buffalo Bills.
Anthony Dixon was a bad idea this week and I take full responsibility for recommending him to you guys. I used him in far more leagues and DFS lineups than I should have and depending on the outcome of the Monday night game, I could pay a steep price.
The Bills said before the game that it is very likely that RB Karlos Williams will likely be out for Week 6 as well, as he is still in the beginning stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Backup RB Cierre Wood was carted off with a knee injury early in the first half this afternoon.
The last QB to have at least 100 yards passing, 70 yards rushing and a reception in the same game was Randall Cunningham of the Philadelphia Eagles in November of 1987.
Titans WR Kendall Wright left this game twice due to injury. The first time he was checked for a concussion but later returned. Then on the last play of the game he hit his knee on DB Stephon Gilmore which led to Gilmore’s interception. Wright then complained to the media after the game that he does not like his role in Tennessee’s offense. If you read our Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide this year then you never drafted Kendall Wright because as I explained in the magazine, he is the very definition of a losing fantasy player.
Delanie Walker left the game with a hip injury late in the fourth quarter today. Since the injury happened so late there is really no telling if he would have been able to return or not. Check on his status during the week.
42 – Arizona at Detroit – 17
The Cardinals offense was firing on all cylinders today. The offensive line is really controlling the game and giving Carson Palmer the time he needs to make plays all over the field.
Andre Ellington returned only to play third fiddle in the Cardinals rushing attack today. Chris Johnson was the clear feature back and looked very good in slashing and burning to the tune of 103 yards on just 11 carries. David Johnson seems to be the preferred goal line back, converting on both of his opportunities. But Ellington came in late and busted out a 63-yard TD run to add further insult to the Lions' injury.
The Cardinals have scored 190 points already in just five games. That is the seventh-most points through five games in NFL history.
It wasn’t all bright and shiny for the Cardinals on Sunday, however. They lost both Alex Okafor and Kenny Demens to knee injuries in this game.
Head coach Jim Caldwell decided to bench QB Matthew Stafford early in the third quarter in favor of Dan Orlovsky. Stafford, who signed a $73 million extension back in 2013, was brutal in this game, continuously underthrowing his targets and turning the ball over like a boss. After the game Caldwell announced that Stafford indeed would start the Lions' next game against the Chicago Bears and that there is no QB controversy.
I know that everybody was quick to anoint RB Ameer Abdullah the next big thing in the NFL after his Week 1 TD, but he has rushed for a combined 83 yards in the last four games. Abdullah should not be on the fantasy roster bubble at this point as there are far better options out there for you.
Lions LB DeAndre Levy aggravated his hip injury and did not return to this game. He will be reevaluated during the week and his status is considered day to day at this time.
30 – New England at Dallas – 6
This game really wasn’t as lopsided as the score would indicate. The Cowboys defense really put pressure on, and contained, Tom Brady for most of the first half. A couple of turnovers and a couple big plays out of Brady and Julian Edelman put this one on ice late.
Brady’s second quarter rushing TD was his first since December of 2012.
Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski made his 19th consecutive field goal today and kept his streak going in most impressive fashion. Gostkowski knocked through a career-long 57-yard field goal to close out the first half.
I have not been big on Dion Lewis in the early portion of this season, but am now fully invested after the Patriots gave him a two-year contract extension this past week. This was the first time in Bill Belichick’s 16 years with the Patriots that they have had control of a player at the minimum level and extended him in-season. So, no matter what I think about Lewis as a player, he is going to be in this role in the Patriots offense come hell or high water now.
Brandon Weeden didn’t play bad today but just didn’t do anything to move the Cowboys offense against a secondary that had been carved up in the first three weeks of the season. The Cowboys have a bye week next week and it is very possible that Jason Garrett will pull the plug on Weeden in favor of Matt Cassel.
Darren McFadden indeed took over Lance Dunbar’s pass-catching role and did pretty well for himself. McFadden only ran the ball five times for 16 yards today. But he led the Cowboys in receiving by hauling in nine catches for 62 yards against the Patriots.
16 – Denver at Oakland - 10
Nothing about this game seemed to make sense. The Broncos offense just couldn’t move the ball while the Raiders had the entire game go according to script and still could not pull it out.
The Broncos defense is absolutely abusive. They have 22 sacks, 14 turnovers and have scored three touchdowns already this season. CB Chris Harris Jr. made the big play today with a 74-yard interception return for a TD that put the Raiders away.
C.J. Anderson got three carries from within the five-yard line today. Although he didn’t covert on any of them, at least it is a positive sign for the struggling RB.
Peyton Manning just doesn’t appear comfortable in this offense whatsoever. His arm strength is down, and he doesn’t seem to be able to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers nearly enough.
Much was made of the Raiders' inability to guard the tight end position so far this season. Owen Daniels was a hot DFS play today, but got completely shut out despite five targets, two of which were in the end zone.
The Broncos defense took a big hit late in this one when LB DeMarcus Ware was carted off the field due to a back injury.
Charles Woodson appeared on NFL Network early last week and mentioned that he has always loved the challenge of playing against Peyton Manning even though Manning often got the best of him. Woodson entered the game having never having intercepted a pass off the arm of Manning, but by the time this game was over, Woodson had his first two interceptions off him.
Sebastian Janikowski missed a 40-yard field goal and had a 38-yarder blocked today.
Raiders DE Justin Tuck left the game due to a shoulder injury and did not return.
27 – San Francisco at N.Y. Giants – 30
I was very surprised at just how competitive this game wound up being. Both teams went back and forth, exchanging blows before the Giants ended it at the wire.
Colin Kaepernick was a lot more focused tonight and I felt he played his best football of the season. It still defies me that the 49ers don’t run more read-option with Kaepernick but that is an argument for another time.
As good as Kaepernick played tonight he made one of the dumbest mistakes I’ve seen on the football field tonight. At the close of the third quarter, he mistook the game clock for the play clock and called a timeout despite not needing to since the quarter was about to end anyway.
Carlos Hyde finished the night with 21-93-1 rushing, most of which came in the second half — Hyde had just 14 yards rushing in the first half of this one.
Reggie Bush left the game after aggravating a calf injury that has bothered him since Week 1.
Eli Manning threw for a career-high 41 completions tonight, racking up 441 yards passing in the process.
The Giants lost Odell Beckham Jr. to a hamstring injury that he suffered on his 17-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter. Beckham returned for just one play on the final drive, and drew a pass interference penalty that set up the final TD pass to Larry Donnell.
WR Rueben Randle was also knocked out of this game early due to a hamstring injury and did not return.
The Giants also lost MLB Jon Beason to a concussion tonight. He will be placed into the NFL concussion protocol and his availability will be determined late next week.