Just like in my Week 4 predictions, I gave you some Week 5 names that played well but no one who blew the doors off of the fantasy world. Positively, I correctly predicted that Week 5 would be the week when Odell Beckham would finally get into the end zone, that Mike Evans would have himself a nice game, that Randall Cobb would have his breakout performance of the season, and that Andre Johnson would be undervalued at only $3,700, considering his WR1 status for the Titans. Negatively I liked John Brown who produced next to nothing on Thursday Night Football and Robert Woods for the same reason that I liked Andre Johnson. Unfortunately, he produced like a 2001 Enron stock. This week, I have fewer selections, but ones in which I feel stronger. Below are my thoughts on every matchup, followed by my Nostra-Dom-Us Picks of the Week.
| Off | Left WR | Def | Right CB | Analysis |
| ARI | Larry Fitzgerald | NYJ | Buster Skrine | Receivers have eaten this Jets secondary alive all season long so I don't see any reason that Fitz – one of the league's most accomplished receivers – wouldn't torch them as well. Add to the mix that Skrine has been playing out of position for most of the year on the outside and you've got yourself a mismatch. Fitzgerald should get his numbers here. |
| ATL | Julio Jones | SEA | Jeremy Lane | I find it hard to believe that the Seahawks would allow the Falcons to dictate who is covering Julio Jones, so my guess is that he will mostly be taken care of by Richard Sherman, however based off of on paper matchups, Lane is the draw for Julio. If that is the case, he should have his way, however it will be more of a mystery if he has to go against the more talented and more physical Richard Sherman. |
| BAL | Steve Smith Sr. | NYG | Janoris Jenkins | Smith has missed practice for most of this week, so it is still up in the air if he will play or not. The Giants secondary has been pretty solid this season so far when healthy, so provided they are full staffed, I would stay away from Smith in this matchup anyway. |
| BUF | Marquise Goodwin | SF | Rashard Robinson | Robinson has been the 49ers best corner this season and Goodwin is always a boom or bust play. I would stay away from the risk of failure with Goodwin, as I advise on most weeks. |
| CAR | Kelvin Benjamin | NO | Sterling Moore | Benjamin has been hot and cold all season long. This is a scenario in which he should be hot, as the Saints secondary is historically bad in terms of talent level and depth. Expect him and Cam to get back on track here in Week 6. |
| CHI | Alshon Jeffery | JAX | Jalen Ramsey | Since Hoyer has taken over, this Bears offense has gotten exponentially better, however it has left Alshon Jeffery slightly less involved in their focused game plan. This week Jeffery will be taking on Jaguars impressive rookie Jalen Ramsey, who has so far this season served as one of the league's best shutdown corners. Considering the Jags improved pass rush and the prowess of Ramsey so far, it is reasonable to think that again the Bears will struggle to get the ball to Jeffery. |
| CIN | A.J. Green | NE | Logan Ryan | Typically, the Pats don't let elite players burn them, but rather if they struggle it is because of an entire team effort. Because of this, I am not going to recommend Green as a fantasy start. The matchup is just too scary based off of historical data. |
| CLE | Andrew Hawkins | TEN | Jason McCourty | Hawkins had himself a nice game last week, however throughout his career, he has never shown a track record of consistent production. Tennessee has been really good in the secondary so far this season, so I would stay away from Hawkins if possible this week with all things considered. |
| DAL | Dez Bryant | GB | Sam Shields | Dez has been back at practice this week and is expected to play on Sunday afternoon against the Packers in his return game from the2014 playoff debacle "The Catch that Wasn't." If Dez is healthy, I like his chances against this mediocre at best Packers secondary. If not, as usual, Brice Butler will sub in for him at the flanker position. |
| DEN | Demaryius Thomas | SD | Craig Mager | Demaryius has been really good this season and has been even better with Trevor Seimian at the helm. Seimian is healthy enough to start on Thursday, so I like Thomas' chances to produce in all fantasy formats this week. |
| DET | Golden Tate | LA | E.J. Gaines | Tate has been one of this season's biggest fantasy disappointments so far, however if they continue to use him the way they did in Week 5, his prospects may be on the rise. Basically he was used as an emergency running back out of shotgun and pistol formations because of injuries, and if Jim Bob Cooter can delve deeper into this little wrinkle, Tate may be able to be better utilized going forward. For now I would wait and see, however it is something worth monitoring. |
| GB | Jordy Nelson | DAL | Morris Claiborne | Claiborne has been arguably the best corner in football so far this season, while the Packers offense continues to struggle in the second half of games. If Aaron Rodgers can't get his act together, he may find it tough sledding against this suddenly formidable Dallas secondary. Stay clear from Nelson if possible in Week 6. |
| HOU | DeAndre Hopkins | IND | Vontae Davis | D-Hop will obviously draw Davis this week, which is not good news for him, however he is relatively matchup proof in terms of targets and touchdowns, so feel free to play him if you wish. |
| IND | Phillip Dorsett | HOU | Johnathan Joseph | Dorsett's burner skill-set is his biggest draw, but in terms of fantasy production that is an inconsistent attribute to rely upon. I would stay away from him in Week 6 taking on a tough CB in Jonathan Joseph. |
| JAX | Allen Robinson | CHI | Jacoby Glenn | Coming off of the bye, I expect big things from Robinson who wil be taking on an average at best secondary in Chicago. He has a lot of work to do to return to his elite 2015 form, but it is not for lack of talent. Play Robinson with confidence that this will be his turnaround week. |
| KC | Jeremy Maclin | OAK | Sean Smith | The Raiders secondary has been pretty dreadful so far this season, and Maclin is just about all the Chiefs have to throw to, so I like his chances this week to be a top-15 performer. |
| LA | Kenny Britt | DET | Nevin Lawson | Britt is undoubtedly the Rams no. 1 target now, however I never trust his skill-set or potential for consistently good production. Feel free to stay away from him on Sunday. |
| MIA | DeVante Parker | PIT | Ross Cockrell | Parker's production currently remains inconsistent – just as his age and experience would indicate – but his talent is certainly there. If you don't fear a Steelers blowout, play Parker as the Dolphins no 1. red zone threat and 1A overall receiving option to Jarvis Landry. |
| NE | Chris Hogan | CIN | Adam Jones | Hogan seems to have a nice rapport with Brady, however this isn't the week to start him considering the matchup he has drawn. The veteran Jones is still an imposing force in the secondary and is typically a matchup to aviod. With Hogan reasonably covered this week, Brady is likely to look elsewhere for completions. |
| NO | Willie Snead | CAR | Daryl Worley | Snead should have his way with a depleted Carolina secondary this week. Expect targets to come his way in what likely will turn into a shootout. Don't fear the emergence of Michael Thomas too much when considering Snead. |
| NYG | Odell Beckham | BAL | Jimmy Smith | Beckham is talented enough to handle Smith and the Ravens pass rush isn't so dominant that Eli Manning should have trouble getting him the ball – which has been the case for most of this season. I like Beckham's chances on Sunday to produce at his elite talent level. |
| NYJ | Brandon Marshall | ARI | Marcus Cooper | Marshall has gotten into the end zone in back-to-back weeks now and appears to really be finding his footing back in the offense that elevated him so much last season. In all likelihood Marshall is to draw Patrick Peterson, which will spell trouble for the veteran wideout, however on the offchance that he doesn't, expect Marshall to have his way with Cooper. |
| OAK | Michael Crabtree | KC | Phillip Gaines | Crabtree has great numbers so far this season, but considering his production, he has actually been rather inconsistent overall. I don't love his matchup this week considering Andy Reid's history coming off of a bye week (15-2) and because he is likely to see plenty of Marcus Peters on Sunday. Stay away from the matchup if possible, however if you can't, don't be upset because Crabtree is the favored red zone target on this offense. |
| PHI | Jordan Matthews | WAS | Josh Norman | I like Matthews, but expecting much from him on Sunday is a lost cause. Norman is a blackhole for wideouts, and considering Matthews is a rather one-dimensional receiver, I expect him to perform poorly in all formats in Week 6. |
| PIT | Antonio Brown | MIA | Tony Lippett | While I always say that Brown is matchup proof, I particularly like him this week considering the fact that he's taking on a depleted Dolphins secondary. Although he is tagged at some exorbitant prices in DFS, he should be worth every penny this week. |
| SD | Travis Benjamin | DEN | Chris Harris | I never like starting someone against this Broncos secondary, and while I am a fan of Benjamin's, I can't change my advice this week. Stay away from him if possible because rarely do wideouts have success against the Broncos defense. |
| SF | Torrey Smith | BUF | Ronald Darby | Smith is on my no-fly list in that I will never start him if circumstances remain constant. While he now has a new starting QB, I still don't trust either him or Kaepernick to get some consistent production going. |
| SEA | Doug Baldwin | ATL | Desmond Trufant | This should be a great matchup to watch, as both Baldwin and Trufant are some of the best players at their respective positions. Feel free to start Baldwin on Sunday, however he will be challenged every step of the way going up against Trufant. |
| TEN | Andre Johnson | CLE | Jamar Taylor | Johnson is still affordable and is likely to remain as the second receiving option in this offense only to TE Delanie Walker. Take that for what you want, as his production is unlikely to surpass 50 yards and a touchdown on any given week. |
| WAS | Pierre Garcon | PHI | Nolan Carroll | The Eagles defense has been good all year long and Garçon has not been heavily involved in this Redskins offense for a couple of years now. Pass on him if you feel so inclined for Week 6. |
| Off | Right WR | Def | Left CB | Analysis |
| ARI | Michael Floyd | NYJ | Darrelle Revis | Floyd has been dormant all season long, however it has appeared pretty easy to burn Revis deep lately, so Floyd may have a shot there. Otherwise he is someone to avoid in all formats on Sunday. |
| ATL | Mohamed Sanu | SEA | Richard Sherman | Sanu has been a non-factor since the second week of the season so his matchup against a tough Seattle secondary shouldn’t be a tough one to avoid. |
| BAL | Mike Wallace | NYG | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | If DRC is healthy, I like his chances against an overrated Wallace. If Rodgers-Cromartie doesn't suit up, Wallace's status will obviously inflate. |
| BUF | Robert Woods | SF | Tramaine Brock | Woods is currently serving as the Bills WR1 with the injury to Sammy Watkins, so while he may be a more involved option in the game plan because of this, I am not sure that I trust Tyrod Taylor to stick to the script enough ti make Woods a fantasy worthwhile start. |
| CAR | Ted Ginn Jr. | NO | Ken Crawley | Ginn is always a pass in my book, even when he is taking on an awful secondary in the Saints. |
| CHI | Eddie Royal | JAX | Davon House | Royal has hauled in seven catches in back-to-back contests since Brian Hoyer has taken over as the starting quarterback. I expect the prodction to continue so long as Hoyer remains the starter. |
| CIN | Brandon LaFell | NE | Malcolm Butler | LaFell is one of those players who I never trust. Butler should have no problem getting the best of him on Sunday, provided he remains on his own side and doesn't mirror A.J. Green. |
| CLE | Terrelle Pryor | TEN | Perrish Cox | Pryor remains the Browns no. 1 option in the passing game, so he should remain a start in most fantasy formats until that changes. To be honest though, I don't love his matchup with a tough Tennessee secondary, so I would avoid him if possible. |
| DAL | Terrance Williams | GB | Damarious Randall | Williams has been more involved in the offense of late, but with the assumed return of Dez Bryant, his production should come back to earth of sorts. If Dez doesn't play, you can start Williams without much hesitation. |
| DEN | Emmanuel Sanders | SD | Brandon Flowers | Since Week 3, Sanders has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league. Despite the tough draw of Flowers this week, he should see enough 1v1 coverage to meed his mark of seven catches, 80 or so yards, and a touchdown. |
| DET | Marvin Jones | LA | Trumaine Johnson | Jones has been the Lions best receiver this season and should continue to be through Week 6. Johnson is a nice corner, but not one that should shutdown Jones. Start him with confidence on Sunday. |
| GB | Randall Cobb | DAL | Brandon Carr | Carr has been good this season, however he is unlikely to matchup with Cobb for most of the time considering Cobb's utility and slot status. Considering this, Cobb's effectiveness depends on the status of Orlando Scandrick. Scandrick has proven to be one of the best slot corners in the game when healthy, so his availability will be crucial for Dallas. If Scandrick doesn't play, I still would shy away from Cobb considering he would likely draw another nightmare in Byron Jones for most of the game. Pick your poison here. |
| HOU | Will Fuller | IND | Patrick Robinson | Fuller is one of my favorite plays of the week considering how last week played out for the Colts defense. Focused solely on star wideout Alshon Jeffery, the Colts managed to allow a whopping 9 rec, 130 yds, and 1 TD to the Bears secondary receiver in Cameron Meredith. Fuller is twice the athlete and football player of Meredith, so I love his chances this week if the Colts decide to focus on DeAndre Hopkins this week like they did with Jeffery last week. |
| IND | T.Y. Hilton | HOU | Kareem Jackson | Hilton has been a force this season, especially over the last three weeks in which he's caught 25 balls for 387 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson is a nice corner, but not many guys can contain Hilton. Consider him a good play this week based off of his talent, matchup, and current elite form. |
| JAX | Allen Hurns | CHI | Tracy Porter | This season has not been pretty for Hurns, however he did manage to get into the end zone for the first time this season in his last matchup. I don't love this Chicago defense, so you can start him if you need to, but until Hurns proves flashes of last year's form, I will not endorse him as a viable fantasy start each week. |
| KC | Albert Wilson | OAK | David Amerson | Wilson is another one of my no-fly players, as I just don't trust him. |
| LA | Tavon Austin | DET | Darius Slay | Austin has quietly been turning things around this season, as he hauled in a season-high seven passes in his last outing against Buffalo. If he can get put in motion or optioned out of the slot, he will have a better chance of success than if he is matched up with Slay for most of the game. For his fantasy sake, hopefully the Rams figure out a way to get creative with Austin. |
| MIA | Kenny Stills | PIT | William Gay | Unreliable hands, yes, but Stills seems to be getting open over the top of defenses this season. Take that for what you will. If you are asking me, I wouldn't start him, but that doesn't mean that he can't get lucky with a eyes closed touchdown catch. |
| NE | Julian Edelman | CIN | Dre Kirkpatrick | Edelman will often be motioned in the slot and will be used on option routes and quick hitters. Translation: His matchup doesn’t really matter. It all depends on Brady and Josh McDaniels' game plan each week, which is so hard to read. Having said that, Brady typically finds ways to get his favorite receiver the ball, so Edelman should remain a safe start. |
| NO | Brandin Cooks | CAR | James Bradberry | Cooks should cook this secondary. He is lightning fast and may prove to be just as much of a handful that Julio Jones posed to the Panthers two weeks ago. Start him with complete confidence this week. |
| NYG | Sterling Shepard | BAL | Shareece Wright | Shepard has cooled down over the last few weeks, but then again, so has the Giants offense. For now I'm benching him because I just can't trust McAdoo or Eli to right the ship. |
| NYJ | Quincy Enunwa | ARI | Patrick Peterson | Enunwa has been solid so far this season, but the Jets offense has really hit a lul recently. Considering this, I hate his potential matchup with this Cardinals secondary, especially if he meets Peterson at any point throughout the game. |
| OAK | Amari Cooper | KC | Marcus Peters | This will be one of the matchups to watch, as Cooper really hit his stride last week, while Peters is one of the game's best ball hawks. I expect both Cooper and Crabtree to meet Peters, which should make for some even and exciting football to watch. |
| PHI | Nelson Agholor | WAS | Bashaud Breeland | Breeland is coming off of an injury, but luckily he doesn't have the hardest matchup right out of the gates. Agholor is an inconsistent play by nature, but shouldn't be detered by Breeland, especially considering his tenderness of just coming back from injury. |
| PIT | Markus Wheaton | MIA | Byron Maxwell | I would put Sammie Coates here considering he is the more prefered receiver by the staff and by Big Ben, but for now the depth chart says otherwise, so I'll spit it this way… Avoid Wheaton despite his reasonable matchup. |
| SD | Dontrelle Inman | DEN | Aqib Talib | Inmann is too inconsistent to rely upon week in and week out. Furthermore I don't like his matchup against the Broncos, so skip him at all costs in Week 6. |
| SF | Aaron Burbridge | BUF | Stephon Gilmore | Burbridge is on my no-fly list. He has to prove himself before I breakdown his games and matchups. On the plus side, I can use this space to clue you in on one of the week's best pickups in Jeremy Kerley. He was great last week and is the 49ers most talented receiver. |
| SEA | Jermaine Kearse | ATL | Robert Alford | Kearse is an inconsistent play and Alford can handle himself if needed. I won't let Alford deter me, but Kearse's production will do that alone. |
| TEN | Tajae Sharpe | CLE | Joe Haden | Sharpe has fallen off my radar. He came into the season with high expectations after a great preseason, but he just hasn't produced in the regular season yet. |
| WAS | DeSean Jackson | PHI | Leodis McKelvin | Jackson – as always – is a boom or bust play. No matter who he is playing, he can win the matchup, but it just becomes a case if the quarterback can get him the ball and if he can run good enough intermediate routes. Play him at your own risk. |
Nostra-Dom-Us Predicts…
ELITE PLAY
Antonio Brown ($10,000 on DraftKings) vs. MIA Defense
Outside of his poor performance in Week 2 against a good Cincinnati pass defense, here are Brown’s point totals on DraftKings this season: 22.4, 22.8, 29, and 35.6.
He’s as close to a lock for elite production that you are going to get in this league and at the position. Considering his matchup against a weak and depleted Miami secondary, I love Brown this week despite his incredibly high price tag.
AFFORDABLE PLAY
Will Fuller ($5,900 on DraftKings) vs. IND Defense
As I said in the table above, I love Fuller this week based not only off of his talent and the Colts lack there of in the secondary, but also because of how things played out for the Colts defense last week. They allowed an unknown no. 2 receiver in Cameron Meredith to scorch them in Week 5 while they were focused on stopping an elite receiver in Alshon Jeffery, so I can only imagine what they will allow Fuller – a more talented player than Meredith – do while they are preoccupied with DeAndre Hopkins – an even better receiver than Jeffery.
BARGAIN PLAY
Michael Thomas ($4,300 on DraftKings) vs. CAR Defense
Thomas has come alive over the last two weeks in terms of targets. To be exact, he has been targeted 20 times over Week’s 4 and 5, which is great for an elite receiver. Coupled with the targets are solid reception numbers and two touchdowns. Thomas has the size to serve as Drew Brees’ no 1. red zone target, and he has done exactly that over the last couple of weeks. I like him at this cheap price for Week 6 considering he is taking on a publicly shamed Carolina secondary.