Quarterbacks
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- Jimmy Garoppolo (SF 49ers): The rumor in SF is that Jimmy Garoppolo will be able to suit up week 5 versus the Dolphins. If Garoppolo is able to go he is a must start in this week’s matchup against a Miami defense that has been allowing 409.8 yards a game to opposing offenses. Jimmy Garoppolo has also thrown for 2 TDs in both the games he played (second game left early due to ankle injury). This will also be the first time Jimmy Garoppolo will have all his offensive weapons in Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Jerrick Mckinnon and possibly Raheem Mostert. Expect Garoppolo and the Niners to come out angry after last week’s loss and put up points.
- Teddy Bridgewater (CAR Panthers): Teddy Bridgewater showed out last week by taking out Kyler Murray and the explosive Cardinals offense. This week Bridgewater has a really easy matchup against a Falcons defense that allows the second most yards per game (448.2) to opposing offenses. Also last week we saw Teddy Bridgewater finally unleashed his running game, when he rushed for a 26 yard touchdown while juking two defenders. Bridgewater should have a great game this week in a favorable matchup.
- Other plugs: Gardner Minshew (JAC Jaguars), Ben Roethlisberger (PIT Steelers), Kyler Murray (ARI Cardinals)
Sit em out
- Derek Carr (LV Raiders): Derek Carr has had a good season so far, being one of only four QBs who have yet to throw an interception. This week however, Carr faces another tough secondary in the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs are one of three teams that allow less than 200 pass yards per average at 195.0 ypg (other two are Niners and Colts). The Raiders have also had trouble getting their receivers to stay healthy, mainly first round pick, Henry Ruggs III. To make matters worse for Carr, KC actually does well against tight ends and has been allowing a mere 42 yards to opposing TEs. This will limit Carr’s top choice, Darren Waller. It’s safe to say, you should sit Carr this week against KC.
- Tom Brady (TB Buccaneers): Tom Brady has still got it! Believe it or not, Brady ranks as QB7 so far in fantasy this year. He has had only one game below 20 fantasy points and that was week 2 against the Panthers. However, steer clear of Brady this week who will be playing against the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. The Bears rank in the bottom 10 in pass yards allowed per game at only 230.2. To make matters worse for Brady he is likely to be without Chris Godwin and OJ Howard (out for season) for another week. Scotty Miller and Mike Evans are also questionable for Thursday night. Bench Tom Brady this week in a game that is likely to be field goal by field goal.
- Other sits: Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA Dolphins), Carson Wentz (PHI Eagles), Be wary of Matt Ryan (ATL Falcons)
Running Backs
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- Kenyan Drake (ARI Cardinals): Ahhh Kenyan Drake, what a waste of a pick you have been this year. This is the last time I am putting Drake here as he has his most favorable matchup yet this week against the Jets. The NY Jets on average have allowed 129.0 yards per game to opposing backs. Last week Melvin Gordon rushed for 107 yards against the Jets. Kenyan Drake has the ability to be a top tier back, we have seen it. Now Drake finds himself in a favorable matchup. The Cardinals HC has also stated that he will be changing up the offensive scheme. If Drake will ever turn heads, this is the week (which is also what we said last week).
- David Johnson (HOU Texans): David Johnson has yet to rush for over a 100 yards this year. But this isn’t Johnson’s fault as he has been facing a few of the toughest run defenses in the past few weeks like Baltimore and Pittsburgh. David Johnson and the Texans find themselves in a favorable matchup for the first time in 2020 against the 1-3 Jaguars. The Jaguars have allowed an average of 138.5 yards to opposing backs. David Johnson has seen his carries go up, even with Duke Johnson in the mix. The Texans also have a new HC that is looking to make a statement by helping this suffering Texans offense. All the cards are in line for David Johnson to have his breakout week against the Jaguars.
- Devin Singletarty/ Zack Moss (BUF Bills): Zack Moss has missed the last couple weeks with an injury, allowing Devin Singletary to score 16.10 and 18.60 fantasy points respectively. With Moss back in the mix this week I expect Singletary’s numbers to drop slightly as they shared the backfield prior to Moss’s injury. Nonetheless both are starters this week against a Tennessee defense that has struggled against the run allowing a whopping 166 rush yards per game. Moss and Singletary both have the ability to be fantasy worthy especially since the Titans secondary will make it hard on Josh Allen to get the ball to Stefon Diggs and John Brown.
- Other plugs: James Robinson (JAC Jaguars), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC Chiefs), Josh Jacobs (LV Raiders)
Sit em out
- Myles Gaskin (MIA Dolphins): Myles Gaskin seems to have taken the role of being the lead back for the Miami Dolphins. Gaskins has also produced in his matchups getting between 9.20-14.50 fantasy points every game. This week however, bench Gaskins as he is up against a Niners defense that hasn’t allowed a back to get over 63 rush yards. The Niners are one of the toughest defenses for opposing backs even in checkdown pass situations. Myles Gaskin should be benched this week.
- Melvin Gordon (DEN Broncos): Melvin Gordon had a huge game last week against the Jets, rushing over 100 yards and getting 25 fantasy points. This week Gordon faces a tough matchup against the Patriots who have allowed 10th fewest yards per game to opposing offenses. The Broncos are also likely to play from behind making the game script unfavorable for Gordon. To make matters more dire for Gordon, Phillip Lindsey is set to make his return to the Denver backfield. So we could see a split backfield in Denver. I would sit Melvin Gordon this week against the Patriots.
- Chargers RBs: Austin Ekeler is likely to be out 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury so Justin Jackson and Joshua Kelley will look to split the backfield until Ekeler is healthy. As fantasy owners we don’t know how this situation will play out, will it be a 50/50 split? Early down/ third down split? Who gets red zone work? All these questions should be answered in the next two week so until then I would be cautious starting either of these backs. Another reason to be wary of them is because they face a NO Saints defense that allows an average of only 97 rush yards a game. They even held Josh Jacobs to 88 yards. I would hold off another week before being confident in starting any of the Chargers Rbs.
- Other sits: Be wary of James Conner (PIT Steelers) and Derrick Henry (TEN Titans), Todd Gurley (ATL Falcons)
Wide Receivers
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- John Brown (BUF Bills): John Brown is one of the biggest steals of this draft and it’s all due to Josh Allen and his MVP run. This week the Bills are taking on the Titans defense that has allowed the fifth most yards to opposing offenses (422.3). This game could end up being a shootout as the Bills have a good run defense and Tannehill will have to air it out. Tannehill is also getting AJ Brown back this week most likely. John Brown could be the sneaky play this week.
- DJ Moore (CAR Panthers): DJ Moore has slowly faded away this year with the addition Robby Anderson who is Bridgewater’s main receiver. Anderson is a must start this week along with DJ Moore and both WRs should have a nice day as the Panthers take on the Falcons. The Falcons secondary is horrible and has so many injuries that has led them to allow 341.5 pass yards a game. This game is also likely to be high scoring as the Falcons offense ranks top 10 in the league in points. I would start Moore in this high scoring game.
- Justin Jefferson (MIN Vikings): Vikings have an easy matchup as well against a team that has allowed the most yards in 2020, the Seattle Seahawks. To make matters better for the Vikings, the Seahawks might be without star safety Jamaal Adams. The Seahawks have allowed 476.8 yards on average to opposing offenses and I am expecting the Vikings to feast. Adam Thielen and Dalvin Cook will get their yards but the third option, Justin Jefferson will look to continue his hot streak. Justin Jefferson has had back to back 100 yard games and will look to keep that up against the Seahawks.
- Other plugs: TY Hilton (IND Colts), Cowboys WRs, Seahawks WRs, Adam Thielen (MIN Vikings)
Sit em out
- Jarvis Landry (CLE Browns): Jarvis Landry hasn’t had a great game as a receiver yet and he will have trouble getting going again. To make matters worse the Browns are up against the toughest defense in the league, the Indy Colts. The Colts have allowed the least yards to opposing offenses at 236.2 yards per game. Baker Mayfield has also had a slow year, relying on the run game in most of his wins. I would be cautious of all Browns WRs this week in a tough matchup.
- Tyler Boyd (CIN Bengals): Tyler Boyd is the receiver to own for the Bengals. He is the clear favorite for Rookie QB, Joe Burrow, and has produced week in and week out. This week Tyler Boyd will be against standout slot CB, Marlon Humpheries. PFF has Marlon Humpheries ranked in the top 10 as corners and top 5 as slot corners with a grade of 76.3. Tyler Boyd is going to have a hard time getting much going even if he does get 13 targets once again. Be wary of Boyd this week as he is at best a lowend flex with low upside.
- Mike Evans (TB Buccaneers): Mike Evans will be Tom Brady’s main threat on Thursday night with Chris Godwin out. Mike Evans though will have a tough time getting much going as he is up against Fuller and the Bears defense that allowed only 230 pass yards to opposing teams. To make matters worse for Evans, he is carrying an injury designation that might limit him as well. It also doesn’t help that with Goswin and Howard out, Bears will scheme to shut down Evans.
- Other sits: Preston Williams (MIA Dolphins), Julio Jones (ATL Falcons), Greg Ward (PHI Eagles)
Tight Ends
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- Hunter Henry (LA Chargers): Hunter Henry faces the Saints this week on Monday Night Football in a great matchup. The Saints have allowed the second most points to tight ends at an average of 15.2. Last time the Saints played on MNF they faced Darren Waller who completely tore up their defense scoring 28.50 fantasy points. Hunter Henry will also gain a bump now that Austin Ekeler is out for 4-6 weeks. That means more targets for Henry and Allen, I would plug in Henry into all lineups this week.
- Eric Ebron (PIT Steelers): The last time Eric Ebron played he scored 16.20 fantasy points against Houston. With Dionte Johnson still questionable this week Ebron could see a lot more targets now having gained Big Ben’s trust. This week Eric Ebron faces a weak Titans defense that has allowed the sixth most yards to opposing TEs at 54 per game and 11.3 points per game. The Titans run defense is pretty good so James Conner could have trouble getting going which means more passes for Ebron and company. Ebron is another sneaky start for this week.
- Other plugs: Chris Herndon (NY Jets), Ian Thomas (CAR Panthers), Tyler Hibgee (LA Rams)
Sit em out
- Mike Gesicki (MIA Dolphins): Mike Gesicki plays the Niners this week in his toughest matchup yet. The Niners have yet to allow a TE to score a TD against them. The Niners have also allowed only 2.0 points on average to opposing TE. They have shut down big names like Evan Engram and Zach Ertz in the past two weeks. Gesicki has also not been consistent with Fitzpatrick under center. Until Tua gets a start I would have a hard time trusting Mike Gesicki.
- Austin Hooper (CLE Browns): Austin Hooper has to be the biggest disappointment of 2020 so far. I was big on hype before the season started but once I saw Baker Mayfield I knew this is a running offense and Hooper will have a limited role. To make matters worse for Hooper he is playing against the toughest team this week, the Colts. The Colts have only allowed an average of 1.5 points per game to TEs. Expect Austin Hopper to ride the struggle bus once again this week.
- Other sits: Kyle Rudolph (MIN Vikings), Drew Sample (CIN Bengals), Logan Thomas (WAS Football Team)
D/ST
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- Plug of the week: Rams D/ST
- Other plugs: Bucs D/ST, NE D/ST, 49ers D/ST
Sit em out
- Sit of the week: Chargers D/ST
- Other sits: Panthers D/ST, Colts D/ST, Bears D/ST
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