Fantasy Football Week 5 Quick Hits: Thoughts From The Champs

There’s so much happening on a week to week basis in the NFL, sometimes it’s tough to step back and look at the season as a whole instead of a weekly chaotic mess that often leaves you scrambling to overcome injuries and bye weeks.

My goal for this article is to not only talk about players trending up and down based on their weekly performances, but also to give some insights on their overall outlook for the 2014 season.

Quick reminder before getting into the Quick Hits: There’s a MILLION DOLLARS going out to the 1st place finisher in Week 5. 

ONE MILLION DOLLARS. 

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Quarterbacks 

Andrew Luck, Colts: Luck is on pace to throw for 52 TDs this year...will he get there? Probably not, but at least 40 is more than likely.

Drew Brees, Saints: When he plays on the road, he and his Offense just aren't the same. 

Philip Rivers, Chargers: On pace for 4,620 yards and 36 TDs and he may even exceed that mark.

Nick Foles, Eagles: One bad game against a good defense, giving him a pass.

Tony Romo, Cowboys: Throwing motion looked much improved as back continues to get better. 

Kirk Cousins, Redskins:  Tough upcoming schedule but we still believe in this Offense.

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Having Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell is raising the floor for Big Ben.

Eli Manning, Giants: Offense is clicking and Eli is getting the ball into the end-zone.

Tom Brady, Patriots: Looked awful vs. Chiefs but the Pats always start slow and just when you think their reign is over, they come out and TOTALLY REDEEM THEMSELVES. But that’s much more regarding REAL football and not Fantasy…

Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings: Hoping his ankle injury won't linger.

Mike Glennon, Buccaneers: Looked good in 1st start of 2014 and may not relinquish role back to Josh McKown even when he gets healthy.

Kyle Orton, Bills: Named the Bills starter and should hold onto the job. No team pays a back $5 million.

Jake Locker, Titans: Wrist injury and inaccuracy will keep him out of the Top 25 for QBs.

Geno Smith, Jets:  Fans are demanding a change at QB but Rex still says Geno is their guy.

Running Backs: 

LeSean McCoy, Eagles:  Lane Johnson's back from suspension and he'll help open up more running lades for Shady. 

Jamaal Charles, Chiefs: Looked fantastic vs. Patriots (1st game back since ankle injury). 

DeMarco Murray, Cowboys: 4 straight games of over 100 yards and a TD. Best RB in the league heading into Week 5.

Rashad Jennings, Giants: Very quietly on pace to finish 3rd in yards. 

Eddie Lacy, Packers: Finally got into the end-zone but still hasn't look very good running the ball.

Frank Gore, 49ers: Gore demanded more action and he performed real well once given the opportunity. Expect the 49ers to continue to ride their RB Vet.

Arian Foster, Texans: A nagging hamstring injury will leave you guessing if he's going to be active and then if he's active, leave you questioning how much action he'll get. HEADACHE!!!

Lamar Miller, Dolphins: Knowshon won't be back for a few more weeks, in the meantime, Miller is taking advantage of the bigger workload. 

Darren Sproles, Eagles: Just isn't touching the ball enough on Offense. Solid if you get points for Special Teams production, otherwise can be VERY shaky.

Knile Davis, Chiefs: Even with Jamaal Charles back in action, Davis was able to rush for over 100 yards. Good to see they can co-exist and still produce. 

Shane Vereen, Patriots: Isn't getting the targets or the touches to be considered anything more than a Flex in PPR. 

Jeremy Hill, Bengals: Back from Bye and the Bengals will pound the rock the rest of the year.

Matt Asiata, Vikings: McKinnon is getting all the hype, but keep in mind Asiata is the better pass protector and receiver out of the backfield. 

Lorenzo Taliaferro, Ravens: Took over in the RBBC with Justin Forsett because Bernard Pierce just can't stay healthy.

Bishop Sankey, Titans: Great upcoming schedule and starting to see the phase out of Shonn Greene.

Jerick McKinnon, Vikings: Love the explosiveness he showed off in Week 4, hopefully his ankle injury doesn't linger. 

Isaiah Crowell, Brons: Will remain the change of pace RB even when Ben Tate comes back.

Alfred Blue, Texans: Will see extended action while Arian Foster is hurt. 

Steven Jackson, Falcons: Jackson may be the starter by definition, but there's 4 RBs in this backfield that split carries.  

Terrance West, Browns: Pushed down the depth chart with the return of Ben Tate.  

Andre Williams, Giants: Tremendous upcoming schedule and the team will use him to give Rashad Jennings rest.  

Shonn Greene, Titans: The transition to Bishop Sankey is already taking place. 

Lance Dunbar, Cowboys: Very limited role right now because DeMarco is running so well, but Coaches keeping him involved.

Mark Ingram, Saints: Targeting a Week 7 return.

Knowshon Moreno, Dolphins: Expected back in about another month.

Antone Smith, Falcons: Seems to bust our at least one BIG run every week, just not getting enough carries to be consistent. 

Fozzy Whittaker, Panthers: Will join Reaves in the Panthers backfield while DeAngelo Williams is out.

Darrin Reaves, Panthes: Will join Whittaker in the Panthers backfield.

Wide Receiver:

Antonio Brown, Steelers: Puts in absolutely incredible stats every single week.

Jordy Nelson, Packers: On pace to lead the league in receiving yards.

Alshon Jeffery, Bears: Whether Marshall's hurt or not, Jeffery still gets his

Randall Cobb, Packers: Even with Jordy playing so well, Cobb is nearly just as good.

Pierre Garcon, Redskins: Tough Week 4 and tough match-up in Week 5, but when it's all said and done, he'll still be the leading receiver on the Redskins.

Steve Smith, Ravens: Just too bad he can't play his former team every week. 

Keenan Allen, Chargers: Groin injury seems like a thing of the past and will now transform back into Rivers' Number 1 receiver. 

Victor Cruz, Giants: Showing great chemistry with Eli and has gone over 100 yards in back to back games. 

Golden Tate, Lions: In Detroit's high octane offense, Tate is a must start every week.

Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers: The rookie may end up as a Top 20 WR if he keeps performing in October and November like he did in September. 

Terrance Williams, Cowboys: With teams double teaming Dez, Williams is burning the single coverage. 

Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings: Clearly the best offensive weapon on the Vikings just isn't getting the ball enough. 

Brandin Cooks, Saints: Needs more targets, especially in the Red-Zone, problem is...that's Jimmy Graham territory. 

Eddie Royal, Chargers: 4 TDs in 2 games is great, but don't let it trick you into thinking it is a trend. 

DeSean Jackson, Redskins: Stat line is too reliant on the big play TD.

Eric Decker, Jets: Shaky QB play will be his downfall in 2014, not the lingering hamstring injury. 

Mohamed Sanu, Bengals: Will see less targets now that Marvin Jones is back. 

Marvin Jones, Bengals: Was expected back from injury in Week 5 but then he tweaked his ankle in practice. Poor guy can catch a ball but can't catch a break from the injury bug.

Mike Evans, Bucs: Out 2-3 weeks with a groin injury.

Justin Hunter, Titans: He's getting a lot of targets but just not catching the ball. To be fair, some of the targets are absolutely UNCATCHABLE

Cecil Shorts, Jaguars: Weaker hamstring than a baby deer. 

John Brown, Cardinals: Cardinals are getting creative and figuring how to get him the ball.  

Odell Beckham, Giants: Expected to make his NFL Debut in Week 5.

Kenbrell Thompkins, Patriots: Not worth a roster spot since the Pats make him a healthy scratch every other week. 

Aaron Dobson, Patriots: Not worth a roster spot since the Pats make him a healthy scratch every other week.

Tight Ends 

Julius Thomas, Broncos: Back from his bye and ready to ROCK OUT in your starting lineup the rest of the year. 

Martellus Bennett, Bears: At least one TD in every game or goes for surpassed 100 yards. Off to an incredible start. 

Delanie Walker, Titans: 28 targets the last 3 games and found the end-zone in first 3 out of 4 games.

Larry Donnell, Giants: Eli's new favorite Red Zone target is 6'6 and has great hands.

Travis Kelce, Chiefs: Targets and receptions doubled from Week 3 to Week 4, that's called taking a step in the right direction. 

Vernon Davis, 49ers: First he had a knee injury. Then he had an ankle injury. Now he has a back injury. That's precisely a different injury for each game so far. 

Zach Ertz, Eagles: Not getting enough targets to provide stability. Roller Coast stats aren't good for fantasy lineups.

Antonio Gates, Chargers: Outside of a 3 TD game, Gates has been very pedestrian.

Niles Paul, Redskins: Nasty concussion in Week 4 may keep him out for a while. 

Dwayne Allen, Colts: Getting into the end-zone unfortunately will not be an every week thing.

Coby Fleener, Colts: Getting into the end-zone unfortunately will not be an every week thing.

Eric Ebron, Lions: Slowly getting more involved in the Offense.