Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Week 5 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2019 Edition

Quarterback
MVP: Deshaun Watson (Texans) 
If you were waiting for Watson to wake up after 3 straight mediocre performances, boy oh boy did your wish come true. Watson looked like a man possessed all day on Sunday as he shredded the Falcons defense for 426 YDS and 5 TD's through the air while adding another 47 YDS on the ground. He'll look to start building a hot streak versus a beatable Chiefs D in Week 6.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Dak Prescott (Cowboys)

LVP: Baker Mayfield (Browns) 
The nightmarish sophomore campaign of Mayfield continued with a primetime meltdown (100 YDS/0 TD/2 INT/FUM REC) against an aggressive 49ers defense that continues to impress. Mayfield has easily been the biggest letdown at QB thus far and with an absolutely brutal upcoming schedule that includes a visit from the Seahawks this week and a trip to Foxboro to face the Patriots on the 27th, it seems unlikely that he'll be able to turn things around anytime soon.
Dishonorable Mentions: Carson Wentz (Eagles), Aaron Rodgers (Packers), Phillip Rivers (Chargers)

Running Back
MVP: Aaron Jones (Packers) 
Continuing this week 5 theme of "Where the Hell Did This Come From?": Jones put together a career-best performance after posting less than 60 scrimmage YDS and a per carry average of under 2 YDS in the prior 2 games. The 3rd-year back massacred an unsuspecting Cowboys defense for 183 scrimmage YDS (107 rushing, 75 receiving) and 4 TD"s on 26 touches in a huge road win for the Packers. While his TD output (8 in 5 games, just 1 shy of what he got in 12 games last year) has been superb, his fantasy owners will hope this monster performance signals the start of more consistent play on the whole. 
Honorable Mentions: Christian McCaffery (Panthers), Josh Jacobs (Raiders), Matt Brieda (49ers)

LVP: Melvin Gordon (Chargers) 
In his 1st game action of 2019 after ending a 2 month holdout, Gordon proved it's going to be a little bit before he's ready to significantly contribute to the Chargers offense again. He mustered just 38 YDS (31 rushing, 7 receiving) on 16 touches against a Broncos defense that had allowed the 5th  most fantasy points to running backs prior to this game. He'll be a very risky start in Week 6 versus a below average Steelers run defense.
Dishonorable Mentions: Damien Williams (Chiefs), LeSean McCoy (Chiefs), Jaylen Samuels (Steelers)

Wide Receiver 
MVP: Will Fuller (Texans) 
If you were fortunate enough to plug Fuller into your starting lineup this past weekend, you were rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. The Texans deep threat put together the type of superhuman outing (217 YDS and 3 TD's on 14 receptions) that almost feels inconvieable considering his somewhat limited role in the offense. Obviously he's not going to receive that type of ridiculous volume on a weekly basis, but he should remain in the WR2 mix as long as Kenny Stills is sidelined.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Thomas (Saints), Amari Cooper (Cowboys), D.J. Chark (Jaguars)

LVP: Mike Evans (Buccaneers) 
In tragic news, Evans has gone into hiding again. The Bucs top wideout was last seen entering the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans last Sunday afternoon and hasn't been heard from since. Hopefully he'll reemerge when his team travels to London to face the Panthers this Sunday.  
Dishonorable Mentions: Keenan Allen (Chargers), Odell Beckham Jr. (Browns), Julio Jones (Falcons)

Tight End
MVP: George Kittle (49ers) 
TE proved to be the lone (relatively) quiet position in an otherwise monstrous week for fantasy football, but that didn't stop Kittle from finally putting up solid numbers. The 2018 All-Pro led the 49ers in receiving (6 REC/70 YDS), found the endzone for the 1st time this season and got an 18 YD rush in a comical blowout win over the Browns last night. As disappointing as Kittle's output has been for a guy who was picked in the top 20-30 overall in fantasy drafts, there's a very real chance that a return to the dominant form he displayed last season will come sooner than later.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Ertz (Eagles), Jared Cook (Saints), Will Dissly (Seahawks)

LVP: Greg Olsen (Panthers)
It's officially time to start getting concerned about Olsen's role in the Panthers offense with Kyle Allen under center. For the 2nd consecutive week, Olsen was a complete non-factor (0 receptions on just 2 targets) in a contest against the Jaguars where Allen only threw for 181 YDS. A Bucs defense that he carved up for 110 YDS back in Week 2 could be just what Olsen needs to get right.
Dishonorable Mentions: O.J. Howard (Buccaneers), Delanie Walker (Titans), Darren Waller (Raiders)

Defense/Special Teams
MVP: Eagles 
The Eagles REALLY took advantage of being the last team (for now) to face off against a Luke Falk-led offense. Falk and the Jets high-flying offense overseen by virtuoso coach Adam Gase registered just 6 points while surrendering 10 sacks, 2 INT, a FUM REC and a pair of scores to a defense that hadn't exactly been lighting up the fantasy world (3 sacks, 5 takeaways, 0 TD, 24+ points allowed in Weeks 1-4) prior to this explosion. Expect just a smidge of a dropoff when they face a more competent Vikings offense in Week 6. 
Honorable Mentions: 49ers, Patriots, Chargers

LVP: Bears 
The Bears spent this week becoming the latest stars of "When Revenge Games Go Wrong". Khalil Mack and co. got steamrolled by Jon F'n Gruden's offense, allowing 24 points and sacking Derek Carr 0 times. A pair of fumble recoveries were the only silver linings to be found on this embarrassing trip to London. Even with the league's most brutal schedule awaiting them after the bye, this group is too damn talented to write off in the long-term.  
Dishonorable Mentions: Jaguars, Ravens, Browns

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