NFL Week 5 Fantasy Recap
This week was pretty crazy considering many of the games expected to be high scoring in the early afternoon ended up as defensive battles, then the 4 PM games hit and Romo/Peyton took center stage. They were the top 2 scoring QBs of the weekend, but who else hit it big on Sunday? We’ll dig deeper in this week’s inaugural fantasy recap.
What Worked
- Any team with a lot of Broncos and Cowboys
- Saving money on receivers. Alshon Jeffery, Terrance Williams, Justin Blackmon and Rueben Randle (and a bunch of others) all had big games as value play wide receivers
- Julius Thomas. His big game was great, but in most of the GPPs I saw he was at least 20% owned
- The tight end position as a whole. Outside of Cameron’s dud on Thursday night, Witten/Thomas/Graham were all pretty much 3 of the pricier tight ends across the board and all performed well.
- Paying up for kickers. Henery, Crosby, Prater, Succop, Hartley and Tucker all scored over 14 fantasy points on Sunday.
- Quarterbacks on losing teams. Only 1 of the top-5 scoring quarterbacks this weekend played for a team that won.
- Targeting the Jaguars. They’re so bad and using Bradford/Pettis was probably a pretty good value move this weekend.
- Pass Catching Running Backs. Rice, Moreno, Charles, Thomas and even Woodhead all caught a ton of balls out of the backfield and all ranked near the top of the running back output list this weekend.
What Disappointed Us
- The Lions. Calvin Johnson late scratch definitely threw a few people into mayhem. I’m sure it ruined a few lineups as well. Reggie Bush looked more like the Dolphins version of himself too.
- Rashad Jennings injury at the end of the 1st half. Also he had 0 receptions at that point.
- David Wilson injury. He finally had a decent start, finds the end-zone then BOOM. Game over.
- The NY Giants. Even though Eli had some value and Randle/Nicks did well, this team continues to underwhelm and it feels like every week we say ‘this is the week they figure it out’.
- The Patriots offense. From value plays like Blount and Thompkins all the way up to the love of my life, TB-12, it was a nightmare day for New England and any DFS players who used their players.
- Demaryius Thomas. His team scores 51 points and he only has 5 catches for 50+ yards? He killed a lot of teams.
- San Diego’s defense. OK this one’s a bit personal but I had a real shot at 1st in the DK $40K and my best team had the Chargers defense. Not forcing one turnover against a rookie QB and banged up backfield? I’m heartbroken (unless Nick Folk kicks 8 field goals tonight).
- Packers and Lions. Anyone who banked heavily on players in that Green Bay/Detroit game with an Over/Under of 53.5 was disappointed when both teams combined for 31 points and just 1 touchdown.
- Matt Schaub and the Texans. I doubt he was heavily owned but Pick-6’s in 4 straight games means he has to find the disappointment section.
- Value Play Running Backs – Jennings and Wilson hit bad luck with injuries. But Blount, Stacy and even MJD all were huge busts.
What No One Saw Coming
- Pierre Thomas two touchdowns and massive game…as the receiving running back. Sproles usually catches the bulk of the passes but Thomas had 9 catches for 55 yards on Sunday
- T.Y. Hilton finally playing with a chip on his shoulder and dominating the best secondary in football.
- Wide Receivers in general. Look at the list of the top-5 scorers. Only Dez Bryant was priced in the Top-25 of wideouts on any site.
- Ryan Fitzpatrick 23 fantasy point performance. Seriously.
- Keenan Allen big game on Sunday Late Night Football. If you were sleeping, Keenan Allen tossed up a big game for the Chargers (his 2nd straight strong performance).
Feel free to add your own in the comment section. I’m sure there is plenty I didn’t catch or saw differently than you.
This Week’s Top Performers: Quarterbacks
This Week’s Top Performers: Running Backs – Half Point PPR
This Week’s Top Performers: Wide Receivers – Half Point PPR
This Week’s Top Performers: Tight Ends – Half Point PPR
This Week’s Top Performers: Running Backs – Full Point PPR
This Week’s Top Performers: Wide Receivers – Full Point PPR
This Week’s Top Performers: Tight Ends – Full Point PPR
Value Plays by Site
Top 3 Values by Position – FanDuel
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $8,200 | 41.94 | $195.52 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $5,500 | 22.88 | $240.38 |
| Peyton Manning | DEN | $10,400 | 36.76 | $282.92 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $5,400 | 25.60 | $210.94 |
| Knowshon Moreno | DEN | $6,600 | 23.50 | $280.85 |
| Fred Jackson | BUF | $6,600 | 23.30 | $283.26 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Alshon Jeffery | CHI | $5,300 | 32.80 | $161.59 |
| Rueben Randle | NYG | $4,500 | 24.60 | $182.93 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $4,800 | 25.30 | $189.72 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Julius Thomas | DEN | $6,400 | 28.70 | $223.00 |
| Jason Witten | DAL | $6,400 | 21.60 | $296.30 |
| Charles Clay | MIA | $4,500 | 12.70 | $354.33 |
Top 3 Values By Position – DraftStreet
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $7,743 | 22.88 | $338.42 |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $14,753 | 41.94 | $351.76 |
| Russell Wilson | SEA | $11,216 | 24.60 | $455.93 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Donald Brown | IND | $2,253 | 11.00 | $204.82 |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $6,357 | 25.60 | $248.32 |
| Jackie Battle | TEN | $2,000 | 6.70 | $298.51 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Cole Beasley | DAL | $2,089 | 12.70 | $164.49 |
| Keenan Allen | SD | $3,769 | 20.50 | $183.85 |
| Rueben Randle | NYG | $4,697 | 24.60 | $190.93 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Lance Kendricks | STL | $2,683 | 11.70 | $229.32 |
| Jim Dray | ARI | $2,000 | 8.30 | $240.96 |
| Tony Scheffler | DET | $2,000 | 7.50 | $266.67 |
Top 3 Values By Position – DraftDay
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $8,100 | 20.88 | $387.93 |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $16,350 | 40.94 | $399.36 |
| Jay Cutler | CHI | $12,900 | 23.02 | $560.38 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $7,300 | 30.10 | $242.52 |
| Ray Rice | BAL | $10,300 | 26.20 | $393.13 |
| Fred Jackson | BUF | $10,100 | 25.30 | $399.21 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| T.Y. Hilton | IND | $7,300 | 31.00 | $235.48 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $6,450 | 27.30 | $236.26 |
| Alshon Jeffery | CHI | $9,150 | 37.80 | $242.06 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Julius Thomas | DEN | $9,650 | 33.20 | $290.66 |
| Jason Witten | DAL | $10,150 | 25.10 | $404.38 |
| Brent Celek | PHI | $5,950 | 13.70 | $434.31 |
Top 3 Values By Position – DraftKings
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $7,600 | 41.94 | $181.21 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $6,200 | 22.88 | $270.98 |
| Peyton Manning | DEN | $11,000 | 36.76 | $299.24 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $3,600 | 30.10 | $119.60 |
| Knowshon Moreno | DEN | $5,900 | 26.00 | $226.92 |
| Ray Rice | BAL | $6,500 | 27.20 | $238.97 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Alshon Jeffery | CHI | $4,800 | 37.80 | $126.98 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $3,500 | 27.30 | $128.21 |
| Rueben Randle | NYG | $3,700 | 27.60 | $134.06 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Julius Thomas | DEN | $4,500 | 33.20 | $135.54 |
| Lance Kendricks | STL | $3,000 | 13.70 | $218.98 |
| Jason Witten | DAL | $6,300 | 25.10 | $251.00 |
Top 3 Values By Position – FantasyFeud
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $159,000 | 40.94 | $3,883.73 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $93,100 | 20.88 | $4,458.81 |
| Jay Cutler | CHI | $120,100 | 23.02 | $5,217.20 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $65,200 | 25.60 | $2,546.88 |
| Donald Brown | IND | $38,400 | 11.00 | $3,490.91 |
| Zac Stacy | STL | $30,000 | 7.80 | $3,846.15 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $37,500 | 25.30 | $1,482.21 |
| Rueben Randle | NYG | $47,000 | 24.60 | $1,910.57 |
| Cole Beasley | DAL | $25,000 | 12.70 | $1,968.50 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Jim Dray | ARI | $25,000 | 8.30 | $3,012.05 |
| Lance Kendricks | STL | $48,600 | 11.70 | $4,153.85 |
| Tony Scheffler | DET | $31,300 | 7.50 | $4,173.33 |
Top 3 Values By Position – StarStreet
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $12,800 | 40.94 | $312.65 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $9,200 | 20.88 | $440.61 |
| Peyton Manning | DEN | $16,000 | 35.76 | $447.43 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $8,400 | 25.60 | $328.13 |
| Fred Jackson | BUF | $8,900 | 23.30 | $381.97 |
| Knowshon Moreno | DEN | $9,600 | 23.50 | $408.51 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Alshon Jeffery | CHI | $10,000 | 32.80 | $304.88 |
| T.Y. Hilton | IND | $8,800 | 28.50 | $308.77 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $8,200 | 25.30 | $324.11 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Julius Thomas | DEN | $9,600 | 28.70 | $334.49 |
| Jason Witten | DAL | $9,300 | 21.60 | $430.56 |
| Lance Kendricks | STL | $6,200 | 11.70 | $529.91 |
Top 3 Values By Position – FanThrowDown
| Quarterbacks | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Tony Romo | DAL | $12,600 | 41.94 | $300.43 |
| Alex Smith | KC | $3,200 | 9.80 | $326.53 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | TEN | $8,500 | 22.88 | $371.50 |
| Running Backs | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Pierre Thomas | NO | $8,000 | 25.60 | $312.50 |
| Ray Rice | BAL | $9,400 | 23.20 | $405.17 |
| Fred Jackson | BUF | $10,200 | 23.30 | $437.77 |
| Wide Receivers | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Keenan Allen | SD | $3,200 | 20.50 | $156.10 |
| Alshon Jeffery | CHI | $7,200 | 32.80 | $219.51 |
| Terrance Williams | DAL | $6,000 | 25.30 | $237.15 |
| Tight Ends | Team | Salary | Points | $/Pt |
| Julius Thomas | DEN | $9,000 | 28.70 | $313.59 |
| Jim Dray | ARI | $3,200 | 8.30 | $385.54 |
| Jason Witten | DAL | $10,000 | 21.60 | $462.96 |
