NFL Weekly Grind Down: Week Five
Welcome to the RotoGrinders Weekly NFL Grind Down Article. There’s no better place to start your research for NFL action in the week ahead than the Grind Down. Each week, we break down every game in an effort to better prepare you when building your daily fantasy lineups.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Use this article to help you gain a better understanding of the matchups for the coming week and build from there. We have everything you could possibly need on our Daily Research console for you to be a successful daily fantasy player!
Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NFL Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review
Buffalo at Cleveland
| Buffalo Bills | Cleveland Browns | |||||||||
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| Thurs – 8:25PM ET | FirstEnergy Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 4 | 41 | 18.5 | -4 | 41 | 22.5 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 22.0 | 21 | 28 | 2 | Off. | 16.0 | 29 | 14 | 27 | |
| Def. | 23.2 | 18 | 22 | 27 | Def. | 17.5 | 8 | 9 | 4 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Manuel | 14.74 | 14.21 | 9 | 14.07 | Hoyer | 20.55 | 20.55 | 20 | 19.48 | |
| Spiller | 7.10 | 7.47 | 4 | 15.40 | Ogbonnaya | 6.38 | 8.00 | 3 | 15.20 | |
| Johnson | 11.63 | 11.70 | 12 | 24.85 | Gordon | 18.45 | 18.45 | 31 | 41.70 | |
| Chandler | 7.13 | 7.57 | 6 | 7.48 | Cameron | 20.25 | 19.90 | 8 | 7.98 | |
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were handed a win last week thanks to Joe Flacco and company. They do not have a great match up this week against a tough Browns defense. Having the 3rd best run defense and Joe Haden should all but eliminate most of the Bills options in week 5.
Fantasy Relevant
E.J. Manuel – Manuel has not looked great in his last two starts. He is 29-64 with a 45% completion rate to go with 2 TDs and 2 INT. The Browns and Joe Haden will make it difficult for Manuel to throw the ball.
C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson – The pair continue to share carries, last week Spiller had 23 and Jackson had 17. Spiller’s status is still unknown and Jackson says he is good to go. If Spiller cannot go, Jackson could be a sneaky value play. Jackson has averaged 5 more FPPG than Spiller despite less touches.
Buffalo’s wide receivers are in tough this week. Joe Haden is one of the best corners in the game and the Browns rank 9th overall against the pass. With the combination of E.J. Manuel and the Browns pass defense, I think it is wise to avoid the Bills WRs.
Cleveland Browns
Browns Target Leaders Through Week 4
- Jordan Cameron37
- Davone Bess32
- Greg Little27
- Josh Gordon26 (13 targets per game rate leads team though)
- Chris Ogbonnaya14
- Travis Benjamin10
The Browns have won two games in a row with Brian Hoyer leading the way. The return of Josh Gordon and the emergence of Jordan Cameron are the main reasons for Hoyer’s success. Ignore the Bills 5 picks last week, it was not an indication of how good they were but more about Flacco either being off or Ravens receivers bobbling passes. The Bills could also be without as many as four starters on defense.
Fantasy Relevant
Brian Hoyer – Hoyer has 590 passing yards and 5 TDs through his first two games. The Bills are extremely banged up on defense, ranking 23rd against the pass and they are giving up 19.5 FPPG to QBs. Hoyer has the 8th most FPPG in the last 2 weeks.
Josh Gordon – Gordon has looked outstanding since his return totaling 14 receptions, 212 yards and a TD. Gordon looks primed for a big night against a bad, injury riddled Bills secondary. The Bills have given up the most yards to WRs.
Jordan Cameron – It appears Cameron and Hoyer have found some chemistry together. Cameron has 15 receptions, 146 yards and 3 TDs in the last 2 games. He has been targeted by Hoyer 20 times and only has 1 drop.
New England at Cincinnati
| New England Patriots | Cincinnati Bengals | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Paul Brown Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 1 | 45 | 22 | -1 | 45 | 23 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 22.2 | 20 | 17 | 11 | Off. | 20.2 | 22 | 15 | 22 | |
| Def. | 14.2 | 6 | 17 | 14 | Def. | 20.2 | 10 | 13 | 11 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Brady | 16.07 | 16.05 | 14 | 16.39 | Dalton | 13.73 | 12.48 | 8 | 14.01 | |
| Ridley | 5.08 | 5.90 | 13 | 17.70 | Bernard | 12.73 | 15.80 | 14 | 17.78 | |
| Edelman | 15.33 | 12.63 | 15 | 27.60 | Green | 15.25 | 9.43 | 9 | 23.01 | |
| Gronkowski | 15 | 10.73 | Gresham | 6.28 | 6.37 | 17 | 11.15 | |||
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots keep finding ways to win. Their offense has not been very good, averaging just over 22 PPG. They have had a weak schedule to date, but their defense has been the key to success. Aqib Talib has been outstanding, but the loss of Vince Wilfork is a huge blow.
Patriots Target Leaders Through Week 4
Fantasy Relevant
Tom Brady – Brady has been good but not great and unless you can get him fairly cheap, I would pass until he has all his weapons back and healthy.
Patriots Receiving – Gronk appears to be out until week 6 and Amendola is not a recommended play even if he is a go. Edelman was targeted nine times last week. It was the fourth straight game he’s caught at least seven passes. Edelman is tied for the NFL lead with 34 receptions. Thompkins is tied for 2nd in red zone targets and tied for 1st in goal line looks.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have had a disappointing fantasy season thus far and were completely shut down by the Browns last week. It does not get any easier this week as Green will see a lot of Talib. However if last week was any indication, Bernard might be the featured back going forward.
Bengals Target Leaders Through Week 4
A.J. Green 47
Jermaine Gresham23
Mohamed Sanu23
Tyler Eifert16
Giovani Bernard14
Fantasy Relevant
Andy Dalton – I think it is safe to pass on Dalton this week. The Pats are only allowing an average of 14.25 PPG and 14 FPPG at the QB position.
A.J. Green – has been shut down by Ike Taylor, Joe Haden and now has Talib to deal with. It is best to avoid him this week. However Mohamed Sanu could be a sneaky play in GPPs.
The Bengals might be able run the ball with Wilfork not playing. Perhaps the Bengals are going to start relying on Giovani Bernard more. Last week Bernard had 50 snaps VS BJGE’s 18. This could be his break out week, GPP players take note.
Baltimore at Miami
| Baltimore Ravens | Miami Dolphins | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Sun Life Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 3 | 43.5 | 20.25 | -3 | 43.5 | 23.25 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 22.8 | 15 | 13 | 28 | Off. | 22.8 | 15 | 19 | 24 | |
| Def. | 21.8 | 12 | 16 | 16 | Def. | 22.8 | 15 | 24 | 10 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Flacco | 14.31 | 12.25 | 24 | 20.24 | Tannehill | 14.49 | 14.59 | 16 | 17.31 | |
| Rice | 7.60 | 2.85 | 28 | 24.81 | Miller | 9.05 | 11.57 | 10 | 16.50 | |
| Smith | 15.00 | 16.27 | 3 | 21.88 | Wallace | 7.78 | 9.70 | 20 | 31.63 | |
| Dickson | 1.00 | 0.73 | 32 | 20.38 | Clay | 11.65 | 12.90 | 21 | 12.50 | |
Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco and the Ravens looked awful last week against the Buffalo Bills. Other than Torrey Smith the Ravens have been pretty quiet in the fantasy world. It is hard to trust anyone in this offense right now. Miami has been solid defensively this year. Up until their loss in New Orleans, they were only giving up 17.6 PPG.
Ravens Target Leaders Through Week 4
Torrey Smith40
Dallas Clark29
Marlon Brown23
Ray Rice14
Fantasy Relevant
Joe Flacco – In his last 3 games he has only thrown for 3 TDs. Last week he was picked 5 times by a bad Bills defense.
Ray Rice – MIA is allowing 24.8 FPPG to the RB. Rice is due for a big game and his price has come way down. GPP players take note.
Torrey Smith – The Dolphins have the 3rd best FPPG against WR, but have allowed a WR to go for over 90 yards in 3 straight games.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are off to a great start despite the beating they took Monday night in New Orleans. Miami has a well rounded offense and distributes the ball accordingly as you can see by the targets above. The Ravens are no longer a defensive juggernaut, but they are only giving up 21.75 PPG.
Dolphins Target Leaders Through Week 4
Brian Hartline30
Mike Wallace28
Brandon Gibson28
Charles Clay25
Lamar Miller8
Fantasy Relevant
Lamar Miller – Is only averaging 11 carries and 64 YPG in the last 3 weeks.
Miami Receivers – Baltimore has allowed the 5th fewest FPPG in the last 3 weeks.
Charles Clay – I love Clay this week. Whether you plan to punt TE or are looking for a GPP value play, Clay deserves a look. Clay has been involved every week. Last week Tannehill targeted him 6 times, for 6 receptions, 42 yards and a TD. Baltimore is allowing 12.5 FPPG VS the TE position.
Seattle at Indianapolis
| Seattle Seahawks | Indianapolis Colts | |||||||||
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| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Lucas Oil Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| -2.5 | 43.5 | 23 | 2.5 | 43.5 | 20.5 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Off. | 27.2 | 6 | 25 | 5 | Off. | 26.2 | 9 | 23 | 4 | |
| Def. | 11.8 | 2 | 4 | 18 | Def. | 12.8 | 4 | 7 | 16 | |
| Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | Top Players | FP-S | FP-3 | DvP | FP-A | |
| Wilson | 15.40 | 15.36 | 1 | 11.73 | Luck | 19.83 | 18.13 | 5 | 12.60 | |
| Lynch | 16.48 | 19.90 | 6 | 15.73 | Richardson | 10.43 | 11.00 | 12 | 17.13 | |
| Tate | 6.73 | 6.60 | 5 | 22.01 | Wayne | 13.38 | 11.30 | 1 | 17.80 | |
| Miller | 5.90 | 5.97 | 12 | 9.61 | Fleener | 8.65 | 11.13 | 14 | 10.20 | |
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are 4-0 and fresh off a huge come from behind win in Houston. The Seahawks might be the best team in football, however for fantasy purposes they have actually been a disappointment. Lynch has yet to rush for 100 yards, Wilson has been inconsistent and they do not really have a receiver stepping up. To make matters worse, the Colts have been surprisingly great on defense.
Seahawks Target Leaders Through Week 4
Golden Tate21
Sidney Rice20
Doug Baldwin15
Zach Miller 13
Marshawn Lynch9
Fantasy Relevant
Russell Wilson – The Colts have the best defense against the QB, allowing only 11.7 FPPG.
Marshawn Lynch – Despite not having a huge game this season, he is the #1 ranked fantasy RB in the last 3 weeks. A monster game looms.
Indianapolis Colts
Many expected the Colts to be a top 10 offense, but what they are doing defensively is very impressive. Like a lot of teams, the Colts have been a bit of a letdown for fantasy purposes. Wayne only has one 100 yard game (JAC) and neither RB has rushed for over 100 yards. This should be a fun game to watch, but I think you can avoid most Colts against the stingy Seattle defense.
Colts Target Leaders Through Week 4
Reggie Wayne32
T.Y. Hilton 29
Darrius Heyward-Bey19
Coby Fleener17
Ahmad Bradshaw7
Trent Richardson4
Fantasy Relevant
Andrew Luck – Indy is becoming a run-first offense and the Seattle defense is averaging a league low 60.7 QB rating and 11.7 FPPG against. At Luck’s price I wouldn’t even consider him this week.
Reggie Wayne – meet Richard Sherman.
Bradshaw and Richardson – Bradshaw may be out, but Richardson has yet to have a break out game this season. I do not expect it this week.
Just avoid all Colts.