Important Bye-Week Replacements- Week 5 Aww’s and Naw’s

 

Aww Quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (away vs. Seattle Seahawks) – Last season on the road against the Seahawks, Goff had only 120 yards passing with two touchdowns and one interception. This weekend showdown will be different, with the Seahawks losing Earl Thomas and Goff’s upgrade on wide receivers.

Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars (away vs. Kansas City Chiefs) – Bortles has definitely surprised a lot of fantasy owners with his recent play. With running back Leonard Fournette out, Bortles has been throwing more, averaging over 23 fantasy points. This weekend, they are playing against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs’ defense, who has allowed at least 250 passing yards and two touchdowns to three of four quarterbacks. (Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger and Jimmy Garoppolo)

Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (away vs. Los Angeles Chargers) – I like Carr to continue where he left off last week against the Browns. The Chargers defense has allowed 20 plus fantasy points to three of four quarterbacks this season. A good bye week replacement if you own Mitch Tribusky or Ryan “Fitz-tragic” as your #1 fantasy quarterback. (joking)

 

Naw Quarterbacks

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (home vs. Los Angeles Rams) – Wilson is just not throwing much and barely runs. I hope I’m wrong because I actually like the guy but with his recent play in the last few games, I’m not thrilled about starting him at home against the Rams.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (away vs. Cleveland Browns) – Flacco has been playing very well in his first four games, averaging almost 24 fantasy points. This weekend, he has a matchup with the Cleveland Browns, who he has not the best of games in the past against.

 

Aww Running Backs

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers (home vs. Atlanta Falcons) – Conner has not been playing as well as we’ve hoped as Le’Veon Bell’s short term replacement but he has a great matchup at home against a bad Falcons defense. Keep using him for these last few weeks before Bell comes back after their bye week.

T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville Jaguars (away vs. Kansas City Chiefs) – With Leonard Fournette out with a hamstring injury, Yeldon should produce good fantasy numbers as a runner and receiver against the Chiefs on the road.

Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins (away vs. New Orleans Saints) – Running back Adrian Peterson is questionable with an ankle injury but should play after rest from their bye week. Thompson has 20 catches so far this season and should have another nice performance against the Saints, especially in a PPR format.

 

Naw Running Backs

Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings (away vs. Philadelphia Eagles) – Last week against the Rams, Cook was on a pitch count due to his hamstring injury, which is still bothering him a bit. He’ll likely be on another pitch count this weekend, which lowers his fantasy value.

LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills (home vs. Tennessee Titans) – With new injuries under his name, such as a hand injury, McCoy should not be trusted as a good fantasy play against the Titans, who’s the only team in the league that has not allowed a touchdown to a running back this year.

 

Aww Wide Receivers

Taywan Taylor, Tennessee Titans (away vs. Buffalo Bills) – Taylor should have another great outing against my Buffalo Bills, especially if cornerback Tre’Davious White is guarding lead wideout Corey Davis. Last week against the Eagles, Taylor had seven catches for 77 yards on nine targets.

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (home vs. Dallas Cowboys) – Where did Coutee come from??? Last week against the Colts, he had 11 catches for 109 yards on 15 targets. If he keeps this up, fantasy owners will start singing “KeKe…do ya love me? Are ya starting? Say you’ll never ever leave from my fantasy….Cause I own ya and I need ya…and I’m down for ya always.”

Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (away vs. Pittsburgh Steelers) – Ridley is becoming the new Julio Jones but scoring touchdowns. Continue to start him as he has another great matchup against the Steelers.

 

Naw Wide Receivers

Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers (home vs. New York Giants) – New Orleans Saints All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas was shut down last week against the Giants so do you honestly think Funchess will be better???

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals (away vs. San Francisco 49ers) – It may take some time till rookie quarterback Josh Rosen builds a good rapport with Fitzgerald. Last week against the Seahawks, Rosen threw to his younger wide receivers and tight end more.

 

Aww Tight Ends

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (home vs. Baltimore Ravens) – Since rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield has taken over the starting position, Njoku’s numbers have gone up. He should continue putting up nice numbers at home versus the Ravens.

Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals (away vs. San Francisco 49ers) – Here’s an interesting fact – The 49ers have allowed a tight end to score in every game this season and hopefully Seals-Jones keeps that streak alive in week five. He’s becoming to be a security blanket for Rosen.

 

Naw Tight Ends

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings (away vs. Philadelphia Eagles) – Rudolph has averaged around five catches a game in his last three games but the Eagles play well at home. He’ll be pressed for catches since wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen gets a lot of targets.

 

Aww Team Defense

Tennessee Titans (away vs. Buffalo Bills) – This defense is for real. A great bye week replacement if you own the Chicago Bears defense.

 

Naw Team Defense

Minnesota Vikings (away vs. Philadelphia Eagles) – The Vikings defense was a top five fantasy defense in drafts but after giving up 29 to the Packers, 27 to the Bills and 38 to the Rams…why trust them against an offense like the Eagles???