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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 5
10/4/18
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: Chicago, Tampa Bay

Cam Newton

Temper your Cam Newton expectations against a better than average Giants pass defense.


Grab a Helmet

Tom Brady vs IND: The Patriots finally put on a dominating performance last week against the Dolphins, but the stink of Brady’s early season isn’t completely gone. He threw two more picks to bring his season total to 4, (that’s as many as he had after 12 games last year). It’s clear this offense is lacking the cohesion and precision of the past seasons, but something big is about to happen in Week 5. Brady’s security blanket, Julian Edelman returns from suspension. Edelman is the receiver on the team Brady trusts the most and will most assuredly help the offense be more efficient. Until now teams haven’t been punished for double teaming Gronk, but with Edelman back, and Josh Gordon becoming more comfortable in the offense, Brady has a chance to break out against a sluggish one-dimensional Colts team coming off an emotional overtime loss.

Matt Ryan @ PIT: White hot after three-straight 30-point scoring weeks, Ryan hits the road to face off against one of the most generous defenses in the league. Pittsburgh is hemorrhaging fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and Ryan has finally found a groove in the red zone with rookie Calvin Ridley bursting onto the scene. This game has the potential to be the highest scoring of the week (see Roethlisberger below) as neither team plays much defense. I’m a touch concerned by Ryan’s home/road splits, and this is the first time Atlanta will be away from the nest since Week 1. I’m going to bet that neither team cobbles together a clock killing, run-based game plan for this one, and instead we have a good old fashion track meet, making Ryan a top-5 play in Week 5.

Ben Roethlisberger vs ATL:
Like everyone else in the league Big Ben is throwing for gobs of yards, but its clear this offense desperately misses Le'Veon Bell’s versatility. Roethlisberger hasn’t really gotten a consistent connection with Antonio Brown yet this year, and with little ground game to protect the defense, the Steeler offense is always on the back foot playing catch-up. I really think the Steelers attempt to force the running game this week, but Atlanta’s offense is going to force tempo in this one, and Brown is the squeaky wheel about to get some grease. The Falcon defense is its own separate disaster, so on matchup alone, Roethlisberger makes for a strong QB1 play.

Grab a Headset

Baker Mayfield vs BAL: Mayfield was electric in his relief of Tyrod Taylor two weeks ago, and showed flashes on the road against the Raiders last week in a painful loss. The Browns receivers didn’t do Mayfield any favors with more than half a dozen drops, but Mayfield still accounted for several turnovers and the matchup against the Ravens this week is brutal. Baltimore gets back their No.1 corner this week as Jimmy Smith comes off suspension. In the four games he missed, the Ravens held down the fort to the tune of the 4th best pass defense in the NFL. Baltimore isn’t afraid to get down and dirty, especially in a road division game. Cleveland receivers are missing a ton of early week practice, so look for a semi-conservative game plan from the Browns, and for Mayfield to struggle for fantasy results.

C.J. Beathard vs ARI: Beathard didn’t embarrass himself in his first start in replacement of Jimmy G. He led the Niners to a 4th quarter lead against the Chargers on the back of 298 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions muddy the waters. The biggest problem this week for Beathard’s fantasy chances come from the laughable amount of injuries that have beset the offense. The Niners might be down two starting lineman, and two of their top 3 receivers against the Cardinals. The terrible Arizona offense had greatly overshadowed how respectable the defense has been. The Cards have given up the 4th fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, which includes a Week 2 meeting with the Rams. With byes and injuries Beathard is going to make a decent spot start at times this year, but I’m afraid that Week 5 isn’t one of them.

Cam Newton vs NYG: It’s really hard to ever be down on Newton because of the value he offers with his legs, but I don’t believe the team has the tools to move the ball consistently down field via the pass. He’s running as effectively as ever this season, already piling up 4 touchdowns on the ground. But this Giants defense is spunky and athletic, and should make life hard for Cam this week. The G-men throttled Drew Brees and the Saints passing attack last week. They will force Newton to beat them with his arm, and that’s usually a good play as the Panthers are infinitely more beatable when they become one-dimensional. The Giants are desperate for a win, as a 1-4 start would just about end their season. You can’t really sit Cam unless your backup is someone like Goff or Mahomes, but I feel a down week coming.


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