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.
