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The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 5
10/3/19
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: Detroit, Miami

Kirk Cousins

Grab a Helmet

Kirk Cousins @ NYG

EXPLOITABLE MATCH-UP ALERT! There has been much fuss about the state of the Viking passing game this week, with Adam Thielen grumbling, and Cousins and Coach apologizing for the lack of plays downfield. Well, what better remedy for passing sickness than a Giants secondary that’s gotten blazed a few times this season. The G-men looked strong against the Skins last week (most defenses will!), but Minnesota is more physical and talented of an offense. Look for Cousins to feed his receivers this week, and hit on a few deep shots in the process. It’s been a dismal start for Cousins’ numbers, but this game makes the whole offense feel better about themselves. Take advantage.

Deshaun Watson vs ATL

I’m simply going to employ the “every other week” strategy here for Watson. Week 1 and Week 3 he was over 30 standard fantasy points, while Weeks 2 and 4 were disasters. Atlanta’s season is already circling the drain, as they are scraping the barrel in the secondary, trading for other team’s castoffs just to fill slots. Watson should hit more than enough big plays to offset the duress he’s sure to be under. How this team hasn’t surrounded him with a better offensive line is an Andrew Luck level crime. Look for Watson to use his legs a little more to help with the rush, as his rushing numbers are WAY down from last year. Houston has to do something different with the scheme, and this is a great week to get healthy.

Jacoby Brissett @ KC

If you had Jacoby Brissett tied for the NFL lead in touchdown passes (10) after Week 4 there are some betting apps you should have installed on your phone and maybe a place for you in the Shot Caller’s Report! Although the yardage totals haven’t been there, Brissett has kept the offense afloat after the retirement of Luck. Coming off a career high 46 attempts against Oakland last week, look for the Colts to have to sling it another 45+ times in what should be a shootout in KC. Detroit held Mahomes in check last week, but still gave up 34 points, so the Colts are going to have to score plenty to stay in this game. Brissett makes for a sneaky streamer play at the position with a 2-touchdown floor.

Grab a Headset

Marcus Mariota vs BUF

Just how low has the Atlanta defense sunk? They allowed Mariota to look like a world beater! Just a week after a near benchworthy performance against the Jags, Mariota held off haters with his second 3-touchdown performance of the season. I do suppose this is a major letdown game for the Bills, as they hit the road off an emotional loss to the Pats, and facing a nasty Titans defense. But this is a better defense than Mariota faced last year in an embarrassing 129-yard, 1 interception day also in Week 5. I think the Titans go run heavy rather than try to force things against one of the best pass defenses in the league. This game currently sports the lowest under/over at 38.5 for Week 5, so Mariota’s ceiling is just too low to warrant a spot start.

Derek Carr vs CHI (London)

For what it’s worth Carr and the Raiders have been more competitive on offense than most people thought after the AB debacle in the offseason. But let’s be real, the Raiders go across the pond, continuing a marathon road trip to face the most ferocious defense in the league. Carr has yet to sniff a 300-yard passing game, or surpass two touchdowns in a game. The fact he offers a near zero running the ball gives him way too low of a floor to trust as a starter, as a streamer or in two-quarterback leagues.

Philip Rivers vs DEN

With a new coach-quarterback combo and a mighty defense to fall back on, no one would have figured the Broncos to be dead in the water after the first month of the season. With their season on the brink of no return, Denver heads to the division rival Chargers. Rivers has been solid as always, currently the 11th scoring quarterback in fantasy. He has at least 300 yards and two scores in all but one game (that Detroit pass defense is LEGIT!), but has turned the ball over 4 times in his last two games against Denver. I know the Denver defense is a terrible fantasy defense, and they just lost Bradley Chubb for the season, but they are giving up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, and are incredibly familiar with Rivers. While still possessing a solid floor, I think the limited ceiling this week makes Rivers more of a QB2.


Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers