We’re a quarter of the way through the season. Now is the time that off-season questions are answered and we have an idea of what we can expect from this season. Which teams will be at the top of the league, which teams will be at the top of the draft board next year and what teams will be comfortably in the middle?
Don’t worry though – this is the NFL! Nothing is really predictable! (As proven by some of last week’s outcomes).
Week 5 – HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!
(HOME TEAM IN ALL CAPS)
14 – GREEN BAY over St. Louis – Yes, the Rams did spoil our top line game last week, but this is in Lambeau. Different story. Aaron Rodgers won’t let what happened to the Cardinals last week happen in his house.
13 – ATLANTA over Washington – The Falcons seem to be turning things around. After a couple years of mediocrity at best, the Falcons look prime to make run to return to the playoffs. This week’s BOLD PREDICTION is that THE FALCONS WILL WIN THE NFC SOUTH.
12 – NEW YORK GIANTS over San Francisco – The Giants are taking advantage of the depleted Cowboys. Look for them to make a statement against the struggling Niners.
11 – KANSAS CITY over Chicago – The Bears showed some signs of life last week. That should be short-lived with a trip to Arrowhead.
10 – BALTIMORE over Cleveland – Baltimore lucked into their first win of the season in Pittsburgh last week. Lucky for them they get a visit from the lowly Browns. The Ravens should be able to enjoy their first legit win this week.
9 – PHILADELPHIA over New Orleans – Well this would have been a great game in the off-season! Now, the Eagles are at home so that gives them the edge.
8 – Buffalo over TENNESSEE – After years of waiting, this week 5 win 15 years later will finally accept the Music City Miracle! Right?
7 – SAN DIEGO over Pittsburgh – The week ends with an intriguing Monday night game. If Roethlisberger was playing, then the Steelers win this game. Unfortunately, Michael Vick showed that he is not the quarterback that the Pittsburgh offense needs.
6 – CINCINNATI over Seattle – Game of the week by far! This has an outside chance of being this year’s Super Bowl matchup! Lucky for the Bengals this one will be played at home.
5 – New England over DALLAS – This was billed as the Eastern Illinois Bowl in the pre-season with a potential Tony Romo vs Jimmy Garoppolo battle. Instead we get the opposite Tom Brady vs Brandon Weeden. Sorry Cowboys, you’re struggles without Dez and Romo continue this week.
4 – Denver over OAKLAND – Pump the brakes on the Raiders. They showed last week that they still aren’t there yet. Though the last time I said that they won at home against Baltimore. Hope is the only reason that this game isn’t higher on our list.
3 – Arizona over DETROIT – The Cardinals losing at home to the Rams may be the most surprising outcome of the year. I can see them looking to take some aggression out on the seemingly confused Lions.
2 – TAMPA BAY over Jacksonville –The state of Florida has three NFL teams…and not an ounce of entertaining football.
1 – HOUSTON over Indianapolis – It took overtime for the Colts to beat the Jaguars…at home. If Luck still isn’t 100%, it’s hard to see the Colts win this game.
Welcome back to another week geared towards cashing in on that huge pay day. Last week we had a decent lineup with every position getting into double digits, besides an under performing Greg Olsen (at least he's on bye this week so he doesn't have the chance to screw things up again). Looking ahead to this week we are investing in a QB/TE pairing to come through and playing a bargain basement RB to help us afford the finer things in life.
QB - Alex Smith, KC - $6,900 vs. CHI: Coming off a career high in yardage against Cincinnati, Smith now gets a home matchup against a weak Bears defense. This game has potential for a high scoring affair, which should add a higher point ceiling to Smith's already consistent floor.
RB - Le'Veon Bell, PIT - $9,000 at SD: This is the dream play of the week. With Roethlisberger still sidelined, Pittsburgh will be utilizing Bell heavily in the run game and with check downs. It doesn't hurt that the Chargers are giving up a league worst 4.9 yards per carry to opposing running backs so far this year.
RB - Anthony Dixon, BUF - $4,500 at TEN: The value is too good to pass up being able to play a starting running back for the minimum price in a decent matchup. Not expecting Boobie to break off huge chunks of yardage, but he will get a high volume of carries as well as all goal line work.
WR - Julio Jones, ATL - $9,200 vs. WAS: Julio didn't get many opportunities in a blow out game against the Texans in week 4 but he gets a nice matchup at home against the Redskins. Look for Atlanta to air the ball out frequently to avoid a Washington run defense giving up the second fewest yards per game this season.
WR - Larry Fitzgerald, ARI - $7,400 at DET: While Fitzgerald didn't find his way into the end zone last week, he still put up 7 catches for 99 yards against a tough Rams defense. He has a much better matchup this week against a Detroit defense giving up almost 300 yards per game to opposing receivers.
WR - James Jones, GB - $6,400 vs. STL: It looks like Davante Adams will be missing another week with his ankle injury, which means Jones will once again provide great value at his low price tag. Possibly a tough matchup in this one, but betting on the Green Bay passing game in Lambeau is never a bad thing.
TE - Travis Kelce, KC - $6,500 vs. CHI: Purely a pairing play to Alex Smith, albeit with one of the top tight ends in the game. Feels like a thunderstorm is brewing...
K - Stephen Gostkowski, NE - $5,000 vs. DAL: Why not go with the kicker averaging the most fantasy points per game the past 3 years in a row?
DEF - Broncos, DEN - $5,000 vs. OAK: Expecting the Denver defense to capitalize on a few Oakland mistakes and make their way into the end zone this week.