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Andy Dalton vs. Miami – Andy Dalton has quietly been one of the better fantasy quarterbacks through four weeks of the 2018 season, averaging 25.3 fantasy points per game in ESPN scoring. Dalton has thrown for at least 225 yards and two touchdowns in each contest this year, providing a safe fantasy floor for owners to like. Dalton will face a Miami Dolphins team that was exposed in last week’s 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots, allowing Brady to throw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Viewer discretion: Dalton is not Brady. The Bengals will also be missing tight end Tyler Eifert for the rest of the season with an ankle injury. It’s also important to note the Dolphins were able to intercept not one, but two passes last Sunday.
Yet Miami has allowed an average of 285 yards per game through the air, giving reason to believe next Sunday won’t be any different. Additionally, running back Joe Mixon should make his return, providing relief for Dalton in short yardage scenarios. If you’re looking for a safe floor at the quarterback position, trust Dalton and the duo of AJ Green/Tyler Boyd to score around 20 points for your team.
Blake Bortles at Kansas City – Blake Bortles hasn’t necessarily been the most consistent fantasy quarterback, so I do understand some questions being raised before pulling the trigger on starting Bortles. Blake has shown he struggles against somewhat legitimate defenses, scoring a modest eight and 15 points against the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, respectively.
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Yet I bring good news for those on the fence for Bortles in Week 5. Running back Leonard Fournette re-aggravated a hamstring injury that will keep him out for an unknown amount of time.
T.J. Yeldon provides the Jaguars with more pass-oriented opportunities, rather than pounding the football on the ground with a healthy Fournette. More good news: The Chiefs defense allows 329 yards per game through the air, with eight touchdowns allowed through the air this season. Should the Chiefs offense continue to perform, the Jaguars will look to Bortles to keep pace. The upside this matchup presents for Bortles is nearly too good to pass-up.
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Aaron Rodgers at Detroit – To advise fantasy football players to sit quite possibly the most talented man to throw a football feels extremely blasphemous, but let’s entertain this argument. Rodgers currently finds himself ranked as QB15, sitting behind the likes of Bortles, Flacco and Trubisky.
Rodgers has yet to throw for over 300 yards in 2018, throwing only one touchdown in 2-of-4 games thus far. He also finds himself nursing a knee injury sustained in week one, while also dealing with a banged up receiving corps (Geromino Allison and Randall Cobb both questionable for Sunday).
Aside from not being completely healthy, the Packers stroll into Detroit to take on a Lions team that ranks second in terms of passing yards allowed per game (172), touting one of the better secondaries in the league. With a run game that isn’t necessarily a strong-suit of the team, Rodgers finds himself in iffy territory for starting considerations. It’s understandable to roll with Rodgers regardless, especially if you drafted him high. But don’t say you didn’t see a subpar performance coming.
Baker Mayfield vs. Baltimore – Admittedly so, I was not only sipping the Baker Mayfield Kool-Aid, I was pouring free samples whenever possible. The hype-train, at least fantasy wise, slowed down as Oakland intercepted Baker twice, limiting him to under 300 yards and two touchdowns to go along with two picks. Mayfield has flashed promises of what the future looks like, but is still a rookie quarterback capable of making mistakes, something last Sunday proved.
Mayfield and the Browns will play host to the Baltimore Ravens this week, a team who kept a highly potent Steelers offense to a mere 14 points in a primetime setting. What’s in store for Mayfield against a defense that ranks in the top-five of practically every defensive category? The Ravens matchup doesn’t scream bounce-back for Mayfield and the Browns. A rookie quarterback against one of the best defenses in the league? Easy choice to hold off.