Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Projections to Love and Matchups to Exploit

If the first game of Week 5 is any reliable hint, matchups will once again prove fruitful for fantasy football owners.

As expected, the Arizona Cardinals moved past the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football, 33-21. Also as widely expected, some of Arizona’s biggest stars had huge games in a favorable matchup.

Running back David Johnson went for 29 points and might not have much in the way of competition when it comes to the top slot of the week at his position. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, even with Drew Stanton at quarterback, posted a smooth 20-point outing.

With any luck, none of the owners shied away from those guys. Keeping with the theme, here are some of the best stars to know this weekend alongside player rankings and projections.

     

Week 5 Schedule

     

Quarterbacks

First, the veteran. 

Despite injury after injury around him and losing names such as Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has still proved himself reliable.

Rivers has totaled 18 or more points in two games this year, both of which were favorable matchups. So is this weekend thanks to an encounter with the Oakland Raiders.

In a game that could spiral into a shootout, Rivers gets to pick apart an Oakland defense that has already allowed the third-most points to the position on average. With an impressive eight passing scores allowed over four outings, Oakland coughing up multiple touchdowns to Rivers wouldn’t come as a shocker.

Second, the rookie. 

Few likely expected this much from Philadelphia Eagles rookie Carson Wentz so early, but he has managed two outings of 19 or more points over three games. 

Wentz has looked poised, ridden a strong defense and spread the ball around. It’s a productive combination, especially heading into a game against the Detroit Lions.

Those Lions rank one spot ahead of the mentioned Raiders and have coughed up 12 passing touchdowns already, not to mention 20 or more points three times. It might be the easiest matchup of Wentz’s young career.

       

Running Backs

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With the exception of a 20-point outburst in Week 3, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments of the season.

Gurley has all of 17 points over his other three outings combined, a terrible number for a guy who many expected to see running like the best back in the league this year.

No dice, though Gurley could discover that form this weekend against the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has allowed five rushing scores over four games and two opposing backfields have hit on 22 points or more.

Given Gurley’s do-it-himself nature, he could flirt with the 20-point range again.

Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West is one of …

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