ClutchPoints
As Week 5 approaches with the first wave of bye weeks beginning, fantasy football managers face difficult decisions at the quarterback position. With several key injuries and matchups creating opportunities, this week offers some intriguing options beyond the obvious starts and sits. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of quarterbacks to target and avoid in Week 5.
Justin Fields, NYJ (vs. DAL)
The Jets quarterback is primed for a breakout performance against a historically bad Cowboys defense. Dallas has surrendered the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing an astronomical 1,237 passing yards and 12 touchdowns through four games. Fields demonstrated his ceiling in his two complete games, averaging 28.3 fantasy points per game when playing from start to finish. The dual-threat quarterback threw for 226 yards and rushed for 81 yards with two total touchdowns against Miami in Week 4. Even better, every quarterback who has faced Dallas this season has delivered fantasy production, with the Cowboys defense ranking dead last in points allowed to opposing signal-callers.
C.J. Stroud, HOU (at BAL)
Despite Houston’s early struggles, Stroud enters Week 5 with momentum after his best fantasy performance of the year in a 26-0 victory over Tennessee. The Texans quarterback is finally finding his rhythm in Nick Caley’s new offensive system, completing 22 of 28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns last week. The matchup couldn’t be better, as Baltimore’s defense has been decimated by injuries. The Ravens will likely be without Nnamdi Madubuike for the season, while Marlon Humphrey is expected to miss multiple weeks with a calf injury. Additionally, linebacker Roquan Smith is dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that could sideline him for several weeks. With Lamar Jackson’s own hamstring injury creating uncertainty for Baltimore’s offense, this sets up as a get-right game for Stroud.
Daniel Jones, IND (vs. LV)
The former Giants quarterback has quietly been a fantasy gem since joining Indianapolis, currently sitting as the QB8 in fantasy points through four weeks. Jones has accumulated four passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns while posting career highs in passer rating, yards per game, and completion percentage. The Raiders defense has been a fantasy goldmine for opposing quarterbacks, ranking among the bottom 10 in pass defense and allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to the position this season. All four quarterbacks who have faced Las Vegas this season have thrown for at least 200 yards and a touchdown, while the Raiders have also surrendered significant rushing production to opposing signal-callers.
Drake Maye, NE (at BUF)
While Maye has been impressive in recent weeks, completing 75% of his passes with multiple touchdowns in three straight games, this road matchup in Buffalo presents significant challenges. The Bills defense ranks seventh in pass rush win rate and has been effective at home. More concerning is New England’s offensive line, which ranks 31st in pass block win rate and has already allowed...
