Each week, I dig into every NFL matchup and determine who should thrive in it for Fantasy Football purposes. This involves looking at the individual player’s Fantasy scoring, opportunity, trends, and qualities, and pairing them with the opposing defense’s numbers for Fantasy PPG (points per game) and yardage allowed. This series is what I look forward to on a weekly basis. There will always be hits and misses, but you’d best believe I will have strong context for what I say either way. We “Play 2 Win” here, and that is the intention of this series. To help you win your matchup for the week.
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Weekly Winners for Fantasy Football – Week 5
Jared Goff vs. ARI
Jared Goff has scored 19+ Fantasy Points for three straight weeks, as an extremely safe plug-and-play quarterback. The passing upside is very evident through the 327 passing yards and four touchdowns from Week 2, and the 412 passing yards Goff finished with in Week 4. Goff is averaging 40.25 passing attempts per game, which is tied tightly to the Lions’ defensive struggles, which is a positive as it gives him a boost towards continuing high-upside passing days.
Up next for Goff is a Cardinals defense that allows the fifth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the 11th-most passing yards this season. Until we see the Lions defense step their game up, possibly through health, we should expect Goff to sling it weekly. Having a core of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta… helps, too.
Matthew Stafford vs. BUF
Matthew Stafford has had a sandwich of a Fantasy season so far: Week 1 and Week 4 were under 12 Fantasy Points, while the middle two games were 28.0 and 22.9 Fantasy Points. Stafford has averaged 344.67 passing yards per game across the last two weeks, and his touchdown upside was evident through the four thrown in Week 2. Stafford has attempted 55 and 51 passes the last two weeks, and Week 5 can be a continuation of that as he will face off with Josh Allen and the Bills.
The Bills are allowing the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the sixth-most passing yards this season. This is a game we expect fireworks from, with a ton of offense on both sides. Puka Nacua returning last week, on top of big games this season from Davante Adams, is also encouraging in a plus matchup for Week 5.
Jacoby Brissett vs. DET
Jacoby Brissett is coming off a down week for Fantasy due to low yardage and turnovers, despite finishing his second game in a row with two passing touchdowns. In Week 3, Brissett finished with 280 passing yards, and in Week 1 he finished with 277 passing yards, so there is upside potential in yards through the air for him. 25.6 Fantasy Points in Week 3 show the streaming potential for Brissett in the right matchup, as he finished as the QB4 in scoring that week.
Encouraging Fantasy managers to start quarterbacks against Detroit is rinse-and-repeat advice until we see health and improvement from that defense. The Lions allow the most Fantasy PPG to quarterbacks and the most passing yards this season, and it is not close. Brissett is a strong quarterback to stream for Fantasy Football in Week 5 if you are in need due to BYE weeks, injuries, or poor performances.
Chase Brown vs. MIA
After two down Fantasy weeks in a row, Chase Brown finished with a season-high 19.1 Fantasy Points in Week 4. Brown’s Fantasy production last week came through the air, catching 11 balls for 71 yards. Brown rushed for 80 yards in Week 2 and scored a rushing touchdown in Week 1, so we know he can pop as a dual-threat running back in a good offense. Brown can continue thriving as a pass-catcher in Week 5, due to the situation at hand for the Bengals.
Ja’Marr Chase suffered a concussion in Week 4, and Tee Higgins is dealing with a mild adductor issue. Should either of these players be out in Week 5 or limited, it could mean a boosted role for Brown in the passing game again this week. The Bengals are also facing a Dolphins defense that is allowing the third-most Fantasy PPG to running backs this season, and an offense that has not scored more than 15 points through four games this year, which creates a positive rushing game script. Look for Brown to continue trending up.
Aaron Jones Sr. vs. NO
Aaron Jones has been trending up each week for Fantasy Football via: 10.0, then 10.5, then 14.2, then 16.8 Fantasy Points. Jordan Mason being on the IR is a boost to Jones’ role, who has had historic Fantasy upside. Jones has finished two games with over 90 rushing yards and finished back-to-back games with 34 receiving yards on the dot. Eight targets last week show Jones is trusted in the passing game, as seen in the past.
Up next for Jones is a Saints defense that allows the most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the third-most rushing yards this season. With Jones continuing to trend up for Fantasy Football, a smash matchup just tells us that he needs to remain in our lineups. This is a repeat player from last week, who worked great, and can continue to deliver in Week 5.
Jaylen Warren vs. IND
Jaylen Warren has scored 20.6 and 15.6 Fantasy Points the last two weeks, which have been very useful to Fantasy managers. Warren rushed for 127 and 93 yards in these two games and also added another 49 and 33 receiving yards in them. We typically view Warren as a pass-catching back, but those rushing numbers have been quality the last two weeks in a row.
Warren will face a Colts defense in Week 5 that allows the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the seventh-most rushing yards this season. Rico Dowdle is progressing and has a chance to play in Week 5, but I doubt that if he does, it is him at 100%. Warren should handle the bulk of the work in Week 5 and should deliver another quality performance.
Quinshon Judkins vs. NYJ
Quinshon Judkins finally had a big Fantasy week in Week 4, with 21.6 Fantasy Points. Judkins scored his first rushing touchdown of the year, finished his second game with five or more receptions, produced a season-high 43 receiving yards, and generally looked healthier for a guy coming off of a major injury. Judkins rushed for 70 yards in Week 3, and the usage this season in the passing game is encouraging for PPR leagues.
Judkins will face a Jets defense in Week 5 that allows the sixth-most Fantasy PPG to running backs and the eighth-most rushing yards this season. Judkins looks to be trending up; his involvement in the passing game is a boost, and this can be a second game in a row with a positive Fantasy Football performance for managers.
Carnell Tate vs. HOU
What was “shocking” last week was the fact that Cam Ward actually heavily targeted Carnell Tate, the Titans’ big first-round investment in 2026, and good things happened. Tate caught nine of those 12 targets for 145 yards, looking well-connected with Ward for once, which was 21.5 Fantasy Points. Tate earned nine targets the week before, so that foreshadowed more volume to come. Production with volume also typically results in continued volume.
Tate has a chance to stay hot against a Texans defense that allows the most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the fifth-most passing yards this season. The rookie showed the receiving yard upside that was within his prospect profile last week, and Week 5 presents a great matchup to repeat that for Fantasy Football purposes.
Davante Adams vs. BUF
With the return of Puka Nacua in Week 5 came Davante Adams having a down week for Fantasy Football, which may have turned off some managers. Adams produced 195 and then 137 receiving yards on 23 total targets in the two games before, with Puka out, and one of those games was a two-touchdown day. Adams still earned a respectable nine targets in Week 4; it just didn’t pan out to production, but we just recently saw massive production from the veteran.
Adams draws a Bills defense in Week 5 that allows the third-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the sixth-most passing yards this season. Matthew Stafford has thrown the ball 55 and 51 times the last two weeks, and in a matchup against Josh Allen this week, I would expect high volume again. Adams’ touchdown upside as a Ram has been apparent, so it is very realistic for him to find the end zone in this one. Plenty to look forward to here, even if Adams is the “WR2”.
Michael Wilson vs. DET
Michael Wilson has been hyper-targeted the last two weeks via 30 targets, and he has produced well with that volume. Wilson caught 11 of his 17 targets for 89 yards and a touchdown for 25.9 Fantasy Points in Week 3. Then in Week 4, Wilson caught seven of his 13 targets for 95 yards, which was 16.5 Fantasy Points. Great FLEX numbers right there for Wilson, who has clearly been operating as his team’s WR1.
Wilson has a great shot at staying hot in Week 5 against a Lions defense allowing the second-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the most passing yards this season. This has been a smash matchup for quarterbacks, who get a soft defense while attempting to keep up with the Lions’ solid offense. Jacoby Brissett threw 52 times in Week 3, and this matchup could emphasize the same type of volume, which is great for Wilson heading into Week 5.
Jameson Williams vs. ARI
After finishing three straight weeks with under nine Fantasy Points, Jameson Williams showed signs of life in Week 4 with 16.2 Fantasy Points. Williams caught six of his eight targets for 102 yards (17 yards per catch). This was Williams’ second game earning eight or more targets, his first over five receptions, and his first game hitting 50 or more yards. We know that for Fantasy Football, Jamo produces in waves, and this was an example of an upside week without a touchdown.
Williams faces a Cardinals defense in Week 5 that allows the fourth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers and the 11th-most passing yards this season. With the Lions defense struggling, comes plenty of needed offense from the Lions, evident through Goff averaging 40.25 passing attempts this season. Solid volume and production in Week 4, with a solid matchup in Week 5, bring some Jamo confidence for Fantasy Football.
Parker Washington vs. PHI
Parker Washington started the season hot, but has trended downward in Fantasy scoring: 19.3 to 16.8 to 13.0 to 2.0 Fantasy Points. Positive notes include 12 targets earned in Week 2, touchdowns scored in two games, and two games with 83 and 98 receiving yards. Washington currently has 61 more receiving yards than any other Jaguars right now.
A redemption game is possible in Week 5 for Washington against an Eagles defense that allows the ninth-most Fantasy PPG to wide receivers so far this season. The Eagles have allowed four touchdowns to wide receivers (via ESPN) so far this season, which can be encouraging for Washington, who has scored in half of his games played. Look for Washington to get back on track in this Eagles matchup as a FLEX play for Fantasy Football.
Isaiah Likely vs. WAS
Isaiah Likely started the season hot in Week 1, catching eight balls for 78 yards and two touchdowns for 27.8 Fantasy Points. The next two weeks, Likely cooled off, but then he came back to life in Week 4 with 13.6 Fantasy Points. Likely caught seven of his 12 targets in Week 4 for 66 yards. 12 targets were a season-high, the second time he’s earned double-digit looks, and is very encouraging, as it came from Jameis Winston, who took over the QB1 role due to injury.
Likely will face a Commanders defense in Week 5 that allows the third-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends and the eighth-most passing yards this season. Despite the two turnovers, Jameis Winston’s Week 4 was encouraging with 250 passing yards and three touchdowns. Winston looking for Likely more than anyone last week, is a boost for Likely on top of his smash matchup.
TJ Hockenson vs. NO
With Justin Jefferson out last week, TJ Hockenson was Kyler Murray’s go-to via 13 targets in Week 4. Hock caught all 13 of those for 119 receiving yards, which was 24.9 Fantasy Points. That sort of efficiency and production should grow even more trust with Hockenson’s new quarterback, who had a history of tight end reliability through Trey McBride back in Arizona. Hockenson scored in Week 1 and has had a history of Fantasy Football upside that we saw pop back up just last week.
Hockenson faces a Saints defense in Week 5 that allows the eighth-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends this season. Justin Jefferson has a chance to return in Week 5, but I expect the Murray-to-Hockenson connection to stay very relevant and alive this week, regardless of whether Jefferson plays or not. Hockenson proved to be reliable for Kyler and can capitalize once again in this Saints matchup for Week 5.
Mike Gesicki vs. MIA
Mike Gesicki finished with his third game over 12 Fantasy Points in Week 4 this season, scoring his third touchdown of the year. Gesicki had a major 18.8 Fantasy Point week to kick off the year, totaling 78 yards on his five catches with a touchdown. Gesicki took three balls for 40 yards just last week. The touchdown upside this season, connected to Joe Burrow, is strong.
Ja’Marr Chase suffered a concussion, and Tee Higgins is dealing with an adductor injury. Should either of these two miss Week 5, Gesicki becomes a very strong tight end to stream this week against Miami. The Dolphins allow the fifth-most Fantasy PPG to tight ends this season, boosting Gesicki beyond the potential injury situation in Cincy.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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