Matt Ryan

Another week, another double-digit line in favor of the New England Patriots. 

Even with high spreads in their favor, the Patriots have become one of the most reliable teams to bet on in 2019. 

The same can't be said about a handful of franchises, like Atlanta and Chicago, that have had up-and-down seasons. 

The Falcons and Bears could struggle to score for the second consecutive week due to a variety of factors, which should lead you in the direction of betting the under. 

                                

NFL Week 8 Schedule and Odds

  

Thursday, October 24

Washington at Minnesota (-16) (Over/Under: 42 (8:20 p.m., Fox/NFL Network)

              

Sunday, October 27

Seattle (-3.5) at Atlanta (O/U: 54) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Philadelphia at Buffalo (-2) (O/U: 43) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Los Angeles Chargers at Chicago (-4) (O/U: 40) (1 p.m., Fox) 

New York Giants at Detroit (-6.5) (O/U: 49.5) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Denver at Indianapolis (-6) (O/U: 44) (1 p.m., CBS) 

New York Jets at Jacksonville (-4.5) (O/U: 41) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Cincinnati vs. Los Angeles Rams (-13) (O/U: 48) (1 p.m., CBS; Game in London)

Arizona at New Orleans (-9.5) (O/U: 48.5) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Tampa Bay at Tennessee (-2.5) (O/U: 46.5) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Carolina at San Francisco (-5.5) (O/U: 41) (4:05 p.m., Fox) 

Cleveland at New England (-10.5) (O/U: 46.5) (4:25 p.m., CBS) 

Oakland at Houston (-6.5) (O/U: 51.5) (4:25 p.m., CBS) 

Green Bay (-4.5) at Kansas City (O/U: 48) (8:20 p.m., NBC) 

              

Monday, October 28

Miami at Pittsburgh (-14.5) (O/U: 42.5) (8:15 p.m., ESPN) 

All Times ET. Odds via Caesars and Vegas Insider; predictions against the spread in bold.

            

Best Bets

Cleveland at New England (-10.5) 

The New England defense could have yet another dominant performance Sunday, when Cleveland visits Gillette Stadium. 

The Patriots have forced 22 turnovers, which is seven more than Pittsburgh's second-best total. Eighteen of the takeaways are interceptions. 

Baker Mayfield has thrown at least one pick in each of his six starts, and he tossed five in the two weeks before the bye against San Francisco and Seattle. 

If Cleveland's quarterback does not adjust to New England's pressure, the AFC East leader could produce multiple turnovers for the fifth straight game.

At home, the Patriots' defense earned six takeaways and held three opponents to a combined 31 points. In fact, no team has eclipsed 14 points versus New England through seven weeks. 

New England's offense put up over 30 points in all but one matchup, and it could easily do that Sunday. 

Cleveland's passing defense conceded 12 touchdowns and lets up 6.3 yards per pass. If the Browns fail to stop Tom Brady, they could be the latest foe to lose by double digits. 

Even with a few large numbers in their favor, the Patriots are 5-2 against the spread, and we expect that record to improve in Week 8. 

                      

Seattle at Atlanta (Under 54) 

In this case, you may want to take the Seattle-Atlanta under while the total is still high. 

Atlanta struggled on offense at home in Week 7, and Matt Ryan's status is up in the air for Sunday. 

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that he has not ruled out Ryan after he suffered a right ankle sprain, per ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure. 

"He does have a sprained ankle," Quinn said Monday. "We'll be preparing both ways. If he can [play], that's great. And if he can't, then the bye would come at a good time for him next week. He's already in the pool running. You guys have been around him. He'll try anything he can." 

The worst team in the NFC South has been held to 10 points in its last two home games, and it totaled a season-low 224 total yards versus the Los Angeles Rams. 

Seattle could feast on the fourth-worst defense in the NFL, but it struggled to find an offensive rhythm in Week 7 at home against Baltimore. 

Russell Wilson completed less than half of his passes versus the Ravens, and his leading receiver only had five receptions. 

Of course, that could improve against a terrible defense, but Seattle may miss injured tight end Will Dissly more than expected. 

Luke Willson is not a great pass-catching tight end, so Wilson has to rely on his wideouts to find open spots in the middle of the field.

If the Seahawks struggle at any point Sunday, they could steer the game toward the under since they are expected to produce the most points.  

                     

Los Angeles Chargers at Chicago (1st-Half Under 20) 

It may be hard to throw trust in Philip Rivers and Mitchell Trubisky right now, and with that comes a bet on the first-half under. 

In Week 7, both the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears had a touchdown and a field goal in the first 30 minutes. 

Chicago has 47 first-half points through six contests, while the Chargers were shutout over two quarters by Denver and Pittsburgh. 

In three road games, the Chargers have 37 first-half points, but their highest total of 17 came against the Miami Dolphins. 

If Rivers and Co. fail to put up at least 10, we do not have much faith in Trubisky leading the Bears to 17 or 20 in a single half. 

The Bears hit double digits in a quarter three times, twice when playing from behind and a third against Washington. 

With both teams struggling for consistency, we have much more faith in the first-half under than sweating out the over hoping points occur in bunches. 

                  

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Pro Football Reference. 

That sound you hear is the collective groan of fantasy football owners across the country after Matt Schaub replaced Matt Ryan as the Atlanta Falcons' starting quarterback. 

Ryan exited Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams with an ankle injury, the team announced.

The switch from Ryan to Schaub will cause some nightmares for fantasy owners, especially those who are counting on Julio Jones. Austin Hooper and Calvin Ridley won't be immune from the quarterback change either.     

Jones is one of the NFL's most consistent pass-catchers. He averaged 15.4 yards per reception and 96.7 receiving yards per game through his first seven seasons.

The Pro Bowler continues to excel, having caught 34 passes for 467 yards and four touchdowns entering Sunday.

Until Ryan returns under center, don't expect Jones' production to fall off a cliff, but it could be enough to put him at the lower end of the WR1 category and even bump him into WR2 territory.

Coming off a Pro Bowl in 2018, Hooper has taken his game to another level.

He's Atlanta's leading receiver with 480 yards and three touchdowns on 42 catches. Ryan's injury didn't hurt Hooper too much from a fantasy perspective as Schaub found him for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

Hooper remains a must-start in any format.

Ridley has been a solid WR2 in standard leagues, catching 25 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns, and he falls into the same group as Jones.

Don't overreact just yet, but his numbers will likely take a hit with Schaub at quarterback. Expect him to deliver flex-like fantasy stats and be pleasantly surprised if he goes beyond that.

After their 2018 season was derailed by injuries, the Atlanta Falcons have to feel nervous seeing quarterback Matt Ryan go down with an ankle injury.

After being sacked by the Los Angeles Rams' Aaron Donald, Ryan fumbled the ball and limped off the field before being ruled out.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday that Ryan has a sprained ankle. Quinn also wasn't sure of Ryan's status for a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, but he noted the quarterback was running in the pool and will be evaluated later in the week.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Sunday that Ryan is slated to undergo an MRI, but "the team does not believe the injury is serious." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it is believed that Ryan suffered "an ankle sprain that is not major," and he will undergo testing Monday:

From @gmfb: #Falcons QB Matt Ryan is believed to have an ankle sprain that is not major, though he'll have tests today... while coach Dan Quinn's seat is getting warmer (but no move expected today). pic.twitter.com/ic5yMmYtre

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2019

Ryan struggled prior to the injury, going 16-of-27 for 159 yards and an interception.

He has mostly avoided serious injuries throughout his NFL career. The 2016 MVP has only missed two games in 11 seasons, both in 2009 because of turf toe.

This season has been a mixed bag for Ryan. Entering Sunday, he had completed 72.1 percent of his passes for 2,011 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he'd also thrown seven interceptions.

Over his career, the 34-year-old has been as reliable as any quarterback in the NFL, with at least 4,000 yards passing in eight straight seasons and 26 touchdowns in six of the past eight seasons.

Veteran Matt Schaub will fill in under center for the time being. He's appeared in seven games over the past two seasons, throwing just 10 passes.

Despite having one of the worst records in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons have a few potential daily fantasy football standouts for Week 7.

Matt Ryan and Co. are set to face a Los Angeles Rams team that limps into Mercedes-Benz Stadium on a three-game losing streak and carries poor defensive numbers.

Other daily fantasy top plays face favorable matchups, including a running back squaring off with the league's worst rushing defense.

As there are every gameweek, a few value picks could emerge from obscurity to boost your lineup, and one of them is playing in what is expected to be a blowout.

                                

Quarterback

Top Pick: Matt Ryan, Atlanta

Value: DraftKings: $6,300; FanDuel: $7,900

Matt Ryan has been one of the most consistent throwers in the NFL.

The Atlanta quarterback has six 300-yard performances this season, and he has seven touchdowns and an interception in his past two contests.

With Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Austin Hooper at his disposal, the 34-year-old should be able to challenge the Los Angeles Rams secondary in different ways.

In each of their past three games, the Rams defense let up over 230 passing yards, with the highest total coming against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4.

Even if new acquisition Jalen Ramsey shuts down Jones, Ryan can still threaten the Los Angeles secondary by hitting Ridley, Hooper, Mohamed Sanu and Devonta Freeman out of the backfield. They all have 25 or more receptions.

Since the Falcons defense conceded 1,034 total yards in the past two games, Ryan may be forced to attempt at least 30 passes for the seventh consecutive game.

Ryan failed to complete four of his 36 throws in Week 6, so if he is accurate again in a catch-up role, he could be your best quarterback option.

                      

Value Play: Matthew Stafford, Detroit

Value: DraftKings: $5,200; FanDuel: $7,300

Matthew Stafford is averaging 277.4 passing yards per game, and he is facing a Minnesota Vikings defense that has allowed 10 scores through the air.

In his most recent home showing, Detroit's signal-caller racked up 291 yards and three touchdowns in a four-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

You do not have to be concerned about turnovers with Stafford, as he has not thrown a pick in eight of his past nine contests.

In Week 6, the Vikings allowed the Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz to throw for 292 yards while conceding their largest yard total of 2019.

If you want to stack Lions, Kenny Golladay is a good choice at wide receiver after coming off a 121-yard outing versus the Green Bay Packers.

                        

Running Back

Top Play: Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville

Value: DraftKings: $7,000; FanDuel: $7,900

The Cincinnati Bengals are the only NFL team to give up more than 1,000 rushing yards, and they have conceded the most scores on the ground.

That is an ideal matchup for Leonard Fournette, who has received a heavy workload in his past three contests. Since Week 4, the LSU product is averaging 135 yards on 24 carries, and he has at least 15 touches in all six games.

In Week 6, Fournette produced his largest receiving total of 2019 and tied his season high in receptions with six. If that production remains at a high level, the 24-year-old should take advantage of the Bengals' poor defense and be one of, if not the top running back in Week 7.

                            

Value Play: Derrick Henry, Tennessee

Value: DraftKings: $5,800; FanDuel: $6,500

The Tennessee Titans' quarterback situation could benefit Derrick Henry.

The 25-year-old has at least 15 carries in all six games and hit the 75-yard mark on four occasions.

With Ryan Tannehill under center, the Titans could call on their workhorse to carve through the Los Angeles Chargers defense. In his past 12 games, Tannehill has recorded more than 200 yards four times, and he failed to reach 150 in five of his previous six appearances.

Anthony Lynn's squad has been gashed for 315 rushing yards by the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers, and if Tennessee feeds Henry enough, he could add to its woes.

                          

Wide Receiver

Top Play: Michael Thomas, New Orleans

Value: DraftKings: $7,900; FanDuel: $8,100

Michael Thomas' matchup with the Chicago Bears should not deter you from selecting him Sunday.

The New Orleans Saints wide receiver has 10 receptions in half of his six games, and he has hauled in 28 of 34 targets in the past three contests.

If Teddy Bridgewater struggles with Chicago's pass rush, he may look to the 26-year-old to break open a long gain on a short pass.

Opponents have four scores through the air versus the Bears, but they have let up 1,146 passing yards, which means their secondary could be susceptible to a few big plays.

Even in low-scoring games, Thomas has found a way to rack up yards, as he had 89 in the 13-6 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and in the 27-9 defeat to the Rams.

                           

Value Play: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta

Value: DraftKings: $5,300; FanDuel: $5,500

If Jones receives blanket coverage from Ramsey, Ridley should see a production increase.

Ridley already carries value because he has found the end zone in four of six games, and he could be in line for another trip Sunday.

In five games, the Falcons wide receiver has earned at least six targets from Ryan, plus he has 12 receptions in the past three weeks. His best game occurred at home versus Philadelphia, against whom he put up 105 yards alongside the 106 recorded by Jones.

Even if Atlanta's top wideout gets free, Ridley should benefit from Ryan's ability to eclipse the 300-yard barrier.

                  

Tight End

Top Play: Mark Andrews, Baltimore

Value: DraftKings: $4,900; FanDuel: $6,700

Mark Andrews could be Lamar Jackson's most valuable asset Sunday in Seattle.

The Seattle Seahawks have given up the fourth-most receiving yards to tight ends, and the second-year player is coming off a 99-yard showing.

In Week 6, the Cleveland Browns' Ricky Seals-Jones caught three passes for 47 yards and a score, and Gerald Everett torched Seattle for 137 yards on seven receptions in Week 5.

Andrews has seven or more targets in six games for the Ravens, but he hasn't made a trip to the end zone since Week 4.

If the 23-year-old does not score, he should still receive enough targets to be considered a top player at his position in Week 7.

                       

Value Play: Dawson Knox, Buffalo

Value: DraftKings: $3,300; FanDuel: $4,800

If you choose to load up on high-priced players, you could get value out of Dawson Knox at tight end.

The Buffalo Bills are set to face a Miami Dolphins defense that has conceded a league-worst 6.7 yards per play and 9.2 yards per passing attempt.

If Josh Allen exploits the Dolphins' weaknesses, Knox could be one of the many beneficiaries. Knox's best yardage totals have occurred at home, with 67 coming against Cincinnati in Week 3 and 58 versus the New England Patriots the following week.

If that trend continues, the 22-year-old may end up as one of the best value picks at a position that has been hard to figure out beneath the top tier of players.

                             

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from Pro Football Reference.

The New England Patriots were immune to the trend of victorious underdogs in Week 6, and the same is possible in Week 7. 

In Week 6, underdogs had 10 wins against the spread, but the Patriots were one of the favorites that covered in a 21-point victory over the New York Giants. 

The defending Super Bowl champion is 4-2 against the spread, and it has covered three double-digit lines. A fourth is likely Monday against the New York Jets. 

Tom Brady and Co. have dominated the AFC East for over a decade, and Monday could feature the latest in a line of impressive performances. 

On Sunday, two struggling defenses could push the largest over/under total of the week over. 

In total, three teams are double-digit favorites and two totals are set at 50 points or higher. 

                                

NFL Week 7 Schedule

All Times ET. 

Odds via Caesars; predictions against the spread in bold. 

Thursday, October 17

Kansas City (-3.5) at Denver (Over/Under: 49)( (8:20 p.m., Fox/NFL Network) 

            

Sunday, October 20

Miami at Buffalo (-17) (O/U: 38.5) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Jacksonville (-3.5) at Cincinnati (O/U: 44) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Oakland at Green Bay (-6.5) (O/U: 46.5) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Houston at Indianapolis (-1.5) (O/U: 48) (1 p.m., CBS) 

Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Atlanta (O/U: 54) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Minnesota at Detroit (Pick 'em) (O/U: 44) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Arizona at New York Giants (-2.5) (O/U: 49.5) (1 p.m., Fox) 

San Francisco (-10) at Washington (O/U: 42) (1 p.m., Fox) 

Los Angeles Chargers at Tennessee (-2) (O/U: 38.5) (4:05 p.m., CBS) 

New Orleans at Chicago (-3) (O/U: 38) (4:25 p.m., Fox) 

Baltimore at Seattle (-3.5) (O/U: 50) (4:25 p.m., Fox) 

Philadelphia at Dallas (-2.5) (O/U: 48.5) (8:20 p.m., NBC) 

           

Monday, October 21

New England (-10) at New York Jets (O/U: 42.5) (8:15 p.m., ESPN)

                

Best Bets

New England (-10) at New York Jets

No one should advise betting against the New England Patriots. 

Bill Belichick's team has outscored five of its six opponents by 15 points, and its lone single-digit win came on the road against Buffalo, who is the only potential playoff team it has played. 

The New York Jets are an improved team with Sam Darnold back under center, but they are not considered a playoff contender at 1-4.

Sunday's win over Dallas was nice for Adam Gase's team, but it is facing a much better defense that enters MetLife Stadium with 10 days' rest. 

The Patriots have conceded the fewest total yards of teams that have played six games, lead the NFL in turnovers and allowed three offensive touchdowns. 

New England's ability to score defensive touchdowns makes the 10-point spread look easy to cover. 

If that did not convince you to take the Patriots, let us present Brady's 84-21 record in AFC East games and a 28-7 mark vs. the Jets. 

A year ago, the average score of New England's division games was 31-13, with all five victories coming by double digits. 

                            

Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta (Over 54) 

The Los Angeles' Rams seven-point performance in Week 6 is concerning, but they should score plenty of points at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Atlanta has let up the fifth-most total yards in the NFL, and in the last two weeks, they were gashed for 1,034 yards and 87 points. 

Los Angeles' defense has not been that bad, but it has conceded 105 points in its last three contests. 

With both units trending in the wrong direction, Jared Goff and Matt Ryan could both have over 300 passing yards in a back-and-forth, high-scoring affair. 

Ryan has six 300-yard performances and seven touchdowns in his last two games. If Atlanta's defense continues to concede, the quarterback will be forced to air the ball out to keep up with the Rams. 

The Falcons' poor scoring defense could be the perfect remedy for Goff's struggles, as he is coming off a 78-yard showing vs. San Francisco. 

The Rams quarterback has seven touchdowns and seven interceptions, but his fortunes could change against a group that forced four turnovers in six games. 

In Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, the pair of signal-callers have plenty of weapons to work with. 

Not only could this be an easy over bet, it may also be a breakout fantasy football week for all involved. 

                        

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from Pro Football Reference. 

The Arizona Cardinals have their first winning streak of the Kyler Murray era.

Arizona has won two games in a row following Sunday's 34-33 victory over the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals remain the only team in the daunting NFC West with a losing record at 2-3-1, but they have some momentum after Murray torched Atlanta's secondary.

He received some help as well, considering Matt Bryant missed an extra point on the visitors' final possession that could have forced overtime.

The free-falling Falcons have lost four games in a row after the missed kick and are 1-5 on the season. They are well behind the 5-1 New Orleans Saints in the NFC West and are running out of time to make a move in the division.

         

Notable Fantasy Stats

• Kyler Murray: 27-of-37 for 340 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions; 32 rushing yards
• David Johnson: 12 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown; six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown
• Larry Fitzgerald: six catches for 69 yards
• Matt Ryan: 30-of-36 for 356 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions
• Devonta Freeman: 19 carries for 88 yards; three catches for 30 yards and two touchdowns
• Austin Hooper: eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown
• Julio Jones: eight catches for 108 yards

          

Murray Shines in His Best Game Yet

This year is less about wins and losses for the Cardinals and more about Murray's development under first-year head coach Kliff Kingsbury, but positive strides and wins are certainly welcome developments.

Murray has been electrifying on the ground at times, including in last Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but he entered the game against the Falcons with zero touchdown passes in three of his four contests.

There were no issues throwing the ball Sunday.

This year's No. 1 overall draft pick spread the ball around to nine receivers and scrambled around not to just run but to create time in the pocket. He escaped pressure a number of times, including when he dropped a dime to Damiere Byrd over multiple defenders to set up his first touchdown pass to Chase Edmonds.

Kyler Murray would be great at escape rooms 🤜🤛 @K1 pic.twitter.com/U2nmSmS1NE

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 13, 2019

You can say it's the Bengals and the Falcons, but Kyler Murray stringing together two great performances (so far) is a big deal.

Especially when you isolate the plays. He's often the one creating and lifting.

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) October 13, 2019

16-of-19
240 passing yards
1 TD@K1 was on 🎯 in the first half. #RedSea pic.twitter.com/uknYMbqB7R

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 13, 2019

Murray also used his mobility on the first possession of the second half with a beautifully designed rollout-and-throw across the field to a wide-open Maxx Williams for another touchdown.

It is natural to wonder if the Falcons secondary that allowed five touchdown passes to Deshaun Watson just last week had something to do with Murray's success, but the Oklahoma product is building momentum, making reads and looking more comfortable in the pocket within Kingsbury's system.

.@K1 ➡️ @Williams_Maxx for another @AZCardinals TD!#RedSea up 27-10. #ATLvsAZ

📺: FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/xLc7ljuEnj pic.twitter.com/S6b1SroNL2

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2019

What a grab!

Kyler lofts it to @DavidJohnson31 to give the @AZCardinals the lead. #ATLvsAZ

📺: FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/xLc7ljuEnj pic.twitter.com/TyJRt86s8y

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2019

He also deserves plenty of credit for coming through in the clutch with the winning touchdown pass to David Johnson after the Falcons came storming back from a 17-point deficit. The best news for Cardinals fans is the fact he looked nothing like a rookie while doing it.

           

Rest of Team Lets Falcons Offense Down Yet Again

The Falcons have been trending in the wrong direction since their 2016 team collapsed in Super Bowl LI, and Sunday was another example of why.

Many of the same offensive pieces that were on that NFC championship team are still there: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, Mohamed Sanu and Austin Hooper. They thrived in the second half of this loss.

Unless the Falcons come back from 10 down in the second half to win, the Braves, Falcons and Georgia and Georgia Tech football will be a combined 0-5 for the week that began Monday, with a few of those losses especially painful for much of the ATL sporting populace.

— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 13, 2019

The past week in Atlanta:

Falcons let up 52 points to Texans
Braves lose 13-1 in elimination game
UGA loses at home to South Carolina
Matt Bryant misses an XP Falcons lose to Cardinals

Atlanta is now a Hawks city.

— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) October 13, 2019

Despite a defense that has been largely nonexistent this season after struggling last year, Ryan and Co. came flying back from a 27-10 hole. The quarterback found Freeman for two touchdowns and Hooper for another with a number of surgical drives down the stretch, but the defense faltered against Murray.

As if that wasn't enough, Bryant's missed extra point was the cruelest twist of fate for an offense that was hitting on cylinders and figured to play well in overtime.

Ryan and the offense can take pride in the way they played, but the Falcons are once again staring at a lost season following an abysmal start.

            

What's Next?

Both teams are in action during Week 7, with the Cardinals at the New York Giants and the Falcons hosting the Los Angeles Rams.

Buckle in, fellow fantasy football fanatics.

Week 6 of the 2019 NFL season is the first in which four teams will have a bye. So, even if owners aren't overly reliant on players from the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Oakland Raiders, having all four inactive at once still qualifies as a tricky obstacle.

We're here to help you avoid any pitfalls by laying out our top-10 rankings at every position and taking a closer look at some names to know for the four offensive spots.

                 

Quarterbacks

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

2. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

3. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns

9. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

10. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Deshaun Watson owners must be downright giddy right now.

The third-year quarterback just delivered his best outing of the campaign, torching Atlanta to the tune of 28-of-33 passing for 426 yards and five scores. Now, he has a chance to build off that success by visiting the fantasy-friendly confines of Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chiefs might not be running weekly track meets like they were last season, but three of their first five opponents have scored at least 26 points. Two quarterbacks have thrown multiple touchdown passes against them, and—increasing the dual-threat appeal of Watson—two others have rushed for scores.

Elsewhere, expect another fireworks display involving the Falcons. After Atlanta and Houston combined for 85 points in Week 5, the Falcons could have another shootout in Arizona. The Falcons and Cardinals allow the second- and fifth-most points per game, respectively, making Matt Ryan and Kyler Murray potential goldmines on Sunday.

                      

Running Backs

1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

3. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

4. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars

5. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

6. David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

7. Mark Ingram, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

8. Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New Orleans Saints

9. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks

10. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos

This ranking could have a different No. 1 by Thursday night, and it's not someone on our current top 10.

Saquon Barkley, the consensus No. 1 pick this draft season, could return after a two-week absence with a high ankle sprain. Giants coach Pat Shurmur said, "We'll decide that as we go here," so any Barkley owners could receive some welcome relief ahead of Thursday's Giants-Patriots clash.

For anyone riding the Derrick Henry hype train, this is hardly the time to get off.

He's been awesome so far. He has five scores in five games, and in the only contest where he didn't find the end zone, he rushed for a season-high 100 yards. Denver's defense allows the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs, per Yahoo Sports, so Henry could be the gift that keeps on giving.

                    

Wide Receivers

1. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

2. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

3. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

4. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars

6. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

7. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

8. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns vs. Seattle Seahawks

9. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

10. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

While owning Amari Cooper has its ups and downs in terms of yardage, he's cementing his status as an elite WR1 during his tenure in Dallas.

This past weekend, Cooper erupted for 11 catches on 14 targets for 226 yards and a score. Green Bay entered the week having allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers, per Yahoo Sports. Now, Cooper gets a crack at the New York Jets, who allow the third-most fantasy points to the position. Expect more ups for Cooper, in other words.

Julian Edelman has had his own bouts with inconsistent fantasy production, finishing two of his five contests with four receptions for fewer than 60 yards. But the target volume looks good—seven-plus targets in four games—and remember, those targets are coming from Tom Brady.

Considering the Giants have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to wideouts, all signs are pointing to another big outing for Edelman.

                

Tight Ends

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams

3. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

4. Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals

5. Evan Engram, New York Giants at New England Patriots

6. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

7. Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns

8. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

9. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

10. Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins

If you drafted George Kittle expecting even better numbers than his record-setting season, then you set yourself up for disappointment.

But if you drafted Kittle to be an elite tight end, then you surely aren't complaining. He's been targeted at least eight times in three of his first four games, and he's had six-plus catches in each of those contests. San Francisco utilizing him for an 18-yard rush Monday night proves this team wants to maximize his impact.

It almost doesn't matter which tight end goes against the Cardinals; you'll want that player in your lineup. This week, that happens to be someone you likely already planned on playing, as Austin Hooper has at least six catches in three straight games. He's made the most of those chances, too, tallying 252 receiving yards and two scores during this stretch.

His numbers should keep trending up against the Cardinals, who have allowed five different tight ends to find the end zone.

                 

Kickers

1. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

2. Greg Zuerlein, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

3. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

4. Joey Slye, Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

5. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs

6. Zane Gonzalez, Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons

7. Wil Lutz, New Orleans Saints at Jacksonville Jaguars

8. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

9. Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings

10. Mason Crosby, Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers

                 

Defense/Special Teams

1. New England Patriots vs. New York Giants

2. Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

3. Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets

4. Los Angeles Chargers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

6. Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

7. Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins

8. Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles

9. Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos

10. Seattle Seahawks at Cleveland Browns

There have been times this season when it looks like the Houston Texans offense is sleepwalking.

They were wide awake Sunday.

Deshaun Watson had one of the best performances of his NFL career, and Will Fuller decimated the Atlanta Falcons secondary on the way to a 53-32 victory for the Texans.

The win moves Houston to 3-2, keeping pace in a competitive AFC South race. All four teams in the division entered the weekend with identical 2-2 records.

Watson threw for a season-high 426 yards while adding another 47 on the ground. His quarterback rating was a perfect 158.3.

The Falcons dropped to 1-4 and look like one of the NFL's strongest candidates for an early-season coaching change. Dan Quinn entered the 2019 season on the hot seat and is well on his way to his worst year as an NFL coach—and this is before mentioning he took over as the team's defensive coordinator.

Suffice it to say, things could be better in Atlanta.

Notable Stats

Texans

QB Deshaun Watson: 28-of-33 passing, 426 yards, five TDs; four carries, 47 yards

RB Carlos Hyde: 21 carries, 60 yards, TD

WR Will Fuller: 14 receptions, 217 yards, three TDs

WR DeAndre Hopkins: seven receptions, 88 yards

      

Falcons

QB Matt Ryan: 32-of-46 passing, 330 yards, three TDs, one INT

RB Devonta Freeman: 11 carries, 30 yards; five receptions, 40 yards, TD

WR Julio Jones: three receptions, 42 yards

WR Calvin Ridley: five receptions, 88 yards, TD

     

Watson, Fuller Connection Soars

Fuller V finds the end zone AGAIN.

@Will_Fuller7 | #ATLvsHOU pic.twitter.com/s7YBzRw7Hv

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 6, 2019

This was as close as a quarterback get to perfection without literally completing every pass for a touchdown, NFL Blitz-style. Watson was brilliant inside the pocket, reeling off accurate passes of the short, medium and long varieties as the Falcons could do nothing to stop him. He was scampering off for gains on the ground in the rare instances of his receivers being covered.

Fuller would almost certainly be a bigger star if it weren't for a rash of injuries. He's habitually inconsistent when he's in the lineup, reeling off mega performances before disappearing for weeks on end—most of the time due to being injured.

https://twitter.com/riversmccown/status/1180951845629501442

A healthy Fuller is a huge boost to the Texans passing game, and he exploded time and again as Atlanta looked to take out Hopkins.

The results here are obviously far from replicable, and Fuller's history suggests a Sammy Watkins level of boom-or-bust performance. But if he can actually stay on the field, those occasional booms will be massive for the Texans offense.

      

Dan Quinn Might Want to Start Researching Properties

Three quarters in the books and the Dan Quinn Doomsday Clock is at 11:59:59

— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) October 6, 2019

The Falcons have been in a perpetual decline since blowing a 28-3 lead to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. It didn't happen all at once. They returned to the playoffs in 2017 before falling to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles—not a bad result.

The foundation has been crumbling at a rapid rate ever since. Last season's 7-9 mark undersold how discombobulated the Falcons looked, particularly on defense, and things have only continued to decline despite talent befitting divisional contention. There's no reason a team with Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman should be struggling to put up points.

The defense is less talented but a similar story, featuring enough talent that Atlanta had a reasonable expectation to have a bounce-back year in 2019.

That hasn't happened. Quinn, in his fifth season with Atlanta, already had one of the NFL's hottest seats coming into this weekend, and matters are only going to be worse after an abysmal defensive effort. 

     

What's Next?

The Texans travel to Kansas City for what should be a high-scoring matchup against the Chiefs. The Falcons make a trip to Arizona to play the Cardinals.

One quarter of the 2019 NFL season is done, and we've learned...hmm...not much.

The Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are really good. The Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins are—how should we put this?—the opposite of that.

That's not to say the campaign has gone according to script. It never does.

The San Francisco 49ers are sitting atop the NFC with the conference's only unblemished record. The Denver Broncos are still awaiting their first win. Some backup quarterbacks have outplayed starters. Some seemingly devastating developments—Andrew Luck's retirement, Drew Brees' thumb surgery—haven't had a huge impact.

Some of these stories won't even be discussed at the next quarter-turn. Others may define this season.

After updating the standings and power rankings, we'll take a closer look at three of the league's biggest storylines.

                   

NFL Week 5 Standings: Points Scored/Points Against

AFC East

New England Patriots (4-0) 122/27

Buffalo Bills (3-1) 76/63

New York Jets (0-3) 33/70

Miami Dolphins (0-4) 26/163

                

AFC North

Cleveland Browns (2-2) 89/91

Baltimore Ravens (2-2) 135/100

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) 76/88

Cincinnati Bengals (0-4) 57/110

            

AFC South

Houston Texans (2-2) 78/78

Indianapolis Colts (2-2) 94/102

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2) 84/84

Tennessee Titans (2-2) 91/62

                

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) 135/94

Oakland Raiders (2-2) 79/102

Los Angeles Chargers (2-2) 90/74

Denver Broncos (0-4) 70/93

                  

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (3-1) 107/56

Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) 110/105

New York Giants (2-2) 87/97

Washington Redskins (0-4) 66/118

              

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (3-1) 85/69

Chicago Bears (3-1) 66/45

Detroit Lions (2-1-1) 97/95

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) 84/63

           

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (3-1) 84/92

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2) 123/117

Carolina Panthers (2-2) 95/80

Atlanta Falcons (1-3) 70/99

               

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers (3-0) 96/54

Seattle Seahawks (3-1) 103/89

Los Angeles Rams (3-1) 117/104

Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1) 74/115

                

Week 5 Power Rankings

1. New England Patriots (4-0)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

3. New Orleans Saints (3-1)

4. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)

5. Green Bay Packers (3-1)

6. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)

7. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

8. Los Angeles Rams (3-1)

9. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

10. Baltimore Ravens (2-2)

11. Chicago Bears (3-1)

12. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

13. Detroit Lions (2-1-1)

14. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

15. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

16. Carolina Panthers (2-2)

17. Oakland Raiders (2-2)

18. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

19. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

21. New York Giants (2-2)

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)

23. Tennessee Titans (2-2)

24. Houston Texans (2-2)

25. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3)

26. Atlanta Falcons (1-3)

27. Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1)

28. Denver Broncos (0-4)

29. Washington Redskins (0-4)

30. Cincinnati Bengals (0-4)

31. New York Jets (0-3)

32. Miami Dolphins (0-4)

              

Are the 49ers For Real?

Remember back before injuries reduced this team to 12-loss rubble last season? There was legitimate buzz about its sleeper potential, and while that probably sounded foolish at year's end, it now seems prophetic.

If you want to doubt the Niners, that's fine. Their three victories have come against clubs with a combined record of 3-9, Jimmy Garoppolo has one more touchdown (five) than interceptions (four) and this offense still might not have a skill position star beyond tight end George Kittle.

Then again, holding San Francisco's schedule against it makes no sense when that's set by someone else. The Niners sit third in scoring (32.0 points per game) and eighth in points against (18.0). A year removed from record lows in interceptions (two) and takeaways (seven), this defense is now tied for eighth with seven takeaways (five picks). Garoppolo is tied for eighth with a 69.0 completion percentage.

Sure, it's too early to anoint the 49ers, but there is no reason to dismiss their hot start outright. Their true colors will be clear sooner than later, as they come out of their bye with games against the Browns (on Monday night) and the Rams (in Los Angeles).

            

Any Worries in Dallas?

For three weeks, it seemed the NFC—if not the entire NFL—would run through Jerry World. Even if the competition wasn't stiff, the dominance demanded attention and respect. The Cowboys not only opened the year 3-0, they also won those games by a total of 53 points.

Last Sunday, though, this squad skidded to a halt in the Crescent City. A Saints defense that entered the contest allowing 27.3 points per game held the Cowboys offense to 10—21 fewer than their previous season low. Ezekiel Elliott rushed 18 times for only 25 yards, while Dak Prescott saw his passing yards (223) and touchdowns (zero) fall for the third consecutive week.

Maybe that game was just an outlier, or even more simply, a hard-fought loss against a good team. But without the proper response, critics will have reasons to question where the Cowboys sit in the NFL pecking order.

"The Cowboys may well remain the most balanced team in the NFC," Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport said. "And playing in the Superdome in prime time has tripped up even the best of clubs. But the Cowboys went from unstoppable juggernaut to a team looking to rebound in the span of a few hours."

Dallas gets Green Bay and Philadelphia during the next three weeks. The results of those tests may reveal whether the Cowboys are still the NFC's team to beat or just one of several competing for the crown.

              

Are the Falcons Broken Beyond Repair?

The big names haven't changed much since Atlanta followed an 11-win season with a trip to Super Bowl LI.

Dan Quinn is still calling the shots (for now, at least). Matt Ryan remains under center. Julio Jones still splits out wide. Devonta Freeman keeps handling top rushing duties.

The faces are familiar, yet the results are anything but.

"Even for someone who bears the scars of having occasionally believed this franchise is on the right track, September 2019 stands among the most shocking months of Falcons-watching," Mark Bradley wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I didn't see 1-3 coming."

It's even worse than it sounds. Atlanta's minus-29 scoring differential is sixth-worst in the entire NFL—dead last among teams with at least one win, worse than the winless Broncos' minus-23).

The Falcons still face the Texans (in Houston), the Rams and the Seahawks before finally heading into their Week 9 bye. Atlanta fans, if you haven't looked away already, this might be the perfect time to start.  

Deep breaths, everyone; we've reached the quarter mark of the 2019 NFL season.

For all the fantasy football front-runners out there, this is hardly the time to relax. Remember, you're one midseason swoon away from tumbling down the standings.

For all the cellar-dwellers, this also isn't the time to panic. Sure, you'll be playing most (if not all) of the remainder of the year without a safety net, but a multi-week hot streak gets you right back in the thick of things.

No matter where you stand, Week 5 should be a big one. Whether you're looking to maintain momentum or generate it for the first time, your decision-making must be sharp.

Luckily, this will point you in the right direction with our favorite start, sit and sleeper at the quarterback, running back and wide receiver positions.

                   

Quarterback

Start 'Em: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans

Put a proven quarterback across from this Texans defense, and he'll probably deliver a big day. While Houston has contained the likes of Gardner Minshew II and Kyle Allen, both Drew Brees (370 yards, two touchdowns) and Philip Rivers (318 yards, two scores) feasted against this defense.

Matt Ryan owners should already be salivating at the possibilities for next Sunday.

Admittedly, he hasn't been the most comfortable option week-to-week. He never found the end zone this Sunday and entered it with a pair of multi-interception performances already under his belt.

But volume is big in this business, and Ryan has delivered a metric ton of it. He has only aired it out fewer than 43 times once (34 pass attempts in Week 3) and has finished every game with more than 300 passing yards. Considering he entered this weekend with eight touchdowns in three games, do not let this score-less Sunday worry you. He might win your Week 4 matchup by himself.

                     

Sit 'Em: Daniel Jones, New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Giants could not have scripted a better starting debut for rookie Daniel Jones than when he obliterated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 364 scrimmage yards and four scores.

But they surely could've written a more favorable follow-up. Save for posting a 74.2 completion percentage, Danny Dimes struggled to impress against an exploitable Washington Redskins defense in Week 4. He had the same number of completions as Week 3 (23), but he threw for 111 fewer yards (225). He also managed just a single score against two interceptions.

While Jones should benefit from the return of wide receiver Golden Tate, it won't be nearly enough to compensate for the massive increase in defensive quality. The Vikings are about as stingy as they come, allowing averages of only 218.5 passing yards and 15.8 points per game. With New York next enduring a short turnaround ahead of a date with New England, Jones' owners might shy away for a couple of weeks.

                 

Sleeper: Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It feels like forever ago that Tampa held Jimmy Garoppolo to 166 passing yards in the opener. Over the past three weeks, the Bucs have surrendered more than 300 passing yards to each of their opponents, including the video game-like 517 that Jared Goff threw for in Week 4.

Tampa has avoided total disaster by limiting touchdowns (five passing scores in four games) and creating turnovers (four interceptions, five fumble recoveries). Both areas might prove a bit flukey.

Teddy Bridgewater, a 67.8 percent passer so far, has the touch to take advantage of his opportunities and the decision-making to avoid the mistakes committed by Tampa's previous opponents. He has only thrown one interception this season and only lost a single fumble in his career.

                  

Running Back

Start 'Em: Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs

No ability beats availability, and Marlon Mack's might be up in the air for Sunday night. An ankle injury ended his Week 4 outing early, but he seemed to view his premature exit as merely a precautionary measure.

"The coaches felt like it wasn't good for me to go out there when we've got other guys in my position that could go out there and play well," Mack told reporters. "... If it was up to me, I definitely would have (been on the field)."

Assuming Mack can give it a go in Week 5, his outlook is blindingly bright. He's off to a strong start this season (72 carries for 338 yards and two touchdowns), and the Chiefs defense has been a gold mine for opposing rushers. A running back has tallied more than 90 scrimmage yards against this group every week, and Mark Ingram found the end zone three times against it in Week 3.

                    

Sit 'Em: Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos

Austin Ekeler has done everything in his power to argue for a start 'em recommendation. Four weeks into the season, Melvin Gordon's understudy has 490 scrimmage yards and six scores. Oh, and as Leonard Fournette owners can attest after Week 4, a date with Denver's defense is much more favorable than one might assume.

But Gordon's return changes everything in the worst kind of way for Ekeler. As Chargers coach Anthony Lynn made clear, this running game belongs to Gordon. He could go from holdout to bell cow real quick.

"While some might expect a time-share split moving forward, that seems unlikely," ESPN's Eric Karabell wrote. "Ekeler totaled 145 touches last season. Gordon, in one fewer game, rushed 175 times and caught 50 passes. Plus, since he might be elsewhere next year, the Chargers can really pile on the touches."

Ekeler still belongs on fantasy rosters, and he might even maintain flex-relevance once Gordon takes the top spot. But assuming the change happens this week, it might be best to bench Ekeler until we can get a grasp on his new role moving forward.

                   

Sleeper: Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints

Ronald Jones has delivered an important message to the fantasy football world this season: Sleepers don't always awaken on our schedule.

He was a trendy sleeper pick last season before barely moving the needle statistically (23 carries for 44 yards across nine contests). He seemed in danger of being the forgotten man when Peyton Barber out-touched him 24-4 in Week 2, but after evening the ledger at 15 apiece in Week 3, Jones saw 20 touches to Barber's nine on Sunday. Jones has also been the more efficient, productive player when he's had the ball.

Assuming Wayne Gallman is already claimed in your league—he's owned in 78 percent of Yahoo leagues, per Fantasy Pros—Jones should be your focus when bidding on free-agent rushers. He could be climbing toward featured-back status and doing so for an offense that's scored 86 points over the past two weeks.

                  

Wide Receiver

Start 'Em: Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants

Look, we get it. In 2019, it seems up is down and left is right when it comes to Minnesota's passing attack. Kirk Cousins is still waiting on his first outing of 250 yards or multiple passing touchdowns.

Naturally, this has reflected poorly on the Vikings receivers, Stefon Diggs chief among them. One year removed from a 102-reception season, he entered Week 4 with six catches in three games.

Then, the light bulb somehow switched—for Diggs, at least—during a date with daunting Bears defense. He caught all seven of his targets for 108 yards, or seven more than he had the first three weeks combined.

Does one game guarantee elite status for Diggs moving forward? Not at all. But it does inspire confidence that he'll be able to take advantage of a juicy matchup with the Giants, who have allowed three receivers to clear 100 yards and four to catch at least one touchdown pass.

                  

Sit 'Em: Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins vs. New England Patriots

Despite early optimism, Terry McLaurin wasn't able to work around a hamstring injury, so he missed Week 4. Not coincidentally, Washington's offense fell apart. The Redskins scored a season-low three points and produced a miserable 176 yards against a generous Giants defense.

Even if McLaurin puts the ailment behind him, Week 5 could be brutal.

For starters, it's unclear if he'll be catching passes from Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins or Colt McCoy. Let's be honest, do any of those options excite you? Exactly.

And if those quarterbacks look uninspiring in a given matchup, they're downright haunting against New England. The Patriots have allowed an NFL-best 6.8 points per game and only 181.8 passing yards per tilt. As close as a healthy McLaurin seemed to must-start status, this matchup is one of the few exceptions.

                  

Sleeper: Golden Tate, New York Giants vs. Minnesota Vikings

While matchups drive many of our sleeper recommendations, sometimes a player is too talented to pass up on the waiver wire.

Golden Tate is that player, as he's inexplicably available in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues, per Fantasy Pros.

Granted, he lost the first four games to suspension, so it's not entirely surprising to see impatient fantasy owners cut bait. Then again, this is someone who has 446 receptions for 5,019 yards and 23 touchdowns to show for the past five seasons, the most recent of which featured a midseason trade and a slow transition to an unfamiliar offense.

He could become a quick favorite of Daniel Jones, and if he does, Tate probably becomes the weekly starter we have long known him to be.