Game Previews: All Fantasy Relevant Players For Week 5

Rams vs. Seahawks

Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are the undisputed best team in the league, sitting at 4-0 and pacing in the league in offense. Not only are they favored in this contest, but they also don’t have to worry about S Earl Thomas III – just one more area of the field to exploit with ease.

Can anything stop this offense?

Well, aside from injuries, no. If Seattle stops the run, which they won’t, then QB Jared Goff puts on his Laytex gloves and grabs his surgical kit and sets to work. If the Seahawks stop the pa—- nevermind. If there’s a team who is going to stop the passing game of the Rams, it isn’t Seattle. For beginner fantasy players, this will be the last time this post will be mentioning the fact that the trio of WRs Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are all startable. This is the best offense because of how well Goff distributes the ball. And even if the volume to one player isn’t great, the throws are usually high-percentage or put the player in a position to potentially score. Don’t overthink it and trust this team to have plenty of possession time to put up big yardage and point totals.

Will this defense round more into form?

It’s hard to ask anything more from a team such as this, but I’d like to see more pressure from their front seven – they only have eight total sacks. I would have thought they would be leading the league in that category by now with the group they have. Seattle’s offensive line offers quite the opportunity to start stacking pressure and probably a few sacks or turnovers. Russell Wilson, as great as he is, remains anchored into an awful situation and the Rams are not one to take mercy.

-Joe Hanretty

Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are 2-2 heading into a really tough Week 5 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. While Seattle has historically played excellent at CenturyLink field, this will be a really tough game for them – and it could easily show in their fantasy performances.

Who will run the ball?

Chris Carson ran for 103 yards in Week 3, scoring two touchdowns and immediately re-inserting himself into fantasy lineups….until he was inactive the following week with a mysterious injury. Instead of turning to Rashaad Penny, the team went with veteran Mike Davis, who turned in a 100-yard game of his own, also with a pair of touchdowns.

So now what? Against this Rams defense, don’t start anyone in Seattle’s backfield. Carson is healthy this week, but Pete Carroll, every the sly dog, has said they plan to keep Davis in the mix. With Penny expected to get carries as well, this is not a running back situation I want any part of this week, and likely going forward as well.

What’s going to happen at tight end?

Will Dissly, Seattle’s surprising rookie tight end, is out for the year with a knee injury. For now, Nick Vannett will be the No. 1 TE option, with Darrell Daniels as the back up. Neither are worth owning in virtually any fantasy formats. Vannett could occasionally get a red zone target or two, but he is way too volatile to play, especially against the Rams. Ed Dickson is returning in Week 8, and he will be the team’s No. 1 TE going forward. He might be worth a look in deeper formats.

Speaking of season-ending injuries…

Earl Thomas is done for the season. K.J. Wright is still unlikely to suit up this week. Mychal Kendricks has been suspended indefinitely. Rasheem Green is out. The Rams are one of the most efficient offenses in the league. This is a week that you want to leave the Seattle D/ST on your bench or on the waiver wire.

How about the receivers?

Doug Baldwin’s return has helped Russell Wilson and the Seahawks’ offense, but against the Rams and their vaunted pass rush I’d be weary of starting any Seattle receivers. Baldwin is a fringe WR2/Flex play, but Wilson might be out of the pocket quite a bit this game. While the O-Line has performed better lately, Aaron Donald and company are going to wreak havoc on the outside, which makes for a rough day for the Seattle offense. Downgrade Baldwin, Tyler Lockett and even Russell Wilson, who is a low-end QB1 this week in my opinion.

-Andy Patton