Streaming QBs: Week 5

Benjamin Haller gives you the best signal-callers to stream in Week 5.

Benjamin Haller
Streaming Quarterbacks 4 Years Ago

The NFL is an unpredictable beast, as shown in week 5. Not only did the threat of COVID-19 impacting upon the fantasy season rear its head, but we also saw the first coaching casualty of the season with the firing of Texans Head Coach and General Manager, Bill O’Brien. The most unpredictable aspect for me, however, was the complete failure of Jared Goff and the Rams in steamrolling the wretched Giants defense. This put a big dampener on the output of our streaming quarterbacks for week 4.

Goff stumbled to a meager 11.70 fantasy points on Yahoo! in a matchup that promised so much more. His performance was dreadful, his saving grace a late 55-yard touchdown to Cooper Kupp. McVay’s playcalling was extremely conservative too, which frustrated fantasy owners all-day given the Giants defensive woes in recent weeks. It is difficult to predict when Goff might spike once again – he has Washington next week and is not recommended as a streamer this week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (23.30 fantasy points) rewarded us with another virtuoso performance against a porous Seahawks defense that is far too soft in coverage. The Dolphins quarterback finished in the top 10 in fantasy QB scoring in week 4, mainly thanks to his rushing performance of 6 carries for 47 yards and a score. There is a bit of doubt about whether he will start in week 5, but if he does he is again recommended for streaming purposes against an average 49ers defense.

Kirk Cousins (14.90 fantasy points) and Nick Foles (12.86 fantasy points) were serviceable but didn’t really make any sort of splash in the final scoring statistics. The Vikings leaned on the running game in their win over the Texans, whereas Foles and the Bears struggled against the Colts elite defense, his only TD throw, a 16-yard pass to Allen Robinson, coming in garbage-time.

 

Week 4 Performance

 

Who surprised us? Teddy Bridgewater (27.24 fantasy points) was terrific in the Panthers win against the Cardinals, finishing as the 3rd highest scoring quarterback in week 4. Not only did he display pinpoint accuracy in the passing game, but he also showed some wheels on the ground by rushing for 32 yards while also finding paydirt. A juicy matchup against the decimated Falcons defense awaits in week 5. Justin Herbert (24.00 fantasy points) went toe-to-toe with the legendary Tom Brady in Tampa Bay pushing him in every aspect before falling short for the second week in a row. Herbert connected with 3 undrafted receivers for touchdowns, flashing both poise and arm strength in a mouthwatering performance in terms of fantasy outlook. Bolt up!

Now, let’s look at the lay of the land for Week 5. Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Tyrod Taylor are all likely to remain out with injuries. There are questions about who will start for the Patriots, 49ers, Broncos, Dolphins, and the Washington Football Team. Geez!

Quarterbacks on their bye weeks are Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.

Remember, the caveat is that our recommended players for streaming are less than 70% owned in Yahoo! leagues.

 

QB Streamers

 

“Teddy’s Picnic”

 

Teddy Bridgewater, Panthers at Falcons

 

It has been a feel-good story that every football fan has enjoyed – when Teddy Bridgewater returned from a gruesome knee injury, nobody thought he would take another snap in a football game again. After a starring role with the Saints, the Panthers handed him a 3-year, $63 million contract to lead them during their rebuilding period. After torching the Cardinals last week, the Panthers face the 0-4 Atlanta Falcons and their dismal, depleted defense in week 5. Teddy is feeling comfortable in Carolina.

 

 

The Falcons defensive unit suffered even more injuries during Monday Night Football to compound the fact they allow the most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks alongside allowing a league-high 36 points per game to offenses. Matt Rhule has worked to give Bridgewater opportunities to take advantage of the skills of his receiving corps of DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Robby Anderson. Those 3 combined for 200 yards last week and should have plenty of opportunities to feed against the Falcons. They are not Christian McCaffrey, but Mike Davis and Reggie Bonafon have been productive and complementary in the backfield. Both scored touchdowns against the Cardinals and combined for 184 all-purpose yards.

It is likely to be a high-scoring shootout. We like those for fantasy scoring.

 

“Rookie Monster”

 

Justin Herbert, Chargers at Saints

 

In the year they move on from franchise quarterback, Philip Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers look to have found their future in sixth overall 2020 draft pick Justin Herbert out of Oregon. The rookie fell agonizingly short of a third consecutive 300-yard passing performance, throwing for 290 yards, 3 TDs, and only 1 INT against an impressive Tampa Bay defense. Herbert looks the business straight out of the gate – his vision is outstanding and he has transitioned to a pro-style offense better than anyone could have expected. He connected with 3 undrafted receivers for touchdowns on Sunday, including a jaw-dropping 53-yard deep shot to Tyron Johnson.

 

 

Herbert has yet to fully develop his chemistry with lead receiver Keenan Allen and that is alarming considering he has thrown the ball his way 41 times in 3 games for 28 receptions, 290 yards, and a touchdown. This offense, now without Austin Ekeler, is going to be mind-blowing for fantasy purposes.

The schedule from now until week 10 is mouthwatering – The Chargers facing the Saints, Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars, and Raiders in what should be fantasy dreamland for Herbert and this elite receiving corp.

 

“Veteran Bus”

 

Gardner Minshew, Jaguars at Texans

 

We believe in the magic here at QB List – our fantasy streaming darling Gardner Minshew (21.94 fantasy points) produced once again, completing 27-of-40 for 351 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT in a loss to Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Both his scoring throws went to the returning DJ Chark, whom he targeted a team-high 9 times.

 

 

Minshew now has 20+ fantasy points in 3 out of his 4 starts. He also has 40 or more passing attempts for the third straight game. This production is as good as locked-in to continue with matchups against the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions before the bye week.

 

Kirk Cousins, Vikings at Seahawks

 

Kirk Cousins is smiling once again. Why? The Vikings have really found something special in their 2020 first-round draft pick, Justin Jefferson. Cousins connected with the former LSU star four times for 20+ yard gains, including a lovely pass on a beautiful corner route in the 3rd quarter.

 

 

Cousins is benefitting from Kubiak deploying more play-action alongside using increased pre-snap motion. Despite Cousins having a lower ceiling than most waiver-wire options, he does have a solid set of weapons that offer big-play potential – Adam Theilen, Dalvin Cook, and the aforementioned Jefferson. Add that he now faces the awful Seattle and Atlanta secondary units in the next two weeks.

 

Don’t hesitate to give me your thoughts and hit me up for questions at @benjaminhaller1.

 

 

(Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)

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