Welcome back to week five of Keeping it Real With Fantasy. The pressure is building as we get deeper into the season. It’s important to start maximizing your bench players because this week too as week five also marks the start to bye weeks. It’s crucial to make the necessary adjustments to your team if you’re sitting at 0-4 or 1-3 if you still want to make a run at your league title. There’s still time to turn it around–but only with the advice from yours truly. If you’re sitting above .500, you’ve been doing something right, listening to our advice. A progressing season has also shown us that last year was a fluke and New York football is nowhere near back. The Giants are one of the NFL’s largest underperformers, sinking to 1-3 just like the Jets, who haven’t won a game since Rodgers’s injury.
News/Injuries:
Geno Smith (QB) – Geno Smith suffered a knee injury against the Giants on Monday night. He limped off the field to the sideline after a dirty hit. He seems to be able to return next week after the Seahawks bye week.
Kenny Pickett (QB) – Kenny Pickett endured a bone bruise in his left knee while getting sacked in the loss to the Texans. In an interview earlier this week, he said he doesn’t expect to miss any time and he feels pretty good playing on it.
Jonathan Taylor (RB) – Taylor returned to the Colts practice as a full participant on Wednesday with hopes of being back in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Titans. The Colts star running back put up amazing stats last year and if he can do it again this year, he can be a big part of your team.
Starts:
Zach Wilson (QB) – After a close loss to the Chiefs, Zach Wilson and the Jets take a trip to Denver this week and take on a struggling Broncos team. During the Sunday Night game, it looked like Zach Wilson took a turn for the better. He outplayed Patrick Mahomes which was the first time that ever happened. This week, Zach will continue his hot streak and light up the Broncos defense.
Terry McLaurin (WR) – Terry McLaurin has had a pretty solid season so far, putting up 81 yards on 8 receptions last week. Thursday night football should be a big game for him against the Bears who are in shambles right now. This will be the perfect game for him and Sam Howell to connect multiple times.
Sits:
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB) – The Patriots running back has put up solid numbers all year but this week faces a tough defense with the Saints. He will struggle going up against New Orleans’ strong defensive front and force the Patriots to pass.
Jerry Jeudy (WR) – The Broncos receiver has put up 158 total yards this season with his biggest game being 81 yards. This week, facing the Jets, he will definitely have a hard time finding ways to get open and get receptions. He will be guarded by either Sauce Gardner or DJ Reed who have very high coverage rates.
Waiver Wire:
Rashee Rice (WR) – Rice was the Chief’s second round draft selection in 2023 and has led the team’s wide receivers in targets through four weeks of the season. Rice has also gotten his fair share of red zone targets giving him such a high touchdown upside.
Michael Wilson (WR) – Wilson is coming off a two-touchdown game against the 49ers. The rookie has become one of his QB’s – Josh Dobbs – favorite targets and is becoming the WR2 for Arizona. If he isn’t already on a team, we’d advise picking him up for a potential flex player.
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB) – McLaughlin took advantage of his opportunity in the Broncos win over the Bears last week when starting running back Javonte Williams went down with a hip injury. Mclaughlin is expected to get the start against the Jets this Sunday so he could be a start if one of your players are on bye.