Week 5 has arrived, and so has the start of bye weeks. And with that comes looking to our bench to fill some crucial WR spots. Before you make your decisions, let’s look at the WR vs. CB matchups I find interesting in Week 5.
Week 5 WR Matchups
Zay Flowers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Zay Flowers has been the Raven’s top receiver so far this year, and this week will be no different. Unfortunately, the three passing touchdowns they have scored have all been to Mark Andrews, which is not something fantasy managers like to hear. However, with the bye week, you may not have another option. The good news is they are playing the Steelers, who, as we all know, are a hot mess and giving plenty of points to opposing wide receivers.
Flowers will likely be facing Chandon Sullivan. However, Pittsburgh has been rotating a lot of corners (5) so far, and that is probably why the defense looks the way it does. If any week was going to be the one when Flowers goes off, this is it. Flowers is definitely a viable option if you are in need of filling a bye-week spot. And dare I say he finally finds the end zone against Pittsburgh.
Rashee Rice vs. Minnesota Vikings
Rashee Rice could be on your bench, just waiting for a bye week to show you he has been getting targets from Mahomes. Going against the Vikings will be another good week for him. The Vikings have allowed seven passing touchdowns, five to wide receivers, and only two to tight ends, meaning if the trend continues, Kelce will be covered well, leaving the door open for Rice.
Rice will be going against Byron Murphy, who has been picked on so far this season with 29 targets, allowing 21 completions. Murphy has given up more than 200 yards to opposing receivers with over 10 yards per catch, while Rice is averaging over 10 yards a catch. This is not going to be an easy win for the Chiefs and this should be a high-scoring game, meaning a lot of throwing, and that is good news for fantasy managers.
Gabriel Davis vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Gabe Davis is going to be a good fill-in for a player you have on a bye. The Bills offense has come to life, and Davis has been a big part of that. Week 1 was the only loss the Bills have had, and that is also the only game where Davis didn’t see the end zone. Davis is averaging 55 yards a game, and with Diggs’ stellar performance last week, the Jaguars are going to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Hopefully, it will open the door for Davis to find the end zone again.
He is facing Darious Williams, who is a very up-and-down cornerback. In two of the four weeks, he has only allowed a 20% catch rate, while in the other two weeks, he has allowed a 70% catch rate. this is where the Bills can hopefully take advantage and get Davis the ball.
Michael Pittman vs. Tennessee Titans
Michael Pittman may have left you feeling confused last week, but he has a much better matchup in Week 5. I have no doubt this will be a bounce-back week for him. He is facing Kristian Fulton, who has not seen more than four targets a game but is allowing over an 80% catch rate. Pittman is seeing over 10 targets a game except for last week. Now imagine with me how this could shape up, and you can see how this is going to be his get-right game. Although he hasn’t seen the end zone since Week 1, he can change that against Jacksonville. This could be Pittman’s biggest week, and I’m here for it.
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