2025 Plays & Fades for Week 5
Welcome to Plays & Fades for Week 5!
We’ve reached the end of the first quarter of the fantasy football season, which makes now the perfect time for some self-evaluation. Are you staying patient with early picks who are underperforming, or looking to sell high on players who might be overperforming? As always, keep an eye on the waiver wire and do not overlook who your league mates are dropping. Let’s stack some wins in Week 5 as I’m back with another round of Plays and Fades!
*** Stats courtesy of the good folks over at PFF, Fantasy Points Data Suite, FantasyData.com, and FTN Fantasy***
Quarterbacks
Play: Kyler Murray Vs Tennessee Titans
• It’s always a roller coaster with Kyler Murray at quarterback, and Thursday night against the Seahawks was no different as he tossed two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 41 rushing yards on the ground.
• Getting the Titans with extra time to prepare should bode well for Murray and the Cardinals’ offense. The Titans have been atrocious against quarterbacks all season, and C.J. Stroud just had his best fantasy game against them with 233 yards and two touchdowns.
• Murray’s rushing ability always provides a solid floor, giving him top-five upside at the position this week.
Play: Jared Goff @ Cincinnati Bengals
• This is a big bounce-back spot for Jared Goff after he put up a season-low 168 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against the Browns. The Bengals allow the third-most passing yards per game.
• He still ranks top 10 in passing attempts, yards, touchdowns, yards per attempt, and QB rating.
• Fire up Jared Goff as a back-end QB1 with the upside to crack the top five this week.
Play: Dak Prescott @ New York Jets
• Just because the Cowboys will be without CeeDee Lamb for the next several games doesn’t mean he should be benched. He showed that last week against the Packers, finishing as the QB1.
• Dak leads all quarterbacks in passing attempts, total yards, and yards per game at 279.8.
• He’ll keep slinging it against the Jets, and you can roll him out as a low-end QB1.
Fade: Bo Nix @ Philadelphia Eagles
• Bo Nix is coming off a strong Monday Night Football showing against the Bengals, throwing for 326 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception to finish as the QB5 for the week.
• Now he faces the Eagles on the road, which is no easy task against one of the league’s toughest pass defenses. Nix already struggled on the road against the Chargers earlier this year, so expectations should be tempered for his trip to Philly.
• Nix’s numbers haven’t been overly impressive. He’s averaging just 6.2 yards per attempt, ranks middle of the pack in deep passing, and is putting up only 225 passing yards per game. Expectations should be tempered in this matchup with the Eagles.
Fade: Jaxson Dart @ New Orleans Saints
• I’m seeing people wanting to stream Jaxson Dart after he made his first NFL start last week, where he finished QB11 in fantasy. I can’t get on board with that.
• He took care of the football with no turnovers but only threw for 111 yards, adding 54 yards on the ground with two total touchdowns. I understand the matchup is favorable, but with Malik Nabers out for the season, I’m just not thrilled about his options in the passing game.
• I think there are better options to stream this week, like Tua Tagovailoa, Sam Darnold, or Bryce Young.
Fade: Daniel Jones Vs Las Vegas Raiders
• I’m doubling down on fading Daniel Jones after last week, when he finished QB23 with 262 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He really struggled against a top-tier defense like the Rams.
• The Raiders are a sneaky good defense. They’re giving up an average of 237 passing yards per game but have only allowed five touchdown passes through four games.
• The Colts’ offensive line isn’t terrible, but it’s not great either. PFF grades them 15th in pass blocking, but where they really struggle is giving Jones enough time to throw. They rank seventh-worst among qualifiers in average time to throw.
Running Backs
Play: Cam Skattebo @ New Orleans Saints
• Wow, Skattebo handled a heavy workload last week with 25 carries for 79 yards. It was a tough day on the ground as he struggled to find running room against the stingy Chargers’ defense.
• This matchup with the Saints is far less intimidating. They allowed James Cook to rush for over 100 yards against them, and even Trey Benson averaged more than 8 yards per carry in Week 1.
• Over the last two games, Cam Skattebo ranks third among all RBs in missed tackles forced.
Play: Woody Marks @ Baltimore Ravens
• I’ve seen all I need from this young rookie, and I think this is a great spot to start him in the flex this week in Baltimore. Woody Marks burst onto the scene with 17 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee, and he added four catches for 50 yards and another score in the passing game.
• Woody’s snap share has steadily increased each week: 12.3% in Week 1, 28.3% in Week 2, 49.2% in Week 3, and 58.5% in Week 4.
• He has more explosive yards than Nick Chubb through four games and is quickly taking over the lead role.
Play: Rachaad White @ Seattle Seahawks
• As of this writing, Bucky Irving is in a walking boot and on crutches with a left foot/ankle injury. He’s trending toward being out this week, which makes former starter Rachaad White the starter.
• White has been more effective than Bucky on fewer touches, averaging 4.7 yards per carry while handling all of the carries inside the five-yard line. Sean Tucker, the RB3, should mix in, but White is expected to handle the early-down work.
• Seattle’s run defense isn’t a soft matchup, allowing just 89.8 rushing yards per game, so efficiency will be tough to find. Rachaad White profiles more as a volume-based RB2.
Fade: Kenneth Walker III Vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• I can’t seem to figure Walker out. One carry, he shows off a quick burst for a nice gain, and the next, he stumbles into a loss of yards. He ended last week with 19 carries for 81 yards and added one reception for 29 yards.
• This is a nightmare matchup for Walker against the Buccaneers, who just held Saquon Barkley to 43 yards on 2.3 yards per carry. On top of that, the backfield situation is murky, with Zach Charbonnet actually leading in snap share at 52.2% compared to Walker’s 44.4%.
• It’s even worse for Walker inside the ten-yard line, where Charbonnet dominates the touches with seven carries to Walker’s three. Bench Walker at home against the Bucs.
Fade: TreVeyon Henderson @ Buffalo Bills
• We were all wondering if Henderson would see more involvement after Rhamondre’s fumbling issues. He did, however, Antonio Gibson was also featured, further muddying this backfield.
• It was a downright committee last week against Carolina, with Stevenson getting nine carries, Henderson seven, and Gibson six. It’s a bit of a red flag since the Patriots dominated the game from start to finish, yet he didn’t see more garbage-time usage.
• The rookie has yet to break a 15-yard carry, falling just short with a 14-yard run in Week 1.
Fade: Jordan Mason @ Cleveland Browns (London, England)
• It was a rough game for Jordan Mason on the ground, where he took 16 carries for 57 yards without a score against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland.
• The Vikings will remain overseas this week, taking a quick flight from Dublin to London for their matchup against the Browns. I’m hesitant to start Mason as an RB2 given the travel and the Browns’ run defense, which is allowing just over 70 yards per game.
• In an extremely small sample size, rookie Zavier Scott saw a lot in the passing game, running more routes and seeing a higher target share against the Steelers (22 routes, 15.2% target share). Something to monitor.
Wide Receivers
Play: Deebo Samuel Sr @ Los Angeles Chargers
• Another solid outing for Deebo, who had six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. He continues to prove his doubters wrong this season with three total scores.
• He is leading the team in targets, yards, and receptions. He’s no longer involved in deep-ball passes, but he’s thriving on shorter, intermediate routes and excelling in yards after the catch.
• Deebo Samuel ranks sixth among all qualifying wide receivers in fantasy points per route run. He’s in a strong spot this week against the Chargers, where plenty of points could be scored on both sides.
Play: Quentin Johnston & Keenan Allen Vs Washington Commanders
• That’s right, it’s a two-for-one special. I couldn’t pick just one of these wide receivers because both are producing at a high level in this offense.
• Through four games, Johnston holds a 25% target share and an even higher air-yard share at 38%. On the other side, Keenan Allen has a 24% target share and dominates the end-zone looks with five targets.
• They both hold solid WR2 starts in a plus matchup at home against the Commanders.
Play: DeVonta Smith Vs Denver Broncos
• DeVonta Smith draws a juicy matchup against a Broncos secondary that plays man coverage at the second-highest rate in the league (43.5%). He ranks sixth among qualifying WRs in win rate vs. man (37.5%). Smith also averages 2.5 yards per route run against man coverage, giving him plenty of chances to attack downfield.
• Smith currently leads the team in receptions and yards while ranking second in both air yards and targets. He’s set up for a big fantasy day against the Broncos, so that you can start him as a confident WR2.
Fade: Michael Pittman Jr Vs Las Vegas Raiders
• Although Pittman Jr. scored against the Rams last week, he was third on the team in yards with just 41. I expect the Colts to lead for most of this game, which should result in a heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor.
• The Raiders of late have been effective at limiting quarterbacks in the passing game. They held Justin Herbert to just under 250 passing yards, and both Marcus Mariota and Caleb Williams to just over 200 yards.
Fade: Brian Thomas Jr Vs Kansas City Chiefs
• We faded him last week, and he finished just inside WR3 territory with five catches for 49 yards. I wanted to run it back on fading him this week because he’s still being ranked as a WR2.
• I can see the thought process in wanting to start BTJ against the Chiefs, since they’ll likely need to throw a lot. The problem, according to PFF, is that Kansas City ranks No. 1 in coverage and has allowed only three passing touchdowns all season.
• Although he leads the team in targets and ranks second in first downs, he’s just third in receptions and fifth in yards per route run (1.29). He’s involved enough in the offense, but this matchup isn’t ideal.
Fade: AJ Brown Vs Denver Broncos
• The Eagles have shown they want to run the football, with Saquon Barkley tied for second in the league in carries. Jalen Hurts adds to that identity as the league leader among quarterbacks in rushing attempts.
• Although he leads the team in air yards and targets, he’s tied with Saquon Barkley for second in receptions, ranks third in receiving yards per game (37.8), and sits fourth in yards per route run (1.3). That’s not the profile of a reliable WR2.
• Brown draws a tough matchup against last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II, who typically shadows opposing WR1s. According to PFF, Surtain has allowed only 11 catches for 122 yards and no touchdowns through four games. This is a week to sit Brown — and it might be the perfect time to sell high while you still can.
Tight Ends
Play: Brenton Strange Vs Kansas City Chiefs
• He might be the quietest TE producing without a touchdown this season. Strange ranks top 10 among all tight ends in targets, receptions, and yards.
• Through the first four games, he’s logged at least four catches and 45 yards in three of them. He’s averaging 45.5 yards per game, which is more than Dalton Kincaid, Sam LaPorta, and Zach Ertz. He just hasn’t found the end zone yet, so stay patient.
Play: Dalton Schultz @ Baltimore Ravens
• This is my favorite stream of the week at TE. The Ravens are very generous to TEs, who have allowed the fourth most receiving yards to the position and seventh most fantasy points.
• Schultz is top 12 in total targets, receptions, and air yards. The only thing he’s missing is touchdowns, which will come. Start Dalton Schultz this week against the Ravens.
Play: Travis Kelce @ Jacksonville Jaguars
• No, he’s not 25-year-old Travis Kelce, but he’s still hanging around in the top 12 at the position in several categories, such as targets, receptions, yards, and first-read percentage.
• He’s showing he still has it when he has the football in his hands, ranking top 5 in yards after catch. Don’t bet against #87 in prime time on Monday Night Football.
Fade: Dallas Goedert Vs Denver Broncos
• I’ll give Goedert his flowers for last week’s game against Tampa Bay. He scored two touchdowns, something he hasn’t done since 2021.
• When I look at tight ends, I ideally want one with a path to finishing second on the team in targets. Goedert currently sits fourth in targets, fourth in receptions, and third in yards.
• He’s highly touchdown-dependent, and that’s not something I want to rely on. Fade him against the Broncos.
Fade: Mark Andrews Vs Houston Texans
• Andrews hauled in seven catches last week, but they went for just 30 yards. With Isaiah Likely back and running nearly half the team’s routes, including 15 from the slot compared to Andrews’ 16, his role is shrinking.
• The issue is volume. Andrews now looks touchdown-dependent, and that is not something I want to rely on.
• Add in Lamar Jackson’s hamstring concerns and Cooper Rush under center, and I’m out. Andrews is a fade for me this week.
Fade: TJ Hockenson @ Cleveland Browns (London, England)
• Ok, I admit it, I’m fading everyone in this game not named Justin Jefferson. History shows that international games are usually low scoring, even though last week’s Vikings-Steelers game was an exception with an above-average point total.
• The Browns and Vikings are two of the league’s best defenses, with Vegas reflecting that by setting the total at just 36.5.
• With TJ Hockenson arguably the third option in the passing game now that Jordan Addison has returned from suspension, I want no part of this game. I’m not even thrilled about Justin Jefferson. Bench Hock.ch of that came from one explosive game last week, where he had eight catches, 90 yards, and two touchdowns.
D/ST
Play: Arizona Cardinals Vs Tennessee Titans
• Next up for the lowly Titans are the Arizona Cardinals, so giddy up!
• Cam Ward leads the league in sacks taken and hasn’t thrown for more than 220 yards in a game. The Cardinals may allow some yards, but this defense will have plenty of opportunities to rack up sacks and takeaways in this matchup.
Play: Indianapolis Colts Vs Las Vegas Raiders
• The only player in the Raiders’ passing game who strikes any fear is Brock Bowers, and even he hasn’t looked the same since his knee injury.
• Geno Smith was handing out turnovers like Halloween candy last week against the Bears. He did throw two touchdowns, but with three interceptions and only 117 passing yards, he may find himself on a short leash this week in Indy.
• The Colts can get after the quarterback and force turnovers, already racking up 10 sacks and four interceptions on the season. They’re in a good spot here.
Play: New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints
• Spencer Rattler hasn’t been as bad as I thought he would be. I mean, he’s at least protecting the football.
• I love the opportunity this Giants front line has against the Saints’ offensive line. PFF grades the Giants as a top-five pass-rushing unit, while the Saints sit just 21st in pass blocking.
• Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Sexy Dexy Lawrence, and Abdul Carter. Rattler is going to need an ice bath after this one. Fire up the G-Men.
Fade: Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
• Yeah, the Texans’ defense was a strong play for us last week, but you need to be careful if you’re thinking about streaming them against Cooper Rush.
• I could see the Texans getting to Rush in the backfield and collecting a few sacks. The problem is, I don’t expect him to drop back very often when they can hand the ball to Derrick Henry 30 times or more.
Fade: Denver Broncos @ Philadelphia Eagles
• How confident are you really in starting the Broncos D on the road into the city of Brotherly Love?
• For one, Jalen Hurts doesn’t throw enough to give your defense a real chance at turnovers. He ranks near the bottom among all quarterbacks in pass attempts this season.
• The Eagles want to run the football, and as long as they aren’t trailing, that’s exactly what they will do. I don’t see them falling behind in this one, so expect a steady dose of Saquon Barkley and designed runs for Jalen Hurts.
Fade: Buffalo Bills Vs New England Patriots
• I’m just going to say it. Everyone thought the Bills’ defense was in a smash spot last week against the Saints, but they finished 14th in fantasy.
• Drake Maye is playing lights out right now, ranking QB4 in fantasy scoring on the season. The Bills allow the 10th most points to quarterbacks, so I would not consider this defense a must-start.
• There are better options than the Bills, who face arguably the hottest quarterback in fantasy right now, with three straight top-10 finishes at the position. shootouts, allowing 40 points to the Bills and 38 to the Lions. Can’t trust them.
