Week 5 FanDuel.com DFS NFL GPP and Cash Game Plays
Week 5 NFL is upon us and everyone is looking to cash in on the big money at FanDuel. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL picks for each position, and recommend them as Cash Game and/or GPP plays. And to keep up with all things PlayPicks, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Cash game options generally come with less risk and a more stable floor, while the best GPP plays can come with tons of risk and upside. Taking a chance on players with high ceilings and low floors is a good way to separate from a large tournament field.
As with any DFS sport, the advice below is relevant for fantasy purposes. A player or team might be better or worse from a fantasy perspective than they are in real life due to matchup, price, game flow, etc. This is important when constructing a roster. And if you’re looking for new ways to play DFS NFL, be sure and give BOOM Fantasy and DRAFT a try!
In DFS NFL, predicting game flow can be vital towards success. Teams that are heavily favored and come through with a comfortable win will be far more likely to lean on their running game, while two teams with poor defenses and high-powered offenses could pay off by getting into a shootout. Later in the season, especially, weather will play a key factor in NFL games, so make sure to check the forecast for each Sunday.
In general, GPP plays are high-risk, high-reward prospects that can fizzle out and leave you empty handed. That said, if you want to win the big money, you have to take big chances and sometimes that means fading a safer choice for a risky play with more upside.
Week 5 DFS NFL Quarterbacks on FanDuel
Aaron Rodgers @ DAL ($9.5k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
With Tom Brady playing on Thursday night, Rodgers stands out as both the safest play and likely the QB with the most upside on Sunday. He’s facing a Cowboys team that ranks 21st in DVOA defense and has given up the fifth-most pass plays of 20-plus yards (14) so far this season. Rodgers exploited the holes in Rod Marinelli’s Cover 2 zone for 294 passing yards in a regular season game before throwing for 355 yards and 2 TDs in a playoff win at Dallas. He’s posted a 109.8 Passer Rating while averaging 288.3 passing YPG indoors throughout his career and has blowup potential now that premier deep threat Jordy Nelson is healthy once again.
Russell Wilson @ LAR ($8.0k FanDuel) – GPP
Wilson’s been great over his last 2 starts against the uninspiring Titans and Colts defenses. The Rams talented defense has yet to get on track this year, but it’s still a bit DangeRuss (I went there) to play him in cash games against a divisional rival that held Wilson to 241.5 passing YPG and 26 rushing yards over 2 meetings last year. Yet he’s much healthier this season and may be forced to throw late into the game because the Seahawks defense is down and the Rams are surprisingly leading the NFL in PPG. Feel free to use Wilson as a GPP option if you’re hoping for rushing stats or a high number of pass attempts in a potential shootout.
Dak Prescott vs. GB ($7.7k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
He doesn’t have the same type of floor as Aaron Rodgers, but Prescott has nearly as much upside at a much more modest price tag in this potential shootout. With an Over/Under of 52.5 points, the highest on Sunday’s slate, this is clearly a game to target. The Cowboys would be wise to continue attacking the Packers through the air because Green Bay’s been much better against the run and should get difference-making NT Mike Daniels back for this game. Prescott was an efficient 18-of-27 passing for 247 yards and 3 TDs in a meeting with Dom Capers’ defense in 2016 and threw for 3 more scores in their playoff showdown, while he’s posted a fantastic 15:2 TD:INT ratio in his career at home.
Jacoby Brissett vs. SF ($7.0k FanDuel) – GPP
Assuming Andrew Luck (shoulder) isn’t ready to make his season debut in Week 5, Brissett will make for an intriguing option at home against a weak 49ers defense. At 6-foot-4, 231 pounds, Brissett has surprising agility and that makes him a threat to rush for TDs against a team that gave up a league-worst 25 scores on the ground last year. While his box score was not particularly impressive in a loss at Seattle, he displayed a lot of fight and leadership qualities in a tough environment, which at the very least will inspire his teammates to rally around him.
Best Week 5 DFS NFL Running Backs on FanDuel
Le’Veon Bell vs. JAX ($9.5k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
Finally, LVB returned to his elite status with 144 rushing yards and 2 TDs on an absurd 35 carries, as the Steelers pasted the rival Ravens in Baltimore. That came against a stout run defense and now he’ll face the Jaguars funnel defense, which ranks dead last in DVOA run defense so far this year. The Steelers entire offense is elevated at Heinz Field and Bell has a workload unmatched by any other back in the league, so clearly he’s the safest play available at his position despite his high cost.
Bilal Powell @ CLE ($6.6k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
If Matt Forte (toe) is active in Week 5, Powell’s ownership rate should plummet and he’ll become a riskier cash game play, but he can still be used in any format. The spry back broke a 75-yard TD run to spark the Jets offense early in a win over the Jaguars and shined late on his way to 163 rushing yards and 27 receiving yards as a featured back. This week the Jets have a chance to keep their surprising run going against the winless Browns, who have given up 4 rushing TDs and the fourth-most PPG (26.8) this season after getting gashed on the ground last year. Big NT Danny Shelton was unable to go last Sunday and the Bengals exploited his absence by getting Gio Bernard on the edge, so Powell could be utilized in similar fashion.
Andre Ellington @ PHI ($5.4k FanDuel) – GPP
Chris Johnson is clearly washed up and the Cardinals offense is clearly struggling with David Johnson on I.R. It took 68 minutes of playing time for the Cardinals to (technically) get into the end zone in an 18-15 win over San Francisco Sunday, yet that’s a technicality because Ellington seemed to secure a TD catch in the first half on a beautiful pass from Carson Palmer. His actual box score was very impressive with 104 YFS, 86 of which came on 9 receptions, as he drew a team-high 14 targets in the win. With big NT Bennie Logan cementing the Eagles interior run defense, the Cards would be wise to get Ellington out on the edge as a rusher and receiver on Sunday.
Eddie Lacy @ LAR ($4.6k FanDuel) – GPP
Chris Carson (leg/ankle) is likely done for the rest of the regular season and the Seahawks need a new RB for early-down and goal-line work. Lacy immediately took over for Carson with Seattle up late on Sunday night and looked reasonably decent while turning 11 carries into 52 yards. Thomas Rawls was a healthy scratch and is dealing with chronic ankle injuries, while C.J. Prosise and J.D. McKissic are change-of-pace backs who will likely see more work as receivers and on runs to the edge. When Seattle’s burgeoning offense gets into the red zone, they’ll likely feed the big boy, and Lacy’s been chomping at the bit for a chance to regain a featured role since getting shunned in Green Bay. He’ll also face a Rams team that’s giving up the fourth-most FPPG to opposing RBs and has yet to stop any opposing rushing attack.
Best Week 5 DFS NFL Wide Receivers on FanDuel
Antonio Brown vs. JAX ($8.8k FanDuel) – GPP
It wouldn’t make sense to target the top RB and WR on most teams, but the Steelers aren’t most teams. They run over 60 percent of their offense through Bell and Brown and Ben Roethlisberger would be wise to grease the squeaky wheel after AB threw a tantrum when Big Ben failed to see him for what would’ve been a sure 60-yard TD last Sunday. The Jags have a capable secondary, but nobody can truly stop the shiftiest WR in the game and Brown loves the confines of Heinz Field, where he average 15.83 yard per reception and caught 6 TDs in 7 games last year.
Jordy Nelson @ DAL ($8.6k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
The ideal pairing with Aaron Rodgers under most circumstances, Nelson draws a plum matchup this week against the Cowboys shoddy outside coverage. With Morris Claiborne gone, the Cowboys are using former Eagle Nolan Carroll at LCB and Nelson should take the youngster to school this week. Randall Cobb might match up with elite slot CB Orlando Scandrick and Davante Adams is sadly inactive after taking a scary hit. We know who A-Rod looks for in the red zone as well as on deep throws whenever possible. Jordy is a great play in all formats.
DeVante Parker vs. TEN ($6.1k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
In the words of their own HC, the Dolphins offense has been a disaster this season. Adam Gase is disgusted with how his offense has performed, but the good news for him is that the Titans defense has been equally dreadful. Tennessee is giving up the third-most PPG (31.5) and is tied with the Patriots with 11 passing TDs allowed this season. The Titans have been particular vulnerable against top WRs, getting torched by DeAndre Hopkins, Doug Baldwin and Michael Crabtree in reverse chronological order, and Jay Cutler would be wise to pepper his big wideout with targets in an effort to get the Dolphins back on track.
Tyler Lockett @ LAR ($5.6k FanDuel) – GPP
Lockett’s becoming an increasingly bigger part of the Seahawks offense since battling back from a broken leg last year as he caught 4-of-5 targets for 67 yards while playing on 73.5% of offensive snaps in Week 4. His playing time jumped to 90% in Week 3 with Seattle trailing at Tennessee, so we should see more of Lockett down the stretch if the Rams continue to put points on the board in bunches. With Rams top CB Trumaine Johnson likely to shadow Doug Baldwin, Russ Wilson will likely have to look to secondary options such as Lockett.
Best Week 5 DFS NFL Tight Ends on FanDuel
Evan Engram vs. LAC ($5.4k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
He’s been a solid cash game play through 4 weeks and the Giants promising rookie might finally find the end zone this Sunday. The Chargers have virtually no fans right now and that might demoralize them further, while their underachieving defense is already ranked 31st in DVOA pass defense against opposing TEs this season. With Odell Beckham Jr. hobbled by multiple injuries, Eli Manning might be forced to look elsewhere on the road this Sunday and the Chargers defense is clearly most vulnerable in the middle of the field.
Ben Watson @ OAK ($5.1k FanDuel) – Cash
Joe Flacco is a QB that doesn’t love taking chances down the field and can pepper his TE with targets when he feels comfortable with him. Now in the role of former target monster Dennis Pitta, Watson has caught 16 balls for 146 yards and a TD over his last 3 appearances to maintain low-end value. This week he faces a Raiders team that’s been vulnerable against TEs for several seasons and gave up a TD in each of the last 2 weeks to 33-year-old Vernon Davis and unknown A.J. Derby, so perhaps Baltimore’s veteran TE will find the end zone while continuing to serve as a safety valve for Flacco.
Best Week 5 DFS NFL D/ST on FanDuel
Lions vs. CAR ($4.7k FanDuel) – GPP
Leave it to the Patriots struggling defense to snap Cam Newton’s slump, which is something even the lowly Saints didn’t do in Week 3. Public perception will be on the Panthers side heading into a Week 5 road test at Detroit, but he’ll be hard pressed to repeat that success against a Lions team that ranks 5th in DVOA pass defense and has logged 7 interceptions while giving up just 4 passing TDs this season. Detroit’s D/ST has produced double-digit FPs in all 4 games so far and they’ll face a wildly inaccurate and hobbled QB in Newton at home this Sunday.
Bengals vs. BUF ($4.5k FanDuel) – Cash/GPP
The Bengals defense took a huge step forward with WLB Vontaze Burfict back in action in Week 4. Granted they were facing the weak Browns offense, but holding any NFL team to 215 total yards and 7 points is an impressive feat. Now they’ll return home to face a Bills team in a classic let down spot after an upset win in Atlanta. They should be all over LeSean McCoy while daring Tyrod Taylor and a weak receiving corps to beat them.
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