Week 5 Offensive Sleepers

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers, NY Jets (vs Minnesota - London)

Rodgers was not inspiring in miserable weather against an underrated Broncos defense last week, but he should be a better play in Week 5. The Vikings offense is among the best in the league and should force the Jets offense out of their shell. Rodgers played his best game of the year in Week 3 against the Patriots and he could easily continue his positive trajectory with Week 4 being the aberration, especially with Mike Williams rounding into form as a downfield ball winner after getting ramped up slowly for the first four weeks following 2023 ACL surgery.

Joe Flacco, Indianapolis (at Jacksonville) **Monitor Richardson Status**

Anthony Richardson has participated in practice this week, but will he play? Certainly, there is an incentive for the Colts to rest him to heal his hip pointer before subjecting him to more punishment, and isn’t that why they signed a veteran backup in Flacco? The offense ran well with Flacco at the helm last week, and they will need to pass more with Jonathan Taylor trending towards missing Week 5. Flacco is the better fit for the game plan anyway. If Flacco does get the start, then he is worth a look if you have to go to the waiver wire for your Week 5 starter or otherwise don’t like your options.

Bo Nix, Denver (vs Las Vegas)

Nix started to come in on Week 3 with a great opening drive and his best performance as a passer by a good margin. Like Rodgers, he was affected by the weather in New Jersey and could reunite with his upward pointing arrow in Week 5. The Raiders defense isn’t very imposing without Maxx Crosby, who will be limited even if he does play, and Nix is as likely to score as a runner as anyone else on the Broncos roster. He could surprise as a Week 5 play.

Tyler Huntley, Miami (at New England)

This one is more for Superflex/2QB leagues, as Huntley is one of the worst starting quarterback options for Week 5, but he does have some upside. The Dolphins one offensive touchdown came via Huntley’s legs last week, and the New England defense is short-handed, especially in the middle of the field, where Mike McDaniel can create problems with Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins also could have short fields all day because the Patriots offensive line is decimated. Huntley’s fantasy output will benefit from facing a defense that will likely be missing its best safety after losing its best linebacker earlier this season and trading away its best pass rusher in the preseason.

Running Back

Trey Sermon, Indianapolis (at Jacksonville)

Sermon is at least a flex play if Jonathan Taylor can’t go in Week 5. He’ll share with Tyler Goodson, who is more effective in the passing game, but Sermon could easily get to 18-20 carries against the winless Jaguars, who might return to their listless ways after they came up short in Houston and had their coach (who said this week that he hasn’t lost the locker room) seemingly blame the players (or at least a player) for the loss.

Antonio Gibson, New England (vs Miami)

Rhamondre Stevenson’s repeated fumbles finally opened the door for Gibson to get a shot to lead the backfield in Foxboro this week. Gibson has actually been the only player in the offense to create explosive plays as the offense has broken down over the last two weeks, so at least we know he can produce in the difficult conditions this offense presents.

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas (at Denver)

The Raiders have said that Mattison has earned more opportunities after he clearly outperformed Zamir White as a runner last week, and now White has been missing practice with a groin injury. Las Vegas should be able to run a balanced offense because the Broncos aren’t going to run away and hide from anyone while they are led by a rookie quarterback in a very limited offense, so Mattison should have a chance to combine the game-by-game fantasy value he has created as a runner, goal line presence, and receiver into one package in Week 5.

Justice Hill, Baltimore (at Cincinnati)

Putting a chip on Hill this week is putting a chip on Joe Burrow. The Ravens have actually led for most of the game for three straight weeks, allowing the offense to settle into a run-heavy mode. If Burrow can move the ball regularly against the Ravens' sometimes suspect pass defense, then Hill should be on the field more than Derrick Henry. Even last week, Hill led the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards, and added a receiving score, topping 20 points in PPR leagues. He had six catches in the only game the Ravens had to keep the offense extra pass heavy in Week 1 at Kansas City.

Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay (at LA Rams)

Wilson could get a lot of run in the second half if Jordan Love and the passing game pick up where they left off. Matthew Stafford is likely to take a lot of hits once again, and the crowd in Los Angeles could make this feel like a home game for Green Bay. Wilson might have a closer split to Josh Jacobs than expected when the game is close, and if the Packers pull away, the team could rest Jacobs while they nurse a big lead.

Roschon Johnson, Chicago (vs Carolina)

D'Andre Swift reasserted his hold on this backfield in Week 4, but it was Johnson who got the short yardage touchdown. If the Bears can move the ball with some effectiveness and create scoring opportunities against the Panthers, Johnson should get the call on goal to go plays, and he could also get the carries to put the game away as the more powerful presence in the backfield.

Hunter Luepke, Dallas (at Pittsburgh)

For the truly desperate in Week 5, a fullback. The Cowboys offense was at its best when Luepke was the running back in Week 4. He can produce as a receiver, even as a downfield receiver, and he has the body type and running style for goal line running. He can also slow down a Steelers pass rush, and fit better in an offense with a pass first mentality because of his versatility. Don’t be surprised if his snap and touch counts go up this week.