Friday, October 6, 2023

FSH NOTEBOOK: FRIDAY'S FANTASY FIXX

October 6th, 2023
David’s Daily 
Friday Evening Edition





Friday’s Fantasy Fixx


(Week 5: Best Matchups/Plays)

With the start of Week 5 on Thursday night, the 2023 season is moving right along as we enter the “Bye Weeks.” With some players not being available due to their bye, it will be key for owners to stay on top of current trends and matchups.

Some of the notable matchups in play this week will include the Eagles traveling to Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles to face the Rams in what could be a shootout. The Texans quarterback CJ Stroud will take his hot hand on the road this week to Atlanta. And in London the Jaguars will look to defend their overseas territory against Josh Allen and the streaking Bills.

It’s just another fun week in the world of fantasy football with several games offering some key matchups that should benefit fantasy owners in week 5.

Here are the plays I like this weekend.

QB-Anthony Richardson (Colts)
- Time to jump on this bandwagon here. Richardson has been fantastic in this early season, currently the fantasy QB2, and now he could be getting back possibly the team’s best weapon (besides himself) in running back Jonathan Taylor. Richardson is poised for a big day against the Titans.


RB-Dameon Pierce (Texans)
- After their demolishing of the Steelers in week 4, the Texans offense appears to be firing on all cylinders. Pierce ran hard in week 4, accumulating 24 carries for the afternoon. With the passing game starting to blossom, Pierce should find some open running lanes in Week 5 against the Falcons.


RB-De’Von Achane (Dolphins)
- You’ve gotta roll the dice with the hot hand here. Achane has been explosive averaging over 10 yards a tilt on the ground over the past two games. Even if Mostert starts the game, there’s no keeping this kid off the field. The Giants are in town (ranked 29th versus the run) and a chance for Achane to keep rolling along.


WR-DeVonta Smith (Eagles)
- The Eagles wide receiver has kind of been the quiet man in recent weeks with his fellow teammate AJ Brown dominating. Smith’s numbers have been overshadowed a bit by the great play of Brown, but he’s still the fantasy WR15 entering week 5. The over/under in this week’s matchup is hovering around 50-points and I like the over. I think Smith is due for a big game and this week is as good as any.

WR-Calvin Ridley (Jaguars)
- This is purely a gut call here. Ridley has been just off the past couple of weeks, but the good news, he’s not forgotten. Ridley started the season with the hot hand, 19 targets in his first two games, but it’s been quite the opposite since with just 9 targets in his last two. There’s too much talent here to stay quiet. It’s a tough matchup against the Bills in London, but Ridley and the Jaguars will be well rested.

TE-Tyler Higbee (Rams)
- Over the past two weeks the Rams tight end has been consistent averaging 5 catches for 67.5 yards receiving, good enough for the fantasy TE6 slot. With the Eagles coming to town, Higbee will have the opportunity to continue his steady play against a defense that allows the 4th most fantasy points to opposing tight ends.


FLX-Breece Hall (Jets)
- It’s hard to imagine Head Coach Robert Saleh not featuring running back Breece Hall this week on the road against the Broncos defense. The Jets HC announced Hall would not be on a pitch count any longer and this week they got the Broncos, one of the worst defenses in the league. If there ever was a time to unleash the second year running back, that time is now.

These players may already be locked into your lineup and they may not, but if they are sitting on your bench and you are facing a start’em dilemma consider these plays for Week 5. I guarantee nothing and offer even less, these are just my best guesses about their respective week 5 matchups and outcomes for this weekend. 

Strong plays to consider for DFS as well.

That's my take!
~David G. Ortega


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