Fantasy Football: Arian Foster, Calvin Johnson Among Week 5 Studs, Duds

Surprise, surprise. Another week in the NFL, another up-and-down day on the fantasy football front.

While Peyton Manning and Demaryius Thomas were busy breaking records in Denver, Calvin Johnson continued to disappoint by recording just one catch before leaving the game with an injury.

It was that kind of week for fantasy owners, as a few pleasant surprises put up monster numbers, while several big names failed to live up to their expected potential. Week 5 also gave us some insight on players to keep an eye on, as lesser-heralded players like Branden Oliver produced performances that can’t be ignored.

Let’s get right to it.

STUDS
Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Denver Broncos: It was a record day in Denver, as Manning became just the second QB in NFL history to reach 500 career touchdown passes. He finished the day with 479 passing yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Absurd.

Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Broncos: Manning would’ve been the highest-scoring player in fantasy this week if he didn’t throw to Thomas so much. After a disappointing start to the season, Demaryius absolutely went off Sunday, compiling two touchdowns and 226 yards to break Denver’s single-game record for receiving yards and lead all fantasy players in Week 5.

Arian Foster, Running Back, Houston Texans: If you rolled with Foster despite his questionable injury status, you were rewarded in a huge way. Foster broke out for 157 rushing yards and two touchdowns to put any questions about his bum hamstring to rest. This was a statement game for the Texans’ running back.

Branden Oliver, Running Back, San Diego Chargers: Chargers fans, meet your new starting running back. Oliver definitively ousted Donald Brown as the team’s leading rusher with a breakout performance, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and adding a receiving touchdown for good measure. Get this guy on your fantasy radar.

Philadelphia Eagles defense: The Eagles’ D was a juggernaut for the second straight week, adding a blocked punt for a touchdown and a fumble recovery for a touchdown to put up 23 points in standard leagues. Philadelphia’s defense now has put up double-digit points in three of five weeks this season.

DUDS
Calvin Johnson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions: Fewer than two. That’s how many points Johnson has put up in his last two games combined. Megatron proved he was human for a second straight week, exiting the game with an ankle injury after catching just one pass for seven yards. Detroit doesn’t have a bye week until Week 9, but Calvin could use one now.

Jimmy Graham, Tight End, New Orleans Saints: Another big name whose output was dampened by an injury Sunday. Graham managed two catches for 36 yards before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. Unlike Johnson’s Lions, the Saints have a bye week coming up, so hopefully Graham can use the extra time to rest up and get healthy.

C.J. Spiller, Running Back, Buffalo Bills: Spiller can be either really good or really bad. He was really bad Sunday, compiling a grand total of eight rushing touchdowns and getting benched for the majority of the third quarter in favor of Fred Jackson. Spiller is one of the most frustrating fantasy players out there.

Doug Martin, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Time for the points to roll in now that Martin’s finally healthy, right? Not so fast. The oft-injured running back had just 45 rushing yards on 14 carries, and backup Bobby Rainey added the team’s lone rushing touchdown. Martin owners had better hope that’s not a trend that continues.

Everyone on the New York Jets: The Jets’ offense was absolutely atrocious Sunday, mustering just 151 total yards in a 31-0 loss to the San Diego Chargers. As you might expect, Chris Johnson and Chris Ivory were completely bottled up, and the Jets’ leading receiver, Jeremy Kerley, had 24 yards. Yikes.

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