Week five is shaping up to be tough on DFS players from a quarterback selection standpoint. This is the first time we’ve had to deal with scheduled bye weeks. We don’t have access to Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins or Trevor Siemian. Given the dearth of options at the position, we must identify who to avoid at all costs. Let’s find out who we need to steer clear of with the quarterback edition of week five DFS don’ts.
This is a classic let down game for Cam Newton. It took the worst defense in the NFL to finally turn Newton back into the player we have come to know and love. As good as he looked against the Patriots, he won’t play near as well this Sunday.
Newton and the Panthers had success against the Patriots because they were able to gain yards in chunks. Of their nine possessions, only two included double digit plays. Now, both of those drives resulted in points. However, outside of those two drives, they averaged 5.85 plays and 50 yards per drive. That equates to a staggering 8.54 yards per play.
The Lions have been one of the leagues stingiest defenses thus far. Against the Falcons, who are a far superior offense to Carolina, averaged 6.09 plays per drive and only 6.44 yards per play. The Lions only allowed two drives that consisted of double digit plays. Meaning, teams aren’t getting big plays against the Lions. They have to move the ball methodically, and to this point, the Panthers haven’t proved they can do that. On another note, it’s been reported that Panthers’ left tackle, Ryan Kalil, injured his groin in Thursday’s practice. As of now, his status for Sunday is uncertain. As talented as Newton is, this matchup lands him on my week five DFS don’ts.
Carson Palmer will have a great chance to prove this Sunday that he is still a top 15 quarterback (Courtesy of; Baltimore Sun).
This is it for Carson Palmer. He’s had a good career, but it’s time to hang up the cleats at the conclusion of this season. I don’t think I’ve seen the erosion of a quarterback’s awareness like I’ve seen with Palmer this year. It’s as if he totally forgot everything that coaches have taught him over his career.
He has lost all sense of the pocket. Palmer can no longer feel if pressure is coming, or from where, or where to go to properly avoid it. Instead, Palmer is holding on to the ball too long and is taking way to many sacks.
It’s unfortunate to see this happen because he has one of the best matchups of the weekend against Philadelphia. This Eagles team cannot stop the pass, and with a player like Larry Fitzgerald, this should be a prime spot to play Palmer.
Sadly, we can’t even count on him to deliver the ball to Fitzgerald, as he’ll fluctuate between games of single and double digit targets. However, I’m still playing Fitzgerald in my cash games, and, I’m taking a hard look at Jaron Brown as well. I believe the receivers can still be productive, even with a below average Carson Palmer.
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