After Week 4:
Bryce Young leads the league with 1268 passing yards, while Tyler Shough has attempted the most passes (180). Michael Penix Jr. has the highest completion percentage (73.3 percent), while Kirk Cousins and Brock Purdy have thrown the most touchdowns (11). Drake Maye has thrown the most interceptions (7), while Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers have taken the most sacks (13). C.J. Stroud has completed the most passes over 20 yards (19), while Patrick Mahomes leads the league with passes over 40 yards (6). Finally, Drew Lock and Purdy have the longest completion at 82 yards.
Here are my favorite QB/WR stacks for Week 5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL $2.75M Fantasy Football Millionaire [$1M to 1st].
5. C.J. Stroud ($5,900) & Nico Collins ($7,500), Texans at Titans
The Texans were built to run the ball and play defense, but the defense has been very poor to start the season. As a result, Houston ranks fifth in pass rate heading into Week 5. DeMeco Ryans said that he will take over the defensive calling in this one, which should improve the unit, especially against a weak Titans team. As a result, Stroud may not get much volume. The efficiency could be there, though.
Tennessee ranks 26th in pressure rate and 25th in expected points. The unit has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 73.2 percent of their passes while allowing a quarterback rating of 100.4.
Nico Collins missed two games due to injury, but he’s caught 14 of his 18 targets for 193 yards and three touchdowns. He recorded 21.2 FPTS in Week 1 and finished with 33.8 in Week 4.
Houston is desperate for its first win of the season, so it’s sweep-the-leg time on offense.
4. Aaron Rodgers ($5,300) & DK Metcalf ($5,400), Steelers vs. Colts
Pittsburgh is third in pass rate with Rodgers under center. The veteran is slinging the ball all over the field and has attempted at least 34 passes in every contest, including two 40-attempt performances. Over the last two weeks, he’s put up 23.7 and 24 FPTS. Metcalf has garnered at least nine targets in three of four contests, but last week was his first productive game — hauling in five catches for 115 yards.
The duo should feast against a Colts defense that is 30th in pressure rate and blitzes at the third-lowest rate. Indianapolis has recorded only one interception and ranks 24th in yards per attempt (7.9) and 26th in completion rate (61 percent).
3. Joe Burrow ($6,900) & Dohnte Meyers ($3,500), Bengals at Dolphins
I’m assuming that Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will not play in this one due to injury. If either suits up, then I’d slot them in. But Meyers filled in admirably last week, catching seven of nine targets for 82 yards and 15.2 FPTS.
Miami ranks 25th in pressure rate and has recorded only four sacks. The Dolphins have allowed the third-highest passer rating (110.9) and the NFL’s worst completion rate (77.9 percent).
Playing in Miami right now can be challenging for some, so it’s within the range of outcomes that the Bengals struggle in the heat and humidity. Also, playing without Chase and Higgins could make life difficult for Burrow. That said, I lean toward backing Burrow’s greatness against a porous defense.
2. Jared Goff ($6,600) & Amon-Ra St. Brown ($7,900), Lions at Cardinals
This game has the highest total on the slate at 54.5 points. Detroit opened at an implied 27.25 points, but that number has since increased to 29.75. The Lions secondary has been picked on all season, and I don’t see that ceasing this week. As a result, the offense will have to remain aggressive and put up points. Detroit is seventh in pass rate through four weeks.
Goff has gone 109-for-161 for 1,214 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions. St. Brown is tied for second in the NFL with 46 targets, hauling in 31 for 303 yards and five touchdowns.
Arizona is 22nd in pressure rate while blitzing at the sixth-lowest rate. The Cardinals have allowed an NFL-high 11 passing touchdowns and 13.6 yards per completion.
1. Jacoby Brissett ($5,500) & Michael Wilson ($6,200), Cardinals vs. Lions
Arizona was implied for 22.25 points when the lines first released, but that number has increased to 24.75. Detroit is likely to put up points against the Cardinals defense, which is highly susceptible, especially through the air. Brissett has gone 103-for-152 for 818 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions through four games. Wilson only trails Trey McBride for the team’s target lead by two. However, Wilson has garnered a whopping 30 targets in the last two games.
Detroit has gotten pressure on the quarterback, racking up the second-most sacks in the NFL early on (15). But when the Lions haven’t gotten home and sacked the opposing quarterback, bad things — and I mean baaaaad things — have happened. Detroit has allowed the league’s fourth-highest completion rate (69.7 percent) and quarterback rating (110.4), while surrendering an NFL-high 11 passing touchdowns.
