Bold Predictions For Week 5 Fantasy Football: Two Massive Performances Coming In DET-ARI

Last week’s bold predictions?

Swing and a miss.

We’re fully transparent here, but it’s okay. Week 5 offers a bounceback opportunity, and I’m honestly feeling really good about these predictions.

Let’s get after it.

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Week 5 Bold Predictions For Fantasy Football

Terry McLaurin Is A Top-10 WR

Last week’s bold predictions article was headlined by Marcus Mariota, who I firmly believe would have had a very good day if he didn’t leave with an injury.

Let me cope.

So naturally, we’re going right back to Washington, this time with Terry McLaurin. He missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury but is practicing to start the week, giving him a good chance of returning to the lineup. It would come at a good time, as quarterback Jayden Daniels is expected to start this Sunday against the Giants. As long as McLaurin suits up, I think he has top-10 potential in this favorable matchup.

For starters, the Giants are coughing up 101.5 yards per game to opposing WR1s, good for the fourth-most in the NFL. They are deploying man coverage at one of the highest rates in football, particularly calling Cover-1 over 30% of the time. We could see Daniels and McLaurin connect on a few deep passes in this one, especially since this is an advantageous schematic matchup. Last season, McLaurin averaged a healthy 2.42 yards per route run against single-high defenses, a top-15 mark in the league. McLaurin should have an opportunity to create explosive plays down the field, but we’ve also seen new OC David Blough use him a bit differently this season. His 25% crossing route rate is by far the highest of his career, a notable change considering they tend to be some of the most fantasy-friendly routes for receivers.

I like McLaurin quite a lot this week. And if Stefon Diggs, who missed Wednesday's practice with a hamstring, can’t play, McLaurin becomes even more appealing.

Jacoby Brissett Finishes As A Top-Five QB

Because the quarterback position has been filled with injuries and disappointments this season, I made it my mission to add Brissett in almost every league possible this week. Why?

The Detroit Lions defense. That’s why.

After a three-interception game in Week 4, Brissett gets to host the Lions this week, presenting a massive get-right spot. This is by far the worst pass defense in the NFL, as Detroit is coughing up a league-worst 28.3 fantasy points per game to opposing signal callers. The Lions are also allowing the fourth-highest EPA per dropback (0.267) and second-worst EPA per play (0.156). This game should feature plenty of points and plenty of pass attempts, especially for Brissett, as Detroit opponents are averaging 41.3 passes per game (2nd-most). A league-high 40.5% of drives against the Lions have resulted in touchdowns. It wouldn't shock me to see Brissett toss four touchdowns in this game, especially if Arizona is chasing points. Jeremiyah Love is dealing with some injury stuff, and this is already a Cardinals offense that is sporting the fifth-highest dropback rate from inside the 10-yard line (64%).

Jameson Williams Posts 130 Yards … And 2 TDs

This Arizona and Detroit game has an implied total of 54.5 points, so let’s continue to target it, shall we?

We still haven’t had that week-deciding game from Williams yet, but he did eclipse 50 yards for the first time last week, reaching the century mark in the process. Williams saw a healthy eight targets against Carolina, though the overall target share isn’t impressive when you consider Jared Goff attempted 52 passes. Despite how boom/bust Williams can be, unless your roster is loaded, you really can’t ever bench him because you’re risking missing out on that massive spike week.

It’s coming on Sunday.

Arizona’s pass defense is absolutely one to attack. The Cardinals are coughing up the fourth-most fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts, but here’s what makes this spot even more exciting for Williams. Arizona is allowing a 20.3% explosive passing play rate, the highest mark in football. Only the Browns are allowing more air yards per target than the Cardinals (10.5). Arizona is deploying Cover-6 at one of the highest rates in football, which can create opportunities for Williams. Play-action concepts can put Cover-6 defenses in a bind because the strong safety has to show in run support. The Lions rank top-five in play-action rate (32%), while Williams has accounted for a team-high 29% of Detroit’s play-action looks. He’s also seen the most targets against Cover-6 so far this season (6).

Sure, calling for a player to have 130 yards and a pair of touchdowns is a bit wild. But these are bold predictions, after all. And in this instance, I can honestly see Williams flirting with this stat line.