Week 5 Sleepers

Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater hasn't been on anybody's fantasy radar but should be this week. The Panthers started off 0-2 before beating the Chargers and Cardinals to even their record out. Bridgewater hadn't reached 20 fantasy points in any of the first three games this year but managed to score 26 against a solid Arizona defense. Coming off his best performance of the year, he will take on the Falcons in Atlanta this weekend. Atlanta has one of the worst defenses in the NFL and it doesn't seem to matter who they play, opposing QBs have great weeks against them. Available in the majority of leagues, Bridgewater has to be considered as a top 10 play with major upside.

Justin Herbert: Herbert has impressed this year as a rookie, enough to get the job over a healthy Tyrod Taylor. This comes after Head Coach Anthony Lynn said Tyrod would not lose the job if injured but Herbert has forced his hand. Last week, he passed for 290 yards, 3 TDs and an INT against one of the leagues better secondary's which would make it his best game of the season. If he can do that against Tampa Bay, he should be able to top that outing against the Saints on MNF. New Orleans will be the weakest defense he's faced all season and with an average of 20 fantasy points against above-average secondaries, he could be in line for close to 30 this week. He has a lot to prove and I think he'll rise to the occasion. He's a borderline top 10 play with matchup upside.

Kirk Cousins: Cousins has had a pretty awful start to the 2020 season posting 883 yards, 6 TDs and 6 INTs in 4 games. There has never been a time in which I thought it would be beneficial to start him until this week. The Vikings travel to Seattle where they will take on the Seahawks on SNF. Seattle this year has allowed at least 315 passing yards in all four games and although they do force turnovers, they have no pass rush especially with Jamal Adams out. Cousins will be able to sit in the pocket and have time to find his WRs. If you're looking for matchup favorable starts, Cousins is in the top 3 this week behind Bridgewater and Herbert. 

Devonta Freeman: Freeman is trying to get his career back up and running since he took over the starting RB spot after Saquon's torn ACL. Last week, against a good Rams rush defense, he carried the ball 11 times for 33 yards and caught 4 of 4 targets for 35 yards. Overall, not a horrible game considering the Giants only put up 9 points. This week, New York takes on the Cowboys who have the worst defense in the NFL and it's not even close. They gave up 49 points to the Browns and it would've been worse had the Browns actually played in the second half instead of just running out the clock. There seems to be no limit on who the Cowboys allow yards to and the Giants should be able to score over 20 points for once this year. The Browns totaled over 300 yards rushing last week with the top 3 backs averaging over 6 yards a carry. If Freeman has any of his old juice left, he has a chance to be a top 15 RB this week. Yes, it's a big risk to start him, but the matchup is so juicy he has to be considered over backs with tough matchups.

Jamison Crowder: I don't understand how Crowder is flying so low under the radar when he is averaging 7 receptions for 100+ yards over two games. Even with Flacco getting the start while Darnold nurses his shoulder, Crowder should be a flex play. He is far and away the best WR on the Jets and in a game where they will almost certainly be losing, Flacco will be throwing the ball a lot which will create plenty of opportunities for Crowder to get involved. 

Tee Higgins: Higgins seems to have emerged as the WR2 for Joe Burrow after two good weeks in a row. With AJ Green and Burrow struggling to find any type of chemistry, Higgins should be in line for WR2 work and possibly WR2 production. This week, the Bengals go up against the Ravens in an AFC North battle. Higgins will look to exploit the normally excellent secondary that isn't playing up to standard so far. He's good enough to put in as a flex play this week if you are at a loss for who to start 

Darius Slayton: Slayton went off Week 1 for 102 yards and 2 TDs but has only totaled 150 yards in his last three games. This week he of course plays Dallas, who will be allowing Daniel Jones to have his best game of the season to date. Slayton is a risky play, but he has shown that he can produce given the opportunity. He will get lots of chances in this one against a truly horrible secondary, and can easily be started at flex with even WR1 upside.

Greg Olsen: Olsen has had a very underrated start to his inaugural season with Seattle. In the game vs New England in week 2, he dropped a pass which resulted in a pick-6 on the opening drive of the game. This looked like the start of a downward spiral to end his career for the former all-pro TE. However, he has bounced back the last two games catching almost all his targets. If you take away week 2, he has 17 targets, 14 receptions, 120 yards and a TD in three games. Not the best numbers you could ask for, but for a TE on waivers, it's almost 10 points a game in PPR. Metcalf and Lockett are requiring more preparation and attention each week from opposing defenses, and it shows in targets for Olsen as they continue to climb each week. If you stream TEs, Olsen is definitely an option against a poor Vikings defense and is likely to record 5+ catches.