Week 5 Matchups
Manitoba (3-2) played an excellent game, getting production from previous trouble spots: Joe Flacco delivered the team's first decent line at QB since Tony Romo's week one, and Andre Johnson proved that rumors of his demise were hastily crafted. Theo Riddick did an excellent job spelling Adrian Peterson, while Carlos Hyde produced more than just his solid baseline. On defense there were no weak spots, with Pat Pete leading the team. Phoenix (4-1) wagered they could go down two players and got burned for it- but with JJ Watt effectively neutralized and none of the WRs making plays, it probably would not have mattered. Devonta Freeman though, wow. OPotW again.
Toronto (3-2) has not had a bad game yet, but week five was the first time they really hit on all cylinders, further perpetuating the Lead Farmers (0-5) prolonged misery. LTP has manufactured an under the radar WR group that has really produced: When Megatron has the weakest double digit line of your four flankers, you're doing something right. HCM wasn't bad! Just not good enough.
Pawnee (3-2) put together an all-time franchise best game, tops in the league this season and within ten points of the all-time record. They left the would-be OPotW Muscle Hamster on the bench- if he had played, the Pride would have surpassed the 253 record... alas. Semantics now. The Pride can celebrate PUotW Gary Barnidge, who DID get to see the field at flex, and help them squash the Cows (3-2) who simply had an off day, their defense flat (excluding a stellar effort from captain Bobby Wagner) and in the process lose their step on the pack.
New York, New York (5-0) is 16-1 in their last seventeen games, and now has won ten in a row. Some good fortune has contributed, but sound management has kept their floor high and their outcome risk averse. Their deep stable of WRs struggled in this one, but with three RB1s, they are in good shape to get through the byes and ship one off for a starter. Deputy (2-3) has been the worst team in the league outside of a bonkers week four. It's hard to see them getting on a roll, but stranger things have happened.
Savannah (2-3) snaps a three game losing streak, dropping low the McFlys (2-3) who had a really wretched weekend. Injuries have piled up for both teams: The Petes expect to get captains Andrew Luck and Luke Kuechly back in week six- if both players can play to pre season expectations the rest of the way, Savannah cannot be counted out. As for Hill Valley, losing Jamaal Charles for the season is a crushing blow to a team that has been stung by Alshon Jeffrey and Sammy Watkins being inactive most of the season.
The Islanders (3-2) bounced back after twin losses, although they didn't score much better than they had in defeat, clinching on a DPotW Chris Harris pick six. After surpassing 200 points in both of their season opening wins, the variance can be attributed to Marshawn Lynch and Big Ben Roethlisberger going down- if they hang around until both players are right, their shrewd defensive management and quality roster depth make them a dark horse candidate to go all the way. Liberal (0-5) has seemed on the verge of breakout for over a month, and then... it just doesn't happen. I expect they will hang 200+ on a few dumbfounded opponents down the stretch, but at this point their ascension might mean playing spoiler and jockeying for the top pick.
The Drivers (3-2) and the Sasquatch (2-3) were both looking to make a statement this week- two longtime cellar dwellers looking to make strides into the contention conversation. Oakwood made good on it, dropping a top four score- vaulting them into third, as the highest scoring 3-2 team: Adding Jamison Crowder and Antwon Blake both proved to be masterstrokes in week five. Flipside, Saskatoon retains a tenuous grasp on the #2 ranking in overall points, but it just has not translated into wins as they've had the roughest schedule to date: They're the only ones who have had over a thousand points against. Things don't soften up this week, as they see Phoenix in week six, the only squad to have score a thousand plus on the young season.
OPotW RB Dev Freeman, Phoenix Uprising (35.0pts)
Three weeks, three awards for the versatile workhorse, who has risen up to be the centerpiece of the Phoenix lineup. He only scored one touchdown this week, but 27 carries for 153 yards and 7 catches for 44 more yards (and twelve combined first downs) is some quality volume.
DPotQ CB Chris Harris, Revis Islanders (26.2pts)
Harris made three tackles, assisted on another, and broke up two passes. But he also picked off a pass that he took 74 yards for a game sealing pick six that brought the Islanders out of the rough water, elevating them to 3-2 on the year.
PUotW TE Gary Barnidge, Pawnee Pride (26.7)
Barnidge has actually been just about as electric as Freeman these past three weeks- except he's a 30 year old journeyman, and it is incredibly rare for an old JAG to suddenly elevate his game without any obvious superlatives. Barnidge was claimed by the Petes, but let go and rewarded the Pride for their belief in him by posting eight catches for 139 yards, six first downs, and a circus catch for a TD.
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