It was the revenge of the RBs in Week 5 as some ugly weather led to a lower scoring week around the NFL and a few less huge passing games than we've gotten used to. A few top picks finally broke through, and the Jets, Lions, Bills, and Browns all won on the same day for the first time in approximately never. Let's take a look at this week's studs and duds.
Quarterbacks
Studs
Week 5 was the first without a truly monster QB performance, though there were plenty of good games to go around. The top QB performance came Thursday night from Tom Brady, who had 341 yards and 4 TDs, one of them on the ground. Three other quarterbacks went over 350 yards with 3 TDs Aaron Rodgers, Andrew Luck, and C.J. Beathard. One of these names is not like the others.
Duds
Patrick Mahomes was a relative dud this week with 2 interceptions and 0 passing TDs, though he did run one in and go over 300 yards against the mighty Jaguars defense. Matt Ryan also disappointed with just one TD against the Steelers before sitting the 4th quarter of a blowout for Matt Schaub, who is apparently still in the league.
Running Backs
Studs
Another monster game from #1 fantasy pick Todd Gurley, who added 3 TDs to 113 combined yards. James Conner and Saquon Barkley also starred, each scoring 2 TDs with over 125 combined yards. David Johnson finally had a multi-TD game too. The big surprise stud of the day was Isaiah Crowell, who ripped off a Jets-record 219 rushing yards including a long 77-yard TD. Kenyan Drake, Sony Michel, and Joe Mixon each had 100 yards and a score as well.
Duds
A pair of Freemans lead the duds this week. Devonta Freeman disappointed in his return from injury with just 41 yards on 10 touches, while Royce Freeman had only 5 carries for 31 yards and wasn't involved as Denver fell behind early. Marshawn Lynch saw only 9 carries for 31 yards and no Skittles scores.
Wide Receivers
Studs
Odell Beckham Jr. finally found the endzone for the first time this season on a touchdown pass! He added his first receiving TD too and finished with 188 combined yards. Fellow first round fantasy pick Antonio Brown finally showed up with a huge game too, scoring a pair of TDs and going over a hundred yards. The day's other WR hero was Robby Anderson, who turned his 3 catches into 123 yards and 2 TDs for owners fortunate enough to have him in their lineups.
Duds
The box score says Brandin Cooks didn't have even have a target, but he had a big first down catch before taking a brutal hit that led to a concussion, a lost fumble, and the Rams accepting a penalty instead but that explains Cooks' goose egg. Amari Cooper has no explanation. He had just 1 target for 10 yards, and Doug Baldwin's 1 target went for only 1 yard. Larry Fitzgerald disappointed again and seems to have fallen behind Christian Kirk in the pecking order. Father Time may finally be calling.
Tight Ends
Studs
Eric Ebron was the week's big stud with a monster Thursday night game, 9 catches for 105 yards and 2 TDs. Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz also hit 100 yards on the week, and Ertz found the endzone as well.
Duds
I'm honestly not sure any tight ends were particularly disappointing this week, so let's give them a week off. Tight ends are people too. #AllTightEndsMatter
