We are starting see the trend of the 2018 NFL season. New rules have exploded offensive scoring. Last week was the first time in NFL history 5 or more QBs have thrown for 400 yards in a day.
We are a quarter of the way through the fantasy football season, and not only are offenses exploding, we are also seeing a rising star reaching for the top of the universe in Patrick Mahomes.
Overshadowing everyone else at the QB position so far, Mahomes has the Chiefs riding a 4-0 start and helped orchestrate a comeback in Denver on Monday Night, even having to use his left hand to get the job done.
Mahomes was a stud at Texas Tech and a delight to watch, but I would’ve never guessed this kind of start for a Texas Tech/Big 12 quarterback.
The most fascinating thing is he hasn’t thrown an interception.
Now, some of this is going to come back to earth, and that certainly may be this week (more on that later), but much like Deshaun Watson last year, Mahomes has taken the NFL and fantasy players everywhere, by storm.
Let’s just hope he can stay healthy…
A recap in Week 4. The strongest position was the running back position followed by quarterbacks, wide receivers and then tight ends. GPPs weren’t kind to me this week, but cash games made up for that loss (see Thursday).
Now let’s tackle Week 5 in this week’s GPP Index
QUARTERBACKS
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers – $6,900
Analysis: Steelers are taking on the Falcons at home in a game with a 57 total. Big Ben at home against a beat-up Falcons defense that has allowed 318, 391 and 308 passing yards the past three games. The Falcons have allowed 104 points in those three games and 284 passing yards per game.
Phillip Rivers – Los Angeles Chargers – $6,700
Analysis: Both teams defenses have been atrocious this season, and I don’t see that changing overnight for Week 5. Both defenses have allowed 30+ yards per game this season. Rivers is the second-highest priced QB in a game with a 52.5 over/under.
Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons – $6,600
Analysis: Let’s see if the Matt Ryan outside narrative works this week. He’s been lights out his past 3 games, all indoors at home.Now his price has caught up to his production. Taking on the Steelers in Pittsburgh is never easy, however Pitt is allowing an absurd 304 yards passing per game.
Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – $6,300
Analysis: Rodgers is coming off a performance that didn’t require him to do much. Now he gets a road showdown against the Lions indoors on field turf. The downside here is that Rodgers may be without Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison, which would alter the Green Bay game plan a bit. Aaron Jones also is back and he’s dynamic himself. All of these leave Rodgers as a GPP play only despite this game’s 50.5 over/under.
Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs – $6,200
Analysis: The ultimate tournament play this week. Will you play Mahomes at home against that Jacksonville defense? It will be his toughest test to date, but Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt and any slot work from Tyreek Hill and the rest of the cast of characters can beat this defense. The price is reduced thanks to the matchup, but the upside is way up there and the price has come way down.
