Streaming Plays Week 5 2016

By Armando Marsal

Between bye weeks and injuries, fantasy owners have to find players to step in for their starters each week. Sometimes it is a player on your bench and other times you just have to pick up a player off of waivers and plug him in your lineup. That will be determined by the league you are in as well as the players you have on your bench. That being said, let’s take a look at some players that you can plug in your lineups this week if you are in need.

Quarterback
Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos
Trevor Siemian has not been officially ruled out, but reports suggest that he will likely not play due to a shoulder injury. Lynch stepped in for Siemian in Week 4 and threw for 170 yards and a touchdown. This week the Broncos host the Falcons who are giving up 323.25 passing yards per game and have given up the most passing touchdowns (13). There are enough weapons on this offense and the matchup is good enough to plug in the rookie Lynch and feel ok about it. If he gets the start and you are in need of a quarterback, you could do worse than Lynch.

Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears
Hoyer has started in place of Jay Cutler (thumb) in the last two games and gave the team their first win last week. Hoyer has thrown for 619 yards and four touchdowns in his two starts. This week they face the Colts who have given up 1,139 passing yards and five touchdowns to quarterbacks. This game has a high projected total (48) and the Bears are projected to score a smidge over three touchdowns. Hoyer could be forced to pass as they are expected to be chasing points in this game. He is a very strong streaming play this week for owners dealing with injuries and/or bye weeks.

Running Back
DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders
Latavius Murray was ruled out for Week 5. DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard are expected to carry the load this weekend, but Washington is the safer play. He was a high praised rookie and was expected to have an immediate impact on Murray. This will be Washington’s time to shine in a favorable matchup. The Chargers are allowing 139.75 total yards per game to running backs and have yielded eight touchdowns. This game has the highest implied total of the week and the Raiders are expected to score approximately four touchdowns. The rookie can be considered an RB2 in this contest.

Terrance West, Baltimore Ravens
West got the start ahead of Justin Forsett last game and produced a quality outing, the outcome, they released Forsett. West rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against the Raiders and once again he is expected to get the start this week in a plus matchup. Opposing running backs are averaging 133 rushing yards and 45.8 receiving yards per game against the Redskins. They have also scored seven touchdowns. Kenneth Dixon is expected to make his debut in Week 5, but initial reports are that it is believed the Ravens will ease him in so I do not see him taking too many touches away from West in this contest. If you are in need for a running back this week, West is a good option.

Wide Receiver
Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills
Woods has received 18 targets in the last two games and has been operating as the Bills No. 1 receiver with Sammy Watkins sidelined. He has caught at least six passes in each of the last two games and has topped 50 receiving yards. He has also played more than 60 offensive snaps in each of those games. He clearly is receiving the opportunity and volume. This week he faces the Rams who have allowed over 270 receiving yards and one touchdown in each of the last two games. In PPR formats, Woods has scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back games and offers a reasonable floor. He can be plugged in as a WR3/flex play.

Sammie Coates, Pittsburgh Steelers
Coates is averaging 70.5 receiving yards and 3.3 receptions per game, and is second amongst the Steelers receivers with 20 targets. We saw a glimpse of his big play ability in Week 2 when he caught two passes for 97 yards, one for 53 yards and the other for 44 yards. What we have yet to see from him is breaking one of those big catches for a long touchdown, but that will come at some point. This is a good matchup for him as the Jets are allowing 199.25 receiving yards per game to receivers to go along with four touchdowns. He has scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his home games this season (PPR formats). There are a lot of receivers on bye this week, so Coates can be helpful to those owners in need.

Tight End
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Since the release of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brate has been a big part of this Bucs offense. He has played in 132 offensive snaps in the last two games and has received 18 targets. In addition, he accounts for 31.3 percent of the red zone targets. Brate has caught five passes in each of the last two games and has combined for 113 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers have actually struggled against tight ends this season, allowing at least one touchdown in each of their last three games. His involvement in the offense and the favorable matchup, both are good reasons to be comfortable with Brate in your lineups.

Defense

Miami Dolphins
Buffalo Bills
Los Angeles Rams