At this point in the NFL season, it’s pretty clear-cut which quarterbacks are playing well (Peyton Manning) and which aren’t (Matt Schaub). But Week 5 proves to be a little trickier, with traditionally strong quarterbacks facing unfortunate matchups that will move them down the rankings board by the end of the week.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson was a popular selection in drafts this year because of his dual-threat ability, but Wilson has failed to impress owners thus far. Wilson has only scored six touchdowns in four games, and is 25th in the league in passing yards and is averaging but does average over 36 rushing yards per game. Were it not for the second half of Seattle’s Week 4 game against the Houston Texans, Wilson would have only scored one fantasy point, and only found some value in 77 rushing yards.
Although Wilson should lead the Seahawks to a 5-0 start against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, his fantasy points likely won’t break double digits. The Colts are only allowing an average of 13.91 points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and are giving up just 35.8 yards on the ground to quarterbacks, where Wilson found most of his value in Week 4. Wilson has done what he’s needed to do to make the Seahawks successful this season, but for now there are better alternatives to him in fantasy.
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Staying in the same quarterback class, Kaepernick hasn’t been nearly as effective as most owners thought he’d be. Kaepernick is only averaging 5.4 yards per carry, compared to the 6.6 he averaged last season, and he only has five touchdowns in four games. The 49ers have struggled on offense as a team, scoring three and seven points in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively.
This opponent this week, the Houston Texans, aren’t great at stopping opposing quarterbacks, and have allowed over a touchdown a game to them, but Houston has held opponents to 159.3 passing yards per game, the best in the league. The Texans will be looking to save their season and avoid going under .500, so Kaepernick’s numbers won’t allow him to crack the top 12 quarterbacks this week.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Luck made this list last week, and ended at 10th in the quarterback rankings for Week 4. This week, he’s sure to miss out on that mark against the Seattle Seahawks, the best defense against quarterbacks in fantasy this year. Seattle is holding its opponents to less than one passing touchdown per game, and Luck has already put up a touchdown-less game this year against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.
T.Y. Hilton has not been nearly as effective as most people expected him to be, and the addition of Trent Richardson proved to hurt Luck. The Colts ran the ball 23 times against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, while Luck only threw the ball 22 times. That was mostly due to the fact that the Colts got up big in that game, but backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw missed the game and could find his way back into the lineup against Seattle. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, sell high on Luck now before the running game in Indianapolis overtakes his fantasy value.