TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

The Daily Divide: Week Five DFS

Matt and Nathan each offer Week 5 cash game picks for every position, then the other insults or compliments those picks, as warranted. They hope their arguments debates provide enough information to make help people make their own decisions. Matt probably makes more good points than Nathan though, over the long haul, so please pay special attention to his thoughts in this piece.

Nathan: I’m not sure why I told Matt he could write the opening paragraph. I’m right way more than him. I mean, I did recommend Tyler Eifert in Week One, so….I'm pretty much a genius.

You can follow the great Matt Rittle on twitter: @ffrittle -- and the just okay Nathan Powell on twitter: @npowellff. Nathan: ...Seriously?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Nathan’s DFS Picks for Week Five

QB: Philip Rivers vs PIT
Philip Rivers has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL so far this season. However, he is being priced closer to Kirk Cousins and Michael Vick than Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers this week. Additionally, he has a plus matchup on Monday night against a Pittsburgh defense that is traveling cross country and has allowed the 6th most fantasy points to quarterbacks so far this season. If you don't want to pay up for Tom Brady, Rivers and his price provides some good lineup flexibility.

Stacking: Keenan Allen is a must stack if Stevie Johnson is out IMHO. Danny Woodhead and Antonio Gates work as well for cheaper stacking options

Matt: It may be tough on some sites to untangle the puzzle of similarly priced QBs, but in a vacuum, I do like Rivers a lot this week.

 

RB: Jamaal Charles vs CHI
I love writing about players against the Bears. Both because they are a bad defense and it grinds Matt's gears. The Bears are middle of the road in regards to fantasy points against running backs, giving up the 13th most fantasy points so far this season. However, they have surrendered the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks, and how does Alex Smith score a lot of his fantasy points? By throwing to Jamaal Charles, that's how. Only fade Jamaal Charles if you enjoy losing money.

Matt: I’m starting to wonder if the Bears defense is sneakily not as...completely horrible as we think they may be. That that doesn’t matter here, though, as Jamaal Charles is a great play every week, let alone in plus matchups. 

 

WR: Larry Fitzgerald at DET
Larry Fitzgerald’s DFS price has yet to make any sense so far this season, and it continues this weekend. Fitzgerald is the WR2 overall through 4 weeks, yet is being priced around the WR10-12 range across sites. The Cardinals have a solid projected team total of 24 and they are 3 point favorites against the Lions this week. Fitzgerald will continue being a good DFS play until sites figure out he is a top 5 fantasy wide receiver this season. 

Stacking: Carson Palmer has been a DFS favorite of the Rittler so far this season, and while I prefer other quarterbacks this week, I have no problem with a Palmer/Fitz stack this week

Matt: Couldn’t be more with you.

 

TE: Gary Barnidge at BAL
Gary Barnidge is one of the hottest tight ends in football. No, you aren't dreaming, you're reading the Daily Divide. On an offense devoid of weapons at the wide receiver position, Barnidge has 5 or more targets in each of the first 4 games. Despite currently being the TE9 through 4 weeks, including back to back weeks with 22.50 and 19.50 PPR points respectively, Barnidge is still priced near or at the minimum on most sites. Barnidge is a cheap punt play that won't kill your lineup, even if he returns to being irrelevant, which I don't see happening this week.

Stacking: #NahWave on Josh McCown. Because he isn't good at football.

Matt: I’m always wary the word 'punt' anywhere in cash game suggestions, but his production and rock bottom pricing are both as attractive as...I don’t know. There’s gotta be a joke here somewhere

 

Matt’s DFS Picks for Week Five

QB: Jay Cutler at KCC

The Chiefs are the most generous fantasy defense to opposing QBs, having already allowed a league leading 11 passing TDs. In the two games Cutler has finished this season, he scored between 14 and 18 fantasy points, averaging a 253-1.5 line. While those aren’t gaudy numbers, that does put you in the solid QB2 to fringe QB1 conversation and certainly wouldn’t kill you in a cash game. This is a bit of a matchup and pricing play, though unlike with some matchup/pricing plays, Cutler’s talent and success in Week Four without star WR Alshon Jeffery both speak to a likely floor not all matchup/pricing plays offer.

Stacking: In cash games I’ll be playing Cutler without any other Bears. Martellus Bennett makes an intriguing (and rare TE) stack option in GPPs, as does Jeffery if he plays.

Nathan: I like this play more if we have any idea that Jeffery is healthy and playing

Note: Jeffery is marked as questionable, but did not practice Friday.

 

RB: Danny Woodhead vs PIT

Even in half PPR formats, Danny Woodhead is averaging RB1 numbers on the season, with weekly finishes as follows: RB5, RB11, RB41, RB14. There is the one bad week in there, but his overall usage and performance indicate a floor and upside you rarely see available for his pricing point. It’s improbable Danny Woodhead will have any 30+ fantasy point outings this year, but it’s likely he’ll have plenty of 15-20 fantasy point outings. I wrote this in the Divide a couple weeks ago: “Eventually, rookie Melvin Gordon may get more involved. Eventually, Woodhead’s DFS price may rise to match his production Until something changes, though, Woodhead makes for a terrific weekly DFS play." We’re still waiting.

Nathan: I'm all over San Diego this week. Boom

 

WR: Julian Edelman at DAL

With 30 receptions through three games and a near 80% snap share, Julian Edelman is the epitome of a high floor player, very involved in his team’s offense. His lowest target total came in Week Three, and he was targeted the 15th most of any player that weekend. His fantasy finish was as WR21 that weekend, but his other two finishes were as WR5 and WR3. (His WR5 performance in full PPR was a WR10 finish in half PPR, so be cognizant of site scoring here.) His price has risen to match his consistent production, but he still makes a fine cash play on most sites as a very involved “WR1” in one of the league’s best 2015 offenses to date.

Stacking: Tom Brady makes an fantastic cash game play this weekend.

Nathan: Edelman is a good cash game play. GPP stackers have a tough decision this week whether to go Brady/Lewis, Brady/Edelman or Brady/Gronk

Matt: You're suddenly more obsessed with talking about QBs and pass-catching RB stacks than I am with your Mom.

 

TE: Owen Daniels at OAK
Opposing tight ends have finished no worse than as TE2 on the weekend when facing the Raiders, and have already been the top performer twice. Through four weeks, the Raiders have allowed the most targets, receptions, yards, and TDs opposing TEs. In “goal to go” opportunities - where Owen Daniels has thrived of late with touchdowns in consecutive games - they have allowed the third most opportunities. This all begs the inescapable question: could Oakland guard Nathan’s Mom? I’m rolling out Owen Daniels this weekend to find out.


Nathan: Are you saying my Mom has a tight end? ....but yeah, Daniels is another nice option if you are tempting fate and fading the Gronk.

 

Watch The Pricing, But We Also Like

Nathan likes: Matt Ryan, Tom Brady, Justin Forsett, Todd Gurley, Keenan Allen, Willie Snead, Julio Jones, Rob Gronkowski

Matt likes: Carson Palmer, Devonta Freeman, Le’Veon Bell, Keenan Allen, Larry Fitzgerald, James Jones; most Patriots (Tom Brady, Dion Lewis, Gronk)

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Connor Zilisch

Carries Plenty of Upside for DFS at COTA
Chase Elliott

May be A Strong Contender Again at COTA
Chris Buescher

Is Nothing But Consistent at Road Courses
Ross Chastain

May Be An Underrated Competitor for the Win at COTA
William Byron

Is William Byron Worth Rostering A Viable DFS Option for COTA?
Carson Hocevar

Needs Clean Race at COTA
Nick Suzuki

Enjoys Three-Point Night Against Capitals
Rasmus Dahlin

Collects Three Points Saturday
Kyle Larson

Could be A Decent DFS Option for COTA Lineups
Joel Kiviranta

in Concussion Protocol
Joel Eriksson Ek

Available Sunday
Ryan Blaney

Could Ryan Blaney be A Sleeper DFS Option for All Formats for COTA?
Mark Scheifele

Expected to Play Sunday
Chase Briscoe

Should DFS Players Roster Chase Briscoe at COTA?
Adam Wilsby

Exits Early Versus Stars
Gage Goncalves

Hurt in Saturday's Loss
Russell Westbrook

Off Injury Report Sunday
Kawhi Leonard

Set to Play Against Pelicans
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Is A Favorable Value Option for COTA DFS Lineups
Ty Gibbs

Could Ty Gibbs Be A Rosterable DFS Play for COTA?
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell A Favorable DFS Option for COTA?
Donovan Mitchell

to Miss Third Straight Game
Joel Embiid

Sidelined Three Games with Oblique Injury
Cooper Flagg

Remains Sidelined Sunday
Darius Garland

Targeting Monday Debut with Clippers
Zion Williamson

Exits Early with Ankle Injury
Keyonte George

is Available to Play on Saturday
De'Anthony Melton

is Returning on Saturday
Draymond Green

is Available on Saturday
Keston Hiura

Exits After Getting Hit by Pitch
Leo De Vries

Exits Early on Saturday
Kyle Stowers

is Dealing with Minor Hamstring Strain
Cody Bellinger

is Dealing with Back Injury
Corbin Carroll

Likely Ready for Opening Day
Vladislav Namestnikov

Out Week-to-Week
Nino Niederreiter

Recovering From Surgery
Colton Parayko

Doubtful for Sunday
Zach Benson

Activated From Injured Reserve
Anthony Cirelli

a Game-Time Decision Saturday
Roope Hintz

Remains Out Saturday
Andrei Kuzmenko

Out Week-to-Week After Meniscus Surgery
Starling Marte

Royals Agree With Starling Marte
Rafael Devers

Being Shut Down for 2-4 Days With Hamstring Tightness
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Hits Grand Slam in Grapefruit League Game
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Homers for First Spring Hit
Bryce Miller

Shut Down for Five Days With Side Soreness
Spencer Strider

Diminished Velocity a Cause for Concern?
Xander Bogaerts

Can Xander Bogaerts Play a Fully Healthy Season in 2026?
Jordan Beck

Can Jordan Beck Be a 20/20 Outfielder in 2026?
Otto Lopez

Profiles as a Projectable Middle-Infield Option in 2026
Alec Burleson

Carries a Safe Production Floor Heading into 2026
Luis Castillo

May Be Showing Signs of Decline Heading into 2026
Trey Yesavage

to be Ramped Up While in Toronto's Rotation
Alex Lyon

Picks Up Victory Against Former Club
Mikko Rantanen

Likely to Miss More Than Two Weeks
A.J. Brown

Patriots "Have Explored Trade Talks" Involving A.J. Brown
Shane Bieber

Throwing at 120 Feet, Timeline Remains Fuzzy
Josh Lowe

Still Bothered by Oblique
Starling Marte

Royals Discussing Deal With Starling Marte
Ceddanne Rafaela

Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela Fine After Collision, Playing on Saturday
Deni Avdija

Likely to Miss Another Game
Dallas Mavericks

Tyus Jones Set to be Waived by Dallas
Phoenix Suns

Cole Anthony Parts Ways with Phoenix
Quenton Jackson

Earns Three-Year Deal with Pacers
Mason Plumlee

Staying with Spurs For Remainder Of Season
Devin Booker

Targeting Return Tuesday Or Thursday
Keegan Murray

Out at Least Two Weeks
Tyler Myers

Not Expected to Play Saturday
Luke Hughes

Could Return Saturday
Oskar Sundqvist

Available Saturday
Uvis Balinskis

Exits Early Friday Night
Mark Scheifele

Vladimir Namestnikov Hurt in Friday's Loss
Norman Powell

Considered Week-to-Week
Jabari Smith Jr.

to Miss Game Vs. Heat
Kristaps Porzingis

Questionable Vs. Lakers
Draymond Green

On Track to Play Saturday
Lone'er Kavanagh

Set For UFC Mexico City Main Event
Brandon Moreno

Looks To Bounce Back
David Martinez

Set For UFC Mexico City Co-Main Event
Marlon Vera

In Dire Need Of Victory
King Green

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Daniel Zellhuber

Aims To Snap Two-Fight Skid
Felipe Bunes

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Édgar Cháirez

Edgar Chairez A Favorite At UFC Mexico City
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Interested in Trading George Pickens
Ashton Jeanty

Not in Line for Workhorse Role in 2026?
Anthony Richardson Sr.

Colts Give Anthony Richardson Sr. Permission to Seek a Trade
Kyler Murray

Prefers to be Released
Derek Carr

"Strong Belief" That Derek Carr is "Very Serious" About Unretiring
Andy Dalton

Is Andy Dalton Available for a Trade?
Keith Mitchell

Making The Comfortable Return to PGA National
CFB

Chandler Morris Suing NCAA for Seventh Year of Eligibility
Chris Kirk

Searching for a Spark at Cognizant Classic
Brooks Koepka

Making Third PGA Tour Start at Cognizant Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Steady Option at Cognizant Classic
Seamus Power

Seeking More Green in Florida
PGA

Haotong Li Back From a Break as Florida Stretch Starts
Stephan Jaeger

Trying to Put Four Rounds Together in Florida
PGA

Nico Echavarria Again Attempting to Make the Weekend
Patrick Fishburn

Looking for a Spark at Cognizant Classic
Blades Brown

Set for Cognizant Classic Debut
Michael Thorbjornsen

Looking to Bounce Back at Cognizant Classic
Maxx Crosby

Raiders Expect Maxx Crosby to Return
Billy Horschel

Looks to Improve Season at Cognizant Classic
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Falcons Place Franchise Tag on Kyle Pitts Sr.
Joe Highsmith

Returns to Defend at Cognizant Classic
Quinshon Judkins

Out of Walking Boot, Will be Ready for Training Camp
Breece Hall

Jets Will Use Franchise Tag on Breece Hall if Extension isn't Reached
Joel Dahmen

Needs Better Consistency Heading Into The Florida Swing
Daniel Berger

Looks to Improve Putting as PGA Tour Begins Its Florida Swing
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Plan to Release Kirk Cousins
Zach Ertz

Plans to Return for 14th Season
Davis Thompson

Struggling to Find Birdies as Florida Looms
Tom Kim

Not Quite Cutting It in 2026
Nicolai Hojgaard

Wants to Build Momentum from Scottsdale
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Returns After Extended Break for Florida Event
CFB

Gunner Rivers Follows His Father, Commits To North Carolina State
Will Zalatoris

Set to Make Tournament Debut at Cognizant Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

Trending Up at the Cognizant Classic
Anthony Hernandez

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Sean Strickland

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyle Pitts Sr.

Falcons Planning to Use Franchise Tag on Kyle Pitts Sr.
Geoff Neal

Suffers Back-To-Back Knockout Losses
Uros Medic

Shines At UFC Houston
Dan Ige

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Melquizael Costa

Extends His Win Streak To Six
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Falls Short of Victory at EchoPark Speedway
Carson Hocevar

Rallies to Fourth At EchoPark Speedway After Early Struggles
Ross Chastain

Finishes Third At EchoPark Speedway
Chase Briscoe

Scores First Career Top-Five Finish at EchoPark Speedway
Tyler Reddick

Nabs His Second Win of the Season At EchoPark Speedway
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF