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We get so spoiled by the first four weeks of the NFL season, don't we? All 32 teams playing over the course four days each week. It's glorious. Alas, bye weeks are inevitable, and they've finally arrived as planned for the 2017 (Miami and Tampa Bay didn't exactly plan on their Week 1 byes). This means less "name" options for your DFS lineups, but it opens the door for some surprises.
The goal of this weekly column is to help find the most profitable DFS stacks, while avoiding the duds. Stacking, or pairing multiple players from the same NFL team, is an ideal way to maximize your point production, which is crucial in larger GPP (guaranteed prize pool) tournaments.
Let's take a look at some of the top DFS stacks for Week 5, loosely sorted by salary.
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High-Priced Week 5 DFS Stacks
Green Bay - QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Jordy Nelson at Dallas
Surprise, surprise. You can roll with these two fantasy studs week in and week out, but this road matchup against the Cowboys' subpar secondary is particularly enticing. Only three teams have allowed more passing touchdowns than Dallas (eight), while Nelson leads the NFL with five touchdown receptions. Sometimes the obvious play is the right one.
Expect plenty of points in this matchup. Las Vegas certainly does; the over/under is 52.5, the highest of any games this week. Rodgers and Nelson won't come cheap, but they are the definition of elite fantasy plays.
Pittsburgh - QB Ben Roethlisberger and WR Antonio Brown vs. Jacksonville
Brown had an uncharacteristically quiet game last Sunday against Baltimore, finishing with just four catches for 34 yards. He expressed his frustration with a sideline tirade that's remained in the news all week. What's the best cure for an unhappy receiver? Targets, targets, and more targets.
Expect Roethlisberger and the Steelers to lean heavily on Brown against an improved Jaguars defense. Jacksonville is allowing the fewest passing yards per game (147), which could cause Brown's ownership to dip in GPPs.
New York Giants - QB Eli Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Beckham isn't healthy, and he might not be for the majority of the 2017 season. That hasn't stopped him from posting solid fantasy numbers in each of the last two weeks. Expect that trend to continue at home against a Chargers defense that has been middle of the pack against the pass.
Manning is in the midst of a nice stretch, having passed for 654 yards and five touchdowns over the last two games. Considering the Giants sport one of the league's worst rushing attacks, Manning should stay busy against Los Angeles. Another 300-yard game and two touchdowns are feasible.
Moderately-Priced Week 5 DFS Stacks
Philadelphia - QB Carson Wentz and WR Alshon Jeffery vs. Arizona
The popular play here will be tight end Zach Ertz, who has at least five receptions and 55 yards in all four games this season. Ertz has drawn at least eight targets in each game, making him one of fantasy's most consistent producers through Week 4.
For GPPs, it's worth pivoting off Ertz for the cheaper Jeffery. The Eagles' prized free-agent signing has yet to put together a true breakout game, but it could be in store against the Cardinals' defense, which has allowed five touchdowns to opposing wide receivers this season.
Indianapolis - QB Jacoby Brissett and WR T.Y. Hilton vs. San Francisco
When Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Kirk Cousins, and Trevor Siemian are all on byes, you have to dig a little deeper in the quarterback pool. Brissett will never be confused with Andrew Luck, but he's actually shown flashes of brilliance over the first month.
In Week 3 against Cleveland, Brissett passed for 259 yards and accounted for three total TDs (one passing, two rushing). His legs give him added value, and against an improved but still vulnerable 49ers defense, he's an intriguing GPP option to pair with the deep threat Hilton.
Oakland - QB EJ Manuel and WR Michael Crabtree vs. Baltimore
Can anyone figure out the Ravens' defense? After a historically dominant two-week stretch to open the season, Baltimore has given up a combined five passing touchdowns to Blake Bortles and Roethlisberger.
Rolling with Manuel is, without question, a major risk. But given the Ravens' recent struggles, it's worth a look in GPPs. Crabtree missed last week's game, but is expected to return this Sunday. Given Amari Cooper's struggles, Crabtree seems to be the better play if he goes. If Crabtree sits on Sunday again, this could turn into a bargain stack with Seth Roberts or Cordarrelle Patterson.
Bargain-Priced Week 5 DFS Stacks
Baltimore - QB Joe Flacco and WR Jeremy Maclin at Oakland
Flacco hasn't just struggled this season; at times he's been downright dreadful. Starting him in any format, not just DFS, is a big risk ... but he always teases with the ability to connect with Maclin and speedster Mike Wallace for long touchdowns.
The Raiders have only allowed six passing touchdowns, which is tied for 14th, but they're also one of only four teams without a single interception. That could certainly change against Flacco, who enters with a dubious 10-game interception streak. But if he tosses two long touchdowns to Maclin and/or Wallace, you can overlook one INT. Just keep the Tums handy; this won't be easy on your stomach.
New York Jets - QB Josh McCown and WR Robby Anderson at Cleveland
Roll-of-the-dice alert! Stacking a pair of Jets is typically not a recommended move, but if you're going to pick a matchup to give them a shot, it has to be this one against the Browns. Cleveland might have some nice young pieces in place for the future, but in the present the Browns are 0-4 with a beatable defense (23rd against the pass).
Anderson's breakaway speed gives him serious upside, and his last two outings (95 yards, TD vs. Miami; 59 yards vs. Jacksonville) indicate he's becoming a steadier target for the veteran McCown. If you want to save some spending money while constructing your DFS lineup, this is a pairing to consider.
