👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
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?

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! 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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

New York Jets

Jets Pick Up Will McDonald's Fifth-Year Option
Azeez Al-Shaair

Texans, Azeez Al-Shaair Agree to Three-Year Extension
KC Concepcion

Looking to Build Chemistry With Second-Year QB
Deshaun Watson

"Looks Great," Leading QB Battle After First Minicamp?
George Pickens

Signs the Franchise Tag on Wednesday
Cade Cunningham

Helps Pistons Survive With 45-Point Effort
Jock Landale

to Remain Unavailable in Game 6
Peyton Watson

to Remain Out Thursday
Austin Reaves

Cleared to Return Wednesday
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Remains Without Timetable for Return
Brandon Nimmo

Leaves Wednesday's Game With Hamstring Tightness
Brandon Ingram

Won't Play in Second Half Wednesday
Aaron Gordon

Questionable for Game 6
Josh Hart

Iffy for Game 6
Joel Embiid

Likely to Play in Game 6
Bones Hyland

Could Miss Game 6
Kevin Huerter

Not Available for Game 5
Jonathan Isaac

Remains Out for Game 5
Franz Wagner

Won't Play in Game 5
MLB

Phillies-Giants Postponed on Wednesday Due to Rain
Nils Lundkvist

to Remain Out Thursday
Jonas Brodin

Uncertain for Game 6
Matvei Michkov

Expected to Rejoin Flyers Lineup Wednesday
Noah Ostlund

Set to Miss "a Period of Time"
Viktor Arvidsson

Doubtful for Game 6 Against Sabres
Barrett Hayton

Close to Returning
Charle-Edouard D'Astous

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Brandon Aiyuk

Decision Could Come in Late May
Bryce Young

Panthers Pick Up Bryce Young's Fifth-Year Option
MLB

Orioles-Astros Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather on Wednesday
Gary Woodland

Riding Momentum Into Cadillac Championship
Jordan Spieth

Brings Boom-or-Bust Potential to Cadillac Championship
Adam Scott

Looks Poised for Another Strong Finish at Doral
Maverick McNealy

Needs Approach Game to Click at Doral
George Springer

Being Activated From Injured List, Won't Start on Wednesday
Wyatt Langford

Expected to be Activated on Saturday
Garrett Crochet

Goes on Injured List With Shoulder Inflammation
CFB

Jameson Williams Files Lawsuit Against NCAA, SEC, Big Ten
Junior Caminero

Back in Wednesday's Lineup After Injury Scare
Harry Hall

Volatility Continues at Cadillac Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Looks to Rebound at Trump National Doral
Pierceson Coody

a Risky Value Play at Cadillac Championship
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Will Deebo Samuel Sr. Find a New Team Before Training Camps Open?
Jalen Johnson

Collects Second Playoff Double-Double
Akshay Bhatia

Offers Upside with Risk at Cadillac Championship
Elic Ayomanor

Dynasty Stock Way Down After NFL Draft
Jalen Brunson

Pours 39 Points on Hawks in Game 5
Darius Slayton

Dynasty Value Fading After Busy Giants Offseason
Jaylen Brown

Struggles From the Field in Game 5
Jayson Tatum

Picks Up Another Double-Double
David Njoku

With the NFL Draft Over, David Njoku Could Soon Find a Team
Tyrese Maxey

Records Double-Double With Rebounds
Tyler Warren

a Major Offseason Winner
Joel Embiid

Tallies 33 Points as 76ers Stave Off Elimination
Victor Wembanyama

Posts Second Straight Double-Double
Connor McDavid

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Justin Thomas

a Scary Proposition at Cadillac Championship
Nikolaj Ehlers

Hurricanes Hope to Have Nikolaj Ehlers Back for Second Round
Alexander Nikishin

Could Be Available in Round 2
Victor Hedman

Logs Full Practice
Scottie Scheffler

The Leading Favorite at Cadillac Championship
Noah Ostlund

Likely to Miss Time Due to Lower-Body Injury
Arttu Hyry

Unlikely to Play Thursday
Collin Morikawa

Still a Smash Play at Cadillac Championship
Jonas Brodin

Spotted Using Crutches After Game 5
Viktor Hovland

Showed at Augusta He Can Finish Well
Sepp Straka

Attempting to Finish Better in Miami
PGA

J.J Spaun Enduring Roller Coaster Start to 2026
Min Woo Lee

Seeks to Make Adjustments at Cadillac Championship
Max Homa

May Struggle at Old Doral This Weekend
Ben Griffin

Rebounds From Rough Stretch as Miami Looms
Shane Lowry

Searching For Answers at Cadillac Championship
Russell Wilson

Jets Host Russell Wilson for a Visit, Considering him as Backup Option
Russell Henley

Daunting Test at Doral Likely Not a Place For Russell Henley
Jonathon Brooks

Fully Cleared for Offseason Program
Christian Gonzalez

Patriots Exercise Christian Gonzalez's Fifth-Year Option
Tyler Allgeier

One of the Biggest Losers After NFL Draft
A.J. Brown

Eagles to Receive a First-Round Pick if They Trade A.J. Brown?
Justin Rose

Returns to Action After Finishing Third at Masters Tournament
Hideki Matsuyama

Has The Approach Game to Win at Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Place Right-of-First-Refusal Tender on Aaron Rodgers
Jauan Jennings

Visiting With Vikings
Quentin Johnston

Chargers Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Quentin Johnston
Jahmyr Gibbs

Lions Picking Up Jahmyr Gibbs' Fifth-Year Option
Junior Caminero

Suffers Jaw Contusion on Tuesday, Considered Day-to-Day
Scottie Barnes

Leading Raptors' Comeback Effort in Round 1
Pete Fairbanks

Going on Injured List With Nerve Irritation
Spencer Strider

to Make Season Debut This Weekend
Roope Hintz

Likely to Miss Entire First-Round Series
Jason Zucker

Good to Go for Game 5
Josh Norris

Won't Play Tuesday
Colton Dach

Available Tuesday
Connor Ingram

Returns to Oilers Net for Game 5
Luis Robert Jr.

Out on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Jason Dickinson

Considered a Game-Time Decision for Tuesday's Action
Connor McDavid

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Juan Soto

Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Serving as DH on Tuesday
CFB

Brendan Sorsby Facing Potential Permanent Loss of Eligibility
Manny Machado

Departs Early With Undisclosed Injury on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson
Elmer Rodríguez

Yankees to Promote Top Pitching Prospect Elmer Rodriguez
Pete Fairbanks

Pulled on Monday With "Unusual Sensation" in his Thumb
Giancarlo Stanton

Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
Travis Bazzana

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
Will Smith

Back in Action in Series Opener Against Marlins
Josh Naylor

Back in Starting Lineup on Monday
Carson Hocevar

Scores his First Career NASCAR Cup Series Victory at Talladega
Chris Buescher

Misses out on Winning at Talladega by Finishing Second
Alex Bowman

Earns First Top-Five Finish at Talladega Since Returning From Injury
Chase Elliott

Scores A Fourth-Place Finish at Talladega
Zane Smith

Nabs First Top-Five Finish of the 2026 Season at Talladega
CFB

Texas Tech Quarterback Brendan Sorsby Enters Rehab
Youssef Zalal

Suffers Unanimous-Decision Loss
Aljamain Sterling

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Norma Dumont

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Scores Upset Win
Alexander Hernandez

Gets Dominated
Alexander Hernandez

Rafa Garcia Dominates Alexander Hernandez
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Gets Back In The Win Column
Manny Machado

Clubs Two Homers, Starting to Turn Things Around?
Denny Hamlin

Is Denny Hamlin Worth Rostering for Talladega?
NASCAR

Is Bubba Wallace Playable in Talladega DFS Lineups?
Tyler Reddick

Stay Away From Tyler Reddick at Talladega
Ryan Blaney

Can Ryan Blaney Shake Off The Bad Luck at Talladega?
Austin Cindric

Could Contend For Another Talladega Win
Kyle Busch

an Easy DFS Pick at Talladega
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

. a High-Risk, High-Reward Pick at Talladega
Todd Gilliland

a Sleeper to Watch at Talladega
Brad Keselowski

Is Brad Keselowski Worth Rostering for Talladega Lineups?
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Tournament Play for Talladega Lineups?
Christopher Bell

Should DFS Managers Trust Christopher Bell at Talladega?
Ty Gibbs

Is A DFS Risk for Talladega Lineups
Youssef Zalal

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Main Event
Aljamain Sterling

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 116
Joselyne Edwards

Set For UFC Vegas 116 Co-Main Event
Norma Dumont

Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Alexander Hernandez

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 116
Rafa Garcia

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Adrian Luna Martinetti

Set For His UFC Debut
Davey Grant

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF