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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?

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

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)

 

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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tua Tagovailoa

Dolphins Hope to Trade Tua Tagovailoa in the Offseason
Woody Marks

Not Expected to Play in Week 16
Washington Commanders

Commanders to Retain Dan Quinn, Fire Joe Whitt?
New York Giants

Marcus Freeman is a Top Candidate in Giants' Head Coaching Search
Cincinnati Bengals

Zac Taylor Expected to Return as Bengals' Head Coach in 2026
Las Vegas Raiders

Pete Carroll's Future with Las Vegas Raiders in Doubt
Mike Conley

Nears Return After Missing Four Games
Tee Higgins

Active for Week 16 Against Dolphins
Brandon Clarke

Exits After Brief Appearance Against Wizards
Derrick Jones Jr.

Nears Return From Sprained MCL
Herbert Jones

Head Injury Cuts Night Short
Ivica Zubac

Leaves Early After Suffering Left Ankle Injury
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Exits Early With Left Leg Contusion
Tage Thompson

Scores in Sixth Consecutive Game
Jacob Fowler

Posts First Career Shutout
Jonatan Berggren

Totals Three Points Saturday
Jake Evans

to Sit Out Sunday's Game
Zach Werenski

Injured in Saturday's Loss
Frank Nazar

Expected to Miss Four Weeks
Woody Marks

Plans to Play Against Raiders in Week 16
Tee Higgins

Likely to Play at Miami on Sunday
Drake London

Expected to Return in Week 16
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Play, Will Ease Back In
Romeo Doubs

Questionable to Return Against Bears in Week 16
Jordan Love

Ruled Out with Concussion, Replaced by Malik Willis
Jalen Smith

Expected to Remain in Lineup Sunday
Ayo Dosunmu

Probable for Meeting With Hawks
Jordan Love

Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
Coby White

Iffy for Sunday
Andrew Wiggins

May Remain Out Sunday
Davion Mitchell

Questionable for Sunday
Tyler Herro

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Sunday
Trae Young

Available for Sunday's Tilt
Doug McDermott

Active on Saturday
Rui Hachimura

Misses Battle of Los Angeles
Jerami Grant

Won't Play Saturday Night, Kris Murray Joins Starting Unit
Jonathan Isaac

Tristan da Silva Out, Jonathan Isaac Returns for Magic Saturday
Jalen Suggs

Out Against Jazz
Lauri Markkanen

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Grayson Allen

Unavailable Against Warriors
Jonathan Kuminga

Misses Saturday's Action Due to Illness
D'Andre Swift

Officially Active Against Packers on Saturday
Dontayvion Wicks

Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks Active for Week 16
Marcus Mariota

Questionable to Return with Hand Injury
Josh Jacobs

Active for Saturday's Game
Ricky Pearsall

Ruled Out for Week 16
Mike Matheson

Returns Against Former Team Saturday
Timothy Liljegren

Misses Saturday's Game
Mackie Samoskevich

Out on Saturday
Anthony Cirelli

Available Against Hurricanes
Brandon Hagel

Added to Injured Reserve
Nikita Kucherov

a Game-Time Call Saturday
J.T. Miller

Injured in Saturday's Win
Christian Watson

Should Be Able to Go Against Bears
Zach Bogosian

Unavailable Saturday
Marcus Johansson

Questionable for Saturday
Bo Horvat

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Saturday
Seth Jarvis

to Be "Out for a While"
Phillip Danault

Rejoins Canadiens for Draft Pick
Mason Marchment

Blue Jackets Acquire Mason Marchment
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
Jonathan Marchessault

Out Day-to-Day
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff

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