Cracking FanDuel Week 5

Sunday Morning Update

Check back each Sunday Morning for final thoughts on the slate.

Week 4 Results- Loss: 1-3

Week 4 was an incredibly frustrating week. The reason for that is that there was a lot of good analysis, but at the end of the day extremely poor decision making was the culprit for the lack of success.

The issue for last week was just point chasing. If you go back and read the Week 4 article, I called out two players who I was concerned were going to regress as their pace was unsustainable. Those two players were Josh Allen and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. What did I do? I played them both. Meanwhile, C.J. Stroud was my number two overall quarterback and Nico Collins was fourth at receiver. The lineup should have simply played them, but admittedly I played scared about just what Josh Allen could do against any lineup.

None of it was going to matter however simply due to the fact that I faded T.J. Hockenson and he had a career game with Justin Jefferson out. I don’t think even the most optimistic Hockenson supporter was thinking that he would catch 13 passes when he had 9 total in his first three games.

Injuries continue to be a plague for the 2026 season, and at some point they’ll hopefully turn our way. Two key injuries this week. The first being Ja’Marr Chase which just completely changed the course of the lineup. With Tee Higgins who was rostered by 45% of the field. This was a play in which just did not make a lot of sense as the Bengals were facing a very good Jacksonville defense. When Ja’Marr Chase went down, and with the game script of the Bengals falling behind, Higgins had a monster second-half topping 100-yards.

On the Primary Cash Lineup Jeremiyah Love suffered an ankle injury that cost him most of the second-half as he played just 45% of snaps last week in a game that the Cardinals scored 24 points.

These weeks happen, and the key is to not let them spiral. It just seemed as if every decision that was made in Week 4 was the incorrect one. On to Week 5.

Injury Creates Opportunity

A lot of injuries to factor in for Week 5.

• Cincinnati's wide receivers are of strong interest this week and could end up changing a lot of things. Both Ja'Marr Chase (Concussion), and Tee Higgins (neck) are very questionable this week. If they both were to miss this week, both Chase Brown and Mike Gesicki would see upgrades. Dohnte Meyers would also be very interesting if they both miss this week.
• Kyle Monangai ruled out for Week 5. This should put D’Andre Swift near the top of the board this week despite him being benched last week for fumbling.
• The Commanders wide receivers are a mess. Stefon Diggs is out with a hamstring injury, while Terry McLaurin is questionable with a hamstring. If McLaurin plays, he’s an interesting piece this week as Jayden Daniels returns to the lineup.
• Ashton Jeanty is questionable with a hamstring injury as he did not practice on Friday. This will be one to watch throughout the weekend as if he were to miss, Mike Washington Jr. is close to minimum price.
• Breece Hall remains out this week. Braelon Allen did not have the best game last week, but was on the field for 94% of snaps. If he’s on the field for 94% again this week in a game that the Jets are favored, his usage should increase.
• The Chargers receiving unit has major issues. Quentin Johnston is out with a chest injury, while Ladd McConkey is questionable with a foot issue. If McConkey were to miss, Tre’ Harris jumps as a top value play on this slate.
• Not an injury, but Marvin Harrison Jr. will be inactive due to a pending trade. It was announced on Saturday morning that he will be traded, and while the destination is unknown, the Cardinals feel good enough to move on from the 2024 fourth-overall pick. Even though Harrison has done very little this season, it is still a major bump up for Michael Wilson and Trey McBride. The reason for this is that it should raise the floor of both players and solidify Wilson’s elite target volume.

Week 5 Strategy: Atrocious Pricing This Week