NFL Week 5 Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks and DFS

October 4, 2024

October 4, 2024

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy passes during an NFL game against the New England Patriots. 49ers QB Brock Purdy is a top NFL DFS Pick for Week 5 vs. the Cardinals. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

It’s time to lock in for a packed Week 5 of NFL DFS action on PrizePicks. 

Below, we’ll get into the best matchups and spots to target on the Week 5 NFL slate with the PrizePicks Cheat Sheet and find the plays that help you create your winning lineup.

With four weeks under our belts, the Week 5 NFL matchups are stacked with great matchups,, with plenty of injuries to adjust for. We’ll go over the games to target for DFS, best matchups, and TD scorer picks to load up in your PrizePicks Lineup.

Don’t forget to head to the PrizePicks NFL board, lock in your picks, and build your Lineup your way to get in on the real money sports action for Week 5.

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NFL Week 5 Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks

Top Game to Target in Week 5 for DFS

Bills vs. Texans — 1 p.m. ET

A highly anticipated offensive showdown is set for 1 p.m. ET between the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans, featuring two MVP-caliber quarterbacks. Both defenses will likely bring a heavy pass rush, opening opportunities for these mobile quarterbacks to exceed their rushing yard projections.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud has been effective with his legs when needed. In his last 10 games, when he attempts at least two rushes, Stroud has surpassed his 10.5 rushing yards projection on PrizePicks in 7 of them, giving him a 70% success rate.

More importantly, this season Stroud has exceeded 10.5 rushing yards in every game where he’s made at least two attempts, making this projection highly achievable.

Continuing the rushing theme, Bills QB Josh Allen has consistently surpassed his 31.5 rushing yards projection. In 7 of his last 10 games where he’s had at least two rush attempts, Allen has cleared this mark, also boasting a 70% success rate.

This season, Allen has exceeded 31.5 rushing yards in 2 of his 3 games when he’s made at least three attempts, making him a dual-threat once again. In general, Allen tends to run more in competitive games.

Texans WR Stefon Diggs gets a revenge game against his former team, the Buffalo Bills. Diggs has been a key target for C.J. Stroud since joining the Houston Texans, receiving over 20 targets in his last two games.

In 2024, Diggs averages 8.3 targets per game and has met or surpassed his 5 receptions projection in 3 of his 4 games. He's also went more than on this receiving yards projection in each of his last two games. Given his high volume of targets, Diggs is well-positioned to exceed this projection and make an impact with some extra personal motivation.

With Khalil Shakir (ankle) out of the lineup, look for TE Dalton Kincaid and rookie WR Keon Coleman to be the key beneficiaries in Week 6.

PrizePicks to Consider: Josh Allen 30.5 rush yards (More) / C.J. Stroud 10.5 rush yards (More) / Stefon Diggs 5.0 receptions (More) / Dalton Kincaid 4.5 receptions (More)

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Dolphins vs. Patriots — 1 p.m. ET

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots have been among the NFL's most disappointing teams this season. The Dolphins' offense, now led by QB Tyler Huntley, has struggled mightily without QB Tua Tagovailoa, creating opportunities to capitalize on less thans for certain player projections on PrizePicks.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle faces a tough matchup against Patriots' first-round cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez has allowed just 15-of-25 targets to be completed this season, with opposing quarterbacks posting a passer rating under 80 when targeting him. 

He’s also holding receivers to a mere 6 yards per reception, making him one of the more effective corners in the league. Waddle has had a quiet year, with just 17 receptions for 212 yards and zero touchdowns. With Huntley struggling to push the ball downfield, Waddle’s production may remain limited this week. 

On the Patriots' side, the offense has its own issues, and RB Rhamondre Stevenson is feeling the effects. Stevenson has struggled with ball security, fumbling four times this season, and averaging just 4.1 yards per carry, which ranks outside the top 25 running backs. 

He faces a difficult matchup this week against the Miami Dolphins' front seven, led by veteran Calais Campbell, who ranks 6th out of 124 interior defensive linemen in run defense via PFF. Campbell is paired with Zach Sieler, another standout, ranking inside the top 15 at his position. The Dolphins also added Jordan Brooks from the Seattle Seahawks, who ranks 11th out of 76 linebackers in run-stopping via PFF.

Stevenson’s last two games were tough, managing just 43 rushing yards against the Jets and 23 yards against the 49ers, and his performance has been hindered by his fumbling issues. With this stout Dolphins defense up next, Stevenson is likely to face another difficult outing.

PrizePicks to Consider: Jaylen Waddle 36.5 receiving yards (Less) / Rhamondre Stevenson 56.5 rushing yards (Less)

Best OL vs. DL Matchups to Target: Week 5

49ers OL vs. Cardinals DL

The San Francisco 49ers offensive line ranks among the best in the NFL. Veteran left tackle Trent Williams is a standout, ranking as the second-best tackle out of 75 in the NFL via PFF. Opposite him is Colton McKivitz, who ranks as the 17th best tackle.

This week, the 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals, one of the league’s worst pass-rushing units. The Cardinals' interior line, led by L.J. Collier (ranked 106th out of 111 interior linemen) and Bilal Nichols (ranked 97th out of 124), has struggled, and linebacker Kyzir White has also been ineffective in rushing the passer, ranking 45th out of 46 linebackers on PFF. 

This mismatch heavily favors the 49ers. QB Brock Purdy should cook this weak Cardinals secondary, and Jordan Mason will likely be able to find plenty of holes as well.

PrizePicks to Consider: Brock Purdy 255.5 passing yards (More)

Seahawks OL vs. Giants DL

The New York Giants' pass rush has been exceptional this season, currently ranked third in the NFL in sacks. They face the Seattle Seahawks, whose offensive line has been porous, allowing some of the most pressures on their quarterback. 

Left tackle Stone Forsythe ranks 72nd out of 75 tackles via PFF, and guard Anthony Bradford ranks dead last (69th out of 69) in the NFL. Adding to their woes, the Seahawks recently placed left tackle George Fant on IR. 

The Giants’ pass rush, led by Brian Burns (ranked 23rd out of 100 defensive ends) and Dexter Lawrence (ranked 5th out of 109 interior defensive linemen), is poised to take advantage of this favorable matchup.

PrizePicks to Consider: Geno Smith 34 pass attempts / 253.5 pass yards (Less)

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Best WR vs. CB Matchups to Target: Week 5

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf vs. Giants CB Deonte Banks

Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has a fantastic matchup this week against Deonte Banks of the New York Giants. 

Banks, a former first-round pick, has struggled this season, ranking 90th out of 94 cornerbacks in coverage. He has been heavily targeted, with the 10th most targets in the NFL at 26, allowing 16 receptions, according to PFF. When quarterbacks target Banks, they are averaging 16 yards per reception and a 134 passer rating, making him one of the weaker corners in the league. 

On the other hand, DK Metcalf has been thriving as Geno Smith's favorite target, with 35 targets (9th in the NFL) and 24 receptions, placing him in the top 10 in both categories. When targeting Metcalf, Smith enjoys a 121 passer rating, and Metcalf is averaging 15 yards per reception, setting him up for a big day.

PrizePicks to Consider: DK Metcalf 66.5 Receiving Yards — MORE (Demon Pick)

Texans CB Jalen Pitre vs Bills WRs

Jalen Pitre, the Texans' slot corner, will have a tough matchup against whoever lines up in the slot for the Bills with WR Khalil Shakir out. Pitre is ranked 78th out of 94 slot cornerbacks in coverage this season and has allowed 13 of 19 targets to be completed, according to PFF, with quarterbacks posting a 100 passer rating against him. 

With Shakir out, we’ll likely see more 2 TE sets for the Bills, meaning Dawson Knox could get more looks. When they do go with a WR in the slot, it’ll likely be a combination of Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins in the slot, while Keon Coleman mostly stays outside. 

Best TD Scorer Predictions on PrizePicks: Week 5

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin: Rush+Rec TD (Demon)

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin is off to a stellar start, hauling in 19 of 28 targets and averaging 10 yards per reception with a near-perfect 100 passer rating when targeted. More importantly, McLaurin has been a reliable option for rookie QB Jalen Daniels, with only one drop all season. 

He’ll be facing Martin Emerson Jr. of the Cleveland Browns, who is having a rough year, ranking 93rd out of 94 corners, per PFF. Emerson has allowed 16 completions for a 120 passer rating and 10 yards per reception, giving McLaurin a favorable matchup to exploit.

Rams RB Kyren Williams: Rush+Rec TD (Goblin)

The Packers are struggling with one of the worst front sevens in the NFL. Defensive tackle T.J. Slaton ranks 118th out of 124 tackles on PFF, while his counterpart Kenny Clark is ranked 100th. 

The linebacking corps is equally poor, with Isaiah McDuffie ranking 53rd out of 72 linebackers, and Quay Walker ranking 61st out of 72, according to PFF. Both linebackers are vulnerable in coverage, with McDuffie ranked 40th out of 68 and Walker 57th out of 68. 

This sets up Kyren Williams for a strong performance. Williams is averaging 3.5 yards per carry and has scored five rushing touchdowns, tying him for the most in the NFL among running backs. 

Additionally, Williams has been a solid receiving option out of the backfield, catching 13-of-14 targets for one touchdown. Expect Williams to find the end zone against the Packers' weak defense.

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Lock in for Week 5 NFL DFS on PrizePicks

As Week 5 of the NFL season kicks off, we hope the NFL Cheat Sheet helps you build your winning PrizePicks Lineups this week. The Week 4 slate of games are stacked with exciting matchups, and there’s no better way to get in on the action than with PrizePicks

Just pick two or more player projections, submit yourLlineup, and stay in the green during the Sunday Week 5 games to win a real money payout when the games are over.

Follow Shayne Trail on X: @ShayneTrail

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