Week 5 NFL DFS Picks, Predictions, & Top Matchups for DFS
Bye weeks start in Week 5, taking some top options off the board for NFL DFS. However, we still have some great matchups to enjoy. The Texans will host the Bills, the Ravens take on the Bengals, and the Steelers will battle with the Cowboys on Sunday Night.
Below, we’ll highlight some of the top DFS picks and predictions for Week 5 on PrizePicks, including some matchups to target in your Lineups this Sunday.
NFL Week 5 Picks for DFS & PrizePicks
- NFL Week 5 Injury Report + Notes
- Week 5 Pass Defenses to Target
- Week 5 Run Defenses to Target
- Week 5 DFS Picks
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NFL Week 5 Injury Report
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor Battling Ankle Injury
The Colts knocked off the Steelers last week, but it came at a price. Colts RB Jonathan Taylor was forced from the game with a high-ankle sprain. The good news is, Taylor won’t be placed on injured reserve.
However, he could sit out against the Jaguars this week, and potentially longer. Taylor missed practice on Wednesday. Behind him on the depth chart is Colts RB Trey Sermon, who has nine carries for 24 yards and one touchdown this season. In his one start last year, Sermon rushed for 17 carries and 88 yards against the Steelers.
Colts QB Anthony Richardson (Oblique) Considered Day-to-Day
In addition to Taylor, Colts QB Anthony Richardson left Sunday’s game with oblique and abdominal strains. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, and has not yet been ruled out for Week 5. If he is sidelined, then Colts QB Joe Flacco will take over. He threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Richardson on Sunday.
Giants WR Malik Nabers in Concussion Protocol
Giants WR Malik Nabers suffered a concussion towards the end of their Week 4 matchup with the Cowboys. Luckily for the Giants, Nabers will have added time to clear the concussion protocol because that game was on Thursday Night Football.
Nabers is still in the early stages of the concussion protocol. If Nabers is not cleared in time to face the Seahawks, then Giants WR Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson would likely see added targets. Slayton had 3 receptions for 56 yards last week, and he posted at least 700 receiving yards in both of the last two seasons.
Other NFL Week 5 Injuries for DFS
- Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) has been ruled out for the third straight game. With him out the last two weeks, Rams WR Tutu Atwell has combined for eight receptions for 175 yards. Rams WR Jordan Whittington also hauled in six of eight targets for 62 yards in Week 4.
- Texans RB Joe Mixon (ankle) has missed the last two weeks, and is day-to-day again this week. Mixon did not practice on Wednesday, and now has two days to prepare for Sunday’s game. He looks headed for a game-time decision.
- Raiders WR Davante Adams (hamstring) could miss his second straight game when the Raiders face the Broncos, especially as he is now on the trade block. The Raiders passing game crumbled with him out last week, leaving Raiders QB Gardner Minshew II to throw for just 130 yards. Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers led the way with five catches for 49 yards.
- Packers WR Christian Watson played just nine offensive snaps in Week 4 before leaving with an ankle injury. It’s unlikely that he will land on injured reserve, but he is expected to be sidelined for at least Week 5 against the Rams. Packers WR Jayden Reed should be busy for however long Watson is out. More Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks should get more targets as well, as he received a season-high 13 targets last week.
- Browns TE David Njoku (ankle) has not played since Week 1. His return could be imminent, as he practiced on Wednesday. They could use him a lot against the Commanders, who are averaging 30.3 points against per game.
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NFL Week 5 Pass Defenses to Target
Indianapolis Colts Defense vs. Jaguars
The Colts have struggled to slow down the opposition through the air, allowing the seventh-most passing yards per game (235.0) in the league. Opponents have completed 68.9% of their passes against them, which is the 10th-highest mark in the league.
Last week, they faced Steelers QB Justin Fields, who is known more for his rushing prowess. He still torched them for 312 passing yards. The Colts will now try to slow down Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who combined for four touchdown passes against them in two games last year.
Lawrence has struggled this year, but his PrizePicks projections reflect that. It also looks like he will get back tight end Evan Engram this week; Engram led the team in targets last year.
PrizePicks to consider: Trevor Lawrence 234.5 Pass Yards / Brian Thomas Jr. 54.5 Receiving Yards
Baltimore Ravens Defense vs. Bengals
The Ravens have evened their record at 2-2 after losing their first two games of the season. Their offense has been excellent, their rush defense has been one of the best in the league, but their secondary has shown to have some holes.
They enter Week 5 having given up the fourth-most passing yards per game (257.5) in the league. They have given up 7.62 yards per pass attempt, which is the ninth-highest mark. With their offense putting up points with ease with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Bengals might be forced to throw a lot to try and keep pace.
PrizePicks to consider: Joe Burrow 252.5 Pass Yards / Ja’Marr Chase 74.5 Receiving Yards
NFL Week 5 Run Defenses to Target
Carolina Panthers Defense vs. Bears
The Bengals ran all over the Panthers last week. Bengals RB Chase Brown and Bengals RB Zack Moss combined for 131 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 30 carries.
It was a continuation of a common theme that has seen the Panthers allow the fourth-most rushing yards per game in the league. The Panthers are 23rd in opponent’s rush success expected points added (EPA). Bears RB D’Andre Swift has been their leader in the backfield, accounting for 70% of the team’s rushing attempts this season, and should take advantage.
PrizePicks to consider: D’Andre Swift 48.5 Rush Yards and 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs (Demon)
Cincinnati Bengals Defense vs. Ravens
Ravens RB Derrick Henry steamrolled the Bills for 199 rushing yards and two total touchdowns in Week 4. In Week 3, he ran for 151 yards and one touchdown against the Cowboys. Up next for him is the Bengals, who are allowing 4.48 yards per carry to opposing running backs.
The Bengals are 28th in rush defense EPA, and 31st in success rate, per rbsdm. Last week, they gave up 104 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries by Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard; in Week 2, they gave up 90 yards on 19 carries to Chiefs RB Isaiah Pacheco.
PrizePicks to consider: Derrick Henry 85.5 Rush Yards and 0.5 Rush+Rec TD (Goblin) / Lamar Jackson 55.5 Rush Yards
Week 5 NFL DFS Picks for PrizePicks
Packers WR Jayden Reed 60.5 Receiving Yards — MORE
The expected absence of Watson should provide a boost for Packers WR Jayden Reed. He has already received 18.6% of the team’s targets, which is tied with Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks for the team lead.
Reed is also elusive, averaging 9.4 yards after the catch. That has already enabled him to record two games with at least 138 receiving yards.
Look for him to thrive against a Rams defense that has allowed 9.25 yards per target to opposing wide receivers and is 29th in opponent success rate on dropbacks.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson 203.5 Pass Yards — MORE
This might seem like a high projection for Browns QB Deshaun Watson to hit since he has yet to top 196 passing yards in a game this season. However, there are two factors working in his favor for this game against the Commanders.
First is the Commanders being so productive on offense, which should force the Browns to throw a lot to try and keep pace. They are first in the league in offensive success rate and EPA/play. Second, the Commanders have allowed the fourth-highest yards per pass attempt (7.91) in the league, and are 31st in opponent’s dropback success rate.
Touchdown Scorer Pick: Browns WR Amari Cooper 0.5 Rush+Rec TDs – MORE
The Commanders aren’t just giving up yards in bunches. They have given up 10 receiving touchdowns to wide receivers. No other team has allowed more than seven to the position.
Browns WR Amari Cooper has two touchdown receptions this season, while the rest of the Browns’ wide receivers have combined for one touchdown. He’s the Browns best receiving option, so expect them to look his way when they get in close.
Browns QB Deshaun Watson 1.5 Pass TDs – MORE (Demon)
We’re going back to Watson to try and further exploit his matchup against the Commanders. Watson does have one multi-passing touchdown performance under his belt this season, throwing for two scores against the Giants in Week 3. Given how poorly the Commanders have struggled to defend the pass, this is lining up for Watson to have one of his better performances of the season.
Note: Demon picks add a payout boost to your lineup on PrizePicks, as they are more difficult projections to hit.
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Build Your Week 5 NFL DFS Lineup on PrizePicks
Although four teams are on a bye, there are still plenty of exciting games set to be played in Week 5. There is no better way to get in on the action than by building a team on PrizePicks for the Sunday main slate.
There are no salary constraints, so pick two or more projections for your favorite players, finalize your lineup, sit back, and enjoy the games.
Follow Mike Barner on Twitter: @rotomikebarner
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