Fantasy Football: Top 5 players to avoid for Week 5 (Post TNF)

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass as Chicago Bears inside linebacker Shea McClellin (50) chases during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Make sure when it comes to your fantasy football teams, you stay far away from these 5 players that could absolutely poison your team in Week 5 action.

All the fantasy experts will tell you who they think will be the stars of the show on Sunday, but I think it’s only fair to provide you with the other side of the coin. What players you should avoid due to match-up, chance at a bad week or just intuition.

I will help you avoid the inevitable pitfalls along the path to fantasy glory with some hints and tips on what players you should avoid in Week 5 of the NFL season. This is of course post the Week 5 opening Thursday Night Football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

Next: 5. One Carr that shouldn't come out of the driveway

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is sacked by Chicago Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) in the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

5. Derek Carr

Let me be the first one to say I love Carr as a prospect, I think he can finally be the franchise quarterback that the Oakland Raiders have been searching years for. But I hate his match-up this week against the Denver Broncos and their vaunted defense. Probably the fanciest source I’ve ever used is the Wall Street Journal and writer Michael Salfino even shared this little nugget to consider:

Through the season’s first four weeks, the Broncos’ defense leads the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game, per play, per pass play and is second in points allowed.

Though all those things are true let’s break it down even further: Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. This is the best pass-rushing duo in the league and it’s not even close. They’ve combined for 6.5 sacks so far this season and the defense overall has accumulated 18 sacks which is No. 1 in the entire NFL. If you thought the Bears gave the Raiders problems last week imagine Denver!

If only that was the worst part, sorry Raiders fans, cover your eyes, the Broncos also have arguably one of the best secondaries in the entire league with the 1-2 punch of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. The combination has taken away the ball 3 times from opposing offenses and again, the Broncos’ defense ranks third in the league in interceptions this season with 6 interceptions.

One final statistic to bare in mind, the Broncos have surrendered an average of 7.37 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, again, the lowest fantasy output of any defense in the league. So in other words, park the ‘Carr’ in the garage this week.

Next: 4. This Eagle should have his wings clipped

Aug 2, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Zach Ertz

I’m sure this will ‘Ertz’ his confidence, but that isn’t the only thing that’s hurting him this season. His stat line is atrocious, I mean 10 catches for 104 yards and no touchdowns? In this Chip Kelly offense that is supposed to be one of the most potent in the league?

It’s less about the actual match-up vs the New Orleans Saints this week as it is overall he just hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far. I think he should ride the bench in nearly every possible scenario until he can prove he’s a viable fantasy starting tight end.

He has all the potential in the world to be a TE1 in most fantasy football formats from a physical standpoint, from a schematic standpoint in that Eagles spread attack and from a depth chart standpoint. Brent Celek has fallen off the face of the earth into obscurity.

The door is open for Ertz, but he hasn’t shown he can walk through it yet. I would stay away from all Eagles tight ends for that matter because despite having decent match-ups this season, he hasn’t produced one bit. Stay away from him this week.

Next: 3. One of the best defenses should ride the bench

Aug 23, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; St. Louis Rams helmet lays on the sideline during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Titans won 27-14. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

3. St. Louis Rams Defense

The Rams’ defense is fresh off a phenomenal performance against the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals. So why would I suggest sitting this ferocious defense? Three words: Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers is literally on fire, typical season for No. 12, eh? It seems like every year we’re talking about him having the best statistical season of his career and he’s doing it yet again.

MVP: @AaronRodgers12 DPOY: @J_No24 OROY: M. Mariota @BuckyBrooks‘ Quarter-Mark Awards: http://t.co/6HL43vBFA9 pic.twitter.com/VsbNwm0mXs

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2015

He’s already getting incredible praise so far this season. For example, he’s been bestowed the league MVP through the first 4 weeks of the season. With numbers like a 72% completion percentage, nearly 1,000 yards passing, a 11 touchdown to 0 interception ratio and a 125+ quarterback rating, why shouldn’t he be the MVP?

The Rams’ defense is good, if not great; they’ve destroyed teams this season. The Rams’ defense has scored 10 or more fantasy points in 3 of their first 4 games this season. Though sometimes when we see the stereotypical match-up of great offense vs. great defense someone gets exposed.

Unfortunately, I think the Rams’ defensive secondary will get exposed; I don’t think the Rams secondary is bad, but it is safe to say it’s their weakest positional unit on defense. Defenses are averaging 1 fantasy point in Lambeau this season, I’ll take my chances with a flier defense on the waiver wire.

Next: 2. A rookie's first career start is one to stay away from

Sep 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) returns a kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ameer Abdullah

This guy has been a lightning rod throughout preseason and spurts in the regular season; he has shown flashes of being the second coming of Barry Sanders. With Joique Bell out for the Detroit Lions, most casual fantasy football fans would think Abdullah could be the start of the week.

On the contrary, as much as I like Abdullah as a player he’s still a rookie and he’s facing one of the most stout rush defenses in the entire league in the Arizona Cardinals. This Cardinals defense has allowed only one touchdown and the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.

That doesn’t bode well for Abdullah looking to break out this week and keep Bell on the bench for good. Especially with the Lions sitting there at 0-4 after a heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

I think the Cardinals’ high-octane offense will jump out to a large lead quickly which will also dis-spell the effectiveness of Abdullah and force the Lions to play from behind. Which will limit Abdullah’s potential impact in the world of fantasy.

Next: 1. Humble pie is coming for the Red Rifle

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) walks off the field during a time out in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Kansas City 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

1. Andy Dalton

Yes, the No. 1 ranked player to avoid is Dalton this week for me in fantasy football. He’s been nothing short of phenomenal so far this season for the undefeated Bengals. He’s been the Peyton Manning of quarterbacks in this era of football. Playing at an elite level in the regular season, but flopping in the playoffs.

Andy Dalton playing at a level with Rodgers, Brady, Ryan… — mark schlereth (@markschlereth) October 4, 2015

Mark Schlereth is onto something with Dalton’s play, but the ultimate question that comes to my mind is how long can this last? Speaking of incredible statistics this season: 67% completion percentage, over 1,100 yards, a 9 touchdown to 1 interception ratio and a 123 quarterback rating are absolutely incredible numbers thus far.

But against the Seattle Seahawks’ defense, Dalton will struggle, his #1 weapon on offense: AJ Green will find it very difficult to create openings in the Legion of Boom secondary. I could see the first multiple interception game from Dalton this season and their winning streak being snapped.

Next: Fantasy Football: Top 5 sleepers for Week 5