Week 5 Thursday Night Football Preview

Ah good, a football game, and not a thinly veiled highlight package of Jets incompetence.

There’s a lot of injuries to note. Chris Godwin and LeSean McCoy is out. Nobody is playing McCoy and Godwin’s absence was expected. Still, it sucks. Leonard Fournette is doubtful, but even if active, there’s no way you start him.

Mike Evans and Scotty Miller are both questionable but I’d expect each to play. Without them, the Bucs have no viable receiving targets. Not ideal for a football game. If there are surprise inactives, you’ll have time to adjust your lineup.

The Bears Darnell Mooney is questionable with a shoulder injury but practiced all week in full. I’d assume he’s playing but that is weird. No other Bears players are hurt, which is great, but unfortunately, play as part of the Bears offense.

Auto Starts

Mike Evans: Sure, the Bears Defense is a good unit, but if you’re benching Evans, you shouldn’t have drafted him. He played fantastic after suffering the ankle injury on Thursday, and there’s no fear of the dreaded high ankle sprain. Evans could go 2-18, but that’s part of the Evans playbook. Start him and hope the target share is massive.

Allen Robinson: The Bucs aren’t a fantasy haven for WRs this year. In 2019, you’d start the #5 option on a team and half expect 100 and a TD. Still, like Evans, Robinson does not leave your lineup. Nick Foles is throwing to Robinson like his jo depends on it. Let’s be honest, it does.

Good Starts

Bucs Defense: Outside of Allen Robinson, nobody scares you on the Bears. Nick Foles didn’t light the world on fire in week 4 either. If I could grab the Bucs, I’d start them.

Bears Defense: Likely owned in all leagues, the Bears defense facing a walking wounded Bucs offense. Khalil Mac is off the injury report, and if Evans or Scotty Miller are limited, the Bears could be a great play. I might have PTSD from 20 years of Tom Brady moping the Jets, but I’d prefer the Bucs Defense after Brady had 5 TDs despite missing these weapons last week.

Ok Starts

Tom Brady: You can stay in the flames off that 5 TD game, but this isn’t the best set up for Brady. With the uncertainty of several games this week, I can see Brady making lineups “to be safe” but I’d feel better with an active Chris Godwin.

Ronald Jones: The backfield should be his tonight, but not without risk. Jones struggles in the passing game and the Bears have a good run defense. Still, 20 touches are 20 touches. He’s a low end RB2 that needs a TD to get there. Likely, that’s many managers’ best option.

David Montgomery: Did nothing in week 4 and the Bucs run defense might be the best in the league. Montgomery will have to catch passes to score, but like Jones, how many alternates do you have? Hope for a score or 10 points. This isn’t a week winning start.

Scotty Miller: If 100%, I’d feel better about this. Then again, he was questionable in week 4 and had a good game. Miller has been better than expected filling in for Chris Godwin this year. I think you reward him with the start this week. You know, as if he would know or care you’re playing him in a fantasy league.

Jimmy Graham: I mean, I guess? It’s not like TEs are showing up after a week 2 splurge. Graham is not a TE I’d seek out to play, but if you have his as your only TE on the roster, it’s fine. He’ll be TD dependent, but there’s only 3 TEs that aren’t.

Hail Mary Starts

Darnell Mooney: Mooney has been involved more the past few weeks. Assuming he plays, he’ll get volume. That volume hasn’t translated to any points yet, but it could be coming.

Ke’Shawn Vaughn: Don’t play Vaughn tonight. It’s a bad idea. BUT, if you’re desperate for RBs, and who isn’t, Vaughn’s role could increase after the game. Tom Brady needs a safety valve target, a la James White. Ronald Jones has proven he cannot be that safety valve. If you have a roster spot available, stash Vaughn on the bench. If he does nothing, cut Vaughn and pick up someone else before Sunday.

Gronk: He’s not getting a full name. Don’t play Gronk. Stop playing Gronk. Stop having Gronk on your roster. The Bucs were missing a ton of receiving options last week and he was an afterthought. Gronk is the blocking TE, and he’s damn good at it. OJ Howard is out for the year, but the likely benefactor is Cameron Brate.