2 hours ago 1

Week 5 Fantasy Football Instant Reactions: 'Emeka Egbuka is the WR1 in Tampa Bay'

Fantasy football analyst Ray Garvin shares his thoughts on Week 4's most noteworthy action.

Emeka Egbuka is that dude

What a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks, a 38-35 final and what made it even better — especially if you had any pass catchers in this one — is that the guys who needed to get the ball got the ball.

Sam Darnold threw four touchdown passes and went for 341 yards, finishing as QB3 on the week heading into Sunday Night Football. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, absolute star, eight receptions, 132 yards, one touchdown. And on the other side of the ball, Baker Mayfield gave you 379 yards through the air, two touchdowns and just enough rushing to pat the fantasy stat line.

But the name you need to know, the one that should be on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now, is Emeka Egbuka.

Egbuka didn’t just show up, he erupted. Seven targets, seven receptions, 163 yards and a touchdown. All five of his downfield (10+ air yard) targets were caught; 145 yards and the touchdown came on those alone. He did this all against zone coverage, running 29 of his 31 routes against zone looks and torching it at every level. He now ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards versus zone (418) and first in touchdowns against zone (4). He also exposed Josh Jobe for 81 yards in coverage, the most that defender has ever allowed to a single player in his career.

What we’re seeing here is not just a talented rookie making some noise — this is a special player on a special run.

[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]

The stars have aligned for Egbuka in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have lost their top three pass catchers from last year and what was left behind is an offense with a fearless quarterback and a wide receiver room that just needed someone to step up. Emeka Egbuka hasn’t just stepped up, he’s taken over. This is vintage Cooper Kupp/Puka Nacua level territory. This is a player whose skill set is meeting opportunity in the exact right moment. And if you bet on that talent in the summer, or if you traded for him early, you’re watching that investment blossom in real time.

This is what winning fantasy football looks like —it’s hitting on one of these guys.

Heading into Sunday Night Football, Emeka Egbuka is the WR3 in total half PPR scoring behind only Puka Nacua and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is WR5. He may not reach Puka’s rookie reception volume but this isn’t about volume, this is about dominance. Egbuka is a zone beater, a deep threat and the most consistent player in a pass-heavy offense that continues to win games late. What we’re witnessing is a breakout in the truest form.

Emeka Egbuka is a star. And fantasy managers who have him, you’re not just along for the ride, you’re leading the way.

Instant reaction: Emeka Egbuka is the WR1 in Tampa Bay. It doesn’t matter who’s active. Even when Mike Evans returns, this offense runs through Egbuka.

Philadelphia Eagles: More passes, more problems

If I told you the Eagles would run the ball just 11 times with four different ball carriers and Jalen Hurts would throw 38 passes, you’d probably guess A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith went nuclear. You’d be half right. DeVonta Smith did his part — 10 targets, 8 receptions, 114 yards, led the team across the board. A.J. Brown? Third in targets behind Dallas Goedert with just five catches for 43 yards and no touchdowns, and he and Hurts missed badly on what should’ve been a 61-yard house call. Brown said he slowed down because he lost the ball in the air. Hurts missed him.

Whatever angle you take, the result is the same — a wasted play, a wasted game and a WR43 fantasy finish on the week for a top fantasy receiver coming into the season.

This was supposed to be a “make-it-right” game. Reports coming out said there was locker room tension about the passing attack, and it felt like Philly tried to force the ball through the air to prove a point. The result was ugly. They lost at home to Bo Nix and the Broncos, who were practically begging the Eagles to take the game. Saquon Barkley touched the ball just nine times. Six carries. Thirty rushing yards. No red-zone work. The only thing that saved his fantasy day — and I mean saved it — was a long receiving touchdown. He finished Week 5 as RB9 in half PPR, and even though you’re not mad at the final line, it’s terrifying knowing that one play kept you from a total dud.

This offense looks disjointed. Philly lost Landon Dickerson during the game, Hurts didn’t turn the ball over but still looked shaky and no one can seem to agree on who the focal point of the offense is. And yet, you’re trapped. You can’t bench A.J. Brown. You can’t bench DeVonta Smith. You definitely can’t bench Saquon. You’re just stuck starting all of them and hoping for the best.

Coming out of Week 5, that’s the only word that feels right for the Eagles: Stuck. And that should make any fantasy manager uneasy.

Instant reaction: You have to start your Eagles and hope for the best. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley are in your lineup every week, but just be ready for things to go sideways.

Put some respect on Dak Prescott’s name

Y’all better quit playing and put some respect on Dak Prescott. You don’t have to like the Dallas Cowboys but we’re not here to talk about playoff wins. This is fantasy football and Dak is balling.

Week 5, QB2 going into Sunday night. Eighteen-for-twenty-nine for 237 yards and not one, not two, not three but four passing touchdowns. That’s QB9 on the season and he’s doing it without CeeDee Lamb. The man’s throwing dimes to Jake Ferguson, George Pickens is still doing his thing and unheralded Ryan Flournoy just dropped a buck-14 on six grabs. If Lamb misses more time, this offense is still lit. And oh yeah, Dak had four new offensive line starters and still added 28 yards on the ground. This ain’t just solid, this is certified star territory. He’s elevating everyone around him. You better lock him into lineups weekly, no questions asked.

Instant reaction: If CeeDee Lamb misses time, Ryan Flournoy is absolutely in play for Week 6 and maybe beyond.

Rico Dowdle just put the league on notice

Rico Dowdle’s name was called — and Rico Dowdle delivered.

With Chuba Hubbard out, he got the start and turned it into a statement. The man went nuclear: 23 carries, 206 yards, one touchdown, three catches for 28 more and sits as the RB1 in half PPR heading into Sunday night with 30.9 points. That’s 26 total touches and not one defense-adjusted fluke.

He ripped Miami all day. But here’s the kicker: Hubbard’s expected to miss more time and next week, Dowdle gets a home game against the same Dallas defense that just gave up a monster day to Breece Hall. That’s a revenge spot for a back who rushed for 1,000 yards in Big D last season.

The volume is there. The upcoming matchup is juicy. If you grabbed Rico off waivers, you’re flexing gold right now.

Instant reaction: Rico Dowdle is a locked-in RB2 with RB1 upside next week vs. Dallas

Reality check for Giants' rookies

Y’all remember last week, when folks were ready to put Cam Skattebo and Jaxson Dart in Canton? Yeah, let’s chill. This Week 5 L to the Saints? That was the comedown. Dart threw two touchdowns, but also threw two picks, fumbled and looked skittish down the stretch. Skattebo? He got his 22 opportunities and gave you RB19 numbers in half-PPR (11.4 points), but that fumble was brutal.

Dart ended up QB16 (15.6 points) and still couldn’t drag this offense to a win. The Giants are 1-4, the schedule gets nasty and this offense is running out of answers. If you’ve got a chance to flip Skattebo off the box score or move Dart in redraft, I’m making that call.

This loss was the warning shot. It’s about to get rough.

Instant reaction: Cam Skattebo is sliding down from auto-start to flex consideration. Jaxson Dart? You can’t roll him out again. Not on a short week. Not against Philly.

Stick a fork in 'em: The Ravens are done

This ain’t the same Baltimore squad we were hyping a month ago. No Lamar Jackson, no shot. Cooper Rush is playing like a career backup, because that’s exactly what he is. The Ravens are allowing 35.3 points per game; you just can’t win like that. The offensive line is Swiss cheese, the defense can’t get off the field and outside of Zay Flowers and Derrick Henry, there’s nothing here to lean on.

Henry bailed us out with a garbage-time score but that’s not a weekly bet. Zay’s getting volume, but it’s empty. Baltimore is done in the water without Lamar. I’m benching every Raven not named Flowers or Henry and even they might be one more dud away from hitting the pine too.

You’re not playing vibes, you’re playing fantasy. Don’t be loyal to a sinking ship.

Instant reaction: Only Derrick Henry is comfortably startable for Baltimore with Cooper Rush at quarterback. Even Zay Flowers comes with real risk right now.

Arizona Cardinals: Shame, shame, shame

The Arizona Cardinals should be ashamed of themselves. They lost 22-21 to the Titans in embarrassing fashion. Emari Demercado dropped the ball at the goal line on what would have been a 72-yard touchdown. Instead of putting the game away, it ended in a turnover.

Marvin Harrison Jr. started hot but only finished with four catches for 98 yards on five targets. Trey McBride posted five receptions for 41 yards. Kyler Murray rushed for a score and threw for 220 yards, but this offense continues to be inconsistent and frustrating.

On the Tennessee side, Calvin Ridley finally came through with five for 131, but it came in a game where most fantasy managers had benched him. Tony Pollard fumbled but also scored and ran for 67 yards.

You’re starting MHJ and hoping, you’re starting McBride and hoping and as it stands right now, you’re probably still not starting Calvin Ridley next week.

Instant reaction: This doesn’t look like it’s getting better for Marvin Harrison Jr. The volume just isn’t there and the game scripts are never right. Even Trey McBride is underwhelming. Stock down for everyone in Arizona.

Bench your Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase bailed you out. That’s the takeaway here. Chase goes into Sunday Night Football as the WR2 on the week in half PPR scoring after putting up six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. But here’s the thing: 79 of those yards and both touchdowns came on just two catches in the fourth quarter. The Bengals were trailing, desperate — and that’s when Chase came alive.

Jake Browning? Still bad. He tossed three picks and this offense looked completely stuck until the very end. Tee Higgins found the end zone but had just 22 yards. Chase Brown led the team in catches with seven for 21 yards.

You’re starting Ja’Marr because you have to. He’s that kind of talent. But outside of him, there’s no one in Cincinnati you can start right now and feel remotely good about it.

Instant reaction: Benching every Bengal not named Ja’Marr Chase moving forward.

The Los Angeles Chargers suffer a second straight loss

That’s two straight losses for the Chargers — and this one’s bad. They fell to a Washington Commanders team that just got Jayden Daniels back from injury. Daniels didn’t look right for most of the first half, playing with a massive knee brace, but still managed 231 yards and a touchdown on just 15 completions. No interceptions, only one sack. He did enough.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt finally had his breakout performance. Over 100 yards rushing, two touchdowns, and two catches for 39 yards. Deebo Samuel Sr. looked like vintage Deebo again. Ninety-six yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. On the Chargers’ side, Justin Herbert’s 22 completions came with just 5.7 yards per attempt. He was sacked four times, led the team in rushing and the offensive line looked banged up. Omarion Hampton got banged up late and now has an ankle injury we have to monitor. Keenan Allen led the team in receiving. Ladd McConkey found the end zone but only had 39 yards. Quentin Johnston fumbled and the explosive plays weren’t there.

Instant reaction: Not ready to panic just yet, but there might be some real problems brewing with the Chargers’ offensive line. If that front can’t hold up, we’ve got a serious issue in Los Angeles.

Read Entire Article