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The Week 5 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions features two teams heading in polar opposite directions. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Philadelphia Eagles
The surprising Eagles are 3-0 coming out of their bye week, and it’s all thanks to rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. He’s averaging a healthy 256 passing yards per game this season and has thrown for five touchdowns and no interceptions. He seems like the real deal. Only one team has given up more fantasy points to quarterbacks than the Detroit Lions.
Wentz is not only likely to lead the Eagles to another win, he may just be in starting fantasy lineups this week over other more proven quarterbacks. That’s not a bad idea considering the stats he’s put up so far, and the potential he has yet to realize. Wentz is an up-and-coming stud.
Wentz’s progress should continue to benefit wide receiver Jordan Matthews. Matthews was held to just two catches in Week 3, but one of his catches accounted for his second score of the season. The Eagles didn’t need him as Philadelphia topped the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-3.
In Detroit, Matthews will be up against a porous secondary unit. He should see double digits in targets and convert those targets for at least six catches and 80 yards. Should he find the end zone on one of those catches, Matthews will go well beyond his projected point totals in Week 5.
Detroit Lions
If the Detroit Lions are to pick up their second win of the season in Week 5, quarterback Matthew Stafford is going to have to be considerably better. He failed to throw a touchdown pass against the lowly Chicago Bears in Week 4 and also tossed two interceptions. He’s arguably been an elite, high-volume fantasy passer over the last few years throwing touchdowns to the now retired Calvin Johnson.
However, it seems Stafford may have fallen off his high horse at this point. The Philadelphia Eagles have given up the fewest points in the league to opposing quarterbacks. It will be tough for Stafford to produce a bounceback performance in Week 5. He’s unlikely to surpass his projected totals.
If he does, wide receiver Marvin Jones will need to do his part. Jones, too, was bottled up by the Bears last week. The good news is, he still caught five passes for 74 yards in the game, which is respectable.
What’s even better for Jones is that the Lions may only have one healthy running back in Week 5, which means they’ll be passing the ball a lot. Golden Tate has been nowhere to be found early in the season. Jones will top his fantasy projections even if his quarterback has another bad day. He’s all the Lions have right now.