:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51210809/612041858.0.jpg)
The Week 5 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins features two struggling teams looking to right the ship. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
Tennessee Titans
Running back DeMarco Murray is back and in a big way. After struggling to produce as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, Murray is making a case for being the top fantasy running back throughout the first month of 2016. He has 209 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground in the last two weeks alone. Miami is fairly good at defending the run.
On the flip side, the Dolphins have struggled offensively all year long. In the second half of the game, Murray could be running all over an exhausted defense. He’s bound to eventually be held out of the end zone as nobody scores every single week. Week 5 however could see Murray continue playing at a high level and once again finding the end zone.
The rest of the team’s offensive production will rely on quarterback Marcus Mariota. The second-year young gun proved he had a ton of potential to build on in 2015. Things just having translated in 2016. Mariota has thrown five interceptions this season compared to just four touchdowns.
Mariota has also averaged just 231 passing yards per game and failed to throw for more than 271 yards passing this year. He will undoubtedly need to be better for the team moving forward. Fantasy owners would be crazy to start him right now but a weak matchup against the Miami Dolphins might help him rebuild some confidence.
Miami Dolphins
As much as Marcus Mariota is struggling, Miami’s Ryan Tannehill is doing just as poorly. Tannehill got picked apart by the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. He was sacked repeatedly and held to just 189 passing yards, his second-lowest total of the season.
Like Mariota, Tannehill needs to start putting up some numbers in order to garner any fantasy value in the eyes of owners. He might be able to play a little better against a rebuilding Titans team. The fact this home game may turn into a road game thanks to Hurricane Matthew doesn’t help, either.
What might help is the possible return of running back Arian Foster. Few people expected Foster to play in Week 5, but he returned to practice on Wednesday. He hasn’t played in game action since injuring both his groin and hamstring in Week 2.
Tennessee has given up just one rushing touchdown this year. That’s something to keep in mind, even if Foster plays. Perhaps Jay Ajayi is a better play heading into game day. A solid effort from either one would surely help the passing game out a little bit.