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The Week 5 matchup between the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers features a struggling offense against a scary one. We've got the fantasy projections courtesy of numberFire.
New York Jets
Wide receiver Eric Decker is still dealing with a shoulder injury. That makes Brandon Marshall all the more valuable in all fantasy formats. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may be struggling to limit turnovers, but it’s not affecting Marshall’s fantasy numbers. Marshall had four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4.
Rumors the Jets are going back to Geno Smith under center if Fitzpatrick doesn’t get his act together are still just rumors for now. Marshall is going to be targeted in the double digits in Pittsburgh, and that’s especially true if New York finds itself playing from behind early. In a game that should be lopsided, Marshall may actually benefit more than any other Jets player in Week 5.
Hopefully running back Matt Forte does his part, too. He’s been held to 92 rushing yards in the last two weeks combined. He had X-rays on his ankle following Week 4 but is still expected to play against Pittsburgh. The unfortunate part for Forte is that teammate Bilal Powell ran for 80 yards on just 10 attempts against the Seattle Seahawks. Either way, the Steelers are generous to opposing running backs, so if Forte can play, he should produce.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers looked like true Super Bowl contender’s following the team’s Week 4 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was over at halftime. Wide receiver and fantasy stud Antonio Brown caught just four passes in the game for 64 yards but had two touchdowns in the first half. He should be all over Darrelle Revis and the Jets this week.
The Jets’ secondary unit has been scorched by multiple receivers already this season and nobody can stop Brown. Evidently nobody can stop running back Le’Veon Bell, either. Making his season debut after serving a three-game suspension, Bell dropped 178 total yards in 23 attempts on the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. It’s safe to say he will be the best running back in the NFL this season.
Bell’s ability to slow down at the line of scrimmage, find a hole, and explode through it is second to none. The New York Jets have been good against opposing running backs this season, but they haven’t faced an elite rusher yet.