Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books. Last week’s streamers had mixed results. Jacoby Brissett was a solid option in Superflex leagues, scoring 14.4 fantasy points against the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, Jared Goff had a disastrous performance. After averaging 24.4 fantasy points per game over the past three weeks, the Detroit quarterback scored only 5.9 fantasy points against the New England Patriots. With the Lions on a bye in Week 6, fantasy players won’t have Goff’s services this week.
However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming options for Week 6.
All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1QB leagues and under 25% of Superflex leagues.
Streaming Targets in 1QB Leagues
Geno Smith (QB – SEA) vs. Arizona Cardinals (32.5% Rostered)
Last week I had Smith as the streamer to avoid because of the matchup against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints held quarterbacks to only 13.2 fantasy points per game this season before Week 5. However, Smith had 268 passing yards, three touchdowns, and scored 24 fantasy points against the Saints in New Orleans. The Seattle offense is clicking, and Smith has been a pleasant fantasy surprise. Over the past three weeks, he has averaged 24.9 fantasy points per game, scoring at least 18.9 fantasy points in every contest. Furthermore, Smith has scored nearly twice as many fantasy points as Matthew Stafford this season.
After his impressive performance against the Saints, fantasy players should be excited to start Smith this week against the Cardinals. Arizona has surrendered an average of 19.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, including 27.5 or more fantasy points twice. Furthermore, they have given up an average of 259.4 passing yards per game. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett appearing unstoppable, Smith has top-five upside this week in the NFC West divisional matchup.
Justin Fields (QB – CHI) vs. Washington Commanders (26.8% Rostered)
The Week 5 Thursday Night Football matchup was hard to watch, as both quarterbacks were awful. While the matchup this week features two teams with a record below .500, both quarterbacks are solid streaming options. However, I would start Fields over Carson Wentz. The second-year quarterback has struggled, averaging only 10.9 fantasy points per game this season. However, partly that is because he has averaged only 17.6 pass attempts per game. While that isn’t ideal, Fields is coming off his best game of the season last week, completing 71.4% of his passes for 208 yards and a touchdown while scoring 17 fantasy points.
Meanwhile, the Commanders have struggled to slow down quarterbacks this season, giving up 19.2 fantasy points per game to the position. Washington has also surrendered an average of 2.5 passing touchdowns per game and 20.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks during their four-game losing streak. While he is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, Chase Young likely won’t make his season debut until Week 7 or later. More importantly, Field has averaged 5.1 fantasy points per game on the ground this season, giving fantasy players a safe floor option this week.
Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues
Teddy Bridgewater (QB – MIA) vs. Minnesota Vikings (17.9% Rostered)
With Tua Tagovailoa unable to play, Bridgewater got the start last week against the New York Jets. However, he suffered a head and elbow injury early in the game and didn’t return. Bridgewater reportedly passed his concussion evaluation on Sunday but wasn’t allowed back into the game under the new concussion protocol rules. Hopefully, he can play this week against his former team. While he had only one pass attempt last week, Bridgewater scored 10.8 fantasy points in Week 4 on 23 pass attempts. Furthermore, he averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game last year as the starter with the Denver Broncos.
More importantly, the Vikings have given up 16.8 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, just slightly above the league average. However, they have surrendered 19.4 fantasy points per game since Week 1. There is a chance Bridgewater doesn’t play this week, whether he is still injured or Tua is ready to start. Fantasy players should consider Kenny Pickett (9.9% rostered) if Bridgewater isn’t an option. While he takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they have given up 19.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks over the past three weeks. Furthermore, Pickett has averaged 16.3 adjusted fantasy points per game this season in his six quarters on the field.
Jimmy Garoppolo (QB – SF) vs. Atlanta Falcons (11.2% Rostered)
Since taking over for the injured Trey Lance, Garoppolo has played well, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he is the QB18 over the past four weeks, ahead of several quarterbacks, including Matt Ryan and Stafford. More importantly, Garoppolo has played well against poor defenses this season. He scored 16.7 fantasy points in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks and 18 fantasy points last week against the Carolina Panthers. Garoppolo is also coming off his best game this season, throwing two passing touchdowns, a season-high.
Atlanta’s defense has been a fantasy gold mine for opposing quarterbacks. They have given up 18.8 fantasy points per game to the position, 2.7 more fantasy points than the league average. Furthermore, the Falcons have given up at least 18.9 fantasy points in 80% of the games this season. They have also surrendered 303.3 passing yards per game over the past three weeks, allowing quarterbacks to throw for 325 or more yards twice. While starting Garoppolo isn’t the most appealing option, his recent play and matchup this week makes him a safe floor QB2.
Streamer to Avoid
Zach Wilson (QB – NYJ) vs. Green Bay Packers (14.6% Rostered)
Typically streaming articles tell you which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback each week that you should avoid.
After missing the first three games of the year with a knee injury, Wilson has led the Jets to back-to-back victories. While he is averaging 16.44 fantasy points per game in those two contests, the second-year quarterback hasn’t been a reliable starting option for fantasy players. Wilson has three touchdowns this season, but only one has been a passing touchdown. He caught a touchdown in Week 4 off a trick play in the red zone. Then, last week he had a goal-line rushing touchdown and didn’t have a passing score. More importantly, the matchup on Sunday will be Wilson’s most challenging opponent this year.
The Packers have been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, surrendering only 12.5 fantasy points per game to the position this season. Furthermore, they have held quarterbacks to only 10.8 fantasy points and 0.5 passing touchdowns per game since Week 1. More importantly, quarterbacks have averaged only 173.5 passing yards per game over the past four weeks. Meanwhile, Wilson’s fantasy production hasn’t come in the passing game. The former BYU quarterback has averaged only 9.2 fantasy points per game passing this season. Given the talented Green Bay secondary, Wilson is not worthy of a starting spot in any fantasy format.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
