Week 5 Fantasy Takeaways: Silence Tom Brady doubters

1. They say Father Time catches up to everyone. However, that belief doesn’t apply to Tom Brady, at least for now.

Whether it’s the avocado ice cream, being married to Giselle or R&R sessions along the Italian coast, the future HOFer showed no visible rust in his triumphant return to the lineup. Yes, it was Cleveland, one of the league’s most generous secondaries, but the Golden Boy thoroughly dominated, picking apart the Browns in all facets – short, middle and deep. Connecting with seven different receivers, he finished 28-of-40 for 406 yards and three touchdowns. Tom … ANGRY!!!

Brady’s QB1 status may seem obvious to some, but a pocket within the fantasy community expressed serious doubts he would sustain eliteness at an advanced age. After all, the greatest season by an age 39 or older QB in NFL history was Brett Favre’s in 2009. That year Mr. Copper Fit threw for 4,202 yards and tallied a 33:7 TD:INT. His resulting 18.1 fantasy points per game ranked No. 5 among signal callers. Outside Favre, Warren Moon is the only other passer in NFL history to eclipse 20 passing TDs at 39 or older.

But Brady, like his predecessors, is a legendary producer who isn’t about to experience a Peyton Manning nosedive. Last season he ranked top-10 in several secondary metrics and finished second to Cam Newton in fantasy points per game at QB. Stiffer tests are on the horizon, but blessed with a ridiculous arsenal, he’s a top-five lock rest of season. With the Jets slated for Week 16, he’s sure to reward all of those who invested in his services with a shiny championship trophy.

As for those connected to No. 12, keep them activated. Yes, Martellus Bennett, and not Gronk, was the featured target inside the red zone Week 5, but better days are on the horizon for the slow-healing All-Pro. Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan (if an undisclosed injury suffered Sunday isn’t serious), meanwhile, are legitimate weekly starters (Edelman WR2, Hogan WR3) moving forward, even in 10-team leagues. And for those underestimating LeGarrette Blount, don’t. He should maintain at least a high-end RB2 profile given the improved offensive balance and likely increase in goal-to-goal situations.

Brady is back. Defensive coordinators beware.

2. Bland, vanilla, mediocre – not long ago these were adjectives many fantasy pundits attached to Baltimore RB Terrance West. Immaturity, ball protection issues and between-the-tackles softness while the rusher donned Cleveland colors explained why he was so disparaged. The stats offered support as he tallied under 4.0 yards per carry in stints with the Browns and Titans. But after undergoing a Christine Michael-like awakening of sorts this past summer, the former Towson battering ram is routinely gashing the opposition.

Including Sunday’s 90-total yard showing against Washington, West accumulated 203 yards and one touchdown, netting an impressive 6.5 yards per carry, over the past two weeks. His improved patience, power and second-level burst are finally unleashing his talents. Still, it might be time for owners to dangle his services. Due to recency bias, he should be able to entice a Brandin Cooks, Terrelle Pryor, Blake Bortles or Jerick McKinnon type.

Baltimore faces three unfavorable opponents in the near-term scheduled to clash against the Giants, Jets and Steelers, defenses that each have surrendered below 3.9 yards per carry to RBs on the year. Complicating matters, rookie hotshot Kenneth Dixon is back in the fold, an explosive, multidimensional youngster who is the quintessential Marc Trestman back. In his first regular season action he saw only limited action totaling four touches for five yards. Eventually, though, the LA Tech product should head up the Ravens’ RBBC, possibly after Baltimore’s Week 8 bye.

3. Houston is officially a statistical quagmire. Shockingly, Lamar Miller, a player largely drafted inside the top-15 overall in August, has practically become a matchup-only play. If not for a garbage-time TD in Minnesota, DeAndre Hopkins would be thought of similarly.

The Texans were spanked, yet again, this time by the hands of the Vikings. Stars Will Fuller and Miller combined for, get this, 28 yards (Fuller – 4, Miller – 24). Their ghastly efforts raise frustration levels for investors. Brock Osweiler’s dismal play combined with unfavorable game flows are reasons for the underachievement.

Despite the dark days, a glimmer of light is on the horizon. A Week 7 road tilt against the Denver Broncos is unappealing, but the Texans feature numerous exploitable upcoming matchups, including Indy (twice, Weeks 6, 14), Detroit (8), at Jacksonville (twice 10, 15), Oakland (11 in Mexico), SD (12), at Green Bay (13). Osweiler’s love affair with Fuller complicates Hopkins’ value, but the trio is worth buying on the bear, especially Miller, who continues to see a massive opportunity share. Take advantage.

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