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FanDuel NFL: Best lineup for Week 5

By Kevin Parvizi

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) hauls in a touchdown catch during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 23: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) hauls in a touchdown catch during the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2018 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars works out on the field before their game against the New York Jets at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars works out on the field before their game against the New York Jets at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

Quarterback: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Kansas City Chiefs

FanDuel Cost: $7,000

While Case Keenum had a dud of a performance against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, I think Blake Bortles is a worthy sleeper play at the quarterback position. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback and a pass defense that allows the second-most yardage and 7.1 net yards per pass attempt, the Chiefs defense is a favorable play for opposing quarterbacks.

The reason why I mention Mahomes is that the Chiefs explosiveness on offense lends itself to high-scoring games. Because Mahomes is able to hook up with Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Travis Kelce, and others for big plays, the Chiefs can quickly rack up points, forcing the opposition to throw the football. With Leonard Fournette dealing with a hamstring injury, there’s more pressure on Blake Bortles to throw the football, especially if he needs to keep up with Mahomes.

What gives me pause is the fact that the Jaguars defensive backfield is so fearsome, and they could have the answers to stymie Mahomes. That could make this game uglier than expected. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take, even though Bortles is streaky. Bortles’s up-and-down play at quarterback can scare some off, but he’s coming off of a monster Week 4 performance just two weeks after lighting up the New England Patriots. Perhaps his struggles against the division rival Tennessee Titans were an anomaly.

Backup Option: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers

FanDuel Cost: $8,300

If you want to pay a little bit more for a quarterback, then Matt Ryan looks like a phenomenal play in Week 5 against an absolutely abysmal Pittsburgh Steelers pass defense. Joe Haden was a standout in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Steelers got lucky in that game. John Brown could’ve had an even bigger day if it weren’t for Joe Flacco leaving some yards on the field, and Michael Crabtree just wasn’t enough of a threat.

The Atlanta Falcons offense, meanwhile, is loaded and hungry to get in the winning column after a tough, last-gasp loss to AJ Green and the Cincinnati Bengals. Julio Jones is on pace for 2,000 receiving yards, Calvin Ridley is blowing up, and Matt Ryan is back on form.

So far this season, Ryan is averaging 329 yards per game and 9.1 yards per pass attempt. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and the Steelers just won’t be able to cope with the Falcons offense. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are on a bye week, surrender more passing touchdowns than Pittsburgh.

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