Fansided

FanDuel NFL 2018: Week 5 lineup

By Joe D'Aloisio

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 29-27. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Matt Breida #22 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. The Chargers defeated the 49ers 29-27. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) reacts after thinking he scored a touchdown during the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2018 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 38-7. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) reacts after thinking he scored a touchdown during the NFC Championship Game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles on January 21, 2018 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 38-7. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers: Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings- $8,300; Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons- $6,800 & John Brown, Baltimore Ravens- $6,200

The Vikings have haven’t won a game since Week 1 and dropped their last two matchups. This week it doesn’t get much easier, as they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. But, their number one receiver, will have a big game.

Thielen leads the team in receptions and yards. He is averaging 118.3 yards per game, second most in the league. He has surpassed the 100+ yard mark in every single game this season. According to ESPN Stats and Info, he is the first player with 100 receiving yards in each of his team’s first four games since Randy Moss in 2007. Isaac Bruce (2004) is the only other player to do it since the 1970 merger.

Philadelphia will have a difficult time covering Theilen, as they have struggled all season in defending wide receivers. They have allowed the third most yards in the NFL to the position and have given up six total touchdowns in four games.

Last week the Titans had a field day against Philadelphia’s defense. For the second time this season the Eagles allowed receivers to tally over 250 yards.

Everyone knows what the Atlanta Falcons have in Julio Jones, but rookie Ridley is finally coming around. After being held to just four catches for 64 yards and one touchdown the first two weeks of the season, Ridley has rebounded with 12 receptions for 200 yards and five touchdowns in his last two games.

Ridley currently leads the NFL with six total touchdowns. He has found the end zone more in the first four games of 2018 than Jones did all of last season. No, Ridley is not better than Jones, but it appears Matt Ryan is having an easier time finding him when it matters most.

His matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is very solid. They have allowed the third most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Wideouts have compiled 200+ yards in three consecutive games against them.

Lastly, Brown is slowly becoming Joe Flacco’s most reliable target in Baltimore. Through the first four games, Brown has caught 15 passes for 338 yards and three scores. Last week Brown caught three passes for 116 yards and one score. This was the first time Brown surpassed the 100+ yard total since Week 4 of the 2016 season.

In each game this season he has totaled double digit fantasy points. Brown has sixth receptions for 20+ yards, tied for 4th in the NFL.

The Ravens stay on the road to take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 5. Cleveland has surrendered the eighth most yards to receivers this season. Opposing wideouts are averaging over a first down per reception.