The 2020 NFL season is in full swing, with most managers facing challenges such as sorting out the multitude of injuries, keeping up with rescheduled games, or the uncertainty of playing football during a pandemic. Perhaps the most challenging year in recent memory will result in one of the more fulfilling accomplishments when you make it through the season as a league-winner. In order to get to that point, however, it is critical to hit on certain players by knowing their advantageous matchups and potential to breakout.

In this article, I have detailed my Bold Predictions for Week 5 of the NFL season below as a guide for managers to follow when looking for players who could explode for massive games in their matchups this week. Understanding who will boom while other players busts is a critical component in winning championships or falling short of the goal.

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Week 5 Bold Predictions

1. Houston Texans franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson is a top-five QB this week, passing for over 350+ yards and three touchdowns, proving once again why he is among the league’s elite quarterbacks despite a rocky start to his 2020 season. Watson could be in store for his best game of the season battling a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that is giving up the ninth-most passing yards per game and 11^th in total passing yards allowed on the season. Watson looks to get the Texans back on track with a much-needed win as Houston begins their post-Bill O’Brien era
2. Facing a Carolina Panthers defense that is giving up an average of 125.3 rushing yards per game, Atlanta Falcons Todd Gurley could set himself up for his first 100+ rushing game of the season. Despite being a non-factor in the passing game, Gurley makes up for the lack of volume through his touchdown capabilities, however, Gurley will look like his former self as he carves up a vulnerable Carolina defense.
3. After a monster Week 1 performance, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been relatively quiet for fantasy purposes. That changes in Week 5 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite posting subpar numbers, Watson has seen over 80% of offensive snaps and has been targeted seven or more times in three out of four games this season. The volume appears to be there for Watkins, who will look to capitalize on his matchup against a defense giving up an average of 250.3 passing yards per game. Watkins could align himself for five or more receptions for 70+ yards and a touchdown.
4. Following back-to-back weeks of scoring 13 or fewer fantasy points, Matt Ryan looks to have the best game of his season as he throws for over 350 passing yards and four touchdowns against a decent Panthers passing unit. I expect this game to be a high scoring affair, with both teams posting large numbers, equating to a great fantasy day for players on both teams. The Panthers have been solid against the pass this season. However, I expect both teams to score early and often, resulting in an exciting content with a lot of points on the scoreboard.
5. Despite failing to record his fourth-straight 20+ fantasy game, DeAndre Hopkins still finds himself as a top-five wide receiver on the year despite playing for a new team in a new system. Hopkins has a nice matchup against a New York Jets defense that has been good, but not great, defending the passing game this year. Hopkins will look to further his connection and chemistry with second-year quarterback Kyler Murray in a matchup that could see Hopkins finishing the week as a top-three WR as he complies a multi-touchdown performance in Week 5.
6. Although he nearly posted a goose egg last week, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett looks to bounce back this week and get back to his WR1 ways. Facing a Minnesota Vikings defense that has surrendered the fourth-most passing yards per game and fifth-most total passing yards on the season, Lockett could set himself up for another multi-TD game off eight or more receptions while topping the century mark. Despite the emergence of alpha receiver D.K. Metcalf, Lockett has showcased that two WR1s can thrive in Seattle as long as Russell Wilson continues to cook.
7. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup’s 2020 season has been somewhat of a disappointment following a lot of preseason buzz surrounding the third-year wideout. Despite only going over 10 fantasy points one time all season, Gallup has been on the field for 80% or more of the snaps in every game this season, while seeing at least five targets in each game on the year. Gallup is also fourth in yards per reception (21.2 YPR), indicating his big-play abilities on a high-powered offensive unit. Gallup will look to capitalize on his volume and usage against a New York Giants defense that has been average defending the air game. I believe both teams will put up a large number of points during this divisional battle, with Gallup booming once again for six or more receptions, going over the century mark while hauling in two touchdowns.
8. In this contest between divisional rivals, Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram will rush for over 100 yards and punch in a touchdown despite playing less than 40% of the snaps. The Ravens have successfully used a four-headed monster approach to their run game this season, featuring Ingram, Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and quarterback Lamar Jackson, resulting in Baltimore nestled in the top-three for most rushing yards per game and team rushing yards on the season. Baltimore will continue to lean on their run game against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that ranks fifth in total rushing yards allowed and sixth in rushing yards per game. Ingram’s snap percentage will most likely be limited once again, however, if Ingram can establish himself early on the ground, his best game of the season could be on the horizon.

Conclusion

Plugging a player into your lineup based on matchups rather than their previous production might seem risky but ignoring a favorable matchup could be deflating to your team’s season-long trajectory. Trusting that every player on your fantasy team could produce is a rare feat, however, understanding when to play certain players and when to sit them is the difference between bringing home a championship or coming up just shy of that accomplishment.

Trust yourself, trust your players, and win your league.

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Joshua Lefkowitz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joshua, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JLefkoNFL.