Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Thursdays are the most wonderful time of the week. It’s the day when I get to unveil my bounce — back candidates. The same day Thanksgiving falls on (cranberry sauce!), and the same day we get to enjoy some NFL football, no matter if it’s the Denver Broncos vs. the Seattle Seahawks (or in this case) the Buffalo Bills vs. the Cleveland Browns.
Even better, we get to listen to Mike Mayock instead of Chris Collinsworth, maybe the biggest victory of all.
Anyway, let’s get to it…
Ray Rice @ Miami Dolphins
Rice has been abysmal all year, an unwelcome sight to the multitude of Fantasy owners that invested a first round pick on him so far in 2013. He hasn’t run exceptionally well, and has struggled with a hip injury the last couple weeks. But here is why I’m optimistic, especially in PPR leagues: Rice had five touches (five!) in Week 3, and Joe Flacco threw the ball 50+ times in a Week 4 loss against the Bills. Not one of those passes were completed to Rice, a back that has annually been in the top — five in RB receptions over the last few years. Check to make sure he’s practicing fine and all systems are a go, but if the Ravens want to win (and OC Cam Cameron wants to keep his job) they’re going to feed Rice in every way possible against a Dolphins team that just got lit up by receiving back Darren Sproles.
David Wilson vs. Philadelphia Eagles
“Ugh” is the most likely sound coming from Wilson’s Fantasy owners in the season’s first four weeks, and rightfully so. It’s not easy to endorse a guy that’s averaging 34.5 total yards per game this season and has yet to find the end zone but here goes: the New York Giants waived Da’rell Scott, this week, a guy who believe it or not has played on 50 percent of the Giants offensive snaps this season. Wilson is going to pick up a lot of those snaps, and he still has breakaway speed and serious wiggle despite a miserable start to his season. Now he gets an Eagles defense held together by duct tape and sticks. Give him one last chance this week, or you might just regret it.
Desean Jackson @ New York Giants
Jackson definitely disappointed in Week 4, failing to get separation from a Broncos defense without Champ Bailey, and unable to produce any garbage — time stats in a game where the Eagles were forced to throw, throw, throw. Fortunately for Jackson, he has another plus matchup against a Giants secondary in Week 5 that gives away receiving touchdowns to WR like they’re candy. Michael Vick should have no problem finding Jackson for at least one bomb against this secondary.
Chris Givens @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Givens has been somewhat of a disappointment this year after being labeled as a breakout candidate by most in 2013. He’s averaging only a little more than three receptions per game, kind of concerning with the amount of times Sam Bradford has thrown the ball this year, but there is definitely signs of a turnaround. Givens has averaged eight targets per game over his last three, and it’s only a matter of time before Bradford hits the speedy Givens on some deep throws. No better recipe for success for that in Week 5 against the Jaguars, who I’d start my grandmother against if she lined up outside.
Last weeks’ bounce — backs:
Knowshon Moreno — 12 car, 78 yards, TD, one rec, 13 yards
Darren Sproles — four car, 28 yards, TD, seven rec, 114 yards, TD
Reggie Wayne — five rec, 100 yards, TD
Dwayne Bowe — four rec, 58 yards, TD
Shawn Ferris is a Boston Red Sox and Fantasy Sports writer for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealShawnFerris, “like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+
