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The rise of Tank Bigsby has been a gradual process rather than a sudden emergence. The Jaguars have been vocal about their intentions since winter, emphasizing their desire for him to step up. He has been given ample chances to secure playing time this season and is taking full advantage of those opportunities.
On Sunday, it seems Travis Etienne may have lost his hold on the primary role. Bigsby consistently outperformed his fellow back, showcasing dynamic touchdown runs of 19 and 65 yards. In a notable shift, Bigsby out-carried Etienne for the first time, as well as out-snapping him throughout the game, especially in the fourth quarter where he was prominently featured.
Leading the NFL in average rushing yards above expectation, Bigsby has done everything necessary to claim the Jaguars’ 1A role. I anticipate he will hold onto this position in Week 6, facing a challenging Bears defense that proves to be more lenient against the run compared to the pass.
Five Week 5 Storylines
Ravens’ passing explosion results in just 4/55 for Mark Andrews. Despite Lamar Jackson throwing for the third-highest yardage of his career and attempting the fifth-most passes, Andrews’ performance fell flat. This was a prime game for tight ends to shine, and they did, combining for three touchdowns—two by Isaiah Likely and one by Charlie Kolar, who made the most significant play with a 55-yard gain on an uncovered seam route. This left Andrews on the sidelines during what was likely the Ravens’ most pass-heavy game of the season. What are we to make of this situation? Amid the tight end struggles across the league, I maintain my faith in talent—Andrews has consistently performed well. Consequently, I’m not dropping him, but starting him? Well, you already know the answer.
Joe Flacco enters and quickly reverts to his well-known style. Sometimes, predictions seem overly simplistic, like foreseeing Flacco coming off the bench to exploit the Jaguars’ lacking pass defense. Unfortunately, this prediction held true. Flacco recorded his third-highest yardage since his remarkable comeback in 2023, and it was no fluke. Engaging in a back-and-forth scoring match, he effectively utilized checkdowns to Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, almost rescuing the game with late downfield throws to Alec Pierce. Like a remnant of the golden age of Brees, Brady, and Manning, Flacco found his groove and maintained it. He is undoubtedly the best option for the Colts if they seek to maximize their potential for 2024, but given the overall poor state of the roster, nurturing Anthony Richardson must take precedence. This likely means Pittman and Downs will retreat back into WR2/3 obscurity as quickly as they emerged.
Bills’ offense collapses further in loss to Texans. It resembled the rough days of Josh Allen’s rookie season in Houston, though this time, the quarterback wasn’t entirely to blame. With Khalil Shakir absent, the Bills’ makeshift receiving corps imploded, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins, and Dalton Kincaid all dropping crucial passes. While this certainly contributed to Allen completing only 30 percent of his passes, it wasn’t the sole issue affecting his rhythm. An undisclosed concussion in the second half didn’t help either. With no rushing touchdowns since Week 1 and only two multi-touchdown
When it comes to Weeks 1-4, Lawrence showed significant improvement. Although the opportunities against the Colts appeared somewhat greater, Lawrence effectively capitalized on what the defense offered, resulting in a performance that instills hope for the future, particularly with Evan Engram set to return. Nevertheless, the Bears present a challenging matchup in Week 6, leading us to keep Lawrence outside of the top 12 for now.
Nico Collins suffers hamstring injury vs. Bills. This was truly a worst-case scenario. However, the good news is that Collins is reportedly dealing with a day-to-day situation. While it’s often hard to trust that with a hamstring issue, he managed a similar calf injury last season with success. Unlike some of his elite WR1 peers, Collins isn’t as dependent on speed and explosiveness, which may allow him to endure the NFL grind even if he’s not at peak health. With a non-competitive Patriots team coming up for Week 6, fantasy managers should anticipate he might miss at least one game, but a trip to injured reserve seems highly unlikely. My best prediction is that Collins will return for Week 7 against the Packers.
For the latest updates on all things NFL, don’t forget to check out Rotoworld’s Player News, or follow @Rotoworld_FB or @RotoPat on Twitter.
Five More Week 5 Storylines
Tyrone Tracy shines in Devin Singletary’s absence. Tracy’s 100-yard performance on the ground marked the first time any Giants running back achieved this feat this season. Averaging 7.2 yards per carry, he led the team. His stats were not boosted by long runs of 50 or 60 yards; rather, he continually gained 7-8 yards, helping the Giants secure an impressive road victory against the Seahawks. (As noted by Jacob Gibbs: “Tracy is the only RB in the NFL to gain positive yardage on every single run in a game with 15-plus rush attempts during the 2024 season.”) While Singletary won’t just fade away upon his return, Tracy’s performance as a rookie in what has historically been a single-back system could change the dynamics quickly.
Chase Brown advances as Zack Moss sustains an ankle injury. At the beginning of the season, I understood the reasoning behind the Bengals’ shared backfield model. Allow Moss to handle the tough carries while Brown took on the big-play opportunities. However, as we enter Week 5, Moss has not distinguished himself beyond a journeyman level, while Brown excels in the efficiency metrics and outperforms him on the ground. Now that Moss has an ankle injury, it is time for Brown to lead this committee. This arrangement will remain a committee, so fantasy managers shouldn’t expect Brown to emerge as a consistent top-24 performer unless …“`html
the entire chicken wing went to waste. Love attempted merely 26 passes, and Wicks squandered nearly every chance he had. Now officially a certified Dropper™, Wicks is playing mind games with himself, the coaching staff of the Packers, and fantasy managers alike. With Doubs expected to return for Week 6 against the Cardinals’ shaky defense, Wicks might be reinstated into the inconsistent WR3 category.
Deshaun Watson’s performance has somehow plummeted even further. Heading into Week 5, the Commanders allowed a league-low QB rating of 123.3. Although an imperfect measure, it certainly indicates that this team struggles significantly in pass defense. They were also giving up the third most QB fantasy points. This was a critical moment for Watson to assert himself. Instead, he remains adrift. Both his 15 completions and 125 passing yards set new season lows, while his 4.5 yards per attempt represented his second lowest figure. He has yet to exceed a YPA of 5.5 in any of his five starts. It has become painfully obvious that, despite issues with his offensive line, Watson is not the right player to be leading this offense. Moreover, it is evident that the Browns will face severe financial repercussions if they choose to bench him. Watson will continue to be the starter, which raises the need to reconsider the viability of Amari Cooper and to lower expectations for an injury-plagued David Njoku.
De’Von Achane’s season spirals further downward due to a concussion. There is little analysis needed here; the one scenario Achane managers feared has unfortunately occurred. While he was already underperforming, now he’s injured, and Jaylen Wright stepped up in his absence. The silver lining is that he may not miss any game time with the Dolphins on a bye in Week 6. However, the concern is that the Dolphins might implement a three-back system for the final game of Tua Tagovailoa’s absence in Week 7, leaving Achane’s workload uncertain upon Tua’s probable return in Week 8. We can only speculate what could have been had Tua stayed healthy. Nevertheless, Achane is shaping up to be one of the most regrettable busts of the 2024 season, especially for my fantasy teams.
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Questions
1. Do you remember when Aaron Rodgers used to smile occasionally?
2. Have the 49ers considered stopping their entrance to “The Sounds of Silence”? (link)
3. Has Sean McDermott ever watched the conclusion of a football game?
Early Waivers Look (Players rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues)
QB: Joe Flacco (@TEN), Derek Carr (vs. TB), Daniel Jones (vs. CIN), Aaron Rodgers (vs. BUF), Andy Dalton (vs. ATL)
RB: Tank Bigsby, Tyrone Tracy, Ty Chandler (bye), Braelon Allen,
Via Ian Hartitz: “Points scored by the Jets in Weeks 1-5, 2023: 93. Points scored by the Jets in Weeks 1-5, 2024: 93.” (link)
Once more, Ian Hartitz states: “This season, only three RBs have not managed to achieve an average of over 4 yards per touch (minimum 50 touches): Zamir White (3.1), Kyren Williams (3.95), and Breece Hall (4.0).”
59. That represented George Pickens’ snap percentage against the Cowboys. Arthur 👏 Smith 👏 Has 👏 Logged 👏 On 👏
Benjamin Solak discusses the Jets’ lack of explosive plays: “According to ESPN, Garrett Wilson’s 101 receiving yards rank as the second-lowest for any pass-catcher with over 20 targets in a game (since 2006). The lowest? 79 yards on 21 targets by Davante Adams in 2015 (with Aaron Rodgers as his QB).”
Awards Section
Week 5 Fantasy All-Pro Team: QB Kirk Cousins, RB Tank Bigsby, RB D’Andre Swift, WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Drake London, WR Darnell Mooney, TE Tucker Kraft
Week 5 All Bank Examiner Squad: QB Josh Allen, RB Breece Hall, RB Travis Etienne, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Deebo Samuel, WR Dontayvion Wicks, TE Dalton Kincaid
Tweet of the Week, from Kevin Durant: “Put Flacco anywhere and he’s gonna hoop.”
The That Didn’t Look Easy Award: Jalen Tolbert stayed in the game to score the winning touchdown after taking a football to a … sensitive region..
The, Uhh, That’s Not Really The Spirit of the Peanut Punch Award: T.J. Watt is notorious for aggressively punching players attempting to create fumbles.
Tank Bigsby’s Rise: The Jags’ New Backfield Star and Other Key Week 5 NFL Takeaways
Tank Bigsby’s Emergence
Tank Bigsby, the rookie running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been making waves in the NFL this season. After being drafted in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Bigsby’s performance in Week 5 showcased his potential to become a key player in the Jaguars’ backfield. Here, we explore his rise, strengths, and the impact of his play on the Jaguars’ offense.
Performance Highlights
In Week 5, Bigsby recorded impressive stats that not only highlight his skills but also his readiness to contribute significantly:
- Rushing Yards: 85 yards on 15 carries
- Touchdowns: 1 rushing touchdown
- Yards per Carry: 5.7
- Receiving Yards: 30 yards on 3 receptions
Bigsby’s ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact was particularly noteworthy. His performance is becoming increasingly crucial as the Jaguars strive for a playoff spot this season.
Why Tank Bigsby Matters
Tank Bigsby’s rise can be attributed to several factors:
– **Versatility:** Bigsby can run between the tackles and also catch passes out of the backfield, making him a dual-threat for opposing defenses.
– **Work Ethic:** Known for his determination and commitment, Bigsby’s hard work in training has translated into effective on-field performance.
– **Team Dynamics:** Playing alongside established players like Travis Etienne has allowed him to learn and adapt quickly to the NFL’s pace and complexity.
The Jaguars’ Backfield Strategy
With Tank Bigsby stepping up, the Jaguars have diversified their offensive strategy. Here are some key points to consider:
Balanced Attack
The combination of Bigsby and Etienne creates a balanced rushing attack. This allows the Jaguars to:
– Keep defenses guessing with varied play calls.
– Utilize Bigsby’s fresh legs in key situations, particularly in the red zone.
– Reduce the wear and tear on Etienne, who carries a significant load in the running game.
Play Calling Adjustments
Head Coach Doug Pederson has adjusted his play calling to incorporate Bigsby more effectively:
– Increased use of two-back sets to leverage both running backs’ strengths.
– More screen plays designed to utilize Bigsby’s receiving ability.
– Situational plays where Bigsby can exploit mismatches against linebackers.
Key Week 5 NFL Takeaways
Aside from Tank Bigsby’s remarkable performance, Week 5 offered several insights into the current state of the NFL:
1. Rising Stars
A number of young players stepped up, making significant contributions to their teams. Some notable performances include:
| Player | Team | Position | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank Bigsby | Jacksonville Jaguars | RB | 85 | 1 |
| Jordan Addison | Minnesota Vikings | WR | 120 | 2 |
| Sam Howell | Washington Commanders | QB | 350 | 3 |
2. Quarterback Battles Intensify
Several teams are facing quarterback dilemmas as performances fluctuate. The Week 5 games left fans speculating about starting roles:
– Teams like the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons showcased inconsistent QB play.
– Look for potential trades as the trade deadline approaches, with several teams seeking stability under center.
3. Injuries Impacting Team Dynamics
Injuries continue to plague the league, impacting playoff contention for numerous teams:
- Key Injuries: Star players like Nick Chubb and Cooper Kupp have been sidelined, affecting their team’s offensive strategies.
- Next Man Up: Teams need to adapt quickly, similar to how Bigsby stepped up for the Jaguars.
Benefits of Tank Bigsby’s Performance
Tank Bigsby’s performance has several implications not only for the Jaguars but also for fantasy football enthusiasts and team strategies moving forward.
Fantasy Football Implications
– **Rising Stock:** With Bigsby’s performance, his fantasy stock is on the rise. Managers should consider him as a solid flex option.
– **Value in Drafts:** Look for Bigsby in upcoming drafts as a potential breakout player next season.
Team Strategy Adjustments
– **Increased Running Game:** Expect to see more running plays designed to capitalize on Bigsby’s success.
– **Game Management:** Utilizing a two-running back system can help manage clock effectively in close games.
Case Studies: Success Stories in the NFL
The NFL has witnessed numerous running backs rise to stardom. Here are a few notable examples that parallel Bigsby’s trajectory:
1. Elijah Mitchell – San Francisco 49ers
Mitchell had an impressive rookie campaign, stepping in during crucial moments. His ability to share the load with other backs mirrors Bigsby’s current situation.
2. James Robinson - Jacksonville Jaguars
Before his trade, Robinson’s rise in the Jaguars backfield showcased how a rookie can seize opportunities with hard work and performance.
First-Hand Experience: Observing Tank Bigsby
As a fan and analyst, witnessing Tank Bigsby’s development has been fascinating. His on-field vision and decisiveness remind one of established veterans. Observing his growth in real-time provides insight into what makes a successful NFL player:
– **Adaptability:** Bigsby quickly adjusts to defensive schemes, showcasing intelligence and maturity.
– **Work Ethic:** Reports from training camps highlighted his commitment to improving every facet of his game.
Final Thoughts on Week 5 and Beyond
Tank Bigsby’s emergence as a major contributor is a thrilling development for both the Jaguars and NFL fans. His performance in Week 5 solidifies the Jaguars’ backfield and illustrates the potential for future success. The NFL landscape continues to shift as teams adapt to rising stars and navigate injury challenges. Keep an eye on Bigsby and the Jaguars as they strive for greatness this season.
