Week 5 fantasy takeaways: Jordan Howard steps up, Pats TEs thrive
In this age of specialization, there aren't many three-down running backs in the NFL anymore. Fantasy owners may be able to add one to the list after Jordan Howard's performance on Sunday.
The Chicago Bears rookie rushed for 118 yards on just 16 carries and also made an impact in the passing game with three receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, Howard was on the field for 63 of the Bears' 65 offensive snaps.
Howard only took over as the starter after Jeremy Langford suffered an ankle injury in Week 3, and he's produced back-to-back games of over 110 rushing yards. Now it's going to be extremely difficult for Langford to get his job back when he's healthy. Fantasy owners who drafted Howard in the late rounds or picked him up on waivers may have one of this season's best bargains on their hands.
Like he never left
What a difference Tom Brady makes at quarterback for the New England Patriots. He not only threw for 406 yards in his return from a four-game suspension, but also made it easy for several of his receivers to have huge fantasy games.
Tight ends Martellus Bennett (six receptions, 67 yards, 3 TD) and Rob Gronkowski (5-109) had their best games of the season and wideout Chris Hogan topped the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career as the Pats rolled up 501 yards of total offense.
Brady won't get to play the Cleveland Browns every week, but he certainly didn't show any rust in his first action of the regular season. And the Pats' two-tight end offense clicked so well that both Bennett and Gronkowski should be every-week starters going forward.
Surprise star of the week
As great as Brady was, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was almost as good ... at least from a fantasy standpoint.
Mariota threw for only 163 yards, but matched Brady's three touchdown tosses and rushed for 60 yards and another score to rack up 38.15 fantasy points against the Miami Dolphins.
Wide receiver breakouts
The sheer volume of passing attempts in the NFL each week ensures that someone unexpected will have a big day.
-- With fellow Bears receivers Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal less than 100%, second-year pro Cameron Meredith caught nine of his 12 targets from quarterback Brian Hoyer for 130 yards and a touchdown.
-- Pittsburgh Steelers speedster Sammie Coates didn't have a catch over 40 yards for the first time this season, but he did have a career day catching six passes for 139 yards and a pair of TDs.
-- Brandon LaFell of the Cincinnati Bengals hauled in eight receptions for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
-- And keep an eye on the Minnesota Vikings' Adam Thielen. Starting in place of the injured Stefon Diggs, Thielen caught seven of his eight targets for 127 yards and a score.
Broad Shoulders Award
Our weekly honor for the player who single-handedly carried his fantasy owners to victory goes to T.Y. Hilton of the Indianapolis Colts.
Although he only found the end zone once, he led all receivers in catches (10) and yards (171) on Sunday. In leagues that award points for receptions, Hilton earned his fantasy owners 33.1 this week.
Hilton's consistency is what endears him to fantasy owners. He's the only player this season with at least 10 targets in every game.