NFL Week 5 fantasy football winners and losers, injuries, grades

7. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bigsby's 25.9 points led all running backs in the early window, and he paced the Jaguars in rushing yards for the second straight game during the win over the Colts. Bigsby had 13 carries in this one, compared with only six for Travis Etienne, and he finished with 101 yards on the day, which included two scores. Maybe this will continue to be a backfield rotation in Jacksonville, but Bigsby should be a waiver add this week ahead of next Sunday's matchup versus the Bears. He's rostered in just 9.5% of ESPN league, and Bigsby has the north/south burst, plus the contact balance, to produce in the Jaguars' run game. -- Bowen

8. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

It's October, which of course means it's time for Burrow to bring his fantasy A-game. And so he did Sunday, scoring 33.78 fantasy points while putting his top two receivers, Chase and Tee Higgins (29.3 PPR fantasy points on 14 targets) to excellent use. Yes, Burrow and his Bengals suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime in the end, but this was the kind of big-step game that should restore managers' faith in his weekly start ability. The Bengals get the New York Giants next week, a great matchup for the team all-around. -- Cockcroft

9. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Playing his second straight game with Davante Adams (hamstring) and Michael Mayer (personal) sidelined, Bowers stepped up with the big showing many might've expected from him in Week 4, scoring 23.7 PPR fantasy points on 12 targets. That included his first career touchdown, a 57-yarder on which he was clocked at 19.6 mph per Next Gen Stats. Bowers' prominent role should only solidify with a probable Adams trade, and he should be regarded a top-5 tight end every week, even with a tougher matchup next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. -- Cockcroft

10. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

For the second consecutive week, the rookie exceeded 20 PPR fantasy points, scoring a personal-best 23.2 against the Indianapolis Colts. In those games, Thomas has a team-leading 26% target share and a pair of end zone targets (one converted for a touchdown), signaling his rising chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. Thomas has a tougher matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 6, but he is a solid WR3/flex consideration nevertheless. -- Cockcroft

11. Joe Flacco, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Flacco's 26.5 points in the Week 5 loss to the Jags were the fourth most of his career. The veteran quarterback threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns, and he also picked up 22 yards on the ground. While we know that Anthony Richardson brings a dynamic element to the Colts' offense due to his high-level dual-threat skills, Flacco is a more refined pocket thrower, and he can still hammer the ball vertically. If Richardson (hip) is still down for the Week 6 matchup against the Titans, Flacco can be targeted as a streaming pickup. -- Bowen

12. Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

Available in more than 30% of ESPN leagues, Kraft should be a priority waiver add this week. Yes, I wanted to see a little more here after he scored 17.3 points -- which was aided by game flow -- in Week 4 versus Minnesota. But after Kraft dropped 24.8 points on the Rams defense in Week 5, which led all tight ends, I'm buying it. Kraft displayed his catch-and-run skills on a 66-yard score, plus he caught another touchdown a red zone throw from quarterback Jordan Love. Kraft has now caught 10 of 14 targets in his past two games, and he will be ranked as a TE1 for Week 6 versus the Cardinals. -- Bowen

Ranking fantasy losers of Week 5

1. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

The Jets' offensive struggles -- 67% of their plays on offense the past two weeks have been with them trailing on the scoreboard -- have had a damning effect on Hall's production, but he warrants some of the blame as well. He has now been stuffed on nine of his 19 rushing attempts the past two weeks, has amassed 15 fewer expected than actual rushing yards, per Next Gen Stats, and has seen backup Braelon Allen steal 13 carries in those games. The narrowing gap between the two is problematic for Hall's season-long outlook, as are tough team-wide matchups in three of the next four weeks (BUF, @PIT, @NE, HOU). -- Cockcroft

2. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

For the third time this season, Allen failed to score more than 15 points in a game, as he finished with 14.64 in the loss to the Texans. Allen completed just 9-of-30 passing in this one, throwing for 131 yards and a touchdown, while he added 54 yards rushing on four carries. Without a go-to perimeter target -- who can uncover at a consistent rate versus quality competition -- there should be some level of concern here for Allen moving forward. And the Jets' defense is up next in Week 6. -- Bowen

3. Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, San Francisco 49ers

For the third time in their past four meetings, Samuel had a nearly invisible day against the Arizona Cardinals. His 3.0 PPR fantasy points, despite his playing 50 offensive snaps and running 30 routes, continued a trend that saw him score only 4.4 points against the Cardinals in Week 18 of 2022 and 0.6 against them in Week 4 of last season. Samuel took a back seat in the passing game to both Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle, each of whom saw 12 targets and scored 20-plus points. It's quite a concern when the Cardinals have struggled to the extent that they have against the pass. Samuel gets a bounce-back opportunity against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6, but he'll be only a WR2 after this. -- Cockcroft

4. Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Mason averaged 6.4 yards per carry in the Week 5 loss to the Cardinals, but he saw just 14 carries and finished with 8.8 points, both of which are season lows. Mason, who also fumbled, failed to find the end zone for only the second game this year, and his limited receiving usage (one reception, 9 yards), lowers his fantasy ceiling. Mason will look to rebound in Week 6 in the Thursday night matchup versus the Seahawks. -- Bowen

5. Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings

The Darnold magic fizzled in London, as the league's No. 5 quarterback through the season's first four weeks scored only 4.26 fantasy points, his ninth-worst total in 61 career NFL starts, despite being started in 24.9% of ESPN leagues. Credit the Jets, who still have arguably the most talented set of cornerbacks, fueling what should remain one of the toughest defenses for quarterbacks the rest of the way. Aaron Jones' early injury exit also left the Vikings' offense one-dimensional, further hurting Darnold's output. The Vikings fortunately now head into their bye week, and they have favorable matchups upcoming in Weeks 8-11 (@LAR, IND, @JAX, @TEN). -- Cockcroft

6. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

After posting three straight games with 100 or more yards receiving, Metcalf logged just 55, catching four of seven targets, in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Add in a fumble here, and Metcalf finished the day with only 7.5 points, his second-lowest total of the season. Tough day for a Seattle team that failed to establish tempo on offense. Up next is a Thursday night matchup versus the 49ers' defense. -- Bowen

7. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

Harrison had produced 15 points in three straight games, with at least one touchdown reception in each. So, even in a tough matchup versus the 49ers defense on Sunday, I expected Harrison to be the featured target for quarterback Kyler Murray. However, tight end Trey McBride led the Cardinals with nine targets, and Harrison caught just two of seven for 36 yards, which was good for only 5.6 points. Harrison and the Cardinals head to Green Bay next for a Week 6 matchup. -- Bowen

8. Diontae Johnson, WR, Carolina Panthers

For the first time since the quarterback change to Andy Dalton, the Panthers' offense struggled, and the impact upon No. 1 receiver Johnson was apparent. Dalton struggled with the Chicago Bears' pass rush, while Johnson scored 5.9 PPR fantasy points on six targets, flustered by the Bears' zone defense. It served to remind that, even when things are going well for the Panthers, Johnson will be subject to the matchups. -- Cockcroft

9. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

He managed only 7.9 PPR fantasy points Sunday, but it must be pointed out that the Browns trailed by multiple scores for more than 33 minutes, essentially taking Ford out of the equation. He's suffering badly in terms of opportunity due to quarterback Deshaun Watson's struggles, and the approaching return of Nick Chubb further threatens his workload. Ford is a clear sell-high candidate, but it might be tough to move him, as he's probably also the most obvious such candidate right now. -- Cockcroft

Injury impact

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

What we know: Jones left the game in the second quarter versus the Jets with a hip injury, and did not return. Before exiting, Jones logged 53 total yards on eight touches.

What's next: The Vikings head into their bye week, so we will continue to monitor the progress on Jones. If Jones is still down for the Week 7 matchup versus the Lions, however, Ty Chandler would elevate into the No.1 role. In relief of Jones on Sunday, Chandler lacked efficiency on the ground, totaling just 30 yards rushing on 14 carries, while adding 9 yards receiving on two catches. -- Bowen

De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

What we know: Achane left the game late in the first quarter after taking a hit on the sideline, and he was eventually ruled out with a concussion. Achane managed just four touches for 17 yards before leaving the game.

What's next: The Dolphins head into their bye week, so Achane will have added time to clear concussion protocol. If he can't go in Week 7 versus the Colts, however, expect Raheem Mostert to lead Miami's rushing attack, with rookie Jaylen Wright also seeing carries. -- Bowen

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans

What we know: He left Sunday's game immediately after scoring a 67-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, thankfully earning a 15.8 PPR fantasy point final score before departing with a hamstring injury he presumably suffered on that play. Collins was ruled out for the day shortly after halftime.

What's next: Collins had a 29% target share, not to mention seven of the team's nine end zone targets, for the season at the time of his injury, rendering him a clear fantasy WR1 and a tough player for both his managers and the Texans to replace. Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell would elevate in the pecking order should Collins need to miss additional time, elevating them to top-10 and top-20 positional options respectively. -- Cockcroft

Who earned an A this weekend?

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans

Stingley allowed zero receptions on four targets as the nearest defender over 29 coverage snaps in the Texans' win over the Bills. While Buffalo doesn't boast the most dangerous receivers -- Stingley lined up opposite rookie Keon Coleman more than anyone else -- putting up those numbers against a Josh Allen-led offense is certainly impressive. Stingley had two pass breakups on 3rd-and-10s in the fourth quarter.

Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Minnesota Vikings

Sure, this is really about one play. But it was a huge one: Van Ginkel's 63-yard interception return for a touchdown. Van Ginkel feigned like he was going to rush the quarterback and then dropped into coverage, picking off Aaron Rodgers' quick pass as the Jets QB tried to avoid the incoming blitz. Incredibly, this is the third pick-six of Van Ginkel's career.

Who earned an F this weekend?

Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland Browns

The numbers say it all: Watson was 15-of-28 for 125 yards and a garbage time touchdown and, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, negative-22 EPA. Watson was sacked seven times and lost one fumble in the 34-13 loss to the Commanders. This is all to the quarterback who entered Sunday ranked last in QBR. Remind me: Why is he still starting?

Ty Chandler, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Chandler, filling in for Aaron Jones -- who was knocked out of the Vikings' win over the Jets -- managed just 30 rushing yards on 14 carries, good for negative-26 rush yards over expectation, per NFL Next Gen Stats (plus 9 receiving yards on two catches). Plus, though it doesn't count for Chandler in the box score, the Vikings running back failed to catch a toss on a run play from Sam Darnold -- resulting in a turnover. Credit in part here to Jets LB Jamien Sherwood, who racked up 12 carries and a 62% run stop win rate, highest in Week 5 through the early Sunday window.

Lingering questions from Week 5's games

Another big game for Tank Bigsby. Has he passed Travis Etienne in the running back rotation? What are you seeing and hearing?

Coach Doug Pederson was pretty emphatic after the victory over the Colts that Etienne remains the Jaguars' No. 1 back and that Bigsby will continue to work in a complementary role. "Travis is our guy," Pederson said. "Tank had a good game. That's just the way games go. Happy for Tank. Great for the offensive line, obviously, in some of those situations there." -- Mike DiRocco