Week 5 of the 2012 NFL season had plenty of big individual performances. From New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston scoring three touchdowns in his team's first win to Andrew Luck's inspired outing against a struggling Green Bay Packers defense, here are the best fantasy football players from each position of Week 5.
Quarterback
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts vs. Green Bay Packers - 29.88 points*
Week 5 statistics: 362 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 24 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
In the best game of his career, Luck completed 31 of his 55 pass attempts for a career-high 362 yards against the Packers. With the team's emotions running high due to head coach Chuck Pagano's bout with leukemia, Luck found Reggie Wayne all game long and made smart plays all game. After proving himself as a viable quarterback with an ability to put up great numbers in the NFL, Luck is a borderline every-week starter.
Honorable mentions: New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees vs. San Diego Chargers (29.60 points), San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith vs. Buffalo Bills (29.02 points), Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers at Indianapolis Colts (26.42 points)
Running back
Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns - 26.90 points
Week 5 statistics: 200 rushing yards, 29 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, 1 fumble lost
Like Luck, Bradshaw also had a career day with an exact 200 rushing yards on 30 carries against the Browns. Cleveland was unable to stop him, aside from a fumble on the first play of the game, and he eclipsed his previous high mark by 49 yards. With Andre Brown suffering a head injury in Week 5, Bradshaw is in a good fantasy position as long as he stay healthy.
Honorable mentions: Houston Texans' Arian Foster at New York Jets (22.80 points), San Diego Chargers' Ryan Mathews at New Orleans Saints (19.90 points), New England Patriots' Stevan Ridley vs. Denver Broncos (19.10 points)
Wide receiver
Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints vs. San Diego Chargers - 31.10 points
Week 5 statistics: 131 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns
The Saints needed a win badly in Week 5 and got a big boost thanks to Brees and Colston. While Brees set his record for the most consecutive games with at touchdown pass with Devery Henderson, he later found Colston for his last three touchdowns of the day. Colston has 18 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games, one again making him a top fantasy option.
Honorable mentions: Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne vs. Green Bay Packers (27.20 points), Minnesota Vikings' Percy Harvin vs. Tennessee Titans (23.60 points), New York Giants' Victor Cruz vs. Cleveland Browns (23.00 points)
Tight end
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins - 18.30 points
Week 5 statistics: 123 receiving yards, 1 touchdown
In what was a so-so week for tight ends, Gonzalez had the best numbers out of all tight ends in Week 5 after catching 13 of Matt Ryan's passes in their game against the Redskins. A major part of Atlanta's offense, it is a positive sign for Gonzalez owners to see him get so many targets with Roddy White and Julio Jones on the team as well. Up against a weak Oakland Raiders pass defense in Week 6, Gonzalez could be a top-scoring option once again.
Honorable mentions: Houston Texans' Owen Daniels at New York Jets (13.90 points), New York Jets' Jeff Cumberland vs. Houston Texans (11.10 points), San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis vs. Buffalo Bills (10.60 points)
Kicker
Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings vs. Tennessee Titans - 13.00 points
Week 5 statistics: 1 FG 20-29, 1 FG 30-39, 1 FG 40-49, 3 PAT made
Walsh continued his success as a rookie, particularly in games played inside a dome at Mall of America Field, with three more made field goals on his season total. With 12 field goals on the year, Walsh is a decent weekly option despite the sometime-erratic production by the Vikings offense.
Honorable mentions: New York Giants' Lawrence Tynes vs. Cleveland Browns (12.00 points), Indianapolis Colts' Adam Vinatieri vs. Green Bay Packers (12.00 points), Houston Texans' Shayne Graham at New York Jets (12.00 points)
Team defense
Chicago Bears team defense at Jacksonville Jaguars - 28.00 points
Week 5 statistics: 3 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 2 touchdowns
From touchdowns by Charles Tillman and Lance Briggs to an overall great defensive effort, the Bears are excelling during this early part of the season due to their play on defense. Needless to say, the Bears defense has continued its dominance during this three-game winning streak.
Honorable mentions: St. Louis Rams team defense vs. Arizona Cardinals (18.00 points), Carolina Panthers team defense vs. Seattle Seahawks (17.00 points), Baltimore Ravens team defense at Kansas City Chiefs (15.00 points), Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers (15.00 points)
*Points are determined by Yahoo! fantasy football default scoring settings.
Sources:
Who's Hot Week 5, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football Ahmad Bradshaw, CBSSports.com
Marques Colston Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Most Surprising Performances: Fan's Take
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Last-Minute Popular Drops: Fan's Review
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Last-Minute Popular Pickups: Fan's Review
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 Underrated Starters: Fan's Take
2012 Fantasy Football Week 5 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Fan's Take
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.
