It was another wild Sunday across the league, with late comebacks, explosive rookie performances and more fantasy shakeups than any manager could track in real time. From Baker Mayfield's latest heroics to Ja'Marr Chase reasserting dominance, this week reminded us how unpredictable fantasy football is. Let's dive into the full slate of results and takeaways in this Week 5 NFL recap.
For up-to-date player roles, check the Rotowire Depth Charts.
Vikings 21 Browns 17
Browns
The Browns' defense wasn't enough to hide rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel in his first NFL start. Quinshon Judkins continued to carry the offense, racking up 110 rushing yards and 18 receiving yards — and would've had a long touchdown if not for a holding penalty. Despite a tough schedule, Judkins' volume and explosiveness keep him firmly in the weekly RB1 mix. David Njoku (6-67-1 on nine targets) was the lone bright spot in the passing game, while Harold Fannin's short touchdown makes him a fringe streaming option. Until Gabriel finds rhythm, Cleveland's wide receivers look unstartable.
Vikings
Minnesota managed a gritty win despite missing three starting offensive linemen, and putting up 21 points on this Cleveland defense counts as a success. Justin Jefferson topped 100 yards for the second consecutive game with Carson Wentz under center, cementing himself again as an elite WR1. Jordan Addison saved his fantasy day with a late touchdown and remains a reliable WR3. Jordan Mason produced 56 yards and a score in a brutal matchup, but with Aaron Jones possibly returning soon, Mason's weekly ceiling could dip. Check the Rotowire Weekly Projections for updated outlooks.
Colts 40 Raiders 6
Colts
The Colts did what good teams should do: dominate inferior opponents. Daniel Jones was sharp but barely was needed, throwing for 212 yards and two scores before the game got out of hand. Jonathan Taylor punched in three touchdowns, while Ameer Abdullah vultured another near the goal line. Josh Downs surprisingly led the Colts with eight targets, while Michael Pittman and Tyler Warren each found the end zone. Taylor, Pittman and Warren remain must-starts, while Jones profiles as a matchup-based QB2. Downs is only a desperation flex.
Raiders
Las Vegas looked lifeless, even opting for a late field goal down 37. Geno Smith failed to find the end zone and threw two picks, continuing his nightmare season. Ashton Jeanty was the lone bright spot with 100-plus scrimmage yards for the second consecutive week (109) and proving to be a reliable RB2 with weekly upside. Jakobi Meyers' chemistry with Smith appears broken — four catches for 32 yards on six targets. Until the passing game shows signs of life, Meyers belongs on fantasy benches.
Saints 26 Giants 14
Giants
Jaxson Dart remains a volatile real-life passer but a serviceable fantasy option, totaling 257 yards and two scores while adding 55 yards on the ground. That dual-threat ability keeps him a top-20 QB in superflex formats. Tight end Theo Johnson scored twice and led in targets, though he'll stay touchdown-dependent for fantasy. Cam Skattebo continues to shine as a high-end PPR RB2, logging 104 total yards on 22 touches. Given his consistent role, Skattebo should remain locked into lineups weekly.
Saints
The Saints leaned on a balanced plan, running and passing 30 times each. Spencer Rattler hit Rashid Shaheed for an 87-yard score, keeping both relevant. Rattler as a superflex QB2 and Shaheed remains a flex. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller split touches nearly 50-50, limiting Kamara's ceiling and pushing Miller into flex range. Juwan Johnson cooled off (2-17) and looks like a matchup streamer now.
Cowboys 37 Jets 22
Cowboys
Even without CeeDee Lamb and four starting linemen, Dak Prescott shredded the Jets for 237 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 28 yards. He's playing at a top-5 fantasy level. Jake Ferguson (7-49-2) and George Pickens (2-57-1) both stayed hot, while Ryan Flournoy erupted for 114 yards on six catches. Flournoy is an interesting short-term waiver add while Lamb remains out. Prescott's weekly floor and ceiling both look elite regardless of matchup.
Jets
The Jets benefited from garbage time as Justin Fields threw 283 yards and two touchdowns after a slow start. Garrett Wilson (6-71-1) produced again, while rookie Mason Taylor (9-67-0) continued his emergence as a PPR-relevant tight end. Breece Hall remained the engine of the offense with 155 total yards on 18 touches and now has back-to-back strong outings. He's an RB2 with upside.
Broncos 21 Eagles 17
Broncos
Denver stormed back with 18 fourth-quarter points to steal a win. Bo Nix was shaky most of the day but salvaged fantasy value with a late TD to Evan Engram. Courtland Sutton (8-99) was again the clear focal point and remains a set-and-forget WR2. J.K. Dobbins handled 20 carries for 79 yards and a score, clearly leading the backfield. While not used much as a receiver, he offers a dependable RB2 floor tied to Denver's improving offense.
Eagles
Despite leading by 14 in the third quarter, Philadelphia threw 38 times and ran just six times with Saquon Barkley. Barkley's 47-yard TD catch saved his fantasy day, but his rushing workload was concerning. DeVonta Smith (8-114) out-produced A.J. Brown (5-43) as Patrick Surtain often defended the latter. The offense seemed intent on appeasing its receivers, which now creates week-to-week volatility potential.
Panthers 27 Dolphins 24
Panthers
Rico Dowdle torched Miami's soft run defense for 206 yards and a score, adding three receptions for 28 yards in a career day. Bryce Young again struggled to top 200 yards passing, limiting Tetairoa McMillan's upside despite eight targets and 73 yards. Dowdle is a plug-and-play fantasy starter until Chuba Hubbard (calf) returns, while McMillan remains a steady WR3 floor play with star potential long term.
Dolphins
Fantasy managers couldn't ask for much more from Miami's key playmakers. Darren Waller dominated early, catching five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown before disappearing in the second half — possibly due to conditioning or snap management. Still, he's already a must-start tight end when healthy. Jaylen Waddle thrived as the new focal point with Tyreek Hill out, posting 6-110-1 on nine targets and solidifying WR2 value. De'Von Achane managed just 16 rushing yards but added six receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown, keeping his RB1 value strong.
Texans 44 Ravens 10
Texans
Houston finally faced a defense it could bully, and C.J. Stroud took full advantage with four touchdowns. Nick Chubb re-emerged for 61 yards and a score, while Woody Marks took a back seat in this game script. Nico Collins found the end zone among a balanced receiving attack where no one topped 64 yards. Chubb is a sell-high, Marks a buy-low and Stroud a matchup-based QB play who thrives when his offensive line holds up.
Ravens
Without Lamar Jackson (hamstring), Cooper Rush and the Ravens offense never had a chance. Derrick Henry scored late to save fantasy managers but otherwise struggled. Zay Flowers (5-72) was the only pass-catcher to post usable numbers and remains a PPR floor option until Jackson returns — likely after the Week 7 bye. Everyone else in this passing game can stay on the bench until the offense regains functionality.
Cardinals 21 Titans 19
Cardinals
Arizona controlled much of this game before a stunning late collapse. Emari Demercado's costly fumble into the end zone erased what would've been a 71-yard touchdown, turning a strong fantasy day into a disappointment. Michael Carter emerged as the clear lead back, handling 18 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown while catching five passes. Demercado's role looks limited to hurry-up situations, making Carter the only reliable fantasy option. Marvin Harrison Jr. continued to progress, finishing with 98 yards on four catches and inching closer to weekly reliability status.
Titans
The Tennessee offense showed some much-needed spark in the second half. Calvin Ridley erupted for 131 yards on 10 targets, offering hope he can finally regain fantasy relevance. Tony Pollard continued to dominate backfield touches, turning in 78 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Both remain volatile but usable fantasy starters — Pollard for volume and Ridley as an upside WR3 with potential to rise. With limited secondary weapons, both should continue to see heavy usage.
Buccaneers 38 Seahawks 35
Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield continues to defy logic, torching Seattle's defense for 379 yards and two touchdowns in another clutch performance. Rookie Emeka Egbuka exploded again with 163 yards and a score, cementing himself as a top-24 receiver regardless of matchup. With Bucky Irving sidelined, Rachaad White took over the backfield, producing 71 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. He's a locked-in fantasy starter as long as Irving remains out. Chris Godwin's continued struggles make him difficult to trust until further notice.
Seahawks
Sam Darnold delivered one of his best fantasy performances of the season, throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns before a late interception sealed the loss. Kenneth Walker outgained Zach Charbonnet on the ground, though the latter scored, but both split work evenly enough to keep each as RB2 plays. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was dominant, tallying 132 yards and a touchdown as Darnold's favorite target. Tight end AJ Barner impressed with seven receptions for 53 yards and two scores — he's now a legitimate waiver-wire target at a thin position.
Lions 37 Bengals 24
Lions
Detroit controlled the tempo all afternoon. David Montgomery found creative ways to score, rushing for a touchdown and tossing another on a goal-line play. Jahmyr Gibbs posted 87 scrimmage yards on just 14 touches, maintaining a steady PPR floor despite limited work. Both backs remain reliable weekly starters, especially with Detroit's offense operating smoothly. This backfield continues to be one of the most consistent in fantasy football.
Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase reminded everyone of his elite upside, exploding for 110 yards and two touchdowns despite shaky quarterback play from Jake Browning. This performance is why he cannot be benched. Tee Higgins managed a short touchdown on limited volume, while Chase Brown caught seven passes to reach double-digit PPR points. Chase remains a locked-in WR1, but Higgins is strictly a touchdown-dependent flex. Brown's role in the passing game gives him PPR-only flex viability during bye weeks.
Commanders 27 Chargers 10
Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke out in spectacular fashion, rushing 14 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns while adding 39 receiving yards. He's now entrenched as a strong RB2 with weekly upside. Deebo Samuel dominated targets in Terry McLaurin's absence, catching eight of 11 for 96 yards and a score. Samuel's role makes him a borderline top-20 receiver. Jayden Daniels had a quiet day by his standards but remains a strong fantasy starter with rushing upside when McLaurin returns.
Chargers
The Chargers offense sputtered most of the day. Justin Herbert led the team in rushing, mostly on a 41-yard scramble. Omarion Hampton totaled 70 scrimmage yards and six catches before exiting with an ankle injury, salvaging a decent fantasy line. Rookie Ladd McConkey finally scored his first touchdown but still hasn't had a breakout game. Los Angeles' offensive line issues are catching up with it, and until Joe Alt returns, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Herbert's supporting cast.
Injuries
The following players left Sunday's action and did not return:
Omarion Hampton (ankle) – Chargers
Darius Slayton (hamstring) – Giants
For all the latest updates and return timelines, visit the RotoWire Injury Report.
Conclusion
Week 5 delivered nearly everything fantasy managers could imagine — explosive performances, surprises and a few frustrating injuries. Rookie skill players continue to drive weekly storylines, while veteran quarterbacks like Mayfield and Prescott keep rewriting expectations. As bye weeks hit full swing, depth and awareness will separate contenders from pretenders. Stay sharp and keep tabs on evolving roles through the RotoWire Weekly Projections.
