The National Football League is heading into week six of the 2016 season, and already we’re seeing why the NFL is the most exciting league in America. Perhaps one of the most shocking storylines to come out of the 2016 season so far is the outstanding play by the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.
Led by former Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, the Vikings have won impressive results against top teams like the Packers, Panthers, and Giants. And while the offense has been playing well despite the loss of star running back Adrian Peterson, the Viking’s defense has been a brick wall allowing an average of only 12.6 points per game to opponents.
Minnesota has a bye during week six, but expect an interesting matchup as Bradford returns to Lincoln Financial Field and the Vikings take on the Eagles in week seven.
Rookie quarterbacks have also been a standout surprise in the league this year. Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles have been exceptional this year and fans are excited about their potential. Especially here in the Philadelphia Area, Eagles fans are swooning over “Wentzylvania” and for good reason. Wentz has thrown for seven touchdowns and only one interception with 1,007 passing yards through the first four games.
He’s looked calm, cool, and collected; the Eagles certainly have a reason to look forward to the future.
On the flip side, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys have looked surprisingly formidable as the 4-1 Cowboys currently lead the NFC East. Prescott is a true team quarterback and is very careful with the ball. He’s thrown four touchdowns, no interceptions, and has 1,239 passing yards, and is making a case for the starting job over the injured Tony Romo.
Romo is expected to return in week eight when the Cowboys play the Eagles on Sunday Night Football, but a matchup of these two potential rookie of the year candidates would be must-see TV if Prescott is still the starter.
In the AFC, the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots all sit at 4-1. While many people expected the Steelers to do well, not many people predicted that the Brady-less Patriots and inconsistent Raiders would be leading their divisions at this point in the season. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returned from suspension in week five and didn’t show a hint of rust throwing for 406 yards, three touchdowns, and a 70 percent completion.
Surely the winning ways will continue in New England and Pittsburgh through their high-powered offenses, but whether or not the Raiders can continue their hot streak remains to be seen.
Oakland has some studs on offense with the likes of Derek Carr, Michael Crabtree, and Latavius Murray, and with relocation looming; the folks in Oakland are hoping to say goodbye to their team on a high note with a division title.
With five full weeks of NFL action already under our belt, fantasy football owners seem to be either proudly boasting about their wise decisions on draft day, or frantically searching the waiver wire looking for improvements. That being said, there are several sleepers still available on the waiver wire in most ESPN leagues.
Jeremy Kerley, a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, has become the number one target for his team and is only owned in 46.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
A great asset for PPR leagues, Kerley put up 14 points in week four against Dallas and 16 points in week five against Arizona, and those numbers almost doubled in PPR leagues. Kerley could easily be a consistent flex or WR2 option in the weeks to come.
Cole Beasley of the Dallas Cowboys is another great wide receiver option for owners in need of a flex or a back up wide receiver in PPR leagues.
Beasley has scored over 10 points in four out of five games so far this season in PPR leagues, and with Dez Bryant struggling with injury, it seems like Beasley will continue to see more production.
If he continues to see a high volume of touches, Beasley, who is only owned in 44 percent of ESPN leagues, is a PPR wild card with upside potential going forward.
Hunter Henry, a tight end on the San Diego Chargers, has also emerged as a viable option fantasy owners looking for an extra tight end or flex option. Henry was impressive filling in for Antonio Gates when he went down with a hamstring injury, and has scored three touchdowns in the past three weeks.
However, with Gates returning from that injury in week six, Henry may see a decrease in touches, but this shouldn’t deter owners from scooping the rookie tight end off the waiver wire.
Henry is owned in about half of all ESPN leagues and looks to be a future starter in San Diego. But if he can keep his weekly touchdown streak going, a starting role may come sooner rather than later.
Additionally, there are several players to avoid at this point in the season as well. Eddie Lacy, running back for the Green Bay Packers, is one of those players to avoid.
Contrary to the excessive hype surrounding his improved fitness, Lacy has failed to score more than ten points in any game so far this season.
Injury and a lack of opportunities have hindered Lacy once again, and it doesn’t look like his situation will improve any time soon.
Owners should look to trade Lacy or pick up his handcuff James Starks off the waiver wire if this trend continues.
Eli Manning and the New York Giants appear to be one of this season’s biggest disappointments.
As a QB, Eli has only scored an average of 12.2 points per game, and star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is only averaging a meager eight points per game.
These numbers won’t help win championships, and unless New York can find a solution to their struggling offense, owners should consider trading or benching both Beckham Jr. and Manning.
Andrew Heller is a fourth-year majoring in English with a minor in journalism. He can be reached at? AH804286@wcupa.edu.