After a week with some out-of-the-ordinary names atop the list of targets and touches, things started to look a lot more normal in Week 5. More than a few big name fantasy players had some big time fantasy performances ... and it all started with how much they saw the football. Let's take a look at how the numbers broke down.
Targets
If this is what happens when Demaryius Thomas is unhappy with his performance, we need him to be down on himself every week. The Broncos wideout showed off on Sunday with a franchise-record 226 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It didn't even matter that he and Peyton Manning only connected on half of his targets this week. Just another friendly reminder of why Thomas was drafted as one of the first receivers off the board in most fantasy leagues.
The change in quarterbacks from EJ Manuel to Kyle Orton looks to have Sammy Watkins trending in the right direction. The rookie receiver has seen his targets increase over the past couple of weeks with 21 passes heading his way in Weeks 4 and 5. The better news is that in Week 5, more those targets hit the mark with Watkins snagging seven receptions -- including one highlight reel grab.
It was nice to see Rob Gronkowski getting back into the mix. At least for this week. The Patriots offense had been under fire recently but looked solid against the Bengals on Sunday night. New England's offense runs best when Tom Brady is throwing in the direction of Gronk ... something he did frequently in Week 5. Whether it was a case of the Bengals not showing up in a primetime game or whether the Patriots offense is actually back remains to be seen. But for now, we're just happy to have the production.
Other notables:Kelvin Benjamin (11), Jeremy Maclin (11), Pierre Thomas (10), Golden Tate (9), Brian Quick (9)
Touches
There's no way anyone expected DeMarco Murray to have the kind of workload he's seen in the first five weeks of the season. But he's been the most productive running back in fantasy football by a long shot. It's even been enough to overcome the seemingly weekly lost fumble that shows up on the stat sheet. However, it's fair to wonder if Murray can keep up this pace all season long. Last year was the first in which he stayed relatively healthy and as long as he is seeing a glut of touches, the injury risk will remain. In the meantime, as long as he's on the field you should throw caution to the wind and enjoy the production.
For yet another week, Matt Forte is sitting near the top of the list in backfield opportunities. So far this season, Forte is tied with Martellus Bennett for the team lead in targets with 42. It doesn't matter how a running back is getting the ball -- the key is that he is getting the football. Marc Trestman will continue to be creative in putting the rock in Forte's hands and when the Bears can get him into space, things usually work out well. Hand it to him, throw it to him, we don't care. Just get Forte the football.
Last week, I said that the Eagles would find the way to give LeSean McCoy the football after a measly 10 touches in Week 4. Philadelphia certainly increased Shady's workload in Week 5, now we just need him to start producing. Part of the issue has to do with the offensive line. Hopefully Chip Kelly takes a page out of the Trestman playbook and finds some different ways to get McCoy involved in the offense. A fantasy nation turns its lonely eyes to you.
Other notables:Le'Veon Bell (15+6), Frank Gore (18+1), Jamaal Charles (15+4), Ronnie Hillman (15+1), Eddie Lacy (13+3)
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com. Follow him on Twitter @MarcasG.
