I read an article this week about building the perfect NFL quarterback, and it referenced different physical attributes from several quarterbacks from around the league, and it got me thinking. If I could create the perfect NFL body, what would that prototype look like? Here’s what I came up with:
Butt: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
As evidenced by the above.
Hair: Clay Matthews, Packers
Eyes: Julian Edelman, Patriots
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Biceps: Vernon Davis, Redskins
Chest: Reggie Bush, Bills
Abs: Le’Veon Bell, Steelers
As odd as this prototype may look, I realized that after I created my perfect NFL body that I have a thing for tight ends. What’s great about this is the fact that everyone’s NFL prototype can look different. We all have different tastes and opinions, so post yours down below and tell me what features create your perfect NFL body.
Here are some Week 5 bits to know:
Game of the Week
Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos
This game is a battle between one of the league’s best offenses and one of the game’s best defenses. The Falcons are coming off a game in which Matt Ryan threw for over 500 yards, and Julio Jones caught 12 passes, totaling 300 yards. Meanwhile, the Broncos are facing their third NFC South opponent in five weeks, and look to get their third win against the South this season.
The Falcons have had incredible offensive production this season, but their defense has been a little suspect. They have given up at least 30 points in each of the last two games. However, the Falcons will not know what quarterback they are facing until right before kickoff on Sunday.
QB Trevor Siemian left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch replaced. The Broncos are hopeful that Simian will be able to start, but Lynch is a capable backup and I don’t imagine Denver skipping a beat no matter who is under center. The Broncos have always been about defense. The Broncos need to shut down Julio Jones, and Chris Harris, Jr. should be the man for the job. Jones is stoppable; he only had one catch in Week 3. It is very difficult to win on the road, and if Atlanta can win this game, against the league’s best defense, they should be considered contenders in the NFC.
However, I believe the Broncos will be able to stop the Falcons’ offense and win this game, no matter who plays quarterback for Denver.
Broncos 28, Falcons 20
Upset of the Week
Tennessee Titans over Miami Dolphins
The Titans and the Dolphins are perhaps two of the most underwhelming teams in the NFL. However, one team is less underwhelming than the other, and it isn’t the favorite for this game.
The Dolphins are favored to win, but I like the Titans in this matchup. The Dolphins are coming off a long week of preparation given that they played last Thursday, but this team has not shown much life this season.
Losses to Seattle and New England were explanatory, but barely beating the Browns and looking horrendous against the Bengals makes me worry about Miami. The Titans have looked much more impressive than their record shows. They had three close losses to Minnesota, Oakland, and Houston, who have a combined 13-2 record. And they looked solid in their win against Detroit.
DeMarco Murray is having a comeback season, and as long as the Titans run the ball down Miami’s throats, this should go in the win column for Tennessee.
Titans 27, Dolphins 17
Fantasy Start of the Week
Bears RB Jordan Howard
Jordan Howard was my runner-up for pick-up of the week, but this week, he’s my top guy. In daily leagues, he is someone you can get on the cheap and there’s a chance he may be available in your season-long league. Howard looked strong as the starting Bears running back last week, eclipsing over 100 yards, and the Bears got their first win of the season. This week, Howard faces a Colts defense that looked sluggish against Jacksonville, and should look even more sluggish this week after having to travel back from London. Great opportunity, great matchup, start Howard.
Fantasy Sit of the Week
Falcons QB Matt Ryan
Ryan’s numbers are historic. He’s had one of the best fantasy months ever. But there is one problem with starting him this week: the Denver Broncos. If there were a book for 2016 Fantasy Football laws, the first law should be to never start a quarterback against Denver. Ryan has played outstandingly, there is no denying that, but try to find a different quarterback for this week. The potential for him to have another great scoring week is slim and there are more reliable options for this week.
Fantasy Pick-up of the Week
Bills WR Robert Woods
With Sammy Watkins out for a while, Tyrod Taylor is in need for a new target. Enter Robert Woods. He is the Bills’ top receiver and is probably sitting as a free agent. He had 7 catches for 89 yards in last week’s win against New England and is likely in line to get more targets as the season rolls on. With all of these injuries piling up and bye weeks starting to kick in, Woods is someone that can be a long term option for your fantasy team.
Lock of the Week
New England Patriots over Cleveland Browns
In case you have not heard, a man by the name of Tom Brady plays quarterback for the New England Patriots. He had to sit out the first four games of the season, and his team went 3-1 without him.
New England looked great for three games, but their Week 4 loss proved that Brady needs to come back. He could not have come back at a better time because he’s playing the Cleveland Browns, who happen to be really bad.
The Browns are the only winless team in football, and the only thing that it has going for them is that this game is being played in Cleveland. Other than that, the Patriots have every advantage in the book. Poor Cleveland. They may have had a shot against Jacoby Brissett or Jimmy Garoppolo, but with Brady back, this game will have New England written all over it.
Patriots 45, Browns 16
Buzzer’s Best Bet
Outsports co-founder Jim Buzinski will make one pick each week against the spread.
Texans minus 6.5 at Vikings. Pick: Vikings
Led by a suffocating defense, the Vikings are 4-0 against the spread. The Texans, meanwhile, were shut out in their only road game. Vikings 23, Texans 13.
Last week: 1-0. Season: 2-2.
Hot Player of the Week
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins
Though he is not in my prototype, I wanted to give a shout out to my favorite receiver in the NFL. Hopkins is donating $1,000 to AVDA for every touchdown he scores this month. Here’s to hoping he scores seven touchdowns so he can donate seven grand and so the Texans can beat the Vikings!
Jeremy Brener is a student at the University of Central Florida who writes a weekly NFL column for Outsports. He can be reached via email ([email protected]) and followed on Twitter.
