San Diego Chargers (5-2) @ Denver Broncos (5-1) Thursday 8:25 PM CST
Tyler’s Pick: Chargers
Why: San Diego is going to be out for revenge after losing last week. Philip Rivers is a legitimate MVP candidate and should shred the Denver secondary. The Chargers have a vastly improved secondary that should be able to limit Peyton Manning and the deadly Denver offense.
Charlie’s Pick: Broncos
Why: Peyton Manning and his army of capable receiving options will prove too much for a San Diego defense that is admittedly stout. The Broncos Defense is also solid though and should be able to hold the Chargers to a low enough score.
Fantasy Impact: After the week four bye week, Demaryius Thomas has been on a tear, averaging 36 points per game in PPR leagues. This production is unsustainable so expect a dip in his production against a stout San Diego defense, allowing 316.4 yards per game. Philip Rivers is the third-best fantasy quarterback to this point and distributes the ball evenly among his receivers. He has great options in Malcom Floyd, Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, and Branden Oliver. Against a Denver defense allowing 242.5 passing yards per game, expect Rivers and a handful of his receivers to excel.
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) Sunday 3:25 PM CST
Tyler’s Pick: Steelers
Why: Pittsburgh is coming off an exhilarating win against Houston and should carry momentum into a key matchup with the Colts. The Steelers have too much firepower with the trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell for the Indianapolis defense to stop.
Charlie’s Pick: Colts
Why: The Colts have the most effective offense in the NFL as well as the third-ranked defense, in terms of total yards, and have been dominate to this point.
Fantasy Impact: T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne should have decent games against an average Pittsburgh secondary. Andrew Luck is one of the top quarterbacks in the league and has showed no signs of slowing down regardless of the opposing defense. Dwayne Allen has scored in 5 of the last 6 games and should continue that trend against the Steelers’ linebackers. Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell have been unstoppable all year and should continue to have huge games against an Indianapolis defense that has allowed 215 yards through the air and nearly 100 on the ground per game to opponents.
Green Bay Packers (5-2) @ New Orleans Saints (2-4) Sunday 7:30 PM CST
Tyler’s Pick: Saints
Why: New Orleans plays much better at home than on the road and need a victory to keep pace in a weak NFC South. New Orlean’s defense has improved and should be able to stop the Packers enough to allow Drew Brees to win the game for the Saints.
Charlie’s Pick: Packers
Why: After a rout of the Carolina Panthers last week, the Packers should ride the momentum to a victory against a Saints team that hasn’t been able to put the pieces together this year.
Fantasy Impact: Drew Brees should see a massive improvement just by playing at home and should be able to find holes in a decent Green Bay secondary. Jimmy Graham should continue to get closer to 100 percent and should continue his career-long dominance. Mark Ingram should return to his pre-injury form against the second-worst run defense in the league. Aaron Rodgers is second in the league in passing touchdowns and should put up healthy numbers against one of the worst secondaries in the league. Constant threats Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb should both have huge games.