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DFS: Week 5 Quarterback Value Rankings

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Here's a look at theScore's quarterback value rankings for Week 5 (Thursday night game excluded):

Value Rankings
QB
| RB | WR | TE

Top 3

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
1 Philip Rivers (SD) vs. PIT Low
2 Jay Cutler (CHI) at KC Low
3 Carson Palmer (ARI) at DET Low

Rivers has had two monster performances at home, and should shred Pittsburgh's weak pass defense. The Chargers' inconsistent running game and the return of tight end Antonio Gates should only help Rivers' fantasy prospects. Cutler may be maligned in real life, but Chicago is loaded with weapons on offense, and Kansas City has been among the worst passing defenses this year. Palmer has put up great fantasy numbers all year at a mid-range price, and that should continue in a dome against Detroit.

Next 3

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
4 Tom Brady (NE) at DAL Low
5 Aaron Rodgers (GB) vs. STL Low
6 Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. WAS Low

Brady and Rodgers have been the two best fantasy QBs so far this season and should continue to provide value despite their high prices. Washington has one of the league's best run defenses; this should force the Falcons and Matt Ryan to take to the air.

Best of the Rest

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
7 Drew Brees (NO) at PHI Low
8 Josh McCown (CLE) at BAL Low
9 Tyrod Taylor (BUF) at TEN Low
10 Peyton Manning (DEN) at OAK Medium
11 Eli Manning (NYG) vs. SF Medium
12 Russell Wilson (SEA) at CIN Medium
13 Alex Smith (KC) vs. CHI Medium
14 Kirk Cousins (WAS) at ATL Medium
15 Marcus Mariota (TEN) vs. BUF Medium

On paper, Peyton Manning has a great matchup against Oakland, but the high-octane Denver offense of old is no more - the Broncos are led by their defense. Smith has averaged approximately 340 yards passing in his last two games, and Chicago doesn't have a great defense. McCown has put up two strong performances at a bargain price after coming back from injury - maybe the Browns were right to bench Johnny Manziel - and Baltimore has been unable to stop anyone this season.

Nothing to See Here

# NAME OPPONENT RISK
16 Sam Bradford (PHI) at NO High
17 Andy Dalton (CIN) vs. SEA High
18 Derek Carr (OAK) vs. DEN High
19 Joe Flacco (BAL) vs. CLE High
20 Colin Kaepernick (SF) at NYG High
21 Blake Bortles (JAX) at TB High
22 Matthew Stafford (DET) vs. ARI High
23 Jameis Winston (TB) vs. JAX High
24 Nick Foles (STL) at GB High
25 Michael Vick (PIT) at SD High
26 Brandon Weeden (DAL) vs. NE High

Dalton and Carr have been great this season, but face two very strong defenses this week. Bradford is too inconsistent to trust despite a great matchup on paper, while Flacco is running out of competent receivers with Steve Smith Sr. missing at least this week. Out of the remaining names, inconsistency and/or poor matchups rule the day - there's a reason these QBs are among the lowest priced.

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