The Los Angeles Rams are gearing up for a Week 5 NFC West clash against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. All eyes are on wide receiver Tutu Atwell after his game-winning 88-yard touchdown reception against the Colts. But is he a reliable fantasy football option this week?
Atwell's Unexpected Heroics
Atwell's single catch against the Colts turned him into an instant hero, propelling him into the top 10 WR fantasy performers in standard leagues. However, prior to that, he had only one catch in the previous three weeks. This raises the question: was that touchdown a fluke, or a sign of things to come?
Week 5 Fantasy Outlook: Start or Sit?
Experts are advising fantasy football managers to proceed with caution. While the touchdown was exciting, Atwell needs to demonstrate consistent involvement in the Rams' offensive game plan before he can be considered a reliable starter. He faces a tough matchup against the 49ers, who boast the league's sixth-best pass defense, conceding just 165 passing yards per game.
- PPR Leagues: Sit. Atwell's limited targets make him a risky play in PPR formats.
- Standard Leagues: Sit. His reliance on a single big play makes him too unpredictable.
The 49ers' defense is statistically strong against opposing receivers, limiting yardage and touchdowns. While they have allowed some receiving touchdowns, they haven't allowed multiple TDs to a single player this season. Atwell's recent performance has been inconsistent, with several games showing zero receptions. Fantasy managers should monitor Atwell's target share in the Thursday night game. If he commands more targets, he might become a waiver wire target for future weeks. For now, keep him on the bench.
Key Stats to Consider:
- Atwell averages 23.0 yards per reception this season.
- He has been targeted only five times this season.
- The 49ers allow an average of 1.3 passing touchdowns per game.