James Cook led Buffalo’s ground game with 15 carries for 49 yards but failed to reach the end zone, capping a week where volume outweighed scoring for fantasy points (4.9). Kamara and Miller split Saints backfield duties, Kamara mixed in the receiving game but still TD-dependent, while Miller showed passing-game promise. Woody Marks and Jacoby Meyers provided flashes but underwhelmed in volume; Gino Smith’s output remained tepid in another tough day for Seattle. The Saints look playoff-bound, Raiders spiraled, and Chubb kept the Browns’ ground game relevant while Kamara and Miller battle for touches.

Overall, the backfields remained fluid—Coordinators leaned on passing options and red-zone attempts muddied the value. With Bills facing Falcons, Saints flirting with a run-heavy yet inefficient approach, and Browns still feeding Chubb, fantasy managers must weigh volume against touchdown upside and game-script in the coming weeks. Gino’s volatility persists, while Meyers’ role with Las Vegas continues to be a roller coaster.

New Orleans hosts New York in Week 5 with the Saints chasing a first win of the season while the Giants try to steady the ship after Malik Neighbors’ injury. The game centers on the run game—Kamara and Kendry Miller feeding a mobile Jackson Dart who can extend plays with his legs—against a Giants defense that must slow the Saints and disrupt their drive. On the other side, New York leans on Hyatt as a big-play option and must replace Neighbors’ all-around production, all while managing late-down pressure and red-zone chances. The outcome hinges on clock control, field-position discipline, and which offense sustains longer drives at the Superdome.

Quinton Judkins shines as a pro-ready rookie in Cleveland, predicted to be a top-12 back by October as he soaks up a sizable early workload. The Vikings’ modest rush D offers a clear test, and the Browns appear inclined to lean into his heavy usage rather than slow-pace conditioning. Alvin Kamara remains a stable RB1 for New Orleans, with Kamara and Kendre Miller sharing touches as the Saints lean on a ground-heavy game plan against the Giants. Javonte Williams benefits from a favorable matchup and a high-usage offense, while Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit backfield sit among the week’s reliable options, backed by a strong early-season volume profile. The mix of veterans and rookies across the slate creates a rich landscape for week-to-week fantasy decisions, including potential dynasty pivots and dynasty trade considerations as the season unfolds.

The discussion also highlights the broader offensive ecosystems around these backs: a high-floor floor in Detroit’s run game, Kamara’s continued involvement even with rotation behind him, and the Vikings’ vulnerability to multi-spot backfields. Analysts emphasize opportunity as the true engine of fantasy success—volume ownership paired with talent, a formula that favors Judkins, Gibbs, and Williams in most projected game scripts. As rosters settle, managers should monitor workload signals, game script expectations, and opponent run defenses to calibrate start/sit decisions for the coming weeks.

Dak Prescott’s MVP-like start fuels Dallas, while the run games anchor fantasy lines: Javonte Williams benefits from a Jets front that’s been soft to the run, Alvin Kamara remains a consisten RB1 with a sustained workload, and Kyren Williams could surge if Nick Bosa sits. Nico Collins breaks out for Houston against Baltimore’s vulnerable secondary, and Puka Nakua’s historic pace keeps him atop weekly targets. Drake Maye, Daniel Jones, Jordan Addison, and Darren Waller offer high ceilings in favorable matchups as the Week 5 landscape tightens around opportunity and efficiency.

Others receiving votes include Trevor Lawrence and Jared Goff providing upside in smartly contested spots, while the Jets’ backfield remains fluid with Breece Hall’ return and Bree Hall’s status a question mark. This week centers on leveraging workload, game flow, and the few matchup advantages that separate the top fantasy plays from the rest.