Fantasy Football: Week 5 Quarterback Rankings

MIAMI, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- Week 5 will likely be remembered most as the return of Tom Brady.

Yes, the New England Patriots quarterback is primed for a huge day against the Cleveland Browns and is my top ranked quarterback for the week. But Brady isn't the only gunslinger with a good match up this weekend. I expect quite a few quarterbacks to put up solid fantasy point totals for your fantasy squad.

Here are my top 20 quarterbacks this week. You can also view my add/drops for the week and more positional rankings in the links below.

TOP SHELF

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers always finds a way to produce, even as his offensive arsenal becomes depleted due to injuries. Rivers shouldn't have a tough time showing why he is a premier NFL quarterback against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5. He should also be a top-5 play for your fantasy squad. The Raiders have allowed the most passing yards and third-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will have another huge day against the New York Jets. I like Roethlisberger as a top-5 play this week and expect huge things from his connection with Antonio Brown. Le'Veon Bell coming out of the backfield should also improve Roethlisberger's efficiency and give the Steelers a more balanced attack. The Jets have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks through four weeks.

SNEAKY PLAYS

Philadelphia Eagles rookie Carson Wentz comes off of a bye week looking to steer his squad to a 4-0 record. Wentz is a top-12 play for me in this match up against the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. Oakland's Derek Carr is another top-12 play for me this week against the Chargers. Carr ranks third in the NFL with nine passing touchdowns against just one interception. The Chargers have allowed opposing quarterbacks to either pass for more than 300 yards or throw for multiple touchdowns in every game this season. I like the Raiders in this contest with shootout potential.

LONGSHOTS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Jameis Winston won't be facing the 2015 Carolina Panthers this weekend, but a version allowing the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks through four weeks. Winston failed to throw for a touchdown in Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, but I like his chances against a Panthers secondary that was torched by Matt Ryan for 503 yards and four touchdowns last week. Chicago Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer might be playing for the starting job ahead of Jay Cutler this week against the Colts. Last week, Hoyer showed that he is capable of leading the Bears offense by posting his second consecutive performance of more than 300 yards passing and he threw multiple touchdown passes. I like that trend to continue against the Colts. Hoyer could fill in as a bye week starter for your team in deep leagues and later down the road if he holds onto the job.