It was a close slate of games in Week 5, as nine of the 13 matchups resulted in games decided by six points or less (excluding Monday Night Football). In some of those games, unsung heroes rose to the occasion and provided excellent statistical results from a fantasy football standpoint.
Here are the best performances from players who were mostly unowned (or at least not started in the majority of leagues) in Fantasy Football leagues in Week 5. Each week, one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, and one tight end will be highlighted.
To see the Week 4 team, click here.
Quarterback
Brian Hoyer, 49ers
Week 5 stats: 353 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions
Hoyer had a strong Week 3 against the Rams when he threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns, but he hadn't thrown a single touchdown pass in any of the 49ers other three games. His 353 passing yards in Week 5 are the second-most he has thrown for in his career. This was also the first game this season where he did not throw an interception.
Running backs
Marlon Mack, Colts
Week 5 stats: 91 Rushing Yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 reception, 2 receiving yards
A fourth-round pick in April's draft, Mack had just 21 rushing yards on 16 carries in two game seasons before missing Weeks 3 and 4 with a shoulder injury.
He averaged over 10 yards a carry in Week 5, as he finished with 91 rushing yards on just nine carries.
Orleans Darkwa, Giants
Week 5 stats: 69 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 reception, 3 receiving yards
Wayne Gallman was the Giants running back added most in fantasy leagues heading into Week 5, but it was Darkwa who had the stronger fantasy performance.
He entered Sunday's game with just 53 rushing yards in three games. His 69 rushing yards easily surpass his previous career-high of 53.
Wide receivers
Nelson Agholar, Eagles
Week 5 stats: 4 receptions, 93 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Agholor started the season off on a high note, catching six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
In the three following games, the former first round pick had just six catches for 87 yards. His 93 yards in Week 5 are a new career-high (previous best was his Week 1 total) and included a 72-yard highlight reel touchdown in the third quarter.
Cole Beasley, Cowboys
Week 5 stats: 4 receptions, 23 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Beasley didn't have an excellent fantasy day for his yardage, but he caught two of Dak Prescott's three touchdown throws. The sixth-year pro has been utilized less often so far this season. After finishing with 75 catches for 833 yards in 2016, he is on pace to end this season with just 48 catches for 349 yards. Sunday provided Beasley with his first two touchdowns of the season and is the third time in his career he has scored twice.
Tight end
Ed Dickson, Panthers
Week 5 stats: 5 receptions, 175 receiving yards
Dickson surpassed his yardage total from all of last season on Sunday. He had just 10 catches for 134 yards in 2016 (also had just 121 yards in 2015 and 115 in 2014), but has been thrust into a larger role with Greg Olsen injured. His career day included receptions of 64 and 57 yards which allowed him to become the first player in franchise history to have two catches over 50 yards in one game.
