Fantasy Football: 5 Things We Learned in Week 5

The Lions' Backfield Is Exactly What We Feared

Speaking of bad news for running backs...

We feared the worst for the Detroit Lions' backfield coming into the season. Despite spending a second round pick in the NFL Draft on Kerryon Johnson, the Lions appeared committed to both LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick. On Sunday, we saw those fears play out.

Johnson looked incredible to start the game, repeatedly ripping off chunks of yardage against the Packers. He finished the game with an impressive 70 yards on 12 carries. But after Johnson helped march the team down the field, it was Blount who got the call for both of their goal-line carries, punching in both touchdowns.

Piling on the bad news, both of these plays happened before Johnson injured his ankle in the second half. In other words, we can't expect Johnson to score many touchdowns this year.

He did manage to draw as many targets from Matthew Stafford as passing-down specialist Theo Riddick, but Riddick still has twice as many targets as Johnson on the season. Johnson is stuck in a wasteland of fantasy opportunity.