By: Nick Galle
It might be hard to believe, but the NFL season is almost at the midway point. As we enter Week 6, Patrick Mahomes has taken the league by storm, Ryan Fitzpatrick’s days of “FitzMagic” might be over, Baker Mayfield is bringing the Browns out of a decade recession, and Dez Bryant? Still a free agent. The season has been filled with surprises, and here are five players that might surprise you this upcoming week:
1. Keke Coutee (WR-HOU)
Coutee has been productive the past two weeks against Indianapolis and Dallas with 17 receptions for 160 yards and a touchdown. The Texans look to face Buffalo this week, one of the league’s weaker defenses. With Will Fuller’s health status still up in the air, look for Coutee to have another nice week, as he has been one of Deshaun Watson’s favorite targets behind DeAndre Hopkins.
2. Joe Mixon (RB-CIN)
After injury kept him sidelined for weeks three and four, Mixon carried the ball 22 times for 93 yards, in addition to three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown against Miami in week five. The Bengals’ back is averaging 20 carries a game so far this season and looks to build on last week’s impressive performance. Cincinnati will face Pittsburgh this week, a defense that has allowed 105.0 rush yards per game.
3. Sony Michel (RB-NE)
The New England Patriots have usually had a commission of running backs in previous seasons, but this year they seem to be leaning on the talents of rookie Sony Michel. After Jeremy Hill went down week one and Rex Burkhead got sent to injured reserve, Michel has been the feature back with contributions from James White here and there. Over the past three games, the rookie has averaged 19 carries per game and 87 yards on the ground per game. With touchdowns in back-to-back games, look for Michel to find the end zone once again this week against Kansas City.
4. Mitchell Trubisky (QB-CHI)
The Bears sit atop the NFC North early this season and along with defense, Trubisky is a huge reason why. The young quarterback has a QB rating of 101.6 through four games. Chicago is coming off of their bye week and will face Miami on Sunday, a defense that has allowed about 274 passing yards per game. Trubisky passed for 354 yards and six touchdowns in the Bears’ blowout win over Tampa Bay, so it is likely that momentum will carry over into Sunday.
5. Jamaal Charles (RB-JAC)
If you thought he was all done, guess again. Jamaal Charles has signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The signing comes after injuries to Leonard Fournette and Corey Grant, as well as a nagging injury to T.J. Yeldon. Charles is not going to run for 150+ yards this week with two or three touchdowns like he did during his Kansas City days, but it will certainly be interesting to see the 31-year-old suit up once again for an NFL game.
Follow Edge Sports Network on Twitter: @TheEdgeSN
Follow Nick Galle on Twitter: @thenickgalle
Cover photo via: NFL
Tell us what you think!