With four weeks in the books, things are getting complicated. It’s still early, but crucial games are arriving that could end up being the difference in the end for your fantasy team. Luckily, the Dolphins and Raiders are the only teams on bye-weeks this week, and neither of those teams have outstanding fantasy playmakers.
Last week, we saw breakouts from stars such as Trent Richardson, Lamar Miller, Steve Smith Sr. and many others. And that makes me wonder what is in store for this week. There are many questions to be answered, and concerns to be dismissed.
As you enter your crucial fantasy matchup this weekend, I’ll try and help out with some tough lineup decisions by giving my advice on who you should start, and who you should sit come Sunday. Enjoy the week 5 start ‘em sit ‘em!
Quarterbacks Start ‘Em: Phillip Rivers vs. New York Jets
Projected Fantasy Points: 26
Phillip Rivers has been on a role to start the season, as he ranks 2nd in the league in fantasy points, only behind Andrew Luck. Rivers has only scored less than 20 fantasy points once, and that was in Week 1 against a stout Arizona defense. This week, expect Rivers’ hot streak to continue as he faces off against the Jets, who have allowed the 2nd most fantasy points in the NFL to opposing quarterbacks this season. Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Jay Cutler all had respectable games against the Jets this season. Rivers should be started in all leagues, especially in Week 5.
Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em: Andy Dalton at New England
Projected Fantasy Points: 12
Andy Dalton has been solid this season, but he has done enough to help the Bengals get out to an undefeated start. However, before his bye week, Dalton didn’t have a great performance in Week 3, as he just got into double-digits because of a receiving touchdown, which we likely won’t see again. Dalton reached 20 fantasy points in Week 1, but was average in Week 2, and struggled in Week 3. He faces off against the Patriots this week, who have allowed an average of just 14 fantasy PPG to opposing QBs this season, which ranks 3rd in the NFL. The Patriots got torched last week, and I expect them to come back angry, and strong in Week 5, ready to make a statement on national TV. Dalton looks like a very risky start in Week 5, and I would suggest you explore other options at quarterback.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Rashad Jennings vs. Atlanta
Projected Fantasy Points: 18
Rashad Jennings has gotten off to a good start this season, putting up double-digit fantasy points in two of his first four games. Jennings has certainly seen the touches, as his lowest number carries he saw was 13, and that was because he was taken out of the game in garbage time. Jennings sees a great matchup for him on Sunday against the Falcons, who’ve allowed an average of 30 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs this season, ranking dead last in the league. Just last week, both Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata had their best performances off the season against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed 9 TDs on the ground this season, which is four more than any other team this season. Jennings should have a great week this week, and should be considered a valuable starting option.
Running Backs Start ‘Em: Andre Ellington at Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 15
Ellington was banged up to start the season, which is why his carries have been limited. However, coming off of a bye-week, Ellington is back to full health and should be ready to go. Ellington goes up against Denver on Sunday, who has struggled against the run this season. The Broncos have allowed an average of 21 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. The Cardinals have established themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL, so expect this to be a close contest. That being said, Ellington should see a ton of carries, as Arizona will try to control the clock, and keep the ball out of Peyton Manning’s hands. This could be the week that Andre finally breaks out, as he shapes up as an extremely fine start on Sunday.
Running Backs Sit ‘Em: Donald Brown vs. New York Jets
Projected Fantasy Points: 5
Brown was mentioned as one of my starts last week, and he highly disappointed. Brown carried the ball just 10 times for 19 yards last week against Jacksonville, and that was against the leagues worst run defense. Well, this week he faces off against the Jets, who happen to be the leagues best-run defense. New York has allowed an average of just 7 fantasy PPG to opposing running backs, ranking best in the NFL. Last week, the Chargers’ also gave Branden Oliver more touches, which is not a good sign for Browns fantasy value. Especially in a horrid matchup against the Jets this week, I do not advise you to start Donald Brown.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Brandin Cooks vs. Tampa Bay
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
Cooks has struggled since Week 1, as he has yet to get back to double-digit fantasy points since that performance. However, he enters a juicy matchup against the Bucs’, who have allowed 30.5 fantasy PPG to opposing receivers, which ranks last in the NFL. Through his struggles, Cooks has still accumulated tons of targets from Drew Brees, receiving 22 targets over the last three weeks. With New Orleans sitting at 1-3, Sunday is a must-win game for them, and with this great matchup; expect Cooks to produce this weekend. He locks in as a very good fantasy option come Sunday.
Wide Receivers Start ‘Em: Brian Quick at Philadelphia
Projected Fantasy Points: 12
Quick has been a pleasant fantasy surprise this season, putting up solid stat-lines in all of his games. He has established himself as the Rams’ number 1 receiver, and I expect that to continue going forward. Quick has an excellent matchup this week, as he faces off against the Eagles. Philadelphia has allowed an average of 25.5 fantasy PPG to opposing receivers this season, which ranks 25th in the league. This is a game where St. Louis could be trailing, which could cause them to air the ball out a ton; which opens up more opportunities for Quick. All these factors add up to Quick looking like a great start on Sunday.
Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em: Andre Johnson at Dallas
Projected Fantasy Points: 5
Johnson doesn’t seem like the same fantasy receiver as we’ve seen over the last couple of years, as he has yet to produce much this season. Johnson’s highest scoring performance was 9 points, however, that was back in Week 1, and he has only scored a total of 7 fantasy points over the last two weeks. In Week 5, he enters a surprisingly tough matchup against the Cowboys, who have allowed just 16 fantasy PPG to opposing receivers this season, which ranks 5th in the league. Also, it seems as 2nd year receiver DeAndre Hopkins has overtaken Johnson as the Texans’ number one receiver. I’m not confortable starting Andre Johnson this week.
Tight Ends Start ‘Em: Heath Miller at Jacksonville
Projected Fantasy Points: 9
Miller had a very impressive performance last week against the Buccaneers, catching 10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Miller enters another great matchup in Week 5 against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have allowed an average of 14 fantasy PPG to opposing tight ends this season, which ranks 2nd to last in the NFL. Miller has always been a key target for Ben Roethlisberger, and expect him to see a lot of looks on Sunday. Miller is an excellent play at tight end on Sunday.
Tight Ends Sit ‘Em: Dwayne Allen vs. Baltimore
Projected Fantasy Points: 4
Allen has caught a touchdown in each of his last two weeks, but so has fellow Colts’ tight end Coby Fleener, which is a sign that Fleener is getting more involved in the Colts’ offense. That’s not a good sign for Allen, as he’ll now have competition at tight end, to go along with all the other Colts’ weapons. He also has a tough matchup Sunday, against Baltimore, who have allowed the least fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season. Allen isn’t a guy I would be comfortable starting come Sunday.
Defense/Special Teams Start ‘Em: Browns at Tennessee
Projected Fantasy Points: 14
In my opinion, the Browns’ defense is very underrated, and has loads of talent. They showed it in Week 2, when they totally beat down on the Saints’ offense, putting up 14 fantasy points in that game. They are well rested off a bye-week, and facing a Titans’ offense that has been brutal this season. Whether it’s Charlie Whitehurst or Jake Locker starting for the Titans on Sunday, Cleveland will definitely cause turnovers. The Browns’ DST looks like a great play this week.
Defense/Special Teams Sit ‘Em: Cardinals at Denver
Projected Fantasy Points: 4
The Cardinals’ defense is excellent, but this matchup is simply too risky for me to trust them. They play Denver, who has the best offense in the NFL, and are granted to put plenty of points on the board no matter whom they’re playing. There are plenty of better options to start at defense this Sunday, so don’t risk it by playing the DST who faces off against the Broncos.
I hope everybody enjoyed this Week 5 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em, and I’ll be back next week! Follow me on twitter: @Nadelman99 for fantasy talk, advice, or any questions you may have. Feedback on my articles is always appreciated.
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