With the Lions being the only true team of significance on a bye, many Fantasy owners can turn to their frequent starters or bring previously rostered players off their benches in Fantasy Football Week 5. There was not much aggressive action on the waiver wires this past week. But having quality roster depth doesn’t always make lineup decisions easy. You may be facing some tight calls this week, and we help you make the right ones with our start recommendations. Some of the sits may be more apparent this week, and you should have other quality options to plug in over our suggested players to reserve.
Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
Running Backs
Austin Ekeler vs. DEN: You may be hesitant about using him because Melvin Gordon will be back in the mix this week. But you cannot expect too much from Gordon right away, and another productive week should be ahead for Ekeler. The Broncos have allowed the fourth-most Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing RBs and the second most rushing yards in the AFC. They have also let up five rushing scores, the most in the Conference. Enjoy Ekeler’s possible final hurrah before he gives way to Gordon more often in the near future.
Joe Mixon vs. ARI: Mixon has looked like a Fantasy bust so far, with 201 yards from scrimmage and one TD. But he will get a chance to regain some respect in Fantasy Football Week 5 against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 422 rushing yards to RBs, the third most in the NFC.
David Montgomery vs. OAK: He has become the modern-day Fantasy version of C.J. Spiller, as owners everywhere across our nation are pleading for Montgomery to get more touches. The potentially dazzling rookie could come through with his best game as a pro in Fantasy Football Week 5. The Raiders have allowed 258 rushing yards over the past two games and Chicago should move the ball well enough to give Montgomery a few chances to finish off scoring drives.
Wide Receivers
Alshon Jeffery vs. NYJ: The Eagles should have their way throwing the ball against New York, and that means Jeffery will be a must-start WR in Fantasy Football Week 5. He already has two TD catches this season and the Jets have allowed the most points to opposing WRs among AFC teams.
D.J. Moore vs. JAC: The Jaguars pass defense is exploitable without Jalen Ramsey, and they may not have him again this week. The Carolina passing game actually looks better without Cam Newton, and Kyle Allen will get the ball to Moore as his go-to guy in Week 5. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most receiving yards in the AFC to WRs this season.
Diontae Johnson vs. BAL: The Ravens’ pass defense has been consistently burned so far this season, as they have allowed an AFC-high 846 passing yards to opposing WRs. Johnson has stepped forward as Pittsburgh’s new downfield playmaker in the past two games, with TD receptions of 43 and 39 yards. He had six catches for 77 yards last week and is emerging to fill a void in the Steelers passing game. He is a worthy flex play in Fantasy Football Week 5.
Quarterbacks
Jameis Winston vs. NO: He has thrown for 380 yards in two consecutive games with seven TD passes during that span. Winston may be in the midst of a long-awaited breakthrough run. Another strong outing would firmly put him into Fantasy QB1 territory. It is very possible against the Saints, who have allowed the most Fantasy points to QBs among NFC teams.
Jacoby Brissett vs. KC: Underrated as a Fantasy QB, Brissett has eight TD passes over his past three games and 575 passing yards over his past two. Look for another quality outing in Fantasy Football Week 5 against the very vulnerable Kansas City defense.
Tight Ends
Eric Ebron vs. KC: He remains a significant TD threat, and the Colts may roll up a healthy amount of points against the Chiefs. Kansas City has allowed the second-most points to TEs among AFC teams.
Jimmy Graham vs. DAL: He will be frequently targeted with Davante Adams likely out, and should be Aaron Rodgers’ prime target when he gets near the goal line. The Packers have been making a true effort to get Graham more involved in the offense and need him to make key plays for them this week.
For help getting ready for NFL Week 5, check out our Week 5 Waiver Wire Recommendations and our Week 5 FAAB Guide.
Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em for Week 5
Running Backs
Chris Thompson vs. NE: The Patriots have always done the job of taking away the opposition’s best player. In Fantasy Football Week 5, that may be Thompson, who has resurfaced as a reliable pass-catcher for Washington.
Phillip Lindsay vs. LAC: His upside has been capped as expected by working with Royce Freeman, and the Chargers have allowed just 95 rushing yards in their past two games. Lindsay has failed to score in three of four games.
Frank Gore vs. TEN: It should be a low-scoring game between the Titans and Bills, and if Josh Allen cannot play, the Bills offense will be additionally stifled.
Wide Receivers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling vs. DAL: He has been inconsistent and erratic so far in his career, and may not be capable of stepping forward with Adams out in Fantasy Football Week 5. Dallas is second-best in the NFC in FFPG allowed to WRs.
John Brown vs. TEN: He has quickly become a WR1 for the Bills, but a potential QB issue plus a matchup with a sturdy Titans defense will limit his upside this week.
A.J. Brown vs. BUF: The rookie wide receiver has been impressive so far, with a 100-yard game and a 94-yard, two TD outing. But the Buffalo secondary will be hard to crack for a big play this week.
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield vs. SF: He has not thrown more than one TD pass in a game and will be in a tough road environment against the reborn 49ers.
Kyler Murray vs. CIN: The Bengals have looked bad, but Murray has seen his passing yardage drop the past two games and has not provided much rushing production. The matchup looks good, but if you really need a win you should go with another option if you can.
Tight Ends
Tyler Eifert vs. ARI: Everyone knows the Cardinals have so much trouble defending the TE, but it may be getting too cute to use Eifert, who has three catches in his past two games. Start Eifert in Fantasy Football Week 5 and you may see him outperformed by C.J. Uzomah.
Jared Cook vs. TB: He has just eight catches for 90 yards and no scores in four games, and cannot be started in any matchup right now. He has returned to the land of Fantasy irrelevance.
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