Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 5
We now have experienced four weeks of game action. During which our team records have been compiled amid feelings of euphoria due to surprisingly productive performances, and fortuitous events, coupled with infuriating results, agonizing misfortune, and maddening inconsistencies with specific players and the teams for which they perform. All of these emotional highs and lows are part of what is captivating about fantasy football. Which keeps us persevering regardless of how our seasons are unfolding.
As we enter Week 5, owners of Tom Brady and Tyler Eifert will be rewarded for their foresight and patience when they return to the field. While others must contend with having players that are unavailable due to their byes. This impacts anyone who owns Jaguars, Chiefs, Saints or Seahawks. If you are not dealing with any bye issues this week, you soon will be faced with your own absence of preferred starters. To help ease your transition through these byes, and avoid a sudden predicament from being unprepared, you can locate which teams are included in the most coming bye weeks directly below.
Week 5 Byes: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle
Week 6 Byes: Minnesota, Tampa Bay
With that in mind, here are my Start ‘Em and Sit ‘Em recommendations for Week 5. As always, no space will be devoted to elite players that you should already be planning to deploy. Instead, the focus will remain on the Start and Sit options that are more uncertain. Enjoy the games, and good luck this week.
Start QB Derek Carr vs. Chargers
Carr has developed into a viable QB1 in his third season. As his leadership, propensity for sound decision making, and overall physical ability have blended with the protection of a strong offensive line, to supply owners with a reliable starting option. He has now constructed a stellar 9:1 touchdown to interception ratio, accumulated 1,066 yards, and should deliver extremely favorable numbers this week. When he faces a familiar rival that surrendered four scores to Carr during their 2015 matchups. Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward are capable of creating nightmares for opposing wide receivers. However, do not allow any narrative this week concerning this CB tandem to steer you from starting Carr. San Diego is still yielding 290 YPG through the air, which has resulted in the Chargers’ lowly ranking of 27th versus the pass. Carr has developed sizable chemistry with Michael Crabtree, and Amari Cooper is far too talented to continue at his current level of production. Expect Carr to generate 300+ yards and multiple scores.
Sit QB Matthew Stafford vs. Eagles
Stafford’s had been prospering while operating Jim Bob Cooter’s offense as he entered Week 4. As he had assembled a favorable 7:2+ touchdown to interception ratio, and had accumulated the NFL’s fifth most passing yards (985). But a succession of injuries at the running back position, and a general decline in cohesiveness with his receivers contributed to an ugly 0:2 ratio and a season-worst 213 yards during his matchup in Chicago. Stafford will be contending with an emerging defensive force this week, as Philadelphia has soared to the top of NFL rankings in multiple categories under new OC Jim Schwartz. The Eagles lead the NFL in scoring defense, allowing just nine points per game. They are also third in total defense and sixth versus the pass. Plus, they have accumulated ten sacks in just three games and are yielding the fewest fantasy points to opposing signal callers. This unit will wreak havoc upon Stafford, who is already dealing with a depleted lineup, and the bizarre deterioration of Golden Tate. Which should compel you to find another starter this week.
Start Jordan RB Howard at Colts
Howard’s attributes were first touted in my column that appeared during July, although his first extended opportunity to display them occurred in Week 4. Still, those of you who stashed him late in your drafts, or snatched him from your league’s waiver wire, reaped the benefits of his expanded workload. After carrying the ball just 12 times during Chicago’s first three contests, Howard was allotted 23 carries against Detroit. He responded favorably, by gashing the Lions for 111 yards, and averaging 4.8 YPC. This week, he should receive another massive workload versus a deficient Colt defense. Indianapolis is yielding 106 YPG on the ground and has also allowed five rushing touchdowns. Plus, only three teams have permitted more fantasy points to opposing backs. T. J. Yeldon just amassed a season-high 117 total yards against this vulnerable group, and Howard could match that output.
Start RB Frank Gore vs. Bears
There are too many shortcomings within the Colts’ poorly constructed roster for the 33-year old Gore to deliver exceptional numbers during most of his matchups this season. But the 12-year veteran has provided a consistent output, as owners can expect a minimum of 15 touches, at least 60 rushing yards, and a fantasy point total that ranges between 17 – 20 PPG. He manufactured a season-high 95 total yards and a score in Week 4 against Jacksonville and also is an excellent starting option this week. He will face a Chicago unit that ranked an anemic 31st and had yielded a massive 143 YPG before facing Detroit’s injury-riddled backfield last Sunday. Lamar Miller produced 106 yards against the Bears on opening day, and they also were overrun for 140 by Ezekial Elliott in Dallas. Gore should attain season-best numbers during this contest.
Sit RB Latavius Murray vs. Chargers
While Derek Carr is an aforementioned must start, teammate Latavius Murray should not be in your lineups this week. After plodding for only 19 yards and a 2.4 YPC with his eight carries in Week 4, Murray has now been limited to eight attempts in two of Oakland’s last three contests. Which is a precipitous drop from last season, when he received double-digit carries in all 16 games, and was allotted the third most attempts among all backs. The difference in speed with which Murray advances the ball when compared to rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard is eye-opening and is undoubtedly a major reason why Murray’s touch total has now dropped four consecutive games. The burst that Washington and Richard can deliver does not bode well for Murray’s chances for a sudden increase in usage. Which provides you with minimal incentive to continue utilizing him as an RB2.
Sit RB Matt Jones at Ravens
He has averaged 81 YPG and 4.00 YPC in his last three games, after bolting for 117 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against the Browns. While it is noteworthy that Jones achieved the second 100-yard performance of his career, 79 of those yards were generated in the second half. As a favorable game script allowed Washington the luxury of utilizing Jones more frequently, while the Redskins led Cleveland throughout that portion of the contest. That enabled Jones to stockpile yardage in chunks against the Browns, but owners should not expect that to be replicated during this week’s matchup. The Ravens sixth-ranked run defense is yielding 80 YPG, and has allowed just one back to surpass 58 yards. The score in this contest should remain close, making it unlikely that the Redskins will be in a position to rely heavily on their ground game. Which will prohibit Jones from exceeding his current 67 YPG average.
Start WR Julian Edelman at Browns
After four games, Edelman is 28th among all receivers with 19 receptions, 42nd with 27 targets, and just 56th with 196 yards. Of course, he has endured shortcomings at quarterback, as the Patriot offense weathered the four-week absence of Tom Brady. However, Edelman owners can expect both his stock and production to rise dramatically on Sunday. Not only will he benefit significantly by attaining the ultimate upgrade at quarterback, but the restoration of his union with Brady will enable the tandem to flourish. They will be facing a Cleveland pass defense that has already surrendered 10 touchdowns, including six to opposing wide receivers. Plus, the Browns have also allowed 26 fantasy points per game to the position. There is an excellent chance that Edelman will become the third wideout to eclipse 100 yards against Cleveland this season.
Start WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. Buccaneers
After burning the usually stellar Bronco secondary for 91 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, then shredding the 49ers for 108 yards and two scores during Carolina’s next game, Benjamin has manufactured a combined 39 yards on three receptions in the past two contests. But a return to high-quality production will occur this week. Tampa Bay’s pass defense has already been torched for nine touchdowns through the air, and has managed to collect just one interception. The Buccaneers have also permitted the most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, yielded a gargantuan 32 PPG. In Week 4, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders combined for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while joining Mohamed Sanu, Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, and Tavon Austin on the list of receivers who have generated at least 78 yards against the Buccaneers. Benjamin should join this ever expanding group on Monday Night, regardless of whether Cam Newton or Derek Anderson is under center.
Sit WR Stefon Diggs vs. Texans
The concept of sitting Diggs might initially cause uneasiness among owners, who still recall the 285 yards that he accrued during Minnesota’s first two contests. However, he has failed to attain 50 yards in either of his last two games. Which serves a reminder that there will be a wide disparity in his yardage totals throughout the season. This week’s opponent has the personnel to focus extensively on containing the Viking wideout, thanks to the dearth of adequate receiving weapons beyond Diggs and the revitalized Kyle Rudolph. Houston has ascended to the pinnacle of pass defense, as the Texans currently lead the NFL in that category. They are allowing just 163 YPG, and have yielded just one touchdown through the air this season. Only the Broncos and Seahawks have surrendered fewer fantasy points to wide receivers, and just three wideouts have amassed 60 yards against this stout unit. It is understandable if you plan to start Diggs despite the daunting matchup. Just be prepared for another average point total.
Brian Quick / Kenny Britt vs. Bills
You may be an owner with bye week issues that have removed several of your regular starters from this week’s lineup equation. Or, you may have reached the point in which wideouts that you envisioned as potent producers must now be benched. If this describes your current situation, either Quick or Britt might appear to be an enticing Week 5 option. As both Ram receivers have averaged 60 YPG in their last two games, and the general concept of Case Keenum spearheading a Jeff Fisher offense isn’t quite as unsightly as it seemed during September. However, their Week 5 matchup is more challenging than it may initially appear. Buffalo’s secondary allowed 319 yards to Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Quincy Enunwa in Week 2, and the image of that nationally televised debacle is likely etched within the minds of many. But since that contest, the Bills have only allowed one receiver to reach 70 yards while performing more proficiently against the Cardinals, and the Brady-less Patriots. While those passing attacks won’t elicit memories of the 2000 Rams, neither will the current Los Angeles offense. It is best not to overreact to the recent surge in production, or underestimate Buffalo’s improving pass defense.
Start TE Delanie Walker vs. Dolphins
Walker returned to the lineup in Week 5, but his two catches for 34 yards did not provide Tennessee’s 25th ranked passing attack with the boost that it sorely needed. However, Walker’s output should improve considerably this week. While Miami’s poor secondary can be set ablaze by an efficient passing game, the Titans are less likely to have sustained success exploiting their weakness. As Marcus Mariota’s performance and the Mike Mularkey designed passing game, have been highly underwhelming. But the Titans can still take advantage of Miami’s ongoing difficulties containing opposing tight ends. After diffusing Jimmy Graham and Luke Wilson during their season opener, the Dolphins were scorched for 114 yards and a touchdown by Martellus Bennett, temporarily resurrected Gary Barnidge’s fantasy relevance (66 yards), and even permitted 45 yards to O.J. Uzomah. Despite the overall deficiencies within Tennessee aerial attack, Mariota can find success by locating Walker repeatedly during this favorable matchup.
Sit TE Eric Ebron vs. Eagles
The third-year tight end remains on pace to surpass his previous season highs in receptions and receiving yards. He did suffer a knee injury against the Bears in Week 4, but returned to garner five receptions for 42 yards. However, Ebron and the entire Lion offense is destined to struggle this week. As mentioned previously, Philadelphia has evolved into a formidable defensive unit that will place significant pressure on Stafford. The Eagles are also capable of smothering opposing rushers and receivers and possess the personnel to neutralize tight ends completely. The Eagles are yielding the fewest fantasy points to the position, permitting an incredible 1.7 PPG. They have held Barnidge without a catch, limited Zach Miller to 33 yards, and only surrendered 10 yards to Jesse James. Jim Bob Cooter will be forced to eschew Detroit’s ground game, and will entrust Stafford to reignite the Lions’ passing attack. But that will not result in favorable numbers for Ebron.
Thanks for Reading!
Phil Clark | Start’Em Sit’Em Week 5 - Gridiron Experts