The NFL kicked off its annual international series last week with the Atlanta Falcons against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The game itself was good, but what was really intriguing for me was the fact that they tried to do an animated version of the game live with a Toy Story theme on Disney+. Since I have a young daughter, it was fun to sit and watch the animated version with her while also answering questions about the game and playing the trivia games they had during the commercial breaks. It is smart of the NFL to try to reach out to the younger fans as much as possible and keep them excited about the game.
We had other games that came down to the wire, including two overtime thrillers, one between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders and one featuring the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Rams. The Eagles and Rams were both able to get the win in those two games. We only had a few injuries this week with Broncos running back Javonte Williams (hip), Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring), Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (knee), and tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) leaving their games early, but they are all day to day right now, except for Freiermuth, so we will monitor their status heading into this week. Freiermuth is going to miss two to three weeks with his injured hamstring, so that will hurt the Steelers’ passing attack for the next few weeks. Now that Week 4 is in the books we can turn the page to Week 5 and look at who to start and sit this week.
This is just a friendly reminder that the bye weeks start this week. The four teams on bye this week are the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Chargers.
The season can be a grind at times from doing waiver claims to looking at rankings and then finally deciding who to start. It can seem difficult, but that is where the staff at DrRoto.com comes in to help you. We have everything you need to make the tough decisions here in one place. I will be writing this start/sit article each week to help you make the tough lineup decisions. You can also join our members-only Discord channel and ask us personalized questions anytime you want on there.
Keep in mind before I get into my starts and sits this week that certain players should always be in your starting lineup. Please don’t try to get cute and sit the likes of Justin Jefferson, Christian McCaffrey or Patrick Mahomes. They are in your lineup regardless of matchups. The decisions I am here to help you with are for the players drafted in the middle to late rounds of your draft. These players could be an RB2, a flex play or might end up on the waiver wire eventually. So, let’s get started with Week 5 starts and sits.
Week 5 Quarterback Starts
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders
Jordan Love has been an excellent fantasy quarterback to start this season. He currently ranks as the QB4 in fantasy scoring on the season. Raise your hand if you saw that coming this offseason. I know that I was high on him coming into the season, but I was thinking more of the QB10 to QB15 range for him, so he is exceeding my expectations so far this season. He has completed 56.1% of his passes for 901 yards, eight touchdowns, and only three interceptions. He has also added 72 yards rushing with two rushing touchdowns as well. The Raiders rank 18th in total yards allowed, with 1,348 given up through the first four weeks of the season, so I expect Love to have a big game Monday night against the Raiders.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
Sam Howell has been a solid fantasy quarterback every week so far this season except for Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills. Howell is currently the QB19, but if you took out the dreadful Week 3 outing, he would be in the top 12 on the season. He has completed 67.1% of his passes for 961 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He has also added 82 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown as well. This week he faces a bad Bears defense that ranks 28th in total yards allowed with 1,533, and they are ranked 29th in passing yards allowed with 1,071. I expect Howell to have a big game against the struggling Bears’ defense on Thursday night.
Week 5 Quarterback Sits
Daniel Jones, New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
Daniel Jones has played well for only two quarters so far this season, and we now have played a total of sixteen quarters this season. Luckily for the Giants, his two good quarters came in Week 2, and led to a come-from-behind win against the Arizona Cardinals, or else the Giants would be winless on the season. So far this season Jones has completed 68.7% of his attempts for 765 yards, two touchdowns, and six interceptions. He has also added 173 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown as well. They have a tough matchup this week against a Dolphins team that is going to score a lot of points, which will make it difficult for the Giants’ offense to keep pace with them. I expect the Giants to continue to struggle to find a way to move the football and for Jones to have another poor game.
Brock Purdy, San Franciso 49ers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Brock Purdy has been a consistent starting quarterback so far this season. He is completing 72.3% of his passes for 1,019 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He has also added 24 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns as well. That ranks him as QB11 so far on the season. However, Purdy faces a tough challenge this week against the Dallas Cowboys defense that ranks second in both total yards allowed with 1,039 and passing yards allowed with 592. I expect Purdy to struggle against a good Cowboys defense, so sit Purdy, if possible, this week.
Week 5 Running Back Starts
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins vs. New York Giants
How could I not put De’Von Achane in my running back starts again this week after his last two games? Achane had 18 carries for 203 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while also adding four receptions for 30 yards and two more touchdowns in the passing game in Week 3. He followed that up in Week 4 with 101 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, three receptions on five targets, and two rushing touchdowns. The sad part is that he could have had a bigger game again last week if the Dolphins had given him the ball more, as he only had eight carries, which resulted in a 12.6 yards per carry. This week, he gets a bad Giants defense that ranks 25th in rushing yards allowed on the season with 535 and 19th in total yards allowed with 1,366. I expect Achane to continue his hot start to the season.
Breece Hall, New York Jets at Denver Broncos
If there was ever a week to start Breece Hall this season, it is this week. Hall gets to face a reeling Denver Broncos defense that cannot stop anyone right now. They let the Chicago Bears rush for 151 yards last week, and I expect the Jets will want to run the ball a lot in this game. The Bronco’s defense is ranked 32nd in both total yards allowed (1,846) and rushing yards allowed (704) through the first four weeks of the season. Hall does not have spectacular numbers so far this season, but as we saw in Week 1 how he can break off a big run at any time, and the Broncos have allowed many big plays this season. I expect Hall to have a big week and hopefully score his first touchdown of the season.
Week 5 Running Back Sits
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints
Rhamondre Stevenson and the entire Patriots’ offense have been struggling so far this season. Stevenson is currently ranked as the RB23 in PPR scoring. He has rushed for 164 yards and one rushing touchdown, but he has a 2.7 yards per carry, which is terrible for a starting running back. What has saved him so far in PPR leagues is he has 12 receptions on 16 targets for 87 yards. This week is going to be a tough matchup for Stevenson as the Saints rank 11th in both total yards allowed with 1,217 and rushing yards allowed with 413. I expect this to be another tough game for Stevenson, and we might start to see more Ezekiel Elliott in the coming weeks.
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
Zack Moss has been a solid fantasy running back over the last three weeks. He missed Week 1 while recovering from a broken foreman and he is still ranked as RB18 in PPR scoring on the season. He has 280 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, six receptions on eight targets, 42 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown on the season. He would not be a sit for me this week, but he is facing a tough Titans defense that you can beat through the air and not on the ground. Plus who knows if or when Jonathan Taylor will be back with the team. It could be this week. The Titans rank 12th in total yards allowed with 1,245 and fourth in rushing yards allowed with 280. I believe the Colts will win the game, but it will be Anthony Richardson having a big game that gets it done for the Colts.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Starts
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titians
Michael Pittman has been building a nice connection with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson so far this season. He currently ranks as the WR19 in PPR scoring this season. He has 26 receptions on 39 targets for 245 yards and one touchdown. He has a nice matchup this week against a bad Titans secondary that gives up big plays every week. Currently the Titans rank 12th in total yards allowed with 1,245, but they rank 23rd in passing yards allowed with 965. So, if the Colts are going to beat the Titans, it will have to be with Pittman and the passing attack.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders vs. Chicago Bears
Terry McLaurin gets a nice matchup against the Bears on Thursday night. He has been solid this season and he is starting to build a rapport with young quarterback Sam Howell. On the season, McLaurin ranks as the WR27 in PPR scoring with 21 receptions on 26 targets for 212 yards and one touchdown. Meanwhile, the Bears’ defense ranks near the bottom in every category so far this season. They rank 28th in total yards allowed with 1,533 and 29th in passing yards allowed with 1,071, so I expect McLaurin and the Commanders’ passing attack to have a nice game this week.
Week 5 Wide Receiver Sits
George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens
This sit decision has little to do with George Pickens, but it has a lot to do with whether Mitch Trubisky is the starting quarterback this week. Starting quarterback Kenny Pickett hurt his knee late in last week’s game against the Houston Texans and is day-to-day right now. If Pickett cannot play this week, then the Steelers will turn to Trubisky to start against the Ravens. I have little faith in Trubisky to keep any of the skill position players fantasy relevant this week. Pickens is currently ranked as the WR36 with 16 receptions on 30 targets for 263 yards and one touchdown. The Raven’s defense is ranked third in both total yards allowed with 1,043 and passing yards allowed with 673, so I expect it to be a long day for the Steelers’ offense, especially if Pickett cannot play this week.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
Courtland Sutton is having a solid fantasy season through the first four weeks. He is currently ranked as the WR25 in PPR scoring with 20 receptions on 25 targets, 216 yards, and three touchdowns. But this week, he will match up with Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, and I do not see him winning that matchup. Gardner is the Jets’ top cornerback and one of the best cornerbacks in the game today. The Broncos will look to avoid throwing in Gardner’s direction, so Sutton may not see a lot of targets this week. The Jets’ defense also ranks 16th in passing yards allowed with 863. I expect this to be a Jerry Jeudy or Marvin Mims week, unfortunately for anyone that has Sutton on their fantasy teams.
Week 5 Tight End Starts
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Higbee has been one of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s favorite targets to start this season. Higbee ranks as TE9 in PPR scoring with 16 receptions on 26 targets for 196 yards. He gets a nice matchup this week against an Eagles defense that ranks last against the tight end position. The best way to beat the Eagles’ defense through the air is with the tight end being heavily involved. I am expecting a big game from Higbee this week.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons
Dalton Schultz finally had a nice game last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He caught all three of his targets for 100 yards and one touchdown which put him at TE6 for the week in PPR scoring. I thought coming into the season that rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud would lean on Schultz and he would have these types of stat lines every week. Schultz gets a nice matchup this week against a Falcons defense that has a tough time covering the tight end position. The Falcons defense ranks seventh in total yards allowed and fifth in passing yards allowed, but they rank 29th in covering the opposing tight end position so far this season. I expect Schultz to at least duplicate last week’s stats.
Week 5 Tight End Sits
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. Houston Texans
I know, I know, I had Kyle Pitts as a start last week. He will not be a start for me again this year until I see some good performances for a couple weeks in a row. I just don’t understand why the coaching staff does not get him more involved during the games. He is currently ranked as the TE29 in PPR scoring with 11 receptions on 21 targets for 121 yards. He gets a tough matchup this week with a surging Texans defense that ranks ninth in passing yards allowed with 781 and 13th in total yards allowed with 1,247. I am expecting another down week for Pitts this week.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints
Hunter Henry has been excellent this season. He has built a nice rapport with quarterback Mac Jones and is currently ranked as TE6 in PPR scoring with 17 receptions on 23 targets for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Given that, you might be wondering why he is a sit this week, and it has everything to do with his matchup with the Saints’ defense this week. The Saints are excellent when covering the opposing tight end and currently rank eighth against the tight end position so far this season. The Saints’ defense also ranks 11th in total yards against with 1,217 and 12th in passing yards against with 804. I believe the Saints will look to take away the tight ends in this game, and they will make Mac Jones beat them by throwing to his wide receivers on the outside.
Week 5 Defense Starts
Houston Texans Defense, Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons
The Houston Texans’ defense has been getting better every week under new head coach DeMeco Ryans. The Texans’ defense ranks ninth in total yards allowed so far this season and they get to play against Desmond Ridder and the struggling Falcons’ offense this week. I would consider picking up the Texans’ defense and possibly keeping them all season because they have a very favorable fantasy schedule for the rest of the season.
Baltimore Ravens Defense, Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers,
This should be a low-scoring defensive matchup between the Ravens and the Steelers, as both offenses struggle to move the ball at times and this is a divisional rivalry game. The reason I have the Ravens so high in my rankings this week is because Mitch Trubisky could be getting the start for an injured Kenny Pickett this week. If that is the case, then the Ravens’ top-five defense should have a monster game. The Ravens defense currently ranks third in both passing yards allowed, with 673, and total yards allowed, with 1,043. I think the Steelers’ offense is in for a long day on Sunday.
Week 5 Defense Sits
New York Giants Defense, New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
The New York Giants could be in for a long day against the NFL’s top ranked offense. The Dolphins offense has amassed 2,044 total yards so far this season, and they average 37.5 points per game. Meanwhile, the Giants defense ranks 19th in total yards allowed with 1,366, and more importantly, they rank 25th in rushing yards allowed with 535. The Dolphins want to run the football first to set up the play-action pass, and I believe the Giants’ defense is in for a long hot day in Miami this week.
Los Angeles Rams Defense, Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Los Angeles Rams get a tough matchup this week at home against the Eagles. The Eagles come in with the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense in total yards and fifth-ranked offense in scoring, averaging 29.5 points per game. This game could turn into a shootout as the Rams’ offense also ranks in the top five in total yards this season. I believe there will be a lot of points scored by the Eagles’ offense this week so I would avoid starting the Rams’ defense if possible.
Good luck in Week 5 everyone!
