Week 5 Start'em/Sit'em
This is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FFN. FFN rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Christian McCaffrey, Travis Kelce, or Michael Thomas. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Teddy Bridgewater (CAR, QB)Coming off a fantastic game, look for Teddy Bridgewater to continue scoring for fantasy owners as he faces a Falcons secondary that is giving up more fantasy points to QBs this season than anyone else. Only Nick Foles has failed to score at least 29 points against them this year.
Start 'em Ryan Tannehill (TEN, QB)The Bills have a solid defense, but they've given up an average of 22 fantasy points over the last three games to QB2-type players (Carr, Goff, Fitzpatrick). Assuming the Titans get to practice and play this week, Tannehill could be a nice filler if you have Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford on bye.
Start 'em Drew Brees (NO, QB)Drew Brees hasn't quite lived up to expectations so far this season. He's the 18th-ranked QB on the season, but he'll get Michael Thomas back this week and the Chargers secondary isn't as brutal as you might think. Brady just hauled in 32 fantasy points against them last week.
Start 'em Kareem Hunt (CLE, RB)Kareem Hunt was perhaps the most sought-after handcuff during drafts this year, and for good reason. If Chubb were to miss any time, Hunt has the history and talent to instantly be an RB1. Well fantasy owners - you'll have him as your RB1 for the next four weeks. Granted this is not a great matchup, but Dalvin Cook finished with double digits and the Colts haven't faced any other player of that caliber.
Start 'em Mike Davis (CAR, RB)Mike Davis' fantasy value may have a shelf life as Christian McCaffrey could be back next week. While CMC is out, Davis remains in must-start status against a Falcons defense that gave up an average of 20 points to both Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams on Monday night. Atlanta has given up the second-most receptions to running backs this year - an attractive stat for Mike Davis owners.
Start 'em Todd Gurley (ATL, RB)Gurley's schedule will get much more difficult after this week, so plug him in while the matchup is great. The Panthers have given up an average of 31 fantasy points to Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs, and Leonard Fournette. He's ranked 20th this week on FFN making him a strong RB2 candidate.
Start 'em DK Metcalf (SEA, WR)DK Metcalf enters this week's rankings inside our Top 10 with a great matchup against the Vikings who are surrendering the 4th-most fantasy points to wide receivers on the year. He missed a trip to the endzone for the first time last week (4-106) but should make another trip this week.
Start 'em D.J. Chark (JAC, WR)After missing a week, D.J. Chark returned with an incredible fantasy day pulling in 8 of his 9 targets for 95 yards and 2 scores. Assuming that the Jaguars fall behind against the Texans, there could be even more targets for Minshew's favorite target.
Start 'em Justin Jefferson (MIN, WR)If you're looking for a flex play with significant upside, look no further than Justin Jefferson facing a Seattle secondary giving up the most fantasy points to wide receivers on the season. Jefferson has been heavily involved in the Minnesota offense playing nearly four out of every five snaps. He's also reached back-to-back 100-yard games and has a real possibility of pushing that streak to three.
Start 'em Hunter Henry (LAC, TE)We're looking for Hunter Henry to bounce back nicely this week against a Saints defense that is giving up the 2nd-most fantasy points to tight ends on the year. Robert Tonyan scored 16 points against them in Week 3 and Darren Waller hauled in a whopping 28.5 points in Week 2. New Orleans has had a difficult time stopping tight ends and Henry is in a great spot to take advantage of that.
Start 'em Jonnu Smith (TEN, TE)Even with having Week 4 postponed, Jonnu Smith still ranks as fantasy's 8th-best tight end. Look for those fortunes to continue against a Buffalo defense that ranks inside the Top 10 in points allowed to the position. AJ Brown may be back, but Corey Davis has been placed on the COVID-IR list. Those targets could easily shift over to Smith.
Start 'em Dallas Cowboys (DAL, DEF)A Cowboys/Giants game has historically been a high-scoring affair. That's no longer a safe assumption, but we do like the Cowboys defense against a Giants offense that is clearly struggling. Nobody gives up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than the Giants - plus Dallas has been playing solid on the defensive side of the ball ranking in the Top 10 for yards allowed on the ground and through the air.
Start 'em Jason Myers (SEA, K)If you're streaming kickers, Jason Myers is a must-start this week against the Vikings. Every kicker that has faced Minnesota this season has put up double-digit fantasy points. Every kicker...
Sit 'em Ryan Fitzpatrick (MIA, QB)Fitzmagic has been a nice surprise for fantasy owners consistently delivering 20+ fantasy points every week. A road matchup with the Niners might dampen that streak though as only Kyler Murray was able to score more than 20 points (Week 1).
Sit 'em Baker Mayfield (CLE, QB)After a nice game last week, look for Mayfield to disappoint fantasy owners this week. Nobody gives up fewer fantasy points than the Colts this year. Although they haven't really faced any elite QB's, they've certainly faced Mayfield-type QB's (Minshew, Cousins, Darnold, Foles) and each has struggled against them.
Sit 'em Nick Foles (CHI, QB)Not much to get excited about with Foles' first start for the Bears. His lone touchdown didn't come until the end of the game. Indy was simply too much for him, and things aren't going to get any easier with the Bucs who are surrendering the 4th-fewest fantasy points to QBs on the season.
Sit 'em Kenyan Drake (ARI, RB)Drake is in the running to be a fantasy bust, and it's getting more difficult to trust starting him each week. The problem is not even so much his carries (of which he has not been efficient with), but rather his lack of involvement in the passing game. Chase Edmonds continues to be the passing down option for the Cardinals. This is such a sweet matchup as the Jets rank in the Top 10 in fantasy points allowed so Drake should still be considered a solid flex, but if he can't deliver this week, it's time to panic.
Sit 'em Myles Gaskin (MIA, RB)Like Fitzpatrick above, Myles Gaskin has been a nice surprise for fantasy owners. His volume has been predictable and efficient, but a matchup with a Niners defense is ugly. Nobody is giving up fewer points to RBs than San Francisco.
Sit 'em Le'Veon Bell (NYJ, RB)We're expecting Le'Veon Bell to return this week, and even though this is a favorable matchup, are you ready to instantly plug Bell back into your lineup? He'll be eligible to play on Sunday, but it's not likely that he sees a full workload. Before getting hurt in Week 1, he averaged just 2.3 yards per carry, and Frank Gore filling in for Bell averaged just 3.2 yards per carry with that offensive line.
Sit 'em Emmanuel Sanders (NO, WR)With no Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders was supposed to step up and fill that void, but we didn't see that. In fact, it was all Tre'Quan Smith. With Thomas back, it's difficult to think that Sanders' fantasy value goes anywhere but down.
Sit 'em A.J. Green (CIN, WR)Ranked 53rd this week among wide receivers is industry veteran A.J. Green who has been one of the most targeted receivers in the league, but has not been able to capitalize on those targets. Combine the fact that Green has fallen below both Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins on the fantasy radar with the fact that the Ravens give up the 9th-fewest fantasy points, and Green is simply no longer fantasy-relevant.
Sit 'em Jarvis Landry (CLE, WR)This is a tough matchup to begin with, but it makes it even more difficult to trust Landry with the resurgence of Odell Beckham Jr. Landry hasn't seen more than six targets in any game this year, and he hasn't topped 61 receiving yards. His #43 ranking on FFN this week puts him even outside flex territory right now.
Sit 'em Jared Cook (NO, TE)After starting out strong the first two weeks, Jared Cook has left fantasy owners scrambling. Before missing Week 4 with a groin injury, he managed just 2 catches for 21 yards against his former Green Bay team in Week 3. He's questionable for Week 5 and that presents additional concern for fantasy owners this week.
Sit 'em Austin Hooper (CLE, TE)There were such high hopes for Austin Hooper coming over to Cleveland, but he's largely failed to live up to them. It's difficult to see that changing much this week against an Indy defense that hasn't allowed any tight end to reach double digits and gives up the fewest fantasy points to the position.
Sit 'em Los Angeles Chargers (LAC, DEF)Normally the Chargers defense would be a must-start option, but can we really say that now with no Melvin Ingram and Chris Harris? The Saints give up the 2nd-fewest fantasy points to opposing defenses. There are much better options to stream this week.
Sit 'em Randy Bullock (CIN, K)Randy Bullock may be the best kicker in fantasy this year, but that doesn't mean that you should start him this week. The Ravens give up the 5th-fewest fantasy points to them including just 5 points to Dustin Hopkins last week and 4 points to stud Harrison Butker the week prior.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
Meat Dragon CommentedOct 9, 2020 12:12 pm
Always love this start/sit article. Thank you for all of your help over the years! Who should I start for my final flex spot (PPR but substantial points for yards gained): Justin Jackson, D'Ernest Johnson, Zach Pascal, or Laviska Shenault?
Nerd CommentedOct 9, 2020 2:57 pm
Thank you for the kind words!
I typically prefer a RB in my flex if possible, but I gotta go with Laviska here. Good luck!
Przybyla CommentedOct 10, 2020 10:46 am
I have both Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith! Which one do I roll with? Thanks!
Hinzie22 CommentedOct 10, 2020 11:11 am
Just my opinion but i'm rolling w/ Jonnu. Bills aren't a good TE defense and Titans will be w/out a couple of their receivers. Jonnu should get some serious work
Hinzie22 CommentedOct 10, 2020 11:12 am
Thanks for all the advice! I need to start one of these 3 wrs in a .5 ppr league. Marquise Brown, Cedee Lamb, or Justin Jefferson. Leaning Jefferson but curious your opinion.
Nerd CommentedOct 10, 2020 11:22 am
Toss up. All good options - all can have a big game. For me, I'd roll with Lamb. Brown's dealing with a knee issue and the Cowboys are throwing the ball more than any other team. Good luck!
Civvy4444 CommentedOct 10, 2020 3:38 pm
Wow. Both should light it up. Just heard on radio that chiefs head trainer has Covid. Not sure if that impact any players on chiefs but keep an eye on it
Nerd CommentedOct 10, 2020 8:52 pm
Either one is fine. Have you thought about trading one of them away?
Civvy4444 CommentedOct 10, 2020 3:33 pm
I’d go Anderson vs an awful falcons secondary
gidra150 CommentedOct 10, 2020 3:05 pm
I need to start two: Christian Kirk, Randall Cobb or Duke Johnson ( John Brown if healthy)
Civvy4444 CommentedOct 10, 2020 3:36 pm
I like Cobb over Kirk and Duke.
Civvy4444 CommentedOct 10, 2020 3:31 pm
Can’t decide which 2 of these 3 to start. PPR league. Gibson, Melvin Gordon, AJ brown
Nerd CommentedOct 10, 2020 8:54 pm
For me, it's probably Gordon even though Lindsay is back.
Nerd CommentedOct 10, 2020 8:55 pm
Not sure your scoring format, but probably go with Mixon.
jecerc CommentedOct 11, 2020 6:41 am
Ppr
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