Welcome to Week 5 of Fantasy Football. By now, you've realized that a good portion of your team is on their Bye Week... No, just me? I guess I have more Eagles and Lions than the next guy. Regardless, it's time we start talking matchups because with some superstars on their bye week, our options become a bit tougher to figure out. So make sure you take out your Saquon's and your St. Brown's and put in your bench and waiver streamers!
QUARTERBACKS
START Joe Flacco vs Jacksonville Jaguars
Anthony Richardson missed a portion of last week's game against the Steelers and is in danger of missing another start. Flacco, by reports from The Athletic, has been taking most of the first-team reps at practices this week. Flacco came in for Richardson and mid-way through the game and still managed a QB15 finish. Fortunately for Flacco, the Jaguars defense has given up the MOST points to opposing QBs so far this season (see our "Fantasy Points Against") Richardson is a go if he plays, but just to be clear: so is Flacco if he starts.
Honorable Mention: Deshaun Watson
SIT Patrick Mahomes vs New Orleans Saints
What?! Don't start Mahomes? Isn't that against the law for fantasy football?
No. Do it. I promise you you won't get fined for it. Mahomes has not lived up to his pedigree this year and has delivered no better than a QB12 performance. He has yet to put up a 20-point day fantasy-wise and is only QB16 on the season. He goes up against the Saints this week who have allowed the 4th least amount of points to opposing QBs. Let me remind you that Mahomes is also without his two studs in Isiah Pacheco and Rashee Rice for the time being. Mahomes should likely stay on your bench until further notice until he can demonstrate his ability to take over games again.
Honorable Mention: Dak Prescott
RUNNING BACKS
START Antonio Gibson vs Miami Dolphins
We have just learned that Patriots HC Jerod Mayo is electing to start Gibson over Rhamondre Stevenson due to the recent ball security issues. Stevenson has had a fumble in each of the first four games of the season. Gibson has the opportunity to take the role and run with it. He gets a soft Miami defense that may have a somewhat favorable game script (one very low scoring game on both ends with incapable QB play on both ends...) Gibson has proven capable of holding lead back duties going back to his time in Washington. He now has the chance to showcase his dual-threat ability as a runner and a pass-catcher and really put up a decent stat line against a Miami team that has allowed the 4th most points to RBs this season so far.
Honorable Mention: Trey Sermon
SIT Zack Moss vs Baltimore Ravens
A few things are working against Moss going into Week 5. First, it's the fact that the Ravens have allowed the 3rd fewest points to RBs so far this season. Second, the game script doesn't look good for the 1-3 Bengals going up against the 2-2 Ravens who just layed a massive beatdown against the formerly unbeaten Bills. Last, but not least, Moss is steadily losing the backfield lead he's sharing with Chase Brown. They shared carries evenly with 15 for each but Brown was much more efficient toting his carries for 80 yards opposed to Moss' 51. I would be hesitant in keeping Moss in your starting lineups despite his starting status.
Honorable Mention: Rico Dowdle
WIDE RECEIVERS
START Allen Lazard vs Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Rodgers loves his tried-and-true guys. Lazard has been steady so far with a monster Week 1 performance and at least 10 PPR points in his past two games. He could actually be fighting with Garrett Wilson as Rodgers' favorite target in the passing game. The total number of targets don't suggest that over four games but the similar involvement as Lazard has been playing in at least 80% of snaps in each game. Lazard can be counted as a solid FLEX option if you're looking for at least 10 points. The Jets get a soft matchup that has potential to be high-scoring against Rodgers' old nemesis in Minnesota. The Vikings have given up the 4th most point points to opposing WR's so far this season.
Honorable Mention: Dontayvion Wicks
SIT Tank Dell vs Buffalo Bills
Dell has been somewhat of an afterthought in the Texans' offense with the addition of Stefon Diggs. Dell has only played between 60-70% of snaps in each of the first four games (his missed Week 4's game last week) He is set to return to game action this week vs the Bills but he should remain on your bench if you are thinking of playing him. He should not sniff the FLEX spot in your lineup yet with how paltry his stat lines have been. The fact that the oppsing Bills have allowed the 2nd fewest points to opposing WR's gives you all the reason to look for someone else to fill that final FLEX spot this week. Sorry, Tank.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Addison
TIGHT ENDS
START Tucker Kraft vs Los Angeles Rams
Kraft has been the surprising emergence from the young pass-catching corps. Luke Musgrave, last year's starting TE, has not been able to reclaim his starting spot ever since his brutal injury last season. Kraft was able to put up his best performance yet: 6 catches on 9 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown (TE1 on the week) He's played at least 80% of snaps in 3 of the first 4 games. He gets a Rams team that has allowed the 6th most points to TE's so far this season. Kraft is an excellent streamer and a potential long-term add if you've been struggling to get that TE position locked down.
Honorable Mention: Cole Kmet
SIT David Njoku vs Washington Commanders
Njoku has not played since Week 1 where he got injured playing in the opening game vs the Cowboys. He's hopeful to return to his starting TE status. However, he should remain on fantasy football benches across the nation. While Washington has allowed the most points to opposing WR's, they have allowed the 2nd FEWEST points to opposing TE's this season. Njoku won't likely be 100% on his way to fully recovering from his injury so it's best to keep him on the bench until we see he's back to full strength.
Honorable Mention: Mark Andrews
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