Fantasy football owners have a plethora of options for Week 5 with only two National Football League teams on the Bye. Those of you who favor weekly fantasy football leagues over season-long competitions would do well to examine several NFL match-ups before clicking the “submit” button for your lineup that last time.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Start QB Mike Glennon, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Remember that this is a sleeper pick for those of you sick of one of your quarterbacks letting you down on a weekly basis (more on such a QB later). Glennon isn’t winning you your league, but he did go for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns (and also an interception) against the Steelers last week.
He and the Bucs will now be away to face off with a New Orleans Saints defense that has been disappointing. Assuming that Drew Brees and company will get going, Glennon may be asked to air it out up to 50 times on Sunday. Those of you looking for a cheap QB or those in need of a panic spot-start at the position could do worse considering Glennon’s match-up.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Sit QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Those burying Brady and the Patriots are doing so prematurely, but you’re taking a huge gamble if you believe that the turnaround begins this weekend. While the Pats will be at home, they'll be hosting a Cincinnati Bengals side responsible for one of the best defenses in the AFC. Things have gotten so bad that many fantasy experts are suggesting that owners should trade or even cut Brady at this stage of the season.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Start RB Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams
I, like many, am not yet sold on the Austin Davis experiment. The Rams are going to have to move the football somehow when at the Philadelphia Eagles, and Stacy has a solid match-up ahead of him. Philly is in the bottom-ten for fantasy points allowed per game against opposing RBs. Stacy should make for a good RB2 this week.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Sit Cleveland Browns running backs
The running backs on the Browns have been playing well. Cleveland’s offensive line has been better than advertised.
What gives?
Ben Tate is back in the lineup, and he will be back as the team’s RB1. He will thus take carries away from rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. It’s safer to bench the lot of them for a week until we have a better idea how the three will be rotated.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Start WR Brandin Cooks, New Orleans Saints
Cooks is a tremendous flex option in Week 5. Drew Brees and the Saints need to turn things around, and a home game against the Bucs should be the time to begin such a rally. Tampa Bay has been unable to deal with speedy wideouts throughout the season, and Cooks should, in theory, be able to light it up on home turf against a leaky defense.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Sit WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Fitzgerald is the Tom Brady of the wide receiver position as it pertains to 2014 fantasy football. The 31-year old WR is averaging 7 targets per game. He has reeled in 10 total passes, and he hasn’t yet found the end zone.
No disrespect meant, but trusting that Drew Stanton will help Fitzgerald produce noteworthy stats when the Cards are at the Denver Broncos would be taking a massive leap of faith. It’s one that isn’t necessary in any league for Week 5.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Start TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
Miller is, for the second straight week, a top value tight end. He caught 10 of 11 passes and had a touchdown against Tampa Bay last Sunday, and he will now be going up against the lowly Jaguars.
Wide receivers. Tight ends. The Jacksonville pass defense hasn’t yet showed that it can stop anybody. Go grab Miller right now if you need a tight end and he is a free agent.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Sit TE Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Brady and Fitzgerald have company in the category of big-name players deserving to be benched in fantasy football. Witten has 15 catches in 4 games, and the veteran in his 12th NFL season who scored 8 touchdowns in 2013 hasn’t yet found the end zone this campaign. The Houston Texans are awful against the run, meaning that the Cowboys will likely feature DeMarco Murray and not the passing game in scoring situations.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Start San Diego Chargers defense
The Chargers get the nod here for two reasons:
The unit is likely available -- I picked it up in two leagues earlier this week.
San Diego is hosting the New York Jets.
New York quarterback Geno Smith is giving the ball away on a weekly basis as if he is handing out Christmas presents. Head coach Rex Ryan isn’t ready to go to Michael Vick just yet, though, so it’s logical to believe that San Diego will force at least one turnover.
Week 5 fantasy football start or sit: Sit Houston Texans defense
J.J. Watt pick-six romps are fun to watch. Houston isn’t playing against the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders or Buffalo Bills this time around. The Cowboys exceeded expectations in their last three games, and Tony Romo was spectacular versus the New Orleans Saints last Sunday night.
Romo has a history of being a good fantasy football QB when at home. Houston has struggled against the run, and the Texans now must find a way to contain DeMarco Murray.
Murray is leading the NFL in rushing yards.
Related
Browns Week 5 NFL power rankings
Zac has been covering the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and National Football League for a variety of websites since 2006. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
