As of Sunday morning, we know the Patriots-Broncos game won't be happening in Week 5 — it's been moved to Week 6 after the Patriots had another positive COVID test Sunday morning. Additionally, the Titans had another positive test, putting their already rescheduled game against the Bills Tuesday in question, and we probably won't know the status of that game until after lineups lock Sunday.
In Week 4, we had the Titans-Steelers game postponed, with those teams using last week as a bye, and the Patriots-Chiefs game was moved from Sunday to Monday. The Titans were the reason for the postponement, and they now have had at least 11 players who have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, including receivers Corey Davis and Adam Humphries, who were added to the COVID/Reserve list. Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore also has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, which came after Cam Newton was out in Week 4 for the same reason. And the Raiders had a player reportedly test positive for COVID-19 as well.
Hopefully, as we've been telling you all offseason, your Fantasy commissioner has set up scenarios to provide relief, whether it's extra roster spots or injured reserve slots to stash players. We recommend allowing for a replacement player or players to be named prior to kickoff before Thursday or Sunday afternoon in case something unexpected happens to one of your guys, especially for any Sunday night or Monday night games. The best thing is to be flexible if possible.
For now, just continue to monitor the news, and hopefully the rest of games are played as scheduled. And as you'll read below, I still have start and sit recommendations for players involved in those games in question. Just be prepared to react in case you need to change your Fantasy lineups for any COVID-19 related updates.
Start 'Em & Sit 'Em
Start of the Week
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The Texans had a big change this week with Bill O'Brien getting fired, and Romeo Crennel will take over as the interim head coach. Hopefully, that's not a bad thing for Deshaun Watson, who has not lived up to the billing as an elite Fantasy quarterback so far.
Now, part of Watson's struggles — and the Texans, who are 0-4 — has been the schedule. Opening the season with three games in a row at Kansas City, vs. Baltimore and at Pittsburgh was going to be tough for any quarterback. And to Watson's credit, he scored 22 Fantasy points against the Chiefs and 20 points against the Steelers, but he also was limited to 16 points against the Ravens.
We told you to expect better things for Watson with the schedule getting easier in Week 4, and that was the case when he had his best game of the season with 24 Fantasy points against Minnesota. And now comes Week 5 against Jacksonville in the first game after O'Brien's firing.
The Jaguars have allowed either 300 passing yards or multiple touchdowns in all four games this year, and Watson should light them up this week. It helps that Jacksonville's cornerbacks are banged up with D.J. Hayden (hamstring) on injured reserve and C.J. Henderson (shoulder) sidelined.
I'm counting on Watson to dominate and start playing like the Fantasy quarterback I expected prior to the season. Things are bad in Houston, but maybe the big shakeup could be the spark the team — and Watson — needs for a strong finish. And it all starts now.
More Week 5 Fantasy Prep: Starts & Sits, Sleepers & Risks | QB Start 'Em & Sit 'Em | RB Start 'Em & Sit 'Em | WR Start 'Em & Sit 'Em | Waiver Wire | QB Preview | RB Preview | WR Preview | TE Preview | Trade Values | Cut List
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
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Roethlisberger has been a quality Fantasy quarterback through three games this season, and he should continue to play well coming off his surprise bye in Week 4. He's scored at least 22 Fantasy points in his first three starts, and he has averaged 22.6 Fantasy points in his past five games coming off a bye. The Eagles struggled in two games against Jared Goff in Week 2 and Joe Burrow in Week 3 with both scoring at least 24 Fantasy points, and Roethlisberger should be in that range this week.
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Let's see if Bridgewater can take advantage of this matchup against the Falcons, because it's dreamy. The Falcons have allowed four touchdowns to quarterbacks in every game between Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers and the combination of Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. I wouldn't expect four touchdowns from Bridgewater this week, but he just had three against the Cardinals in Week 4 and he's got top-10 upside as the top streaming quarterback in Week 5.
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We'll wait to see if Herbert is starting this week against the Saints because Tyrod Taylor (chest) could return to action. However, Anthony Lynn should stick with Herbert because he looks the part. In three starts in place of Taylor, Herbert has scored at least 23 Fantasy points in two of them, and he's averaging 310.3 passing yards per game. The Saints are beat up defensively with Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Marcus Davenport (elbow) injured, and Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford each had three touchdowns against New Orleans in three weeks in a row. There's a lot to like about Herbert, even in New Orleans in prime time.
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Aside from the bad game against Miami in Week 3, Minshew has been a good Fantasy quarterback in three other outings, scoring at least 24 Fantasy points in those games. He should be in that range again in Week 5 at Houston, and the Texans have allowed multiple touchdowns against Patrick Mahomes in Week 1 and Roethlisberger in Week 3. I'll continue to trust Minshew as a low-end starter until he starts to struggle on a consistent basis, which shouldn't happen this week.
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We're waiting to find out if Michael Thomas (ankle) will play Monday night against the Chargers, and the Saints might be cautious with him since they have a bye in Week 6. If Thomas plays then Brees should be awesome, but I still like Brees even if Thomas is out. We know Brees is typically amazing at home in prime time, and that was the case in Week 3 against Green Bay without Thomas when he passed for 288 yards and three touchdowns. We also just saw Tom Brady carve up this Chargers defense -- which is without cornerback Chris Harris (foot) and pass rusher Melvin Ingram (knee) -- in Week 4 for 369 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception. And he did that with Chris Godwin (hamstring) out. Brees has top-five upside if Thomas plays and top-10 upside even without Thomas.
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We're going through every matchup on the schedule for Week 5 on the Fantasy Football Today podcast. Subscribe at Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts:
Sleepers
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Even in a bad game last week for Fitzpatrick against Seattle he still scored 20 Fantasy points, and he's averaging 25.3 Fantasy points in his past three outings. The 49ers have allowed Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz to score at least 22 Fantasy points in two home games this year, and Fitzpatrick can still be a streaming option this week.
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The matchup is great for Cousins since the Seahawks are allowing an average of 408.5 passing yards per game, and three of four quarterbacks have scored multiple touchdowns against Seattle with Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Dak Prescott. Cousins has yet to attempt more than 27 passes in a game, but that should happen this week and lead to quality production.
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Jones is another quarterback with a great matchup against Dallas, who has allowed at least three passing touchdowns in each of the past three weeks against Ryan, Wilson and the combination of Baker Mayfield and Jarvis Landry. Jones hasn't thrown a touchdown since Week 1, so he's due, and he could be a sneaky starting option in a potential shootout with Prescott in Week 5.
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Sit 'Em
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Ryan is more of a bust alert than a must-sit option, but I don't like him without Julio Jones (hamstring) this week if the star wideout can't play. We've seen what Ryan looked like the past two games with Jones out or limited against Chicago and Green Bay, as Ryan combined for 25 Fantasy points in those outings. The Panthers also have been good against opposing quarterbacks this year in holding Derek Carr, Tom Brady and Herbert to a combined three touchdowns and two interceptions. Kyler Murray went for three touchdowns against the Panthers, but he had just 133 passing yards. Keep an eye on Jones' health, and if he's out then consider sitting Ryan this week.
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Wentz is averaging 22.5 Fantasy points in his past two games against Cincinnati and San Francisco, which is better than the 13.5 points he averaged in two games to start the season against Washington and the Rams. Hopefully, he's headed in the right direction, but I'm not trusting him this week at Pittsburgh. While the Steelers have allowed multiple passing touchdowns in each game this year against Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Deshaun Watson, this defense should be rested coming off a bye against a battered offensive line. Wentz is only worth starting in deeper leagues.
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Burrow has been great to start the season, and he's scored at least 24 Fantasy points in two of his past three games prior to Week 5 against Philadelphia and Jacksonville. He's attempting at least 36 passes each week, and that volume has helped his Fantasy production. But I don't like this matchup for him at Baltimore, and the Ravens have only allowed Mahomes to get multiple touchdowns against them in Week 3. Burrow is only worth starting in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues.
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Carr has actually been a quality Fantasy quarterback of late, averaging 23.3 Fantasy points per game in his past three outings against New Orleans, New England and Buffalo. He also has yet to throw an interception this year. But I don't like this matchup for him on the road against the Chiefs, who have yet to allow multiple passing touchdowns against Watson, Herbert and Lamar Jackson, as well as the Patriots duo of Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham. And Arrowhead Stadium has been a nightmare for Carr in his career. In six career games at Kansas City, Carr has scored a combined 51 Fantasy points, with a high of 12. History suggests you sit Carr in all leagues this week.
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Mayfield has two touchdown passes in each of his past three games, but he's failed to top 170 passing yards since Week 2. And he hasn't scored more than 18 Fantasy points in any game this year. The Colts have only allowed five passing touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season, and this defense should make Mayfield uncomfortable this week. He's only worth using in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues.
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Bust Alert
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I had Brady in this spot last week, and he made me look bad with 369 passing yards and five touchdowns for 42 Fantasy points against the Chargers. He did that without Chris Godwin (hamstring), and Godwin is out again this week at Chicago. I don't like this setup for Brady since he has to travel on a short week. The Bears have yet to allow multiple touchdowns to an opposing quarterback, including matchups with Stafford and Ryan. And along with Godwin being out, the Buccaneers are also down O.J. Howard (Achilles) for the season and Justin Watson has been ruled out as well. I still view Brady as a low-end starter in all leagues, but I'm not confident in him playing well against the Bears on the road.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
Start 'Em
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This is the moment you've been waiting for with Hunt now that Nick Chubb (knee) is out. We'll see how much Hunt shares the ball with D'Ernest Johnson, but Hunt should be looking at a heavy workload against the Colts. He comes into Week 5 averaging 16.5 PPR points for the season when he was mostly playing in tandem with Chubb, so the ceiling could be fantastic for Hunt now. And even though the Colts run defense has been stout, they could be down linebackers Darius Leonard (groin) and Bobby Okereke (thumb) this week.
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Davis' window as the starting running back for the Panthers is shrinking with Christian McCaffrey (ankle) possibly coming back in Week 6. But in Week 5, Davis should continue to dominate touches and remains a must-start running back in all leagues. He's averaged 21.5 PPR points in two starts, and he should stay hot against the Falcons, who have already allowed four running backs to score at least 19 PPR points this season. Atlanta is second in the NFL with 34 receptions allowed to running backs, which bodes well for Davis since he has 21 catches in the past three weeks.
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James Robinson continues to be one of the best stories of the 2020 season, and he should have another strong performance this week. He had a "down" game in Week 4 at Cincinnati with 14 PPR points, which ended a two-game streak of scoring at least 20 PPR points. But he still managed 17 carries for 75 yards, along with four catches for 32 yards on four targets, and he now has 13 catches for 133 yards on 14 targets in his past three games. He should do well again in Week 5 against the Texans, who have already allowed a running back to score in every game this season. And three running backs (Clyde Edwards-Helaire, James Conner and Dalvin Cook) have rushed for at least 109 yards against them, too.
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We'll see if Zack Moss (toe) is able to play this week after missing the past two games, but Singletary should still be started in all leagues even if Moss is active. In his past two games without Moss, Singletary has averaged 17.0 PPR points, and he even scored his first touchdown this year in Week 4 at Las Vegas. He has nine catches for 71 yards on 11 targets in the past two games also, and Tennessee has allowed a running back to score at least 17 PPR points in each of their three games this year against Melvin Gordon, Robinson and Cook.
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Jones was fantastic in the first game without Leonard Fournette (ankle) in Week 4 against the Chargers. He had 20 carries for 111 yards, along with six catches for 17 yards on nine targets. Fournette and LeSean McCoy (ankle) are out Thursday night at Chicago, and Jones should be looking at 20-plus touches again, even though Ke'Shawn Vaughn should also get some work, especially in the passing game. The Bears have allowed five running backs to either gain 100 total yards or score this year, and Jones has top-15 upside this week.
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Sleepers
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He's more a starter than a sleeper, but you have to be impressed by the way Gibson has played the past three games with at least 12 PPR points in each outing. While it's great that he's scored a touchdown in each of the past three weeks, the best part of his performance is his continued uptick in the passing game with seven catches for 93 yards on eight targets in the past two games. He should be considered a top-20 running back in all leagues.
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With Austin Ekeler (hamstring) out, we'll see how the Chargers use Kelley and Justin Jackson. Both fall into the sleeper category, but I'll give Kelley the nod this week. He's struggled the past two games with only 17 carries for 50 yards, as well as five catches for 35 yards on five targets, and he's lost two fumbles. But I expect him to get the most touches against the Saints and is worth using as a flex. New Orleans also has allowed a running back to score in three games in a row.
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The last time Edmonds, who went to Fordham, played a New York team was at the Giants in Week 7 last year, and he had 27 carries for 127 yards and three touchdowns, along with two catches for 24 yards. He's not doing that with Kenyan Drake healthy, but Edmonds does have the chance to be a flex option in PPR. I'm hoping he remains a fixture in the passing game after he had five catches for 24 yards and a touchdown on six targets in Week 4 at Carolina.
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Hines has combined for 16 PPR points in his past three games after scoring 26 PPR points in Week 1, but I think he can be a flex option in PPR this week. The Browns are among the league leaders in receptions allowed to running backs with 25, and five running backs already have at least three receptions against Cleveland. Jonathan Taylor will obviously factor into the passing game as well, but Hines could be more involved in the offense this week after seven catches for 48 yards on eight targets in his past two outings.
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It's encouraging that Freeman had 15 total touches (four catches) in his second game with the Giants in Week 4 at the Rams. Now, hopefully he'll be more productive against the Cowboys after he managed just 68 total yards and no touchdowns. Dallas hasn't given up a lot of rushing yards to one running back this year, but the Cowboys are third in rushing yards allowed with 544. Freeman is worth using as a flex in what could be a high-scoring game.
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I originally considered McKinnon for Start of the Week before Raheem Mostert (knee) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday. If Mostert plays then McKinnon is a low-end starting option in all leagues. But if Mostert is out then McKinnon has top-10 upside. He's scored in every game this season, and he has at least 15.0 PPR points in the past two games with Mostert out.
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Sit 'Em
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Henderson was a disaster last week as the Start of the Week with eight carries for 22 yards, along with one catch for 16 yards on one target. He was outplayed by Malcolm Brown, who had nine carries for 37 yards, along with five catches for 19 yards on six targets, and I would trust Brown more than Henderson this week at the Washington Football Team. However, I would try to avoid this entire backfield if Cam Akers (ribs) plays as expected. It could be a mess, and I would leave Henderson on the bench if you can.
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Gaskin is worth using as a flex in PPR, and he's averaging 11.2 PPR points for the season. But he's far from a must-start option, especially in non-PPR leagues, and he's yet to score a touchdown this year. We also saw more work for Matt Breida in Week 4 against Seattle, and we'll see if the Dolphins give Breida an increased role facing his former team this week at San Francisco. The 49ers run defense is also brutal and has allowed the fewest Fantasy points this year. San Francisco also is second in fewest receptions allowed to running backs with 13, trailing only Dallas and Pittsburgh in that category.
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Murray was great last week for the Saints with 14 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns, along with one catch for 19 yards on two targets at Detroit. But don't go chasing that production and expect similar results this week at home against the Chargers. In three games prior to Week 4, Murray had combined for 14 PPR points. And he's facing a Chargers defense this week that has yet to allow a rushing touchdown to a running back, including matchups with Joe Mixon, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Mike Davis and Ronald Jones. Alvin Kamara should be great against this defense, but Murray is likely to struggle, especially if he doesn't score. Keep him reserved in all leagues.
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It's hard to bench Montgomery in all leagues given his role for the Bears, especially since his work in the passing game is on the rise with Tarik Cohen (ACL) out. He had six targets in Week 4 against the Colts, and he's had at least three targets in every game this season. Still, this is not a good matchup for him against the Buccaneers, who are among the league leaders in fewest rushing yards allowed with 182 through three games. Montgomery will likely need to score to help his Fantasy production this week, but he's yet to find the end zone on the ground this season. He's more of a bust alert than a complete sit this week, but I would try to avoid Montgomery if possible in all leagues.
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Bell is expected to return in Week 5 against the Cardinals after being out for the past three games with a hamstring injury. It's great to have Bell back, but I don't want to start him yet, even in PPR. Joe Flacco will start for the Jets with Sam Darnold (shoulder) out, and we'll see if the Jets give Bell a heavy workload or ease him back in. Frank Gore also could still get touches, and I'd like to give Bell one week to shake off the rust. Hopefully, he'll be fine for the rest of the year and can be a serviceable No. 2 running back in all leagues.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receiver
Start 'Em
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This posting is for Robby Anderson also, so start both of them. The matchup against the Falcons is fantastic, and we should see Moore have a breakout game since he's due. He had 20 PPR points in Week 2 at Tampa Bay, but he's been at nine PPR points or less in his other three outings. Atlanta has only allowed three touchdowns to wide receivers, but five have already gone over 90 receiving yards against this secondary. That bodes well for Moore and Anderson, who has scored at least 17 PPR points in three of four games this year.
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Jacksonville's cornerbacks are banged up with D.J. Hayden (hamstring) on injured reserve and C.J. Henderson (shoulder) sidelined. That should allow Fuller to stay hot for a third week in a row since he's scored at least 15 PPR points in each of his past two games against Pittsburgh and Minnesota. So far through four games, Fuller is living up to his breakout potential as the No. 1 receiver for the Texans.
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There are two things to note with McLaurin this week. One, the Washington Football Team changed quarterbacks from Dwayne Haskins to Kyle Allen. And two, McLaurin could see plenty of coverage from Jalen Ramsey. Neither should deter you from starting McLaurin in Week 5. He should continue to soak up targets, and he already has two games with at least 10. He's scored at least 11 PPR points in each outing this year, and the Rams have allowed three of four No. 1 receivers to score at least 12 PPR points in four games (Amari Cooper, DeSean Jackson and Stefon Diggs).
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Lamb just had his best game of the season in Week 4 against Cleveland with five catches for 79 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. He now has three games in a row with at least seven targets, and he's scored at least 16 PPR points in two of them. This should be a good game for the entire Cowboys receiving corps, and they should be ranked Cooper, Lamb and Michael Gallup coming into Week 5. Cooper is a must-start option, and Lamb isn't far behind. Gallup should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, but he has the chance to blow up on a weekly basis, so don't give up on him yet.
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Jefferson is hot at the right time heading into a matchup with the Seahawks, who have allowed the most Fantasy points to opposing receivers this year. In his past two games, Jefferson has 11 catches for 278 yards and one touchdown on 14 targets. Seattle has already allowed 10 receivers to score at least 13 PPR points in four games, so look for Jefferson and Adam Thielen to each go off in this matchup.
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Keep an eye on Parker's ankle injury since he was limited in practice Wednesday, but he should be fine this week against the 49ers. And he should continue to be a quality Fantasy receiver in all leagues. He's scored at least 11 PPR points in each of his past three games, and he's averaging 16.0 PPR points over that span. He just had 10 catches for 110 yards on 12 targets against Seattle, and he should have the chance for double digits in targets again in Week 5 against San Francisco.
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Sleepers
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Slayton was great in Week 1 against Pittsburgh with 28 PPR points, but he's combined for 19 PPR points in his past three games against Chicago, San Francisco and the Rams. Dallas has struggled with receivers so far this season, however, and six guys have already scored at least 16 PPR points against this secondary. Slayton and Golden Tate are both worth using as sleepers in this matchup.
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Even with Joe Flacco under center you should still use Crowder this week as a low-end starter in PPR. Like Sam Darnold, Flacco should lean on Crowder, who has two games this season with at least 10 targets, and he's scored at least 17 PPR points in both of those outings. The Cardinals have allowed at least one receiver to score at least 17 PPR points in each of their past three games.
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Keep an eye on Shenault's hamstring injury, and hopefully he's 100 percent for this matchup and can build off his performance from Week 4 at Cincinnati when he had five catches for 86 yards on six targets. He now has six targets in each of his past two games, and hopefully the Jaguars continue to feed him the ball. The Texans have already allowed five receivers to score at least 14 PPR points this year, which should be good for Shenault and D.J. Chark.
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Samuel had the shake-off-the-rust game in Week 4 against the Eagles in his 2020 debut following offseason foot surgery, and now hopefully big games are coming. It would be great if Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle) returns this week, and Samuel still has to share targets with George Kittle and Brandon Aiyuk, who is another sleeper against the Dolphins. Miami has already allowed five receivers to score at least 12 PPR points this year, and Samuel is a solid No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 5.
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Watkins and Mecole Hardman are both worth using as sleepers this week against the Raiders. Watkins has three games this season with at least seven targets, and Patrick Mahomes continues to lean on him. And Hardman has 10 targets in his past two games, and he's scored two touchdowns over that span.
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Sit 'Em
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It's time to bench Green in all leagues, and some Fantasy managers in 10-team leagues are dropping him. Despite 33 targets on the season, Green has scored a combined 24 PPR points in four games. He's being outplayed by Tyler Boyd and rookie Tee Higgins, and both are more trustworthy than Green now. This isn't even about the matchup with Green anymore. Until he starts to produce on a consistent basis he should remain on your bench in most leagues.
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This is a great matchup for Hilton against the Browns, so take that into account. Cleveland is No. 3 in Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and Hilton could easily have a big game this week. But that would be the first time that happened this season since he's scored nine PPR points or less in every game. He's also been at five targets or fewer in each of the past three games. I'm still hopeful for Hilton to start producing positive Fantasy points this year, but this four-game sample size to open the season is not encouraging. At best, consider Hilton a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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It appears like Henry Ruggs (hamstring) will return this week, so Renfrow will lose targets in a tough matchup. He had 17 targets in his past two games against the Patriots and Bills, and he scored 30 PPR points over that span. But Renfrow only managed 10 PPR points in his first two games, and he should struggle against the Chiefs. For the season, Kansas City allows the fewest Fantasy points to opposing receivers, and Derek Carr doesn't have a good history playing at Arrowhead Stadium.
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Bust Alert
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Beckham was awesome last week against the Cowboys with five catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets, and he also added 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. He scored 38 PPR points, and it was great to see. I'm still starting Beckham this week against the Colts, but I wouldn't be surprised if he struggled against a good defense. Indianapolis has allowed five touchdowns to opposing receivers, but three of them came in Week 1 at Jacksonville. And Allen Robinson in Week 4 is the only receiver with more than 64 receiving yards against the Colts. It's hard to bench Beckham in most leagues, but you should lower expectations for him in this matchup.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Tight End
Start 'Em
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We've been talking about Schultz since Week 2 after Blake Jarwin (ACL) got hurt, and he's been awesome over his past three games, averaging 15.3 PPR points over that span, with 24 targets combined in those outings. The Giants haven't allowed a tight end to score yet this season, but I bet that streak ends this week. Schultz should be considered a top-10 tight end in all formats.
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The Cowboys have struggled with tight ends in each of the past three games, with Hayden Hurst, Greg Olsen and Austin Hooper all scoring at least 11 PPR points against Dallas. Engram is due for a big game, and he just had 10 targets in Week 4 at the Rams. He only had six catches for 35 yards in that outing, but hopefully that volume continues again this week. I'm expecting this to be Engram's best game of the season so far.
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The Washington Football Team likes giving up big games to tight ends, and Higbee gets his chance to go off in Week 5. The Eagles tight ends combo of Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz combined for 11 catches, 119 yards and two touchdowns on 16 targets against Washington in Week 1. And Mark Andrews had three catches for 57 yards and two touchdowns on three targets against Washington in Week 4. Higbee has been quiet aside from his 28 PPR points in Week 2 at Philadelphia when he scored three touchdowns. But this could be another standout game given the matchup.
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Sleepers
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Ebron was building momentum prior to the Steelers impromptu bye in Week 4, and hopefully he can stay hot in Week 5 against the Eagles. It's a good matchup, as Philadelphia has struggled with Higbee in Week 2 (28 PPR points) and George Kittle in Week 4 (39 PPR points), and hopefully Ebron can do damage as well. In Week 3 against Houston, Ebron had five catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and it would be great if he has a good encore performance this week.
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Using Thomas is strictly about the matchup with the Falcons in Week 5. Atlanta has allowed a tight end to score in every game this year, with seven touchdowns allowed to the position in four games. Thomas just scored his first touchdown in Week 4 against Arizona with a season-high five targets, so hopefully his involvement is about to increase moving forward.
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I wish Alie-Cox was more involved in the offense, and the healthy return of Trey Burton won't help things with Jack Doyle also around. But Alie-Cox has either a touchdown or 100 receiving yards in three games in a row, and this is a great matchup for him in Week 5 at Cleveland since the Browns have allowed a tight end to score in three of four games. His targets are down -- five combined in the past two games -- but I wouldn't be surprised if he scored in Week 5.
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Sit 'Em
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Graham had a down game in Week 4 against the Colts with four catches for 33 yards on five targets, and that was the first start for Nick Foles. Hopefully, that's not a sign of things to come, but I wouldn't use Graham this week against Tampa Bay. In the Buccaneers past two games against the Broncos and Chargers, Noah Fant and Hunter Henry combined for just 14 PPR points.
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Hooper had his best game of the season in Week 4 at Dallas with five catches for 34 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, and he scored 14 PPR points. Prior to that, he had 12 PPR points combined in his first three games, and I don't want to trust him this week, especially with David Njoku (knee) back. The Colts have allowed the fewest Fantasy points to opposing tight ends as well, so this should be another rough game for Hooper.
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It might seem like Gronkowski could be headed for a bigger role with O.J. Howard (Achilles) out for the season, and Chris Godin (hamstring) is out for this week. But I'm not trusting Gronkowski until I see more consistent production, and he was held to three targets in Week 4 against the Chargers for one catch and 29 yards. He could score this week against the Bears, but he's too risky to trust in most leagues.
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Bust Alert
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The 49ers have been amazing against tight ends this season, especially against Engram and Ertz, the two elite ones they've seen. Engram was held to three catches for 22 yards on five targets in Week 3, and Ertz had four catches for 9 yards on five targets. Gesicki only has two catches for 30 yards on six targets in his past two games against Jacksonville and Seattle, although he scored against the Jaguars. This is a good week to stay away from Gesicki given the matchup on the road.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
DST
Start 'Em
Cardinals (at NYJ): Even though Le'Veon Bell is back for the Jets, they are still starting Joe Flacco behind a suspect offensive line. The Jets have three games this season where they've scored 17 points or less. And last week, the Broncos had six sacks against the Jets. This should be a great week for the Cardinals DST.
Sleepers
- Cowboys (vs. NYG): While I like Daniel Jones this week, he has been sacked 14 times on the season. He also has five interceptions, and the Giants have scored 16 points or less in every game.
- Texans (JAC): Maybe Romeo Crennel can get this defense on track now that he's the head coach. While I like Gardner Minshew this week, he has been sacked at least three times in three games this year. And he has four interceptions in his past three games.
- Browns (vs. IND): The Browns are a sneaky DST this week because if the Colts get behind we could see Philip Rivers get turnover prone. That happened in Week 1 when he threw two interceptions at Jacksonville, and I could see the same thing unfold this week if the Colts are chasing points.
START 'EM & SIT 'EM
KICKERS
Start 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
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Sleepers
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Blankenship has scored at least 10 Fantasy points in three games in a row. Over that span, he has 10 field goals on 11 tries, as well as seven PATs.
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The Jets have allowed at least two field goals and three PATs in three of four games this season, including two in a row.
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If he's back from the groin injury that knocked him out in Week 4 at Green Bay then add him and start him against the Panthers. He made eight field goals in nine attempts in his first three games of the season.
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Sit 'Em
Projections powered by
Sportsline
Bullock comes into Week 5 having scored at least 11 Fantasy points in three games in a row, and his worst outing so far this season was Week 1 when he scored nine points. But the Bengals offense could struggle this week at Baltimore, and only one kicker has multiple field goals against the Ravens this year. Keep Bullock reserved in all leagues.
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So who should you start and sit this week? And which surprising quarterback could lead you to victory? Visit SportsLine now to get Week 5 rankings for every position, plus see which QB is going to come out of nowhere to crack the top 10, all from the model that out-performed experts big-time last season.
