Start Em Sit Em Week 5: Fantasy Football Picks, Risks, and Matchups You Need to Know
As the NFL season moves into Week 5, fantasy football managers face one of the trickiest weekends of the year so far. With multiple teams on bye and several star players sidelined by injuries, the start/sit decisions feel more crucial than ever. This is the week where a bold move could swing your matchup, but one wrong call could just as easily sink it. Below, we break down start em sit em week 5 across positions with context, analysis, and a bit of opinion to help guide the tough choices.
Week 5 Fantasy Landscape
Four teams are off this week: the Bears, Falcons, Packers, and Steelers. That means fantasy lineups are missing core players like Justin Fields, Bijan Robinson, Jordan Love, and George Pickens. At the same time, injuries have thinned out depth charts. Malik Nabers and Tyreek Hill are already lost for the year, while receivers such as CeeDee Lamb, Terry McLaurin, and Mike Evans are dealing with nagging issues.
This creates an unusual Week 5 where waiver-wire heroes and matchup-based plays may decide outcomes. Let’s look at where the advantages lie.
Quarterbacks: High Ceilings vs. High Risk
Quarterbacks remain the foundation of most fantasy lineups, and the matchups this week highlight clear starts and sits.
| Start ‘Em QBs | Why They Deserve the Nod |
|---|---|
| Justin Fields (Jets) | Dual-threat upside vs. a shaky Dallas defense |
| C.J. Stroud (Texans) | Baltimore’s secondary vulnerable to big plays |
| Sit ‘Em QBs | Why They’re Risky |
|---|---|
| Bo Nix (Broncos) | Faces relentless Eagles pass rush |
| Cam Ward (Titans) | Inconsistent despite soft Arizona matchup |
Personally, Stroud feels like the play with the most upside this week. Even though Fields has the legs to create fantasy gold, Stroud’s matchup is quietly perfect for a breakout week if you need a reliable floor and some upside.
Running Backs: Opportunities Emerging in Week 5 Fantasy Advice
The running back position is loaded with interesting options, especially with younger players stepping up.
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Woody Marks (Texans): He has seized the spotlight with big plays and consistent production. Against a Ravens defense that hasn’t been ironclad, Marks is a legitimate start.
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Trey Benson (Cardinals): Benson looks set for more volume and faces a Titans defense that has struggled to contain backs catching passes.
On the other hand, Jordan Mason (Vikings) should stay on benches this week. His breakout hype collides with a Cleveland defense that thrives against the run.
This is where start ‘em sit ‘em picks become critical—don’t chase last week’s points without considering the matchup.
Wide Receivers: Volume Is King
Receivers carry a unique challenge in Week 5. With multiple WR1 types banged up, it comes down to usage and matchups.
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Michael Pittman Jr. (Colts): His matchup against the Raiders is one of the best on paper, and his target share keeps him in “set-and-forget” status.
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Other safe starts: Target-heavy players who remain the first read for their quarterbacks should stay in lineups.
Those on the riskier side:
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Jerry Jeudy: His role is unreliable, and with inconsistent quarterback play, he isn’t worth the gamble unless desperate.
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Injury-troubled WRs: Don’t force a start if the floor is just too low.
This is a classic spot where fantasy football start sit decisions define the week.
Tight Ends: Streamers and Sleepers Step Up
The tight end position rarely feels deep, but this week offers sneaky options.
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Tommy Tremble: With Sanders sidelined, Tremble’s eight targets in Week 4 make him a clear streaming candidate. His matchup against the Dolphins looks surprisingly favorable.
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Brenton Strange: A mid-tier option who keeps drawing enough looks to be considered in deeper formats.
Low-volume tight ends who rely on touchdowns alone should not be trusted. Fantasy football rewards opportunity, not just luck.
Defense and Kickers: Matchups Rule
Streaming defenses and choosing the right kicker can provide a crucial scoring edge.
Start These Defenses
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Vikings (@ Browns in London): Cleveland’s turnover-prone offense makes this a sneaky great play.
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Cardinals (vs. Titans): The Titans’ offensive struggles put Arizona’s defense in a favorable spot.
Kickers Worth Starting
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Spencer Shrader (Colts): The Colts offense has moved the ball well, and this matchup gives Shrader top-five upside at the position.
Sits this week should be any defense facing an explosive offense or kickers in games with low projected totals.
Week 5 Start or Sit Breakdown Table
Here’s a quick recap of the best fantasy football start sit decisions:
| Position | Start ‘Em Picks | Sit ‘Em Picks |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Justin Fields, C.J. Stroud | Bo Nix, Cam Ward |
| RB | Woody Marks, Trey Benson | Jordan Mason |
| WR | Michael Pittman Jr. | Jerry Jeudy |
| TE | Tommy Tremble, Brenton Strange | Low-volume options |
| Defense | Vikings, Cardinals | High-scoring matchups |
| Kicker | Spencer Shrader | Low-opportunity situations |
This week isn’t just about following projections—it’s about reading between the lines. Week 5 fantasy advice leans heavily on exploiting weak defenses, identifying consistent target shares, and not overreacting to one hot performance. Managers who stay disciplined with start em sit em week 5 calls could find themselves in the driver’s seat heading into midseason.
