Navigating Fantasy Football Week 5: Key Players to Start or Sit

The arrival of Week 5 in the National Football League (NFL) marks the beginning of bye weeks, adding a layer of complexity for fantasy football team managers. The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all off this week, making some fantasy favorites unavailable for selection. Additionally, injuries continue to sideline key players, necessitating careful roster adjustments.

Jordan Love‘s impressive return from injury in Week 4 saw him throw for a career-high 389 yards and four touchdowns. Love faces the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5, a defense that ranks 31st in the league in terms of points allowed, suggesting another potentially strong performance from the Green Bay Packers quarterback.

Similarly, Geno Smith is expected to play a significant role for the Seattle Seahawks as they face the New York Giants. Entering Week 4, Smith led the NFL in passing yards, and he will look to maintain that form against a Giants defense that has been moderately effective against the pass.

Justin Fields continues to improve as a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, balancing his skill set with both passing and rushing abilities. With three rushing touchdowns in his last two games, Fields benefits from facing a Dallas Cowboys defense missing key pass rushers and ranking 26th against the run.

Earmarked for a potentially fruitful outing are the Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks, who confront a Jacksonville Jaguars defense currently allowing the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Jaguars have struggled defensively, giving up six passing touchdowns and over 600 yards in their last two games.

However, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs might face challenges against the New Orleans Saints, who have one of the stingiest defenses in the league against quarterbacks. Despite Mahomes’ injury struggles, the Saints defense will aim to capitalize on his five interceptions over the first four games of the season.

The running game presents opportunities and challenges in equal measure. Fantasy managers may look to DeAndre Swift, last week’s third-best running back. The Detroit Lions running back is poised to face a Carolina Panthers defense that ranks near the bottom for points allowed to fantasy running backs.

Meanwhile, take caution with Dallas Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott, who will confront a solid Pittsburgh defense. The Steelers’ rush defense currently ranks inside the top three, having allowed only one rushing touchdown this season, making it a tough matchup for the Cowboys’ ground attack.

The wide receiver and tight end positions also warrant attention. Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis Colts emerged in Week 4 with strong performances and will go against a Jacksonville Jaguars secondary ranked fifth in points allowed to wide receivers.

Conversely, fantasy owners might reconsider their options like Davante Adams, who rumoredly seeks a move from the Las Vegas Raiders. Adams faces the Denver Broncos, who feature a top-tier cornerback in Patrick Surtain II, presenting a formidable challenge.

Kickers and defenses also play a crucial part in fantasy football lineups. Washington Commanders‘ Austin Seibert continues to be a reliable kicker, while the Chicago Bears defense presents a significant challenge to opposing offenses, further complicating lineup decisions for fantasy managers looking for defensive gains.