Start Em’ or Sit Em’ Week 5

By Tommy Harvey

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em is our weekly look into NFL match-ups and how they will affect your starting lineup. Starting guys like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes and Ezekiel Elliot are easy decisions and that is not the reason you are reading this article. For the most part these are borderline starting players you are considering placing in your lineups due to injury, poor play, bye week, etc.

Quarterbacks Start ‘Em

Gardner Minshew vs Houston

Houston has 0 Interceptions this season, and Gardner Minshew has been very good so far this season.  On pace for over 4,500 yards and 32 TDs, Minshew is a startable fantasy QB.  Take advantage of his hot start against a Texans team in turmoil.

Teddy Bridgewater vs Atlanta

Atlanta’s defense is pathetic, and seems to get worse by the week.  Averaging almost 287 ypg, I fully expect Teddy Bridgewater to go over 300 yards with 2 or 3 TDs.  Fire him up in your lineups this week.

Daniel Jones vs Dallas

So far this season, Daniel Jones has not been very good.  On the flipside, neither has the Dallas defense.  This has the makings of a shootout, so don’t be afraid to have Danny Dimes in your lineup.

Quarterbacks Sit ‘Em

Baker Mayfield vs Indianapolis

Mayfield doesn’t put up huge numbers and the Colts have the stingiest passing defense in the NFL.  SIT, SIT, SIT

Carson Wentz vs Pittsburgh

Wentz already has 7 INTs this season and is taking on the league’s best defense.  I would not recommend having the Philadelphia signal caller in your lineup.

Jared Goff vs Washington

Goff hasn’t been bad this season, but neither has Washington’s pass defense.  There are better options at QB this week, so use somebody else.

Running Backs Start ‘Em

Jerick McKinnon vs Miami

McKinnon has scored in every game this season and has put up double digit points every week.  Raheem Mostert is questionable this week and may or may not play depending on how he feels on Sunday morning.  If Mostert plays, McKinnon will be a good FLEX play.  If Mostert doesn’t suit up, McKinnon is an RB2 option.

Antonio Gibson vs Los Angeles Rams

Gibson has scored in 3 of 4 games this season and is getting more opportunities every week.  The Rams are a middle of the pack defense and Washington will rely on Gibson to make plays. 

Mark Ingram vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s run defense has been really bad this season.  Guess what the Ravens do really well.  Ingram should have a solid day against a bad Bengals team.

Running  Backs Sit ’Em

Miles Sanders vs Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has the best defense in the NFL and the Eagles have major offensive line problems.  Sanders is not a good option for you this week.  He is my #1 sit of the week.

Joe Mixon vs Baltimore

Mixon had a great game last week against Jacksonville, even though he was a little banged up.  He is still a little banged up and is taking on a solid Ravens run defense.  I don’t like him this week.

Kenyan Drake vs New York Jets

The Jets stink, but Kenyan Drake has not been productive at all this season.  I wouldn’t trust him at this point until he can prove to be a reliable fantasy option. 

Wide Receivers Start’ Em

DJ Chark vs Houston

Gardner Minshew is a QB Start ‘Em this week, so fire up his WR1.  DJ Chark do do do do do do.

Justin Jefferson vs Seattle

Justin Jefferson is PFFs highest graded WR and is producing like a WR1 over the last couple of weeks.  Don’t shy away from the rookie.

Robby Anderson vs Atlanta

Atlanta’s defense is terrible and Anderson has played very well this season.  Teddy Bridgewater has continued to look his way...to the point where Anderson has become Carolina’s WR1.  Look for a big game this week against a putrid Falcon’s defense.

Wide Receivers Sit ‘Em

Odell Beckham Jr. vs Indianapolis

OBJ had a very good fantasy week against the Cowboys last week, but the Colts’ pass defense is a completely different challenge.  Indianapolis has the best pass defense in the NFL, so I would look towards other WRs this week.

T.Y. Hilton vs Cleveland

T.Y. Hilton has not reached double digit points yet this season and I don’t see it happening this week against Denzel Ward.  Leave him on your bench.

DeVante Parker vs San Francisco

Parker has been fighting a hurt ankle and has not gotten in a lot of practice time this season.  Coming off a good game against a bad Seahawks passing defense, Parker will face a much better 49er D.  I’d stay away.

Tight Ends Start’ Em

Eric Ebron vs Philadelphia

Ebron has quietly been more involved in the Steelers’ offense each week this season.  The Eagles allow the 5th most yards in the league to TEs.  Don’t be afraid to put Ebron in your lineups this week.

Jonnu Smith vs Buffalo

Buffalo has allowed the most yards and 3rd most receptions to TEs this season.  Jonnu has been a very solid option for Ryan Tannehill and should continue to be moving forward.

Greg Olsen vs Minnesota

Minnesota’s defense has allowed for some good TE production this season.  Olsen, who has caught 5 passes in each of the last 2 weeks, is a good streaming option this week.

Tight Ends Sit ‘Em

Zach Ertz vs Pittsburgh

Ertz is probably the only real receiving option in Philadelphia right now, but the Steelers have been tremendous against opposing TEs this season.  I don’t have any faith in the Eagles this week.

Austin Hooper vs Indianapolis

Indianapolis has the best pass defense and has been the best defense against TEs this season.  Hooper’s only double digit point game this season was against a bad Dallas defense.  Sit him this week.

Mike Gesicki vs San Francisco

San Francisco has the 2nd best defense against TEs and Gesicki has been very inconsistent thus far.  Keep him on your bench this week against the 49ers.