I hit more than I missed in week 4 and with week 5 approaching we have hit our bye week time. We have 4 teams on bye’s this week and some big names (Adrian Peterson, Doug Martin & Alfred Morris) on the sidelines, it is important to get the right guys in the lineup this week. Let’s review week 4 before we dive into week 5.
Starts & Sits that made me look good
Starts: Andrew Luck (260 yards & 2 TDs), Matt Forte (122 total yards & a TD), Bilal Powell (108 total yards) & Antonio Gates (136 yards 1 TD)
Sits: Michael Vick (19th ranked QB), Carson Palmer (18th ranked QB), Roddy White (3 catches 28 yards) & Kyle Rudolph (2 catches 6 yards)
Starts & Sits that made me look bad
Starts: New York Jets D (38 Points given up), Denarius Moore (66 yards), Cecil Shorts (61 yards)
Sits: Fred Jackson (87 yards & a TD), Ryan Matthews (103 total yards)
Week 5 Must Starts
Phillip Rivers vs. Oakland Raiders
I never thought I would be typing this but Phillip Rivers is shutting up a lot of his critics from the last few seasons. Rivers has 11 TDs and only 2 INTs to start the season; he didn’t get to his 11th touchdown until week 8 last season. In his two games at home this year has thrown for 596 yards and 7 touchdowns. The Raiders are giving up an average of 237 yards and have yet to intercept a ball. Rivers is a great start this week and has a favorable schedule over the next few weeks.
Eddie Lacy/James Starks/Jonathon Franklin vs. Detroit Lions
The Lions give up the 4 most points to running backs this year (21.8). Whoever is at the helm come Sunday for the Packers is a must start. I believe if Lacy is 100% ready to go (He was cleared by McCarthy for practice) he will be the #1 guy and if he is, he is the guy to start. If for some reason he has a setback, look at the other two for emergency help.
Maurice Jones- Drew vs. St. Louis Rams
Jones-Drew had a very good matchup last week and just didn’t come through for Fantasy owners, but remember after the 1st quarter the Colts got up 20-3 before the half. The Jaguars didn’t have much of a choice but to abandon the run. The Rams gave up a total of 328 yards and 2 touchdowns to starting running backs over the past two games. Even though you may have given up hope, I would start MJD this week without hesitation.
Marques Colston vs. Chicago Bears
Colston has been a really good PPR receiver this year. He has 21 catches for 298 yards but only has 1 touchdown so far. This week they face a Bears team that is still trying to find its identity on defense and have been torched by #1 WR over the last few weeks. Colston was targeted Monday Night 8 times and will be heavily targeted in this matchup as well, I consider him a must start and a solid WR1 this week.
Desean Jackson vs. New York Giants
Jackson has had back to back disappointing performances (96 total yards/0 TDs), but has a favorable matchup this week against the Giants. They have given up 10 total touchdowns to opposing WR/TE through 4 games. Jackson stat line should look more along the line of his 1st two games instead of his previous two.
Julius Thomas vs. Dallas Cowboys
Orange Julius is coming to Dallas and couldn’t be at a better time either. The Cowboys gave up 10 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown to Antonio Gates in week 4. Peyton is good at taking advantage of opposing team’s weaknesses and should have no problem finding OJ all day on Sunday.
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Panthers are coming off a huge performance against the Giants and there bye week as well. The Cardinals are just averaging 320 YPG as well only 17.3 PPG, both of which are in the bottom half of football. The Panthers are a great start as well as have great matchups over the course of the next few weeks.
Week 5 Must Sit
Andrew Luck vs. Seattle Seahawks
Look if you have no other options this week I understand you have to go with Luck this week. (Or you could go grab Hoyer or Rivers this week)But Luck struggled against the 49ers defense and this Seattle D is better. Even though Schaub had a ton of success against them, I don’t think the Colts will be able to run the ball as well as the Texans did last week.
Russell Wilson vs. Indianapolis Colts
Colts are only giving up 9.8 PPG to opposing QBs; Wilson was saved last week because of the plays he made with his legs. He struggles against 2 good defense and the Colts had no problem shutting down Kaepernick in week 2. Wilson should only be started in deep leagues or 2 QB leagues in week 5.
Jason Snelling vs. New York Jets
Snelling had 8 carries for 26 yards and only 1 catch for 8 yards last week against the Patriots. He faces a Jets team this week that is only giving up 79 YPG on the ground. I wouldn’t have Snelling in any lineups this week.
Daryl Richardson vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Do not be fooled by this fantastic matchup for him this week. Richardson just hasn’t been good at all this year and dealing with a foot injury hasn’t helped at all either. Richardson should stay on the bench in all formats.
Nate Washington vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Nate has been on fire back to back weeks but the Titans are finally facing a team that is just good at football. Washington isn’t going to be able to burn the Chiefs the same way he did the Chargers and Jets. They are only giving up 189 YPG through the air; he is a very low WR3 this week.
Anquan Boldin vs. Houston Texans
The Texans are ranked 6th against WRs this year, only giving up an average of 15.8 PPG. They also have given up a league low 390 yards to receivers. Boldin had a great bounce back game last week against the Rams but this week he faces a tough defense and as seen in week 2 and 3 he can be shut down. I would only play him if you are having bye week trouble this week.
Denver Broncos D vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Broncos D have been good not great this season, they are in the bottom half of the league in YPG and they are giving up 22 PPG which is middle of the pact. They have been saved by 2 Trindon Holliday kick/punt returns this year. The Cowboys can score points and have a good chance at doing so this weekend. I would look on the waiver wire for a better option this week.
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