It’s hard to believe that it is already Week 5 of the NFL season. Seems like just yesterday we didn’t have to stress about who to start or sit on the New York Jets, or if the Cincinnati Bengals offense could be trusted to score double digit fantasy points. But here we are, and The League Winners are here to help with those Start or Sit decisions for Week 5!
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 5 – Start
Breece Hall, RB – New York Jets at Denver Broncos (Erika Brown)
This could be a fantastic game for Breece Hall. Because of that Miami matchup in Week 3, Denver sits in last place for fantasy points given up to running backs. Head coach Robert Saleh mentioned this week that Hall is no longer on a pitch count and could see more snaps. We have already seen some explosiveness from Hall in Week 1, where he ran 127 yards on a stout Buffalo defense and ended the week as the RB11. I look for Breece to be a top 12 fantasy RB again this week.
Zach Wilson, QB – New York Jets at Denver Broncos (Sheldon Hand)
Zach Wilson had a decent game against the tough Kansas City defense. He managed 19.2 fantasy points and helped keep things close. The Jets now take on the Denver Broncos who are sitting dead last against fantasy QBs. The only QB to not score 20 points against them was Jimmy Garoppolo back in Week 1 (16.1), but he was still a top 12 QB that week. This is not your 2022 Broncos, they just allowed Justin Fields to throw four TDs last week. Wilson has top 12 upside this week. You are starting him over Daniel Jones, Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, and dare I say Trevor Lawrence.
Michael Pittman, WR – Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans (Harry Prskalo)
Michael Pittman had a disappointing showing last week ending with 4.5 fantasy points. This week should be a different story. The Tennessee Titans allow the 10th most passing yards in the league and Anthony Richardson has a cannon of an arm to give Pittman big play opportunities. Everyone knows the Titans shut down the run, and the best way to beat them is through the air. Start Pittman and he should deliver a nice bounce back game!
Darren Waller, TE – New York Giants at Miami Dolphins (Mikey Cannavo)
The Giants offense has been beyond lackluster, but their lone bright spot (outside of a healthy Saquon Barkley) is tight end Darren Waller. The Miami Dolphins are 25th in fantasy points given up to the tight end position. Darren Waller has also been on the field for over 90% of snaps and is third in routes run for the tight end position. The offense should run through Waller Sunday afternoon.
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 5 – Sit
George Pickens, WR – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (Erika Brown)
The Ravens defense is near the bottom of the pack when it comes to giving up fantasy points to wide receivers. But this is more of a QB/WR duo problem. George Pickens sits at WR35, but last week against the Texans, he only scored 5.5 fantasy points on three total receptions. To top off, this week he has a potential new QB in Mitchell Trubisky. With the uncertainty of the quarterback for the week, along with the terrible offense the Steelers have been producing, sit Pickens this week.
Evan Engram, TE – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills (Sheldon Hand)
It is hard to bench a consistent option at the TE position, but I would look to pivot away from Evan Engram this week. The Buffalo Bills have been tough against TEs this year allowing only 4.6 points per game to the position. Yes, they haven’t faced the toughest matchups at TE, but this Bills D has taken care of business this year. Durham Smythe has the best stat line against them with 4 receptions for 41 yards. The Tre’Davious White injury could hurt the Bills, but that shouldn’t affect their ability to shut down the TE. I’d be willing to pivot to Higbee, Kincaid, Ertz, Schultz, and possibly Hurst this week.
Jonathan Taylor, RB –Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans (Harry Prskalo)
As of this moment they have not confirmed if Jonathan Taylor is playing, but being a back to back full participant at practice is a good sign. Taylor has all the talent in the world, but this is not the week to play him. The Titans allow the 4th least rushing yards in the NFL. They have been shutting down teams all season. With Taylor coming back from an injury and no training camp, I am sitting him this week. The same applies for Zack Moss if Taylor wasn’t to play. There will be brighter days for Taylor.
Kyren Williams, RB – Los Angeles Rams vs Philadelphia Eagles (Mikey Cannavo)
Kyren Williams has been a touchdown machine on the field for the Rams this year. His kryptonite may be the Philadelphia Eagles second best run defense in the league. The Rams may look to air the ball out even more against a banged up secondary. I’m pivoting off Williams if I have the depth to do so.
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.