Fantasy Football NFL 2024: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em: Week 5

Continuing on with this brutal year of fantasy football, we are now forced to work with bye weeks when setting up our starting lineups. This week, fantasy managers will be without a plethora of starting RBs and WRs such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, J.K. Dobbins, Amon-Ra St. Brown, plus TEs Dallas Goedert, and Sam LaPorta.

The good news is we have a couple players whose practice windows are opening; RB Nick Chubb and TE David Njoku will be practicing this week for the Browns, and Odell Beckham Jr. can begin practicing after missing the first four games. The bad news is there are more injuries to deal with. WR Rashee Rice is feared to have torn his ACL (no conclusions yet), QB Anthony Richardson is day to day with oblique and abdominal strains, RB Jonathan Taylor has a mild ankle sprain, and RB Bijan Robinson has been a limited participant at practice with a hamstring injury.

With more holes to fill now that we have teams taking a week off, let’s explore our best options heading into week 5.

Ian’s Record: 17-11

Start ’em

Justin Fields (QB, Steelers) vs Cowboys

In a game they probably should have won, Fields went off against Indy’s defense for a touchdown through the air and two on the ground. At this point it’d be silly for Mike Tomlin to make a QB swap, so Fields is set to have a date with a Dallas defense that suffered as brutal of losses as they come following their TNF bout with the Giants.

The Cowboys are currently averaging 20.1 fantasy points allowed per game to opposing QBs, and their run defense has been even more atrocious. Cha-ching.

Chuba Hubbard (RB, Panthers) at Bears

With Bryce Young out, Hubbard and the Panthers’ offense has found their stride with Andy Dalton in as QB1. Hubbard has run for 218 yards in the past two weeks and has found his way into the passing game, catching all nine targets he’s received in that same span.

While the Bears pose as a tough defense, it’s much harder to move the ball through the air than on the ground. They currently sit in the ninth-most spot for fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs, so if Carolina wants to win this game, they’ll have to pound the rock.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Colts) at Jaguars

While MPJ has had a quiet start to the season, he rebounded well in week 4 after Joe Flacco entered the game following Anthony Richardson’s injury. With Flacco set to start week 5, MPJ is set for a delicious matchup against an atrocious defense.

Jacksonville can’t figure anything out right now, and with a good offensive line and Shane Steichen’s aggressive play-calling, the Colts should have a field day on the road. And even if the Jags decide this is the week they figure everything out, Cool Joe will make this a high-scoring shootout with Pittman as his primary target. Cha-ching.

Cole Kmet (TE, Bears) vs Panthers

Kmet saw a massive uptick in targets against the Colts in week 3 then quieted down again last week, but I like the matchup here to see similar numbers to the former.

Carolina allows the fourth most fantasy points to opposing TEs and has been letting teams pour points on them. I like Kmet to use his athleticism and catching ability to find the endzone this week.

Sit ’em

Aaron Rodgers (QB, Jets) vs. Vikings (in London)

There’s a part of me that likes Rodgers to have a bounce-back game here, but sitting here thinking about what the Vikings’ defense has done to QBs in previous weeks (Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud specifically), I just don’t see it.

I understand what Jordan Love did last week, but so far this season the Jets just don’t have the play-calling power to match anything close to getting 4 touchdown passes. With the way both these defenses play, my suggestion is to slam the under in expectation of a 17-6 final score.

Rachaad White (RB, Buccaneers) at Steelers

With Baker Mayfield balling, it’s clear Tampa has become a pass-first offense. He threw the ball 47 times last week, while White was only handed the ball 10 times and saw only 3 targets.

With the addition of Bucky Irving in the mix too, it’s tough to trust White for the time being unless something changes.

Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins) at Patriots

I’ll accept flowers or money as a reimbursement gift for being forced to watch these guys play recently as a diehard Dolphins fan.

A quarterback other than Tua Tagovailoa capable of running Mike McDaniel’s offense truly may not exist. It’s unbelievable to see how much Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane suffer when Tua is not playing. The only touchdown that has come since week 2 was a rushing touchdown on the goal line in garbage time by QB Tyler Huntley.

As the only team in the league that has yet to hold a lead this season, it’s impossible for me to tell you to keep starting Dolphins players and crossing your fingers.

David Njoku (TE, Browns) at Commanders (if he plays)

As poorly as the Commanders have covered the passing game so far, they’ve done surprisingly well at keeping opposing tight ends under wraps. For the season, they’ve only allowed 11 catches for 86 receiving yards and no touchdowns.

The entirety of Cleveland’s offense is tough to trust right now regardless, but especially keep your distance from Njoku if he plays fresh off his ankle injury sustained in week 1.

BYES: DETROIT LIONS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, TENNESSEE TITANS