Start
Ryan Mathews vs Denver – Mathews has been taking over in the carry department in San Diego and in week five he gets a gift wrapped Broncos defense. The Broncos have been unreliable against the run for years, and this year is no different as they have given up 102 rushing yards per game. The 102 is a deceptive number and does not accentuate how bad this team is vs the run vis a vis other teams. Early season numbers can sometimes be misleading and context must taken into account in all situations. The fact here is Kyle Orton has been horrible and the Broncos have been unable to stop the run when run against. San Diego should be up and proceed to run a ton with Antonio Gates out and Vincent Jackson banged up.
Percy Harvin vs Cardinals – Percy Harvin is coming off a refreshing week that saw him haul in five receptions for 42 yards and rush five times for 67 yards. In week five the Vikings square off against the Cardinals young secondary and this could be the game Harvin truly breaks out. Start him in all formats as a low-end WR2 with upside.
Hakeem Nicks vs Seahawks – After a terrible week three coming off of an injury, Hakeem Nicks bounced back in a big way against a porous Cardinals defense last week. Now while the Seahawks secondary does not leave as much to be desired Nicks should have another big day in week five. Start with confidence as a WR1.
Cedric Benson vs Jaguars – It looks like Cedric Benson will be available for week five and in that light it stands to reason that the mercurial running back should have a strong day against a Jaguars defense that has given up 107 rushing yards per game. Pencil him in your lineups as a RB2 with upside this week.
Kevin Walter vs Oakland – With Andre Johnson expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, Kevin Walter’s fantasy stock gets a serious boost. Owen Daniels will be the top option in the passing game followed by Arian Foster but look for Walter to be heavily involved. He does not have the upside of fellow starter Jacoby Jones but has proven more reliable. Walter is an excellent bye week filler and a decent flex play while AJ is on the shelf.
Fred Jackson vs the Eagles – It is not like you need a reminder to start F-Jax this year, but this is a week you definitely want him in your lineup as the Bills are set to face-off against a Eagles secondary that is so intimidating to pass against that they have given up the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season (24.94 in the Yahoo! game). Start F-Jax as a RB2 with RB1 upside.
Sit
Marshawn Lynch vs the Giants – With the Seahawks expected to be behind in most games this season, Lynch is not going to be the fantasy factor his workhorse lead back role would suggest. He has skills and on the right team he can flourish, this is just not the right year for this team. In week five Lynch squares off against the Giants rush defense.
DeAngelo Williams vs New Orleans – DeAngelo Williams finally had a good game in week four but in week five the Panthers head to New Orleans. With the Panthers expected to be trailing for much of this contest the run game should not generate appreciable numbers. Furthermore Jonathan Stewart is Cam Newton’s preferred pass protector so he will get more snaps than the $43 million dollar man. Sit DeAngelo this week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick vs Eagles – Ryan Fitzpatrick has had a remarkably strong season thus far but in week five he faces off against the most intimidating secondary in all of the NFL. He has some good pass catchers but they will all be working against some of the best cornerbacks in the league. No one should have drafted Fitzpatrick as their QB1 so if you are in a single QB league, you need to look at other options this week.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs Jets – BJGE faces off against a usually solid Jets rush defense and with Stevan Ridley looking like he stole his job last week, this is definitely a week to sit ‘the Law Firm’. We like Ridley more going forward and suggest trying to see if you can trade BJGE to a fellow manager that may be none the wiser. Keep BJGE on fantasy benches this week.
LaGarette Blount – Blount is coming off a strong week where he went for over 100 yards against the Colts but gets a very tough match-up against the hard-nosed, punch you in the mouth 49ers defense. The 49ers have given up the least fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
As always if you have any sit/start questions you can use the comment box below or send us a tweet @fantasysportdoc
