It is that time of year in the NFL, the first week of bye weeks. This is the time of year when fantasy football really gets going. The season is four games in, which is a big enough sample size to judge a player or team going into Week 5. Some players this week have some great matchups, while others will struggle to put up points. Here are the best starts and some must sits going into Week 5 of the NFL season.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Tyrod Taylor vs Cincinnati Bengals
As the quarterback for the first place team in the AFC East, Tyrod Taylor is playing at a high level through the first quarter of the season. However, he has yet to have a great fantasy game and still is without a rushing touchdown. There are a few reasons to believe he will have a big game in Week 5. Since taking over the starting quarterback role in Buffalo, Tyrod has never gone five straight games in a season without scoring a rushing touchdown. Since the Bengals give up the most rushing yards to quarterbacks this season, Taylor could rip off a big run for a rushing touchdown, which would make him a great start in Week 5.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Philip Rivers vs New York Giants
Even if he did look great in Week 4, Philip Rivers is starting to show signs of his age. Rivers is developing a turnover problem. Rivers has 12 interceptions in his last seven road games and passed for his lowest yardage total of the season in his one road start. The most telling bit of information may be about what happened last time Rivers played a road game in the Eastern time zone. The last time the Chargers played in the Eastern time zone, they lost to the Cleveland Browns, which would end up being the only win for the Browns all season. Only start Rivers if you must.
Start of the Week Running Back – Duke Johnson Jr. vs New York Jets
Even at 0-4 this season, the Cleveland Browns still have a few players worth starting in fantasy. The best one is likely Duke Johnson. Johnson is turning into one of the premier receiving running backs in the NFL. He faces a New York Jets team in Week 5 that is weak against stopping receiving running backs. The Jets allow backs to catch 78% of targets for 55 yards per game. Johnson has seen his role in the running game increase slightly, as he already has two rushing touchdowns on the season. Johnson is a great starting option in PPR leagues.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Joe Mixon vs Buffalo Bills
Through the first four games of his career, Mixon has been a lackluster running back. His 2.6 yards per carry ranks last amongst running backs with at least 50 carries. This week he faces one of the top fantasy team against running backs. The Buffalo Bills are giving up the third fewest points to running backs in Yahoo leagues. Mixon has not shown enough to warrant a start against a tough defense. Leave him on the bench in Week 5.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Dez Bryant vs Green Bay Packers
An angry Dez Bryant can be a blessing in fantasy football, and Dez should be angry on Sunday when he plays against the Green Bay Packers. The Packers knocked the Cowboys out of the playoffs last season, but Bryant did everything he could in the loss, catching nine passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant has played five games against the Packers in his career, scoring a touchdown in three and topping 130 yards receiving twice. Look for the Cowboys to be throwing in Bryant’s direction all game long.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – Doug Baldwin vs Los Angeles Rams
The Seattle Seahawks top receiver is in for a tough game and Sunday and may not be able to do much to help your fantasy team. In Doug Baldwin’s last two road games against the Rams, he had total 70 yards receiving and scored a touchdown. Those numbers are not too bad, but they came against a worse Rams team. This year’s group is only allowing receivers to catch 53% of targets and is giving up the eighth-fewest receptions per game to the position. Expect both teams to employ a run-first approach this weekend, making most of the pass-catchers in this game a risky start.
Start of the Week Tight End – O.J. Howard vs New England Patriots
Showing in Week 4 why he was a first-round draft pick, O.J. Howard is a must-start against the New England Patriots in Week 5. The Patriots are in the top five for most fantasy points given up to tight ends this season. Howard is a great mix of size and speed, making him a mismatch for everyone in New England’s linebacking core and their secondary. Make sure to get Howard in your lineup early, as his Buccaneers are playing on Thursday night this week.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Jack Doyle vs San Francisco 49ers
One of the biggest surprises in the NFL, or at least in fantasy matchups, is the quality of the 49ers defense against opposing tight ends. The 49ers are giving up a league-low 19.25 receiving yards per game to the position and have yet to allow a touchdown. If Andrew Luck was starting for the Colts, it might be possible to overlook these stats, but until he comes back a bad matchup for the Colts is very difficult to overcome.
Start of the Week Defense – Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals
The Philadelphia Eagles defense has struggled to contain the big play this year, but otherwise, the unit as a whole is one of best in the NFC. The Eagles have the second-best rush defense, allowing only 70 yards per game. With Carson Palmer ageing and continuing to struggle to deliver the ball deep the field, the Eagles will not need to worry too much about their secondary getting exposed. Palmer is also the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. The Eagles should be able to get a few sacks to help their fantasy production.
Sit of the Week Defense – Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Texans will have their hands full on Sunday, as they play the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans give up the fifth fewest years per game, and with seven turnovers and two defensive touchdowns on the season, they are a top ten defense in most leagues. The Chiefs are a tough team to generate fantasy points against. Alex Smith rarely turns the ball over, and their rookie running back, Kareem Hunt, is one of the best players in the NFL this season. With the potential for a shootout between these two teams, the smart move is to leave the Texans out of your fantasy lineup.
Start of the Week Kicker – Graham Gano vs Detroit Lions
Coming off one of the biggest kicks of his career, Graham Gano gets the nod for the “Start of the Week” at the kicker position. Gano is averaging 2.5 fields per game this season and will start to produce more points as the Panthers offense improves. The Lions have a good defense, meaning the Panthers will need points from Gano if they are to win the game.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Jason Myers vs Pittsburgh Steeler
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done an excellent job this season against opposing kickers, limiting them to the second-fewest fantasy points. Jason Myers career field percentage is 18% lower on the road than it is at home. There are many better kicking options this week than the Jason Myers of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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