Here are the guys you should smash(start) in your lineups and the guys you should be passing on(sitting) for week 5! These aren't guys you 100% have to start or 100% have to bench, they're just guys we believe are going to exceed expectations this week or fall short of what they're expected to do.
Quarterbacks:
Smash
Shawn - Matt Stafford @ JAX: Matt Stafford is slept on in fantasy every year, not for the wrong reasons he can be inconsistent. But this dude can still sling it and is averaging 25 ppg since Kenny Golladay came back from injury. Plug Stafford into your lineup with confidence coming off a bye week with a fully healthy squad! Top 10 option this week no doubt.
Q - Ryan Fitzpatrick vs NYJ: Is Fitzmagic back? It's never pretty the way he puts up points, but somehow at the end of the day, he manages to get 20+ fantasy points week after week. Since that poor week one performance, Fitzpatrick has 20+ points in every game and 28+ points in 3 of 4. This week he gets the Jets and as long as Myles Gaskin doesn't steal the thunder in the red zone, Fitzpatrick will produce again this week. A viable starter for sure.
Matty P - Deshaun Watson @ TEN: Watson should be locked back into your lineups as an elite fantasy option. This week he gets the Titans and I know they just shut down Josh Allen, but that was more of a fluke than anything. Prior to their COVID strike, they gave up 25+ points to Gardner Minshew and Kirk Cousins in consecutive weeks. Expect Watson to thrive again this week, plug him into your lineups as a guy with top 5 upside.
Tgods - Matt Ryan vs MIN: Matty Ice has been ice cold, but I said on Thursday's podcast that I am a big fan of Matty Ice this week. I fully expect him to break out of this slump. He gets Julio back this week with no injury designation and the Vikings secondary is definitely beatable for quarterbacks. I expect at least 20 fantasy points from Matty Ice this week with 2+ touchdowns. He's my lock of the week.
Pass
Shawn - Joe Burrow @ IND: Joe Burrow had 4 fantasy points last week, simply 4. Now he gets another elite defense this week and I'm just not sure this offensive line can hold up. He might get some garbage time in this one, but I just don't see him as a viable option this week. He has some upside rest of season, but he is best left on the bench this week.
Q - Teddy Bridgewater vs CHI: Teddy was on my Smash list last week, but this week the Bears defense is a different beast. They held Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, and Tom Brady all to less than 17 fantasy points. Even at home, downgrade Teddy and expect this game to be a low-scoring affair. I'm nervous about Teddy and the Panthers this week after two good weeks in a row.
Matty P - Teddy Bridgewater vs CHI: Q and I are in the same boat here, I also liked Teddy a lot last week, but this matchup is way too tough to overcome. Teddy has not proven himself to be an every-week fantasy starter just yet. If he somehow has a solid game again this week vs CHI, then maybe I'll believe it. The only way I'm starting Teddy this week is if my QB is on a bye and there's truly no one on waivers that is a better option.
Tgods - Carson Wentz vs BAL: Carson proved me wrong last week against PIT putting up a decent fantasy performance. If you started him you got lucky because I don't see him putting up as good of a performance this week vs BAL. The only quarterback to go off against this defense this season was Patrick Mahomes. Wentz is a good QB, but is not Mahomes and does not have the weapons Mahomes does. No Djax or Alshon again this week either. Stay away from Wentz until next week.
Running Backs:
Smash
Shawn - Raheem Mostert vs LAR: Raheem Mostert is pushing RB1 territory for me. When he is healthy, he produces big numbers. He was good last season down the stretch for the 49ers and this season in two and a half games he is averaging 20 ppg. He is a must-start running back, do not put him anywhere near your bench.
Q - Antonio Gibson @ NYG: Gibson had a bit of a down week last week, where McKissic actually ended up with 1 more fantasy point than he had. However, Gibson is still the most talented running back in this group and he's seeing a ton of work out of the backfield. The Giants also are a very favorable matchup for running backs, bottom 12 in the league. Plug Gibson back in this week and expect top-20 numbers.
Matty P - D'andre Swift @ JAX: Swift has yet to break out just yet this season. AP coming into this game after overcoming illness and I think they still want Swift to be the guy of the future here. After the bye, I think Swift will be worked into the offense a bit more and I ranked him over Peterson this week. The Jags offense will keep up with the Lions, so I think Stafford will have to throw here. Swift has 10+ points in 3 of 4 games and I think he gets at least 10 again this week.
Tgods - Myles Gaskin vs NYJ: Do I need to explain this one? Ok, I will anyway just in case. The Jets run defense is putrid, horrible, stinky, smelly, and just outright bad. They are bottom 4 in the league and have given up 7 rushing touchdowns in the last 4 weeks. Gaskin will be the one to find the endzone this week so start him unless you're crazy.
Pass
Shawn - Kenyan Drake @ DAL: Do I need to explain this one? Another favorable matchup and another disappointment on the docket. Against the Jets, he was only able to get 13 fantasy points. Mostert had 20 in one half. He's not catching any passes out of the backfield so he's more of a TD dependent RB2. RB is so shallow that you're probably still rolling him out there, but you don't feel good about it at all. I'd go as far as to say that I prefer Edmonds over him this week. He has a safer floor with the pass-catching ability.
Q - Joe Mixon @ IND: The volume has been there for Mixon but that RB1 production has not been. Aside from the amazing performance against a poor Jaguars defense, Mixon has had no more than 14 in a game. Kareem Hunt in a better offense last week had the best performance of any running back vs the Colts this season with 18 points. Unless Mixon scores, he's going to have a tough matchup in this one. I would not be mad if you benched him this week, but running backs are scarce so you may not have a better option. You're stuck with Joe this week but don't expect much.
Matty P - David Montgomery @ CAR: David Montgomery only has 20 carries for 56 yards in the past two weeks. He is simply not getting it done on the ground. Luckily last week he had 7 catches for 30 yards that helped him get to this 18 point performance. However, I am just not a fan of Montgomery and I know Gurley had a good game against the Panthers last week, but he is no Gurley. He looks a step slower than a lot of the league's best backs, you're probably starting him if you have him, but don't be shocked if he gets less than 10 points.
Tgods - Ravens Backfield @ PHI: This backfield is a mess and continues to be a mess. Gus Edwards being in the mix is something no one expected in the preseason, but yet here we are in week 6 and none of their running backs are relevant. No Ravens running back is better than 38th on the season. The Eagles are top 10 against running backs this season. Stay away for your own good.
Wide Receivers:
Smash
Shawn - Kenny Golladay @ JAX: I already told you to start Stafford, are you not starting his #1 option? Marvin Jones has been nearly non-existent this year so it's the Golladay and Hockenson show this season. Golladay seems to have been forgotten about in the fantasy community, but he will make everyone remember who he is this week. Plug him in with confidence.
Q - AJ Brown vs HOU: A huge performance last week reminded us why AJ Brown has breakout potential this season. After dealing with that injury he is back and gets a beatable Houston secondary this week in a game where they will most likely have to throw. Lock AJ Brown back into lineups this week and don't look back for the rest of the season.
Matty P - Terry McLaurin @ NYG: The G-men are giving up a ton of points to opposing wide receivers and I think people are being scared away by the QB. Don't be. Kyle Allen was moving the ball well last week before getting hurt and I expect them to be able to move the ball with ease against this defense. McLaurin is too talented not to continue to be involved in this offense. Expect a bounce-back game this week.
Tgods - Chase Claypool vs CLE: The dude had four touchdowns last week. F O U R. Diontae Johnson is out and the Browns are bottom 3 against WR's this season in fantasy. You're finding a way to start Claypool this week and you're going to feel good when he's able to find the endzone again this week. He could be a legit NFL star.
Pass
Shawn - Deebo Samuel vs LAR: Deebo is going to be fine, I actually have him in a couple of my own leagues. However, I want to see it before I believe it. They're still easing him back up to speed and that offense looked out of sorts last week. They're going to have to throw this week against the Rams, but I think the risk of a bust performance is there until Jimmy G gets his legs back under him. I'd rather be one week late to plugging him into my lineup than risk it this week. I have him as a low-end flex play this week if you don't have anyone else.
Q - Amari Cooper vs ARI: I'm a bit nervous about Amari Cooper this week. Andy Dalton has a lot of reps in with the second-team offense with guys like Gallup and Dalton Schultz. He may just shy away from feeding the best receiver on this team and someone is going to be impacted by the downgrade from Dak to Andy. You're still starting cooper but after a four-point dud, downgrade expectations to the WR2 range this week.
Matty P - Darius Slayton vs WAS: I'm probably the guy that likes Slayton the most on this podcast, but I'm shying away from him this week. Shockingly, the Washington Football team has been stingy against opposing WRs, a top 3 unit in the league. They've only allowed two WR touchdowns all season. If you're starting Slayton you're hoping for the target volume to continue and for him to get that big play. It may not come this week, so prepare yourselves for that.
Tgods - DJ Moore @ CHI: See what Matt said above? Yeah well, the Bears are second-best in the league against wide receivers. They've only given up one touchdown to opposing Wide Receivers. DJ Moore only has one touchdown this season. I highly doubt he gets his second this week. Robby Anderson has emerged as the #1 option on this team and Moore is playing second-fiddle. If you have other options roll with them because Moore will be getting between 6-11 points this week.
Tight Ends:
Smash
Shawn - Irv Smith Jr @ ATL: My Breakout from this week's podcast, he was involved last week with 4 catches for 64 yards. A few tight ends on a bye this week such as Olsen, Cook, Henry, and Waller. By no means do I think Irv Smith is a lock. However, the Falcons secondary is so bad so why not this week? If you're desperate throw in this high-risk play and look like a genius when he gets 10+ points again this week.
Q - TJ Hockenson @ JAX: Shawn is already smashing Stafford and Golladay so I'll hop on the Lions train here and say smash Hockenson this week. Hockenson has evolved as the #2 option on this offense behind Golladay and has been getting a ton of targets. The Jags are also bottom 8 against tight ends in terms of fantasy points so plug Hock in this week!
Matty P - Robert Tonyan @ TB: I don't know why a lot of other fantasy analysts are low on Tonyan this week. I get the Adams is coming back, but the dude has 5 touchdowns in his last three games and is looking like Aaron Rodgers' second favorite passing target. I think he will continue to stay involved in this offense and even without a TD this week will, he will be in the mix for sure.
Tgods - Jonnu Smith @ HOU: Jonnu Smith is 3rd among tight ends this season in fantasy points and already had his bye week. He's looking like the second coming of Delanie Walker in this offense and he continues to be involved. You most likely won't have a better option and the Texans are middle of the pack against tight ends, so Jonnu will be good again this week.
Pass
Shawn - Rob Gronkowski @ GB: I might just keep Gronk here as my pass every week as a warning to people who are still believing in his name. Take away the name. He has 12 catches in 5 games and 0 TDs. He's waiver bait and should not be owned. Godwin is back, Mike Evans is the main redzone target, and even Cameron Brate has a TD this year instead of Gronk. They also have 2 capable running backs in the redzone and if they get to the 1 Brady is punching it in himself. Stay away from Gronk in fantasy unless you still believe in the name, but he's barely worth a bench spot at this point.
Q - Tyler Higbee @ SF: My Pass this week was going to be Noah Fant, but he's out anyways so I switched it up to Higbee. He only has 8 targets in the last 3 weeks and 16 fantasy points. Gerald Everett on the same team has 24 fantasy points over that span. Stay away from Higbee until he proves he can be a bit more consistent. Look for some of the older veterans on waivers that have shown some life this season like Jimmy Graham.
Matty P - Hayden Hurst vs MIN: Hurst hasn't had double-digit fantasy points since week 2. Julio is back this week and Matt Ryan has been struggling. As the 3rd/4th option in the passing game, Hurst is a risky start. The Vikings are also top 15 against TE's this season, only allowing one TD. Look elsewhere this week at TE.
Tgods - Zach Ertz vs BAL: With Djax and Alshon out again this week, Ertz is going to find himself double/triple-teamed all game. The Ravens are also a solid defensive unit, I'm nervous about Ertz even with the targets he's seeing. Wentz and Ertz are having a tough time getting on the same page, maybe next week against the Giants he can get things moving in the right direction. For now, bench him if you have another option.
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