It’s week 5, guys! It’s time to set those imaginative decks! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the definitive look at the best and worst matchups in a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I’ll examine players and defenses that could exceed or fail to meet expectations based on their weekly opponent… like the Seahawks’ defense in Week 3!
For final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also make sure you Subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast With Lindsay Rhodes and me, where we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!
All positions: QBs | Natural resources | WRS | TEs | K&DST
1. Brandon Oubre at Steelers
2. Harrison Butker vs. Saints (Monday)
3. Evan McPherson vs. Ravens
4. Cairo Santos vs. Panthers
5. Kaimy Fairbairn vs. Bills
6. Jake Moody vs. Cardinals
7. Justin Tucker on Bengals
8. Chase McLaughlin at Falcons (Thursday)
9. Chris Boswell vs. Cowboys
10. Austin Seibert vs. Brown
Complete your Week 5 kicker rankings
Goodbye weeks: Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Titans
The beginning of the week
Evan McPherson vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McPherson was one of the best players in fantasy four weeks later, averaging just under 11 points per game. That success should continue this week, as they face a Ravens defense that has allowed three kickers to beat them by at least nine points including one (Daniel Karlsson) who scored 18 points.
Start ’em
Carrillo Santos vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Santos has struggled in the past two weeks, scoring a total of 12 fantasy points. However, he should rebound this week, as he has an extra game against the Panthers. Four weeks later, their defense allowed kickers to average 10.8 fantasy points per game. This is fourth in the league.
Wil Lutz vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Lutz scored double-digit points in two of his first four games, which was good enough to rank him in the top 12 among kickers. He’s a good player this week, as the veteran faces off against a Raiders defense that has given up 11 or more fantasy points to three players in the first four games of the season.
Kickers with good matchups
Sitting a week
Greg Zuerlein vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Zuerlein put up a solid nine fantasy points last week, but he’s averaged just 5.3 points overall this season. I’ll keep him on the sidelines in London, where he faces a Vikings defense that allows just three field goals and the fewest fantasy points to kickers this season.
Sit ’em down
Dustin Hopkins in Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hopkins scored 20 fantasy points in his first two games, but since then has only had six points on two scoring attempts. I would have faded as a veteran against the leaders, who were strict with their kicks. In fact, their defense allowed just five field goals and 6.5 points per game to get to that position.
Greg Joseph at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Joseph came out last week and scored 19 points in the loss to the Cowboys. However, I won’t chase points, because he’ll have a tough game in Seattle. Four weeks later, their defense allowed an average of 6.8 fantasy points per game to opposing forwards. This is the eighth lowest in the league.
Kickers with bad matchups
1. Broncos defense against the Raiders
2. Chiefs vs. Saints Defense (Monday)
3. Seahawks’ defense against the Giants
4. Dolphins defense vs. Patriots
5. Vikings defense against planes (London)
6. 49ers defense against Cardinals
7. Bears defense against Panthers
8. Leaders’ defense against Brown
9. Packers defense at Rams
10. Broncos Raiders defense
Complete our Week 5 defense rankings
The beginning of the week
Broncos defense vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): The Broncos’ defense has been solid the past two weeks, shutting down Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers and scoring 26 fantasy points. Next up is a positive date at home against the Raiders, who committed six giveaways and allowed 14 sacks. Expect Denver to post a strong streak this weekend.
Start ’em
Seahawks defense against Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Giants’ offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 15 points and less than 300 yards per game. They also committed six turnovers and allowed nine sacks to Daniel Jones. Playing at Lumen Field will also be an advantage, so look for the Seahawks to fly high this week.
Dolphins defense at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Miami’s defense can be useful when the matchup is right, and that’s the case this week against the Patriots. Their offense is averaging 13 points and 239 yards per game, and their line has allowed 17 quarterback sacks. All of this makes the Dolphins an attractive option in fantasy leagues.
Defenses with good matchups
Sitting a week
Steelers Cowboys defense (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Cowboys’ defense is a disaster, with both Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence sidelined with injuries. This destroys the value of this unit in fantasy, and facing Justin Fields and the Steelers on the road is not a great matchup. At this point, I wouldn’t hesitate to drop them.
Sit ’em down
Jets defensive end vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): The Jets’ defense is in the top 12 in fantasy points, but I’d fade to Sam Darnold and the Vikings. Through the first four weeks, their offense averaged 29 points and 341 yards of total offense. Darnold will want revenge on the team that drafted (and resigned) him, too.
Brown’s Defense on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): I dare say the Commanders’ offense has been elite in the first four weeks. In that time, Jayden Daniels and his staff put up an average of 30.3 points and 382 yards of total offense. The Browns’ defense hasn’t lived up to expectations so far this season, so I’ll keep this unit on the sidelines in fantasy.
Defenses with bad matchups
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