Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 5
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 10/8/2026
Quarterbacks
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Jared Goff at ARI
He may already be viewed as a weekly starter, but I think Jared Goff has the potential to be the overall QB1 of Week 5. Despite the loss, Goff still threw for 412 yards and a TD, which managers should be encouraged about. Arizona is among the bottom in most fantasy points allowed as well as allowing a league high 9.1 yards per pass attempt and 11 passing touchdowns, so look for Goff to potentially have a massive week with his weapons healthy.
CJ Stroud at TEN
CJ Stroud been been pretty decent thus far in 2026. With his best week coming last week against the Cowboys, Stroud has a great opportunity to build on that momentum with Nico Collins healthy and playing again. Tennessee is prone to allowing big downfield plays, which Stroud has thrived on this season. I expect Stroud to put up some very solid numbers once again, making his a worthy start with other QBs injured or on Bye weeks.
Sit Em
Matthew Stafford vs BUF
Stafford's last two weeks have not been good at all in Fantasy terms as the Rams move into a very rough part of their schedule. After road games in Denver and Philly resulted in 19 and 5 points, going back home will be hopeful for Fantasy owners but against the Bills' defense won't be. With 6 TDs and 6 INTs on the season so far, Stafford is showing his age and certainly down from his terrific 2025.
Tyler Shough vs MIN
Shough didn't necessarily struggle on MNF last week but he certainly didn't do well for his Fantasy owners at just 13.65 points. The Falcons defense is on it's way to being among the best in the league but unfortunately for Shough and the Saints, Minnesota's IS the best. As the best Fantasy defense against Quarterbacks and #7 in the league in pass yards allowed, this is absolutely the week to bench Shough who's even cooled off from his rocket start to the season.
Running Backs
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Braelon Allen vs CLE
The stat sheet may not have jumped off the page in Beaelon Allen’s first start of the season, but there was some positives to take into Week 5 that makes him worth the risk. Allen was responsible for every rush attempt made by the Jets in Week 4, showing that he is the clear RB1 when Breece Hall is out. Cleveland is another tough test for Allen, but one I think he can overcome with the volume he should get once again this week.
Kyle Monangai at GB
Believe it or not, but Kyle Monangai has been one of the statistical best RBs in fantasy football this season. With multi-100+ yard games on the year, Monangai seems to have a critical role in the Bears offense even when D’Andre Swift plays. Monangai is dealing with an injury this week, but so is Swift, making the prospect of starting him extremely intriguing if Swift is unable to go. Monangai faces a Green Bay team that has allowed the 3rd-most rushing yards and second most rushing TDs through four weeks.
Sit Em
Derrick Henry at ATL
I realize how insane it is for me to say Derrick Henry should be on your bench this week but the Falcons' defense is actually becoming THAT good. The #3 ranked defense against Running Backs so far this season, Atlanta is only allowing 13 points to all running backs this season and no runner over 53 yards in a game. With the Ravens already down Lamar Jackson for this week, the Falcons will be keying in on Henry more than normally.
Jeremiyah Love vs DET
First off, Love is dealing with an ankle injury suffered last week against the Giants. Secondly, Love's touches have been very weird this season with 25 touched against the 49ers lending to 19 points but no more than 15 in any other game. With his injury, a huge matchup against the Lions and Tyler Allgeier looking like the red zone threat, watch for Love's touches and overall Fantasy performance to be very low this week.
Wide Receivers
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Michael Wilson vs DET
Michael Wilson has been phenomenal the past two weeks and I do not expect him to slow down this week whatsoever. Having amassed 30 targets the last two weeks, Wilson’s volume within the offense looks extremely promising in what should be his easiest matchup yet. The banged up Lions defense just gave up nearly 200 yards to Tetairoa McMillan has allowed the third most fantasy points to WRs this season. I predict Wilson could be in for a massive week and potentially be a matchup winner in Week 5.
Dontayvion Wicks at JAX
Week 4 was not the productive outing managers were hoping Dontayvion Wicks would have, but don’t give up hope just yet. The Eagles offense went stagnant in the second half last week, but should hopefully bounce back in Week 5. Jacksonville presents no easier a challenge for Philly, but with the likes of Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and potentially Dallas Goedert injured, Wicks might step in as Jalen Hurts’ main target for a second straight week.
Sit Em
George Pickens vs TB
Pickens' role in this Cowboys' offense is as a deep threat and defensive stretcher. It's not totally his fault because Ceedee Lamb has been BANANAS this season and it doesn't seem like Dak plans to look anywhere else. The entire offense should hit a speed bump anyway with the Buccs' defense being the 5th defense against WRs this season and only allowing 204 passing yards per game.
Garrett Wilson vs CLE
Only 2 weeks after Wilson went for 10-107-1, he should absolutely be on your bench or at the very least in a flex spot this week against the Browns. The whole offense and especially Geno Smith was bad last week in Chicago and I don't expect much of a bounce back against a Browns defense that's only allowed one-100 yard receiver all year.
Tight Ends
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Isiah Likely at WAS
Since the injury to QB Jaxon Dart, Isiah Likely has struggled to get back on track. With that said, he has faced some difficulty matchups in that span that could be the cause for his lack of volume. Likely gets a much better draw this week against the Commanders, who allow the 3rd most fantasy points to TEs. Look for Likely to be involved early and often in what could end up being a shootout.
Jake Ferguson vs TB
Jake Ferguson is another TE that has gotten off to a slow start, but TNF could be the perfect opportunity for him to break onto the 2026 scene. The entire Tampa Bay Buccaneers team is in shambles right now, making Ferguson a prime candidate to see increased production for a Cowboys team that could blow out Tampa.
Sit Em
Tyler Warren at PIT
Warren's had an okay start to the season averaging a little over 9 Fantasy points per week but I don't like this matchup for him in Pittsburgh. Ranking 21st in the season against Tight Ends, Pittsburgh has allowed back to back 11 point games thanks to touchdowns but have yet to give up more than 3 catches or 40 yards to any specific Tight End.
Tucker Kraft vs CHI
The Packers are just not good and that's affecting Tucker Kraft especially who's only touchdown on the season last week barely got him over 10 Fantasy points for the first time this season. Now they will be in Chicago for their heated rivalry match this week who ranks 2nd best against Tight Ends this season. Kraft is still a great athlete but this struggling offense won't really get anything done no matter how well he plays.
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-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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