Fantasy Football Week 5: Start ‘em/sit ‘em
By Leo Howell
Players to Sit
Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Luck is a very good quarterback, and for years to come he’s going to be a “start him every single time” kind of player.
But he’s not there just yet, and a game against the Seahawks is enough reason to sit him if you have a decent option on the bench. Have Terrelle Pryor or Michael Vick on your bench? Give them a start this week instead.
Arizona Running Backs
If you own any of the Arizona Cardinals’ running backs, do not use them this week. Rashard Mendenhall, Andre Ellington, Alfonso Smith, and Stepfan Taylor are all included here. Don’t even think about starting them against the strong front seven of the Carolina Panthers.
The Cardinals may be able to throw the ball fairly well against Carolina, but don’t expect much in the ground game. Even in the deepest of leagues, I’d rather start Rashad Jennings or Benny Cunningham than a Arizona back this week.
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
The Kansas City Chiefs are too good on defense to allow Johnson to break out this week. He struggled against the Jets in Week 4, and KC will offer a similar challenge in Week 5.
Johnson doesn’t have a good matchup for a month, but after his bye week he has five weeks worth of favorable games. So don’t give up on him quite yet, but don’t feel like you have to start him every week, either.
Kenbrell Thompkins and Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
Important note: If Danny Amendola or Rob Gronkowski start, this “sit ’em” applies. But if Amendola and Gronk can’t go, you can safely use Edelman. Thompkins is still a bit of a risk.
The return to health of the two best receiving options in New England will chew into the value of these late-round value players, so be sure to watch the injury reports. Thompkins is going to become almost totally unstartable once the Patriots are back to full strength, because he’s not going to get as many red zone looks with Gronk and Amendola back on the field.
Green Bay Packers Defense and Special Teams
For some reason, Green Bay’s defense was drafted earlier than it should have been during draft season, which means lots of fantasy owners have them sitting around on their roster.
They don’t have the best defense in the first place, and you certainly don’t want to use them when Megatron comes into town.
Calvin Johnson does very well against Green Bay, and the Detroit Lions have a very strong offense which should test the Packer D. If you spent a draft pick before the last two rounds on Green Bay, I’m sorry. You’re going to need to bench them this week.