Fantasy Football Week 5 lineup decisions: Starts, Sits, Sleepers and Busts to know for every game

Fantasy Soccer is all in regards to the matchups. Though you drafted your crew with sure hopes and intentions, your weekly lineup choices should not be decided by the order you picked your gamers in. You want to examine who your gamers play and be sure you’ve bought the fitting guys in — and the incorrect guys out.

It is too early to be completely certain on which matchups can be straightforward and which of them can be powerful, however we will take some educated guesses primarily based on wholesome personnel, defensive schemes, monitor data and key particulars of offenses. The issues we all know may also help us reduce the influence of the issues we do not know. This could result in higher choices being made.

We’ll undergo each recreation and spotlight the gamers who aren’t apparent begins and sits (since you do not should be informed to begin Jonathan Taylor). You must really feel extra snug beginning or sitting gamers primarily based on the knowledge given, and feeling snug along with your Fantasy lineup earlier than the video games begin is the most effective feeling on the planet.  

All traces from Caesars Sportsbook.

Dave’s Pocket book:

• HINES: Was the primary man — and solely man — to switch Jonathan Taylor after Taylor’s fumble/proper ankle final week. 
• HINES: Has caught 17 of 19 targets this season and really boasts a 27.1% goal per route run fee, which means he sees a superb dose of labor from Matt Ryan when he is on the sector. 
• HISTORY: Per our Chris Towers, Hines has performed 14 video games with 10-plus touches and averaged 14.0 PPR factors per recreation. In video games he is performed at the very least 50% of the snaps in, he is averaged 17.5 PPR factors per recreation. 
• COLTS: Determine to both play from behind or keep in one other aggressive recreation, making it possible Ryan will throw a superb quantity and that Hines will lead Colts operating backs in snaps performed. Ought to see a bump in carries on prime of upper goal quantity. 
• HINES: Owns an 81% profession catch fee versus zone protection in comparison with 70% versus man, and he registers simply over 1.0 extra YAC/reception (yards after catch per reception) versus zone than man. His outcomes over his previous three seasons and final season mirror these efficiencies towards zone in comparison with man. 
• BRONCOS: Rank seventh in zone protection snaps performed and have yielded an 83.3% catch fee (Seventh-worst) and a 7.27 yards per catch fee (Eleventh-worst) to operating backs. They’ve allowed a 91% catch fee and eight.5 yards per catch to operating backs of their previous two video games. 
• BRONCOS: What they’re good at isn’t permitting a variety of large performs — they permit simply 5.47 YAC/rec to RBs (fourth-best) and so they’ve missed one deal with towards operating backs on cross performs this season. 

Dave’s Notebok:

• BRONCOS: Offensive coordinator Justin Outten stated Gordon will “carry the load” this week however added that they’d “have a mixture of Boone after which after that we gotta determine who can spell & who feels finest in that place. However we belief Melvin going ahead.” 
• BRONCOS: Rotated Mike Boone and Gordon by sequence following the Javonte Williams damage final week. Boone was really on the sector first. They successfully rotated sequence, giving one another some relaxation when a drive went longer than a number of performs. 
• BRONCOS: No Denver operating again has greater than 15 carries in a recreation but this 12 months (Williams had two 15-carry video games however was underneath 10 PPR factors in every). 
• GORDON: On the season, Gordon ranks thirty fifth or worse amongst qualifying operating backs in yards per carry (3.76), rush EPA (-0.50), yards earlier than contact (1.08) and yards after contact per rush (2.68) and explosive play fee (2.7% — he has one rush for greater than 12 yards). He’s thirtieth in averted deal with fee (21.6%). 
• COLTS: Have held operating backs to three.1 yards per carry (third finest) and are top-7 in defensive whole rush EPA, defensive rush success fee and yards earlier than and after contact allowed. They’re eighth-best in missed tackles on operating again runs. They’re additionally getting DeForest Buckner again at D-tackle. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• COLTS: High-10 in zone protection snap fee with an affinity for Cowl-3 schemes. Indianapolis has completed properly towards slot receivers (top-10 in catch fee allowed to them, about league common in yards per catch and YAC/reception allowed) however they’ve managed to see the third-highest ADOT to fit wideouts by way of 4 weeks. The Colts are worse towards receivers lined up outdoors. 
• COLTS: Nickel nook Kenny Moore has allowed a 75% catch fee and loads of YAC, and the Colts had an unpleasant protection bust towards Robert Woods out of the slot for a landing final Sunday. 
• JEUDY: Far more dominant towards man protection than zone thus far this 12 months (because of the Seahawks’ busted protection in Week 1), however he has an 88% catch fee and an impressive 14.2 yards per catch common this 12 months towards Cowl-3 defenses particularly. 
• JEUDY: 61% of his routes have come from the slot.
• JEUDY: Discouraging 16.7% goal share and nauseating 52.4% catch fee with two charged drops by way of 4 weeks smothers the upside. Possibly he is heading in the right direction — final week his goal share was 20% and his catch fee was 80%.

Dave’s Pocket book:

• DILLON: Noticed 18 touches in an additional time recreation final week, which was good, however his 84 whole yards and sub-10 PPR level whole was not good. He has at the very least 15 touches in 3 of 4 video games. 
• DILLON: Hasn’t had 10-plus PPR factors in a recreation since Week 1. Additionally has a 9% goal share in his final three video games. Dillon’s performed 41% of the Packers third/fourth down snaps in that span, however most of them have been short-yardage downs (5 yards or nearer). 
• ODDS: Packers are 8.5-point favorites, a tell-tale signal that they are anticipated to play with a lead, which may result in extra speeding. 
• GIANTS: Though they held Khalil Herbert to modest numbers final week (101 whole yards), the Giants nonetheless rank Seventh-worst in rush yards per carry to operating backs (5.12) and bottom-10 in yards earlier than and after contact per rush allowed. Additionally ranked second-worst in missed tackles with 25. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• BILLS: On the season have allowed 3.07 yards per carry (second-lowest) and 5.19 yards per catch (fourth-lowest) to opposing rushers. 
• BILLS: J.Ok. Dobbins caught and ran for touchdowns final week towards the Payments, making up 12 of his 22 PPR factors. Chase Edmonds rumbled for 2 brief scores two weeks in the past towards the Payments, making up 12 of his 15 PPR factors. 
• HARRIS: Has one speeding landing and one receiving landing this season. He is averaging a tough 3.5 yards per carry and 4.8 yards per catch. 
• STEELERS: Have run 15 performs from 10 yards or nearer to the top zone over 4 weeks, tied for tenth fewest within the league. Each of Harris’ touchdowns are from 5 yards or nearer. Kenny Pickett had two goal-line plunges final week; Harris had one such carry. 
• HISTORY: Harris had 45 yards on 16 carries and a four-yard catch towards the Payments final 12 months (his first NFL recreation). 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• STEELERS: Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett will make his first profession begin in a highway recreation towards the NFL’s top-ranked cross protection. The Payments have allowed three passing touchdowns in 4 video games towards the Rams, Titans, Dolphins and Ravens offenses. All 4 have higher offensive traces and extra skilled quarterbacks than the Steelers. 
• BILLS: Rank top-10 in yards per catch (11.74), YAC/rec (3.0) and cross protection ADOT (9.91) allowed to vast receivers who line up outdoors. It doesn’t get higher for slot receivers — the Payments rank top-6 in these similar classes towards inside-formation wideouts.
• JOHNSON: Has lined up outdoors the formation and run a route on 128 of 139 routes this season. 
• JOHNSON: Has thrived on quantity all through his profession. He is loved a 30.7% goal share with Mitchell Trubisky, however as soon as Kenny Pickett entered the sport final week, that quantity shrunk to 16.7%. Likelihood is Johnson’s goal quantity will not collapse, however it’s price noting that Pickett focused George Pickens twice and Pat Freiermuth 3 times earlier than focusing on Johnson final week. Pickett additionally appeared to have his timing down with Pickens. 
• UH OH: This is a listing of all of the vast receivers who’ve exceeded 15 PPR factors towards the Payments this 12 months: Cooper Kupp.

Dave’s Pocket book:

• BILLS: Rank top-6 in catch fee (48% is finest within the league), yards per catch (8.5), and cross protection ADOT (4.12) allowed to rival tight ends by way of 4 weeks. They’ve allowed three tight finish touchdowns of their previous 21 video games. 
• BILLS: Have but to permit greater than 8 PPR factors to a good finish this 12 months. That is what Tyler Higbee had in Week 1 — on 11 targets. Mark Andrews had simply 3 PPR factors towards Buffalo final week. 
• FREIERMUTH: Had a 3-36-0 stat line in a single half with Kenny Pickett at quarterback (4 targets), nevertheless it was towards the Jets. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• CHARGERS: Have allowed essentially the most yards per carry within the league (6.08) and are bottom-three in yards earlier than and after contact allowed. The Browns must be set to run a bunch on them. 
• CHARGERS: Gave up at the very least 14 PPR factors to every of Dameon Pierce and Rex Burkhead final week.  They gave up 10-plus PPR factors to James Robinson and Travis Etienne the week prior, and nine-plus PPR to every of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon in Week 2. 
• HUNT: Noticed underneath 15 touches for the primary time in a recreation in Week 4, however posted his third outing with at the very least 4.0 yards per rush and second in three weeks with at the very least 8.0 yards per catch. He is totaled at the very least 60 yards and two catches per recreation. 
• HUNT: Had two extra carries inside the ten final week. That is 5 in two weeks. Kevin Stefanski is giving him scoring alternatives. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• NJOKU: Has seen his goal share go from 18.5% in Week 2 to 32.3% in Week 3 to twenty% in Week 4. All three numbers are terrific. He additionally has at the very least 10 PPR factors in every of his previous two video games. 
• NJOKU: Gave the impression to be extra concerned towards zone protection just lately. Up to now two weeks, 12 of his 17 targets have come towards zone, full with a 91.7% catch fee and 12.45 yards per catch. He is additionally performed twice as many snaps towards zone in comparison with man-to-man. 
• CHARGERS: Have performed the fifth-fewest share of zone protection snaps this season. They’ve particularly moved to man protection extra prior to now three weeks. 
• BRISSETT: Has a decrease completion fee and QB ranking versus man protection than zone. 
• CHARGERS: No tight finish has greater than 11 PPR or 7 non-PPR factors towards the Chargers this season. That features Darren Waller (11 PPR) and Travis Kelce (10 PPR). No tight finish has scored on the Chargers this 12 months. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• TEXANS: Allowed over 20 Fantasy factors to a quarterback for the primary time final week (Justin Herbert). Nonetheless, regardless of a powerful 62.3% completion fee allowed, the Texans rank within the bottom-8 in yards per catch allowed (12.56) and YAC/reception allowed (5.52) with a second-to-last 18 completions of 20-plus yards and a league-worst 50 missed tackles on all defensive performs.
• TEXANS: Have been taking part in much less zone protection week by week, together with going man-heavy towards the Chargers. 
• LAWRENCE: Higher towards man protection than zone however not dangerous towards both one. His kryptonite appears to be cross rush strain, which has been hit and miss for the Texans relying on the standard of the O-line they are going up towards. Jacksonville has allowed a strain on 30.3% of its performs, which is best than the league common. 
• TEXANS: Particularly not good towards slot receivers, the place they’ve averaged 13.1 yards per catch and 6.22 YAC/reception (each bottom-8). 
• LAWRENCE: Has accomplished 67% of his throws when focusing on a slot receiver for 8.58 yards per catch and 4 touchdowns. Christian Kirk has caught 13 of his 29 slot completions (Zay Jones has caught 10). 
• ODDS: The Jaguars are a seven-point favourite and have an implied crew level whole of 25.25 factors, tied for eighth-most of the week. The oddsmakers predict them to attain. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• BEARS: Nonetheless the NFL leaders in run fee (62.1%), however final week they at the very least tried to throw somewhat extra (46.7% of performs). 
• MOONEY: Final week had an ADOT of 21.6 yards and had a completion of 16-plus yards on three of 4 grabs. He is seen a goal share of 25% or extra and has been within the slot for over half of Chicago’s performs in every of the previous two weeks.
• VIKINGS: Have struggled with vast receivers typically — 69.2% catch fee (4th worst), 12.88 cross protection ADOT (third-highest) and just under league common with 13.26 yards per catch allowed — however they’re giving up an unpleasant 78.3% catch fee simply to fit receivers. 
• VIKINGS: 15-plus PPR factors to speedy deep-ball receivers (Chris Olave, DeVonta Smith, Josh Reynolds) in every of their previous three video games. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• COUSINS: Regardless of his numbers, he was good final week save for an interception. He led the Vikings on 5 red-zone journeys however got here up somewhat unfortunate on touchdowns (Jefferson TD run price him). He was barely blitzed and pressured and the Saints performed zone protection 73% of the time. It was a recipe for fulfillment for Cousins. 
• BEARS: Even with a younger secondary, the Bears are surprisingly fifth in man protection play fee this season. Nonetheless, they’re barely blitzing (20.2% blitz fee per dropback of their previous three) and are league-average in cross rush strain fee. 
• COUSINS: In opposition to man protection this season he is finishing simply 42% of his throws and has a QB ranking of 63.5. That is an enormous change from 2021 when he slashed man protection usually. However he is been pressured on 40% of these dropbacks and figures to see higher one-on-one matchups for his receivers if the Bears go for extra man protection this week. He must also have somewhat bit extra time as a result of the Bears’ cross rush is not that harmful. 
• BEARS: 20 Fantasy factors on the dot to 2 of final 3 QB, together with Daniel Jones final week. 
• HISTORY: Cousins has posted 21-plus Fantasy factors in 3 of his final 4 towards the Bears with at the very least two touchdowns in every of the 4. 
• ODDS: The Vikings are a seven-point favourite and have an implied crew level whole of 25.5 factors, tied for sixth-most of the week. The oddsmakers predict them to attain. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• HISTORY: Invoice Belichick famously pressured Goff like loopy in Super Bowl LIII, blitzing on 50% of their performs. He would possibly strive one thing related this week nevertheless it’ll be a problem due to the safety Goff will get. 
• GOFF: In a shocking flip of occasions, Goff has really been higher when blitzed (62.2% completion fee, 0.15 EPA/DB, 108.3 QB ranking) this season than not blitzed (60.4% completion fee, 0.10 EPA/DB, 96.4 QB ranking). Clearly, he is not dangerous both approach. He is not fairly as environment friendly when the strain will get close to him, however his QB ranking continues to be north of 90.0. He is additionally felt strain on simply 49 of 159 dropbacks this season.  
• PATRIOTS: Solely towards Mitchell Trubisky did the Patriots not blitz the quarterback on at the very least 29.7% of their snaps. Their season common blitz fee of 30.6% is top-10 within the league, however their cross rush strain fee (29.9%) is ninth-worst. They don’t seem to be attending to opposing quarterbacks even once they do blitz. That is a plus for Goff. 
• PATRIOTS: 20-plus Fantasy factors allowed to every of the previous two quarterbacks they’ve confronted (Lamar Jackson, Aaron Rodgers); Rodgers was a bobbled landing away from 25 factors. That additionally means the Patriots ought to have allowed seven passing touchdowns over their previous two video games as a substitute of six. 
• GOFF: General, the QB is top-12 in cross makes an attempt per recreation (37.8!) and top-10 in EPA/DB (0.12). He is additionally top-3 in passing yards (1,126) and tied for numero uno in passing touchdowns (11). 
• ON THE ROAD: In seven highway video games with the Lions, Goff has topped 20 Fantasy factors as soon as. That is a yikes. 
• GOFF: tenth in off-target passing this season (13.9% of throws). 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• LIONS: Given up 94 speeding yards and/or a speeding TD to a operating again in 17 of their previous 21 video games (going again to begin of 2021).  
• LIONS: Allowed eight speeding touchdowns to operating backs by way of 4 video games together with one to each operating again who had at the very least 9 carries. 
• HARRIS: Has 9 carries or extra in 16 straight video games together with the playoffs. Maybe extra importantly, Harris has at the very least 14 touches in every of his previous three video games with over 80 yards in two of them and a landing in all three of them. 
• STEVENSON: Has 9 carries in every of his previous three video games and 10-plus touches in each recreation this 12 months. Stevenson has additionally performed extra snaps than Harris (52.3% to 40.2%) and has dominated third and fourth downs for the Patriots (29 or 49 snaps). 
• HARRIS: Has performed 10 of 16 snaps from inside the ten and has been luckier with the landing alternatives (5 carries) than Stevenson (two carries). 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• WOODS: Successfully the Titans’ No. 1 receiver with a 19.8% goal share, Woods has lined up outdoors on two-thirds of his snaps. He is been strong, however he hasn’t averted any tackles, has one landing, solely has two red-zone targets and solely 4 performs of 16-plus yards. 
• WOODS: Has precisely 4 receptions in three straight video games, posted 12-plus PPR in every of his previous two. 
• COMMANDERS: Although they permit a reasonably stiff 62.2% catch fee to WRs, they rank bottom-seven in all the main cross protection metrics: yards per catch (14.89), YAC/reception (5.20), cross protection ADOT (12.02). And so they’ve allowed essentially the most touchdowns to vast receivers this 12 months (seven). 
• TITANS: Will play with out rookie receiver Treylon Burks, who was second on the crew in goal share earlier than his damage. That may open up a number of extra targets for Woods. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

JETS: In Zach Wilson’s first begin, Elijah Moore bought going early after which disappeared, Corey Davis got here up aces late, nevertheless it was Garrett Wilson who had a goal share north of 20% in every half. It may be a kind of issues that take time, however anticipate the rookie wideout to grow to be Zach Wilson’s finest wideout because of his velocity and agility.

DOLPHINS: As a rule it has been speedy receivers who’ve bested the Dolphins protection. Rashod Bateman had an extended catch-and-run landing in Week 1, Isaiah McKenzie wound up being a essential issue for the Payments in Week 3. Miami did its finest to remove Ja’Marr Chase final week and Tee Higgins had himself an enormous recreation, nevertheless it’s unlikely for the Dolphins to deal with taking one receiver away. 

DOLPHINS: With a 37.1% blitz/dropback fee (fourth-highest), anticipate a big-time blitz to get after Zach Wilson to attempt to drive some takeaways. The Jets must know that blitz is coming and with Miami’s prime two cornerbacks unlikely to play, anticipate them to scheme up Garrett Wilson to be a dependable short- and mid-range goal. 

WILSON: The pattern continued with Wilson being a downfield, between the numbers kind of passer. Garrett Wilson was greater than able to making performs in that space at Ohio State. This season he is seen 13 targets between the numbers, culling a 10-143-1 stat line. Not dangerous. Garrett Wilson’s 35-yard completion from Zach Wilson final week was additionally between the numbers. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• GODWIN: There was no actual snap rely final week — Godwin ran 45 routes, noticed 10 targets (similar as Mike Evans) and turned in a not-awful 7-59-0 stat line. Almost 80% of his snaps got here from the slot. 
• FALCONS: Enable an above-average 73% completion fee to receivers who line up within the slot, and so they’re tops in soccer in holding them to YAC/reception (1.96). That stated, the Falcons have seen the very best cross protection ADOT (12.97 yards) and the third-most targets to fit receivers this 12 months (37), permitting the fourth-most receptions (27) and the third-most yards (334). 
• HISTORY: Godwin had at the very least 16 PPR factors in every of two video games towards the Falcons final 12 months. He really has at the very least 13 PPR factors in every of his previous seven towards them. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• SMITH: Enters the week with the fourth-best EPA/DB amongst qualifying QBs (0.21), third-best in QB ranking (108.0) and finest in off-target throws (simply 4.5% of passes). No marvel he has posted 20-plus Fantasy factors in three of 4 video games. 
• SMITH: He is been nice when blitzed or not blitzed (QB ranking over 100 for each), and he is been good towards zone protection however straight-up dominant towards man protection (67.7% completion fee, 0.58 EPA/DB, 137.4 QB ranking, 9.42 yards per try, 12.9% TD fee). He simply would not see a lot man protection (33 dropbacks on the 12 months) due to his receivers.
• SMITH: At his worst when he is pressured (64.9% completion fee, -0.11 EPA/DB, 83.7 QB ranking). The Seahawks have labored round that by scheming up straightforward brief and intermediate throws, continuously with Smith on the transfer. He is actually solely completed poorly towards the 49ers dominant cross rush. 
• SAINTS: Lifeless final in cross rush strain fee (19.9%), third-to-last in blitz fee (15.6%) and so they play the Eleventh-most man protection. The one recreation this 12 months the Saints amped up the blitz and cross rush strain was towards the Panthers, who’ve a nasty offensive line. They’ve in any other case performed a conservative zone protection more often than not. 
• LIONS: Rank greater in blitz fee and strain fee than the Saints, and Smith simply crushed them for 320-2-0 by way of the air. 
• ODDS: Seattle has an implied crew level whole of 20.0 and are 5.5-point underdogs. That is not the right recipe for Fantasy success.

Dave’s Pocket book:

• SAINTS: High-10 in rush yards per carry (3.95), rush makes an attempt per landing (103.0) and yards after contact per try (2.5) allowed to operating backs. They’re somewhat gentle in yards earlier than contact per try (1.45), however they’ve additionally allowed one lonely speeding landing to a operating again (Cordarrelle Patterson in Week 1).
• SAINTS: It must also be famous that they’ve allowed at the very least 80 whole yards to a lead again in three of 4. Make that quantity 74 whole yards and it is all 4 video games. 
• PENNY: Eviscerated the Lions poor run protection final week to prop up his season-long numbers, however earlier than Week 4 he ranked outdoors the top-20 amongst certified RBs in yards per carry, yards earlier than and after contact, explosive rush fee and five-plus-yard rush fee. Now? He is top-17 in almost all of these classes. 
• PENNY: Additionally word that Week 4 was the primary time the Seahawks gave Penny greater than 15 touches, and it was his first recreation with greater than 70 whole yards and his first recreation with a landing. 

Dave’s pocket book:

• WILSON: Has 15-plus touches in three straight video games, posting a minimal of 74 yards and getting over 100 whole in two. He is delivered at the very least 11 PPR factors in every. 
• PANTHERS: Would you imagine the Panthers have not allowed greater than 11 PPR factors to a operating again in three straight video games? They’ve completed a pleasant job towards Saquon Barkley, Alvin Kamara and James Conner. 
• PANTHERS: Regardless of their success towards operating backs, they nonetheless permit 4.58 yards per stick with it the season and are second-worst in defensive rush success fee. 

Dave’s Pocket book:

• MOORE: In every week the place the Panthers tried to get Moore concerned (11 targets), he completed with 11 PPR factors and a lonely 50 yards (which is a season-high). 
• 49ERS: Simply stored Cooper Kupp to eight.7 yards per catch. Earlier than that they held Courtland Sutton and DK Metcalf for underneath 100 yards every. Solely Kupp and Lockett have over 100 yards, and nobody has scored on them prior to now three weeks. 
• PANTHERS: Quarterback Baker Mayfield figures to be underneath a ton of strain snap after snap because the 49ers boast among the best cross rushes in soccer. San Francisco hasn’t allowed a passing landing in three straight video games towards Geno Smith, Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford. 

Examine again for evaluation.

Examine again for evaluation.

Examine again for evaluation.

Examine again for evaluation.