NFL fantasy starts and sits for Week 5

Things may be a little harder on fantasy players this week. The Dolphins aren’t around to just auto start anyone playing them. Then again, the Bengals may just be reaching the same level as the Dolphins in terms of fantasy value. You’ll notice there are a few Cardinals that you should be playing.

On the Bye:

• Miami Dolphins
• Detroit Lions

Starts

• David Johnson, RB, Cardinals: With the Dolphins on a bye, the Bengals are the best matchup for an opposing running back to face this week, according to Fantasy Pros. It helps that Johnson is coming off his second game of the season with more than 100 total yards. You should expect a repeat of that as he faces Cincinnati.
• Josh Gordon, WR, Patriots: Gordon hasn’t been great since Week 1, and he is coming off his second to worst game of the season. That was against the Bills who only surrender 15.2 points to opposing wide receivers. This week they are facing Washington who gives up 31.9 points to opposing wide receivers. I’d also give a nod to Julian Edelman in points per receptions leagues.
• Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals: Hear me out. The Bengals just lost John Ross for, at the very least, a chunk of the season. They are still without A.J. Green, and the team is 0-4. It is hard to keep Eifert in these circumstances. He also got two targets in the endzone last week, so they are obviously trying to get him the ball. Did I mention the Cardinals are giving up 19.8 points to opposing tight ends in fantasy?
• Jameis Winston, QB, Bucs: Winston has been on a bit of a tear the past two weeks. He has seven touchdowns and two interceptions over his past two games, and one of those was against the Rams. The Saints defense has been playing tough in Drew Brees’ absence, but they are still giving up the second most points to opposing quarterbacks. If you need to stream a quarterback WInston should be your guy.

Defensive streams

• Eagles defense facing the Jets
• Cardinals defense facing the Bengals

Sits

• A.J. Brown, WR, Titans: Brown had a monster game against the Falcons, but this week he will be going up against the Bills. Buffalo has been the third best defense as holding opposing wide receivers to very little fantasy value. If you picked him up off waivers this week, just wait to start him after this week.
• Nick Chubb, RB, Browns: Chubb is coming off a game where he had 165 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Ravens. This week he is facing the 49ers who have only given up an average of 8.5 points to opposing running backs, which is the fewest of any team in the NFL. I wouldn’t blame you for leaving him in your lineup, but temper your expectations greatly.
• Delanie Walker, TE, Titans: The Bills only give up an average of 2.1 points to opposing tight ends, and Walker is coming off a game where he was only targeted twice. Maybe he can find some holes in this defense, or maybe Marcus Mariota will have to force it to him enough to make him a viable option. If you have another tight end, you should play them this week.