Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.
Fabs’ Top 10 Wide Receivers
1. Justin Jefferson vs. Chiefs
2. Tyreek Hill vs. Giants
3. Stefon Diggs vs. Jaguars (London)
4. Davante Adams vs. Packers (Mon.)
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. Panthers
6. A.J. Brown at Rams
7. Puka Nacua vs. Eagles
8. Ja’Marr Chase at Cardinals
9. CeeDee Lamb at 49ers
10. Jaylen Waddle vs. Giants
Complete Week 5 wide receiver rankings
Week 5 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES
Byes: Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Seahawks
Week 5 Start ’Em: Wide Receivers
Start of the Week
Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports
Michael Pittman Jr. vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittman Jr. had a bit of a stinker last week, but he’s been a mostly reliable option for fantasy managers. He should bounce back against the Titans, who have allowed the sixth-most points to wide receivers. The USC product has also had success against them in the past, as he’s averaged 14 fantasy points in their six career meetings in the AFC South.
Start ’Em
Terry McLaurin vs. Bears (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video): Listed as a start ’em last week, McLaurin posted 22.6 points on 10 targets in a loss to the Eagles. I’d keep him in starting fantasy lineups this week, as the veteran faces a Bears defense that’s allowed five touchdowns and nearly 30 fantasy points per game to perimeter receivers. I like McLaurin as a WR2 in most fantasy formats.
Garrett Wilson at Broncos (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Wilson has still posted good totals in PPR leagues even without Aaron Rodgers, scoring at least 14.4 points in three of his first four games. While a matchup against Broncos CB Patrick Surtain isn’t favorable on the surface, Denver’s defense has actually given up five scores and the fourth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers so far this season.
Zay Flowers at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Flowers is coming off his worst game of the season, posting just eight points in a win over the Browns. He’ll have a much easier time this week, though, as the rookie goes up against a struggling Steelers team. Their defense has given up six touchdowns and the fifth-most points to enemy receivers, so look for Flowers to blossom in this AFC North battle.
Adam Thielen at Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Thielen has been one of the hottest wide receivers in fantasy football, scoring a combined 67.1 fantasy points in his last three games. I’d continue to ride the veteran while he’s hot, and a matchup against the Lions is a positive one. Their defense has struggled against inside receivers, allowing three touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points this season.
More Starts
DJ Moore at Commanders (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Tutu Atwell vs. Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
Christian Watson at Raiders (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Zay Flowers at Steelers ($5,500)
Adam Thielen at Lions ($5,100)
Rashee Rice at Vikings ($3,600)
Week 5 Sit ’Em: Wide Receivers
Sit of the Week
Brett Davis/USA TODAY Sports
Drake London vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, Fox): London scored a touchdown and 11.8 fantasy points against the Jaguars last week in, coincidentally, London. He has been inconsistent this season, though, and the Texans defense has been tough on perimeter receivers. In fact, no one at the position has scored a touchdown in a matchup against Houston this season. I’d beware London in this contest.
Sit ’Em
Courtland Sutton vs. Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Sutton is a tough player to sit, as he’s scored 11-plus points in each of his first four games. He could be facing Jets CB Sauce Gardner this week though, and New York’s defense has been tough on perimeter receivers overall. After four weeks, an outside receiver has failed to find the end zone, and the Jets have allowed the fourth-fewest points against them.
Marquise Brown vs. Bengals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Brown has been on fire in recent weeks, scoring 16-plus points in each of his last three games. So, while that makes it tough to sit him during the bye weeks, Brown is a risk in smaller or DFS leagues. The Bengals haven’t allowed a touchdown to a perimeter receiver, and the position has averaged just over 15 fantasy points per game overall.
Michael Thomas at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Thomas has seen his numbers fall in each of his last three games, culminating in a 9.3-point stinker in last week’s loss to the Buccaneers. I’d beware the veteran this week, too, as Thomas faces a tough matchup in New England. Their defense has held CeeDee Lamb, Jaylen Waddle and Garrett Wilson to fewer than 15 fantasy points in games this season.
Tank Dell at Falcons (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Dell’s two-game hot streak cooled off last week, as the rookie scored a mere 3.9 points in a win over the Steelers. He has a tough matchup this week, as Dell and the Texans face a Falcons defense that’s allowed just two touchdowns and the second-fewest fantasy points to perimeter receivers. I’d still start Nico Collins, but Dell is a fade for me this week.
