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 Defenses
1. Dolphins defense vs. Giants
2. Ravens defense at Steelers
3. Eagles defense at Rams
4. Lions defense vs. Panthers
5. Bills defense vs. Jaguars (London)
6. 49ers defense vs. Cowboys
7. Saints defense at Patriots
8. Chiefs defense at Vikings
9. Cowboys defense at 49ers
10. Commanders defense vs. Bears (Thur.)
Complete Week 5 team defense 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: Defenses
Start of the Week
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Dolphins defense vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Dolphins defense is a solid streamer this week against a struggling Daniel Jones and the Giants. Their offense has been, well, offensive, allowing 23 sacks (second-most in the league) and committing eight giveaways. The Fins should swim to fantasy points.
Start ’Em
Lions defense vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Lions defense has increased value in fantasy football, and this week’s matchup versus the Panthers is favorable. Facing a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young is obviously a positive, as their offense has averaged just 16.8 points and the eighth-fewest net yards per contest.
More Starts
Commanders defense vs. Bears (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Chiefs defense at Vikings (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Ravens defense at Steelers (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Texans defense at Falcons ($3,500)
Broncos defense vs. Jets ($3,200)
Saints defense at Patriots ($3,000)
Week 5 Sit ’Em: Defenses
Sit of the Week
Jaguars defense at Bills (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): The Jaguars defense is a worthwhile option when the matchup is right, but that’s not the case this week against Josh Allen and the Bills. Their offense has averaged 34.8 points and 391 total net yards per game, so the Jags could be in for a tough week.
Sit ’Em
Steelers defense vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Steelers defense has not been much of a “Steel Curtain” this season, allowing over 400 net yards per game. That’s bad news in a game against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, who have turned the ball over just five times and scored 28 points in Cleveland last week.
More Sits
Giants defense at Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Vikings defense vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS)
Rams defense vs. Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Fades (DraftKings)
Ravens defense vs. Colts ($3,700)
Saints defense at Packers ($2,900)
Vikings defense vs. Chargers ($2,800)
Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers
1. Jake Elliott at Rams
2. Tyler Bass vs. Jaguars (London)
3. Harrison Butker at Vikings
4. Justin Tucker at Steelers
5. Jake Moody vs. Cowboys
6. Jason Sanders vs. Giants
7. Riley Patterson vs. Panthers
8. Matt Gay vs. Titans
9. Wil Lutz vs. Jets
10. Matt Prater vs. Bengals
Complete Week 5 kicker rankings
Byes: Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Seahawks
Week 5 Start ’Em: Kickers
Start of the Week
Wil Lutz vs. Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Lutz has averaged a modest 7.5 fantasy points per game this season, but he’s in a good spot to find success against the Jets. Their defense has allowed a league-high 15 field-goal attempts and 12.5 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers, so consider Lutz a nice option.
Start ’Em
Matt Prater vs. Bengals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Prater has averaged a very solid nine fantasy points per game, and this week’s matchup against the Bengals makes him a nice option. Their defense has allowed 11 field-goal attempts (10 makes), and kickers have averaged 10 points per game against them this season.
More Starts
Riley Patterson vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Matt Gay vs. Titans (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Blake Grupe at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Week 5 Sit ’Em: Kickers
Sit of the Week
Brett Maher vs. Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Maher has been one of the most valuable fantasy kickers through four weeks, averaging 12.5 points per game. He could struggle this week though, as he’ll face an Eagles defense that’s allowed just two field goals and a league-low four points per game to kickers this season.
