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 Quarterbacks
1. Patrick Mahomes at Vikings
2. Josh Allen at Jaguars (London)
3. Jalen Hurts at Rams
4. Lamar Jackson at Steelers
5. Anthony Richardson vs. Titans
6. Tua Tagovailoa vs. Giants
7. Kirk Cousins vs. Chiefs
8. Jared Goff vs. Panthers
9. Justin Fields at Commanders (Thu.)
10. Jordan Love at Raiders (Mon.)
Complete Week 5 quarterback rankings
Week 5 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSE
Byes: Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, SeahawksS
Week 5 Start ’Em: Quarterbacks
Start of the Week
Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports
Tua Tagovailoa vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Tagovailoa has been up and down in the stat sheets, scoring more than 27 points twice while also scoring fewer than 14 points in two games. I like him to produce a big stat line this week, as he faces a Giants defense that’s allowed 20-plus fantasy points to Brock Purdy and Joshua Dobbs over their first four games. Tua should put up a top-10 fantasy total.
Start ’Em
Kirk Cousins vs. Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Cousins is coming off his worst stat line of the season, scoring just 9.6 fantasy points in a win over the Panthers. I like him to get back in our good graces this weekend, though, as he faces the Chiefs in what figures to be a shootout. The total opened at 53.5, and Cousins has averaged 19.8 fantasy points in his last 11 home games dating back to last season.
Jared Goff vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Guess who’s back at home? That’s right, it’s our good buddy Goff. In his last 11 games at Ford Field, the veteran has averaged 21.2 fantasy points. That includes throwing 27 touchdown passes to just five interceptions. So, while the Panthers have actually been tough on quarterbacks this season, I’m still starting Goff with relative confidence in this NFC contest.
Jordan Love at Raiders (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Love is coming off his worst stat line of the season, and he still scored nearly 18 fantasy points in a loss to the Lions. He’s a viable top-10 option this week, as the Packers travel west to face the Raiders in the “Davante Adams revenge game.” Las Vegas has been generous to quarterbacks, surrendering more than 20 points per game to the position.
Matthew Stafford vs. Eagles (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Stafford hasn’t been great in the stat sheets, but he seems to be good for a 14- to 16-point floor on a weekly basis. He has a nice matchup against the Eagles, who have allowed 19-plus points to three quarterbacks including Mac Jones and Sam Howell. In all, Philadelphia has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2023.
More Starts
Justin Fields at Commanders (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)|
Sam Howell at Bears (Thur. 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
Joshua Dobbs vs. Bengals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox)
DFS Bargains (DraftKings)
Matthew Stafford vs. Eagles ($5,600)
Joshua Dobbs vs. Bengals ($5,200)
Zach Wilson at Broncos ($4,900)
Week 5 Sit ’Em: Quarterbacks
Sit of the Week
Joe Burrow at Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): I’m putting Burrow here to try and reverse jinx him into reverting back to the quarterback we’ve known and loved. He has been awful this season, averaging 7.9 points per game. That’s around 13 less than he averaged in 2022! So, even though this week’s matchup in Arizona is a good one, I simply can’t trust Burrow to post a good total at this point in time.
Sit ’Em
Trevor Lawrence at Bills (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Lawrence has not lived up to fantasy expectations after the first four weeks, averaging just 14.4 points per game. Next on the schedule is a matchup in London against the Bills, who have been tough on opposing quarterbacks. In fact, no team in the league has given up fewer fantasy points to the position, so be wary of Lawrence.
Dak Prescott at 49ers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Prescott hasn’t had a good statistical start to the season from a fantasy perspective, averaging fewer than 14 points per game. I’d fade him if possible this week, as he’ll face a tough 49ers defense on their home field. Dating back to last season, just two opposing quarterbacks have finished with more than 13.8 fantasy points against the Niners at home.
Brock Purdy vs. Cowboys (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Purdy, listed as the start of the week last week, scored a season-high 21.3 fantasy points in a win over Arizona. He has a much tougher matchup this week though, facing a Cowboys defense that has surrendered just three touchdown passes and an average of 8.3 fantasy points to quarterbacks. I’d limit Purdy to super flex leagues in this huge contest.
Derek Carr at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Carr has had a dreadful start to the year, scoring fewer than nine points in three of his first four games. Overall, he has put up an average of just 8.2 points. He’ll continue to struggle this week, too, as Carr goes to New England to face a tough Patriots defense. Their defense has given up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks so far this season.
