Fantasy Football Start/Sits: NFL 2026 Week 5
Welcome back as always to 4QWI's 100% accurate fantasy football advice article. I hope you, like me, were able to break past the 0-3 start and get that first win of the season. There's a lot of work to do to get back in the playoff race proper. So listen up.
The way we go about this weekly article is: several 4QWI staff members select one player from the major fantasy football positions to write about, whether it be starting or sitting them. We don't communicate at all, and at times there may be some overlap of advice, or even disagreements about the same player. Of course, we will generally avoid the obvious no-brainer starts every week such as Josh Allen and Jahmyr Gibbs. With that, let's get going.
Quarterbacks:
(@spechty49) Sit: Sam Darnold vs. San Fransisco 49ers
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 4:25 PM EST)
After putting up a piddly performance against the Chargers last week, Darnold’s outlook only gets bleaker. He is going up a stingy 49ers defense in Week 5. The defense holding multiple QBs to brutal performance so far this season with the one blemish being the game against Arizona.
49ers are allowing a 3rd lowest league average in yards per attempt at 5.9. Guys like JSN might produce just off pure targets in talent. But I don’t expect Darnold to end with a spectacular line.
(@jvr1210) Start: Jacoby Brissett vs. Detroit Lions
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Jacoby Brissett has been the definition of hot and cold to start the season, with two decent fantasy performances and two absolute stinkers. Brissett is coming off of one of those stinkers where he threw 3 interceptions against the NY Giants last week. This week Brissett will play the Detroit Lions, which presents him with a perfect opportunity to turn in a stream worthy performance. The Lions secondary has been getting absolutely cooked this year and are coming off back-to-back weeks where Geno Smith and Bryce Young both threw for over 300 yards and racked up multiple TDs.
In their other two games they let Tyler Shough throw for 410 yards and allowed Josh Allen to score 4 times. With all the weapons that they have Brissett should easily throw for a minimum of 250 yards and 2 TDs. A 300+ yard 3 TD game also would not surprise me. If you find yourself in a similar situation like me (Lamar Jackson is likely not playing this week and Patrick Mahomes on a BYE) give Brissett a start if he’s still available.
(@Endydoe) Sit: Jalen Hurts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
(London, Sunday, 10/11 @ 9:30 PM EST)
Hurts and the Eagles have a date for a spot of tea with the Jaguars this Sunday morning, and I am mighty nervous about the Philadelphia QB. A historically dual-threat fantasy darling, Hurts and the Eagles in general have been extremely shaky offensively as an entire unit, and to that end, Hurts enters Week 5 as just QB12 in standard formats and this week is not that easy.
He takes on a Jaguars defense that has allowed just three passing touchdowns this season, though Joe Burrow did just huck 428 yards against them. That said, Burrow has a Chase (though he left with injury) and a Higgins, and Hurts does not. Not to mention, Saquon Barkley is likely out due to a Hamstring and even if he does play he’s probably exiting within 3 offensive snaps like he has done all season. Tank Bigsby is already on IR, so backfield help will consist of Will Shipley and Dameon Pierce.
This doesn’t include the fact that DeVonta Smith is out. It’s tough. I really don’t think Hurts is worth a look this week. In real life, if the Eagles do win it will be because of him. That said, it won’t be pretty and it won’t likely result in a fantasy performance worth risking.
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Sit: Jalen Hurts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
(London, Sunday, 10/11 @ 9:30 PM EST) Not only is this a tough matchup, but the Eagles travel to London with arguably the most injuries to a team to start a season. They will be without both Saquon and Tank Bigsby as well as DeVonta Smith, Hollywood Brown and Landon Dickerson. Oh and they just traded Cam Jurgens the day after future hall of famer Lane Johnson retired. Stay away from this cursed team.
Running Backs:
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Start: RJ Harvey @ Los Angeles Chargers
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 4:05 PM EST)
Not much is going right with this Broncos offense, but one thing they have been consistent in is finding Harvey out of the backfield. 16 receptions on 17 targets the last 2 weeks? You take those numbers all day if you’re in a ppr league. Should be in flex consideration until further notice.
(@jvr1210) Start: Jaylen Warren vs. Indianapolis Colts
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Sometimes the best thing that you can do in fantasy football (and football for that matter) is ride the hot hand. Jaylen Warren has strung together two good back-to-back performances with Rico Dowdle out of the line-up. Rico Dowdle has been a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and is currently questionable for Sunday’s match-up against the Colts. With Dowdle out Warren has amassed 220 rushing yards and 82 receiving yards over the last two weeks. His one issue is he hasn’t found the endzone yet. This week the Steelers play the Colts who have allowed the 7th most rushing yards, the 6th most YPC, and the 9th most rushing touchdowns. Even if Dowdle is active, this week presents a great opportunity for Warren to solidify his role as the lead back in Pittsburgh.
(@spechty49) Sit: Patriots Running Backs vs. Las Vegas Raiders
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 1:00 PM EST)
While I lean Stevenson as the more valuable back in the New England duo there is reason to be frustrated. One week Stevenson has loads of carries the next he has only a few. Henderson is the obvious more athletic back but gets zero pass looks. It also seems like Stevenson will be getting most goal line chances… but he only has one touchdown. Either could produce … or they both don’t. Now the unpredictability goes up against a Raiders defense you will find ranked top 5 in most fantasy leagues. Now they aren’t particularly fantastic against the run but you just can’t bank on either Patriot right now.
Wide Receivers:
(@spechty49) Start: Carnell Tate vs Houston Texans
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Back to back games the highly touted rookie had started to show some potential. Reeling in 15/21 for 203 yards. He still has yet to see his first touchdown. He will have his chance this week because he is going up against the 2nd worst defense against WR’s. The Texans have allowed double digit games to 5 WRs so far. I am looking for another big game here.
(@Endydoe) Start: Michael Wilson vs. Detroit Lions
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 4:25 PM EST)
I’ll keep this quick. I almost feel like this doesn’t need explanation. Lions are allowing the most points to WRs this season, including Tet McMillan having the game of his life on Sunday Night last week (14/192/2). Michael Wilson had a slow start to the season but has seen THIRTY TARGETS in the last two games. Jacoby loves this guy and I do too. He is a PPR monster and is a must-start this week in what is sure to be a shootout in Arizona. Also, right before posting it was confirmed that MHJ is getting traded and won't be playing. Those 3.25 targets per game he averaged will have to be absorbed elsewhere. 25+ Wilson targets incoming, trust.
(@BreTT_Shevlin) Start: Efton Chism III vs. Las Vegas Raiders
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 1:00 PM EST)
If you’re not a Patriots fan you’re probably like who? This man saved the patriots season last week with an incredible one handed catch for a TD and without AJ Brown, Kayshon Boutte and now Mack Hollins, the opportunity is ripe for Chism. Drake Maye needs a guy. He may have just found one in Chism.
(@jvr1210) Sit: Mike Evans @ Seattle Seahawks
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Mike Evans’ 13th NFL season is off to a fairly decent start, compiling 17 receptions for 213 yards and 2 TDs through his first 4 games. Evans has been a limited practice participant dealing with a fractured rib that he suffered in week 3 (by the way if anyone has even bruised a rib before they know how much that shit hurts). Despite the limited practice participation all signs point towards Evans starting again this week as he chose to play through the pain last week against the Broncos. This week the 49ers will play their division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks in what is sure to be a great match-up to watch but is not the best match-up for Evans. The Seahawks defense continues to be a force of nature, allowing the 2nd least fantasy points to opposing WRs. Between the nagging rib injury and the difficult match-up I would consider benching Evans this week.
Tight Ends:
(@Endydoe) Start: Mike Gesicki @ Miami Dolphins
(Sunday, 10/11 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Tight End guy here. Okay so I’m 2 for 4 on my TE picks this season. Waller wasn’t amazing last week. Mike Gesicki, sure.
Gesicki, 31, has ebbed and flowed in terms of fantasy relevancy over the years but as of this week, he already has three touchdowns which is the most he’s had in a season since 2022 as a Dolphin, and is actually only the fourth time in nine seasons that he’s hit this mark. He clearly has a connection to Joe Burrow as he’s caught a tuddy in every game he’s seen a target (9/20 against the Texans was a nothing game for him).
Burrow’s two-headed monster of Ja’Marr Chase (Concussion) and Tee Higgins (Groin & Neck) are both questionable as of October 10th, which adds to Gesicki’s outlook. Finally, the matchup is gold too. The Dolphins just gave up 13/119 to TJ Hockenson last week and have given up a minimum of 80 yards to opposing Tight Ends in 3/4 games this season. He may be slightly touchdown dependent, but Gesicki has a good script this week and is worth a look in your lineup.
Comments