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Week 5 Fantasy Football Guide (Thursday Night Football + Sunday Morning and 1:00 PM ET Slate)

By: Jake Weiner

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Week 5 is here, and the fantasy season is officially heating up. By now, we’ve seen enough football to know who the real difference-makers are, which breakouts look sustainable, and which early-season duds might just be dead weight on your roster. But every new week brings its own challenges—injuries piling up, depth charts shifting, and surprising performances reshaping the fantasy landscape. That’s where we come in.


In this article, we’ll break down every matchup on the Week 5 slate with game-by-game analysis, highlighting the players you should be starting with confidence and the ones best left on the bench. We’ll also cover the top waiver wire pickups to strengthen your roster, identify sneaky plays that could give you the edge, and even sprinkle in some betting angles worth keeping an eye on. Whether you’re 4-0 and cruising or desperately trying to claw your way out of a 1-3 hole, these insights will help set you up for success this week.

San Francisco 49ers (3-1) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-1) - Thursday, 8:15 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • This week's Thursday night game between the 49ers and Rams should be an exciting one. Unfortunately, the 49ers have been plagued this season by the injury bug, and this is going to be a tough win to pull off with Mac Jones starting at the helm for the injured Brock Purdy.


Injury Report:


  • 49ers:

    • WR Ricky Pearsall - OUT - Knee

    • QB Brock Purdy - OUT - Toe

    • WR Jauan Jennings - OUT - Ankle/Ribs

    • TE George Kittle - OUT - Hamstring

    • WR Brandon Aiyuk - OUT - ACL Recovery

    • WR Jacob Cowing - OUT - Hamstring

    • DL Nick Bosa - OUT - Knee

    • DL Kevin Givens - OUT - Pectoral

    • S Malik Mustapha - OUT - Knee

  • Rams:

    • TE Tyler Higbee - DOUBTFUL - Hip

    • OT Rob Havenstein - DOUBTFUL - Ankle

    • CB Akhello Witherspoon - OUT - Shoulder


Fantasy Starts:


  • 49ers

    • RB: Christian McCaffrey - SMASH/MUST Start


  • Rams

    • RB: Kyren Williams - Strong Start - No need to bench Kyren. A good matchup versus a depleted 49ers front seven and a positive game script is very possible.

    • WR: Puka Nacua. -SMASH/Must Start - Best player in fantasy football currently. No need to explain

    • WR: Davante Adams - SMASH/MUST Start - WR14 with 15.47 ppr ppg. Bad 49ers secondary should mean red zone targets coming for Tae

    • DST: Rams Defense - Strong Start - An injured 49ers offense gives the Rams defense a great fantasy matchup if they can capitalize on backup QB Mac Jones

    • K: Joshua Karty - Strong Start - Should see many drives for the Rams with many red zone opportunities, giving Karty many opportunities to put points on the board


Fantasy Sits:


  • 49ers

    • QB: Mac Jones - Although Jones performed well in week 2 versus the Saints, he struggled against a better defense in the Arizona Cardinals, and his lack of wideouts for this week worries me.

    • DST: 49ers Defense - A bad 49ers offense means their defense will be on the field a lot, and that is very worrying, given their defense has multiple injuries, including superstar defensive end Nick Bosa


  • Rams

    • No one



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • 49ers

    • TE: Jake Tonges - No George Kittle. Week 4: 3/5 Receptions, 58 Yards, 1 Touchdown - 14.8 ppr points

    • WR: Kendrick Bourne - No Jennings + Pearsall


  • Rams

    • QB: Matthew Stafford - Depleted Rams Defense With Positive Gamescript. Week 4: 375 Passing Yards, 3 Passing Touchdowns, 27.4 fantasy points

    • WR: Tutu Atwell - Coming off a fantastic week 4, it could mean Atwell is used more this week, especially given the possibility that the Rams blow out the 49ers


Betting Plays:


  • Rams ML -460 - LOCK

  • Kyren Williams anytime TD -175 is also a good play

  • Jake Tonges Over 2.5 receptions -172 is a great play

  • Christian McCaffrey over 53.5 receiving yards -112 is a great play. He has hit this 3/4 weeks this season

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) vs Cleveland Browns (1-3) - Sunday, 9:30 AM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Vikings look to win again this week in an overseas matchup against the Cleveland browns, who are starting rookie QB Dillon Gabriel for the first time. The Vikings will still be without starting QB JJ McCarthy, but backup Carson Wentz did not look bad in the Vikings' loss in week 4 against the Steelers


Injury Report:


  • Vikings:

    • RB Aaron Jones Sr - OUT - Hamstring

    • C Ryan Kelly - QUESTIONABLE - Concussion

    • OT Brian O'Neill - OUT - Knee

    • WR Rondale Moore - OUT - Knee

    • LB Andrew Van Ginkel - QUESTIONABLE - Neck

    • EDGE Dallas Turner - QUESTIONABLE - Illness

    • LB Blake Cashman - OUT - Hamstring

  • Browns:

    • WR Cedric Tillman - OUT - Hamstring

    • TE David Njoku - QUESTIONABLE - Knee

    • EDGE Myles Garrett - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle

    • LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - OUT - Neck


Fantasy Starts:


  • Vikings

    • RB: Jordan Mason - Strong Start

    • WR: Justin Jefferson - SMASH/MUST Start

    • WR: Jordan Addison - Flex Play

    • TE: TJ Hockenson - Risky Start - Low End TE1

    • K: Will Reichard - Strong Start

    • DST: Vikings Defense - SMASH/MUST Start


  • Browns

    • RB: Quinshon Judkins - Strong Start - No need to bench Judkins. Although the matchup is not a favorable one, the volume makes Judkins a strong start in all league formats

    • WR: Jerry Jeudy - Risky Start - Although Tillman will be out, Jeudy has not produced very well this season, thus far making him a risky start for this week

    • TE: Harold Fannin Jr - Risky Start ONLY if Njoku OUT


Fantasy Sits:


  • Vikings

    • No one


  • Browns

    • TE: David Njoku - even if playing, still sit

    • TE: Harold Fannin Jr - If Njoku is active, Fannin Jr is a sit



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Vikings

    • RB: Zavier Scott


  • Browns

    • WR: Isaiah Bond


Betting Plays:


  • Over 35.5 total points -115 - STRONG bet as Vikings have hit this 3/4 times this season and the Browns tend to give up a lot of points as well

  • Quinshon Judkins anytime TD +125 - Strong play as well as ever since becoming a full-time starter has hit two weeks in a row

New York Giants (1-3) @ New Orleans Saints (0-4) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Giants, led by new starting QB in rookie Jaxson Dart, look to win back-to-back games against a struggling Saints team. This game should have lots of scoring despite the Giants losing star WR Malik Nabers to an ACL tear


Injury Report:


  • Giants:

    • WR Malik Nabers - OUT - ACL

    • K Graham Gano - OUT - Groin

    • RB Tyrone Tracy Jr - QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder

    • LB Micah McFadden - OUT - Lower Leg

  • Saints:

    • TE Juwan Johnson - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle

    • TE Foster Moreau - QUESTIONABLE - Knee

    • TE Taysom Hill - QUESTIONABLE - ACL


Fantasy Starts:


  • Giants

    • RB: Cam Skattebo - Strong Start - Has been great thus far and going up against a terrible Saints defense

    • WR: Wan'Dale Robinson - Risky Start - With more targets now coming for Robinson could mean he could be an okay play this week

    • WR: Darius Slayton - Risky Start - Now being the Giants' primary outside WR and a favorable matchup versus the Saints defense could mean a solid game coming from Slayton


  • Saints

    • WR: Chris Olave - Solid Start - a solid matchup against the Giants' secondary and being Rattler's primary option makes Olave a solid start this week as a low-end WR2

    • RB: Alvin Kamara - Solid Start - Although his rushing volume decreased drastically last week with Kendre Miller seeing more snaps than usual, this matchup is too good to pass up on as the Giants are last in the NFL against opposing running backs

    • TE: Juwan Johnson - Solid Start - Although banged up and coming off his first bad game this season, fantasy managers should not worry, and Johnson remains a solid start this week


Fantasy Sits:


  • Giants

    • RB Tyrone Tracy Jr (if active)


  • Saints

    • RB: Kendre Miller



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Giants

    • QB: Jaxson Dart - A favorable matchup with good rushing upside makes Dart a streamer option this week

    • DST: Giants Defense - A favorable matchup versus a bad offensive line could mean sacks and turnovers coming for the Giants' front seven


  • Saints

    • WR: Rashid Shaheed - Going up against a weak Giants secondary could mean some big plays and red zone targets for Shaheed this week


Betting Plays:


  • Alvin Kamra OVER 14.5 rush attempts -136 - has hit 3/4 times this season and still hit last week, even with Miller seeing more action

  • Rashid Shaheed OVER 36.5 Yards -114 - Has hit 3/4 times this season and has a favorable matchup

Houston Texans (1-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-3) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Ravens have not started this season strongly despite being one of the pre-season Super Bowl favorites, and will likely be without MVP QB Lamar Jackson, giving the Texans a chance to upset the Ravens and get their season back on track as QB CJ Stroud looks to bounce back.


Injury Report:


  • Texans:

    • WR Nico Collins - QUESTIONABLE - Knee

    • RB Joe Mixon - OUT - Foot

    • WR Tank Dell - OUT - Knee

    • CB Derek Stingley - QUESTIONABLE - Oblique

  • Ravens:

    • QB Lamar Jackson - DOUBTFUL - Hamstring

    • OT Ronnie Stanley - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle

    • C Tyler Linderbaum - QUESTIONABLE - Calf

    • LB Roquan Smith - OUT - Hamstring

    • CB Marlon Humphrey - OUT - Calf

    • S Kyle Hamilton - QUESTIONABLE - Groin

    • DT Nnamdi Madubuike - OUT - Neck

    • CB Chidobe Awuzie - QUESTIONABLE - Hamstring

    • LB Kyle Van Noy - QUESTIONABLE - Hamstring


Fantasy Starts:


  • Texans

    • RB: Woody Marks - Strong Start - Finally broke out last week and faces a struggling Ravens defense

    • WR: Nico Collins - SMASH/MUST Start - Slowly getting back on track to where he left off last season, and has a great matchup

    • WR: Christian Kirk - Risky Start - Now being the Texans' primary second WR and a favorable matchup versus the Ravens defense could mean a solid game coming from Kirk

    • QB: CJ Stroud - Risky Start - Despite struggling to start the season, the Ravens defense has many injuries, making this a possible startable week for Stroud

    • K: Kaimi Fairbairn - Strong Start

    • DST: Texans Defense - Strong Start


  • Ravens

    • WR: Zay Flowers - Strong Start - a solid matchup against the Texans' secondary and being Rush's/Jackson's primary option makes Flowers a strong start this week as a high-end WR2

    • RB: Derrick Henry - SMASH/MUST Start - Although he has had fumble issues this season, you can never bench King Henry

    • TE: Mark Andrews - Risky Start - Although Andrews has thrived the past two weeks, his volume is not great, and he heavily relies on touchdowns and his connection with Lamar Jackson, making this week a risky start for Andrews

    • K; Tyler Loop - Strong Start


Fantasy Sits:


  • Texans

    • WR Jayden Higgins

    • RB Nick Chubb


  • Ravens

    • RB: Justice Hill



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Texans

    • WR: Christian Kirk

    • DST: Texans Defense - A favorable matchup versus a struggling Ravens offense, who will likely be without their starting quarterback, Lamar Jackson


  • Ravens

    • No one


Betting Plays:


  • Nico Collins Longest Reception OVER 24.5 yards -120 - Has hit 3/4 weeks

  • Total Combine Field Goals Made OVER 3.5 -110 - Both teams average 2+ per game this season, and game script could factor into many drives due to injured defenses

Miami Dolphins (1-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-3) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Dolphins are coming off a victory despite losing star WR Tyreek Hill to a season-ending knee injury are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season in Carolina.


Injury Report:


  • Dolphins:

    • WR Tyreek Hill - OUT - Knee

    • TE Darren Waller - PROBABLE - Hip

  • Panthers:

    • RB Chuba Hubbard - QUESTIONABLE - Calf

    • TE Ja'Tavion Sanders - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle


Fantasy Starts:


  • Dolphins

    • RB: De'Von Achane - SMASH/MUST Start - Never. Sit. Achane. Also great matchup versus Carolina

    • WR: Jaylen Waddle - Strong Start - Becomes a very good option in fantasy with Hill going down and becoming Tagovailoa's primary option

    • TE: Darren Waller - Solid Start - Coming off his debut game for the Dolphins, where he caught two touchdowns, Waller is a very solid TE option in fantasy and looks to be the second option in Miami


  • Panthers

    • RB: Chuba Hubbard - SMASH/MUST Start - if active, Hubbard is a must start as he is going up against a terrible run defense in the Dolphins

    • WR: Tetairoa McMillan - Strong Start - Despite not scoring a touchdown yet this season, rookie McMillan remains a high-end WR2 in fantasy


Fantasy Sits:


  • Dolphins

    • RB: Ollie Gordon


  • Panthers

    • RB: Rico Dowdle

    • WR: Xavier Legette

    • TE: Ja'Tavion Sanders



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Dolphins

    • WR: Malik Washington - With Tyreek going down, Washington is looking to secure the WR2 role in Miami

    • DST: Dolphins Defense - A favorable matchup versus a struggling Panthers offense


  • Panthers

    • TE Tommy Tremble - If Sanders is ruled out, Tremble could be a low-end TE1 this week


Betting Plays:


  • Dolphins -1.5 -105 - Despite losing Hill to injury, the Dolphins should be able to secure a second win against a struggling Panthers team

  • DeVon Achane anytime TD -130 - Almost viewed as a LOCK as Achane has consistently scored for the Dolphins this season, and the Panthers defense is struggling mightily this season

Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-1) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Colts should win this game with ease if their defense stands strong and QB Daniel Jones can take advantage of the struggling Raiders defense.


Injury Report:


  • Raiders:

    • TE Brock Bowers - PROBABLE - Knee

    • TE Michael Mayer - QUESTIONABLE - Concussion

    • OT Kolton Miller - OUT - Ankle

  • Colts:

    • WR Alec Pierce - PROBABLE - Concussion

    • CB Kenny Moore - QUESTIONABLE - Achilles

    • LB Zaire Franklin - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle


Fantasy Starts:


  • Raiders

    • RB: Ashton Jeanty - Strong Start - You should never be sitting first-round pick Ashton Jeanty in fantasy; however, this week, temper your expectations as the Colts' run defense has been terrific this season

    • WR: Jakobi Meyers - Solid Start - A very reliable Flex play in fantasy, being Geno Smith's primary option

    • WR: Tre Tucker - Risky Start - Coming off a historic 4 touchdown game against the Commanders in week 3, Tucker struggled in week 4 and is a risky play this week versus a strong Colts secondary

    • TE: Brock Bowers - Solid Start - Although not performing quite as well as he did last season, Bowers remains a high-end TE1 in fantasy


  • Colts

    • QB: Daniel Jones - Solid Start - Despite not performing great in week 4, Jones has. very favorable matchup versus a struggling Raiders defense

    • RB: Jonathan Taylor - SMASH/MUST Start - A top 3 running back in fantasy. Plug him in your lineup no matter what

    • WR: Michael Pittman - Strong Start - Emerging as the Colts primary option in the pass game, Pittman has bounced back from last season and emerged as a high-end WR2 in fantasy this season

    • TE: Tyler Warren - SMASH/MUST Start - The rookie TE has been amazing so far this season and remains a high-end TE1 in fantasy

    • DST: Colts Defense. -SMASH/MUST Start - A great matchup for the Colts defense this week


Fantasy Sits:


  • Raiders

    • QB: Geno Smith

      WR: Donte Thornton


  • Colts

    • WR: Adonai Mitchell

    • WR: Josh Downs



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Raiders

    • No one


  • Colts

    • WR: Alec Pierce (if active) - Could be a low-end flex play this week


Betting Plays:


  • Colts -7 -105 - A good play as the Colts should dominate this game

  • Jonathan Taylor anytime TD -220 - LOCK

  • Ashton Jeanty UNDER 65.5 rush yards -112 - A risky play, but the Colts' run defense has been amazing this season

  • Jonathan Taylor OVER 88.5 rush yards -112 - A very strong bet as the Raiders' run defense has been terrible this season

  • Michael Pittman 5+ Catches -128 - Hit 3/4 this season and should hit with ease again

Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) @ New York Jets (0-4) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • This game should be more exciting than expected with both defenses struggling and a shootout possible. This is a must-win game for the Cowboys


Injury Report:


  • Cowboys:

    • WR Ceedee Lamb - OUT - Ankle

    • WR KaVontae Turpin - QUESTIONABLE - Foot

    • OT Tyler Guyton - QUESTIONABLE - Concussion

    • OG Tyler Booker - OUT - Ankle

    • C Cooper Beebe - OUT - Ankle

    • OT Tyler Smith - QUESTIONABLE -Knee

    • CB Trevon Digg - QUESTIONABLE -Knee

  • Jets:

    • TE Mason Taylor - QUESTIONABLE - Ankle

    • RB Braelon Allen - OUT - Knee

    • LB Quincy Williams - OUT - Shoulder


Fantasy Starts:


  • Cowboys

    • RB: Javonte Williams - Strong Start - A high-end RB2 so far this season, Williams looks to continue his strong start to the season, going up against a struggling Jets defense

    • WR: George Pickens - SMASH/MUST Start - A very reliable WR2 play in fantasy, being Dak Prescott's primary option with Ceedee Lamb remaining injured

    • QB: Dak Prescott - Solid Start - Coming off a great game in a tie versus the Packers, Prescott remains a solid QB1 in fantasy for this week as he faces a struggling Jets defense

    • TE: Jake Ferguson - SMASH/MUST Start - A top 3 TE in fantasy thus far, Ferguson remains a high-end TE1 in fantasy

    • K: Brandon Aubrey - Strong Start - Although not performing quite as well as he did last season in terms of fantasy production, Aubrey remains a high-end K in fantasy


  • Jets

    • QB: Justin Fields - SMASH/MUST Start - With the most rushing upside out of any QB in fantasy football and facing a bottom 3 defense in the Cowboys, this is the perfect matchup for Fields

    • RB: Breece Hall - SMASH/MUST Start - With solid receiving upside and facing a terrible run defense in Dallas, Hall should see tons of volume and has touchdown upside this week as well

    • WR: Garrett Wilson - SMASH/MUST Start - Emerging as a top 3 WR in fantasy, Wilson is a must start, high-end WR1 in all fantasy formats


Fantasy Sits:


  • Cowboys

    • No one


  • Jets

    • No one



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Cowboys

    • WR: Jalen Tolbert


  • Jets

    • RB: Isaiah Davis


Betting Plays:


  • Total points OVER 47.5 -115 - A strong bet as both teams are 3/4 on this mark this season, and this game could end up being a shootout

  • Garrett Wilson 70+ yards +115 - Very strong bet as he is 3/4 on this mark this season and goes up against one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL

  • Justin Fields Longest Rush OVER 15.5 yards -120 - LOCK as he has hit in every game this season and goes up against a very bad run defense

Denver Broncos (2-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-0) - Sunday, 1:00 PM ET

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Quick Take:


  • The Eagles look. to keep their undefeated streak in what should be a very interesting game in Philly.


Injury Report:


  • Broncos:

    • WR Marvin Mims - QUESTIONABLE - Hip/Ankle

    • LB Dre Greenlaw - OUT - Quad

    • LB Drew Sanders - OUT - Ankle

  • Eagles:

    • TE Dallas Goedert - QUESTIONABLE - Knee

    • OT Lane Johnson - QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder

    • LB Nolan Smith - OUT - Triceps

    • DT Jalen Carter - QUESTIONABLE - Shoulder


Fantasy Starts:


  • Broncos

    • RB: JK Dobbins - Risky/Flex Play - Dobbins has been very reliable in fantasy thus far and should be a solid RB2/Flex option this week

    • RB: RJ Harvey - Risky/Flex Play - The rookie finally broke out last week, but faces a tough defense in Philly, and is a risky start this week

    • WR: Courtland Sutton - Strong Start - A very reliable high-end WR2 this season, but will face star QB Quinyon Mitchell keeps Sutton as a strong start this week

    • K: Will Lutz - Strong Start


  • Eagles

    • QB: Jalen Hurts - SMASH/MUST - Despite facing a top defense in the Broncos, Hurts remains a high-end QB1 this week

    • RB: Saquon Barkley - SMASH/MUST Start - A top 3 running back in fantasy. Plug him into your lineup no matter what

    • WR: AJ Brown - Risky Start - A matchup with Pat Surtain should be an interesting one to watch this week, and fantasy managers should lower their expectations for Brown this week

    • WR: Devonta Smith - Flex Play - A favorable matchup against CB Riley Moss should make Smith a solid WR2 flex this week

    • TE: Dallas Goedert - Strong Start - The veteran TE has been great so far this season and remains a mid-end TE1 in fantasy

    • K: Jake Elliott - Strong Start - A great matchup for Elliott this week


Fantasy Sits:


  • Broncos

    • QB: Bo Nix - A good Eagles defense should put constant pressure on Nix, forcing the Broncos to play more conservatively

    • WR: Marvin Mims (If healthy)

    • TE: Evan Engram

    • DST: Broncos Defense


  • Eagles

    • WR: AJ Brown - Even though we listed him as a risky start, Brown is a sit for us this week

    • DST: Eagles Defense



Sneaky/Streamer Play:


  • Broncos

    • WR: Troy Franklin


  • Eagles

    • No one


Betting Plays:


  • Saquon Barkley anytime TD -170 - LOCK

  • Jalen Hurts anytime TD -155 - Strong bet

  • Courtland Sutton anytime TD +185 - A risky bet but very good odds

  • Bo Nix UNDER 214.5 pass yards -111 - Good bet

  • Courtland Sutton Longest Reception UNDER 22.5 yards -115 - Great bet as he is 1/4 on this line this season and will likely be shadowed by Quinyon Mitchell

  • Bo Nix Longest Rush OVER 8.5 yards -125 - Great bet as he. hashit this line 3/4 times this season

  • J.K. Dobbins Longest Rush OVER 14.5 yards +100 - GREAT bet as he is perfect on this line this season and should see tons of volume on Sunday

 
 
 

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