It’s week 5, everyone! It’s time to set your fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst games of a given week in your fantasy football league. Each week, we take a look at kickers and defenses that may exceed or fall short of expectations based on that week’s opponent…like the Seahawks’ defense in Week 3!
Check out my Fantasy Player Rankings to determine your final lineup. Updated every day! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast where Lindsay Rose and I break down all things fantasy football five days a week.
All positions: QB | RB | WR | TE | K and DST
1. Brandon Aubrey of the Steelers
2. Harrison Butker vs. Saints (Monday)
3. Evan McPherson vs. Ravens
4. Cairo Santos vs. Panthers
5. Kaimi Fairbairn vs. Bills
6. Jake Moody vs. Cardinals
7. Justin Tucker of the Bengals
8. Chase McLaughlin at Falcons (Thursday)
9. Chris Boswell vs. Cowboys
10. Austin Seibert vs. Browns
Complete Week 5 Kicker Rankings
Bye-bye week: Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Titans
start of the week
Evan McPherson vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McPherson has been one of fantasy’s top kickers for the first time in four weeks, averaging just under 11 points per game. That success should continue this week against a Ravens defense that has allowed three kickers to score at least nine points, including one (Daniel Carlson) who scored 18 points.
Start M
Kalio Santos vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Santos has struggled the last two weeks, scoring 12 fantasy points total. However, they should bounce back this week with a positive matchup against the Panthers. Through four weeks, their defense is allowing an average of 10.8 fantasy points per game to their kickers. This is the fourth-highest number in the league.
Will Lutz vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Lutz has scored in double figures in two of his first four games, good enough to rank in the top 12 among kickers. It has achieved good results. The veteran kicker is a great streamer this week as he faces a Raiders defense that has given up 11 or more fantasy points to three kickers in the first four games of the season.
A good kicker
How to sit this week
Greg Zierlein vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): Zierlein had a solid nine fantasy points last week, but has averaged just 5.3 points overall this season. Facing a Vikings defense that has allowed just three field goals this season and given the fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers, I’d keep him on the sideline in London.
Sit M
Dustin Hopkins vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hopkins scored 20 fantasy points in his first two games, but has since scored just six points on two field goal attempts. . He will probably fade out as a veteran against a coach who is tough on kickers. In fact, their defense has allowed just five field goals and 6.5 points per game at the position.
Greg Joseph at Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Joseph came off last week’s loss to the Cowboys after scoring 19 points. But he won’t be chasing points as he faces a tough matchup next in Seattle. After four weeks, their defense is allowing an average of 6.8 fantasy points per game to opposing kickers. This is the eighth lowest number in the league.
Bad matchup kicker
1. Broncos Defense vs. Raiders
2. Chiefs Defense vs. Saints (Monday)
3. Seahawks defense vs. Giants
4. Dolphins defense vs. Patriots
5. Vikings Defense vs. Jets (London)
6. 49ers Defense vs. Cardinals
7. Bears Defense vs. Panthers
8. Commanders Defense vs. Browns
9. Packers defense against Rams
10. Raiders defense at Broncos
Complete Week 5 Defense Rankings
start of the week
Broncos Defense vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): The Broncos’ defense has been solid the last two weeks, shutting down both Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers and scoring 26 fantasy points. Next up is a positive home date against the Raiders, who committed six giveaways and allowed 14 sacks. Denver is expected to post a solid line this weekend.
Start M
Seahawks Defense vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Giants’ offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 15 points and less than 300 yards per game. Daniel Jones also committed six turnovers and allowed nine sacks. Playing at Lumen Field will also be an advantage, so look for the Seahawks to make a big jump this week.
Dolphins defense against Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Miami’s defense can be useful when the game is right, and that was the case this week against the Patriots. Their offense is averaging an abysmal 13 points and 239 yards per game, and their batting line has allowed 17 sacks to the QB. All of this makes the Dolphins an attractive option for fantasy leagues.
Defense with a good matchup
How to sit this week
Steelers vs. Cowboys Defense (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): With Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence both out with injuries, the Cowboys’ defense is a disaster. . It destroys the value of this unit in fantasy and going against Justin Fields and the Steelers on the road is not a great matchup. At this point, I’m comfortable dropping them.
Sit M
Jets Defense vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): The Jets defense is in the top 12 in terms of fantasy points, but against Sam Darnold and the Vikings, I would fade it out. In the first four weeks, their offense averaged 29 points and 341 yards of total offense. Darnold will also want revenge on the team that drafted him (and let him go).
Browns Defense at the Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Commanders’ offense has been, dare I say it, elite the first four weeks. During that time, Jaden Daniels and his staff averaged 30.3 points and 382 yards of total offense. The Browns defense has not lived up to expectations so far this season, so I’d keep this unit on the fantasy sideline.
