QBs to start in Week 5
Panthers’ Teddy Bridgewater (vs. Falcons): When the Carolina Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to a deal this past offseason, their plan was to run the offense through Christian McCaffrey. But with McCaffrey sidelined with an ankle injury, Bridgewater has been asked to do a bit more with his arm — and he’s delivered thus far.
Just a week ago, against the Arizona Cardinals, Bridgewater recorded a season-high 26.24 fantasy points. The former first-round pick has a chance to replicate his last performance in Week 5 against a porous Atlanta Falcons defense that has allowed 13 passing touchdowns (most in the NFL) and three rushing touchdowns to opposing QBs (tied for most in the NFL).
Vikings’ Kirk Cousins (vs. Seahawks): Not every week would I consider inserting Kirk Cousins into your starting lineup, but his upcoming matchup definitely warrants him some consideration. Every quarterback has thrived against the Seattle Seahawks this season, as they’ve allowed 21 or more fantasy points to each QB they’ve faced thus far.
Regardless of whether or not Jamal Adams would have played in Week 5, Seattle’s secondary is putrid and there is still a search party for their pass rush to begin the season. Given the status of the Seahawks’ current status on defense, Cousins comes in as a valuable starter in fantasy football for at least this week.
Jaguars’ Gardner Minshew (vs. Texans): The Houston Texans are a complete mess, having just fired Bill O’Brien as the team’s GM and head coach after just four weeks. While Romeo Crennel — a defensive-minded coach — will assume the interim role for the Texans, they still don’t have a defense that people should fear starting anyone against.
Gardner Minshew will be the first QB to face Houston’s defense following the firing of O’Brien and he’s been a decent option for the Jacksonville Jaguars, scoring 20+ points in three of his first four games in 2020. Even though the Texans have given up just 18.02 fantasy points per week to QBs, Houston boasts the 27th ranked defense in DVOA. Also, they are the only team that has yet to record an interception on defense, which should boost Minshew’s value this week.
Other QBs to consider in Week 5: Colts’ Philip Rivers (vs. Browns), Giants’ Daniel Jones (vs. Cowboys), Dolphins’ Ryan Fitzpatrick (vs. 49ers)
QBs to sit in Week 5
Eagles’ Carson Wentz (vs. Steelers): Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles were celebrating the revival of Carson Wentz on Sunday Night Football in Week 4 versus the San Francisco 49ers. Wentz put his second straight outing of 21 or more fantasy points as the Eagles somehow took the sole lead of the NFC East.
Before everyone celebrates prematurely, we may see the ugly version of Wentz rear his head in Week 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers own the No. 1 or No. 2 spots in most defensive metrics this season, and they have the third-ranked defense in DVOA in 2020. Avoid Wentz at all costs, unless you are feeling risky this week.
Browns’ Baker Mayfield (vs. Colts): Kevin Stefanski has laid out the blueprint on how he plans to win games with the Cleveland Browns this season. Similar to what he did with the Minnesota Vikings, Stefanski would prefer to tire out opposing defenses by playing a ground-and-pound style of football.
So far it’s worked as the Browns currently have a 3-1 record, even though Nick Chubb is going to miss time with a knee injury. With Kareem Hunt and the other RBs in Cleveland lead the charge, Baker Mayfield has been managing the game, posting an average of 13.6 points per week this season. The fact he faces the No. 1 ranked defense in DVOA in the Indianapolis Colts is yet another reason to sit Mayfield in Week 5.
