Fantasy Football Week 5: The Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action

You can do your due diligence every week, reading the news, picking up the flavors of the week, playing the matchups, but your fantasy future still lies in the hands of fate. Hopefully your weekly selections don't drop the ball.

Take the Detroit Lions' Calvin Johnson last week, for example: He was active amid ankle issues and facing a very favorable matchup against the Jets. Instead, he was used mostly as a decoy, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

There was no way to see that coming. NFL teams don't tend to divulge secret game plans.

You merely having to follow the news...and your gut. Bleacher Report helps that gut with The Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action. We review the Top 100, the official NFL injury report, starts, sits, lineup sleepers, busts and last-minute waiver options leading up to kickoff every week.

Overall Rankings

Matchups can help determine your fantasy fate every week, along with those fringe lineup decisions you make, but Eddie Lacy's performance Thursday night—105 rushing yards and two touchdowns—is a prime example of why you shouldn't sell low early on your first-round picks.

Jamaal Charles' performance Monday night of Week 4 was another. Imagine agonizing through the early struggles and then having those guys on the bench for their payback? Ouch.

That's the lesson to take into Sunday for a guy like LeSean McCoy. Like we wrote earlier this week in our Week 5 Big Board and Week 5 Predictions, McCoy is poised for a rebound. The return of Lane Johnson from the a four-game suspension is only part of the reason.

McCoy is due.

He is also determined amid his struggles, as he told Bob Grotz of the Montgomery News:

"

It's definitely frustrating. You know what type of player you are and you want to get the numbers up. And the other part is like teams do come in and try to stop me. And that's frustrating for me. Then again, I know who I am. I'm still confident. I know what I can do. So it doesn't really bother me that much. We're winning games. At times it can be frustrating, but at the end of the day I just want to win....

I got my boy Lane back. We'll see what happens.

"

B/R reviews its updated Top 100 fantasy plays for Week 5, including an optimistic top-10 ranking for McCoy:

Week 5 Top 100 — Eric Mack

Rank	Flex Rankings	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Aaron Rodgers	GB	vs. Min	3	+2
2	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. NYJ	5	+3
3	DeMarco Murray	DAL	vs. Hou	6	+3
4	Matt Ryan	ATL	at NYG	9	+5
5	Julio Jones	ATL	at NYG	25	+20
6	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	at Jac	11	+5
7	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. TB	34	+27
8	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	at Jac	8	0
9	Antonio Brown	PIT	at Jac	20	+11
10	LeSean McCoy	PHI	vs. StL	22	+12
11	Giovani Bernard	CIN	at NE	23	+12
12	Jordy Nelson	GB	vs. Min	28	+16
13	Jamaal Charles	KC	at SF	24	+11
14	A.J. Green	CIN	at NE	33	+19
15	Eddie Lacy	GB	vs. Min	29	+14
16	Matt Forte	CHI	at Car	16	0
17	Peyton Manning	DEN	vs. Ari	1	-16
18	Dez Bryant	DAL	vs. Hou	30	+12
19	Drew Brees	NO	vs. TB	2	-17
20	Andrew Luck	IND	vs. Bal	4	-16
21	Julius Thomas	DEN	vs. Ari	49	+28
22	Randall Cobb	GB	vs. Min	39	+17
23	Alshon Jeffery	CHI	at Car	41	+18
24	Marshawn Lynch	SEA	at Was	17	-7
25	Rashad Jennings	NYG	vs. Atl	18	-7
26	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. Cin	69	+43
27	Calvin Johnson	DET	vs. Buf	31	+4
28	Arian Foster	HOU	at Dal	40	+12
29	Frank Gore	SF	vs. KC	36	+7
30	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	vs. Ari	32	+2
31	Brandon Marshall	CHI	at Car	43	+12
32	Zac Stacy	STL	at Phi	44	+12
33	Steve Smith	BAL	at Ind	52	+19
34	Victor Cruz	NYG	vs. Atl	51	+17
35	Andre Ellington	ARI	at Den	35	0
36	Jeremy Maclin	PHI	vs. StL	45	+9
37	Roddy White	ATL	at NYG	61	+24
38	Matt Asiata	MIN	at GB	53	+15
39	Percy Harvin	SEA	at Was	59	+20
40	Matthew Stafford	DET	vs. Buf	7	-33
41	Kelvin Benjamin	CAR	vs. Chi	47	+6
42	Doug Martin	TB	at NO	58	+16
43	Montee Ball	DEN	vs. Ari	46	+3
44	Keenan Allen	SD	vs. NYJ	48	+4
45	Russell Wilson	SEA	at Was	10	-35
46	Alfred Morris	WAS	vs. Sea	56	+10
47	Michael Floyd	ARI	at Den	62	+15
48	Reggie Bush	DET	vs. Buf	57	+9
49	Eli Manning	NYG	vs. Atl	15	-34
50	Tony Romo	DAL	vs. Hou	19	-31
51	Ahmad Bradshaw	IND	vs. Bal	68	+17
52	Larry Donnell	NYG	vs. Atl	79	+27
53	Khiry Robinson	NO	vs. TB	67	+14
54	Martellus Bennett	CHI	at Car	72	+18
55	C.J. Spiller	BUF	at Det	76	+21
56	Andre Johnson	HOU	at Dal	64	+8
57	DeAndre Hopkins	HOU	at Dal	63	+6
58	Chris Ivory	NYJ	at SD	65	+7
59	Greg Olsen	CAR	vs. Chi	87	+28
60	Vincent Jackson	TB	at NO	55	-5
61	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. Cin	70	+9
62	Michael Crabtree	SF	vs. KC	66	+4
63	T.Y. Hilton	IND	vs. Bal	74	+11
64	Justin Forsett	BAL	at Ind	73	+9
65	Shane Vereen	NE	vs. Cin	94	+29
66	Delanie Walker	TEN	vs. Cle	92	+26
67	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. Cin	108	+41
68	Wes Welker	DEN	vs. Ari	81	+13
69	Cordarrelle Patterson	MIN	at GB	90	+21
70	Travis Kelce	KC	at SF	103	+33
71	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	at Den	85	+14
72	Fred Jackson	BUF	at Det	77	+5
73	Pierre Garcon	WAS	vs. Sea	78	+5
74	Marques Colston	NO	vs. TB	88	+14
75	Eric Decker	NYJ	at SD	110	+35
76	Zach Ertz	PHI	vs. StL	121	+45
77	Donald Brown	SD	vs. NYJ	96	+19
78	Terrance Williams	DAL	vs. Hou	95	+17
79	Emmanuel Sanders	DEN	vs. Ari	54	-25
80	Jordan Cameron	CLE	at Ten	101	+21
81	Reggie Wayne	IND	vs. Bal	80	-1
82	Sammy Watkins	BUF	at Det	93	+11
83	Brandin Cooks	NO	vs. TB	71	-12
84	Ben Tate	CLE	at Ten	82	-2
85	DeSean Jackson	WAS	vs. Sea	106	+21
86	Darren Sproles	PHI	vs. StL	98	+12
87	Golden Tate	DET	vs. Buf	75	-12
88	Jeremy Hill	CIN	at NE	116	+28
89	Nick Foles	PHI	vs. StL	12	-77
90	Jay Cutler	CHI	at Car	13	-77
91	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. NYJ	105	+14
92	Torrey Smith	BAL	at Ind	113	+21
93	Cam Newton	CAR	vs. Chi	21	-72
94	Joe Flacco	BAL	at Ind	26	-68
95	Bishop Sankey	TEN	vs. Cle	84	-11
96	Lorenzo Taliaferro	BAL	at Ind	132	+36
97	Steven Jackson	ATL	at NYG	99	+2
98	Jason Witten	DAL	vs. Hou	125	+27
99	Joique Bell	DET	vs. Buf
100	Toby Gerhart	JAC	vs. Pit	112	+12

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Injury Report

We have reached the dog days of fall, where myriad fantasy options need time off from practice, but not necessarily games. The phenomenon of resting in practice but playing on game day is most prevalent with the diva wide receivers.

We break down all the nuances of the official NFL injury report from Friday (NFLmedia.com credentials required) and how they impact the fantasy lineup decisions this week. The good news is just the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders are on bye this week, so you should have ample replacement options.

Note: All practice participation information comes from the official NFL injury report.

Probables

Quarterbacks

• Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (back): He has played through his appearance on the injury report for weeks. There is no real concern here.
• Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans (wrist): He is returning at the right time, but he is difficult to trust in standard leagues.

Running Backs

• Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs (ankle): He practiced in full Friday and is coming off a big performance. You have to start him despite the difficulty of the matchup.
• Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers (back): He was practicing in full, so keep him active.
• Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals (foot): They have limited his practice reps, but he had the entire bye week to rest. He's good to go.
• Arian Foster, Houston Texans (hamstring): He is listed as probable, so expect him to be active against the Cowboys. Start him.
• Ben Tate, Cleveland Browns (knee): He returned to a full practice Friday, which means he will start. The problem is both Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell are going to get reps, too, which makes Tate a marginal flex play.
• Chris Johnson, New York Jets (ankle): He practiced in full all week, so you shouldn't use injury as your reason to sit him.
• Bernard Pierce, Baltimore Ravens (thigh): Head coach John Harbaugh expects Pierce to be fully ready to go, per The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson, even if Lorenzo Taliaferro and Justin Forsett are in the time-share mix.

Wide Receivers

The following wide receivers appear on the injury report, some for many weeks, but we have no reservations about using them:

• Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (ankle)
• Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys (shoulder)
• Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears (ankle)
• Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers (foot)
• DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins (shoulder)
• Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (hamstring)
• Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills (ribs)
• Golden Tate, Detroit Lions (hamstring)
• Markus Wheaton, Pittsburgh Steelers (groin)
• Devin Hester, Atlanta Falcons (ankle)

Tight Ends

• Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns (shoulder): He practiced in full all week, so consider him fine to keep active in fantasy lineups, even if he isn't 100 percent. It just isn't worth owning backup tight ends in most formats.
• Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans (shoulder): He is probable, and the return of Locker should boost Walker's must-start status for fantasy owners.

Game-Time Decisions

WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (ankle)

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press tweeted Megatron is expected to play. Despite the bad performance last week, you need a pretty good alternative in a favorable matchup to sit this star in most leagues. 

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans (ankle)

He returned as a full participant in practice Friday, so expect him to be active, despite his questionable designation. That is a good matchup against the Cowboys.

TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers (back)

He didn't practice this week, so he is very difficult to trust in any fantasy leagues, particularly coming off his recent performance. Sit him.

WR Eric Decker, New York Jets (hamstring)

He played and scored last week, so he is far more worth the risk this week, particularly facing a shaky San Diego Chargers secondary he is accustomed to ripping from his Denver Broncos days. Stick close to the news Sunday morning, though, particularly since he is an afternoon start.

TE Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins (hamstring)

He has returned to practice on a limited basis, but the fact he is a Monday night decision leaves him off the list of viable starting options at this point. ESPN.com's John Keim tweeted Reed is 50-50 at best to play, much less be productive. He needs to sit one more week.

TE Niles Paul, Washington Redskins (concussion)

He was a full participant in practice, but he is facing the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom. Consider him less than intriguing as a play, because of the matchup, not the injury.

WR Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams (knee)

He is going to surprise fantasy at some point this season, but that doesn't make him worth using yet.

WR Odell Beckham, New York Giants (hamstring)

He might be active, but Tom Coughlin doesn't generally play rookies who haven't practiced much for weeks. Own him as a sleeper, but don't consider him yet.

Find Replacements

1. RB Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers (knee)
2. RB Joique Bell, Detroit Lions (concussion)
3. RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (hand)
4. WR Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars (hamstring)
5. RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers (ankle)
6. RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (knee)
7. QB Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (shoulder)
8. WR Harry Douglas, Atlanta Falcons (foot)
9. WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (groin)
10. WR Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals (ankle)

Start 'Em

This is almost like a full-strength week. Players from six teams return from their bye and we have only the low-end Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders unavailable for Week 5 lineups.

But, in the event you are missing Lamar Miller, Mike Wallace or, pray to your deity, a Raider, we have some matchup-based plays to consider by position here:

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Everything looks favorable for Big Ben as a fantasy starter right now. He is coming off a 314-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 4 and now draws the most favorable opponent in all of fantasy, the Jacksonville Jaguars...on the road no less.

The Jags are at home, so we should expect them to at least be competitive in this one throughout, which should make Big Ben extremely productive against the worst team against fantasy quarterbacks to date, per FFToday.com. Get all of your Steelers options active, starting with the Big man.

RB Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans

We already chronicled the Titans movement to the youth in B/R's Week 5 Predictions. This is going to be Sankey's breakthrough week. The best part is fantasy is slow to pick up on this. The first rookie picked in the May draft is active in only 53 percent of CBSSports.com leagues despite being one of the most-added running backs there.

Sankey owners are going to regret ignoring this starting advice. The Cleveland Browns are the second-worst team against fantasy running backs to date.

WR Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The move to the power-armed Mike Glennon isn't the only reason to put V-Jack back in your good fantasy graces. Also, Mike Evans (groin) is out and the Bucs are facing a Jairus Byrd-less New Orleans Saints secondary.

The Saints are the sixth-worst team in fantasy against wide receivers, fourth worst against the pass and have given up seven touchdowns to no interceptions, making them seventh worst against quarterbacks, per FFToday.com. They should also have their offense clicking at home, which should make for huge garbage-time numbers for Jackson, perhaps to the tune of 125 yards and two touchdowns.

TE Larry Donnell, New York Giants (vs. Atlanta Falcons)

He has emerged as a consistent week-to-week threat for Eli Manning and offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's Giants. That Week 4 three-touchdown performance was just the clincher for his fantasy emergence.

Donnell faces the third-worst pass defense in the NFL, even if the Falcons have somehow limited tight ends to mere scraps in fantasy. The Falcons are the second-best team against fantasy tight ends. That shouldn't stop anyone from starting this year's Julius Thomas-like breakthrough in all leagues.

D/ST Detroit Lions (vs. Buffalo Bills)

The Lions quietly boast the No. 1 defense in the NFL right now and will be facing a backup quarterback recently elevated to the starting role with the Buffalo Bills, veteran Kyle Orton. That sets up nicely for them and their fantasy owners.

The Lions are still available in almost 50 percent of ESPN.com's leagues, too. They are one of the must-own and must-start units in all of fantasy now, particularly playing at home, where they have already shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers this season.

Sit 'Em

As we have said in prior slides, slow starts and injury questions aren't always enough reason to sit a struggling starter. Otherwise, you might have missed out on Jamaal Charles (ankle) on Monday night and Eddie Lacy (a Thursday night breakthrough) this week.

Matchups made them great again.

Matchups can break the ties and turn fantasy seasons around. They can also keep you in the tank. 

We break down five positional sits based on unfavorable Week 5 circumstances:

QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots

This one has become rather obvious amid Brady's struggles, which can be attributed to his supporting cast (offensive line and wide receivers) if not his advanced age. He isn't even in the top 20 of fantasy quarterbacks right now, per FFToday.com. 

Brady's name still carries weight in the NFL and fantasy circles. So, too, should the Cincinnati Bengals defense, which slowed down the Pats in their meeting last season and are currently No. 4 in fantasy against quarterbacks.

We have a hunch the Pats are going to show life, even offensively, Sunday night at home against the Bengals. That alone is not enough reason to keep Brady active in fantasy, though.

RB Knile Davis, Kansas City Chiefs

Charles is back in charge for the Chiefs, but don't necessarily dismiss Davis as a starting option in fantasy, particularly through the bye weeks. This is not a time to play Davis, however.

The San Francisco 49ers just got done shutting down LeSean McCoy at home and now welcome in the Chiefs on a short week. The 49ers are No. 2 in fantasy against running backs and No. 4 in the NFL against the run.

Davis will have productive weeks alongside Charles, but this won't be one of them.

WR DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins

This is our obligatory "sit this wide receiver against the Seattle Seahawks' Legion of Boom secondary" this week. Jackson had that rivalry game against the Philadelphia Eagles amid his shoulder issues, but he sunk back to being a non-factor against the New York Giants in Week 4.

Jackson is going to run hot and cold, along with most Redskins fantasy options. That makes him a matchup play, and this is decidedly a bad matchup no matter what the NFL's pass defense rankings suggest right now.

TE Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs secondary is considered shaky at best. They have been the seventh-worst team in fantasy against tight ends to date. That shouldn't trick you into trusting Davis (back). He told ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez that there is a "small chance" he will play Sunday. That means there should be no chance you should take with him in your lineup this week.

D/ST Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have yet to have a solid defense perform up to par in fantasy terms. They are the second-worst D/ST right now, per FFToday.com. Now, they travel to Indianapolis to face the scorching Andrew Luck and the Colts. This is a bad week to take a chance on what has become a fringe fantasy option among defensive units.

Sleepers and Busts

Sometimes fantasy analysts can state things too obvious. We are guilty, too. 

"LeSean McCoy is going to rebound."

No fooling. So you're saying we can start the preseason No. 1 overall player. Thanks a bunch.

We say those things to reassure you and keep you from making a regrettable mistake like selling low and allowing someone else to get McCoy's best after you just absorbed his worst.

For those of you that need a deeper dig, here are five under-the-radar plays and five guys you might not sit, but shouldn't expect normal, consistent production this week because of the matchups or injury:

Five Week 5 Lineup Sleepers

1. QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts): The Colts are in the bottom 10 of fantasy against quarterbacks (per FFToday.com), perhaps because Andrew Luck and the offense push the scoring pace so much. Expect that to happen for Flacco and Co. here. The Ravens' offensives options are all solid plays.
2. RB Andre Williams, New York Giants (vs. Atlanta Falcons): No, we don't think Williams is truly going to vulture snaps from Rashad Jennings, but the Falcons are dead last against fantasy running backs. The matchup is good enough to consider Williams as a flex.
3. WR Rueben Randle, New York Giants (vs. Atlanta Falcons): Forget the smoke-and-mirrors Odell Beckham returning news this week. Randle is the superior option and a solid play against the NFL's third-worst pass defense.
4. TE Owen Daniels, Baltimore Ravens (at Indianapolis Colts): The Colts are the fourth-worst team in fantasy against tight ends and Daniels now is the primary one in a tight-end-friendly offense. 
5. D/ST San Diego Chargers (vs. New York Jets): When there is a Geno Smith, there is a way for opposing fantasy defensive units. The Jets are in the bottom quarter against fantasy D/STs.

Five Week 5 Lineup Busts

1. QB Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (vs. Arizona Cardinals): Don't sit him against anyone, but reduce your expectations. Only three teams have given up fewer touchdown passes to fantasy quarterbacks (per FFToday.com).
2. RB Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (vs. Seattle Seahawks): The Seahawks are top five against fantasy backs and No. 2 against the run. It could be a quiet night for Morris on Monday, especially if the Redskins get blown out in prime time again.
3. WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (vs. Buffalo Bills): He was decoy last week. The Lions might even decide they don't need him to beat the Bills at home. Start him if he plays, but they just might be better off holding him out.
4. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at San Francisco 49ers): The 49ers haven't even given up 45 yards to a tight end yet this season, per FFToday.com. They have faced ones superior to Kelce in fantasy, too.
5. D/ST Cincinnati Bengals (at New England Patriots): Brady's offense doesn't put the scare into fantasy owners any longer, but we should expect it performs better at home in prime time. The Bengals defense should be considered a fringe play in this matchup.

Last-Minute Waiver Options

We have hammered the top alternatives on the waiver wide this week at B/R, through the Insider Notebook, Big Board and Week 5 Predictions. In case you're still hunting for some replacement gems, we review some of CBSSports.com's most-viewed players leading up to Sunday's kickoffs:

1. RB Darrin Reaves, Carolina Panthers: The Panthers will go with the hot hand with their veteran backs out, according to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Reaves is the most popular one off waivers this week.
2. RB Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns: Ben Tate (knee) is expected back, but Crowell will still get work and the Tennessee Titans have given up the second-most touchdowns to fantasy running backs, according to FFToday.com. Crowell vultures another touchdown this week.
3. WR Eddie Royal, San Diego Chargers: He is hot and facing a banged-up New York Jets secondary. 
4. RB Bishop Sankey, Tennessee Titans: See the "Start 'Em" slide. We should welcome Sankey to fantasy stardom this week.
5. RB Andre Williams, New York Giants: See the "Sleepers and Busts" slide. Williams is on the right side of that against the lowly Falcons run defense, coming off his best week as a pro.
6. WR Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers: Ditto from Royal. Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates are Philip Rivers' favorites, but everyone can get in on the action against the Jets at home.
7. WR Brian Quick, St. Louis Rams: We don't tend to agree he is the best of the Rams' interchangeable receivers—particularly with Austin Davis becoming more starter than backup after a bye week. But the matchup against the Eagles—fifth worst in fantasy against wideouts—is going to make someone productive for the Rams.
8. WR Rueben Randle, New York Giants: See the "Sleepers and Busts" slide like the aforementioned Williams. Randle is headed for another productive week under the fantasy radar.
9. WR Markus Wheaton, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Jacksonville Jaguars defense is bad enough to consider a banged-up Wheaton (groin) here.
10. WR Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots: Like we said in the "Sleepers and Busts" slide, Brady is going to find better success. Perhaps it is through his one physical threat at wide receiver in LaFell, who might only now be up to speed with Brady and the Pats offense.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game.