Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench

A larger sample size and the expectations generated by years of steady production from traditional stars make Week 5 of the NFL season a particularly trying time for fantasy owners.

There are some unenviable lineup decisions to make, and this is also the time when trades involving some of the game's biggest names become prominent. But there are some clear favorites to fare well in Week 5, along with other usual studs in line to disappoint fantasy owners.

Here is a closer look at the top five players to start and sit this week, along with analysis on each player's matchup and point projections.

Start 'Em

Rank	Player	Week 5 Opponent	Projected Points
1	Andrew Luck, QB, Colts	vs. Baltimore Ravens	25
2	Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers	at Jacksonville Jaguars	22
3	Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers	vs. Minnesota Vikings	20
4	LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles	vs. St. Louis Rams	18
5	Victor Cruz, WR, Giants	vs. Atlanta Falcons	16

The highest-scoring quarterback of the season has been Indianapolis Colts young gun Andrew Luck.

What's implied by his surname has nothing to do with it. Ever since Luck has been given free rein to assault opponents through the air by his former college offensive coordinator and current play-caller, Pep Hamilton, the results have been astounding.

Gil Brandt of NFL.com outlined the historical implications of Luck's recent brilliance:

Expect similar production to continue at home against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite how reputable its defense is, Baltimore has allowed eight yards per attempt and is seventh against the run. That will lead to a pass-heavy game plan from Indianapolis and another big day from Luck.

What is most excellent about Le'Veon Bell is that he has room to improve. The Pittsburgh Steelers stud is a workhorse who has run 72 times and already has 19 receptions.

However, he has just one touchdown in four games.

Week 5 sees Bell face the Jacksonville Jaguars' poor rush defense. The third-most productive fantasy running back is bound to break out with perhaps his best game to date in 2014.

On the topic of RB1s, Philadelphia Eagles standout LeSean McCoy hasn't been playing like one. With just 39 rushing yards in his past two games, it's not time to panic—especially with the Eagles set to host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.

McCoy faces the 30th-ranked rush defense that is without defensive end Chris Long and has just one team sack through three games. Philly coach Chip Kelly will get back to the roots of his rushing attack and help McCoy bounce back, much to the chagrin of Shady's fantasy opponents.

Even with the continued emergence of Randall Cobb, there are still plenty of passes to go around for Jordy Nelson in Green Bay, per NFC Director of Football Communications Randall Liu:

Nelson and Aaron Rodgers have been the most lethal QB-WR combination this year. Fresh off a contract extension, Nelson is leading the NFL in receiving and targets. Expect another game with double-digit targets and Rodgers to tee off on the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night at Lambeau Field.

Speaking of Thursday-night games, Eli Manning and the New York Giants blew out Washington on the road in Week 4, as Victor Cruz had six receptions for 108 yards.

With defenses keying in on Giants tight end Larry Donnell after his breakout, three-touchdown effort, Cruz will break open more often underneath from his lethal slot position.

Sit 'Em

Rank	Player	Week 5 Opponent	Projected Points
1	Tom Brady, QB, Patriots	vs. Cincinnati Bengals	11
2	Arian Foster, Houston Texans	at Dallas Cowboys	7
3	Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals	at Denver Broncos	6
4	Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers	at New Orleans Saints	5
5	Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers	vs. Kansas City Chiefs	3

New England Patriots legend Tom Brady is struggling to say the least. The future Hall of Famer is playing behind a horrendous offensive line and the playmakers at his disposal just aren't up to snuff.

That lack of protection has caused Brady to wilt in the face of near-constant pressure, harming his characteristic pinpoint accuracy in the process, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Fantasy owners can't have high expectations when New England comes back home on a short week to take on the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, who are coming off a bye.

Even Brady himself doesn't expect much moving forward, preparing to face a Cincinnati defense that has yielded an NFL-best 11 points per game so far:

Arian Foster put the Houston Texans on his back to the tune of 58 carries amid the team's 2-0 start. But a hamstring injury kept him out for Week 3 and limited him to six yards on eight rushing attempts in Week 4.

Although Foster still managed seven receptions for 55 yards in last Sunday's win over Buffalo, the All-Pro ball-carrier shouldn't be trusted until his bad wheel is healthier.

Plus, a lot of key players missed Wednesday's practice in addition to Foster—not a good sign for the offense's overall fantasy outlook—per Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle:

The Texans will be at least tied atop the AFC South no matter what entering Week 6's showdown with Indianapolis. This isn't to suggest Houston will concede defeat to Dallas, but it ought to be resting Foster as much as possible, preparing for the quick turnaround in next Thursday's marquee divisional matchup.

Another past stud RB in Doug Martin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is also one to stay away from in Week 5, despite this encouraging testimony from WDAE 620 AM/95.3 FM:

Martin had just 40 yards on 14 carries (2.9 yards per carry) at Pittsburgh in Week 4. He is headed on the road to face a desperate Saints team that will likely light it up through the air with Drew Brees. New Orleans' defense will key in on Martin, daring young QB Mike Glennon to beat New Orleans with his arm.

The emergence of rookie wideout John Brown and big target Michael Floyd have relegated Arizona Cardinals veteran Larry Fitzgerald to a supporting role in his 11th NFL season.

Fitzgerald may wind up in a shootout with the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning, but the likelier scenario is Arizona trying to play keep-away on the road and running the ball more with Andre Ellington. When the Cards do take to the air, Floyd and Brown are the likelier primary targets at this stage.

On the surface, it may look like the Kansas City Chiefs are a favorable matchup for San Francisco 49ers star tight end Vernon Davis. According to ESPN.com, Kansas City is allowing the seventh-most points to fantasy tight ends.

But that number is a bit misleading. Delanie Walker and Julius Thomas, two of the NFL's top pass-catchers at the position, played the Chiefs in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. They both found the end zone, yet managed fewer than 40 yards apiece.

Rob Gronkowski, who managed just two receptions all game, got a garbage-time TD last week in Kansas City's rout of the Pats, so the Chiefs aren't as bad as you'd expect.

Davis has been hobbled by injuries all year and is dealing with back spasms, so he's a stay-away option in Week 5.

There is still time for the stars who are meant to sit out to rebound for their owners, but fantasy football favors the opportunistic owners.

Sometimes, impetuousness can lead to peril. More often than not, it's "What have you done for me lately?" type of business.

It won't be long before struggling fantasy footballers lose their grip on the season. That's why it is wise to take significant stock of what's happened in the first four games despite the lengthy season still to play and the perpetual uncertainty about injuries.

Fantasy scoring information courtesy of ESPN.com.