Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 5: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions

In many ways, fantasy football often ends up feeling like crisis management. Can I survive this player's slow start? Do I trust this player against a tough matchup? Is this the week they bust out, or do I cut ties? Can I afford to take a chance on this guy?

Answer those questions incorrectly and you'll indeed have a crisis on your hand. Well, a fantasy crisis, that is. But that's why I'm here, to offer you some assistance. Below, we'll take a look at a few players who are tough calls this week and decide whether you should start or sit them. 

Let's avert some crises!

Start 'Em: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

His weapons aren't that great! He's barely running the ball this year! I'm unwilling to recall certain facts, like Cam Newton's three-straight top-five finishes among fantasy quarterbacks!

I've heard the concerns as they pertain to Newton, I just don't really buy them. Newton didn't have great weapons last year, either, and he finished as the No. 3 quarterback. And he and Kelvin Benjamin have certainly developed a quick rapport.

I'd like to see him running a bit more than eight times for 33 yards in his first three games, but so long as Newton is getting rushing attempts in the red zone, I'm not as concerned about his rushing attempts declining somewhat this year. And given how beat up Carolina's backfield is, I'm guessing he'll be getting plenty of touches in the red zone when the Panthers get there this week.

Oh, and the Chicago Bears are giving up 17 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks per week, 24th in the NFL, so Newton has a favorable matchup. There are better options at the position this week, sure, but Newton should absolutely be considered a low-end QB1 this week.

Sit 'Em: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

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Here's the thing about Jay Cutler—you just can't trust him to consistently perform on a weekly basis. He's erratic. He throws a lot of picks. He frustrates fantasy owners. When he avoids the turnovers, sure, he can give you 25 fantasy points.

But when he's throwing interceptions, even with the weapons he has, his ceiling is 15-18 points, not the 20-plus points he could be scoring if he protected the rock. 

The fact that Brandon Marshall is hobbled won't help matters. Yes, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte give him solid options out of the backfield, but Marshall is still his favorite target. He's not quite at Calvin Johnson decoy status, but it was clear this past week he's pretty hobbled. 

And I'm not convinced that this Carolina defense is as bad as they've looked. They're down some key players from a year ago, sure, but this was one of the top defenses in the league last year. And take away the 25-point performance from Joe Flacco last week and they're allowing just 13.8 fantasy points per week to opposing quarterbacks.

Cutler is a high-risk, high-reward play on most weeks. In certain matchups, I'll gladly take the risk. This week, I'm staying away. 

Start 'Em: Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets

The fans have seen it. Fantasy owners have seen it. New York's coaching staff has seen it. 

Chris Ivory is better than Chris Johnson. And Ivory should absolutely be a weekly starter for you this season. 

He has nine or more fantasy points in every game. He has more touches than Johnson (57 to 49) and more yards from scrimmage (344 to 207). The only place they're equal is in touchdowns, with two apiece. 

Sure, the San Diego Chargers have been decent against opposing backs, giving up 16.8 fantasy points per week to the position, 16th in the NFL. But the Jets are at their best when they are pounding the rock and, in an effort to keep the ball away from Philip Rivers, they'll pound it this week. Start Ivory with confidence.

Sit 'Em: Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts

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On the opposite end of the committee spectrum is Trent Richardson, who has posted pretty solid fantasy numbers this season but still doesn't look nearly as good on the field as Ahmad Bradshaw. What's been interesting is that Bradshaw has emerged as one of Andrew Luck's favorite receivers in the red zone, with four touchdown receptions this season. 

That type of usage makes him somewhat matchup-proof, whereas Richardson remains the team's traditional two-down back. Against a Baltimore Ravens defense that has allowed opposing running backs to rush for over 67 yards just once this season and hasn't given up 100 rushing yards in a game, Richardson's upside seems fairly low. 

Bradshaw's involvement in the passing game keeps his value intact this week. But fantasy owners can do better than Richardson.

Start 'Em: Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints

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The New Orleans wideouts haven't generally impressed this season—Brandin Cooks is averaging just seven fantasy points per week—but a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is too good to ignore and Cooks seems like the man most likely to take advantage.

Cooks leads all Saints receivers in receptions (23), receiving yards (199) and, most importantly, targets (30). In an uncertain unit for fantasy owners, he's the safe bet.

And boy, are the odds stacked in his favor for a big week against Tampa Bay, a team giving up 30.8 fantasy points to opposing receivers per week, worst in the NFL. Get Cooks in those lineups, folks.

Sit 'Em: Wes Welker, WR, Denver Broncos

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There are a few reasons I don't love Welker this week.

For starters, I think he's probably at the point in his career where he's the fourth option in this passing game behind Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Welker returned to action in Week 3 but didn't exactly light things up, finishing with six receptions for 60 yards. 

To put that into perspective, Sanders had 11 receptions for 149 yards.

Sure, Welker was returning from his suspension in a limited capacity, and having the bye will help. But he also has a really tough matchup, as he's likely to draw slot-corner extraordinaire Tyrann Mathieu this week. Mathieu is the rare player who has the physicality to re-route Welker within five yards but the quickness to stay with him on the underneath routes. 

Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I don't like this matchup for Welker. And frankly, I think we'll see a general decline in his production going forward.

Hit me up on Twitter—I'll answer your fantasy questions and make some corny jokes, too. It's more fun than a Jay Cutler Fumblerooski.