Start or Sit: Week Five: Romo vs. Ryan and More

Every week fantasy owners face tough decisions on who to start and who to sit. Let’s take a look at a few potential players that fantasy owners may be trying to decide between and determine who you should start and who should be left on your bench. (If there’s a matchup you want to seen covered here in future weeks, feel free to send in your questions)

Quarterbacks: Tony Romo vs. Matt Ryan

Start ‘Em: Tony Romo—Dallas Cowboys
He’s struggled. There’s just no other way to put it. He has thrown just one touchdown since the opening week, to go along with four interceptions. Keep in mind that he faced off against the Giants (No. 1 passing defense), Broncos (No. 3 passing defense) and Panthers (No. 6 passing defense). That’s some tough competition, so while you may have wanted to see some better results, it shouldn’t be a complete surprise that he hasn’t quite been up to snuff.

This week he gets the lowly Chiefs, the fifth worst passing defense by yards, allowing over 250 yards per game. They’ve allowed eight passing touchdowns, also fifth worst in the league. He showed in the opening week against the Buccaneers that he can capitalize on a bad defense, so now is not the time to give up on him.

Bench ‘Em: Matt Ryan—Atlanta Falcons
Really? One of the sophomore darlings of the league has not put up big numbers this season, throwing for just 648 yards in his first three games (topping out at 229 yards). Granted, he’s managed to throw five touchdowns, but it is clear that the team is not going to cut him loose. They are going to continue to ride Michael Turner, though that shouldn’t be a surprise.

This week Ryan takes on the San Francisco 49ers, a defense that is emerging as one belonging in the top half of the league. They have allowed just four passing touchdowns, while giving up 210.2 yards per game in the air. If you are hoping that this is the week that he catches fire, you may want to rethink that strategy.

Running backs: Brian Westbrook vs. Thomas Jones

Start ‘Em: Brian Westbrook—Philadelphia Eagles
Health concerns are the only reason to think twice about using him, but the news this week states that he is expected to play after missing the past two weeks. Seeing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, who is allowing 171.8 yards per game on the ground, third worst in the league, can get you healthy in a heartbeat. While he will likely share carries with LeSean McCoy, facing a defense that allows runs like Tampa Bay has, he has got to be in your fantasy line-up.

Bench ‘Em: Thomas Jones—New York Jets
He had a huge Week One, running for 107 yards and 2 TD, but since then has done little to distinguish himself from any other running back in the league, amassing just 122 yards in his past three games. You can tell the Jets are concerned, as Shonn Greene was beginning to get worked into the mix this past week. Along with Leon Washington, if Jones can’t get things on track, his role could quickly diminish.

Just to make matters worse, Jones squares off with the Miami Dolphins who is allowing just 61 yards per game on the ground, the second best in the league. They’ve also allowed just two rushing touchdowns, so where exactly are Jones’ points going to come from?

Wide Receiver: Santonio Holmes vs. Michael Sims-Walker

Start ‘Em: Santonio Holmes—Pittsburgh Steelers
He hasn’t found the end zone since opening day. In fact, he’s caught just 10 passes in the last three weeks after grabbing nine balls in the first game. While Hines Ward & Mike Wallace have shown flashes in recent weeks, we all know that at the end of the day Holmes is the man in Pittsburgh. This week he gets to line-up against the Lions, who have allowed 12 TD through the air already. Now is the time for Holmes to reestablish himself.

Bench ‘Em: Michael Sims-Walker—Jacksonville Jaguars
He’s been on fire the past few weeks and, depending on your other options, is really not someone to put on your bench. If you are on the border of benching him, however, because you favor the other matchups, I would go with your other guy.

He faces the Seahawks, who are in the middle of the pack against the pass, but is also bad against the run (21st in the league). This could be a week where they simply hand the ball to Maurice Jones-Drew and let him do his thing. Additionally, what are the chances that he once again at 6+ catches with 80-plus yards? Sooner or later he’s going to have a down week.

What are your thoughts on these decisions? Which do you agree with? Disagree with?

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