Start'em, Sit'em: Fantasy Football Players To Start in Week 5

Another week, another round of byes, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, and Miami Dolphins have the week off.  That means such notable fantasy players as Tom Brady, Rashard Mendenhall, and Ronnie Brown won’t be playing and may leave their fantasy football owners grasping at straws for a decent replacement. 

Those who are thin because of bye weeks will need to take a look at our “Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Start ‘Ems” for Week 5.

Eli Manning (New York Giants) @ Houston

Manning has had an up-and-down season so far, alternating games where he has completed at least two-thirds of his passes and topped 250 passing yards with games he did not top 200 passing yards.  He has been held without a touchdown over the past two games, but that looks likely to change in Week 5 against the Houston Texans. 

Houston has allowed the most passing yards in the NFL through four weeks (355 per game) and has also allowed multiple passing touchdowns in three of four games.  Expect Manning to air it out plenty in the game, as the Texans rank second in the league against the run and running back Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle) is expected to play injured. 

As long as he can avoid turnovers—he has thrown six interceptions this season—Manning should throw for 250-300 yards and a couple of touchdowns against a vulnerable Texans secondary.

Peyton Hillis (Cleveland Browns) vs. Atlanta

Hillis is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games heading into Week 5. He got over 20 carries in each game and has now scored in all four games this season.  He appears to have earned the starting job for the Browns over Jerome Harrison, who did not receive a carry in Week 4 despite apparently being healthy enough to play after missing Week 3 with a thigh injury. 

The Falcons have been solid against the run so far this season, but they have allowed 4.75 yards per carry to opposing running backs, and both touchdown runs they have allowed were 50-plus yards.  Hillis should get plenty of carries and touches once again this week, and is a good bet to find the end zone and put up solid yardage.

Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers) @ Washington

Driver made the most of limited opportunities in Week 4 against the Detroit Lions, hauling in three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. 

This week he has a matchup with the Washington Redskins, who have allowed the most receptions (74) and the second most yards (825) to opposing wide receivers thus far this season.  Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers should be throwing frequently in the game, and Driver should see plenty of opportunities come his way even if he is the third option (behind Jermichael Finley and Greg Jennings) in the Green Bay passing game. 

He is a solid WR2 this week, and while it’s always tough to predict a touchdown, you have to like Double D’s chances of making it four out of five games with a six-pointer.


To see who else should be started in Week 5 go here...Week 5 Start 'Ems