Week Five Fantasy Football: Start 'Em and Sit 'Em

Attention Anquan Boldin owners: Hopefully you've made alternative plans for week five after seeing your guy take a major hit late in the game Week 4 as he will be out against the Bills.

The disadvantage to doing rankings early in the week is that as injury reports surface, things will change. However, the start 'em and sit 'em column is here for Week 5.

Quarterbacks - Start 'Em

Jon Kitna, DET (vs CHI)

Hopefully Kitna can avoid the turnover bug this week, as he has thrown five interceptions through three games this year. The Bears are already giving up 264 yards per game through the air, so if that happens, Kitna (along with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson) will have a big day.

Other Quarterback "Start 'ems":

Jake Delhomme, CAR (vs KC), Trent Edwards, BUF (@ ARI), Matt Hasselbeck, SEA (@ NYG), Kyle Orton, CHI (@ DET).

Quarterbacks - Sit 'Em

Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs. ATL).

The three second-most dreaded words in fantasy: "Game Time Decision". Of course, the three most feared: "Out For Season". The quarterbacks on bye this week are Marc Bulger, JaMarcus Russell (No. 2s), Derek Anderson (sorry), and Brett Favre. If you have Rodgers and Favre, that's just sick. You shouldn't have put yourself through that. What I'm saying is, you should have another option, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to go with him.

Other quarterback "Sit 'ems":

Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (@ JAX), Kurt Warner, ARI(BUF), Eli Manning, NYG (vs SEA).

Running Backs - Start 'Em

Steve Slaton, HOU(vs IND). Headlining a theme of rookie running back starts for week five, Slaton has a chance to run straight through Indy's porous run defense sans Bob Sanders.

Other running back "Start 'ems":

Matt Forte, CHI(at DET), Jonathan Stewart, CAR (vs KC), Felix Jones, DAL (vs CIN).

Running Backs - Sit 'Em

Clinton Portis, WAS (at PHI). Portis should be very productive on the ground against an Eagles defense that has given up a whopping 215 yards rushing, right? Wrong. That 215? That's on the season.

Other running back "Sit 'ems":

Chris Johnson, TEN(at BAL), Rudi Johnson, DET (vs CHI), Michael Turner, ATL (at GB), Reggie Bush, NO (vs MIN).

Receivers - Start 'Em

Steve Breaston, ARI(vs BUF).

With Anquan Boldin recovering from surgery, Breaston looks to get the starting nod this week against Buffalo. His nine catches and 122 yards last week were impressive, but misleading as the Cardinals quickly found themselves down 34-0 at the half and were throwing all game. He may, however, find a similar stat line this week, whether or not the Cardinals are being blown out this week, because he's starting.

Other receiver "Start 'ems":

Randy Moss and Wes Welker, NE (at SF), Muhsin Muhammad, CAR (vs KC), Lance Moore, NO (vs MIN), Amani Toomer, NYG (vs SEA), Bobby Engram, SEA (at NYG).

Receivers - Sit 'Em

Greg Jennings, GB(vs ATL).

Telling you to sit my own number two-ranked receiver would be completely contradictory, but I'm going in depth here to warn Jennings owners:

If Aaron Rodgers doesn't play, then Jennings will not have a Greg Jennings day. Deep balls could even -gasp- be taken out of the equation. Keep an eye on Rodgers' status unless you're satisfied with a four-catch, 60-yard performance. Donald Driver should be ok though.

Other receiver "Sit 'ems":

Santonio Holmes, PIT (at JAX), Justin Gage, TEN(at BAL), Roddy White, ATL (at GB), Deion Branch, SEA(at NYG).

Tight Ends

Start 'Em:

Anthony Fasano, MIA (vs SD). The Chargers have given up five touchdowns to number one tight ends through four games. Just sayin'.

Sit 'Em:

John Carlson, SEA (at NYG).

Kickers

Start 'Em:

Ryan Longwell, MIN (at NO), Rian Lindell, BUF (at ARI).

Sit 'Em:

Shaun Suisham, WAS (at PHI), Shayne Graham, CIN (vs DAL).

Defenses

Start 'Em:

Packers, GB (vs ATL).

Sit 'Em:

Jaguars, JAX (vs PIT). The jury is still out on Pitt's no-huddle offense.

Week 5 Quarterbacks

Week 5 Running Backs

Week 5 Receivers

Week 5 TEs, Ks, & DSTs