Fantasy Football Week 5 Projections: Start 'Em vs. Sit 'Em

As the 2011 NFL season carries on, we are beginning to learn the who's who in fantasy football. There are players that will consistently put up strong points, and then there are those players who are inconsistent but worth stashing on your team.

In this slideshow, I will provide you with one player from each position who I feel will have a breakout week, and one player at each position who is bound for a disastrous week.

Sit 'Em: Ben Roethlisberger

At best, Roethlisberger has been a No. 2 fantasy quarterback this year. With many injuries to the Steelers' offensive line, I can see why Big Ben is having his troubles, as he has yet to throw for more than one touchdown in a game this year.

This week will not get any better..

The Steelers will play a shockingly stellar Titans defense who held the Baltimore Ravens' prolific offense to a mere 13 points.

Not sounding any better for Roethlisberger right?

And to top it all off, Rashard Mendenhall is a game-time decision and Big Ben is nursing a foot injury that will undoubtedly plague him in this week's contest.

This will not be a high-scoring game and expect the defense of either the Steelers or Titans to determine the outcome of the game with a late turnover.

All signs point to benching Roethlisberger this week.

Start 'Em: Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman has yet to prove that he is a viable starting quarterback in fantasy football, but look for him to make his mark this week against the San Francisco 49ers.

Freeman headlines the young and talented Tampa Bay Buccaneers with late second-half comebacks week after week. This week, expect the Bucs to put this game away right from the start.

The 49ers rank 27th in the league in protecting the pass and they have given up 20 or more points in two or their four games this season.

Freeman is in need of a breakout game and I'm sure he's looking forward to this one. Expect three total touchdowns from Freeman, with at least one of them coming on the ground.

Sit 'Em: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson has had an abysmal year, but he is "CJ2K" and it is hard to imagine benching him.

This week brings different circumstances.

Johnson goes up against the "Steel Curtain" defense this week and although they are aging quickly, the Steelers still have a beast of a defense.

After recording his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season last week against the Cleveland Browns, many fantasy owners are thinking that Johnson is back on track.

Mark my words, he will not run all over the Steelers, especially not at Heinz Field. This is the only week this year where it will be beneficial to bench Johnson, so don't get used to it.

Start 'Em: Stevan Ridley

This is an interesting pick because Ridley has yet to see many carries this year, but I don't expect him to contribute on the ground as much as he will in the passing game.

Tom Brady has an offense loaded with weapons that include Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (who will play this week).

The Jets' defense will be focusing on shutting down these players, thus leaving an opening for Ridley to have a breakout week.

Ridley, the speedster out of LSU, rushed for 97 yards on only 10 carries last week.

He will get his touches in the passing game, but if he can contribute like he did last week in the running game, expect huge numbers for Ridley this week.

Sit 'Em: Julio Jones

Many fantasy bloggers have Julio Jones as a start option this week.

I just don't see it that way.

Jones is having a pretty good rookie campaign as he has recorded 342 total reception yards in the first four games of the season, averaging about 86 yards a game. The key fact here is that he hasn't recorded a touchdown and that is why I don't trust starting him this week.

Matt Ryan has Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White, two stellar red zone receivers, and he also has a stud running back in Michael Turner, a reliable force in the red zone.

The only way Jones will get a touchdown is if he burns Travon Williams or Charles Woodson on a go route and sorry, but I just don't see that happening.

Start 'Em: Mike Williams

As I stated early, Josh Freeman is slated to have a breakout game this week. To have a breakout game, he needs a receiver to step up.

Hello Mike Williams, it's your time to shine.

Williams has only recorded a total of 155 yards this season with last week being his best outing, posting 66 receiving yards.

It only gets better from here, I promise fantasy owners.

Freeman and Williams will hook up at least eight times in this week's game and they will find the chemistry they had last year. Expect Williams to record his second touchdown of the year along with a 100-yard game.

Sit 'Em: Brandon Pettigrew

The Detroit Lions arguably face their toughest opponent to date in the Chicago Bears.

Chicago's defense has been less than excellent this year, but whether they win or lose, I expect the Bears to not let Detroit walk all over them.

Calvin Johnson will do all the scoring like usual, while players like Nate Burleson, Titus Young and Brandon Pettigrew will get their occasional 40-80 yards.

If it weren't for Johnson, I'd say Pettigrew would be a must-start option this week as he has the physical physique to be a monster in the red zone, but Johnson will occupy the red-zone role.

Pettigrew will get an exceptional number of touches, but I don't see him playing a significant role in the red zone, thus labeling him as a "dud" in fantasy this week.

Start 'Em: Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen is nothing short of being a monster.

Unlike Pettigrew's situation in Detroit, the Carolina Panthers do not have an offensive stud in the red zone. This is why Olsen will have a great game this week against an average Saints defense.

The Saints' defense has given up 30- and 42-point games this year. They are obviously very vulnerable.

Olsen is a fantastic tight end and he will take advantage of the opportunity presented to him.

With Cam Newton as his quarterback, I cannot guarantee that Olsen will be targeted on every red zone possession because of Newton's willingness to run. But I can guarantee that Olsen will be his No. 1 target since Steve Smith will be covered heavily.

Leave Comments

If you have any players you think I missed or you strongly disagree with my picks, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know.