By: Caleb Luketic//Contributing Writer
Start ‘Em:
QB: Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals take on the winless Detroit Lions this Sunday. The Lions were close to winning on Monday Night against the Seattle Seahawks, but a controversial call on a Calvin Johnson fumble ended the game. The Lions are looking for their first win, but their task of finding it doesn’t get any easier against Carson Palmer and the Cardinals. Palmer is currently averaging 20.1 points per game (PPG), while the Lions defense allows an average of 18 PPG against opposing quarterbacks. Palmer should have continued success finding his favorite target, Larry Fitzgerald.
RB: Dion Lewis – New England Patriots
The New England Patriots travel to Dallas to take on the banged up Cowboys. The Cowboys defense faces a dynamic New England offense with a solid running game led by Dion Lewis. The Cowboys are ranked 30th in points given up to fantasy running backs, which provides a fantastic matchup for the New England backfield. Lewis is averaging 14.2 PPG, and he is a solid RB2 play in Week 5.
WR: Keenan Allen – San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football in Week 5. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lowly ranked secondary, however they have been playing much better than expected. Keenan Allen leads the Chargers in targets and receptions, which should continue to increase Monday night, even with the improvement of the Steelers secondary. Allen is a legitimate WR1 thus far in 2015.
TE: Charles Clay – Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills travel to Nashville this week to take on the Tennessee Titans. Clay has averaged 9.4 points per game, a top among tight ends. If Sammy Watkins is out once again for the Bills, Clay could easily lead the team in targets from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Clay is a great play in your season long fantasy league and any daily fantasy leagues.
D/ST: New York Giants
The New York Giants take on the struggling San Francisco 49ers this week. The 49ers offense is averaging less than 300 yards per game, which bodes well for any opposing defense. The 49ers offense is also allowing an average of 13.3 points per game against opposing defenses. If your defense is struggling or if they are on a bye week, I would plug-and-play the Giants this week.
Sit ‘Em:
QB: Nick Foles – St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers Sunday afternoon. The Packers defense has been a surprise fantasy defense in 2015, as they have only allowed the 14th most points to opposing quarterbacks, and Foles has only averaged 13 points per game. The Packers have an excellent pass rush, which leads to turnovers. If you have Foles this week, I would sit him.
RB: Jeremy Hill – Cincinnati Bengals
The undefeated Cincinnati Bengals are hosting the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. The Seahawks rushing defense is ranked second in all of fantasy in points allowed to running backs. Hill has struggled in 2015, with the exception of his breakout performance in Week 4. I would look to avoid Hill against the stout Seattle front seven.
WR: Amari Cooper – Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders take on the biggest defensive fantasy surprise of 2015 in the Denver Broncos. No one had expected Denver to be this improved from just a season ago. The Broncos are currently allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers so far in 2015, which parallels for Cooper owners. I would sit Cooper this week against a tough Broncos secondary.
TE: Martellus Bennett
The struggling Chicago Bears are taking on the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City this week. Both teams are struggling offensively, and the same trend looks to continue this Sunday. The Chiefs have allowed the 10th fewest fantasy points to tight ends, and Bennett isn’t getting many target from Bears quarterbacks. I would avoid Bennett this Sunday because he is going up against a tough defense against tight ends.
D/ST: St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams take on the dynamic Green Bay offense led by Aaron Rodgers. The Rams are the sixth ranked fantasy defense this season, and they are averaging 8.8 points per game, which is outstanding for any fantasy defense. However, any time a defense takes on Aaron Rodgers, they should automatically be benched in favor of anyone else because Rodgers can pick apart even the best of defenses.
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