Time is flying, we are now entering Week 5 of the 2021 season, and continuing our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This week, we have a long day of action with the first game in the UK being played. So a reminder to make sure you have your Atlanta and New York Jets players out of your flex positions. I’ll actually be attending the game, so looking forward to seeing some NFL action.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Start 'Em
Daniel Jones @DAL
Jones is having a sneaky good season. The Giants aren’t the best offense, but equally, the Cowboys defense isn’t great. They have given up a lot of points, and made Sam Darnold look great (I’m not saying he isn’t). With the potential of one of those long rushes that he breaks out, he is a worth a start if needed.
Mac Jones @HOU
Jones has a good matchup against Houston, who have been beaten up on defense this season. He struggled against Tampa Bay last week, which will make you worried given the weakness of their secondary, but the weather was awful. Against Houston, Jones should get the opportunity to do what he wants and have a solid game.
Matt Ryan v NYJ (UK)
Has the Falcons offense found itself? Possibly. After struggling with the season opening, the offense seems like it has found it’s feet. Ryan has been airing it out, with a number of targets. Games in the UK can hold surprises, I’m hoping that it doesn’t, and Ryan has a solid game.
Jameis Winston @WAS
Washington were a great defense last season, but seem to be struggling this year- at least through the air. Matt Ryan had a great game against them, even Daniel Jones was good. The Saints offense has been more slow-paced than previous seasons, but Winston should be able to find a way to move the ball.
Leonard Fournette v MIA
Tampa Bay are going to be looking to make a statement on offense after struggling against the Patriots. Miami isn’t the unit that it was last season, struggling on the group in particular. Fournette has established himself a role in the offense, and should get plenty of touches.
Damien Williams @LV
Williams is going to be the starter for Chicago for the next few weeks at least, with David Montgomery set to miss time with his injury. With how the Bears run their offense, there should be plenty of volume. The Raiders defense has also allowed running backs to score.
Chuba Hubbard v PHI
Christian McCaffrey has a real outside shot to play, but given his injury, I don’t think he will suit up. Hubbard has been given the work out of the backfield, and the Eagles defense has struggled to stop people running on them.
Damien Harris @HOU
Harris struggled last time out, but tell me a running back that won’t struggle against the Tampa Bay defense. The Texans have struggled on defense all season, and should provide a fantastic opportunity for Harris to impress.
Marvin Jones v TEN
The Titans secondary has struggled all season, among the worst in the league against the WR position. The Jaguars haven’t looked great with the ball in their hands, but when they have found success it has been when Jones has been given the ball.
Kadarius Toney @DAL
Toney has really stepped up in the absense of Sterling Shepard. With Darius Slayton likely to miss the game along with Shepard due to injury, Toney should be inline for another healthy target share. Against a Dallas secondary that has been beaten, you could worse than Toney- especially in PPR formats.
Corey Davis @ATL (UK)
Davis has been productive this season, with the target volume that he has had. The Jets also put together some signs of improvement against the Titans. Sure it was against a weak secondary, but it’s not like the Falcons are a great unit.
Jaylen Waddle @TB
You could go with DeVante Parker in this game. The Tampa Bay secondary is allowing teams to go up and down the field without too much issue. With the success Tampa have stopping the ground game, there should be plenty of volume.
Antonio Brown v MIA
Staying in the same game, Mr. Big Chest is back. Brown has been Tom Brady’s favorite target since he joined the team. Rob Gronkowski is likely to miss the game, which frees up targets in the offense.
Jonnu Smith @HOU
As I mentioned previously, the Patriots should have a good time against the Texans. Both TEs are in play as a result. Henry has been on the field more than Smith, but they are roughly equal on targets.
Mike Gesicki @TB
The Dolphins have brought Gesicki in from the fringe with Jacoby Brissett looking to Gesicki often. Tampa Bay have a great rush, which could lead to plenty of space for Gesicki between the line and the secondary.
Dalton Schultz v NYG
Schultz is getting targets in an offense that has Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb. The Giants defense isn’t great against TE, and that’s without facing a top-tier one this season.
Minnesota Vikings v DET
The Vikings defense has given up points, but it has found a way to get to the QB. Jared Goff has been solid this season, with the protection that he gets from his offensive line. But we’ve seen how Goff can get like when he is under pressure.
New York Jets @ATL (UK)
The Jets have 13 sacks so far this season, with a pass rush that can get after the QB. The Falcons offensive line has struggled at times. Having gone to the games in the UK, we can see upsets. The Jets defense could get the upper hand against the Falcons.
Arizona Cardinals v SF
This is certainly the most risky of all of the starts. But, this Cardinals defense has playmakers at each level. Against a rookie making their debut, at home, Trey Lance could struggle. Of course, we could see him flash, but I’ll bank on the Cardinals having a decent performance.
Rodrigo Blankenship @BAL
The Colts feel like a great team for kickers. Able to move the ball downfield, but not always to convert to scores. That could well happen on Sunday against the Ravens defense that has found a way to make blocks in the redzone.
Daniel Carlson v CHI
Carlson is a great start most weeks, with his accuracy and power. The Bears defense have given up some big plays, but have also managed to stop drives. If the Raiders offense stalls, then Carlson should have plenty of opportunities.
Sit 'Em
Ben Roethlisberger v DEN
This is an auto-sit. The Broncos defense is firing, and one of the best against against QBs in the league. Then the Steelers offense is a whole other problem. It’s just not effective. Roethlisberger has struggled to have a consistent level of protection, and that spells trouble.
Baker Mayfield @LAC
Mayfield struggled last week, in maybe his worst performance in recent memory. The Chargers defense have struggled to stop ground attacks, but have managed to control the ariel attack. This could end up being an arm wrestle between two teams strengths.
Myles Gaskin @TB
Gaskin looked like he was going to be a solid RB2 at the start of the season, but he has seen his playing time restricted. Combining that with the Tampa Bay front? Nope, avoid Gaskin.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire v BUF
Ok, so I’ve been guilty of thinking that CEH is now a thing. It makes sense on the face of it, as the running back on a good offense. Two back to back 100 yard games. So why is he a sit? It’s the strength of the Bills defense. They are effective against running backs. Oh, and those two 100-yard performances were against some of the worst teams against the position.
Miles Sanders @CAR
Sanders has been struggling to have a foothold in the offense. He leads the team in attempts, but that has dropped off in the past two weeks. Carolina are a tough unit against the running back position, and with Kenny Gainwell having the role of pass-catcher out of the backfield, there isn’t that much to fall back on.
Josh Gordon v BUF
Yeah. Don’t do it. It was once cool to put Gordon in your lineup, but much like Tim Tebow playing TE it won’t work out well. The Bills are also solid in the secondary. You probably didn’t need to be told either of those- but I just wanted to confirm DON’T DO IT.
Tim Patrick @PIT
The Steelers secondary isn’t good, and Patrick has had a solid role in a Broncos offense that has looked good. So why are we sitting him? The change in QB. Teddy Bridgewater has been solid throughout his career, Drew Lock on the other hand, not so much.
Robby Anderson v PHI
Anderson is becoming the forgotten man on the Carolina offense. Moore has been massively leading in targets, while the other targets have been spread around amongst the offense. You probably know you should avoid Anderson at this point, but there are still people out there who want to see those deep Darnold passes to Anderson and refuse reality.
Maxx Williams v SF
Williams pops up now and again on the offense, normally grabbing a pass for a score. That is frustrating, but the at is the TE position. The 49ers defense has struggled to reach its previous highs, but have managed to contain TEs. Look for the other receiving weapons on this offense.
Jared Cook v CLE
The Browns defense is legit. They are a constant threat with their pass rush, which is going to mean that Cook is likely to be used to block rushers instead of getting downfield.
San Francisco 49ers @ARI
The 49ers defense isn’t the unit that led them to the Super Bowl. The Cardinals on the other hand have maybe the best and potent offense in the league. Easy avoid.
Chris Boswell v DEN
Boswell has really struggled this season as part of an offense that is devoid of dynamism. You could hope for some long range attempts, but I’d rather look elsewhere.
Jason Sanders @TB
The Dolphins offense are going to be trailing in this game early (I would think). The Dolphins offense has struggled to move the ball, and could be suffocated by this defense. Meaning few attempts for Sanders.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 5 of the 2021 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server.
Image Credit: Kim Klement – USA TODAY Sports
