Three matchups to take advantage of in Week 5

Welcome to my weekly article where I dive into some matchups from the upcoming week of games that I’m particularly looking forward to watching. I’m going to dive into the fantasy implications of each of those match ups and give you my take on which players are must starts, who to take a chance on and who should be avoided at all costs.

Atlanta Falcons (1-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1-2-1)

One of the standout fixtures of Week 5 sees two preseason playoff favourites in a battle not to be left behind in their respective divisions. What makes this match up particularly fascinating is the potential for points as in fantasy terms, these are two of the four worst fantasy defenses in fantasy points allowed in 2018. This will only be the second time quarterbacks Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger have lined up against each other and both are currently in the top-10 fantasy quarterbacks in points per game this season. Devonta Freeman is set to return to the starting line up as he has recovered from the knee issue that has kept him sidelined for the past three weeks.

Atlanta Falcons

Must Starts: Matt Ryan QB, Julio Jones WR, Calvin Ridley WR, Devonta Freeman RB

Solid Options: Tevin Coleman RB

Deeper Leagues: Mohamed Sanu WR, Austin Hooper TE,

Avoid: Falcons D/ST

Pittsburgh Steelers

Must Starts: Ben Roethlisberger QB, Antonio Brown WR, Juju Smith-Schuster WR, James Conner RB

Solid Options: —

Deeper Leagues: Jesse James TE, Vance McDonald TE

Avoid: Steelers D/ST

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) @ Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

If the above game was an early season must win to keep those teams relevant in 2018, this game is here to establish who is the leading contender in the AFC. Its strength on strength as the the Chiefs’ potent offense led by Patrick Mahomes come up against the Jaguars’ defense, which has continued to be its dominant self and currently sits as the top team in fantasy points allowed in 2018. With Leonard Fournette again sidelined with a hamstring injury this week, the Jaguars will continue to rely in TJ Yeldon to run the ball, something he’s done with great effect so far in 2018 as the league’s RB11 in both standard scoring and PPR formats.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Must Starts: Jaguars D/ST, TJ Yeldon RB

Solid Options: Dede Westbrook WR, Keelan Cole WR, Donte Moncrief WR, Josh Lambo K

Deeper Leagues: Blake Bortles QB, Austin Seferian Jenkins TE, Corey Grant RB

Avoid: —

Kansas City Chiefs

Must Starts: Patrick Mahomes QB, Tyreek Hill WR, Kareem Hunt RB, Travis Kelce TE

Solid Options: Sammy Watkins WR, Harrison Butker K

Deeper Leagues: —

Avoid: Chiefs D/ST

Oakland Raiders (1-3) @ Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

The final match up I’ve chosen this week sees the Raiders, who picked up their first win in a ding-dong battle with the Browns in Week 4, travel down the California coast to LA to take on the Chargers who scraped by the Jimmy G-less 49ers to get to .500 for the season. It could be a big week for Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ receiving corps as the Raiders have the worst fantasy pass defense in the entire league.

Oakland Raiders

Must Starts: Marshawn Lynch RB, Jared Cook TE

Solid Options: Derek Carr QB, Jordy Nelson WR, Amari Cooper

Deeper Leagues: —

Avoid: Raiders D/ST

Los Angeles Chargers

Must Starts: Philip Rivers QB, Melvin Gordon RB, Keenan Allen

Solid Options: Austin Ekeler RB. Mike Williams WR

Deeper Leagues: Antonio Gates, Chargers D/ST

Avoid: Caleb Sturgis K

I’ll be back next week with my favorite matchups for Week 6.