Week 5 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Play or Bench Tips for Fantasy Football Managers

We're a month into the 2024 NFL season, and the fantasy football landscape remains somewhat unpredictable. Injuries continue to keep some stars out of action, while others simply haven't met expectations.

Now, bye weeks are being added to the mix. The Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans will be on a break in Week 5, which will leave a few "must-start" players on the sideline.

Here, you'll find a look at a few players who will be in action this week but face potentially difficult situations. We'll dive into the matchups and provide some start-sit recommendations.

All analysis is based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has returned to fantasy stardom this year, thanks in large part to the hiring of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. In Kubiak's offense, Kamara has exhibited both big-play ability and PPR value.

Against a good Atlanta Falcons defense in Week 4, Kamara caught seven passes for 42 yards while rushing for 77 yards and a touchdown. His stat line might not be as impressive this week, though, against a tremendous Kansas City Chiefs defense.

No team has allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs this season than Kansas City.

Fans should expect Kubiak to try various approaches to sparking the ground game against the Chiefs. That may include using Taysom Hill, who scored two rushing touchdowns in Week 4 but exited with a rib injury.

Still, Kamara's PPR floor makes him a reliable start even in the toughest of matchups. He's caught no fewer than two passes in a game this season and has topped 100 scrimmage yards every week.

The Dallas Cowboys backfield has been a mess this season, but Rico Dowdle has emerged as a low-end flex play. He leads the team in rushing, has caught three or more passes twice and found the end zone in Week 4.

Teammate Ezekiel Elliott (117 scrimmage yards, 1 TD through four weeks) isn't even worth a roster spot.

All but the most desperate of managers should sit Dowdle in Week 4, however. His PPR floor isn't high enough to justify a start in tough matchups, and his ceiling is entirely touchdown-dependent—which, with one touchdown on the season, is not ideal.

Dowdle has topped 50 scrimmage yards in each of the last three games but 61 yards represents his season high.

This week, Dallas will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, who boast one of the best overall defenses in the NFL this season. Kansas City is the only team that has allowed fewer fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Last year, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill made a run at 2,000 receiving yards and appeared to have a realistic shot before late-season injuries became a factor. Now, Houston Texans wideout Nico Collins (489 through four weeks) might have a crack at history.

The 25-year-old wasn't widely expected to be this prolific, but he's capitalizing on being C.J. Stroud's go-to target.

"I just think he needed an opportunity," Stroud said, per Drew Dougherty of the team's official website.

Collins continues to get opportunities every week, which is why he's a must-start even in tough matchups like the one he'll face Sunday. The Texans will host the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

There's a good chance that Collins will be held below 100 yards for only the second time this season. However, he's averaging just under 11 targets per game, and it will be a surprise to see him finish with fewer than a half-dozen receptions.

Plenty of folks probably expected Drake London to be this year's breakout fantasy receiver. The arrival of Kirk Cousins was supposed to boost the Atlanta Falcons' passing game dramatically, and London appeared set to capitalize.

London has been serviceable, averaging five catches and 50 yards per game, but he hasn't exploded as many might have hoped. He's actually on pace for the lowest yardage total of his career.

The good news is that London has caught six passes in each of his last three games and has found the end zone twice in that span. The bad news is that the Falcons are set to host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers this season.

London has enough of a floor to justify a flex start for managers whose top receivers are injured or on bye. For those with viable alternatives, however, he should sit.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros