Week 5 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Candidates: Quarterbacks
Wondering who to start and sit at quarterback this week? Below are two top-notch start and two sit options at the quarterback position for Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season.
Week 4 Review – half-PPR scoring
Starts
- QB Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks) @ Detroit Lions – 31.70 (QB2)
- QB Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) @ New Orleans Saints – 13.92 (QB21)
- Jacoby Brissett (Cleveland Browns) @ Atlanta Falcons – 15.96 (QB16)
Sits
- QB Carson Wentz (Washington Commanders) @ Dallas Cowboys – 9.30 (QB27)
Quarterback – Starts
Jameis Winston (New Orleans Saints) vs. Seattle Seahawks
The New Orleans Saints kept quarterback Jameis Winston (back fractures) inactive last week, but Week 5 brings a cakewalk against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle’s opponents are averaging 28.8 points per game, second most in the NFL, and 33.0 points per game over the last three weeks. Their 10.4% explosive pass plays allowed rate, per 4for4’s NFL Team Stats Explorer is tied for the fourth-highest average in the league and their 268.5 passing yards allowed per game are fifth most. These rates pair nicely with the 10.1% explosive pass plays generated rate owned by Seattle’s offense, as it makes for pass-happy game scripts.
Winston is armed with a pair of top-30 fantasy wide receivers, Chris Olave (WR16, 50.0 half-PPR points) and Michael Thomas (WR28, 43.1 half-PPR points), despite the latter missing Week 4 with a foot injury. An added bonus: even if Thomas cannot play, Seattle’s tight end and slot receiver coverage have been abysmal this year, as their safeties and linebackers are lost without safety Jamal Adams (Injured Reserve) showing them the way.
Watch #57 Cody Barton here and tell me again why I’m wrong about him being a bad player pic.twitter.com/ZaUTiMrcOJ
— Brian Nemhauser (@hawkblogger) October 2, 2022
As a result, Seattle is allowing 18.0 half-PPR points per game allowed to the tight end position, most in the NFL. Tight ends Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill will be active here. Slot receiver Jarvis Landry is still a capable, if slow, route runner.
Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) vs. New York Giants
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers should experience cozy pockets and soft coverage against a badly bruised New York Giants defense. New York is likely to be without defensive linemen Leonard Williams (knee) and Henry Mondeaux (carted off), cornerbacks Aaron Robinson (knee), Cordale Flott (calf), and Nick McCloud (hamstring), edge rusher Azeez Ujulari (calf), and safety Jordan Love (concussion). Edge rusher Jihad Ward also suffered an unnamed injury, per head coach Brian Daboll.
The pass rush has been the strength of New York’s defense as their 26.2% quarterback pressure rate, ranks top-five in the NFL so potentially losing four impact players in the front seven is devastating. New York’s coverage has been among the league’s worst, as their 12 passes defended are fifth fewest in the NFL and they remain the only team in the league who is yet to record an interception.
Derek Carr (Las Vegas Raiders) @ Kansas City
Over the last two years, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has reliably thrown for over 250 passing yards and at least one touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, never throwing more than one interception in a game.
| Date vs. KC | Derek Carr Passing | Derek Carr Rushing |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 12, 2021 | 33/45-263-1-1 | N/A |
| Nov. 14, 2021 | 25/35-261-2-1 | 3-18-0 |
| Nov. 22, 2020 | 23/31-275-3-1 | 3-6-0 |
| Oct. 11, 2020 | 22/31-347-3-1 | 4-1-0 |
Kansas City continues to add impact players along their defensive line, but the game scripts forced by quarterback Patrick Mahomes lead enemy quarterbacks to fruitful fantasy outings no matter the circumstances. Kansas City has faced Kyler Murray, Justin Herbert, Matt Ryan, and Tom Brady this year and has just one interception to their name. Each man threw for two or more touchdowns as well. 4for4 promotional partner MGM Grand has the over/under for this Monday Night Football clash set at 51.0, the highest game total on the week.
* Full QB rankings can be found here.
Quarterback - Sits
Matthew Stafford (Los Angeles Rams) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Matthew Stafford ranks 28th in passing expected points added (EPA) per play, -0.115, and 24th in pass EPA per play vs. the blitz. Week 5 brings a bout with the blitz-happy Dallas Cowboys and 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year/First-Team All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons ranks top-six across the board in blitzes (19), quarterback knockdowns (five), quarterback pressures (12), and sacks (4.0). Dallas ranks T-10th, in the league with 0.10 interceptions per drive and has limited opposing passing games to a 5.8% explosive pass plays allowed rate, second best in the league.
