Week 5 fantasy football advice: Start Joe Burrow, bench Matthew Stafford

BEGIN with Joe Burrow

After gaining a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joe Burrow signals.

Photo by: AP/Jeff Dean

Week 5 opponent: @ Baltimore Ravens

DraftKings’ daily fantasy price is $6,700 while FanDuel’s is $7,800.

Why he should be started: The Bengals’ offensive has not been as effective as it was last season, but this week’s matchup with the Ravens could be favorable. Baltimore has allowed more passing yards than any other NFL team this season, surrendering more than 315 yards a game. Moreover, this situation might quickly evolve into a gunfight, in which case Burrow may throw even more than he already does.

Matthew Stafford is a SIT.

Before a game against the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up.

AP Image: Jed Jacobsohn

Week 5 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $6,400 while FanDuel’s is $7,400.

Why he should be seated: The Cowboys defense has been quite stingy to start the season and deserves just as much credit for the team’s 3-1 start as backup quarterback Cooper Rush. On offense, Stafford and the Rams look to have lost a step, with wide receiver Cooper Kupp providing the only spark on numerous drives. If the Cowboys can limit Kupp to a nice performance rather than a record-setting one, you may want to find another quarterback for this week’s squad.

START: Dameon Pierce

Dameon Pierce rushes alongside the Los Angeles Chargers’ sideline.

Photograph: AP/David J. Phillip

Week 5 foe: the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road

DraftKings is priced at $6,200 while FanDuel is priced at $7,500.

Why he should be started: With 100 total yards and a touchdown in each of his last two games, rookie running back Dameon Pierce has created quite a stir among fantasy players. Last week against the Eagles, the Jaguars defense surrendered 210 rushing yards.

SIT: Leonard Fournette

Against the Kansas City Chiefs, Leonard Fournette carries the ball.

AP Photographer: Chris O’Meara

Week 5 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $6,900 while FanDuel’s is $7,800.

Why he should be seated: Leonard Fournette should be a larger part of the Buccaneers offense than he is, but it is difficult to trust him in your fantasy team at this time. While he scored a touchdown last week, he gained minus three yards on his three rushing attempts, an uninspiring performance. This week’s game against the Falcons could be a bounce-back performance, but I would rather see Fournette establish his role in the Buccaneers’ offense before starting him in fantasy.

START: Nyheim Hines

Nyheim Hines.

Photo by: AP/Wade Payne

Week 5 opponent: @ Denver Broncos

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $5,500 while FanDuel’s is $6,300.

Why he should be started: The absence of starting running back Jonathan Taylor for Thursday’s game against the Broncos should benefit Nyheim Hines. Hines is a vastly different running back than Taylor, but it might work to his advantage in fantasy, as Hines is utilized more in the receiving game and could rack up PPR points at a bargain price.

SIT: J.K. Dobbins

A touchdown is scored by J.K. Dobbins against the Buffalo Bills.

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Week 5 opponent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $5,600 while FanDuel’s is $6,500.

If you have JK Dobbins on your fantasy squad, it will be difficult to bench him this week, especially coming off a performance in which he scored two touchdowns. Nonetheless, there is cause to be suspicious of the sustainability of that performance. Last week, Dobbins gained 41 yards on 13 rushing attempts, which is inefficient. Although he could still reach the end zone, I would advise avoiding him in daily fantasy lineups.

START: Mike Evans

Mike Evans catches a touchdown pass vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

Peter Joneleit via AP

Week 5 opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $6,900 while FanDuel’s is $7,500.

Why he should be started: The Buccaneers appear primed to dominate the Falcons in the air. Tom Brady and the Tampa passing attack finally found their rhythm against the Chiefs last week after a difficult start to the season. If they can keep the offensive going this week, the Falcons should not be able to stay up with them.

SIT: Tyreek Hill

Tyreek Hill carries the ball while against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Photograph: AP/Joshua A. Bickel

Week 5 opponent: @ New York Jets

DraftKings’ daily fantasy price is $8,000, while FanDuel’s is $8,400.

Why you should bench him: If Tyreek Hill is on your fantasy team, you should probably play him. With Teddy Bridgewater replacing Ryan Tannehill as the Dolphins’ quarterback this week, it may be prudent to lower your expectations for Hill. Bridgewater is more than capable of leading an offense, but there is always a potential that it will take some time for a new man to find his rhythm. I would seek elsewhere if you intend to put significant wealth in daily fantasy football wide receivers.

START: Tyler Boyd

Against the New York Jets, Tyler Boyd makes a breakaway.

Images by Brad Penner/AP for Panini

Week 5 opponent: @ Baltimore Ravens

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $5,200 while FanDuel’s is $5,900.

Why he should be started: Joe Burrow and Tyler Boyd are excellent stacking options this week against the Ravens. While Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are Cincinnati’s top two receivers, Boyd is more than capable of racking up large points and is significantly less expensive for daily fantasy lineups.

SIT: Drake London

Drake London is ecstatic after scoring against the Seattle Seahawks.

AP Image: Ashley Landis

Week 5 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $5,900 while FanDuel’s is $6,200.

Why he should be seated: The Falcons were most effective last week when they committed to rushing the ball. In addition, the Buccaneers defense will know they have a chance to win if they keep everything in front of them. While London has helped the Falcons extend the field this season, Tampa will likely attempt to contain him and push Atlanta to win elsewhere.

START: George Pickens

George Pickens prepares for a game against the New York Jets by warming up.

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

opponent in Week 5: at Buffalo Bills

DraftKings is priced at $4,300 while FanDuel is priced at $5,500.

Why he should be started: After Kenny Pickett took over as quarterback for the Steelers in the second half of last week’s game against the Jets, George Pickens appeared to be a whole different man. With Pickett scheduled to start this week against the Bills and the Bills likely to score a lot of points, Pickens might have a breakout fantasy day if the game ends up being high-scoring.

SIT: Allen Robinson

Allen Robinson misses a touchdown catch.

AP Image by Mark J. Terrill

Week 5 opponent: vs. Dallas Cowboys

DraftKings is priced at $5,300 while FanDuel is priced at $5,700.

Why he should be seated: Allen Robinson’s Los Angeles debut has been dismal. His best game had only four receptions, and he frequently does not appear to factor into the Rams’ game plan. The head coach, Sean McVay, has stated his commitment to increasing Robinson’s involvement. If the club decides to target him at all costs to jumpstart his season, there is a chance he will have a breakout game within the next week. However, if you continue to guess which game it will be, you will likely continue to perform poorly as wide receiver for a while.

Terry McLaurin is the beginning of the sentence.

Terry McLaurin executes a route in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles.

AP Image: Susan Walsh

Week 5 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $6,200 while FanDuel’s is $6,500.

Why he should be seated: On Sunday, the Commanders will be without rookie receiver Jahan Dotson, giving the Redskins a couple more opportunities to score. Terry McLaurin is a top-tier receiver who has not yet lit up the stat sheet this season, but if Carson Wentz can get the ball to him, he should shine in this game.

BEGIN: Logan Thomas

The touchdown is scored by Logan Thomas against the Detroit Lions.

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Week 5 opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $3,200 while FanDuel’s is $5,200.

Why he should be seated: Dotson’s absence from the Commanders’ lineup should make some targets available. In the vicinity of the red zone, Logan Thomas may benefit and score cheaply.

SIT: Kyle Pitts

Against the Seattle Seahawks, Kyle Pitts battles off a defender.

AP Image: Ashley Landis

Week 5 opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $4,400 while FanDuel’s is $5,600.

Why he should be started: The start to Kyle Pitts’ fantasy season is one of the most perplexing I can recall. He is very talented, yet he has contributed nothing to fantasy players through four games. The Falcons have centered their offense around their running game, leaving Pitts with little to accomplish. With the injury to running back Cordarrelle Patterson, things could change this week, but against one of the top defenses in the league, it seems unrealistic to expect Pittsburgh to finally show up.

Beginning: Miami Dolphins

Contrary to the Buffalo Bills, Christian Wilkins makes a tackle.

Associated Press Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Week 5 opponent: @ New York Jets

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $3,200 while FanDuel’s is $4,900.

Why he should be started: On Sunday, the Dolphins will be without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and will likely seek to control the ball. Zach Wilson is a skilled marksman, but prone to turnovers.

SIT: Philadelphia Eagles

Fletcher Cox celebrates a fumble recovery against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Photo by AP/Matt Slocum

Week 5 opponent: @ Arizona Cardinals

DraftKings’ daily fantasy pricing is $3,500 while FanDuel’s is $4,500.

Why he should be seated: Starting the season averaging 13 points per game, the Eagles defense has been one of the best in fantasy football. Nonetheless, the Cardinals have demonstrated their offensive prowess with a 21-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Raiders. It is difficult to sit a defense performing so well, but Kyler Murray is exceptional. Exercise extreme caution.