Fantasy Football Week 5: Start and Sit Recommendations for Quarterbacks
Analyst Dwain McFarland outlines quarterback start, sit, upgrade and downgrade options for Week 5 based on projection models, matchups and recent performance.
Dwain McFarland’s Week 5 fantasy football column highlights quarterbacks who may be worth starting or benching, focusing on players ranked roughly 24-36 and those on the cusp of the top 12. Using his Fantasy Football Projections Model, Freedman’s NFL Betting Game Model, injury reports and matchup context, he identifies shifts in player outlooks.
McFarland recommends Matthew Stafford (Rams) as a strong start, noting the Rams rank third in total team strength according to Freedman’s model and that the Bills provide a significant fantasy boost to opposing quarterbacks. He projects Stafford to score a median of 18.6 points, with a ceiling of 22.4, and places him as his third-best quarterback for the week.
Jacoby Brissett (Cardinals) is listed as an eight-seed start after the Lions’ defense is expected to give a 6.4-point boost to opposing QBs. His median projection is 17.1 points, with a ceiling of 22.2.
For upgrades, Sam Darnold (Seahawks) is identified as a borderline QB1, citing Seattle’s three-point favorite status and a favorable matchup against a 49ers defense that ranks low in pressure rate.
Among the quarterbacks suggested for sitting, Jalen Hurts (Eagles) is downgraded due to reduced rushing attempts and a lower team total in Freedman’s model. His median projection falls to 15.8 points, with a floor of 12.1.
Tyler Shough (Saints) is also flagged for potential benching after a hand injury and a matchup against a Vikings defense that limits opposing passers.
McFarland advises readers to consult his weekly Utilization Report for deeper usage trends and to review his rest-of-season projections, which are updated each Tuesday.