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Fantasy owners have much to factor into their decisions for Week 5, whether it is four teams on bye weeks, or Hurricane Matthew’s winds potentially whipping around in football stadiums along the East Coast. In the meantime, fantasy owners can have some clarity in setting lineups by looking at Week 5’s matchups, one at a time.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Start ‘em
Mike Evans, elite target monster, now draws a matchup with a secondary that was just annihilated for 503 passing yards and cut one of their best corners for being mostly responsible for a 300-yard day from Julio Jones. Evans is an unquestioned WR1 for Week 5 as a result, especially with Charles Sims and Doug Martin sidelined. Should the running game render the Buccaneers one-dimensional, Jameis Winston deserves streaming consideration, as well as a high-floor QB1.
Start ‘em?
The fallout of having Sims and Martin out can cause fantasy points to trickle down to Jacquizz Rodgers, who is expected to have the backfield mostly to himself. As a satellite back, however, most of his value should come from the receiving game. Rodgers can be considered a volatile flex option, as should Adam Humphries and Cameron Brate, who should both warrant an uptick in targets.
Sit ‘em
Usage concerns still keep Vincent Jackson off of the fantasy radar. Undrafted free agent Peyton Barber may factor into the backfield, but there is no evidence to suggest a big week from him.
Carolina Panthers
Start’ em
Greg Olsen, fantasy football’s No. 1 tight end, came alive late in Week 4’s loss to the Falcons with Derek Anderson at the helm and the team in furious catch-up mode. Olsen can once again safely be started in all formats.
Start ‘em?
With Cam Newton sidelined due to a concussion, Kelvin Benjamin can be considered even more volatile than he has been in recent weeks. That says a lot with Benjamin having a zero catch outing in Week 3, but Anderson cannot be considered a safe bet to feed the Panthers’ pass catchers. Benjamin can be considered a boom-or-bust flex. Fozzy Whittaker, who has reaped much of the fantasy wealth in the Panthers backfield, can also be considered a volatile RB2/flex.
Sit ‘em
Anderson, Ted Ginn, Jr. ,Cameron Artis-Payne, and Devin Funchess should remain away from fantasy lineups as a result of Newton’s injury.