Fantasy Football Week 5 Expert Picks: Which Matchups are Pointing Toward Big Weeks?

After a month of NFL football, we are starting to see lineup decisions become a little harder to make. Injuries have built up, as they do every year, and byes start this week, keeping plenty of productive players on the Chiefs and Panthers out of action. That means that fantasy owners are stuck picking among lesser players at every position, making every evaluation that much tougher.

Luckily, the experts at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode, Brant Tedeschi, and Daniel Hepner answered five questions about fantasy football as we head into the weekend of Week 5.

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1. Which quarterback has a great matchup this week and is primed for a big fantasy performance?

Morgan: I like both Jared Goff and Jacoby Brissett in that Lions-Cardinals matchup. Both defenses struggle to stop opposing quarterbacks, so a high-scoring contest could be coming. I think both QBs have good chances to be top-10 fantasy QBs this week.

Brant: Can I go in the opposite direction? Brock Purdy plays at Seattle this week, and they are the second-toughest defense against opposing quarterbacks. This could potentially cool off the streak of solid games for Brock and the 49ers. He has averaged three touchdowns per game up until now (including one on the ground). Fantasy owners should still start him, but I would be a bit realistic with expectations.

Daniel: Aaron Rodgers is far from his prime, but he is coming off back-to-back games with over 290 yards and three touchdowns apiece. Most importantly, he is facing a Colts team that has allowed the fifth-most yards per pass attempt and the sixth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. While he doesn't run the ball, Rodgers can still make an impact with his arm, especially in the best matchups.

2. Do you have a running back who you are avoiding in Week 5?

Morgan: Whoever starts for the Jets has a tougher test against the Browns, and I'd be looking to bench them. Breece Hall is the usual starter but is banged up, so it might be Braelon Allen leading the way. (UPDATE: Hall has been ruled out for Week 5.) I only like starting a Jets' RB this week if it's a deeper league.

Brant: TreVeyon Henderson owners should be concerned about starting him, even in a flex spot. He has not really been involved in the passing game at all and is touchdown-dependent moving forward. He has one score in three games so far and is averaging just 3.7 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson has similar numbers on the ground but has 12 receptions versus just one for Henderson.

Daniel: Saquon Barkley hasn't practiced this week and is listed as questionable; he's unlikely to play. With Tank Bigsby on IR, that leaves Will Shipley as the assumed top back in Philadelphia. Fantasy owners might see him as a sneaky player, but he has a tough matchup against the Jaguars, who have allowed the third-fewest yards per rush attempt and the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs through the first month. Jacksonville was also tough against the run last year, so I don't see things changing against Philly's backup.

3. How about a wide receiver who you are leaving on the bench due to a tough matchup?

Morgan: The San Fran duo of Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. are possibly benchable this week, depending on your other options. They have a very tough test coming against the Seahawks. The Niners' offense has been good so far, but they might cool off in a big way in Week 5.

Daniel: D.J. Moore left last week's game with a shoulder injury for the second time this season and is questionable heading into Week 5. Even if he plays, there is a risk that he won't be 100% or could aggravate that issue. Buffalo is also playing against the Rams, the team that has allowed the fewest yards per pass attempt. LA is only in the middle in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers, but that is because they have allowed touchdowns, not consistent yardage. I'm also down on Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman (along with tight end Dalton Kincaid).

4. Give us a tight end who has a positive outlook and could find the end zone this week.

Morgan: I think Hunter Henry could possibly find the end zone this weekend against the Raiders. Las Vegas struggles to slow tight ends, and with A.J. Brown still out, the Patriots will need Henry if they hope to move the ball through the air.

Brant: This is the week Colston Loveland finally finds the end zone. His number of targets has increased each week, and last week landed him at a healthy nine with six catches. After a horribly slow start to the season, he seems like he is finally the guy you drafted in the fifth round.

Daniel: Mike Gesicki has had three good games, averaging more than 50 yards and scoring a touchdown in each of those contests. He was shut out in the fourth game in Week 2, but Gesicki has been part of the plan more often than not. He faces the Dolphins this week, who have given up the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are both questionable, and if even one of them misses this game, it could mean big things for Gesicki.

5. Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 5?

Morgan: I'll go outside the top-end names a bit and say Kyren Williams delivers big against the Bills. It's a very good fantasy matchup on paper, and in what could be a high-scoring game, I think Williams finds the end zone a couple times too.

Brant: Puka Nacua should also finally find the endzone this week in a huge matchup against the Bills. This one will be high-scoring, and Puka has yet to take off in 2026 due to missing two weeks. Last week was just a warm-up, with nine catches for 125 yards.

Daniel: Trey McBride hasn't been the runaway top tight end like he was last season, but he had at least seven catches in each of the four games so far and now has the best tight end matchup available: Detroit has given up the sixth-most yards per pass attempt and by far the most fantasy points to tight ends. This has the makings of a huge week.