Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Terrance Mitchell (39) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The Chiefs won 29-20. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Last week’s starts were Jameis Winston, Frank Gore and Desean Jackson. Winston and Jackson had good weeks against the Patriots, as Winston was a top-10 quarterback and Jackson had over 100 yards. Gore had 86 total yards in a top-20 running back performance.
The sits were Alex Smith, Isaiah Crowell and Alshon Jeffery. Smith continued to impress with a big week against the Texans. Crowell had a gigantic week for his own standards, but only managed 60 yards in another disappointing result. Jeffery only caught three passes for 31 yards in a rough week as well.
Time for Week 6!
Start: QB Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins
Cousins has thrown for an average of 303 yards per game at home this season and just 200 yards per game on the road. This week, Cousins and the Redskins host the San Francisco 49ers. While San Francisco may be Cousins’ future home, the 49ers passing defense is currently seventh-worst in terms of yards per game this season. Coming off a bye week, the Redskins should have a solid game plan in place and Cousins is a great start.
Sit: QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Although Wentz just tore up the Arizona Cardinals’ secondary, but he may run into trouble this week against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has allowed just 14 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this year, ninth-best in the league. Wentz goes on the road for a Thursday game on a short week, so significantly lower your confidence in the sophomore quarterback.
Start: RB Elijah McGuire, New York Jets
Bilal Powell and Matt Forte are both questionable for Sunday, clearing the backfield for McGuire. The rookie from Louisiana-Lafayette gets the privilege of taking on the New England Patriots rushing defense that has given up a stunning league-worst 30 fantasy points per game. McGuire has proven to be effective at times this season and will see plenty of production Sunday, especially if Powell and Forte are out.
Sit: RB Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
Hyde goes up against the Washington Redskins this week, who are coming off of a bye week. Opposing running backs have carried the ball just 67 times against the Redskins this season, the fewest attempts in the league and well below the league average. Hyde ran for only 11 yards on eight carries against the Colts’ weak defense last week and he won’t find it much easier against the rested Redskins this week.
Start: WR Rishard Matthews, Tennessee Titans
Marcus Mariota says he feels confident in returning to the field for Monday Night Football, and that’s good news for Matthews. Facing the Indianapolis Colts, a defense that has given up the second-most yards to receivers, is even better news. Matthews has been pretty consistent with Mariota in the lineup, especially when the Titans are at home like they are on Monday, making him a good start.
Sit: WR Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
With the exodus of Giants’ receivers last week, Shepard is going to have to assume the No. 1 receiver role. But the Giants take on a stingy Broncos passing defense this week, so hold off on putting him into your lineup. Eli Manning might not get more than half of a second to throw in this game, and since Shepard is almost his only option, Denver will be keying in on the sophomore wide out. Don’t trust Shepard this week. And if Shepard is held out for his ankle injury, the same advice holds for Roger Lewis.
Josh Buser is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at joshua.buser@uconn.edu.
