Fantasy football start/sit advice, Week 5: Bills vs. Lions

Two first-place teams face off Sunday in the Buffalo Bills-Detroit Lions matchup, though that's just about all they have in common. The Lions sit at 3-1 and are riding a two-game winning streak, while the Bills are 2-2 after starting 2-0, and have switched quarterbacks already. The Lions are alone in first in the NFC South; the Bills are in a three-way tie atop the AFC East.

The injury report for the Lions is, well, long. Running back Joique Bell has already been ruled out with a concussion, and the next man up, Theo Riddick, has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson was obviously hindered a week ago with an ankle injury, and he's still questionable, though expected to play. The team's No. 2 receiver, Golden Tate, is dealing with a hamstring injury, and is probable. And one of the team's tight ends, Joseph Fauria, is out with an ankle injury that he suffered adorably. On the Bills side, the only fantasy-relevant injury is wide receiver Sammy Watkins' ribs, and he's expected to be fine for Sunday's game.

Start 'em?: Ultimately, I have both Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller ranked as RB2's this week, which would normally be a must-start. And I'm probably using them. But Detroit is very good against running backs, so I can't pretend they aren't risky. ... Sammy Watkins has had trouble with consistency so far, but a lot of that appears to be attributable to quarterback EJ Manuel; with Kyle Orton at the helm, Watkins might have more to offer. ... Dan Carpenter hasn't been nearly as productive the last two weeks as he was the first two, with 29 points in Weeks 1 and 2 and 10 in Weeks 3 and 4.

Sit 'em: The insertion of Kyle Orton as the starting quarterback has to help Buffalo, for the simple fact that Orton can't be less accurate than Manuel, but you can't possibly use him in fantasy. ... Mike Williams had a good Week 4, but that was entirely on the basis of one big play; neither he nor Robert Woods is someone you want to use in fantasy. ... I think Orton helps the value of tight end Scott Chandler as much as anyone on the Bills, but even with the bump he's only in the mid-teens at the position this week.

Bench: Kyle Orton, Mike Williams, Robert Woods, Scott Chandler

Start 'em: Even without his full complement of weapons, Matthew Stafford is a must-start quarterback. He'll be fine. ... Even against a good Buffalo run defense, Reggie Bush is someone I'm using this week, especially with the rest of the Detroit running game being something of a graveyard. ... So long as Calvin Johnson is on the field, you have to use him. The upside is too great to worry about the risk of a Week 4 repeat. ... The Lions' defense has averaged almost 10 fantasy points a game. I think they're a solid No. 1 defense, and even better against a new starter at quarterback.

Start 'em?: When Johnson was limited last week, Golden Tate had his best game of the season. He now has 30 fantasy points in four games, and he's more interesting with the team's injuries. ... Eric Ebron's stock is on the rise, but the rookie had only three fantasy points in three weeks before his nine-point game in Week 4. ... Alex Henery put up seven fantasy points in his first appearance as the Detroit kicker.

Sit 'em: With Bell and Riddick out, the Lions signed George Winn from the practice squad as depth, and he'll get some touches Sunday, but you can't use him.