Off of back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, the Seattle Seahawks started the 2015 season a disappointing 0-2. They’ve turned it around since, winning consecutive games to get to .500. Sunday, the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals present the Seahawks’ latest challenge, with Seattle looking to climb over .500 and the Bengals hoping to stay undefeated.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Seahawks vs. Bengals
The Seahawks have turned their season around since starting 0-2, and now look to climb over .500 against an undefeated Cincinnati team.
The Seahawks have injury concerns among their running backs coming into the week. Fred Jackson won’t play, with a high-ankle sprain. Marshawn Lynch will miss the game as well, still dealing with hamstring and calf issues. On the Cincinnati side, running back Jeremy Hill is expected to play Sunday after dealing with a knee injury in practice this week.
The Bengals will play host to the Seahawks Sunday, with gametime scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy contributors:
SEAHAWKS
Start ‘em: Four weeks into the season, Russell Wilson has put up exactly 15 fantasy points three times. It’s not the high-end production you’d hope for, but it’s still in starting territory. ... Jimmy Graham has alternated good and bad games through four weeks. If you believe that pattern, he’s due for a good game. Even if you don’t, it’s still Jimmy Graham. ... Steven Hauschka has kicked for at least seven points in every game this season, and at least 11 in three of four. ... The Seahawks’ defense hasn’t lived up to its lofty status so far, but it’s still a top-flight unit.
Start ‘em?: With Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson both out, the Seahawks are down to Thomas Rawls. You like a guy getting all the carries, but the Bengals haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown yet this year, so it’s no great shakes.
Sit ‘em: With 7.5 fantasy points a game, Doug Baldwin has been good-not-great, though he has only topped 40 yards once in four games, so he’s not exactly exciting.
BENGALS
Start ‘em: You don’t love any receiver facing Seattle, but A.J. Green is so good that you still use him every week, rain or shine. ... The Seahawks’ offense managed only two offensive touchdowns in two weeks against Chicago and Detroit, and the Bengals’ defense is better than both of those.
Start ‘em?: While it’s been a great stretch for Andy Dalton to start the season, averaging 21.5 fantasy points a game, a tough Seattle opponent makes him harder to trust this week. ... Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard combine to make a strong running-back duo, though individually it’s tough to say which will do better in a given week, and against Seattle, it’s hard to have full faith in either guy. ... Tyler Eifert is still a big name, but take out his big Oakland game in Week 1 (and every tight end performs well against Oakland), and he’s averaging barely five fantasy points a game.
Sit ‘em: Playing against Seattle renders Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu more or less unusable. ... Mike Nugent is averaging 5.3 fantasy points a game, and Seattle should keep the Cincinnati offense from being too strong.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham, Steven Hauschka, Seattle defense, A.J. Green, Cincinnati defense
Start if you’re desperate: Thomas Rawls, Andy Dalton, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Tyler Eifert
Bench: Doug Baldwin, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Mike Nugent
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SB Nation presents: Week 5 sit/start fantasy football advice
