The Atlanta Falcons are 4-0, but because the Carolina Panthers have yet to lose as well, Atlanta is only tied for first in the NFC South. Washington, meanwhile, needed a Week 4 win just to get back to .500 at 2-2, but with the rest of the NFC East struggling as well, the team is also tied for first in the division. Odds are good that whichever of the two loses their matchup Sunday will fall out of first, so the game is crucial for both.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Washington vs. Falcons
Atlanta is 4-0, while Washington is 2-2. They’re both tied for first place in their respective divisions, though.
Washington will likely be without wide receiver DeSean Jackson (ankle) and tight end Jordan Reed (concussion) Sunday, though neither is officially out yet. On the Atlanta side, wide receivers Julio Jones, Roddy White and Leonard Hankerson and tight end Jacob Tamme were all on the weekly injury report, but should all play. Running back Tevin Coleman, who has missed the last two weeks with a rib injury, also appears likely to play in Sunday’s game, though he’s fallen behind Devonta Freeman on the team’s depth chart.
The Falcons play host Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:
WASHINGTON
Start ‘em: The likelihood of playing without both DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed makes Pierre Garcon the team’s top target, and a nice fantasy play.
Start ‘em?: As of now, it looks like Alfred Morris is the superior fantasy option to Matt Jones, though that’s no guarantee, and neither is getting enough touches to be more than a low-end flex option. ... Since taking over the team’s kicking job, Dustin Hopkins has averaged almost nine fantasy points a game.
Sit ‘em: After an awful seven fantasy points in Week 1, Kirk Cousins has improved in every week since. He’s starting to look more relevant for fantasy, though for now he’s still outside starting territory, especially with so many of his weapons hurt. One more good game, though, could change that. ... Chris Thompson has averaged 10 fantasy points a game the last two weeks, but with Morris and Jones, Thompson’s production is unlikely to continue. ... Jamison Crowder had his best game in Week 4, but he needs to show more before he’s a real fantasy option. ... Derek Carrier will likely serve as the team’s tight end in Reed’s absence, but there’s a reason he’s a largely anonymous backup. ... The Washington defense has been competent, but the Atlanta offense is so good that you need more than competent to counter.
FALCONS
Start ‘em: The easiest way to beat the Washington defense is to throw deep on them, which Matt Ryan should have little trouble doing. ... Devonta Freeman had 44 fantasy points as a rookie last season. He has 69 in the last two weeks. He’s forced himself into fantasy lineups. ... Julio Jones is still one of the league’s single top weapons. I guess that’s enough words on him. ... Matt Bryant has averaged more than nine fantasy points kicking per week. ... The Falcons’ defense is on the upswing, and improvement or not, Kirk Cousins is almost always an interception waiting to happen.
Start ‘em?: The team has looked to Leonard Hankerson behind Jones more and more often. He’s a decent flex option.
Sit ‘em: Between Freeman’s rise and a strong Washington defense, Tevin Coleman isn’t a fantasy option you can really consider right now. ... Roddy White will be heard from again before all is said and done, but he hasn’t tallied a fantasy point since week 1. ... Jacob Tamme should make his return from a concussion this week, but he’s off fantasy radars.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Pierre Garcon, Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Matt Bryant, Atlanta defense
Start if you’re desperate: Alfred Morris Matt Jones, Dustin Hopkins, Leonard Hankerson
Bench: Kirk Cousins, Chris Thompson, Jamison Crowder, Derek Carrier, Washington defense, Tevin Coleman, Roddy White, Jacob Tamme
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SB Nation presents: Week 5 sit/start fantasy football advice
