No one is really surprised that the Tennessee Titans have one win through four weeks, or that the Buffalo Bills have two. But after both teams looked really strong in Week 1, their combined one win since has to be disappointing. On Sunday, the teams play one another, with only one able to come out of the game looking like a real possible contender.
Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Bills vs. Titans
How many years have to go by before this game is hyped as a Music City Miracle rematch? More than this, apparently.
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The Bills are the walking wounded for this game. Running backs LeSean McCoy and Karlos WIlliams will both miss the game. Anthony Dixon is the next man up at the position, though he’s still dealing with a calf injury. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins is on the doubtful side of questionable with a calf injury that kept him out of Week 4. Wide receiver Percy Harvin and tight end Charles Clay will both play through their injuries, though. The flip side of that is the Titans, who have no fantasy contributors on their weekly injury report.
The Bills will travel to Nashville for Sunday’s game, hosted by the Titans with a 1 p.m. ET scheduled start. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:
BILLS
Start ‘em: Even when he hasn’t always looked like a great real-life quarterback, Tyrod Taylor has averaged 19.3 fantasy points a game. He’s always going to be relevant. ... Suddenly, Charles Clay is a must-start tight end after two straight double-digit fantasy performances. ... Dan Carpenter obviously has done better in the Buffalo wins than losses, and this shapes up well for the Bills. ... The Bills’ defense hasn’t been as consistent as you’d like, but it’s a good unit.
Start ‘em?: With LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams out, you would like Anthony Dixon, but he’s also banged up and, well, there’s a reason he’s a little-used No. 3 option. ... With the running-back injuries and the likelihood of Sammy Watkins missing another game, Percy Harvin has some theoretical flex potential, but he hasn’t done much with that so far.
Sit ‘em: The Bills signed Dan Herron this week because of all their running-back injuries, and he’ll likely see the field Sunday, but he won’t get enough touches to be fantasy-relevant.
TITANS
Start ‘em: Three games into the season, and Kendall Wright has 16 fantasy points in two of them. He’s not an elite option, but he needs to be used at least as a flex. ... Delanie Walker remains a solid TE1 option.
Start ‘em?: One way or another, quarterbacks against the Bills do well, meaning good things for Marcus Mariota as a high-end QB2.
Sit ‘em: The team keeps switching its top running back. Right now, it appears to be Antonio Andrews over Bishop Sankey, Terrance West and Dexter McCluster, but the chances it could change at any moment make this a situation to avoid. ... Behind Wright, the other Tennessee receivers -- Justin Hunter, Harry Douglas and Dorial Green-Beckham -- aren’t strong fantasy options, though Green-Beckham’s stock is rising. ... Ryan Succop doesn’t get a lot of chances at strong kicking performances in this offense. ... The Titans’ defense isn’t strong, with six total points since Week 1.
SUMMARY
Start in every league: Tyrod Taylor, Charles Clay, Dan Carpenter, Buffalo defense, Kendall Wright, Delanie Walker
Start if you’re desperate: Anthony Dixon, Percy Harvin, Marcus Mariota
Bench: Dan Herron, Antonio Andrews, Bishop Sankey, Terrance West, Dexter McCluster, Justin Hunter, Harry Douglas, Dorial Green-Beckham, Ryan Succop, Tennessee defense
