Fantasy football advice, Week 5: Who to start/sit for Patriots vs. Cowboys

The New England Patriots are averaging almost 40 fantasy points per game and have had an extra week of rest because of their Week 4 bye. The Dallas Cowboys have lost two in a row and have their quarterback, No. 1 wide receiver and a key running back injured. Anything can happen in football, but let’s just say Sunday’s game between the two certainly looks like it’s leaning in a particular direction.

On top of all that, the Patriots come into Sunday’s game supremely healthy, particularly from a fantasy perspective, with none of their fantasy options on the injury report. Once you get past the long-term absences (Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Lance Dunbar), the Cowboys are relatively healthy as well, though they’ll also be missing wide receiver Brice Butler for the game.

The Cowboys will host the Patriots Sunday, with the game scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET. Let’s take a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em: What, you were thinking I’d have a reason not to use Tom Brady? ... LeGarrette Blount saw his usage rise in Week 3, and that should continue this week. ... Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski are, you know, really good. ... You’d think maybe the team would have a weakness at kicker or defense, but Stephen Gostkowski and the Patriots’ defense are both great as well.

Start ‘em?: It’s been a great start to the season for Dion Lewis, but as Blount rises in usage, Lewis could fall. He’s still probably worth starting, but no longer as sure as he was a couple weeks ago.

Sit ‘em: Behind Edelman and Gronkowski, Aaron Dobson and Danny Amendola just aren’t great fantasy options.

Start ‘em: With at least six fantasy points in every game so far, Joseph Randle has made himself an every week fantasy starter. ... Jason Witten is averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game. That’ll play everywhere.

Start ‘em?: It’s true that Terrance Williams isn’t any great shakes, but it’s also true that the Cowboys don’t exactly have many alternatives. ... Dan Bailey is a strong kicker, but the Dallas defense is fading.

Sit ‘em: It’s true that Brandon Weeden has looked better than expected, but he’s still miles from a real fantasy option. ... Even with Lance Dunbar out, Darren McFadden likely won’t get enough touches to be anything beyond a change-of-pace option. ... Christine Michael will finally see the field in Week 5, but he needs to show a lot to be a fantasy option after that. ... A mediocre defense against a super offense? There might be no worse fantasy option this week than the Cowboys’ defense.

SUMMARY
Start in every league: Tom Brady, LeGarrette Blount, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski, New England defense, Joseph Randle, Jason Witten
Start if you’re desperate: Dion Lewis, Terrance Williams, Dan Bailey
Bench: Aaron Dobson, Danny Amendola, Brandon Weeden, Darren McFadden, Christine Michael, Dallas defense