Fantasy Football: Week Five Staff Must Start, Must Sit and Sleeper Picks

Connor Wilcoxen

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

START: Phillip Rivers, QB – San Diego Chargers

Phillip Rivers has been a phenomenal quarterback this season.  According to ESPN, he has thrown for nine touchdowns and only one interception.  Plus, he is playing against the New York Jets defense this week.  The Jets defense can stop the run, however it cannot stop the pass, which means Rivers will be able to throw whenever he desires.  Even if he was playing against a good pass defense, he would still be a must start because of his stats and the targets he has to throw to.  He can throw to Antonio Gates, Eddie Royal, Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, and many others.  If you have Rivers on your fantasy team, then you need to start him this week.

SIT: Stevan Ridley, RB – New England Patriots

The Patriots got blown out on Monday against the Chiefs, and now they play one of the hottest teams in the NFL.  Stevan Ridley is coming off his worst game of the season, a season that has been less than stellar for him.  Against the Chiefs, he only touched the ball five times, and with those five carries he got twenty-eight yards.  That’s about three points in most fantasy leagues, which is unacceptable for a starter.  If Bill Belichick is benching Ridley, than all fantasy owners should do the same.

SLEEPER: Brian Quick, WR – St. Louis Rams

Brian Quick is not a wide receiver one in fantasy football, however he is a solid wide receiver two or three.  Over the past three games, Quick has had sixteen receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown.  Plus, he’s consistent, has gotten at least sixty yards in each game, and one of those games he only had two receptions.  He will get fantasy owners at least six points a week, so he is poised to have a big game soon.  Therefore, if you have Brian Quick, you should start him because you never know when he could have an incredible game.