Defense and Kicker Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Fantasy Football Week 5

It’s week 5, people! Time to set up those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at a week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine kickers and defenses that may or may not meet expectations based on their weekly opponent… like the Seahawks’ defense in Week 3!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs

1. Brandon Aubrey at Steelers
2. Harrison Butker vs. Saints (Mon.)
3. Evan McPherson vs. Ravens
4. Cairo Santos vs Panthers
5. Ka’imi Fairbairn vs. Bills
6. Jake Moody vs. Cardinals
7. Justin Tucker with the Bengals
8. Chase McLaughlin at the Falcons (Thursday)
9. Chris Boswell vs. Cowboys
10. Austin Seibert vs. Browns

Complete the Week 5 Kicker Rankings

Bye weeks: Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Titans

beginning of the week

Evan McPherson vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): After four weeks, McPherson is one of the top kickers in the fantasy scene with an average of almost 11 points per game. That success should continue this week as he will face a Ravens defense that has allowed three kickers to beat them for at least nine points, including one (Daniel Carlson) who scored 18 points.

Start them

Cario Santos vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Santos has struggled over the last two weeks, scoring a total of 12 fantasy points. However, he should bounce back this week as he has upside in the game against the Panthers. After four weeks, their defense has allowed kickers an average of 10.8 fantasy points per game. That’s the fourth-most in the league.

Wil Lutz vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): Lutz has scored double-digit points in two of his first four games, good enough to place him in the top 12 kickers. He’s a nice streamer this week as the veteran kicker faces a Raiders defense that has given up 11 or more fantasy points to three kickers in the first four games of the season.

Kickers with good matchups

Seat of the week

Greg Zuerlein vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network): Zuerlein put up a solid nine fantasy points last week, but his overall average this season is just 5.3 points. I would keep him on the sidelines in London as he faces a Vikings defense that is allowing just three field goals and the fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers this season.

Set them

Dustin Hopkins on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hopkins scored 20 fantasy points in his first two games, but since then he’s only managed six on two field goal attempts. I would skip the veteran against the Commanders, who have been tough on kickers. In fact, their defense has only allowed five field goals and 6.5 points per game.

Greg Joseph at the Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Joseph left last week and scored 19 points in a loss to the Cowboys. However, I wouldn’t go hunting for points as he faces a tough battle next in Seattle. After four weeks, their defense has allowed opposing kickers an average of 6.8 fantasy points per game. This is the eighth-fewest value in the league.

Kickers with bad matchups

1. Broncos defense vs. Raiders
2. Seahawks defense against Giants
3. Bears defense against Panthers
4. Commanders defense against Browns
5. Dolphins vs. Patriots defense
6. Vikings defense vs. Jets (London)
7. 49ers defense against Cardinals
8. Raiders defense at Broncos
9. Chiefs defense vs. Saints (Mon.)
10. Falcons defense vs. Buccaneers (Thursday)

Complete the Week 5 Defense Rankings

beginning of the week

Broncos defense vs. Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET, Fox): The Broncos’ defense has been solid over the last two weeks, shutting down both Baker Mayfield and Aaron Rodgers and scoring 26 fantasy points. Next up is a positive home game against the Raiders, who committed six giveaways and allowed 14 sacks. Expect Denver to field a solid line this weekend.

Start them

Seahawks defense vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Giants’ offense was one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 15 points and fewer than 300 yards per game. They also committed six turnovers and allowed nine sacks from Daniel Jones. Playing at Lumen Field will also be an advantage, so look for the Seahawks to soar this week.

Dolphins defense at Patriots (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Miami’s defense can be useful when the matchup is right, and that’s the case this week against the Patriots. Their offense averaged a terrible 13 points and 239 yards per game, and their line allowed 17 sacks to their quarterbacks. This all makes the Dolphins an attractive option in fantasy leagues.

Defenses with good matchups

Seat of the week

Cowboys defense at Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Cowboys defense is a disaster with both Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence out due to injuries. That destroys the value of this unit in fantasy, and facing Justin Fields and the Steelers on the road is not a great matchup. At this point I wouldn’t be averse to leaving them out.

Set them

Jets Defense vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network): The Jets defense is in the top 12 in fantasy points, but I would tone it down against Sam Darnold and the Vikings. Through the first four weeks, their offense averaged 29 points and 341 yards of total offense. Darnold will also want revenge on the team that drafted him (and left him).

Browns defense on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Commanders’ offense in the first four weeks was, dare I say, elite. During that time, Jayden Daniels and his team averaged 30.3 points and 382 yards of total offense. The Browns defense has not lived up to expectations so far this season, so I would keep this unit on the fantasy sideline.

Defenses with bad matchups