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

It’s week 5, everyone! It’s time to set those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the definitive look at the best and worst matchups of a given week for fantasy football leagues. Each week, I’ll look at kickers and defenses that may exceed or fail to 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 and daylight saving time

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

Complete Week 5 kicker rankings

Goodbye Weeks: Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Titans

Start of the week

Evan McPherson vs. Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McPherson has been one of Fantasy’s best shooters after four weeks, averaging just under 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 by at least nine points, including one (Daniel Carlson) who scored 18 points.

Start them

Cario Santos vs. Panteras (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Saints have struggled the last two weeks, scoring 12 fantasy points. He should bounce back this week, though, as he has a positive matchup against the Panthers. After four weeks, their defense has allowed an average of 10.8 fantasy points per game to kickers. That’s the fourth-highest number in the league.

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

Kickers with good games

Session of the week

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

Feel them

Dustin Hopkins on Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Hopkins scored 20 fantasy points in his first two games but has since been held to just six on two field goal attempts. I would undo the veteran against the Commanders, who have been tough on kickers. In fact, their defense allowed just five field goals and 6.5 points per game at the position.

Greg Joseph on Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): Joseph left last week, scoring 19 points in a loss to the Cowboys. I wouldn’t chase the points as he faces a tough matchup in Seattle. After four weeks, their defense has allowed an average of 6.8 fantasy points per game to enemy kickers. That’s the eighth-lowest number in the league.

Kickers with bad games

1. Broncos’ defense against Raiders
2. Chiefs defense vs. Saints (sec.)
3. Seahawks defense against the Giants
4. Dolphins Defense vs. Patriots
5. Vikings Defense vs. Jets (London)
6. 49ers defense against Cardinals
7. Bears’ defense against panthers
8. Commanders’ defense against the Browns
9. Packers defense at Rams
10. Raiders defense at Broncos

Complete Week 5 Defense Rankings

Start of the week

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

Start them

Seahawks defense vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Giants’ offense has been one of the worst in the league this season, averaging just 15 points and less than 300 yards per game. They also committed six turnovers and allowed nine sacks to Daniel Jones. Playing at Lumen Field will also be a plus, so expect the Seahawks to fly high 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 an abysmal 13 points and 239 yards per game, and their line allowed 17 sacks by their quarterbacks. All of this makes the Dolphins an attractive option in fantasy leagues.

Defenses with good confrontations

Session of the week

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

Feel them

Jets defense vs. Vikings (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network): The Jets’ defense is top-12 in terms of fantasy points, but I’d pick it apart against Sam Darnold and the Vikings. Through the first four weeks, their offense averaged 29 points and 341 yards of total offense. Darnold will want to get revenge on the team that drafted him (and give up on him) too.

Browns defense at Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Commanders’ attack was, dare I say, elite, in the first four weeks. 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 sidelines.

Defenses with bad games