Fantasy Football Matchups We Love - Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Picks for Week 5 (2025)

Quincy's top fantasy football matchups for Week 5 of 2025. His favorite start 'em, sit 'em picks and predictions -- strong start/sit matchups that he loves.

Fantasy football scores were way up in Week 4. NFL offenses seem to have found their footing in a week that featured a slate of high-scoring games and exciting matchups. The crown jewel of the week happened to be a Sunday night matchup between the Packers and the Cowboys that turned out to be a surprise track meet.

This is the NFL fantasy managers love. No one likes to sit and watch their fantasy team slog to the finish line on Sundays with NFL teams struggling to score. We like to watch the touchdown notifications come through our phones and see our scores grow throughout the day. Hopefully, this is what we can come to expect for the majority of the rest of the season.

Now that we are a month into the season, the real fun will begin. NFL teams should have somewhat established their identities to this point in the season. The quality of play should only continue to improve as the season wears on. With so much to look forward to, let's take a look at the Week 5 matchups we love.

Quarterback Matchups We Love

Jaxson Dart - New York Giants
Opponent: at NO
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 28th

Jaxson Dart's debut in Week 4 was quite auspicious. His passing volume was modest at best, but his 54 rushing yards and touchdown on the ground were sights to enjoy. NFL teams now have tape on Dart, so he may not enjoy the same success for the rest of the season. However, Week 5 offers a great chance for Dart to squeak out another QB1 outing.

.@JaxsonDart era starts now 🔓
@insidetheNFL Week 4 on X pic.twitter.com/3eLdUWtlQ9

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) September 29, 2025

The Saints have allowed every quarterback they have played to post a QB1 day in fantasy. That includes a 21.8-point outing from Mac Jones. Dart's rushing baseline is a cheat code, but most impressively, Dart took care of the ball in Week 4. The loss of Malik Nabers will not help Dart's case, but the Giants' defense should do enough to slow down New Orleans' offense, which will allow Dart to play unencumbered this week.

Justin Herbert - Los Angeles Chargers
Opponent: WAS
Opponent Rank vs. QB: 25th

Justin Herbert was not necessarily drafted as a QB1 for fantasy. As such, you may be thinking that you have a better option this week. Frankly, Herbert has given us two great games, one ok game, and one disappointing game. Additionally, Herbert's point total has dropped each week of the season. Week 5 offers a great chance for Herbert to get back on track.

Herbert's passing volume continues to remain elite. He threw the ball 41 times against the Giants on Sunday. Unfortunately, his efficiency has faltered over the last two weeks against tough defenses. The Commanders have not been able to stop opposing quarterbacks in fantasy or real life this year. Herbert should pick Washington apart this weekend.

Quarterback Matchup to Temper Expectations

Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponent: at SEA
2024 Opponent Rank vs. QB: 10th

Baker Mayfield has been a steady fantasy producer to this point in the season as a borderline QB1. However, Week 5 will present Mayfield's biggest test yet. The Bucs have to travel to Seattle to play the Seahawks. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald seems to have created his own version of the Legion of Boom. The Bucs will have their work cut out for them.

The Seahawks already have seven interceptions this season. Although Mayfield has done well to protect the ball thus far this year, the Seahawks are likely to force some errors. Mayfield is still startable, but it may be prudent to pursue other options should they be available.

Running Back Matchups We Love

Michael Carter - Arizona Cardinals
Opponent: TEN
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 29th

*Cardinals starting running back Trey Benson was placed on IR this week.

Michael Carter was recently elevated from the Cardinals' practice squad in the wake of the Trey Benson injury news. Carter is expected to draw the start on Sunday in a matchup with a lowly Titans defense. The Cardinals also have Emari Demercado in the fold, but he only ever seems to be trusted as a passing down back.

Carter has been in Arizona for three seasons now. He knows this offense, and he is a dependable back. He should catch passes and draw plenty of carries this week. If you need a start in a pinch, Carter seems like the safer bet over Demercado in this offense.

Woody Marks - Houston Texans
Opponent: at BAL
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 32nd

Wheels up for Woody Marks against a Ravens defense that appears to have lost all regard for stopping opposing offenses. The Ravens have been clobbered by opposing running backs over the first month of the season. This defense cannot stop a nose bleed, and they could have offensive issues with star quarterback Lamar Jackson's status up in the air.

Rookie waiver wire pickups and breakout candidates heading into fantasy football Week 5

(via @JohnJohnalytics)https://t.co/swgoQ0sRfb

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 30, 2025

Marks burst onto the scene in Week 4 after logging an increasing number of snaps each week prior. Although the Texans have not likely fixed all their offensive problems, this is a great matchup for them to run the ball effectively, especially if Jackson misses time.

Running Back Matchup to Temper Expectations

Jordan Mason - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: CLE (neutral)
Opponent Rank vs. RB: 3rd

Jordan Mason found running lanes difficult to come by in Week 4 against a defense that can actually stop opposing teams. Despite receiving another heavy dose of volume this past week, Mason was only able to muster up 10.2 PPR fantasy points. That is a solid base, but it is not the ceiling we want from a workhorse back.

The Browns will face the Vikings in Europe in Week 5. While the Browns' offense has been terrible, the defense has been respectable. They have done well to shut down opposing running backs in fantasy, or, in the case of Week 4, limit an elite Lions rushing attack from going crazy. Mason may have another down week before he gets going again.

Wide Receiver Matchups We Love

Michael Pittman Jr. - Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: LV
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 29th

This is a perfect get-right game for the Colts' offense. Despite having a defensive-minded head coach, the Raiders have boasted one of the leakiest units all season. Their pass defense is especially vulnerable. Daniel Jones and Co. should be able to move the ball with ease.

Michael Pittman Jr. just put together a strong second half in Week 4 against a very tough Rams defense. Pittman seems like he is going to be relatively matchup-proof this season as long as Jones continues to play well. That is all the more reason to play Pittman in great matchups such as this one.

Michael Pittman Jr. leads the @Colts with 21 receptions & 3 recieving TDs in 2025 🤝

Watch live out-of-market games on #NFLPlus
Blackout restrictions may applypic.twitter.com/yS5IarHtOP

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) September 28, 2025

Jakobi Meyers - Las Vegas Raiders
Opponent: at IND
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 30th

The Colts have quietly allowed decent wide receiver numbers to quality teams. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith has struggled over the last couple of weeks, but he should have a better time in Week 5 against this defense. As such, his pass catchers should benefit.

Meyers has earned 33 targets thus far this season. His volume is great; now it is up to his quarterback to keep the offense on the field and get him the ball. Meyers is the consummate flex option, and that should be no different in Week 5. The Raiders project to trail for much of this game, and they will need to turn to the pass.

Wide Receiver Matchup to Temper Expectations

A.J. Brown - Philadelphia Eagles
Opponent: DEN
Opponent Rank vs. WR: 7th

The Broncos continue to be one of the best pass defenses in the league. They are shutting down opposing teams' No. 1 wide receivers with ease. A.J. Brown himself is in a bit of a slump this season. His frustrations may not go away in Week 5.

If you are going to beat the Broncos' defense, it is going to be on the ground. The Eagles know that they can beat anyone by running the ball repeatedly behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. If you are a Brown manager, this is unlikely to be the week that things turn around.

Tight End Matchup We Love

Darren Waller - Miami Dolphins
Opponent: at CAR
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 27th

Darren Waller debuted with the Dolphins on Monday night to the tune of two touchdown receptions. He was not an every-down player in his first game out of retirement, but head coach Mike McDaniel was clearly trying to scheme looks for Waller in this game.

Darren Waller:

NYG tenure:
12 — games played
1 — touchdown

MIA tenure:
1 — games played
2 — touchdowns

Welcome back. pic.twitter.com/lsRiNiKlB0

— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 30, 2025

Waller and the Dolphins will match up with one of the worst teams against opposing passing games in the Panthers on Sunday. With wide receiver Tyreek Hill going down with a gruesome knee injury, Waller will be that much more necessary to this offense. If you need a start in a pinch, Waller may be your man.

Tight End Matchup to Temper Expectations

T.J. Hockenson - Minnesota Vikings
Opponent: CLE (neutral)
Opponent Rank vs. TE: 8th

Let's double down on Vikings players facing off with the Cleveland Browns' defense this week. T.J. Hockenson needs to come out of lineups. He has only earned 18 targets in four games thus far this season, and he does not look like the same player he was early in his career. Throw in a tough matchup with the Browns, and you have a recipe for disaster on your hands.

It does not seem to matter whether Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy is under center for this team. Hockenson may simply be a bust selection at tight end this year. If you can find a way to get him out of your lineup in Week 5, then do so.

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