Who do I start and who do I sit? Ah yes, the age-old question in fantasy football. Well, you should start your studs and sit those who may lay an egg for your team any given week. The goal in fantasy football is obviously to start the right players. Players who can put up big numbers for a combined point total to beat your league-mates and to try and avoid the inevitable dud performance which can always be hard to predict.

***DISCLAIMER: When I say “sit em’” for a particular player, that doesn’t mean you are actually going to bench them unless I explicitly tell you to do so. Rather, it means to simply temper expectations as I predict that they are not going to score more points than they are projected to on the Sleeper app.

Geno Smith

I predict that Geno Smith will not outscore his projection of 16.46 FPTS. Should you start him? No.

Smith just came off the best game of his career and is playing well this season. Was that game just a fluke? He is currently the QB9 on the year, but I don’t believe that will last long. This week they play the Saints and they are certainly not the Lions defense. Against the QB position, the Saints are number one in basically every single meaningful QB stat. Not looking too promising. I predict only one passing TD and under 190 passing yards.

Saquon Barkley

I predict that Saquon Barkley will outscore his projection of 18.7 FPTS. Should you start him? Yes.

Barkley has been on a tear this season, proving he still can play at a high level. He is getting the carries and getting the yardage just like he did in 2019. Now, he gets to face the Packers run defense who couldn’t stop a nosebleed. They gave up 122 rushing yards to David Montgomery and a combined 166 rushing yards to Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. While they are going to likely be playing from behind, I still see Barkley rushing all over the place, and getting involved in the passing game with every Giants WR seeming to be injured. I predict a Barkley TD lock and easily five or more receptions.

George Pickens

I predict that George Pickens will outscore his projection of 8.3 FPTS. Should you start him? Only if you need to.

With Mitchell Trubisky out and Kenny Pickett in, will the Steelers offense finally get a little better and spread the ball around more? I think so. With the Bills CBs and SSs really struggling with injuries, I think Pickens could catch them lacking during a deep ball. He may not be the first read from Pickett, but Claypool continues to struggle and make connections with his QBs and is now likely the teams’ WR3. I predict at least four catches and at least 55 receiving yards.

Dallas Goedert

I predcit that Dallas Goedert outscores his projection of 10.7 FPTS. Should you start him? Yes.

Goedert is looking to have his best fantas performance of the season this weekend against the Cardinals. The Cardinals are giving up the most fantasy points to the TE position this season. We also know that Jalen Hurts loves to throw to him in any kind of scenario or area of the field. I predict a Goedert TD.

To see all of my picks for Week 5 Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em click here!

You have the chance to face off with any of your teams across any league each week on Flex Fantasy. Go to the website or download the app and look for me, Philip Maio, and my open challenges. I will have them posted each week before Thursday Night Football for you to throw down the gauntlet with me. Use the link Flex Fantasy to sign up now and FLEX your muscles!

A reminder for you: more great NFL and fantasy football coverage can be found on the Belly Up website, as well as fun, informative content on the Belly Up Podcast Network & Belly Up TV. Make sure to check back in with Belly Up Fantasy Sports for more fantasy analysis and injury analysis to ensure you are a championship-winning fantasy manager. Got a question or have something to say? Leave a comment below and follow me on Twitter @TFFPhilip and Instagram @thrillsfantasyfootball.