Start 'Em & Sit 'Em is the ultimate look at the weekly NFL matchups and how they'll affect your fantasy football team. Sleeper alert features an under-the-radar player who could produce good numbers. Owners beware features a regular fantasy starter who could fail to meet expectations based on the strength of his opponent. Obvious fantasy starters like Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson will not be featured. For your final lineup decisions, check our lineup rankings.
Start of the week
DeSean Jackson at New York Giants: Jackson hasn't had much success against the Giants in recent years, averaging just 82 yards in his last seven meetings. This is a much different offensive unit, though, and the G-Men have some major issues on the defensive side of the football. So despite the negative trend, Jackson remains a solid option. (Maximum value: Mid-WR1)
Start 'em
Jordy Nelson vs. Detroit Lions: The Packers are fresh off a bye and at home against the Lions in what could turn into a serious shootout at Lambeau Field. That's good news for Nelson, who along with Randall Cobb should post strong fantasy numbers. In his last home game against Detroit, Nelson put up 162 yards and three touchdown catches. (Maximum value: Low-WR1)
Eric Decker at Dallas Cowboys: It's a no-brainer to start Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker, but owners should keep Decker in their lineups as well. He's averaged 12.3 fantasy points over his last three games, and this weekend's matchup in Dallas is favorable. The Cowboys have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers at home. (Maximum value: High-WR2)
Hakeem Nicks vs. Philadelphia Eagles: We're in the bye weeks, so there's bound to be a few players we have to start that we don't trust. That's the case with Nicks, who has been awful over the last two weeks but has a very favorable upcoming contest against the Eagles. No team has allowed more fantasy points to wide receivers on the road. (Maximum value: Mid-WR2)
Sleeper alert -- Justin Blackmon at St. Louis Rams: Blackmon is back from a four-game suspension, so owners might be afraid to start him. But with four teams on a bye and a positive matchup against the Rams, that shouldn't be the case. St. Louis has allowed the eight-most fantasy points to wideouts, so Blackmon is still a viable option. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Sit of the week
Mike Wallace vs. Baltimore Ravens: A total of 51 wide receivers have scored more fantasy points than Wallace after four weeks. Fifty-one! Couple that with this week's matchup against the Ravens, and it's clear Wallace is a risk. Since being torched in Week 1, Baltimore has allowed an average of just 15 fantasy points per game to wideouts. (Maximum value: Low-WR3)
Sit 'em
Targets/Touches: Torrey party
Torrey Smith is starting to see more targets and Jason Smith likes what he is seeing from the young Baltimore Ravens WR. More ...
Dwayne Bowe at Tennessee Titans: Bowe has alternated good and horrible stat lines this season, and he's due for a stinker against the Titans. That's a likely scenario against a much-improved Titans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers among home teams. Unless you're in dire straits, look elsewhere in Week 5. (Maximum value: Low-WR3)
Anquan Boldin vs. Houston Texans: Boldin is coming off a solid 15-point effort against the St. Louis Rams, but he'll have a much tougher task this week against the Texans. No team has allowed fewer receiving yards to wideouts than Houston - their defense has also surrendered an average of just 15.75 fantasy points per game to the position. (Maximum value: High-WR3)
Roddy White vs. New York Jets (Mon.): White has been a huge disappointment, due in large part to the fact that he's been dealing with a high ankle sprain. He suffered a setback with the ailment in recent weeks, and playing on Monday night makes him even more of a risk in fantasy leagues. He needs to remain on your bench once again. (Maximum value: Low-WR3)
Owners beware -- Reggie Wayne vs. Seattle Seahawks: Wayne has been a bit inconsistent this season, posting two strong performances to go along with two forgettable ones. He could wind up with the latter this week against the Seahawks, who have allowed fewer fantasy points to wideouts than any other team in the NFL. Temper your expectations. (Maximum value: High-WR2)
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
