QUARTERBACK Start/Sit Advice: CHANGING THE CALL for Week 5

1 Quarterback Start

Geno Smith | V. NYG | 18.1 FPPG | ECR 12 | 70 % Confidence

This might look like a surprising name to be on the list but the reasoning is sound. The Seattle Seahawks have been one of the more consistent teams in the first quarter of the NFL season. QB Geno Smith is a big reason for that consistency. He currently leads the NFL in passing yards with 1,182 to go along with 4 passing TDs. He also offers some rushing potential. Smith has carried the ball 16 times for 74 yards and an additional TD on the ground.

The New York Giants have struggled against opposing QBs this season. To date, they have surrendered two passing TDs to every quarterback except for rookie Jayden Daniels. The Seahawks appear to be transforming and currently look much closer to their new OC Ryan Grubbs’ Washington Huskies than the old Pete Carroll teams of the past. Geno may not be the QB1 on the week, but he should absolutely be a top-12 quarterback in Week 5.

1 Quarterback Sit

Joe Burrow | V. BAL | 17 FPPG | ECR 9 | 60 % Confidence

Joe Burrow is one of the biggest names in the NFL at the QB position. Despite his lofty reputation and his massive contract, Burrow has struggled to find any consistency since the Bengals’ Super Bowl run a few years back. The Bengals have limped out to a 1-3 start and have actually played better on the road than at home averaging 21.5 points per game in the Queen City and 29.5 on the road. Enter the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens have dealt with a murderer’s row of quarterbacks to start the season. They have faced Mahomes, Prescott, and Allen. The good news for Baltimore is that they are coming off their best game of the season. They completely shut down the Buffalo Bills, holding Josh Allen to a meager 180 yards passing and zero touchdowns. Brighter days may be ahead for the Bengals with Tee Higgins back in the fold, but Burrow is a QB I would avoid in Week 5.

Superflex Quarterback Start

Justin Fields | V. DAL | 18.7 FPPG | ECR 8 | 70 % Confidence

Despite all of the training camp talk of Russell Wilson being the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Fields has taken advantage of a Wilson injury and grabbed the job by the horns. Fields has helped lead the Steelers to a 3-1 start and has been a quality fantasy QB. As he was in Chicago, Fields was always a threat to use his legs when the play broke down. While he has dialed back the rushing attempts this year, the Steelers are currently paper-thin at the RB position.

Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson are all nursing injuries, so it is entirely possible that Justin Fields will be called upon to win with his legs. The Cowboy’s defense has been gashed by opposing offenses all season. Now they look to be without their All-Pro defensive end, Micah Parsons, as he deals with a high-ankle-sprain. Justin Fields has gotten progressively better in every game and will be the focal point of the Steeler’s offense in this game. I fully expect him to lead the team in passing and rushing making him an excellent Superflex play in Week 5.

Superflex Quarterback Sit

Andy Dalton | V. CHI | 20.6 FPPG | ECR 21 | 55 % Confidence

The Red Rifle Andy Dalton has been an amazing story during the first quarter of the NFL season. The former TCU star has come in for a beleaguered Bryce Young and brought the Carolina offense to life. You can look no further than the team’s scoring output in his two starts for evidence of this boost. With Dalton at the helm, the Panthers have scored a combined 60 offensive points in weeks 3 and 4, compared to 13 combined points under Young in weeks 1 and 2.

While it is true that Dalton has helped the entire offensive unit in Charlotte, it is also true that he hasn’t faced an elite defense. Enter the Chicago Bears. The Bears secondary has forced five interceptions and surrendered only two touchdowns against opposing quarterbacks in 2024. In addition, they have allowed an average of less than 200 yards passing. They haven’t given up a passing touchdown since Week 2 and have the looks of one of the top units in the league.

If you scooped up Dalton off of your waiver wires and are starting him, I would urge you to look elsewhere in Week 5. The Bears are currently 2-0 at home and will likely make life very difficult for Dalton and the Panthers when they travel to the Windy City.

Quarterback Spotlight

Caleb Williams | 11.8 FPPG | ECR 18 | 85 % Confidence

Caleb Williams has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career. The Chicago Bears struggled out of the gates. In particular, their offensive line has been embarrassed and Caleb Williams has been pummeled. Williams has been sacked 16 times through the first 4 games of the season. Despite the offensive woes, Williams has put together both his most prolific passing game and his cleanest game in back-to-back weeks. Combine his climbing numbers with a game against the Carolina Panthers and you have the recipe for a reset type of performance.

The Panthers have struggled to keep opposing quarterbacks in check. Carolina has allowed each quarterback they have faced to throw multiple touchdowns. With the return of Keenan Allen to the lineup, and a running game that appears to be on track, Caleb Williams looks to have all the tools at his disposal to put forth a top-notch game.

Now I’m not saying that Williams will definitely be a top-12 QB this week, but it wouldn’t shock me if he were. He could be a solid Superflex play against an underwhelming Panthers squad. But, no matter how he plays, this will certainly be a game to monitor under the spotlight as we evaluate the position moving forward.