At lineup lock, Ashton Jeanty gives us a choice backed by both handoffs and chances to catch the ball. In FCT's Week 4 data, he had 15 carries and 8 targets. A catch can still earn half-PPR points when a rushing attempt goes nowhere, so we start him at NE. We will check kickoff news for any sign that his workload has changed.
The tables carry FCT's Week 5 projected half-PPR points, which are forecasts rather than last week's results. We use the box score to identify a scoring path, then decide whether we want that path in this week's lineup.
Start of the week
Ashton Jeanty caught 6 passes in Week 4. Those catches make his receiving work part of the decision at NE, alongside the carries. We want a back who can help through either kind of touch. Start Jeanty unless kickoff news indicates a reduced workload; if it does, Bucky Irving offers an alternative whose rushing work we can evaluate. The next box score will tell us whether Jeanty's carry and target opportunities held up.
Starts
Before we set the lineup, each start needs a way to earn points that we can name. For quarterbacks, that may be pass attempts. For backs and pass catchers, we look at touches and targets. We keep an alternative ready when a player's practice participation makes availability a live decision.
QB starts
| Starting QB | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson (BAL) | at ATL | 18.6 | Passing and rushing give him scoring paths if available. |
| Jacoby Brissett (ARI) | vs. DET | 18.3 | Pass attempts give us a clear route to points. |
| Matthew Stafford (LAR) | vs. BUF | 18.0 | Passing workload supports the call. |
Availability governs the Lamar Jackson call. He attempted 20 passes and ran twice in Week 4. Lamar Jackson did not participate in practice. Start him if the final practice report and kickoff news support his availability; otherwise, use Jacoby Brissett. Brissett attempted 35 passes in Week 4. We can use that passing opportunity without counting on rushing points. Matthew Stafford attempted 51 passes in Week 4. That volume gives him a route to yards and scores, though the next box score must show whether the attempts persist.
RB starts
| Starting RB | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty (LV) | at NE | 13.9 | Carries and targets support separate scoring paths. |
| Bucky Irving (TB) | at DAL | 13.8 | His carry workload gives the rushing call substance. |
| D'Andre Swift (CHI) | at GB | 13.7 | Rushing work and catches can contribute if available. |
The receiving path strengthens Ashton Jeanty's start: a catch can help when a handoff gains little. Bucky Irving had 16 carries in Week 4. We can start him on that rushing opportunity, then check his next touch count before treating it as a settled workload. D'Andre Swift had 15 carries and 2 targets in Week 4. D'Andre Swift did not participate in practice. Start him only if the final practice report and kickoff news support his availability; Irving is the alternative if that check goes the other way.
WR starts
| Starting WR | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Watson (GB) | vs. CHI | 13.3 | He converted his chances, with target volume the next check. |
| Garrett Wilson (NYJ) | vs. CLE | 12.2 | The forecast supports a start while we watch his targets. |
| Malik Nabers (NYG) | at WAS | 12.0 | His receiving work supports a start if available. |
Target volume is the question for Christian Watson. He caught all 3 of his Week 4 targets. We start him, but we need the next box score to show whether he gets enough chances to sustain the call. Garrett Wilson drew 4 targets in Week 4. We trust the Week 5 forecast while watching his opportunities to catch the ball. Malik Nabers gained 112 receiving yards in Week 4. Malik Nabers did not participate in practice. Start him if the final practice report and kickoff news support his availability; otherwise, turn to Watson or Wilson.
TE starts
| Starting TE | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Fannin (CLE) | at NYJ | 8.9 | Targets offer a path beyond another scoring catch. |
| Tucker Kraft (GB) | vs. CHI | 8.8 | His catches give us half-PPR production. |
| Tyler Warren (IND) | at PIT | 8.7 | Targets can turn into points without requiring a touchdown. |
Targets make Harold Fannin playable without assuming another trip to the end zone. He drew 5 targets and caught a touchdown in Week 4. We start him for the chance to catch passes even if that scoring play does not recur. Tucker Kraft caught 6 passes in Week 4. That receiving work supports his start. Tyler Warren caught all 5 of his Week 4 targets. We use him for the catch path, then check whether those opportunities remain in the next box score.
Sits
A recent scoring result can stand out on the roster screen even when its path is difficult to repeat. For each sit, we have a start whose projected scoring and stated workload give us an alternative. The next practice report or box score can change the decision.
QB sits
| Benched QB | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Sit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brock Purdy (SF) | at SEA | 17.4 | Use Brissett if Purdy's rushing contribution fades. |
| Aaron Rodgers (PIT) | vs. IND | 16.9 | Use Stafford instead of relying on another touchdown driven result. |
| Jordan Love (GB) | vs. CHI | 16.8 | Use Brissett while Love's yardage puts pressure on scoring plays. |
Brock Purdy ran 10 times in Week 4. We use Jacoby Brissett because Brock Purdy's scoring path narrows if those carries fade. Aaron Rodgers threw 3 touchdowns in Week 4. We choose Matthew Stafford rather than require another touchdown driven day from Aaron Rodgers. Jordan Love threw for 197 yards in Week 4. We favor Jacoby Brissett's passing opportunity while Jordan Love's recent yardage puts pressure on scoring plays.
RB sits
| Benched RB | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Sit |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Montgomery (HOU) | at TEN | 12.2 | Use Jeanty's receiving path if Montgomery's carries remain unproductive. |
| Ollie Gordon (MIA) | vs. CIN | 12.1 | Use Irving's carry opportunity rather than count on another rushing burst. |
| Bhayshul Tuten (JAX) | vs. PHI | 11.9 | Use Jeanty's targets if Tuten's receiving chances stay scarce. |
Rushing output drives the David Montgomery concern. He gained 24 yards on 10 carries in Week 4. We sit him for Ashton Jeanty because another day of short gains would put pressure on Montgomery's other scoring chances. Ollie Gordon gained 100 rushing yards on 9 carries in Week 4. We choose Bucky Irving rather than require another burst from Gordon. Bhayshul Tuten drew 2 targets in Week 4. We prefer Jeanty's receiving path in half-PPR if Tuten's chances to catch the ball remain scarce.
WR sits
| Benched WR | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Sit |
|---|---|---|---|
| DK Metcalf (PIT) | vs. IND | 11.4 | Use Wilson if Metcalf's targets again turn into uneven catch production. |
| Tee Higgins (CIN) | at MIA | 11.1 | Use Watson until Higgins' availability is clear. |
| George Pickens (DAL) | vs. TB | 11.0 | Use Wilson while Pickens' target count leaves little room for missed chances. |
Catch conversion complicates the DK Metcalf call. He caught 5 of 9 targets in Week 4. We use Garrett Wilson if that uneven return remains the risk. Tee Higgins drew 16 targets in Week 4. Tee Higgins did not participate in practice. Bench him until the final practice report and kickoff news support his availability; Christian Watson is our alternative. George Pickens drew 3 targets in Week 4. We choose Wilson because another small target count could leave Pickens dependent on a large gain from limited chances.
TE sits
| Benched TE | Opponent | Projected Half-PPR Points (ffn Week 5 Projection) | Why We Sit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Andrews (BAL) | at ATL | 8.1 | Use Fannin if Andrews needs another touchdown to lift limited yardage. |
| T.J. Hockenson (MIN) | at NO | 7.8 | Use Kraft rather than assume another exceptional catch total. |
| Colston Loveland (CHI) | at GB | 7.7 | Use Warren if Loveland's opportunities again yield modest points. |
Touchdown dependence shapes the Mark Andrews decision. He caught a touchdown and gained 27 receiving yards in Week 4. We prefer Harold Fannin because similar yardage would put substantial pressure on Andrews to score again. T.J. Hockenson caught 13 passes in Week 4. We respect that result but choose Tucker Kraft rather than require Hockenson's catch total to repeat. Colston Loveland drew 9 targets and scored 8.7 half-PPR points in Week 4. We would use Tyler Warren if Loveland's opportunities again produce a modest return.
Closing lineup rule
Before kickoff, check the final practice report and active/inactive status for Lamar Jackson, D'Andre Swift, Malik Nabers and Tee Higgins. Keep the named alternatives available until those decisions are settled. Then use the next box score to check whether the carries and targets behind these calls held up.