Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 5 of 2023 Fantasy Football season

Welcome to Marca's Start' Em Sit' Em. Week 5 of fantasy football looks like it will be a high scoring affair, with several uneven matchups on the horizon. Whether you're 4-0, 0-4 or somewhere in between, these are the not-so-obvious starts as well as sits for the fifth week of the 2023 regular season.

RELATED: Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4

Week 5 byes include: Los Angeles Chargers (LAC), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB), Cleveland Browns (CLE) and Seattle Seahawks (SEA).

Start 'Em, Week 5 Fantasy Football must-starts:

QB - Quarterback:

• Kirk Cousins (vs. KC): The 1-3 Vikings are at a make-or-break stage of their season. Losing to Kansas City seems likely, but a 1-4 record would make reaching the 2023 postseason a remote possibility. That aside, the potential for Kirk Cousins racking up lots of 'garbage time' points makes him a must-start this week.
• Anthony Richardson (vs. TEN): The rookie Colts QB has become a must-start Fantasy option any week. Even more so in a clash where Indianapolis is hosting the Titans.

RB - Running back:

• Brian Robinson Jr. (vs CHI): The 0-4 Bears visit Washington D.C. and will have to face one of the best runners in the NFL in Brian Robinson. In a game where Washington figures to be ahead on the scoreboard, look for the Alabama product to run the Bears defense ragged.
• De'Von Achane (vs. NYG): The explosive Miami rookie went undrafted in most leagues and proved that, even in adverse matchups like Buffalo, he can be a standout fantast asset. Don't bet on the rookie to hit the 50-point mark every week, but certainly to be in contention for RB1/RB2 status.

WR - Wide Receiver:

• Zay Flowers (at PIT): The Ravens rookie is one of the few of the rookie class to have become a sure Fantasy product in the first few weeks of the Fantasy season.
• Christian Kirk (vs BUF): The Jaguars have had more than a week in British soil to prepare for this game. The Tre'Davious White (CB) season-ending injury has made the Bills defense a bit less fearsome. Also, with Zay Flowers still hurt and Calvin Ridley opening up the field, Kirk should see more targets than usual for this week's London game.
• Bonus: DJ Moore (at WAS): The Bears will likely have to turn to their star receiver to get some points on the board in a TNF matchup in which they face an uphill battle.

TE - Tight End:

• Darnell Washington (vs. BAL): With starting TE Pat Freiermuth doubtful for the clash against the Ravens, rookie Darnell Washington has a chance to shine. It's likely that Mitch Trubisky will start at QB in place for an injured Kenny Pickett, and Washington could be a prime target for the backup.
• Darren Waller (at MIA): Yes, the Giants are at an awful moment, but both of their away games this year resulted in a win (at AZ) and a decent showing against the 49ers. After all the criticism for only targeting Waller three times last week, look for the NYG to at least attempt to make things right with their star tight-end.

D/ST - Defense & Special Teams:

• Baltimore Ravens (at PIT), New York Jets (at DEN), Detroit Lions (vs CAR), New York Jets (at DEN), Arizona Cardinals (vs CIN).

Sit 'Em, Week 5 Fantasy Football sits:

• QB - Quarterback: Joe Burrow (at AZ), CJ Stroud (at ATL), Dak Prescott (at SF).
• RB - Running Back: Alexander Mattison (vs KC), Miles Sanders (at DET), Rhamondre Stevenson (vs NO).
• WR - Wide Receiver: Brandin Cooks (at SF), Jerry Jeudy (vs NYJ), Jakobi Meyers (vs GB).
• TE - Tight End: Kyle Pitts (ATL), Dalton Kincaid (vs JAX), Chig Okonkwo (at IND).
• D/ST - Defense & Special Teams: Los Angeles Rams (vs PHI), New England Patriots (vs NO), New York Giants (at MIA).