It'd been one of those mornings. The kind that makes me stop, look up at the heavens, and wonder if I'm starring in a reboot of "The Truman Show." That's a terribly millennial reference. For any Zoomers reading, "The Truman Show" is a Kafka-lite film about an insurance salesman who slowly discovers that his entire life is actually a 24-hour reality television show staged inside a massive dome where everyone he knows is an actor. Think the "Joan is Awful" episode of "Black Mirror," but more bright and shiny than cynical. We did dystopic differently in the 1990s. Our anxiety was about the anticipation of new technology, rather than the exhaustion of having to live with it. But I digress.
In the midst of discovering that a faulty water regulator had sprung a leak and created a pond-sized puddle at the side of my house, my son using the facilities as though I hadn't just advised him that the water was shut off, and the plumber pointedly reminding me about Darren Waller's Week 4 stat line, I bristled at the realization that it was not yet even 9 a.m. How much worse could this day get? Nope, I stopped myself. That's not a useful or productive avenue down which to cruise.
Things can always -- and often do -- turn around. Even if Wednesday is a wash. Thursday is available to offer relief. We, however, have to accept the challenge. Yes, when it rains, it pours. But there's also an onus on us to find shelter from the deluge. Maybe that means scrapping some afternoon plans, but better to push through the annoyance of schedule changes than get left out in the cold. Because eventually, the leak will get fixed, the toilet will get flushed and a new tight end will present with streaming appeal.
It doesn't have to be dark and moody. And your hobby doesn't have to be treated like homework. Unlike Truman Burbank, we are not living in a simulation. We have the freedom to take risks, make trades, and play to upside. I know for a lot of us it feels like we went from drafting an A-plus squad to managing an urgent care, but that doesn't mean we're out of the game. It just means our approach needs to change.
You didn't spend the summer listening to drumbeats and sifting through coachspeak just to throw up your hands after a month. So go trade for Bhayshul Tuten while you still can or find an eager taker for Ashton Jeanty while the shine is still on. Put in a claim for Brian Robinson Jr.. Forgive yourself for the FAB spent on Marcus Mariota. Just shake things up and remember that this is your escape, not your obligation. It's a new week, and with it comes a fresh chance for you to take pride in the hurdles cleared and the smack talk exchanged.
Now, "Cue the sun!" And shock your league (and maybe yourself, too).
Week 5 Start-Sit Decisions
Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Despite its depth, quarterback continues to be a dodgy position. To contextualize the tilt, only three of the position's top 10 fantasy producers (Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow) were selected ahead of the double-digit rounds. The remaining seven (Brock Purdy, Bryce Young, Jared Goff, Tyler Shough, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins) fell outside of the top 13 QBs drafted. Two of those players are on bye this week (Young and Mahomes), and one is unlikely to suit up (Jackson).
That puts Brissett in play as a legit streaming option. The Cardinals quarterback leads the league in games with 40 or more pass attempts since the start of 2025 (8). He ranks fifth at the position in red zone attempts and, surprisingly, designed runs. With a top-five fantasy finish in Week 3 at San Francisco, Brissett has proven his multidimensional mettle while chasing points in a difficult matchup.
With the Cardinals-Lions total at 54.5, he figures to sling it again in Week 5. This time, however, the matchup eases. Detroit's defense ranks among the bottom five in completion percentage against, passer rating earned against, passing yards allowed and passing scores surrendered. Despite facing just one quarterback who was drafted as a fantasy starter (Allen), the Lions are giving up a league-high 304 passing yards per game. Gifting QBs an average of nearly 28 fantasy points per effort, Kelvin Sheppard's ultra-injured unit has been the most generous defense to the position. Expect Brissett to take advantage in what's understandably projected to be a high-flying game.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Before we dive in, let me be clear. I am not advising anyone to sit McCaffrey. I am merely pointing out the way in which his role -- and subsequent production -- appears to have shifted. He's not been nearly as prolific as a pass catcher this season. Four weeks into 2025, McCaffrey had run a staggering 129 routes while hauling in 31 grabs and recording 305 receiving yards, all No. 1 at the position. Currently, though, he's run 72 routes (RB10), converted 16 balls (RB6) and posted 122 receiving yards (RB6). Meanwhile, his rushing efficiency (4.4 YPC) remains rather average. Interestingly, 29 running backs have managed at least one run of 20 or more yards and 22 RBs have recorded a single 20-yard run after the catch. Yet, CMC has managed neither.
His ground-based production doesn't figure to improve given the upcoming clash at Seattle. The Seahawks' run defense has consistently limited explosive rushing plays, allowing the sixth-fewest yards per carry (3.6). While the Dark Side has yet to be tested by elite competition at the position -- with Jeremiyah Love and Omarion Hampton the only notable standouts -- this group hasn't allowed a single running back to hit 15 fantasy points. Additionally, McCaffrey has historically struggled on the ground against Seattle, averaging under 3.2 yards per carry across the past three meetings. However, the Seahawks have been generous to running backs through the air, allowing the fourth-most receptions (23) to the position thus far into 2026. McCaffrey has proven he can exploit this vulnerability, racking up 20 catches on 23 targets over the three aforementioned matchups. With Kyle Juszczyk sidelined, McCaffrey could see a well-timed bump in target volume, though his lower rushing ceiling means fantasy managers might want to temper expectations.
Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
Skattebo has posted two top-20 positional fantasy finishes so far this season. He is admittedly coming off a dreadful effort (7.6 FPTS) versus Arizona, but a bounce-back could be looming. The lead back in John Harbaugh's physically focused ground game, Skattebo is averaging 20 touches per contest. He has struggled with efficiency, but the volume has been there. When the Giants are leading, he has maintained a 10-2 touch edge over Najee Harris. With the New York offense clicking and with the Commanders traveling home from London, Big Blue, a 3-point road dog, should deliver an upset in Landover.
Even if they don't, Skattebo figures to post RB2 fantasy stats. The matchup looks intimidating on paper, as Washington's defense has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to running backs. However, the Commanders own the third-worst red zone defense, surrendering a score on 80% of trips to the red area. Furthermore, Washington will have to protect against Jameis Winston's proclivity toward heaving the YOLO ball, especially when noting that opponents have shredded Washington at the second-highest rate vertically (8 completions for 240 yards and 2 TDs on 13 passes of 20 or more yards). By forcing the secondary to play back, the team's defensive front figures to be stretched thin, opening up lanes for Skattebo to ram through. Consider him a top-20 fantasy play at the position in Week 5.
Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans
Investors made a bet on Tate's talent at the top of the season. Understanding that evolution takes time, it looks as though that wager is beginning to pay off. The rookie leads the Titans in routes (114) and targets (32), having drawn at least nine looks in back-to-back games. Over his past three outings, Tate has commanded a dominant 32.5% target share, ranking ahead of established lineup locks such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tetairoa McMillan. His growing offensive aptitude and swelling chemistry with Cam Ward were additionally on display at Baltimore, where he flashed with three grabs of 15 or more yards after recording just one such catch through the initial three contests of 2026.
That momentum is primed to accelerate versus the Texans. Houston's defense has experienced a severe regression. After allowing only five pass catchers to cross the 100-yard receiving mark in all of 2025, Houston has already surrendered three such performances in the opening weeks of 2026. Currently giving up the most fantasy points per game to the position, the Texans' defense has allowed at least one wideout to eclipse 18 PPR points in every single outing. This vulnerability favorably positions Tate, making him a reliable option at the position to post double-digit fantasy numbers and deliver WR2 fantasy production.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
You'd think after whiffing on Chicago's "big three" I'd stand down, but, nah, I don't like to play scared. Averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game (WR27), Burden has been a massive disappointment. But that doesn't mean his stock can't ascend. He leads the Bears in targets (29) and is tied with Colston Loveland in both red zone (five) and end zone (two) looks. Highlighting his versatility, Burden is also the only wide receiver in the NFL to register at least 60 receiving yards and a rushing attempt in each of the past two weeks. The arrow is pointing up and could reach a new level in a tasty matchup at Lambeau.
The Packers' defense is riddled with exploitable holes, especially with Micah Parsons (knee) still sidelined and Edgerrin Cooper (Achilles) lost for the year. Given that the unit has already allowed over 16.5 PPR points to a WR1 three times this season (Justin Jefferson, Garrett Wilson and Drake London), Burden is on the brink of a bounce-back moment. His elite run-after-catch skills are primed to be on full display against a Green Bay defense that ranks in the bottom five in yards allowed after the catch. Lock him in as a high-upside WR2 for fantasy lineups this weekend.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
There was significant conviction that in 2026 Pittman would emerge as Aaron Rodgers' 2025 Kenny Gainwell. That belief has since been dispelled. Pittman ranks fourth on the team in target share and 91st overall at the position. More specifically, he's drawn 12 looks on 99 routes (12.1%), ranking outside of the top 75 players at the position. He also has yet to post a top-40 fantasy positional fantasy finish. Rather than focus on Pittman, Rodgers has relied on a combination of Jaylen Warren and the emerging Roman Wilson. Interestingly, Wilson's target share has skied over 15% in all four games so far this season. Even in a favorable matchup versus the Colts (12th-most fantasy points allowed to WRs), Pittman should be avoided. Given his sagging route rate (86%, 72%, 60%), he's frankly a drop candidate in 10-team leagues.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Don't look now, but LaPorta is the virtual game's TE5 in fantasy points per effort (14.2). As a premier weapon in Detroit's offense, the 25-year-old trails only St. Brown in total targets (32) and red zone opportunities (9). He's also emerged as Jared Goff's preferred end zone target, commanding five such opportunities. Remarkably, the former Hawkeye is the only player in the NFL to earn an end zone target in every single game this season. His consistent volume is further bolstered by solid metrics, as he leads the position in routes run per contest and has delivered a catch of 18 or more yards in each outing.
This high-end production makes LaPorta a top-five positional option heading into a plus matchup at Arizona. The Cardinals' defense has struggled against the pass, surrendering a league-high 9.1 yards per attempt. Additionally, Nick Rallis' unit has been generous specifically to tight ends, allowing the eighth-highest catch rate, the seventh-most yards per reception and the eighth-most total yards to the position. Fire up LaPorta with confidence in a clash carrying a slate-high over/under of 54.5 points.