NFL Fantasy start/sit options for Week 5 Eagles vs. Rams

As Philly looks to remain undefeated, here's who to start and sit in Fantasy football for the Week 5 Eagles vs. Rams showdown.
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles
Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages
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The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off an exhilarating Week 4 win over the Washington Commanders and will look to keep momentum rolling against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Fantasy managers will have their eyes set on this one as stars like wide receiver AJ Brown and running back Kyren Williams take the field.

Those same managers are the ones tasked with making key decisions on who to put in their lineup and who to keep on the bench. Let's dive into some start/sit options for this stirring NFC battle.

Start: Jake Elliott, K (Philadelphia Eagles)

Jake Elliott is the No. 1 scoring kicker in Fantasy football through four weeks of action and there is no reason to doubt his kicking accuracy ahead of a matchup against the Rams. He is a nice complement to an Eagles offense that keeps drives alive by ranking among the top ten teams in categories such as time of possession, third down conversion percentage and fourth down conversion percentage.

That has led to a ton of field goal and extra point attempts for Elliott.

Philadelphia averages more red zone possessions per game on the road than it does at home, Los Angeles gave up 30 points to the San Francisco 49ers in their only home game of the season in Week 2.

Kicker Jake Moody converted three field goals in that game alone. Elliott lifted the Eagles to a win in Week 4 and he has a chance to do the same for Fantasy teams on Sunday afternoon.

Start: Tyler Higbee, TE (Los Angeles Rams)

Tyler Higbee has quietly been coming through at what has been a shallow position in Fantasy football. He ranks as the ninth-highest-scoring tight end in PPR formats and is averaging over six targets per game so far.

The former Western Kentucky standout has served as quarterback Matthew Stafford's security blanket. That's noteworthy given the Rams lead the NFL in passing attempts per game (41.5) They are not afraid to air the ball out at any point in the game.

This is a matchup that could easily help Higbee keep up his production. Philadelphia's linebacker core lacks expertise in pass coverage and has allowed the third-most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

Not only that, but the Eagles have already given up three touchdowns to the position (T-second most in NFL). Higbee is set up to be an underrated part of the Ram's passing attack in Week 5.

Sit: Philadelphia Eagles D/ST

The Eagles defense showed some vulnerability in Week 4 as the Commanders racked up 365 total yards of offense and turned four of their five red zone trips into touchdowns. It's not the best sign heading into a showdown against an elite wide receiver group (Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua & Tutu Atwell).

It's worth nothing Stafford has been playing lights out, too, as he ranks second in passing yards and has been zipping the ball into the tightest of windows.

All in all, the Rams have allowed the 10th-fewest Fantasy points to opposing defenses and are playing in front of their home fans at SoFi Stadium. This is a game that will truly test defensive coordinator Sean Desai's unit, which means it is best to head to the waiver wire and stream a team with a more favorable matchup.

Teams like the Detroit Lions (vs. Carolina) and Houston Texans (at ATL) stick out.

Sit: Tutu Atwell, WR (Los Angeles Rams)

This sit recommendation is not about a matchup with the Eagles secondary as much as it is about the possible return of Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp has yet to suit up this season as he has been working his way back from a hamstring injury.

He did return to practice on Thursday, though, and head coach Sean McVay continues to express optimism about his star wideout's health. Seeing Kupp on the field on Sunday would give Stafford his most familiar connection back.

That hurts Tutu Atwell's upside in Fantasy football. It hurts Nacua as well, but Nacua has proven so far this season that he can find open gaps and grab Stafford's attention.

Atwell is coming off of his worst game of the season (7.4 PPR points) and has only seen two red zone targets (both in Week 3). The chance of Atwell posting a dud is far too high to consider sliding into a WR spot in any Fantasy lineup.

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