Okay, here’s a rewritten version of the "Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em" article, focusing on Quarterbacks for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL Fantasy season, with a more casual and engaging tone.

NFL Fantasy 2025 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks for Week 5

Alright, fantasy football fanatics! Week 5 is looming, and that means tough decisions are on the horizon. You’re staring at your lineup, agonizing over who to start and who to bench. Don’t sweat it! That’s where "Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em" comes in. We’re here to help you navigate those tricky QB calls and hopefully steer you toward a glorious victory.

Forget the no-brainers. You already know to start your Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allens (if you’re lucky enough to have them). We’re diving into the players where the choices are a little murkier, the matchups a bit more complex.

Important Note: All stats are pulled from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats, and the ever-reliable NFL Research. Let’s get to it!

START ‘EM!

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys

Okay, so maybe Fields isn’t always the prettiest QB to watch, but the dude gets it done for fantasy. Remember that insane 43-yard touchdown run on Monday night? Pure gold, folks! That single play was a 10-point gift from the fantasy gods. Add in his 81 rushing yards and another rushing TD, plus 226 passing yards and a passing TD (even though one got called back), and you’re looking at a sweet 27 fantasy points.

Fields has been on fire in two out of three starts, consistently racking up rushing yards (40+ in each game). This week, he’s facing a Cowboys defense that, surprisingly, has been super generous to opposing QBs. They’ve given up the most passing yards and touchdowns in the league so far. Seriously, every QB who’s faced them has gone off for 24+ fantasy points. In their last three games, opposing QBs have averaged a bonkers 28.6 fantasy PPG, with each finishing as a top-5 QB for the week.

Bottom line: Fields is a must-start this week. Ride the hot hand!

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Washington Commanders

Herbert had a rough outing against the Giants last week, limping to a season-low 12.5 fantasy points. It’s been a bit of a slump lately, with two straight weeks under 15 points. But hold on a second… don’t bail on Herbert just yet!

His performance wasn’t as terrible as the box score suggests. That first interception was a fluke – tipped right into Dexter Lawrence’s waiting arms. The second happened because Ladd McConkey tripped mid-route. Bad luck happens.

Yes, there are O-line concerns, but Herbert still has a stacked receiving corps (three stud WRs!) and a running back who can catch passes out of the backfield. Plus, the Commanders have been bleeding passing yards lately, giving up an average of 298 per game over the last three weeks. Opposing QBs are averaging 22 fantasy points against them in that span. And if Jayden Daniels is back under center for Washington, this game has serious shootout potential.

Herbert is still a top-tier QB, and this matchup is a prime bounce-back opportunity. Keep him in your lineup.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

Alright, I admit it: I’m a Maye believer. And he’s making me look good so far this season! Maye has been a reliable fantasy option, providing a safe floor and a sneaky high ceiling. He’s hit 15+ fantasy points in every game and has thrown multiple TD passes in three straight. Since Week 2, he’s averaging 23 FPPG. Not too shabby, rookie!

He’s also been using his legs more, which is huge for fantasy. He’s either rushed for 30+ yards or scored a rushing TD in each of his last three games. That’s going to be key against a Bills defense that’s allowed the most rushing yards to QBs in the league (almost 9 yards per carry!).

The fantasy apps might flag this as a tough matchup because Buffalo has been tough against the pass. But remember, Maye actually had a decent game against the Bills as a rookie (17.4 fantasy points in Week 16 last year).

Given his recent production, his rushing ability, and the likelihood that he’ll need to throw a ton to keep up with Josh Allen, Maye is still a solid start this week.

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Aside from that blow-up game against Chicago, it’s been a bit of a disappointing start for Goff. But that’s partly because he’s already faced some of the league’s toughest defenses. Still, Goff is top-10 in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns.

This week’s matchup against Cincinnati feels like a great opportunity for Goff to put up numbers, even on the road. The Bengals haven’t faced a top-tier QB yet this season, and they haven’t been generating a ton of pressure or sacks. They kept Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz in check, but they allowed three touchdowns and 19 fantasy points to Trevor Lawrence in Week 2, and 26 points to Bo Nix on Monday night.

This one feels like a worthwhile gamble. If you need a QB with upside, Goff is your guy.

Daniel Jones, New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders

I’ve learned to play Jones in matchups where the opponent struggles to create pressure. Last week, he was a sit option against a ferocious Rams defensive front, and by every metric, Jones had his worst output of the season (even if I give him the four points for the fumbled TD by Adonai Mitchell). This week, he gets a Raiders defense that has generated pressure at the sixth-lowest rate in the NFL. Jones has the fifth-best success rate when not under pressure, and Las Vegas has also allowed the 10th-most passing yards this season. Trust Jones to do well in this matchup.

Michael Dart, Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

Let the fun begin! Last season, I started pounding the table for Drake Maye before the consensus because his tools were too good to ignore. I feel similarly about Dart this year. In his first start, the rookie didn’t light up the stat sheet, but his 111 passing yards, 54 rushing yards and two TDs (one pass, one rush) still equated to nearly 20 fantasy points. His rushing ability stands out; he had a 39-yard run called back due to a penalty but also recorded three carries inside the red zone. The only quarterbacks to have more such carries in a single game this season are Daniel Jones, Josh Allen, Justin Fields, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams. This week, Dart faces a Saints defense that has given up the third-most pass TDs and ranks in the top 11 in QB rush yards allowed. I can’t yet say that Dart brings a safe floor, but he certainly brings upside. That’s especially true in this matchup. If you need a streamer, Dart is your guy.

SIT ‘EM!

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams