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Week 5 of the 2020 NFL season is upon us, and there are some interesting quarterback plays we have our eyes on. Ideal matchups could make benching your QB1 worthwhile, and we’ve identified some quarterback starts and sits worth considering.
Quarterback Starts
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Chargers put up 31 points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without any kind of rushing attack, and the Saints have a great defensive line capable of stifling the likes of Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson. New Orleans is dealing with injuries to Janoris Jenkins and Marshon Lattimore in its secondary nearly got blown out by the Detroit Lions in Week 4. I like the odds of Keenan Allen and company torching the Saints’ defensive backs. Herbert is averaging more than 300 passing yards per game and dominated against some sturdy defenses.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Bridgewater might not be the best quarterback on your roster, but he’s certainly worth starting in this matchup. He has two receivers — D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson — that crack the top 20 in receiving yards, and Atlanta can’t stop anybody. Only the Seattle Seahawks have given up more passing yards per game than the winless Falcons.
Quarterback Sits
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have the most productive D/ST unit in the NFL this year and lead the league in interceptions (7), safeties (2), and defensive touchdowns (2). Cleveland is a running team, so don’t expect Mayfield to take a ton of risks against a defense that’s been successful. Cleveland throws the third-fewest passes per game and will likely lean on Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson to do most of the work.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Michael Thomas could return for the first time since Week 1 in this matchup, but this isn’t the kind of matchup you want your star receiver to come back in. Los Angeles is loaded with studs in its secondary, and we’ve yet to see a ceiling game from Brees. Expect Alvin Kamara to continue carrying the Saints’ offense.