Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for *Seahawks.com*. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly *fantasy football rankings*at *RotoBaller.com*and he also is a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Scott finished as a top 10 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 2 on FantasyPros.com. He was a top 8 ranker at wide receiver in Week 4.

Fantasy Football Week 5 feels like it is more of a challenge than ever before. Not only are the bye weeks beginning, with the Packers, Steelers, Falcons and Bears off this week, injuries have become a major issue, too. At all key positions, significant fantasy starters are out for this week and beyond. We are here to help you cope with the fantasy situations that are causing much uncertainty, featuring the some of the best players to start amid injury and bye concerns.

We spotlight the best players to start when faced with tough lineup decisions. The analysis leans to PPR formats and players are listed in order of starting preference at their respective positions, unless otherwise noted. This week, we go deeper on starting picks, for those who must dig deeper for a lineup choice.

NFL Week 5: Running Backs To Start

START Cam Skattebo: The Giants are already looking to the future with a first-year backfield combo of Skattebo at RB and Jaxson Dart at QB. Skattebo is both tough and versatile and can ease pressure on Dart as both a runner and receiving RB. New York gets a matchup with the Saints, which is seemingly favorable for any lead RB. New Orleans ranks 24^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs, and Skattebo should notch at least one TD.

START Woody Marks: The Houston rookie is emerging as a bigger factor in the Houston backfield. The Texans get a matchup with a Baltimore defense that has allowed seven scrimmage TDs to opposing RBs, which is the most in the NFL. Marks registered two TDs from scrimmage with 119 total yards last week, and fantasy players must at least consider him as a promising flex option.

START Rico Dowdle: Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is out for Week 5 with a calf injury, so the former Cowboy is expected to take over as the No. 1 RB vs. Miami. Dowdle has previous starting experience and can at least provide the type of adequate fantasy totals needed when replacing an injured fantasy starter or one on a bye. The Dolphins rank 26^th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

START Michael Carter: The top two RBs for the Cardinals are both out, and Carter might be the lead ball carrier for Arizona in Week 5. Emari Demercado should also figure in the mix as a pass-catcher. Tennessee has allowed six rushing TDs to RBs, which was the most in the NFL after four weeks.

Both Carter and Demercado deserve flex consideration and can be plugged in as emergency fantasy RB2s if needed. After this game, we will also have a better picture of which Cardinals RB is the favored fantasy option for the next few weeks.

More Week 5 Fantasy Football RB Lineup Options: Kendre Miller, Zach Charbonnet (A Seahawks RB has rushed for a TD in every one of the first four games), TreVeyon Henderson, Isaiah Davis.

NFL Week 5: Wide Receivers To Start

START Michael Pittman Jr.: Those who roster Pittman in fantasy football sometimes face decisions on whether to start him or not, depending on the makeup of their team at the WR position. This week, with so many injuries and byes causing much fantasy lineup anxiety, Pittman should be a must-start for a quality statistical floor. The Raiders rank 30^th in FFPG allowed to WRs.

START Jameson Williams: From a fantasy perspective, Williams' production can fluctuate, yet Jared Goff will always look to him for big-play opportunities, especially against a vulnerable defense. Cincinnati ranks 30^th in the NFL in passing yards per game allowed, and the defense is spending more time being overworked without Joe Burrow running the offense. This is a good week to get Williams in your lineup for some potential upside.

START Chris Olave: In a week when fantasy leaguers must search for just satisfactory production, Olave is a good starting choice. He has registered double digits in targets in three of four games played this season. The Giants allowed the most receptions to opposing WRs after the first four weeks. You should get a healthy amount of fantasy points from Olave this week.

START Keenan Allen: His return to the Chargers has been a productive one so far. Allen is showing that he is not quite done, still operating as a frequent and reliable target for old buddy Justin Herbert. He caught TD passes in three of four games to start the season and drew seven-plus targets in three of four games to this point. You can expect good fantasy production from him against Washington's 27^th-ranked pass defense.

More Week 5 Fantasy Football WR Lineup Options: Xavier Worthy is a must-start over every WR listed above. Other WRs that deserve streaming consideration include Malik Washington, Wan'Dale Robinson, Keon Coleman, Elic Ayomanor, Tre Tucker and Isaac Teslaa.

NFL Week 5: Quarterbacks To Start

START Justin Fields: Unless you also roster Josh Allen, Fields is a lineup lock at QB for fantasy football in Week 5. Dallas easily fields the worst pass defense in the league, allowing 297.3 passing yards per game. The next-worst defense allows 265.8 per game.

Fields' rushing upside on top of the matchup makes him a possible week-winning starter. The winless Jets will battle hard to try and notch their first victory of the season, with Fields as a prime playmaker.

START Daniel Jones: His move to Indianapolis has led to a fantasy re-emergence for Jones, and he is playing the best real-life football of his career so far this season. Over the first four weeks, Jones passed for 270-plus yards three times and also rushed for three TDs. The Raiders rank 30^th in FFPG allowed to QBs. Jones carries significant promise for a big fantasy outing in Week 5.

More Week 5 Fantasy Football QB Lineup Options: Jared Goff, Jaxson Dart, Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold.

NFL Week 5: Tight Ends To Start

START Sam LaPorta: The Lions employ so many weapons, that sometimes it's hard to forecast who will be the most productive for fantasy purposes outside of their usual standouts. The Bengals have been one of the worst teams defending the TE this season (ranked 30^th), so this is a week to expect quality output from LaPorta.

START Darren Waller: If you are facing a situation where Tucker Kraft or Kyle Pitts is on a bye, or TE has been a position of need until now, then pop Waller into your lineup this week. He caught two TD passes in his Miami debut in Week 5, and the Panthers rank second in receiving yards allowed to TEs. The loss of Tyreek Hill for the season also could mean more frequent targets for Waller.

More Week 5 Fantasy Football TE Lineup Options: Mason Taylor, Theo Johnson, AJ Barner.

NFL Week 5: Defenses to Stream

New York Giants (vs. New Orleans), Minnesota (vs. Cleveland), Indianapolis (vs. Las Vegas), Seahawks (vs. Tampa Bay) – The 'Hawks lead the NFC in points per game allowed (16.8) and Tampa Bay is missing important pieces on offense. Leonard Williams and Ernest Jones IV should be among the key players helping the unit achieve good fantasy numbers in Week 5.