Fantasy football advice for Week 5 when the Falcons play the Redskins

This week's matchup between a competent Washington offense and a stellar Atlanta one should lead to plenty of fantasy scoring. Here's our personal (and hopefully not lousy) recommendations for who to play and who to sit.

Start

QB Matt Ryan

Just assume I'll tell you to start him most weeks. Last week was a little disappointing from a fantasy perspective, but I'm willing to bet Ryan snags you at least two touchdowns and close to 300 yards this week. I'm willing to bet a nickel, and a shiny one, at that.

RB Devonta Freeman

Still the unquestioned starter this week, the only danger here is that Freeman A) won't score three touchdowns again and B) may get pulled early if this game gets out of hand. There's no question I expect a score and 100-plus all-purpose yards, so start him with confidence.

RB Matt Jones

The Washington back who is most likely to plunge across the end zone, and the best Washington running back thus far in 2015. He's the play, even if Atlanta's run defense promises to give him some trouble.

WRs Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder

Washington is going to be throwing if they get behind, and these are your two likeliest beneficiaries, particularly with tight end Jordan Reed out. Crowder's a sneaky-good FLEX play.

RB Chris Thompson, Washington

Speculative play, but as our own Charles McDonald has noted, shifty pass-catching backs like Thompson have given this defense fits thus far in 2015. Thompson might have himself a nice little day.

WR Julio Jones

If you're going to bench Julio Jones because he had one lackluster week, turn in your fantasy badge and gun, and get the hell out of my office.

WR Leonard Hankerson

Fresh off his best game of the season, Hank Time draws a so-so secondary and his former team, which means he should be plenty motivated. I'm bullish on his chances of repeating a 6/100/1 line, making him a fine WR3 at minimum.

Sit

WR Roddy White

Roddy's going to bust out one of these weeks, but as always, you can't accurately predict when that will be. Go with other options.

RB Alfred Morris

Pretty surreal to put him here, given how good Morris has been in his career, but he's merely decent thus far this season, and isn't much of a receiver.

QB Kirk Cousins

I don't trust Cousins, a solid starting quarterback who swings wildly between pretty good and horrible. Neither should you.

Both Defenses

I'm willing to bet that the Falcons put up 400 yards or more against the Redskins, and I think the Redskins will wind up faring much better than Houston a week ago. Just don't.