Footballguys Fantasy Football Show – Week 5 Starts, Sits, and Streamers (Oct 2, 2025)

Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Main Theme:
A fast-paced, insightful discussion on fantasy football advice for NFL Week 5, focusing on key start/sit decisions and lesser-known streamer options. Alfredo and Dave examine the mid-tier and bubble players, sharing in-depth reasoning to help fantasy managers optimize their lineups.

Episode Overview

The hosts guide listeners through strategic start/sit decisions for players not universally obvious in Week 5. Their conversation balances sharp analytical takes with entertaining banter about aging, injuries, and relatable fantasy frustrations. The latter half of the show transitions to riskier streamers—plug-and-play options for managers facing injuries or byes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Challenge of Getting Old (00:30–03:50)

• Light-hearted opening on the realities of aging, injuries, and being a fantasy manager of a certain age.
  • Quote: “Welcome to your mid-30s, where every injury could be a lifelong one.” (A, 03:37)
• Sets the tone: empathy with listeners whose teams (and bodies) are feeling battered.

Week 5 Starts: Players to Plug Into Your Lineups

Chuba Hubbard vs. Miami Dolphins (04:30–06:03)

• Dave advocates aggressively for Hubbard despite consensus rankings having him outside the top 24.
  • Quote: “When we’re dealing with injuries, when we’re dealing with bye weeks, this is a smash spot for Chuba Hubbard.” (A, 04:34)
• Miami’s defense is highly vulnerable to running backs, especially in receiving.
• Hubbard’s skill set matches Miami’s weakness (“14th in receiving yards, 24th in rushing” for RBs).
• Dave ranks Hubbard RB17 this week, ahead of notable names like Kenneth Walker, Alvin Kamara, David Montgomery.

Rashad White (Bonus Mention) (06:16–06:50)

• Both hosts agree White is an essential RB2 start, especially if Bucky Irving is out.
  • Quote: “Rashad White is going to smash if Bucky Irving isn’t on the field.” (A, 06:40)

David Montgomery vs. Cincinnati Bengals (06:50–08:39)

• Alfredo says Montgomery is in a “smash spot” against a defense allowing the most RB rush attempts in the NFL.
  • Bengals are a “run funnel”; fantasy managers are overthinking if hesitating on Montgomery.
  • “Detroit is running the ball at the second highest rate…this is the unstoppable force meeting the incredibly movable object.” (B, 07:49)
• Dave is “a little bit lower,” citing increased use of Jameer Gibbs, but concedes it’s a “get right game.”

Wan’Dale Robinson vs. New Orleans Saints (09:00–12:49)

• Dave’s pick: A risky, volume-based WR3 start.
  • With Malik Nabers out, Wan’Dale is slated to get a big target share, even in a low-octane offense.
  • Saints’ defense is middling against WRs—but game script could yield more passes than usual for Giants.
  • Quote: “It might not be pretty…five catches for 32 yards…but it could also be eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.” (A, 12:15)
• Alfredo sees Wan’Dale as a “flex type play,” with all eyes on QB Jackson Dart’s reliability.

Keenan Allen vs. Washington (12:49–14:44)

• Alfredo: “When in doubt, start Keenan Allen.” His recent down week is “no reason to worry”—the volume is bankable.
  • Oakland/Las Vegas has given up the 4th most fantasy points to WRs.
  • Quote: “Stick with Keenan Allen. Keep him in your lineup for week five.” (B, 14:05)
• Dave: Allen is inside his top 20, ranked above the likes of A.J. Brown and Marvin Harrison Jr. (14:10–14:22)

Stefon Diggs (vs. Buffalo “Revenge Game”) (15:34–16:46)

• Dave: This is “such a sucker start” due to narrative, but backs it up: Diggs has ramped up play and targets.
  • Quote: “He’s going to want to have a big game in a prime time spot against his former team.” (A, 16:41)
  • Ranks him aggressively as WR22.

Woody Marks vs. Baltimore Ravens (18:44–23:43)

• Alfredo: This is why you picked up Woody Marks; Baltimore gives up the most fantasy points to RBs, especially via the air.
  • “Game script doesn’t matter—I’m starting Woody Marks. He can be an RB2 or flex play this week.”* (B, 20:32)
• Dave echoes the strong endorsement: role and snap share are growing, with the Texans making him a clear lead back.
  • Quote: “He’s taken this opportunity and he has quite literally ran with it.” (B, 22:20)

Players to Sit: Temper Your Expectations

Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) (24:58–26:41)

• Dave: “If you’re continuing to put him in your lineup, it’s just sunk cost fallacy.”
  • RB32 in fantasy despite huge opportunity share (3rd highest in league).
  • Bengals O-line and overall offense is “bad” without Joe Burrow.
  • Quote: “He is averaging 2.5 yards per touch. That is 49th among running backs.” (A, 26:08)
  • Recommends pivoting to Trayvon Henderson, Tony Pollard, or others if possible.

Isaiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) (27:15–29:26)

• Alfredo: The disappointing, underperforming RB on a stalling offense.
  • Jacksonville’s defense “has been surprisingly good.”
  • Brashard Smith’s role is growing; Pacheco’s opportunity is hollow.
  • Quote: “Let’s not get crazy off the one touchdown.” (B, 28:22)
  • Suggests benching Pacheco as RB2 this week.
• Dave: “If you’re getting out-touched by Kareem Hunt, that’s not good.” (A, 28:41)
  • Chiefs RBs (including Pacheco) are too unpredictable to trust.

Sleepers/Streamers: Deep League and Waiver Options

KaVontae Turpin vs. New York Jets (30:05–32:50)

• Dave’s deep cut: Turpin is a high-upside dart throw amid injuries and byes.
  • Role is expanding, can produce with a big play in a favorable matchup.
  • Quote: “If you’re starting a guy like KaVontae Turbin, you’re not hoping he’s going to pull 15 targets…You’re hoping he can have one big score, or two big scores, or get behind the defense once.” (A, 31:23)
  • Aggressively ranked above established names (Tori Horton, Marvin Mims, Josh Downs).

Darren Waller (Miami Dolphins) (33:01–36:56)

• Alfredo: A hot waiver pickup; after a two-TD debut with Miami, Waller is a viable streamer against Carolina—a terrible defense vs. TEs.
  • Miami converted Jonnu Smith into a fantasy star last year; Waller could see Johnnu-like red zone usage.
  • Tua’s postgame comments indicate Waller will be a red zone focal point.
  • “This is a fun stat from our buddy Andrew Cooper…Darren Waller lined up at wide receiver on 80% of his snaps. That’s a higher rate than what we saw last year with Jonnu Smith, who did that at about 70%.” (B, 35:09)
• Dave: “I’m OK firing Waller up…a handful of names that I have Darren Waller ahead of this week: Dallas Goedert, Dalton Kincaid, David Njoku…” (A, 36:29)

Rapid-Fire Deep Names (36:56–37:27)

• Dave: Malik Washington (“Malibo”—manufactured touches in Tyreek’s absence) as a deep add, a few spots below Turpin.
  • Quote: “Malik Washington is another…that you can pick up off waivers that has a pretty nice ceiling…” (A, 36:57)
• Alfredo: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could see more intermediate and downfield targets for Miami.

Most Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Welcome to your mid-30s, where every injury could be a lifelong one.” (A, 03:37)
• “If you’re continuing to put [Chase Brown] in your lineup, it’s just sunk cost fallacy.” (A, 24:59)
• “Let’s not get crazy off the one touchdown.” (B, 28:22)
• “If you’re starting a guy like KaVontae Turpin, you’re not hoping he’s going to pull 15 targets…you’re hoping he could have one big score or two big scores.” (A, 31:23)
• On aging/injuries in the NFL: “I try to find the guy that is my age in the NFL. Every time I watch Geno Smith play…[he] just gets licked and pops right back up. At this age, I don’t know how that’s possible…” (A, 18:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Getting Old & Fantasy Banter: 00:30–03:50
• Start: Chuba Hubbard: 04:30–06:03
• Start: Rashad White (Bonus): 06:16–06:50
• Start: David Montgomery: 06:50–08:39
• Start: Wan’Dale Robinson: 09:00–12:49
• Start: Keenan Allen: 12:49–14:44
• Start: Stefon Diggs (“Revenge Game”): 15:34–16:46
• Start: Woody Marks: 18:44–23:43
• Sit: Chase Brown: 24:58–26:41
• Sit: Isaiah Pacheco: 27:15–29:26
• Streamer: KaVontae Turpin: 30:05–32:50
• Streamer: Darren Waller: 33:01–36:56
• Other Deep Streamers: 36:56–37:27

Tone & Highlights

• Friendly, relatable banter: Frequent references to aging, injuries, and how fantasy football mirrors real life.
• Honest, data-driven advice: The hosts aren’t afraid to take stands (e.g., aggressively ranking Chuba Hubbard, sitting Chase Brown).
• Narrative fun: The “revenge game” narrative for Stefon Diggs is played up, tongue in cheek.
• Depth of analysis: Offers context (e.g., team injuries, game scripts, advanced stats) to support every recommendation.
• Engaged with community: References to listener questions and social media topics.

Final Takeaway

The Footballguys Fantasy Football Show delivers actionable, well-explained start/sit/streamer decisions for managers navigating a tricky Week 5. The episode is packed with thoughtful breakdowns and match-up details—plus, the hosts’ wit and camaraderie make it both fun and informative. If you’re looking for fresh, research-backed fantasy advice (and a couple laughs), this episode is a can’t-miss.