The Los Angeles Rams will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Week 5. The spread currently stands at Packers -3.5, with a game total of 48. The Packers’ implied points are 25.8, and the Rams’ implied points are 22.
Here’s fantasy football start-sit advice for every Rams skill player who has the potential to make an impact during the game.
Matthew Stafford, QB
Stafford was going to be operating on the fringes of usability this season in a best-case scenario, so it should be no surprise that his value has tailed off given the impactful injuries.
After completing 34 passes in the season-opening loss to the Lions with an active Puka Nacua, Stafford hasn’t even attempted 30 passes in a game. For a pocket-locked QB, it shouldn’t be a surprise that limited volume at that level has resulted in three straight finishes outside of the top-20 scorers at the position.
Stafford is a low-end QB2 this week that I’m actively looking to replace with other options if at all possible in a Superflex setting (Joe Flacco is an easy play over him if he gets the start, and I’m not against embracing chaos with Bo Nix against the Raiders if you have the choice).
Kyren Williams, RB
It’s not easy to have four straight top-20 finishes at the position despite not having a single touch gain more than 15 yards, but Williams is a rare player with an elite role. Los Angeles’ lone remaining healthy asset from the preseason has scored in seven straight games and has carved out a role that makes him one of the more reliable options in our game.
The fact that he has caught 13 of 14 targets this season also helps elevate his floor, both in general and in this specific matchup. Though four weeks, the Packers have allowed the fourth-most yards per running back target this season (8.6), giving Willimas multiple ways to pay off my top-12 ranking of him.
Players like Williams are rare, and you’re lucky to have someone who can overcome offensive limitations like this.
Demarcus Robinson, WR
Robinson saw seven targets in the season opener but hasn’t earned more than four looks in a game since. His routes have been slowly ticking down, which makes him a tough bet in any format, with the Packers ranking in the top quarter of the NFL in time of possession and the Rams ranking in the bottom quarter.
In theory, the 18.2 aDOT comes with preloaded upside, but with Green Bay owning a low blitz rate, I’m not comfortable in Robinson exposing single coverage for the type of spike play that it requires to make him a viable option.
Tutu Atwell, WR
He may only stand 5’9”, but Atwell has been able to make a few splash plays given his extended role, and that’s been enough to justify him being added in most leagues.
I don’t hate it.
Atwell has cleared 80 receiving yards in consecutive games and now faces the second-worst defense in terms of yards per completion allowed (12.3, NFL average: 10.6). That stat is tied to Green Bay consistently being attacked downfield (third-highest opponent aDOT when targeting the WR position), a spot where we’ve seen Atwell win on occasion.
The looks have been limited, but Atwell has produced 32.4% over expectation this season, ranking him 10th of 72 qualifiers. I don’t have him ranked as a top-40 option because I fear that the Packers control this game. However, if the Rams are playing from behind for the majority of the afternoon, there is a path where Atwell makes the most of a deep look or two.