Who Should I Start? Cooper Rush or Isiah Pacheco

Saturday, October 4, 1:54 PM

Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Cooper Rush is a fringe QB2/Superflex option with his team taking on the Houston Texans in Week 5. The veteran is filling in for the injured Lamar Jackson (hamstring) for what has been a highly effective offense, but obviously is not a 1:1 replacement for Jackson's part in the running game. Additionally, Rush will have a tough matchup, as Houston's defense is leading the NFL in scoring percentage (19%) by a significant margin and has been particularly hard on fantasy quarterbacks, allowing the second fewest points. Baltimore's offense has enough talent to give Rush a chance on Sunday, but only fantasy managers in deeper, two-QB formats should be considering him as a lineup option.

Saturday, October 4, 10:11 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night in Week 5. Pacheco rushed seven times for 35 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and caught two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens. Pacheco finished second in carries and rushing yards in Week 4, but he's locked into a backfield committee with Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith. Hunt finished last week's game with the most carries, and Smith's involvement in the offense has increased each week. Pacheco will have to contend with backfield competition and the Jaguars, who allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. The 26-year-old should continue handling RB2 duties this Monday night, but it will be interesting to see how the touches are divided. Pacheco is ranked RB35 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting him in the RB3/Flex conversation this week.