Every Friday throughout the NFL regular season I will be sending you this lineup helper that I like to call: Tough Decisions. In this article I will breakdown players with similar value, ranking and projection heading into this coming week.

If you want your lineup question featured in next week’s article, just tweet me (@colbyrconway) with your question! Be sure to include your scoring format (PPR, 0.5 PR, standard) as well.

Let's take a look at the TOUGH DECISIONS for Week 5:

QUARTERBACKS

Ryan Fitzpatrick (@PIT) or Ryan Tannehill (vs. TEN)

The Case for Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick has been absolutely brutal over his last two games. He has been historically bad to say the least. He tied with Joe Namath for most interceptions (nine) in a two-stretch. After tossing six interceptions against the Chiefs in Week 3, he came back and completed three passes to Seattle defenders. He’s clearly in a funk, but things are going to get better for Fitzpatrick. Opposing quarterbacks have scored at least 15 fantasy points in each of the last three games and the Jets are going to have to try to keep up with the high-octane Pittsburgh offense. Fitzpatrick will get multiple touchdowns this week for the first time since the season opener.

The Case for Tannehill: Tannehill threw multiple touchdowns, and interceptions, against the Patriots and Browns, but he’s been mediocre at best in the other two games. While Tannehill hasn’t been exceptional himself, a shaky offensive line surely hasn’t helped anything. Listen, the Titans have been stingy to opposing quarterbacks, and they blitz one-third of the time. Miami has trouble blocking four pass rushers, let alone any more than that. Now, if Miami game plans for this, they might be able to neutralize it by a bunch of quick passes and screen plays. Will Tannehill go over 300 yards in this one? No, but he should sit right around 250 yards with a touchdown or two. He’s a low-end QB2 this week.

The Verdict: Fitzpatrick. Multiple touchdowns are coming.

RUNNING BACKS

Jerick McKinnon (vs. HOU) or Matt Jones (@BAL)

The Case for McKinnon: Teammate Matt Asiata may get the work near the goal line, but McKinnon showed last week he can still find the end zone. He ran for 85 yards on 18 carries and scored his first touchdown of the season. He’s averaging 17 carries over the last two games and he should see a similar number this week against the Houston Texans. The AFC South division leaders are allowing an average of 100 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game to opposing running backs. The way to beat this Houston defense is on the ground. They have been very good through the air this season (163 YPG), but they are beatable on the ground (4.6 YPC). McKinnon is firmly entrenched in the RB2 category for Week 5.

The Case for Jones: Jones was average at best through the first three weeks of the season, but he exploded last week for 117 yards on a season-high 22 carries and scored his second touchdown of the season. Things are going to be substantially tougher this week against a Baltimore defense that is allowing just 3.7 YPC and 80 rushing yards per game. Jones should continue to get the majority of the work in the Washington backfield, which will keep him in that RB2 echelon. He’ll catch a couple passes a game, but in passing downs or garbage time in blowouts, Chris Thompson will likely be the one on the field. Regardless, Jones will push for 16-18 carries a game, touching 20 on occasion. He’s an RB2.

The Verdict: McKinnon. I just have a hunch about him this week.

Isaiah Crowell (vs. NE) or Jeremy Hill (@DAL)

The Case for Crowell: Believe it or not, Crowell is second in the league in rushing yards, trailing only Ezekiel Elliot. He’s been incredibly effective this season, averaging 6.5 yards per carry this season. However, this week poses a problem for Crowell’s fantasy prospectus. New England is allowing 4.3 yards per carry and Crowell will continue to see goal line touches, so that isn’t the problem per say. The problem lies in the fact that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are going to score in bunches on Sunday. The game script would likely lead to Duke Johnson being in a good amount, seeing as he’s the primary pass-catching back. Even though the game script isn’t going to be in his favor, his incredible efficiency and goal line potential keeps him in the RB2 realm this week.

The Case for Hill: Hill has averaged 19 carries over the last two games and he should see right around that number in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, assuming he plays, of course. He was only limited at practice on Wednesday, so barring any setbacks, I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t play on Sunday. He continues to see early down work, as well as red zone opportunities, which helps maintain his RB2 status. In terms of fantasy points allowed, the Cowboys are right around league average, but they do allow 4.5 yards per carry, tied for fifth-most in the National Football League. Cincinnati should be able to move the ball against this defense, and Hill will likely play an important role.

The Verdict: Hill. The game flow for Crowell is just not in his favor.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Will Fuller (@MIN) or Steve Smith Sr. (vs. WSH)

The Case for Fuller: Yes, I’m a Houston fan and yes, I’m glad Fuller has been excellent thus far, but for anyone who believes he is better than teammate DeAndre Hopkins, you’re out of your damn mind. Fuller may be producing more this season, but he’s not being hounded by double teams, and Fuller has struggled himself against good defenses. Did you see the New England game? On the other hand, Hopkins had arguably the most impressive four reception game I’ve seen, making very impressive catches. But I digress. Fuller has been very good this season and if Houston lets him return punts more regularly, his fantasy value will receive a nice uptick. However, they know his importance to the offense, so his special teams role may be limited. His matchup with the Vikings is brutal, and as much I don’t want it to happen, I see Brock Osweiler struggling against this ferocious Minnesota defense. Fuller will be a WR3 this week.

The Case for Smith: First off, we have to give credit for Smith for coming back after an Achilles injury, when last season was going to be his final year. He had to knock some rust off, but he’s back! He’s received 11 targets the past two weeks, catching eight passes in both, and he finally found the end zone against Oakland last week. He gets a matchup with a Washington defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to receivers this season. However, they do have Josh Norman, but the good thing is that since Smith typically lines up in the slot more often than not, he may not have to deal with Washington’s top corner the entire game. If that’s the case, all systems go for Smith in Week 5.

The Verdict: Smith. Love his matchup, hate Fuller’s. That was easy.

Victor Cruz (@GB) or Eddie Royal (@IND)

The Case for Cruz: Cruz’s yardage has fluctuated thus far and he’s yet to reach double digits in standard scoring formats, but that all could change this week. If the Giants want to win this game, they need to do it on the strength of their aerial attack. Green Bay’s rush defense has been superb this season, but their pass defense hasn’t experienced the same success. All three of the New York receivers have an excellent chance to score in this one, especially if Eli is going to push 40 pass attempts in this outing. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are allowing more fantasy points on a per game basis than the Packers. Cruz will push low-end WR2 status this week.

The Case for Royal: Royal has a good matchup this week against the Indianapolis secondary, but the big concern right now is his calf. He established a nice rapport with quarterback Brian Hoyer last week, hauling in seven passes for 111 yards. Kevin White won’t be playing in this game, which means Royal would see at least another target or two in this one. However, Royal needs to get out there and practice if he wants to play this weekend. He’s in a prime spot to produce, but fantasy owners would love to see him log some practice time before this game. If he plays, he’s going to be a low-end WR2.

The Verdict: Cruz. I do like Royal a lot this week, but I’m very concerned about his calf.

TIGHT ENDS

Cameron Brate (@CAR) or Dennis Pitta (vs. WSH)

The Case for Brate: Since the departure of Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brate has been a reliable asset at the tight end position. Over the last two weeks, he’s averaging nine targets per game and he is quarterback Jameis Winston’s second favorite target, behind Mike Evans. On a per game average, the Carolina Panthers are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points, including tight end touchdowns in each of the last three weeks. Brate isn’t getting the attention that he deserves, but it’s only a matter of time until everybody knows this guy’s name. He’s a low-end TE1 for me this week.

The Case for Pitta: Pitta broke out against Cleveland, but he’s been relatively quiet since then. Pitta has just nine catches over the last two weeks, going for just 59 yards. Pitta has a tough matchup this week against a Washington Redskins defense that is surrendering just 48 yards per game to opposing tight ends. However, not everything is bad for Pitta. He does claim a sizable target share in the Baltimore offense, and that alone keeps him in the TE1 echelon. The tight end position is fickle, but Pitta has the skillset and opportunity to bring some clarity to that position on your fantasy roster.

The Verdict: Brate. I like Brate a lot and I’m just not huge on Pitta. Brate will score this week.

You can find me on Twitter @colbyrconway