Woody Marks or JK Dobbins: Who should I start in fantasy football? (Week 5, 2025 season)

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When you're facing a tough start/sit decision on your fantasy football team, you may end up having to choose between Woody Marks or JK Dobbins. Which player would Basement Brewed Fantasy Football recommend you start? Let's go through the details to find out.

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Game Scripts

With a low over/under — 40.5 points, tied for the 2nd lowest among all 14 games on the week 5 slate — and both teams sporting bottom 11 implied point totals under 22 points, Texans at Ravens is shaping up to be a defensive slugfest with limited potential for touchdowns or fantasy football fireworks.

The Broncos are entering week 5 as 3.5 point road underdogs with an implied point total of just 20 points, tied for the 6th lowest among all 28 teams playing this week. The unfavorable spread suggests a mildly negative game script that could tip a bit pass heavy if the Broncos fall behind the Eagles — potentially at the expense of rushing volume — while the low implied point total suggests touchdown opportunities and fantasy football fireworks will be limited.

Positional Matchups

After 4 games, the Ravens present a mouthwatering matchup for RBs, bleeding the 2nd most touches, most catches, 5th most rushing yards, 2nd most rushing TDs, 5th most receiving yards, 3rd most receiving TDs, most PPR points per game and 2nd most PPR points per touch (1.12).

After 4 games, Eagles present a friendly matchup for RBs, allowing the 11th most rushing yards, 11th most receiving yards, 10th most touchdowns, 10th most PPR points per game and 8th most PPR points per touch (0.93).

Woody Marks: Bottom Line

High-end RB3/flex with upside for a lot more. Expect ~11–15 PPR points on ~14–18 touches (~3–5 targets, ~2–4 catches, ~75–100 scrimmage yards); usage trend favors him over Chubb, and the Ravens’ RB-friendly matchup boosts efficiency.

JK Dobbins: Bottom Line

Volume-based RB2. Expect ~12–16 PPR points on ~15–18 touches (~1–3 targets, ~1–2 catches, ~80–100 scrimmage yards); friendly Eagles matchup props efficiency, though underdog script could trim carries.

Should you start Woody Marks or JK Dobbins?

It's close for me, but right now I'd still (begrudgingly?) have my lean towards JK Dobbins. I think there's more upside to be had with Woody Marks, and the trend will probably put him over Dobbins generally as the season progresses, but I feel more confident for this week that Dobbins will get his usage than Woody will. Maybe you consider Woody Marks if you're projected to trail by a bunch, but in a close matchup, the risk may not be worth it in a low total game and a more evenly split backfield.

Week Winners + Discord = Winning your league in 2025

Portions of this article come directly from our Week Winner tool (formerly Heat Map), designed to help you make more confident decisions on your way to a championship. And our private Discord server features a specific Start/Sit channel where any questions you have can get answered in real time - plus our community of hardcore fantasy football players talking DFS, sports betting, dynasty, best ball, and more. From draft to trophy, we have you covered with every decision along the way.

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