I’ll be honest… I loved having another football game on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, it was for the wrong reasons. And, I can’t help but think the affect all of the constant changing/flexing has had on the players and their families. I can understand the frustration of preparing all week to play, only to have it cancelled on game day at a moment’s notice. Should the NFL have considered a bubble a la the NBA and NHL? Absolutely. There was some chatter this week that is being highly considered for the playoffs in January, but it really should’ve been considered well before now. However, for the most part, you have to give credit to all the players, coaches, and organizations for following protocol and understanding the big picture – the opportunity to play on Sunday each week. Hopefully, we are past this hiccup that occurred with the Titans and was a lesson learned. Hopefully.
We are now on to Week 6, with bye weeks in full effect. The Seahawks, Chargers, Saints, and Raiders all see a bye, so you will have to adjust your lineups accordingly. Luckily, there are some good matchups for your bench/depth players as well as some potential streaming options that have a chance for success this week. I’ve always considered the month of October as the “answer” – whether you know you are a true contender or not. And then you ultimately decide to play for next year or look for those opportunities that will make your team even better for your championship run. The choice is yours.
In case you are new to reading this, consider this A2D Radio’s weekly start/sit fantasy football preview. Each week, I will give you my thoughts/analysis on the best matchups of the week and who you should consider starting in that respective week. Also included will be the not-so-good matchups and those players you own who might be best left on the bench.
With that being said, let’s jump into the matchups on tap in Week 6 and who you should consider to start or sit.
Quarterbacks
Starts
Kirk Cousins – Fire up Cousins on Sunday(if this game is played. Atlanta had four positive cases earlier this week). The Falcons give up 30.5 points/per game to QBs – the most at the position. Teddy Bridgewater torched the Falcons for three touchdowns last week. With Cousins have two legitimate options in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, he should have success this week in finishing close to a top 12 option.
Kyle Allen – If you’re looking for a streaming option, Kyle Allen makes for a great target. He faces a Giants defense that allowed Andy Dalton to come off the bench and go 9-11, 111 yards. Allen left the game last week, but appears to have bounced back nicely this week and is in line to start on Sunday. If you’re in a pinch, Allen makes for a decent option.
Matthew Stafford- Stafford will look to make it two consecutive games of productive weeks, when he and the Lions travel to Jacksonville to play the Jags. The Jags yield 22.3 points per/game to the position and have allowed 3+ TDs in 4 out of 6 games so far. Not to mention, this game has one of the highest point totals on the slate in 54.5 – meaning Vegas is predicting a lot of points scored in this matchup. Consider starting Stafford as a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
Ryan Fitzpatrick- Fitzpatrick torched the 49ers last week in San Francisco, hanging 43 points on offense and carrying the Dolphins to an impressive road victory. Fitzmagic at its finest. Now, Fitz and the boys will see a dis-functional Jets team head south to face off in an AFC East battle and Fitzpatrick should have another solid week as a viable starting option.
Sits
Carson Wentz – Has Wentz found a gem in Travis Fulgham? Maybe. Hopefully. For his sake, and fantasy managers everywhere who invested in him. There was a difference in the way Wentz delivered the football to someone he can trust to make a play. However, Week 6 presents a much stiffer test against the Ravens, who give up the 9th fewest points to the position. Wentz may get some reinforcements back this week in DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffrey, which will help. But Wentz has shown too much volatility week to week to trust in each game, so he’s more of a matchup play at this point – and this is not a good one against Baltimore.
Nick Foles- You have to wonder, has Foles looked any better than Mitchell Trubisky at this point? The answer is probably no, and at least Trubisky could make a play with his legs and give you some rushing upside. But let’s face it, Foles hasn’t been the answer for the Bears and it looks like they will be searching for a franchise signal caller next offseason. This week, Foles meets a Carolina Panthers defense that is stout against QBs – giving up only 14 points per/game and the 3rd fewest points in fantasy football. I would not feel confident in Foles as a streaming option and this looks like a game that you can keep him on the bench.
Running Backs
Starts
James Robinson- The RB9 overall through five weeks gets another tasty matchup in Week 6 against Lions a sieve-like Lions defense that has yielded 30.6 points per/game to RBs. The Jaguars offensive coaching staff admitted last week that they want to give Robinson ‘more second-half touches’ and continue to feed him the rock. It makes sense then that this would be the game to do it. I’d roll out Robinson again this week as an RB1/2.
Ronald Jones- As a RoJo truther, I have to admit – I was definitely concerned when Leonard Fournette signed with the Bucs right before the start of the season. However, I wasn’t ready to jump ship, because I believe that he has a lot more talented than people give him credit for. He had a solid showing last week, and now faces a Packers defense that gives up the 2nd most points to RBs. RoJo is also seeing a few touches through the air, so there might be opportunity for him in that aspect, too. RoJo makes for a solid RB2 this week against Green Bay.
David Montgomery- If it wasn’t for Montgomery’s rushing touchdown and volume in the passing game, it would’ve been a disappointing outing for owners. On the other hand, it was great to see Montgomery get 8 targets, catching 7 of them for 30 yards. That’s the kind of work he needs in order to elevate himself into weekly top-15 discussion. His matchup doesn’t get any better this week against Carolina, who are 28th in second-level yards allowed at 1.48/game – meaning opposing offensive lines are opening up wide holes and running backs are getting past the line of scrimmage successfully. With his added receiving volume, and the matchup on the ground, Montgomery seems like a solid high-end RB2 option.
DeAndre Swift- Is it time for Swift to see more carries? He’s averaged 4 targets/per game and should be in line for more rushing work if Matt Patricia wasn’t so stubborn. At this point, Swift is clearly the best back in Detroit, despite playing second-fiddle to Adrian Peterson(who’s best days are behind him, but a bonafide hall of famer). However, this week could be a good game to trust him against Jacksonville. As I mentioned with Stafford, this game calls for 54.5 point total, meaning there could be a lot of throwing the ball for each team – in which Swift would benefit from that situation. I like Swift as a solid RB3/flex.
Sits
Patriots RBs- In the last game we saw New England play, Damien Harris went off for 100 yards, but it was nothing really special. This backfield seems like a migraine rather than a headache and one that you might want to avoid at all costs. The Pats host the Broncos in Foxboro after this game was postponed in Week 4 due to a positive test confirmed on game day morning. The Broncos give up the least amount of points to RBs, and, with the volatility in this backfield, you just won’t know who to trust. I’d consider other options if you’re able to.
Cam Akers/Darrell Henderson- Henderson was solid last week finishing with 20+ points and saw some work in the passing game. Then, in a very peculiar situation, Sean McVay immediately came out and said that he wished to get Cam Akers more work. Well, it might be tough to find running room this week against a Niners defense that gives up 13 points per/game to the position, ranking 31st in points allowed to RBs. There is potential that the Rams will be forced to air it out Sunday night, meaning that it’s anyone’s guess who produces in the backfield this week. Both will still have a role to see work, but temper expectations.
Wide Receivers
Starts
Christian Kirk- Kirk re-established himself as the WR2 in Arizona last week, having his best game of the season. Now, he’ll face a Dallas defense that has been absolutely torched by WRs this season. Kirk should be in line for some solid work on Monday night, but there’s a risk; this could be a huge game for DeAndre Hopkins due to the matchup and everyone else could get phased out. We’ll see. But still, in a matchup this good, you have to play him and see what happens.
Chase Claypool/James Washington- The breakout party occurred for Chase Claypool in Week 5 against the Eagles, going for four touchdowns and finishing as the WR1 overall. Not bad for a rookie who everyone thought was just a workout warrior. With Diontae Johnson officially ruled out this week, Claypool has a chance to make it two games in a row of solid production. The Browns defense yields the 3rd most points to the position and is in a state of flux. I’d start all Steelers WRs in this game, including James Washington, who has seen a 14% target share through five weeks.
N’Keal Harry- Harry appears to slowly but surely establishing himself as the WR1 in New England, waiting for Julian Edelman to officially pass the torch. In their last game against the Chiefs, Harry had a nice touchdown grab and seems to be the go-to guy for Cam Newton – who returns from a stint on the Covid list. The matchup could not be better against the Broncos, who are a jekyll & hyde defense – stout against the run, atrocious against the pass. Knowing how Belichick likes to exploit the opponent’s defense, I envision Harry being much involved in this game, with the opportunity to score a touchdown. I’d play Harry as a WR3 this week.
Laviska Shenault/Keelan Cole- It looks like DJ Chark will sit out this week after injuring his ankle in Week 5. It’s a shame, because this is a terrific matchup against the Lions, who give up 34.2 points per/game to WRs. However, Laviska Shenault has established himself as the clear WR2, maybe even the WR1 in Jacksonville. With the uptick in volume this week, I could see “Viska” finishing as a top 6 WR, as he just looks the part of an impact player in the making. As for Cole, he’s consistently seen about 5-6 targets/game and is the clear WR3. As I mentioned with Shenault, with Chark out, Cole will also see more work, meaning that he can be played in this one as a solid flex/WR3 option.
Sits
Anthony Miller- I was hoping for the third-year breakout of Anthony Miller this season. We have seen flashes, but, unfortunately, it hasn’t been consistent each week. Miller appears to have much volatility each week, which means, he is hard to trust in not-so-good matchups. And this is one of them. The only Bears options you can trust on a weekly basis are Allen Robinson and David Montgomery… that’s about it. Maybe Jimmy Graham too. Hold off on Miller in this one and look for a better matchup in the future.
Curtis Samuel- Remember when Curtis Samuel was the shiny new toy and he was being drafted over DJ Moore by a three-round margin? Yea, that is looking like a mistake. As talented and electric as Samuel is, it just hasn’t yielded consistent production. As is the same for Miller, Samuel is a volatile option and is more of a desperation play if you’re in a pinch. It’s clear, the pecking order in the Panthers offense is Robby Anderson, *Panthers RB*, DJ Moore. Those are the three you can play/trust each week. Samuel can remain on your bench against the Bears.
Tight Ends
Starts
TJ Hockenson- Hockenson has been involved each week and seems like that’ll continue this week. The matchup is a good one, against a Jags defense that yields 14 points per/game to the position. Hockenson continues to gain the trust each week of Stafford, and I believe that his usage/workload will continue to grow. Hockenson can be played this week and has a good chance to score, as well.
Hayden Hurst- Hurst has disappointed the past couple of weeks and appears more of a matchup play rather than an every-week starter. The good news is, he faces a Vikings defense that has not defended TEs as well as they normally do. Hurst can be considered a high-end TE2 in this game, with a chance to find the end zone.
Austin Hooper- Hooper’s role continues to grow and saw a healthy amount of targets the past two weeks. Now, he faces a Steelers defense who is struggling to defend TEs. This could be a matchup the Browns will look to exploit, as it could be hard to find running lanes for Kareem Hunt.
Evan Engram- Engram seems to have fallen victim to the TE curse in Jason Garrett’s offense. Despite seeing 32 targets through five weeks, he hasn’t totaled more than 65 yards since Week 5. However, this could be the game where Engram can come alive, as he faces the Washington Football team – who give up nearly 16 points per/game to TEs. Engram is still a risky play, but the reward is there if you’re willing to take the risk.
Sits
Logan Thomas- Thomas has clearly established himself as the TE1 for the Washington Football team but it hasn’t been a very productive role since the first two weeks. The QB situation in Washington is in shambles and it was a losing bet if you expected Thomas to be the next Darren Waller. Thomas faces a Giants defense that yields the 3rd fewest points to TEs and Thomas is just not involved/trustworthy enough to overcome the matchup.
Drew Sample- I have high hopes for Sample as a potential difference maker at the position, but he’ll need more time to develop. Being paired with Joe Burrow makes his outlook intriguing, but he’s still hard to trust on a week-to-week basis. The Colts are the toughest matchup for TEs in fantasy football and feels like a game where Burrow will rely more on his WRs and Joe Mixon. Wait for a better matchup to play Sample.
