You may have noticed after five weeks of making defenses sexy, the title is changing. Defenses in Week 6 are still sexy (and yes, we are concentrating on the ones that aren’t so sexy), but trends are starting to develop. Now it is time to make fantasy Yahtzee, and okay, there were some devastating injuries, but let’s look at the NFL Week 6 good.
Before doing that, let us recap my good and bad from last week. (When there is sexy, there is no ugly). The bad was oh so bad…shuddering so very bad. Daniel Jones attacking the Miami Dolphins defense looked good on paper. That image of Jones running for his life that I asked you to erase from your memory was pretty premature. Jones was sacked six times. The offensive line started backups at left tackle, left guard, and center. Jones finished 14-of-20 for 119 passing yards. And that rushing upside was meh. Jones finished with four rushing attempts for 24 yards. Yes, there were better options.
The good was an obvious but oh-so-satisfying choice. Breece Hall against the Denver Broncos running back. At this point, until further notice, play any and every running back you have against the Broncos’ defense. Spoiler alert: the Broncos play the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night. If DFS is your sort of thing, maybe think of putting a Chiefs’ running back in the Captain spot. And for a bonus, there was the Karma ending to the game if you believe in that sort of thing.
Now on to Week 6, Defenses to attack for fantasy Yahtzee.
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Week 6: Defenses to Attack for Your Fantasy Yahtzee
Defenses to Attack with the Quarterback
For our fantasy pleasure, the Los Angeles Chargers are off their bye week. While the Denver Broncos are giving up the most passing touchdowns per game (2.6) and the Washington Commanders are giving up the most rushing yards to the quarterback (37.6), let’s attack the Chargers with the quarterback (and spoiler alert, the wide receiver too).
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers, Cowboys -2.0, 50.5 o/u
I know it is really hard to trust Prescott. In the last two games, he has thrown two touchdowns with three interceptions. And while we once relied on his rushing yards, he has amassed one rushing yard in two weeks.
And okay, the Chargers stats have been skewed by the shellacking they took in Week 1 courtesy of Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. But for goodness sake, Ryan Tannehill threw for 246 yards with one touchdown, and backup Aidan O’Connell passed for 238 yards.
And yes, there is the fact that the Chargers have racked up 16 sacks in four games. Prescott has been sacked nine times. But six were in two games against the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots.
Here is the good news: the Chargers have allowed the fourth most fantasy points per game to the quarterback position (24.2) and 1.8 passing touchdowns per game. And this game is on Monday night. It is time to have a little faith in Prescott and a lot of faith in the Chargers’ defense floundering. Plus, according to statmuse.com, Prescott has a 124.3 passer rating, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions in five Monday night games. Those are odds we can use to attack a porous Chargers defense.
Defenses to Attack with the Wide Receiver
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Chargers, Cowboys -2.0, 50.5 o/u
Let’s do a little double-dipping her. The Chargers are giving up the most fantasy points per game to the wide receiver (30.8) and the most receiving yards per game (231.8) to the position.
Per Razzball’s wide v slot, 72% of the points go to the receiver out wide. While Cee Dee Lamb is projected as the slot receiver, he is moved around enough that he could enjoy this bounty.
However, Gallup may be the true recipient. Gallup has 22 targets and 15 receptions for 180 yards in five games. Brandin Cooks, the other “out wide” receiver, has 19 targets with nine receptions in four games.
So far this season, Lamb has taken 150 of 220 snaps out of the slot. That is why I am attacking the Chargers’ defense with Gallup, but feel free to play Lamb. I don’t hate it.
Defenses to Attack with the Running Back
It is the worst-kept secret in fantasy football that you play your running backs against the Denver Broncos’ defense. The Broncos are allowing the most fantasy points (34.4), the most yards per game (164.2), and the most rushing touchdowns per game (1.6) to the position. But if you aren’t one of the lucky ones rostering Isaiah Pacheco, wander over to Raheem Mostert. The Carolina Panthers are in a tie for allowing the most rushing touchdowns per game (1.6) to running back.
James Cook, Buffalo Bills vs. New York Giants, Bills -14.0, 44.5 o/u
While the Bills are running the ball on 41.96% of their offensive plays (up from last year’s 40.56%), their running back room is Cook’s to lose. Cook has been on the field for 61.8%, 39.7%, and 61.7% in the last three weeks. Unfortunately, his time has not resulted in fantasy Yahtzee (it will be a thing). Cook has scored 11.20, 13.70, and 2.10 fantasy points in the last three games.
The Giants have allowed 135.8 rushing yards per game and 22 fantasy points per game. The Giants have also faced some formidable running backs, Tony Pollard, Christian McCaffrey, and James Conner, to name just three. That can easily skew the statistical numbers.
Cook is a dual-threat running back on the field for rushing prowess but also in passing situations. So far this season, he has a 10.8% target share, a 53.3% route percentage, and is averaging 10.0 yards per reception.
In a prolific offense, the Bills’ run 29.5 offensive plays a game (seventh most) against a struggling Giants defense, at home where the Bills are a two-touchdown favorite, Cook should finally see the top-10 of the fantasy running back ladder. Attack the Giants’ defense with Cook.
Attacking the Defenses with the Tight End Position
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Jets, Eagles -7.0, 41.5 o/u
It is the squeaky wheel and all that. Goedert finished Week 5 as TE2. Goedert led the team with nine targets and eight receptions. He also finished with 117 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Now, he goes up against the New York Jets. The Jets defense is formidable. They also have a weakness in the tight-end position. The Jets are averaging 11.2 fantasy points to the tight end position.
Last week, the Broncos’ Adam Trautman found the end zone against them.
Goedert will be able to attack the Jets for at least one touchdown.
Good Luck this week. For all your fantasy football needs, look no further than Razzball for your needs. And always ask me anything @gladysLtyler.
