What’s going on everyone?! Welcome back to another edition of my “Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em” series, where today I’ll be diving into some very good, and very bad fantasy matchups for Week 6. Can you believe it’s already the 6th week of the NFL season?! Time flies when you’re having fun!
Let’s get to it!
*Note* – My Week 6 Rankings can be found here, and be sure to check out Rudy’s projections for this week here!
*Note* – I won’t be including the “studs” in any of my “Start” columns. You should always start Aaron Rodgers, Todd Gurley, or Antonio Brown!
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Matt Ryan (vs. TB)
While he disappointed us last week, I haven’t left the Matty Ice hype train as it rolls into Week 6 at home against Tampa Bay. It’s a great matchup for Ryan, as the Bucs, even though they’re coming off of a bye, still boast an incredibly weak secondary. Their coverage units have given up close to 347 yards and 3 TD’s per game to opposing QB’s, so we should be locking in Ryan into our lineups.
Jameis Winston (@ ATL)
In one game against the Dirty Birds last year, Famous Jameis put up 299 yards and 3 scores. On Sunday, I am expecting similar production against a very weak Atlanta secondary. In the past 4 weeks, the Falcons have given up close to 35 fantasy points per game to opposing QB’s, and fresh off a bye, this is a prime spot for the Bucs QB.
Andy Dalton (vs. PIT)
While he hasn’t had the greatest history against his AFC North Foes, this matchup will be different for Dalton. This Pittsburgh Steelers secondary played well against Matt Ryan last week, but on the season, still giving up close to 350 yards and 3 TD’s per game to opposing QB’s.
Sit ‘Em
Deshaun Watson (vs. BUF)
These past few weeks haven’t been the greatest for Watson, as he’s been roughed up quite a bit. He’s entering this game in a matchup against a Bills defense that has been surprisingly stingy to opposing QB’s. He likely won’t throw it a bunch against the Bills, who have only given up close to 19 fantasy points per game.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
Sony Michel/James White (vs. KC)
It’s a great matchup for both Michel and White against this weak KC rush defense that ranks 30th in that very category. Regardless whether or not this game turns into a shootout (Vegas thinks it will), Michel will still get his workload, as evidenced by his 19 touches last week. If it does turn into a slugfest, White will definitely be a factor in the passing game out of the backfield.
Marshawn Lynch (vs. SEA)
While it isn’t the greatest matchup for Beast Mode, as Seattle only ranks 17th in run defense. However, I’m liking him for two reasons. First off, he should be locked into 15+ touches in this matchup. The main reason why I like Lynch this week is because he should be pumped up in a revenge game against his former team. Using the narrative won’t always work for us, but in Lynch’s case, I think it’ll work.
Bilal Powell (vs. IND)
With Isaiah Crowell trending towards not playing (he’s an official GTD), Powell should be locked into some serious volume against the Colts. He’s still averaging close to 15 touches a game, and it’s a good matchup against a Colts team that give up close to 8 catches a game to opposing RB’s. Powell is a great flex option this week.
Sit ‘Em
Lamar Miller (vs. BUF)
While Miller was “active” last week, he still got phased out of the starting lineup with the Texans featuring a lot of Alfred Blue. I would expect for Miller to continue to get phased out of the starting lineup for the Texans, especially when we start to see more of D’onta Foreman. It’s not ever going to be a good matchup for Miller running behind this O-Line, so I can’t trust him this week, or really moving forward.
Adrian Peterson (vs. CAR)
He only got 6 touches last week against New Orleans, and the matchup isn’t going to get better for him this week against Carolina. He might not even be 100%.
Derrick Henry (vs. BAL)
You can’t trust Henry moving forward after 5 weeks of minimal production, and the matchup couldn’t get any tougher against a Ravens defense that ranks 4th in rush defense DVOA.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Tyler Boyd (vs. PIT)
With Joe Haden likely shadowing A.J. Green, Boyd is in line for a huge game against a very weak Pittsburgh secondary that has given up close to 45 fantasy points per game to opposing WR’s over the past 4 weeks. At home in Cincy, I’m expecting big things from this Bengals offense.
Robert Woods (@ DEN)
With Cooks and Brandin Cooks being banged up with concussions, Woods could be in line for some serious volume against the Broncos. Even if Kupp plays, he’ll likely draw the coverage of Chris Harris Jr., so I really like Woods this week against whoever else covers him.
Julian Edelman (vs. KC)
In order for the Patriots to win Sunday Night against the Chiefs, they are going to need all the help they can get from Jules. In his first game back from suspension, Edelman caught 7 of 9 targets, so it’s no secret he’s a crucial part of this offense.
Sit ‘Em
Amari Cooper (vs. SEA)
Awful game last week, and he’s right back on this list in a below-average matchup against the Seahawks. I can’t trust him in starting lineups right now.
DeSean Jackson (@ ATL)
While Jackson crushed it with Ryan Fitzpatrick, he just hasn’t got the same chemistry with Jameis Winston, so he’s not close to being a must-start, even in a good matchup. I would expect that Evans, Brate and Godwin are the most productive receivers tomorrow.
Demaryius Thomas (vs. LAR)
While he was a big beneficiary of garbage time production last week against the Jets, I wouldn’t expect much from him this week as he’ll likely get shadowed by Marcus Peters. I don’t like the matchup, and he certainly isn’t a lock for lineups.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Cameron Brate (@ ATL)
It’s looking very good for Brate tomorrow afternoon as the Falcons defense seems to be pretty banged up on the back end. Brate has tremendous chemistry with his main man Jameis, and should produce in a game that’s likely going to turn into a shootout.
Eric Ebron (@ NYJ)
You know the deal: When Jack Doyle is out, we lock in Ebron. Well, Doyle will miss this week’s matchup against the Jets, so we can lock in Ebron and expect some good volume heading his way.
Sit ‘Em
David Njoku (vs. LAC)
While it could turn into a high-scoring matchup, it’s a tough matchup against a stingy Chargers secondary that limits production to opposing TE’s.
Kickers and D/ST
Start ‘Em
Matt Bryant (vs. TB)
It’s a high-scoring affair, and Bryant should get plenty FG and XP attempts
Chicago Bears (@ MIA)
Coming off the bye, the Bears D/ST is locked into a great spot against the Dolphins.
Sit ‘Em
Caleb Sturgis (@ CLE)
He’s not been a smash fantasy success, so I don’t think he should be a popular kicking option this week on the road.
New England Patriots (vs. KC)
While the Patriots defense hasn’t been the worst to start the season, they’re in a bad spot against the potent Chiefs offense.
Alright guys, that is all my time for today. Good luck to everyone in Week 6, and I’ll be back on Wednesday for my Week 7 Rankings! As always, if you have a question or comment, don’t hesitate to leave one below!
You Can Find Me on Twitter here!
