Written by Brian Dezelske
Week 6 of the NFL season has some key fantasy football matchups that owners should make note of. Read up on them here and adjust your lineups accordingly.
As always, our information is based off a 12-team standard scoring format. You also won’t see discussions involving players such as DeMarco Murray and Julio Jones here, as players in that class are starters each and every week.
Starts
Andy Dalton vs. Carolina Panthers
Dalton managed to record his best second-best fantasy outing the season, despite Cincinnati’s 43-17 drubbing at the hands of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. It was the first time this season where Dalton threw multiple touchdown passes. Owners should be encouraged by this, especially with Mohamed Sanu playing at an elite level, and even with the potential absence of A.J. Green (toe) this week. Together they will face a Carolina defense that is one of five teams to have allowed double-digit touchdown passes through five weeks of play.
Eli Manning vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Eli Manning is fantasy football relevant again. He’s currently the No. 8-ranked fantasy quarterback, and he got there by throwing at least two touchdowns in four straight games. Manning seems to be hitting his stride in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s West Coast offense, which is perfect for when the “G-Men” take on an Eagles defense this Sunday. Philly gives up the second-most fantasy points (21.2) to opposing gunslingers.
Branden Oliver vs. Oakland Raiders
Oliver will for sure be one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups this week, so for those owners who are lucky enough to get him, throw him in your lineup this week. Oliver and the San Diego Chargers will face a porous Oakland defense that coughs up the fourth-most fantasy points (21.3) to opposing runners. Oliver is also likely to see the overwhelming majority of the team’s offensive snaps, with the litany of injuries to the other Chargers running backs.
Ben Tate vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Fantasy owners from all over were eagerly awaiting the return of Ben Tate to Cleveland’s starting lineup, and Tate did not disappoint. He immediately paid dividends for those who started him (and for those who read my article from last week) by putting up 123 yards on 22 carries. The last time we all saw him play was in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before getting knocked out of that game, he had racked up 41 yards on just six carries. For the game, Browns running backs finished with 173 yards and two touchdowns, while knocking off 6.5 yards per carry. Guess who Tate faces this week?
Kendall Wright vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
It doesn’t matter who Tennessee’s quarterback is, Kendall Wright is still the No. 1 option. He leads his team in targets, which is almost 25 percent of Tennessee’s total targets. Wright finally found the end zone twice this past week, and for the first time since Week 1. This week Wright faces the Jacksonville Jaguars, so waltzing into the end zone for the second week in a row is a real possibility. Wright has a WR2 grade this week, with serious WR1 potential.
Pierre Garcon vs. Arizona Cardinals
After Monday Night’s game, Richard Sherman said, “Pierre doesn’t matter in this league.” Those comments came after Garcon yanked out a chunk of Sherman’s hair during a play. Aside from how funny that is, Sherman might actually be on to something—at least when it comes to Washington home games. In three home games this season, Garcon has totaled just five receptions for 63 yards. However, the road has been a blessing for Garcon. In just two away games, he’s piled up 21 catches for 215 yards and a touchdown. Washington travels to Arizona this week, for what it’s worth.
Sits
Tony Romo vs. Seattle Seahawks
After what Kirk Cousins and DeSean Jackson did to the Seattle Seahawks last week, Tony Romo owners are probably considering him for a start this week. Well don’t. For one, the Cowboys don’t have a receiver with Jackson’s speed and ability to take the top off a defense. And two, Seattle’s focus will be on Dez Bryant. Romo has had some good games recently, but those were against subpar defenses. Owners should expect a decline in production this week when facing the Legion of Boom.
Cam Newton vs. Cincinnati Bengals
A lot of factors play into Cam Newton being a sit this week. First, the Cincinnati Bengals give up the fifth-fewest fantasy points (13) to opposing quarterbacks. Second, Newton’s two worst games this year came against AFC North opponents (Steelers and Ravens). Third, he has just one game with multiple touchdown passes. And last but not least, he’s not running the ball. Newton has just 42 rushing yards on 14 carries through four games. His ground game is what had made him so valuable in the past, and he’s simply not delivering on that this year.
Ronnie Hillman vs. New York Jets
Another hot waiver wire pickup this week will be Ronnie Hillman. He will be starting in place of Montee Ball, who will be sidelined for the next few weeks with a groin injury. And while it is smart to add Hillman to your roster, playing him this week is not so smart. Despite what San Diego did to the Jets on the ground last week, Gang Green still gives up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. And if there’s one thing on that Jets team Rex Ryan can fix, its run defense.
Zac Stacy vs. San Francisco 49ers
The St. Louis Rams are saying that Zac Stacy strained his calf in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia, and that was the reason he did not return to the game. Others are speculating that is was because Stacy fumbled on what was his last play of that game. Coach Jeff Fischer did say Stacy would miss some practice this week, and that could lead to him being a game time decision. The 49ers also give up the third-fewest fantasy points (10.4) to runners, so that doesn’t help matters.
Sammy Watkins vs. New England Patriots
Fantasy owners have every right to be excited about Sammy Watkins. He has all the tools to be an elite wideout in the NFL, and has shown flashes of that already this year. However, this week he takes his first trip to Revis Island, but it won’t be any sort of vacation. Darrelle Revis is the league’s best cornerback, and just locked down A.J. Green last week. Watkins won’t be much more than a WR4 this week, due to that matchup.
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Brian Dezelske covers fantasy football for Sports Radio 105 The Ticket’s Cold Omaha. Recently, he co-hosted a podcast called Fantasy Forecast Central. Before that he was a contributor to Bruno Boys Fantasy Football, and was also a featured columnist at Bleacher Report covering the Minnesota Vikings. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDezelske. |
