Week 6 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em
- Zak Drapeau
- Oct 9
- 8 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Start 'Em (Matt Hylen)
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford at BAL
As the current passing yards leader in the NFL, Matthew Stafford will look to ride the hot hand in Week 6. Even with the loss in Week 5, Stafford shined for his fantasy managers, throwing for 389 yards and 3 TDs. He did have a lost fumble, but that should not take away from his fantastic form lately. Stafford is a must-start against a Ravens team that allows the 2nd most points per game on average to QBs and 10 yards per completion.
Jordan Love vs CIN
Coming off a bye in Week 5, Jordan Love has a goldmine of a matchup in Week 6. He had his best fantasy performance of the season in the last game he played against the Cowboys (337 yards, 3 TDs, 1 fumble), and will face off against a Bengals defense that is not much better. Cincinnati allows the 8th most fantasy points per game on average to QBs as well as the 4th most passing yards per game (259). If you have Jordan Love on your squad, start him without a second thought.
Sam Darnold at JAX
Sam Darnold was phenomenal last week in a shootout loss to Tampa Bay, throwing for 341 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT. The Seahawks' QB has wasted no time getting accustomed to his new team, distributing the ball around nicely and building chemistry with his two receivers. Darnold should absolutely continue his good run of form against a Jaguars defense that allows the 9th most fantasy points per game on average to QBs.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins at PIT
Quinshon Judkins has looked like a star already in Cleveland. The rookie Ohio State alum put together another 100-yard performance last week, rushing for 110 yards and receiving for 18. His 23 carries once again proved he is the bellcow of this offense. With the Browns going through a QB change, Judkins will likely be heavily relied upon again against a Steelers team that is middle of the back against RBs in fantasy.
J.K. Dobbins at NYJ
Dobbins is flying under managers' and analysts' radar way too much this season. The Broncos' RB1 was efficient again in his 20 carries, rushing for 79 yards and a TD as well as 5 receiving yards. The doubt that Dobbins would split carries with rookie R.J. Harvey should not exist anymore, with Dobbins dominating the workload even with Harvey playing. Dobbins matches up against a Jets defense that allows the 7th most fantasy points per game on average to RBs.
Rico Dowdle vs DAL
Last week, Rico Dowdle may have had one of the biggest performances of the season already among any player in football. Dowdle exploded for 206 rushing yards on 23 carries, scoring a TD while also adding 28 receiving yards. Even with Chuba Hubbard coming back, this kind of performance automatically gives you more opportunities within the offense. Plus, Carolina can use any sort of offensive production that they can get. Expect the Carolina running attack to be very split in favor of Dowdle against a horrific Dallas defense (allows 5th most fantasy points per game on average to RBs).
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Wide Receiver
Matthew Golden vs CIN
This could be the game Matthew Golden fantasy managers have all been waiting for. Golden seems right at the brink of a breakout, with his target share and routes run being among the highest on his team. QB Jordan Love has just missed him on a couple of deep balls as well, so the potential is absolutely there. I think this is finally the week Love connects with Golden on a deep ball or two against a Bengals defense that allows the 6th most yards per completion to opponents (10.8).
Jakobi Meyers vs TEN
The Raiders' offense has been an absolute mess as of late, with Jakobi Meyers being a big victim of it. With that said, I think Vegas can bounce back against a bad Titans defense. Tennessee allows the 10th most fantasy points per game on average to WRs, which is promising for Meyers. Targets have not been a problem for the Raiders' WR1, thus creating an intriguing matchup in week 6. It is a little bit of a risk, but one worth taking in my mind.
Xavier Worthy vs DET
Xavier Worthy is also a guy who has been a good ball away from an elite fantasy week. Though he only tallied up 42 yards on 6 catches last week, his nine targets and 8 in Week 4 make him a staple in this Kansas City offense. If Patrick Mahomes can find a way to connect with Worthy on more of those targets, Worthy will have a big week against a beat-up Lions secondary.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Tight End
Hunter Henry at NO
Hunter Henry has been one of the main features in a much-improved Patriots offense. With Drake Maye's confidence growing every week, Henry should see more middle-of-the-field targets as the weeks go on, especially against the Saints. New Orleans allows the 3rd most fantasy points per game on average to TEs, so expect Henry to be targeted early and often in all parts of the field.
Theo Johnson vs PHI
Seemingly out of nowhere, Theo Johnson is becoming a favorite target of rookie QB Jaxon Dart. With Johnson hauling in 6 of his 7 targets for 33 yards and 2 TDs, he is becoming a huge Red Zone threat for New York; this is all you need to be in order to start as a TE in fantasy.
Harold Fannin Jr. at PIT
Similar to Johnson, Fannin was also a common target for his rookie QB in the Red Zone. With Fannin scoring a TD in his last time out, it seems he and David Njoku will both be featured in Cleveland's offense. With the Steelers being the 10th-worst team in terms of fantasy points allowed on average to TEs, Fannin could be a Red Zone threat for a second straight week.
___________________________________
Sit 'Em (Zak Drapeau)
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes vs DET
Pat Mahomes has been a lackluster fantasy quarterback for two seasons now, but boy, has he bounced back this season! That being said, the Lions' defense is no joke, and even though they're technically ranked 21st against fantasy QBs this season, their pass rush and secondary could spell turnovers for Mahomes.
Justin Herbert at MIA
Herbert was having a spectacular, MVP-caliber season, and then injuries have just taken him out of the game. Within two weeks, two of his O-linemen got hurt (not including his left tackle Rashawn Slater, who has been out all year), and now the Chargers' RB1 is heading for IR. The Dolphins' pass rush will be keying in on Herbert all day, and he'll be running for his life... again.
Kyler Murray at IND
Wow, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals have been disappointing. He hasn't run for more than 41 yards in a single game this season and only has 1 rushing TD on the year. Now heading to Indy this week, who has the 7th best defense against Fantasy QBs. The Colts have also allowed an average of 10.4 points to Fantasy QBs when playing at Lucas Oil Stadium in 3 games so far this season.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Running Back
Derrick Henry vs LAR
Well, the Ravens look bad without Lamar Jackson. A garbage-time touchdown for Henry was the sole reason he didn't have the bust game of the season, only rushing for 33 yards and 2.2 yards per carry. A matchup against the Rams will be just as tough, and it certainly looks like Jackson won't be back to save this offense.
Alvin Kamara vs NE
Kamara has been disappointing all season but has still been good for around 8 points a week. Now, with the Patriots coming to town, who have not allowed a running back 10 or more points since Week 2, Kamara looks to be in for a very quiet day. He is a possible FLEX play if your bench isn't deep, for his receiving upside, especially in PPR leagues, but not much more.
Travis Etienne Jr vs SEA
Etienne has been pretty decent all year despite a quiet night last week against the Chiefs, but the Seahawks' defense has been very good. A matchup at home and Seattle allowing Rachaad White to break out last week could give managers some hope for Etienne, but I think it's much more likely they return to form and shut down Etienne like they have to fantasy RBs all year long.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson vs DEN
Wilson has been a pleasant surprise to most fantasy owners thanks to Justin Fields playing exceptionally when he's on the field, but now he will be running into the Broncos' defense and be guarded by the reigning DPOY all game. This will be an amazing matchup to watch, and even though Wilson has been Fields' number one option all year, look for the former Buckeye to have an extremely tough day and be a FLEX option at best.
George Pickens at CAR
Pickens had an amazing day against Green Bay once CeeDee Lamb was injured and was saved last week from a terrible game with his 43-yard touchdown catch in the 3rd quarter. Going to Carolina could really be a trap game for Pickens and the Cowboys, who have had one of the best offenses in recent weeks, but the Panthers' defense has been just about equally as good.
Quentin Johnston at MIA
Johnston lands here for the same reason Herbert made this list: the team is deteriorating. Johnston's fantasy season was out of nowhere, and he had a good run, but it seems like he will be returning to normal or at least an 8-point average in the next few weeks, especially if the Chargers' O-line continues to be one of the worst in the league.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Tight End
Brock Bowers vs TEN
Bowers has been a huge disappointment this season, and it's mostly due to his PCL injury. The Raiders finally allowed him to sit out last week to help his recovery, but boy, did they miss him. If the Raiders were smart, they would give him another week of rest, so this "Sit 'Em" may be a cop-out, but if they do play him, look for Bowers to be mediocre again, thanks to his knee.
Dalton Kincaid at ATL
Here's the thing: Atlanta's defense came out of nowhere to be one of the best in the league this season, and that goes double against tight ends. Kincaid has been the second-best fantasy TE this season, but the Falcons haven't allowed more than 2 catches or 21 yards to a tight end all season. Kincaid could start for you if you have no other TEs, but I really would pick up someone like Cade Otton or Theo Johnson on the waiver wire.
Mark Andrews vs LAR
DO NOT start Mark Andrews until Lamar Jackson comes back. With Jackson not practicing as of Wednesday, it's very likely that he will sit again this week ahead of their Week 7 bye. Andrews has been a bad fantasy TE all season besides one game and may even be dealing with some trade rumors. All that put together makes Andrews a hard bench candidate this week.
___________________________________
Check out fansonlysportz.com/news for more sports media content posted daily.
Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of Fantasy Football and the 2025 NFL Season.
Waiver Wire Updates Every Tuesday
Positional Rankings AND Start 'Em-Sit 'Ems Every Thursday
-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
Comments