QUARTERBACKS:
STARTS
Kirk Cousins (vs. ATL): Cousins faces the Falcons who have allowed the second most passing yards per game, second most passing completions per game, and most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Cousins is not someone we like as a player throughout the entirety of the season, but in the right matchups, he’s usable. The matchup does not get much better than at home versus the Falcons.
Andy Dalton (vs. ARI): If you were able to grab Andy Dalton off the waiver wire in your league over this past week, plug him into your starting lineup immediately, unless you have a clear top 10 option ahead of him. Dalton faces the Cardinals, who on paper are not actually that bad against the pass, but we know by now that the Cowboys defense is simply not good, therefore Dalton is going to be forced to throw a ton. Dalton is in a completely different and improved situation from where we last saw him, so don’t be afraid to roll him out there if you’ve got a questionable starter and you’re looking for a spark. Keep in mind, Dalton does have a history of underperforming in primetime games, so he’s not a lock to do great this week, but he should finish with top 12 numbers at the position for sure.
SITS
Baker Mayfield (@ PIT): I have a feeling the Browns hot streak comes to an end on the road against the Steelers this week. The Browns have won their last four games after a rough start to the season, but let’s see how they do against a real defense. The Steelers are allowing the ninth most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Mayfield himself hasn’t been a star fantasy performer this season anyway, you’ll have better weeks to play him.
Gardner Minshew (vs. DET): When you see a quarterback going up against a team that’s 1-3, you would think to start the opposing quarterback, right? I say not in this spot. The Lions had a bye week to prepare for this game and make the corrections they need to get back to their winning ways. Whether or not they execute and perform better than they have is a different story, but I’m expecting a relatively low scoring game in this one.
RUNNING BACKS:
STARTS
David Montgomery (@ CAR): I could have listed Alexander Mattison here, but that would be too easy. Instead, I’ll think outside the box with David Montgomery. Montgomery has the best possible matchup for any running back in the league at the Panthers. Carolina is allowing the most fantasy points per game to the running back position, seventh most rushing yards allowed most receptions to running backs allowed per game. I’m not expecting a ton of points in this game, but with Cohen not playing, it should be the Montgomery show.
Philip Lindsay (@ NE): This one is more of a logical thinking call than a numbers play. Lindsay will be starting this game instead of Melvin Gordon, who was arrested with a DUI and ruled out for this week due to a Strep Throat Illness. This is Lindsay’s first game back in a few weeks and he’ll look to have the backfield to himself in this one. It’s a tough matchup, but if you don’t have many alternatives, you can do worse than Lindsay.
SITS
Mark Ingram (vs. PHI): I don’t think I can trust Ingram for the rest of the season in this current situation unless he has a great matchup. There are just too many mouths to feed on the ground for Baltimore. Between Ingram, Dobbins, QB Lamar Jackson himself, Edwards, there’s just not enough volume on this offense for the backs to have consistent high-end production anymore. Are they among the heaviest run teams in the league? Sure. Problem is, it’s a massive committee and I just want no part of it.
Devin Singletary (@ KC): This is a game flow situation that I’d prefer to avoid if possible. After a loss last week, I’m expecting KC to identify what went wrong for them and correct the mistake. Also, it’s looking like backup Zack Moss is going to return, limiting the touches for Singletary.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
STARTS
Justin Jefferson (vs. ATL): We’ve been targeting players against the Falcons defense all season long, and this week is no exception. I was going to put Thielen in this spot, but we are looking deeper here. Thielen is an obvious start pretty much every week. Jefferson is the number two receiver for the Vikings now and has had great games in two of the last three weeks. The Falcons are allowing the seventh most fantasy points per game to receivers, second most receiving yards per game to receivers, and eighth most receptions to wide outs per game. Cousins, Mattison, Thielen, Jefferson, and even Irv Smith are all playable this week in fantasy.
Christian Kirk (@ DAL): We’re going to continue picking on this Cowboys defense all year long, and it doesn’t stop with Christian Kirk. Kirk is the number two wide out on the Cardinals, but he’ll get solid matchups in this game on Monday Night. Hopkins is going to draw most of the attention away from Kirk, and it’s up to Murray to find him in the right matchups.
SITS
Travis Fulgham (vs. BAL): This is a simple one. We’re benching all below average or mediocre receivers such as Fulgham against the Ravens until further notice. Fulgham had his breakout game last week. You missed it. Don’t chase that.
Zach Pascal (vs. CIN): Even though he has a solid matchup this week, I advise staying away from Pascal. He’s just been so disappointing with Rivers as his quarterback, with Rivers instead opting to toss it to the tight ends more as well as Hilton.
TIGHT ENDS:
STARTS
Eric Ebron (vs. CLE): I’m not a fan of Ebron as a whole at this point, but honestly, in the right matchups or situations, he is a viable option. The situation this week is, PIT will be without Diontae Johnson who garners a lot of targets. Surprisingly, Ebron himself has actually been getting consistent volume this season in Pittsburgh, regardless of the injury situations. In his last three games played, Ebron has five, seven and six targets. Targets are what we look for in dart throws at tight ends because they’re more reliable than random touchdowns.
Trey Burton (vs. CIN): This feels like a trap play, but with Mo Alie-Cox ruled out, and the heavy volume the Colts distribute to the tight end, it’s a good idea to plug Burton into your lineups if you need help at tight end this week.
SITS
Rob Gronkowski (vs. GB): Gronkowski shouldn’t be started in most 12 team leagues at this time. He’s really only getting red-zone and looks on important situations, but the problem is there’s not many of those situations in a game, and there’s no guarantee that Gronk will even get those targets. Godwin is expected back this week, and that could hurt the outlook for Gronkowski.
Logan Thomas (@ NYG): We’ve been hoping the snaps and routes would turn into fantasy production for Logan Thomas, but the fact is it just simply hasn’t happened consistently yet. I’d rather rely on other options if I can.
DEFENSES:
STARTS
Miami Dolphins (vs. NYJ): The Dolphins are facing their former coach and the Jets’ backups. Analysis.
Carolina Panthers (vs. CHI): Carolina has been a good team over the last few weeks, surprisingly winning three games in a row. Granted, they did not have a tough schedule, but it doesn’t get tough this week. Nick Foles and the Bears come to town. Carolina should handle this no problem in a game with a low 44.5 total.
SITS
Buffalo Bills (vs. KC): Don’t play defenses versus the Chiefs, even good ones like the Bills. There are just better choices this week.
San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR): I don’t feel super confident in this one, but I’m not expecting much of a turnaround for the 49ers here this week. The Niners have a tough matchup against a division rival trying to get back to their winning ways.
KICKERS:
STARTS
Zane Gonzalez (@ DAL): In a game with a 55.0 total, there should be tons of points in Dallas on Monday Night from both sides of the ball. Whether or not those points are touchdowns or field goals, remains to be seen. Regardless, getting exposure to this game seems like a good idea.
Jason Sanders (vs. NYJ): The Dolphins are 9.0-point favorites at home this week against a team who has a coach on his last leg and a bunch of backups. Not much more analysis here. Start all Dolphins.
SITS
Jake Elliott (vs. BAL): I’m not expecting the Eagles to keep this game competitive against the Ravens, therefore look into finding another kicker if you can.
Robbie Gould (vs. LAR): The 49ers have just been dreadful over the last few weeks, and Gould hasn’t been as dominant as he was in previous years. This mostly has been due to the injuries the team has suffered. Try and find a better option.
WEEK 6 INJURY REPORT
QUARTERBACKS:
Baker Mayfield (Chest): Expected to start.
Drew Lock (Shoulder): Expected to return.
Sam Darnold (Shoulder): Ruled Out.
RUNNING BACKS:
Dalvin Cook (Groin): Ruled Out.
Melvin Gordon (Illness, DUI): Ruled Out.
Leonard Fournette (Ankle): Expected to play in a limited role.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
Diontae Johnson (Back): DNP, ruled out.
Julio Jones (Hamstring): Limited Practice, expected to play.
Chris Godwin (Hamstring): Removed from the injury report.
D.J. Chark (Ankle): Trending towards playing.
Odell Beckham Jr (Illness): DNP but likely will play.
Jarvis Landry (Hip): Expected to Play, but is banged up.
John Brown (Knee): Expected to return.
Breshad Perriman (Ankle): Practiced again, questionable. Tough matchup.
TIGHT ENDS:
Dawson Knox (Hamstring): DNP, not likely to play.
Noah Fant (Ankle): Ruled Out.
Mo Alie-Cox (Knee): Ruled Out.
That’s all for this week, folks. Follow me on Twitter, @JoeyColonna if you have any questions or need advice for this week, I’ll be more than happy to help you out.
(Cover Photo: Getty Images)
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