Week 6 Start'em - Sit'em
This is the Fantasy Football Nerd's look at the best and worst matchups for Week 6 of the 2019 NFL season. Analysis is aggregated from multiple sources including FFN. FFN rankings are based upon PPR (point per reception) scoring. Given the known conditions, these matchups are the ones to watch and/or avoid.
Please Note: This list does not generally include the elite players that you are going to start regardless of matchup. You don't need us to tell you to start Aaron Rodgers, Travis Kelce, or DeAndre Hopkins. Instead, we take a look at other players on your team that we believe either have great matchups or should be avoided for multiple reasons. Factors like opposing defense, performance trending, and peer comparisons may influence our decisions.
Start 'em Kyler Murray (ARI, QB)If you're streaming QB's or are in need of a bye-week filler, Kyler Murray is the best option you've got. The Falcons were just torched by Deshaun Watson last week to the tune of 41 fantasy points and have given up an average of 23 fantasy points to opposing QBs this year. Murray is ranked 7th this week in a plus matchup.
Start 'em Gardner Minshew (JAC, QB)If Kyler Murray isn't available, check your waiver wire for Gardner Minshew. He's sitting at #14 among QBs on FFN this week - just on the bubble of a QB1. The Saints have given up an average of 23 fantasy points including 41 points to Russell Wilson and 30 points to Deshaun Watson. Minshew Mania should continue another week.
Start 'em Dak Prescott (DAL, QB)Dak Prescott put up big numbers last week (463 yards and 2 scores) and he has an opportunity to have another big game against the Jets. Brady put 20 fantasy points against them in Week 3 and both Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen averaged 15 fantasy points against them.
Start 'em Melvin Gordon (LAC, RB)It was a quiet return game for Melvin Gordon, and while he didn't put up big numbers, he did see 16 total touches - essentially an even split with Austin Ekeler. The problem though was that Gordon was essentially non-existent when the Chargers were in catch-up mode as Ekeler saw a whopping 15 receptions. Look for Gordon to pick up the pace this week against a Steelers team on their third quarterback.
Start 'em Kerryon Johnson (DET, RB)The Packers may have an underrated defense, but running backs have by and large had their way with them. Zeke, Jordan Howard, Phillip Lindsay, and Dalvin Cook averaged 26.7 fantasy points. Green Bay has allowed opposing running backs into the endzone each of their last four games. There's a good chance that they make it five.
Start 'em Chris Thompson (WAS, RB)Looking for a bye-week filler that's still available in nearly 45% of most league platforms? How about Chris Thompson or Adrian Peterson? Nobody gives up more touchdowns or yards to opposing running backs than the Dolphins. Miami gives up the 2nd-most fantasy points to the position making the Washington backs solid starts.
Start 'em D.J. Chark (JAC, WR)One of the most overlooked wide receivers this year has been D.J. Chark, but he shouldn't be. Chark leads the team in targets and has visited the endzone in every game but one this season. Keep him in your lineup as he faces a New Orleans defense that was torched by Chris Godwin last week to the tune of 31.5 fantasy points.
Start 'em Will Fuller (HOU, WR)There's zero expectation that Will Fuller will repeat his 217-yard, 3-touchdown performance from last week, but matchups with the Chiefs typically end in shootouts, and seriously - who would you rather have playing from behind than Deshaun Watson? Fuller will continue to play behind Hopkins, but he's 2nd on the team in targets. He's a low-end WR2 this week and should be in all fantasy lineups.
Start 'em Terry McLaurin (WAS, WR)F1 McLaurin missed last week but should be good to go for a plum matchup with the Dolphins who are giving up the 3rd-most touchdowns and 7th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this year. He remains the second-most targeted guy on this team and is a good option in the flex.
Start 'em Austin Hooper (ATL, TE)Ranked 4th this week among all tight ends is Austin Hooper who has been enjoying a coming out party in Atlanta this year. He's the 2nd-most targeted player on the team facing an Arizona defense that has given up more fantasy points, touchdowns, and yards to the TE position than any other team.
Start 'em Will Dissly (SEA, TE)Will Dissly has been a nice pickup for many fantasy owners this year ranking 6th overall on the season. This week he'll get a Browns defense that just gave up 20 fantasy points to George Kittle last week. Cleveland has given up the 5th-most fantasy points to tight ends making Dissly a must-start.
Start 'em Washington Redskins (WAS, DEF)In this week's edition of Who's Playing the Dolphins, we get the Redskins who make for a fantastic bye-week streamer. Nobody is giving up more fantasy points to opposing defenses than Miami.
Start 'em Harrison Butker (KC, K)The Chiefs have allowed an average of nearly 10 fantasy points on the year including 12 to Will Lutz in Week 1 and 10 points to Joey Slye in Week 4. Butker should be able to reach double digit production in this one.
Sit 'em Baker Mayfield (CLE, QB)At some point, fantasy owners are going to have to cut bait. It could happen this week against the Seahawks, but we're not banking on it. The Seattle run defense is brutal (4th-toughest), but they can be thrown on (270 yards/game). Goff, Murray, and Dalton averaged 18 fantasy points, but can we really trust Mayfield to deliver right now? He's the 28th-ranked QB on the season so far and a risky fantasy play this week.
Sit 'em Jameis Winston (TB, QB)Winston is ranked just inside our Top 12 this week making him a QB1, but if you have a better option, this might be a good opportunity to play someone else. The Panthers secondary is no joke giving up the 4th-fewest yards through the air per game. Nobody has scored more than 17 fantasy points against them including Winston himself who managed just 13 fantasy points in Week 2.
Sit 'em Andy Dalton (CIN, QB)The Ravens give up 280 yards through the air (4th-most), but with a depleted receiving corp, it's not a given that Dalton will be able to air it out. Other than Patrick Mahomes in Week 3, QBs (Mayfield, Murray, & Fitzpatrick) have averaged just 13 fantasy points, and let's face it, Andy Dalton is no Patrick Mahomes so low double-digits is a good bet.
Sit 'em Miles Sanders (PHI, RB)Whether Miles Sanders or Jordan Howard, excercise caution starting either guy this week. Other than Week 2 against Green Bay, the Vikings have kept all running backs to single digits and have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Sit 'em Ronald Jones (TB, RB)Flip a coin and you'll have equal odds of determining which Tampa Bay running back will be the most productive each week. Jones may have out-touched Barber but it was Peyton Barber who found the endzone. Roll the dice with either guy if you need a flex option this week, but control your expectations.
Sit 'em LeSean McCoy (KC, RB)Damien Williams is back and that hurts Shady's fantasy value. He's ranked 29th this week against a Texans defense that frankly can be scored on, but he's coming off a disappointing game last week (2.3 fantasy points). The Texans give up the 7th-fewest touchdowns to running backs this year, and Shady is going to have to find the endzone to find fantasy value right now.
Sit 'em Mike Evans (TB, WR)Mike Evans is ranked 14th this week and remains an elite talent, but can you trust him after the season that he's had? Evans was shut down by Marshon Lattimore last week giving fantasy owners a big ol' goose egg. He'll face another tough matchup with James Bradberry in Week 6. Plus, Chris Godwin has emerged as the leading receiver for Tampa Bay. We saw that when the two teams played in Week 2 where Godwin put up 26 fantasy points and Evans put up just 10. We understand if you need/want to start Evans. He has the kind of talent where he could pop off for big numbers at any time, but he's no longer an automatic WR1.
Sit 'em Sammy Watkins (KC, WR)After being told that he would suit up, fantasy owners were severely disappointed when Watkins couldn't play at the last minute. With Tyreek Hill potentially making his return and Watkins dealing with a hamstring injury, it's difficult to trust him.
Sit 'em AJ Brown (TEN, WR)After a monster Week 4 where AJ Brown visited the endzone twice, he was a popular pick on the waiver wire. We recommended against him last week and he lived up to that with just 2 catches for 27 yards. Leave Brown on the bench again this week. The Broncos have done a nice job shutting down wide receivers surrendering the 4th-fewest fantasy points to the position.
Sit 'em Tyler Eifert (CIN, TE)In what should have been a gimme game last week, Tyler Eifert delivered fantasy owners a whopping 14 yards. The Ravens have been susceptible to the tight end position giving up the tenth-most fantasy points to them, but the Cincy offense is a shell of its former self.
Sit 'em O.J. Howard (TB, TE)What a disappointment O.J. Howard has been this year. So much talent - so little usage. If you can't trust him in a good matchup, what can you do with a difficult matchup like Week 6 against Carolina? The Panthers have allowed the 6th-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this year including O.J. Howard who left fantasy owners with a big fat zero in Week 2. No thanks.
Sit 'em Pittsburgh Steelers (PIT, DEF)The vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense ranks 11th on the season but will likely struggle this week against the Chargers who have given up the 10th-fewest fantasy points to defenses this year.
Sit 'em Jake Elliott (PHI, K)We had higher expectations for Jake Elliott this year. He's ranked 21st on the season among all kickers, and things aren't going to get any easier against a Vikings defense that has given up the 3rd-fewest points to kickers.
Join the Discussion
If asking a sit/start question, be sure to provide your scoring format and contribute to answering questions from other FN members as well.
Hockey10 CommentedOct 10, 2019 11:00 am
With Odell's rough start.. would you play Odell or Michael Gallup in the flex position this week? -Thanks
Nerd CommentedOct 10, 2019 11:00 am
Ugh - I get it. OBJ has not lived up to expectations, but I would still play him here.
RaiderLuv4LIFE CommentedOct 10, 2019 11:00 am
McLaurin, Samuel, J. Gordon? Need one? Boyd is my other starting WR.
Nerd CommentedOct 11, 2019 11:00 am
Assuming he's healthy, I like Terry McLaurin against that Miami secondary.
Crabs crusaders CommentedOct 11, 2019 11:00 am
I have a #3 wr dilemma, Williams from the Chargers , or Robinson from KC , 1/2 pt ppr .
Hinzie22 CommentedOct 12, 2019 11:00 am
Would you play Peterson or Thompson against the dolphins this week? .5 ppr. Also, Everett or Fant at tight end? Thanks!
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 12, 2019 11:00 am
So I need a wee bit o' help please.. standard league, need an RB2 and flex from the following: Ekeler, MGordon, LMcCoy or Diggs. (I am streaming Cousins over Rivers this week if it matters at all to you) :P Thanks!
butkusboys CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
what two of these four would you play in a tandard scoring league, Bell, Fournette, Lindsey Howard, I'm going with Fournette and Lindsey
Nerd CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
@Hinzie22 - Both WAS guys have a great opportunity against that defense. I like Everett over Fant.
@jamisdiablo - Ekeler & Gordon make for nice RB2/Flex options. Hard to trust Shady & Diggs.
@butkusboys - I like Fournette & Bell.
Good luck this week!
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
if I switch to ekeler and gordon, do I start rivers instead of cousins? thanks!
jamisdiablo CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
and, same team, hhenry or fant at TE? four chargers players? ehhhhhh
Nerd CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
I'd still start Cousins. Hunter Henry will likely be on a snap count - could see the endzone, but Fant is a safer play until we know what Henry's involvement will be post-injury.
Nerd CommentedOct 13, 2019 11:00 am
Man - I hope you started Diggs. If not, I genuinely feel bad. Couldn't have predicted a career-day for him.
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