Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 6.
Notes:
• Offenses got off to a slow start during the first month of the season, but Week 5 was filled with high-scoring efforts. Four players finished with more than 30 points in half-PPR scoring, with three of those players coming from the shootout between the Bengals and Ravens. Ja’Marr Chase led all players with 36.3 points. Joe Burrow finished the week third (34.8) and Lamar Jackson fourth (33.4). Jackson is QB1 after five weeks. Arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL is up next when the Ravens take on the Commanders. All three players are entrenched into starting lineups.
• Three Atlanta Falcons make up the other three players in the top six. Kirk Cousins finished second (35.4), Drake London fifth (27.4) and Darnell Mooney sixth (27.0). Unlike Jackson, Burrow and Chase, I am not starting all the Falcons with confidence each week. London is a weekly starter, but Cousins and Mooney are matchup-based and bye-week players. Add them to your roster, but don’t expect Cousins to throw it 58 times on a regular basis.
• It was a terrific week for rookies around the league. Jayden Daniels continued his quest to win Rookie of the Year with 238 passing yards and another 82 on the ground. Caleb Williams had his best game as a pro, throwing for 304 yards. Brock Bowers and Brian Thomas have become the go-to options for their respective offenses. Tyrone Tracy and Jaylen Wright have made an impact when called upon due to injuries. That’s just a handful of the rookies who have contributed to fantasy football teams in the first five weeks. There are still more first-year running backs who may become factors — Jonathan Brooks, Trey Benson and Blake Corum to name a few — so while they might not be contributing now, keep them stashed on your bench for when their opportunity comes.
• It has not been a good start for many first-round picks. Christian McCaffrey still has not played this season. Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson are outside the top 15 running backs. Tyreek Hill’s production has plummeted without Tua Tagovailoa. A.J. Brown has played in just one game. I am looking to trade for all of them if you have a disgruntled owner looking to sell.
• We got some clarity (sort of) about the status of Rashee Rice on Monday night. It was good news for Rice, but not for fantasy owners. You can drop Rice and use that roster spot on someone else. See my weekly waiver wire report for some replacement options to add at receiver.
• Speaking of injuries, three stars were forced out of action on Sunday. De’Von Achane was ruled out with a concussion. Aaron Jones picked up a hip injury. Nico Collins suffered a hamstring injury after scoring a 67-yard touchdown. Achane and Jones have an extra week to heal, but Collins’ situation has been described as “week-to-week.” Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell get a boost in their ranking with Collins out of action, while Ty Chandler and Jaylen Wright need to be on your radar.
• Four more teams are on a bye in Week 6. The Chiefs, Dolphins, Rams and Vikings will all be out of action this week, so plan accordingly. Remember to place any Bears-Jaguars Sunday morning players outside of the FLEX spot to optimize your lineup for the regular slate of games.
Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: 49ers vs. Seahawks
Sunday Morning Game: Bears vs. Jaguars
Sunday Night Game: Bengals vs. Giants
Monday Night Game: Bills vs. Jets
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins
Running Back: Chase Brown
Wide Receiver: Jameson Williams
Tight End: Cade Otton
Defense: Colts
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Justin Herbert
Running Back: Rachaad White
Wide Receiver: Calvin Ridley
Tight End: Hunter Henry
Defense: Cowboys
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Bo Nix
Running Back: Justice Hill
Wide Receiver: Jalen Tolbert
Tight End: Jordan Akins
Defense: Eagles
NFL Picks for Week 6
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 40-38)
49ers (vs. Seahawks)
Bears (vs. Jaguars)
Ravens (vs. Commanders)
Packers (vs. Cardinals)
Texans (vs. Patriots)
Saints (vs. Buccaneers)
Eagles (vs. Browns)
Colts (vs. Titans)
Broncos (vs. Chargers)
Steelers (vs. Raiders)
Falcons (vs. Panthers)
Lions (vs. Cowboys)
Bengals (vs. Giants)
Bills (vs. Jets)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 12-13)
Patriots +7 vs. Texans
Saints -2 vs. Buccaneers
Colts -1 vs. Titans
Broncos +3 vs. Chargers
Panthers +6 vs. Falcons
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 13-12)
Jaguars-Bears under 44.5
Commanders-Ravens over 52.5
Steelers-Raiders under 36.5
Bengals-Giants under 49
Bills-Jets over 41
One Bold Prediction For The Week
Week 1: Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against the Buccaneers. (Off to a good start!)
Week 2: Greg Dortch finishes as a top-25 receiver against the Rams. (WR89 — yikes!)
Week 3: Derek Carr makes it three straight weeks as a top-five fantasy QB against the Eagles. (Major miss)
Week 4: Malik Nabers stays as WR1 after scoring two touchdowns against division rival Dallas. (Still WR1, but no TDs)
Week 5: A running back will finish with more than 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. (Not even close)
Week 6: A tight end — a position that has been AWFUL at this point — leads all position players in scoring this week.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox