Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 6.
Notes:
• There is a reason we stress rostering handcuff running backs. Chuba Hubbard was inactive for the Panthers in Week 5, and Rico Dowdle rewarded fantasy owners who started him. Dowdle ran 23 times for 206 yards and a touchdown. He also recorded three receptions for 28 yards. Dowdle has a revenge game against the Cowboys’ dreadful run defense up next. Start him as long as Hubbard is out of the lineup.
• There is a laundry list of players dealing with injuries entering Week 6. The Ravens and fantasy owners are waiting to see if Lamar Jackson can suit up this week. Hubbard, Bucky Irving and Omarion Hampton are all expected to miss multiple weeks. The 49ers were without Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans and Terry McLaurin are out of action. Brock Bowers is hurting fantasy managers who used a high pick on him. Check my player rankings if you need to fill in for any injured players.
• The legend of Emeka Egbuka continued in Week 5, as the rookie led all wide receivers in fantasy points with 27.8 points in half-PPR scoring. He has finished as a top-10 receiver in three of five games. He is WR3 on the season as well. It might be wise to sell high with Mike Evans returning to action in the coming weeks and Chris Godwin rounding into form. Until then, continue to start Egbuka with confidence.
• There are certain defenses we like to attack in fantasy football. The Bengals and Panthers have been two of the league’s worst defenses. The Cowboys are struggling defensively. You can add the Ravens to that list as well. Start all the Rams in Week 6 and all pass-catchers facing Baltimore moving forward.
• The schedule-makers did us no favors this week. The Texans and Vikings are both on a bye. We have another 9:30 a.m. EST game in London. We also have two Monday night games again. Make sure to check the status of all players before setting your roster.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection. Target kickers playing in domes and fair weather conditions.
Thursday Night Game: Eagles vs. Giants
Sunday Morning Game: Broncos vs. Jets (in London)
Sunday Night Game: Lions vs. Chiefs
Monday Night Games: Bills vs. Falcons, Bears vs. Commanders
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Tony Pollard
Wide Receiver: Romeo Doubs
Tight End: Darren Waller
Defense: Steelers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Michael Penix Jr.
Running Back: RJ Harvey
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Juwan Johnson
Defense: Chiefs
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Bryce Young
Running Back: Michael Carter
Wide Receiver: Kendrick Bourne
Tight End: Mason Taylor
Defense: Raiders
NFL Picks for Week 6
All odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook at time of writing
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 50-27-1)
Eagles (at Giants)
Broncos (vs. Jets)
Steelers (vs. Browns)
Chargers (at Dolphins)
Patriots (at Saints)
Colts (vs. Cardinals)
Rams (at Ravens)
Cowboys (at Panthers)
Jaguars (vs. Seahawks)
Raiders (vs. Titans)
Buccaneers (vs. 49ers)
Packers (vs. Bengals)
Lions (at Chiefs)
Bills (at Falcons)
Commanders (vs. Bears)
Five Picks Against the Spread (Season Record: 15-10)
Patriots -3.5 at Saints
Colts -6.5 vs. Cardinals
Jaguars -1.5 vs. Seahawks
Buccaneers -3 vs. 49ers
Lions +1.5 at Chiefs
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 14-11)
Eagles-Giants under 41.5
Broncos-Jets under 43.5
Rams-Ravens over 44.5
Titans-Raiders over 41.5
Bears-Commanders over 49.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Trevor Lawrence finishes as a top-10 QB against the Panthers (miss)
Week 2: Zay Flowers remains the overall WR1 after torching the Browns (miss)
Week 3: Daniel Jones makes it three straight weeks finishing as a top-five fantasy quarterback (miss)
Week 4: Josh Allen accounts for five total touchdowns against the Saints (miss)
Week 5: A tight end leads all FLEX-worthy players in scoring (miss)
Week 6: Matthew Stafford finishes as a QB1 against the Ravens
See Also: Fantasy Football Player Rankings
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox