Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 6.
Notes:
• Justin Jefferson, the No. 1 pick in most fantasy football leagues, left Sunday’s game against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury and is expected to land on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. This is a huge blow to a Vikings team that’s already 1-4 and has lacked explosiveness on offense outside of Jefferson. Jordan Addison is likely rostered, and K.J. Osborn will get increased work, but there are few receivers in the league on Jefferson’s level. If you have Jefferson on your roster, stash him on your bench or IR spot if your league has one and hope the rest of the squad can keep you in the hunt for when he comes back for the second half of the season.
• Justin Fields finished as QB15, QB20 and QB24 the first three weeks of the season, and panic set in for many fantasy owners. So much so that he was available in some leagues, including one I play in. I was happy to scoop him up, and he’s finished as QB3 and QB1 in half-PPR scoring the past two games. The Bears’ signal-caller has thrown eight touchdowns, and we all know what he’s able to contribute on the ground. Some might say these two games are a byproduct of playing the Broncos and Commanders, but Fields got off to a slow start last season before becoming a must-start each week. The Vikings’ secondary is one of the worst in the league, so expect another big game from Fields this week.
• Everything leading up to Sunday indicated that Jonathan Taylor would take over as lead back for the Colts. He was saying all the right things during the weekly interviews. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract extension with the team on Saturday and was active on Sunday. Logically, many sent Zack Moss to the bench (and some even to the waiver wire). Many, myself included, expected this to be a split backfield. Moss had 25 touches, compared to seven for Taylor, for 195 total yards and two scores. It’s hard to imagine the Colts not continuing to give Moss work even with Taylor in the fold.
• What we are seeing from De’Von Achane is truly remarkable, as he currently sits as RB3 in half-PPR scoring on just 47 touches. In comparison, every other top-15 fantasy running back has at least 70 touches, with most having well more than 80. The speed is real for Achane, and the Dolphins as a whole are a scary unit. They have a track team at all of their skill positions. Achane did leave early in the win against the Giants, which is something to monitor this week.
• Breece Hall will rise up most fantasy experts’ rankings since the Jets were true to their word and upped his usage. Hall recorded 22 carries for 177 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown run, and added an additional 17 yards receiving. Dalvin Cook had six carries on just 11 plays. It’s evident that this is all Hall’s job moving forward. Hall is a RB1 the rest of the way if he continues to dominate the backfield touches.
• The biggest beneficiary to Fields’ recent success has been DJ Moore, who caught eight passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns against the Commanders on Thursday. This was on the heels of another eight-catch performance for 131 yards and a score the week prior. The former Terp has found the end zone in three straight games, and the upcoming schedule is favorable for the Bears. He won’t have monster games like this each week, but he’s a safe WR2 until proven otherwise.
• Dallas Goedert was one of my favorite “buy low” players last week after doing next to nothing the first four weeks. The Eagles made an effort to get him involved often, and he responded with his best performance of the season, hauling in eight of nine targets for 117 yards and his first score of the season. The tight end position has once again been dreadful for fantasy owners, as Goedert had just 16 points entering the week. He scored 22 in Week 5 and is now a top-10 fantasy tight end.
• Some players to keep an eye on who are dealing with an injury are Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, James Conner, Khalil Herbert and Travis Kelce. It looks as though all will miss at least this coming week, if not more.
• We can’t be all positive here as at this stage of the season. We are a third into the fantasy regular season and it’s time to be concerned about a handful of players. Players who will be dropping in my rankings include Dak Prescott, Miles Sanders, Dalvin Cook, Jerry Juedy and Brandin Cooks, to name a few.
• There are two teams on a bye this week (and six next week!) so plan accordingly if you have any Packers or Steelers on your roster. This is also the week to plan ahead if you need assurances for the six teams on a bye in Week 7.
• As always, keep tabs on the weather for your kicker selections.
Thursday Night Game: Broncos vs. Chiefs
Sunday Night Game: Giants vs. Bills
Monday Night Game: Cowboys vs. Chargers
Top Pickups of the Week: D’Onta Foreman, Emari Demercado, Jeff Wilson, Josh Reynolds, Josh Downs, Logan Thomas
Buy Low: Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook, DeVonta Smith, Christian Watson, Calvin Ridley, Darren Waller
Sell High: Justin Fields, Derrick Henry, CeeDee Lamb, DeAndre Hopkins, George Kittle
Send to the Waiver Wire: Dak Prescott, Matt Breida, Rashod Bateman, Pat Freiermuth
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford
Running Back: Rachaad White
Wide Receiver: Jakobi Meyers
Tight End: Logan Thomas
Defense: Falcons
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Deshaun Watson
Running Back: Miles Sanders
Wide Receiver: Garrett Wilson
Tight End: David Njoku
Defense: Browns
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Desmond Ridder
Running Back: Roschon Johnson (if healthy) / D’Onta Foreman
Wide Receiver: K.J. Osborn
Tight End: Kylen Granson
Defense: Raiders
NFL Picks for Week 6
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 50-28)
Chiefs (vs. Broncos)
Ravens (vs. Titans)
Falcons (vs. Commanders)
Bears (vs. Vikings)
Bengals (vs. Seahawks)
49ers (vs. Browns)
Saints (vs. Texans)
Jaguars (vs. Colts)
Dolphins (vs. Panthers)
Raiders (vs. Patriots)
Buccaneers (vs. Lions)
Rams (vs. Cardinals)
Eagles (vs. Jets)
Bills (vs. Giants)
Chargers (vs. Cowboys)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 13-12)
Falcons -2.5 vs. Commanders
Bears +2.5 vs. Vikings
Bengals -2.5 vs. Seahawks
Buccaneers +2.5 vs. Lions
Chargers +2.5 vs. Cowboys
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 12-13)
49ers-Browns Over 38.5
Jaguars-Colts Under 46.5
Raiders-Patriots Under 43
Rams-Cardinals Under 48
Giants-Bills Over 45
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the Sunday Night Football game. (miss)
Week 5: The Bills put up 50-plus points against the Jaguars in London. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Jacobs has more total scrimmage yards than Mac Jones has passing yards.
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