Well that was fun. Week six gave us nine games that were decided by a single possession, including Sunday and Monday night games that came down to the final drive. Let’s hope week seven is just as thrilling.
As always, I won some and lost some last week. I correctly predicted big outings from guys like Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston and Tyler Boyd. Unfortunately, I underrated Mitch Trubisky and Dak Prescott’s ability to overcome their difficult matchups. Overall, I got more right than wrong, and I can’t be mad about those results.
Let me remind you that these lists consist of players who aren’t obvious. I shouldn’t have to tell you to start the Antonio Browns, Aaron Rodgers and Todd Gurleys of the world. This article revolves around players who haven’t yet reached “stud” status, and thus require weekly consideration for your lineup.
I make these suggestions based on each player’s weekly matchups, surrounding talent and in-game usage. While predicting the future is anything but easy, using these tools can help us make better choices when determining which players we start or sit from week to week.
Start
Quarterback
Andy Dalton:
Only Patrick Mahomes, Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers have thrown more touchdowns that Dalton this season. Dalton faces a Chiefs defense this week that has given up the second-most passing yards per game (340.3) and the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Dalton may reach a season-high in pass attempts in an effort to keep up with the explosive Kansas City offense.
Baker Mayfield:
Matchups don’t get any easier than this. Through five games, quarterbacks facing the Buccaneers have averaged 355.8 passing yards, 3.2 touchdown passes, and .2 interceptions this season. Needless to say, Tampa Bay has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Running Back
Latavius Murray:
Over the past two weeks running backs have averaged over 5.6 yards per carry (YPC) against the Jets. Murray racked up 155 rushing yards and a touchdown last week in Dalvin Cook’s absence. With Cook’s hamstring refusing to cooperate, Murray will start again this Sunday and thus should be started on your fantasy team as well.
Tevin Coleman:
Devonta Freeman’s IR designation provides some clarity to the Falcons’ backfield. Coleman has played over 64% of the snaps during the four games Freeman has missed this season. Clearly the lead ‘back in Atlanta’s high-scoring offense, Coleman deserves a start again the Giants who have surrendered the 10th-most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing running backs.
Kerryon Johnson:
Since week two Johnson has seen an average of 13.75 touches per game. That should be enough against a Miami defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing running backs. Johnson (5.7 YPC) has drastically outperformed the rest of Detroit’s’ backfield (2.6 YPC) and will hopefully see his role increased coming off a bye.
Wide Receiver
Jarvis Landry:
If there was ever a game to get right it’d be this week against a Tampa Bay defense that has surrendered the second-most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing receivers. Landry has made just 11 receptions over the last three weeks after racking up 20 receptions during his first three. Nonetheless, Landry has seen 10 targets per game during Bakers Mayfield’s three starts and should bounce back this week.
John Brown:
Brown has cooled off as of late after starting the season with a hot streak. He should get back on track this week at home against a Saints defense that has given up the most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing wide receivers. Brown will get several down-field opportunities as Baltimore tries to keep pace with the Saints’ top-scoring offense (36 PPG).
Tyler Boyd:
If Boyd continues at his current pace he’ll becomes too obvious of a target to put on this list. He has more receptions, three fewer targets, 39 less yards and one less touchdown than teammate A.J. Green. This week Cincinnati finds themselves in a shootout with the Chiefs, who have allowed the second-most passing yards (340.3) in the NFL.
Tight End
Eric Ebron:
Never-mind the fact that T.Y. Hilton returns from injury this week, you don’t go away from the hot hand. Ebron has six touchdowns in just as many games, including three scores and 176 yards over the last two weeks. With Jack Doyle still nursing a hip ailment, Ebron remains a top option at the position.
David Njoku:
If you take anything away from this article it’s that you should start your Browns. Unsurprisingly, the Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points (PPR) to opposing tight ends. Njoku’s rapport with Mayfield is growing and he is tied with Landry for the team-lead in targets over the past three weeks (30).
Defense
Indianapolis Colts:
The Colts’ defense isn’t as bad as you think. They’ve racked up the fifth-most sacks (19), the tenth-most turnovers (10) and play at home for the first time since week four. The Bills are last in scoring (12.7 PPG), have accumulated the second-fewest yards per game (222.5) and have committed the seventh-most turnovers (11). Not to mention 35-year-old Derek Anderson will start in place of the injured Josh Allen.
Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers’ defense has gelled over the last two weeks picking up eight sacks, forcing four turnovers and allowing just 24 total points. They travel to London this Sunday to play a Titans team that averages the third-fewest points (14.5) and yards (262.7) per game.
Bench ‘Em
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson:
Watson turned the ball over three times last week and has now thrown an interception in eight straight games. Despite being blown out by Dallas last Sunday, Jacksonville has still given up the fewest passing yards per game (187.8) and the fewest passing touchdowns (5). The Jaguars are a prideful bunch and I expect them to bounce back in a big way at home.
Jameis Winston:
Cleveland’s defense leads the NFL in turnovers forced (16). Winston is turnover prone and has already thrown four interceptions in just six quarters of play this year. The Browns have allowed fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and I foresee their success continuing against Winston and the Bucs.
Running Back
Lamar Miller:
Miller has averaged just 2.6 YPC over his last three games. This week he faces a Jacksonville defense that has surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing backfields. Those factors combined with Alfred Blue’s increased involvement in the offenses means Miller belongs on your bench.
T.J. Yeldon:
With Leonard Fournette sidelined indefinitely because of his hamstring, Jacksonville traded a fifth-round pick to Cleveland in return for Carlos Hyde. It is unclear how much Hyde will play this Sunday with only two days to become acclimated with his new team. This makes both Jaguar ‘backs a risky play this week against a Houston defense that has given up the second-lowest YPC average (3.5) in the league.
Isaiah Crowell:
Crowell seems to go off every other week but this Sunday it would be best to avert from the pattern. The veteran is battling a foot injury and is considered a game-time decision. Even if Crowell suits up, he’ll face a Vikings defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing backfields.
Wide Receiver
Will Fuller:
Keke Coutee’s arrival has killed Fuller’s stock. The third-year player saw 20 targets over the first two weeks but just 11 during the three games since Coutee has entered the lineup. This week Fuller faces a Jacksonville defense that has surrendered the fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing wide receivers.
Kenny Stills:
The two targets Stills saw last week were a season low. He’ll be without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill for a second straight game this Sunday and hasn’t surpassed 40 receiving yards since week three. It’s best to sit Stills against a Detroit defense that has given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing receivers.
Keelan Cole:
There is no in between with Blake Bortles. He averaged 160 passing yards per game during weeks one, three and six and 398 passing yards per game during weeks two, four and five. I expect Bortles to struggle this week against a Texans defense that has allowed 176.5 passing yards per game over the past two weeks. Houston has also given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing wide receivers.
Tight End
Greg OIsen:
The good news is Olsen played 59 of Carolina’s 60 offensive snaps last week without suffering a setback to his troublesome right foot. The bad news is he’s on the road this week to face an Eagles defense that has surrendered the fewest fantasy points (PPR) to opposing tight ends. It’s best to further test the 33-year-old’s durability by benching him during this tough matchup.
Benjamin Watson:
Watson is averaging just 4.4 targets per game this season, making him largely touchdown dependent. Unfortunately, Watson is yet to score a touchdown, and plays a Ravens defense this week that is yet to give up a touchdown to opposing tight ends. After playing over 80% of the snaps during the first two weeks, Watson has played under 60% of the snaps over his last three games.
Defense
Chicago Bears:
Defenses facing the Patriots have scored negative fantasy points each of the past three weeks. New England is the fourth-highest scoring team (29.3 PPG) in the league this year and Chicago just gave up 31 points to a Brock Osweiler-led Miami Dolphins.
Baltimore Ravens:
The Ravens are coming off a shutout in which they registered eleven sacks. So why should you bench them this week? They play the Saints who lead the league in scoring (36 PPG), rank third in yards per game (424) and have committed the second-fewest turnovers (5).