Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 6 Matchups to Consider

It’s hard to believe, but we are nearing the midway point of the fantasy football season, which means getting those lineups set just perfectly gets more and more important every week! Whether you’re in prime position to take the #1 seed in the playoffs or scratching and clawing to get back into the post-season picture, I’m here to help guide you in the right direction with your lineup decisions! Let’s take a look at some of the matchups worth analyzing for Week 6!

As always, make use of the Start/Sit Tool on the website, ask for advice on Discord, or reach out to me via Twitter: @KurtKnowsBest.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford (LAR) vs Arizona

After a disappointing 2022, it feels like Matthew Stafford and the Rams offense’ are getting close to returning to their Super Bowl winning form in 2023. Through the first five games of the season, Stafford sits at fourth in the league in passing yards and has thrown the ball more than all but one QB. The biggest concern with putting Stafford in your fantasy lineup so far this season has to be the mere five TDs he’s thrown so far. Stafford is averaging a TD pass on just 2.5% of his attempts so far, which is well below the league average.

Getting Cooper Kupp back in the Rams’ lineup may be what Stafford needs to get back into the streaming category for fantasy managers. Of course, a great matchup with the Cardinals can always help that as well. Arizona’s defense has given up a top-12 QB in four of their first five games, including the QB1 overall finish in Week 2. If Stafford is going to get back into the top 12 for the first time since Week 2 of the 2022 season, this week seems like his best opportunity to do so and contribute to fantasy lineups.

Kurt would play Stafford over: QB12 – Jared Goff at Tampa Bay

Dak Prescott (DAL) at LA Chargers

The change in offensive coordinator for the Cowboys hasn’t resulted in the best start for Dak Prescott. Through five weeks, Prescott’s best fantasy finish was the QB17 in Week 2, which is the only game where he’s thrown for multiple TDs. Prescott’s slow start could be the result of Dallas’ 108-13 combined score in their three wins, so he wasn’t really asked to do much through the air, but that isn’t the type of production that fantasy managers can rely on.

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If Dak is going to be fantasy-relevant, it’s going to take a great passing matchup with a high-scoring total like he’s got this week against the L.A. Chargers. L.A.’s defense has given up at least 21 fantasy points to opposing fantasy QBs in three of their four games this season, which is more than Dak has put up in a single game so far. The Chargers are allowing the fourth-highest yards per attempt in the league, so if Dak is going to get back on track for fantasy managers this week, this would be the game to do so.

Kurt would start Dak over: QB15 – Brock Purdy at Cleveland

Running Backs

Miles Sanders (CAR) at Miami

After a pretty hot start, Miles Sanders has had a rough couple of weeks. Sanders put up two top-24 finishes in his first three games but hasn’t finished inside the top-40 RBs in back-to-back weeks. The rough patch for Sanders has been accompanied by a large dip in snaps, averaging just 45% of them over the last two weeks after being on the field for 61% of plays over the first three games. Sanders is also seeing a dip in receiving work with just four combined targets in Weeks 4 and 5, all while Chuba Hubbard has closed the gap on opportunities in the Panthers’ backfield.

While it may be difficult to trust Sanders again right now, his Week 6 matchup with the Dolphins presents a real opportunity for him to redeem himself with fantasy managers. Miami’s defense hasn’t received much attention so far this year thanks to their high-scoring offense, but they’ve given up the seventh-most rushing TDs in the league. While the game script may not be the most favorable for Sanders to have a bounce-back week, as long as Sanders can get back to the opportunities we saw him handling earlier this season, he should be a flex play this week.

Kurt would play Sanders over: RB29 – Tyler Allgeier vs Washington

D’Onta Foreman (CHI) vs Minnesota

The backfield in Chicago was a mystery heading into the season, but injuries may have cleared the path for D’Onta Foreman to have a shot at being the lead back in Week 6. Foreman has only seen five carries this season after coming to the Bears as a free agent, but with Khalil Herbert dealing with an ankle injury and Roschon Johnson working through concussion protocol, he may be the only man left standing. Foreman has shown that he can be a fantasy contributor after posting six top-30 RB finishes last season for the Panthers so he should be more than capable if given the opportunity.

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While Foreman may get plenty of chances, Minnesota may not be the best matchup for him to warrant being in fantasy lineups. Through the first five games of the season, the Vikings have only allowed more than 12 fantasy points to opposing teams’ RBs twice this season. Still, Minnesota has given up two top-24 RB finishes in their last four games, so with the right rushing attack, there is fantasy value to be had. This may be the only week Foreman has the Bears’ backfield to himself, so if you paid up on waivers to get him, I’d consider him to be a flex option.

Kurt would play Foreman over: RB31 – Gus Edwards at Tennessee

Rachaad White (TB) vs Detroit

It’s been a hot and cold start to the season for Rachaad White as the lead RB in Tampa Bay. Through four weeks, White has two finishes inside the top 20 RBs and two finishes outside the top 40, so he’s not exactly predictable for fantasy managers. What’s encouraging about White’s play so far this year has to be the 19 opportunities he’s averaging every week. While they may not be the highest quality touches, it’s tough to legitimize keeping an RB out of your lineup who’s touching the ball that many times per game.

If the cold-hot rotation holds true, then getting Detroit this week should land on the cold square. The Lions’ defensive front is one of the best in football, and it’s translating to fantasy football as well. Through five games, Detroit has only allowed 13 or more points to opposing teams’ fantasy RBs once this season and is giving up the fourth-fewest rushing yards on the year. Coming off of a bye week, it will be interesting to see if White’s high amount of usage continues. I wouldn’t be willing to set him in my lineup just based on the matchup unless there aren’t other options.

Kurt would rather play: RB21 – Rhamondre Stevenson at Las Vegas

Wide Receivers

Gabe Davis (BUF) vs NY Giants

Don’t look now, but Gabe Davis is currently the WR12 and on a four-game TD streak for the Bills. In his four-game streak, Davis is on a 17-game pace for nearly 70 receptions and over 1,200 yards, which would be the best-receiving output in his career. The biggest difference for Davis so far this year may be his 69% catch percentage which is 13% higher than any season he’s had. 

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Taking on the Giants should be a great opportunity for Davis to continue his hot start. Through five games, the Giants have allowed at least 20 points to opposing teams’ fantasy WRs in every game including two top-24 WR finishes last week. The Giants are currently allowing the third-most yards per attempt, which should play into Davis’ hands along with his 17.8 yards per reception. If Davis can continue his efficient receiving efforts, Week 6 should be another chance to finish in the WR2 range.

Kurt would play Davis over: WR30 DeAndre Hopkins vs Baltimore

Terry McLaurin (WASH) at Atlanta

The start of the year hasn’t been ideal for fantasy managers who invested in Terry McLaurin during draft season. After being injured during the preseason, McLaurin has only posted one top-24 finish in his first five games. What’s most concerning is that the target share in Washington’s new offense hasn’t consolidated around what is perceived to be their best-attacking pieces in McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, but instead has been spread around to where four players have 25+ targets so far on the year which makes consistent fantasy value difficult to predict.

Getting on track for McLaurin may take another week with a tough matchup on the road against the Falcons ahead of him in Week 6. Atlanta’s defense has been better than predicted through their first five games this season, allowing the sixth fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. Still, the Falcons have allowed a top-24 WR finish in each of the last three games, so there’s still margin for McLaurin to be productive for your fantasy lineup this week. Until we see something more encouraging from the Commanders’ offense, I’d only consider McLaurin a flex play.

Kurt would rather play: WR32 – Jakobi Meyers vs New England

Josh Downs (IND) at Jacksonville

One of the sneaky waiver wire pickups this week, Josh Downs could be a big addition for fantasy managers over the next month. Downs had his best week as a Colt last week, nearly eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first time behind six receptions. With fellow rookie and starting QB, Anthony Richardson placed on IR, Downs should be a direct beneficiary of backup Gardner Minshew stepping in due to his work in the short passing game. What’s most impressive about Downs so far this season is that he’s become relevant without getting into the end zone yet.

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Jacksonville’s defense is coming off a huge win in England against one of the best offenses in the league, but Downs should still be able to contribute to fantasy managers’ lineups this week. The Jaguars are giving up the fourth-most passing yards per game this season, and have given up three top-seven WR finishes in the last three weeks, two of which came last Sunday against the Bills in the same game. The third top-seven finish was Tank Dell in Week 3, a player who profiles very similarly to Downs. Fantasy managers should expect solid flex output from Downs this week with WR2 upside at the minimum.

Kurt would play Downs over: WR37 – Joshua Palmer vs Dallas

Tight Ends

Tyler Conklin (NYJ) at Philadelphia

Trying to find worth out of the Jets’ passing attack seems kind of silly outside of Garrett Wilson, but Tyler Conklin has been a consistent contributor over the last month. Since Week 2, Conklin is averaging over five targets per game and 50 yards, which is more than you can ask from most streaming TE plays. Conklin proved just last week that he’s still able to take advantage of a good matchup, finishing as the TE12 against the Broncos and tallying his highest receiving yardage total on the year.

If there’s one way to attack the Philadelphia defense this year, it’s been through the air, but they have actually been solid against opposing TEs in recent weeks. Over their last three games, the highest TE finish the Eagles have allowed is TE22. That improvement does come after allowing the TE1 in back-to-back weeks to start the season. For fantasy managers who are searching for a dart throw at the TE spot – and let’s be honest who isn’t – you could do much worse than throwing a chip on Conklin this week.

Kurt would play Conklin over: TE15 – Dalton Schultz vs New Orleans

Zach Ertz (ARI) at LA Rams

Volume has been the name of the game for Zach Ertz to start the year. Ertz has impressively seen the fourth-most targets for a TE through five weeks, behind only TJ Hockenson, Travis Kelce, and Evan Engram. Unfortunately, Ertz has only been able to translate all those targets into one top-12 TE finish on the season. The biggest problem for Ertz is that his yards before catch per reception is 4.9, the lowest in his career. Unless Ertz can begin seeing deeper targets more consistently, getting the ball thrown his way five yards past the line of scrimmage doesn’t do a ton for fantasy rosters.

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Luckily for Ertz, he does have a favorable matchup in Week 6 with the L.A. Rams. Over the last two weeks, the Rams’ defense has allowed a combined 48.3 fantasy points to opposing TEs. That was enough for three top-seven TE finishes in those two games, including three TDs to TEs over that stretch. With a higher over/under than expected for this game, Ertz may be an optimistic play in the depleted TE wasteland.

Kurt would play Ertz over: TE10 – Darren Waller at Buffalo

Kurt would prefer to play: TE16 – Hunter Henry vs Las Vegas