Week 6 Fantasy Football Studs
Week 6 saw scoring explosions from both offensive and defensive players. Three current or former New Orleans Saints running backs had breakout games. We saw a team defense score more TDs than any other non-QB and more points than 9 offenses managed to register on Sunday. Marvin Jones did his best Odell Beckham Jr impression and Antonio Brown reminded us that he is a fantasy monster no matter how bad Ben Roethlisberger is (he’s bad). It was a fun week, let’s dig into who won you your matchup.
Make sure you listen to today’s podcast where Andy, Mike, and Jason discuss Week 6’s studs. Read up on the Week 6 Duds.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins vs SF
25/37 for 330/2/1 — 4/26/1 TD rushing
Some speculated that Cousins’ game against the 49ers was kind of an audition for the team who will be courting him the most after this season. Well, Captain Kirk certainly delivered. I have to believe that Kyle Shanahan will be watching this game tape over and over again…salivating!
Deshaun Watson vs CLE
17/29 for 225/3/1 — 6/23/0 rushing
Earlier this season Watson donated a game check to flood victims. Yeah, he’s awesome off the field too. After his performances over the last 3 weeks, I think DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller may want to consider donating some game checks back to Watson.
Carson Wentz @ CAR
16/30 for 222/3/0 — 6/25/0 rushing
Another week, another QB1 performance out of Wentz. He has 7 TDs over his last 2 games and, after seeing what CJ Beathard did to Washington in Week 6, I think he’ll be on this list again in Week 7.
Carson Palmer vs TB
18/22 for 283/3/1 — 5/-4/0 rushing
Welcome back to relevance Carson Palmer. This game got out hand early but thankfully for Palmer owners, he managed to sling 3 TDs in the games first 35 minutes.
Ryan Fitzpatrick @ARI
22/32 for 290/3/2 — 3/10/0 rushing
Yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick is still in the league. Jameis Winston went down early (as did the entire Buccaneers defense) and Fitzpatrick came into a very friendly game script.
Josh McCown vs NE
31/47 for 354/2/2 — 3/21/0 rushing
I’m willing to bet that never in the history of fantasy football have we spoke positively about Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown in the same article. The Patriots defense has proven that they are the worst kind of “matchup proof”
Running Backs
Melvin Gordon @OAK
25/83/1 — 9/67/1 on 12 targets
Melvin Gordon may legitimately be his team’s best rushing and receiving weapon. If the Chargers continue to win games he may go from rookie year bust to 3rd year MVP before our very eyes.
Mark Ingram vs DET
25/114/2 — 5/36/0 on 5 targets – 1 fumble
Was Adrian Peterson holding Ingram back? Like physically holding him? Because he basically just doubled his season production in one game.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Le’Veon Bell @KC
32/179/1 — 3/12/0 on 6 targets
At this point, this is just Le’Veon Bell doing what Le’Veon Bell does. He already looks like an all-time great and has clearly put the missed preseason behind him.
Adrian Peterson vs TB
26 /134/2 — no targets
A change of scenery and a favorable game script was the perfect storm for AP in Week 6. If he can keep this up Arizona may not rush their franchise RB back into action.
Jerick McKinnon vs GB
16/69/1 — 5/30/1 on 6 targets – 1 fumble
I think we can stop talking about who the lead back is in Minnesota. McKinnon is finally living up to that combine hype and probably solidifying himself a nice payday next year.
Carlos Hyde @WAS
13/28/2 — 5/47/0 on 6 targets
Trade rumors? Time to sell in fantasy? Carlos Hyde is amused by your doubt.
Leonard Fournette vs LAR
21/130/1 — 2/8/0 on 2 targets
Can’t say enough about how good Fournette has been so far in his rookie year. Now we just have to see how long that knee injury will sideline him.
Wide Receivers
Antonio Brown @KC
8/155/1 on 10 targets
The Steelers offense was less than impressive but Antonio Brown showed excellent body control and ball awareness in one of the most impressive TDs of the week.
Larry Fitzgerald vs TB
10/138/1 on 11 targets
We knew the Tampa Bay corners were going to have problems in this one and, as he often does, Larry Fitzgerald proved us right. Week in and out, he keeps showing us he is one of the best to play this game.
Golden Tate @NO
7/96/1 on 7 targets
Even though the Saints defense is much improved, Tate and Marvin Jones benefited from a great game script when Detroit fell way behind in this game.
Marvin Jones Jr @NO
6/96/1 on 14 targets
All I want to say is: if you haven’t seen Jones’ TD catch from Sunday, go watch it now. I was immediately reminded of OBJ’s insane catch from his rookie year. It was awesome to watch.
Demaryius Thomas vs NYG
10/133/0 on 14 targets
Mike Evans @ARI
3/95/1 on 8 targets
Saved by the bell. When Winston went down Evans had 0 catches on 1 target. It seemed like Patrick Peterson would keep this a ho-hum game for Evans but a great catch on a last minute bomb saved Evans’ fantasy day.
Tight Ends
Rob Gronkowski @NYJ
6/83/2 on 10 targets
After a week off to get healthy, Gronk wanted to remind us that not all tight ends are “barfy”
Defense/Special Teams
Saints vs DET
3INT/2 Fumble Recoveries/5 Sacks/3TDs/32PA
Not too often a team allows 32 points and still find themselves atop the DEF/ST leaderboard. Amazing what 3 TDs can do for a fantasy defense.
Texans vs CLE
3INT/4 Sacks/1TD/1 Safety/11PA
A great, though predictable performance. The Browns seem to be the ultimate “get right” for any fantasy defense.
Icon Sportswire/ Getty Images
Rams @JAX
1INT/5 Sacks/2TD/17PA
In a surprising twist, it was the Jaguars’ special teams that let them down and not Blake Bortles.
Ravens vs CHI
4 Sacks/2 Fumble Recoveries/2TDs/21PA
Another pretty predictable fantasy performance. Mitchell Trubisky played well and almost looked as good as Tarik Cohen at QB but the Ravens played solid defense. They also benefited from one of the more bizarre kick return TDs I’ve ever seen.
Honorable Mentions
Chris Ivory vs LAR
2/3/0 — 9/74/1 on 10 targets
Jordan Howard @BAL
36/167/0 — 1/9/0 on 1 target
Christian McCaffrey vs PHI
4/8/0 — 10/56/1 on 14 targets
Chris Thompson vs SF
16/33/0 — 4/105/0 on 5 targets
Orleans Darkwa @DEN
21/117/0 — 1/13/0 on 1 target
Jarvis Landry @ATL
8/62/1 on 14 targets
Ted Ginn Jr. vs DET
4/66/1 on 4 targets — 1/3/0 rushing
Kelvin Benjamin vs PHI
9/99/0 on 13 targets
Adam Thielen vs GB
9/97/0 on 13 targets
Michael Crabtree vs LAC
6/52/1 on 10 targets
Davante Adams @MIN
5/54/1 on 10 targets
John Brown vs TB
3/63/1 on 4 targets
Will Fuller V vs CLE
2/62/1 on 5 targets
Nelson Agholor @CAR
4/55/1 on 7 targets
Cameron Brate @ARI
6/76/1 on 8 targets
Evan Engram @DEN
5/82/1 on 7 targets
Zach Ertz @CAR
2/18/2 on 5 targets
Austin Seferian-Jenkins vs NE
8/46/1 on 11 targets
Hunter Henry @OAK
5/90/0 on 7 targets