Week 6 NFL Matchup Preview Part One
Be sure to check out Part Two of our Week 6 NFL Matchup Previews.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – October 13, 2016
8:25 PM EST
Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers
BRONCOS
QB Trevor Siemian: Will get the start on Thursday night vs the Chargers. Siemian is not an exciting fantasy option on any week, especially not 100% healthy.
RB C.J. Anderson: Has a chance to be the most productive Bronco on Thursday. Anderson will face a defense that has given up the 2nd most points to RBs this season. Play him as your RB1 with confidence this week.
WR Demaryius Thomas & Emmanuel Sanders: Both have very similar stats in 2016. As I predicted before the season, the Broncos quarterback situation has negatively affected the typical value of these two fantasy stars. Consider both of them boom or bust WR3/flex options Week 6 vs San Diego.
CHARGERS
QB Philip Rivers: Will face his first tough defense since Week 1 vs Kansas City. Rivers in line for a rough afternoon against the Broncos. He isn’t more than a low-end QB2 this week.
RB Melvin Gordon: Gordon has 6 TDs through 5 weeks. He will have a tough time getting into the end zone against Denver. He has only rushed for over 100 yards back in Week 2 vs Jacksonville. He had over 20 carries that week, the only time he had 20 or more carries this season. This game should be a low-scoring defensive game which could result in more carries for Gordon. Still, Gordon is a low-end RB2 at best against the Broncos.
WR Travis Benjamin & Tyrell Williams: Both have been very impressive in the absence of Keenan Allen. Both, however, are risky plays this week vs the best defense against wide receivers this year.
TE Antonio Gates & Hunter Henry: Hunter Henry has been a very good tight end the last 3 weeks. Even with the return of Gates last week, Hunter had 74 yards and a TD. Antonio Gates has too much chemistry with Rivers to be completely replaced. They will both eat into each other’s value moving forward. Either one is a sneaky streaming play against a defense that gives up more to the TE position than the WR position.
-The Fantasy Footballers’ Preview on YouTube
SUNDAY – October 16, 2016
1:00 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers @ Buffalo Bills
49ERS
QB Colin Kaepernick: Will finally get a chance to re-gain his starting job (for good) with the 49ers Sunday. Terrible matchup for his return game vs the Bills in Buffalo who have given up the least amount of fantasy points to opposing QBs. He is not a good start this week.
RB Carlos Hyde: Will be the most productive 49er on the field Sunday. He has a decent matchup against a mediocre defense against the run. Kaepernick may take some value from Hyde being the mobile QB he is but Hyde will get his workload in. I like Hyde as a low-end RB1 this week.
WR Jeremy Kerley: He has been the only viable option through the air so far this season. I would leave him on the bench this week since we have no idea the chemistry, if any, he has with Kaepernick.
BILLS
QB Tyrod Taylor: There are few weeks where I recommend starting Tyrod Taylor. This week is one of them. He has a favorable matchup at home vs a middle of the road defense against QBs. Taylor is a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside.
RB LeSean McCoy: Is an every-week RB1 and this week is no different. A great matchup at home vs a weak run defense.
WR Robert Woods: Has been the most targeted WR since Watkins’ injury. Woods hasn’t put up impressive numbers but he has a good matchup this week that should lead to his best game of the season.
-The Fantasy Footballers’ Preview on YouTube
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Chicago Bears
JAGUARS
QB Blake Bortles: Fresh off a bye week, Blake Bortles is in line for a productive game vs a middle of the road defense against the QB position. With very little help from the run game, Bortles will air it out to his many weapons. You can expect a big game from Bortles Week 6 vs the Bears.
RB T.J. Yeldon & Chris Ivory: Both continue to provide no fantasy value. Ivory is eating into Yeldon’s carries but has not done anything to earn more carries. Do not play either RB this week.
WR Allen Robinson & Allen Hurns: Both options have been disappointing. Hurns hasn’t done anything to earn a start in your fantasy lineup and Robinson has been touchdown dependent with his fantasy value.
TE Julius Thomas: Started the season strong, establishing a rapport with Bortles before a dud game and injury. He will be a low-end TE1 vs the Bears Week 6.
BEARS
QB Brian Hoyer: May have very well won the starting job for the Bears for the rest of the season. 300+ passing yards in the last 3 games has earned him a low-end QB1 play this week vs the Jacksonville Jaguars.
RB Jordan Howard: Coming off back to back games of over 100 rushing yards, Jordan Howard has quickly become a must-start in all fantasy formats. Has a great matchup this week and should eclipse 100 yards for a third week in a row. Insert him as an RB1.
WR Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal & Cameron Meredith: Royal has become Hoyer’s favorite target but Alshon Jeffery has made the most of his opportunities. Although Jeffery has not been himself, he still has produced solid numbers without scoring a single TD this season. Consider Jeffery a WR2 and Royal a WR3 vs the Jaguars defense. Cameron Meredith came out of nowhere last week and posted 9 receptions on 12 targets for 130 yards and a score. I have seen weeks like this from players who quickly revert back to their fantasy irrelevance. Don’t chase last week’s production and bench a worthy every week starter. He isn’t a bad stream play if you need to fill your WR3 or flex spot but nothing more than that.
TE Zach Miller: Miller has been a solid TE2 option. I would put him in that category again and expect him to get more targets and red zone opportunities this weekend.
-The Fantasy Footballers’ Preview on YouTube
Los Angeles Rams @ Detroit Lions
RAMS
QB Case Keenum: Coming off his worst fantasy game of the season, Case Keenum will look to bounce back against a defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to opposing QBs. Keenum is nothing more than a desperate stream play.
RB Todd Gurley: Low-end RB2 in a game that should be heavily focused on throwing the ball. The Rams will likely play from behind which doesn’t bode well for Gurley’s carries.
WR Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin & Brian Quick: Will all get increased work this weekend against the Detroit Lions who have given up the most TD passes in the league. Britt is a WR2 with W1 upside, Austin is a WR3/flex option and Quick is a boom or bust stream option.
LIONS
QB Matthew Stafford: Lined up for a decent low-end QB1 performance vs the Rams this Sunday. He has too many weapons at his disposal to not put up great numbers even against a good defense.
RB Theo Riddick: He will not dazzle you in the run game but is heavily involved in this pass heavy offense. He is safe to insert as a solid flex play.
WR Marvin Jones Jr & Golden Tate: Marvin Jones Jr. is a must start every week because of his volume and big play ability. He is a WR1 this week. Tate continues to be a non-factor in this offense but may see an uptick in targets this week with Jones Jr and Ebron a little banged up. Tate wouldn’t be a bad stream play this Sunday to fill a bye week.
TE Eric Ebron: Safe to keep him on the bench this week, active or not. If by some chance he plays, he will not be working at 100%. I do not like any other option at the position for the Lions.
–The Fantasy Footballers Preview on YouTube
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Miami Dolphins
STEELERS
QB Ben Roethlisberger: Big Ben is a must-start QB1 until proven otherwise. He will have another multi-touchdown game against the Dolphins.
RB Le’Veon Bell: Locked in as your RB1. He presents too much value in both the run and pass game.
WR Antonio Brown & Sammie Coates: Brown is a must start every week, regardless of matchup. Coates has been a solid WR all season but had his coming out party last week with over 100 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. He should be in line for another big day against the Miami defense. Consider him a solid WR2.
TE Jesse James: Has scored 3 TDs in 5 games but that has been the limit of his fantasy value. He is only a desperate streaming option until his targets increase in an already crowded receiving core.
DOLPHINS
QB Ryan Tannehill: There is a reason he is only owned in about 30% of leagues. Keep him on the bench or leave him on the waiver wire. He is not a fantasy QB option.
RB Arian Foster & Jay Ajayi: Foster may play this week and the matchup does not bode well for his return. I wouldn’t consider either this week. Let’s see how Foster bounces back from his injury if he does at all this year. He remains a stash and Ajayi has does nothing to earn a spot on your fantasy roster.
WR Jarvis Landry & company: Landry continues to be a target monster. He is a WR1 this week. DeVante Parker is a solid weekly WR2 and that is not different this week against the steelers. Kenny Stills is a classic boom or bust week to week and is nothing more than a filler WR3/flex.
–The Fantasy Footballers Preview on YouTube
Cincinnati Bengals @ New England Patriots
BENGALS
QB Andy Dalton: The Patriots defense is for real, however, I fully expect Dalton to be playing catch up all game which will lead to fantasy production through the air. He is a solid QB2 play this week.
RB Jeremy Hill & Gio Bernard: This game looks much better for Bernard than it does Hill. The Bengals will be passing a ton and that means more snaps for Gio. I would not trust Hill for more than a desperate flex option but would give Bernard a boost as an RB2 this week, especially in ppr formats.
WR A.J. Green: Will be the beneficiary of Dalton’s targets. Tough matchup but he is unbenchable. He is more of a WR2 this week vs hi normal elite WR1 status.
TE Tyler Eifert: Has not practiced this week and will be out again. Keep him stashed as he will be a big part of the offense when he returns. Whenever that will be.
PATRIOTS
QB Tom Brady: Elite QB1 every week. He will put up monster numbers against a team that just gave up 28 to the rookie-led Dallas Cowboys last week.
RB LeGarrette Blount: He will get his fair share but his value does take a dip with the productivity at the QB position. He is a solid RB2 this week and going forward.
WR Julian Edelman & Chris Hogan: Both are very good options this week against the Bengals. With TB12 back in the mix, the value of both these wideouts dramatically increases. Still, Edelman is the WR1 here and Hogan will be a low-end WR2 until we see whether or not his chemistry with Brady continues.
TE Rob Gronkowski & Martellus Bennett: Is it possible to have two TE1s on one team? Yes. So play both Gronk and Bennett as your TE1. If you have both, good for you but I would recommend trading one to improve elsewhere on your roster.
–The Fantasy Footballers Preview on YouTube
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
PANTHERS
QB Cam Newton: He is practicing on Thursday and is on track to play in this great matchup. He is a lock for a QB1 this week against the terrible Saints defense.
RB Jonathan Stewart & Cameron Artis-Payne: Stewart was at practice on Thursday and if he is able to go, this negatively affects the fantasy value of both RBs here. They would both eat into each other’s opportunities making them both a risky play. Stewart will not be 100% but could get at least half of the work hurting CAP. If Stewart is out this week, Play Artis-Payne as your RB2.
WR Kelvin Benjamin: He will have his QB back this week which is good news for Benjamin owners. He is Cam’s favorite target and will be fed the ball plenty as the WR1 in what will likely be a shootout between two offensive powerhouses.
TE Greg Olsen: Olsen may lose a few targets back to Benjamin after last week’s season-high 9 receptions for 181 yards but he will not lose his consistent production as he and Benjamin are truly a 1a/1b tandem for Newton. Keep Olsen locked in as your TE1 as you normally would. He could top last week’s fantasy points if he finds the end zone in this one.
SAINTS
QB Drew Brees: Will be a QB1 against the Carolina Panthers defense that has given up the 10th most fantasy points to QBs this season. He loves to spread the ball around but Brees gets his points.
RB Mark Ingram: He will be his consistent, productive self against this defense that is a bit tougher against the run than the pass game but not by much. You can safely put him in as your RB2 this week.
WR Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Michael Thomas: All 3 of these WRs are boom or bust week to week because of how Brees likes to spread his targets. You never know who will be the recipient of the big game each week. It is obvious that Brees loves to target Thomas but Willie Snead is healthy and that will affect each other’s targets. Cooks has not been the WR1 that everyone thought he would be. He is thrown in with the others I’ve mentioned. They are all boom or bust WR3/flex options this week.
TE Coby Fleener: Has had 1 good game this season. He should remain on your bench until he and Brees show chemistry if at all this season.
–The Fantasy Footballers Preview on YouTube
Baltimore Ravens @ New York Giants
RAVENS
QB Joe Flacco: Joe Flacco will likely be without Steve Smith Sr. this week. He does have other talented options that will pick up the slack while Smith is out. Flacco does not excite me this week in this tough matchup against the Giants. If you have no better option, Flacco is a low-end QB2.
RB Terrance West: West will get his carries in this game but may not be as productive as he has been the last two weeks. He is a touchdown-dependent RB2 this week vs the New York Giants.
WR Mike Wallace: Steve Smith Sr. was not practicing Thursday and is not expected to play this Sunday. Wallace will be heavily targeted without Smith around. This should turn into a great fantasy game for Wallace. He is a WR2 with WR1 upside against a tough Giants defense this week. Kamar Aiken could also benefit from the absence of Smith but I don’t see Aiken as anything more than a WR3/flex streamer in Week 6.
TE Dennis Pitta: He will also gain more targets with Smith on the bench this week. Consider Pitta a low-end TE1.
GIANTS
QB Eli Manning: Manning has been disappointing this season given the weapons he has to throw to. He will bounce back this week against a defense that is so good against the run that Eli will have no choice but to abort the run game and throw a ton. Still, a good week for Manning, who this year is nothing more than a solid QB2.
RB ALL RBs: Avoid the entire Giants backfield against a defense that has given up the 2nd fewest fantasy points to RBs.
WR Odell Beckham Jr. & Sterling Shepard: Both have been lackluster the past 2 weeks but look for both to be productive in a game that will heavily focus on passing. The Ravens defense is elite against the run and mediocre at best against opposing wideouts. Play OBJ as your WR1 and Shepard is a WR2 with WR1 upside this week.
-The Fantasy Footballers Preview’ on YouTube