Fantasy football week six: Start ‘em, Sit ‘em

Heading into Week 6, Thursday Night Football kicks off with the New York Giants visiting the undefeated New England Patriots. The Giants are severely injured, suggesting this contest could turn into a blowout.

Let’s get into the starts and sits for the week:

Quarterback

Start ‘Em:

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray versus Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are an extremely talented yet under performing team, which gives rookie Kyler Murray an opportunity to build on a strong Week 5 performance. Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was by far the highest scoring QB in Week 5, scoring 41.74 points against the Falcons. The Falcons are ranked 29th in yards per pass attempt allowed.

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson versus Cincinnati Bengals

Coming off his worst performance in Week 5, Lamar Jackson is a major bounce back candidate as his matchup against the Bengals is a dream. Jackson is currently the 4th highest scoring QB in fantasy football with 121.64 points. The lowly Bengals allowed Kyler Murray to score 25.42 points last week, good for 5th among all QB’s. The Bengals are 30th in yards per pass attempt allowed, providing Jackson — and the Ravens — with a perfect chance to get back on track.

Other potential starts: Tom Brady versus New York Giants, Case Keenum versus Miami Dolphins

Sit ‘Em:

New York Giants QB Daniel Jones versus New England Patriots

Outside of a massive performance in Week 3, Daniel Jones has struggled as a fantasy option. Jones has scored over 12.30 points only once in three games, and it doesn’t get any easier against an elite unit in the Patriots. The Patriots are allowing only 4.5 yards per pass attempt, good for 1st in the league by a large margin. Thursday Night Football and a bevy of offensive injuries won’t make it any easier on the rookie.

New York Jets QB Sam Darnold versus Dallas Cowboys

Sam Darnold (mono) has been cleared, and will return to the field for the first time since Week 1. The extended absence worries me, among other factors surrounding the Jets, such as a lack of talent. The Cowboys are ranked 6th in passing yards per attempt allowed, doubling down on a tough return for Darnold.

Other potential sits: Jared Goff versus San Francisco 49ers, Marcus Mariota versus Denver Broncos

Running Back

Start ‘Em:

Houston Texans RB Carlos Hyde versus Kansas City Chiefs

Carlos Hyde is the leader in the running back room in Houston, and the Chiefs are an extremely suspect defense who just allowed Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack a 17.80-point performance. Hyde has scored over 10 points the past two contests, and even though he shares time with Duke Johnson, he’s got a shot to gain a lot of yardage in a personal revenge game.

Atlanta Falcons RB Devonta Freeman versus Arizona Cardinals

After a terrible start, Freeman has rebounded the past three weeks, scoring 12.50 points once and 18.00 points twice. Freeman also has a great matchup against the Cardinals, who allow 4.8 yards per rush attempt.

Other potential starts: Ronald Jones II versus Carolina Panthers, Adrian Peterson versus Miami Dolphins, Mark Ingram versus Cincinnati Bengals

Sit ‘Em:

Philadelphia Eagles RB Jordan Howard versus Minnesota Vikings

The Eagles’ backfield has begun to settle itself, and it’s Howard who’s separated himself as the top option. Howard has scored touchdowns in three straight games, scoring over 12.10 points twice in that span. Howard faces a tough matchup in Week 6 as the Vikings are allowing only 3.6 yards per rush attempt, good for 5th in the league.

San Francisco 49ers RB Tevin Coleman versus Los Angeles Rams

After returning from an ankle injury, Tevin Coleman erupted against the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, scoring 15.70 points. The issue is two-fold, as fellow backfield mate Matt Breida is the better player and first option, and the Rams’ run defense is 7th in the league, allowing only 3.8 yards per rush attempt. The 49ers are now down both starting tackles, in addition to a tough opponent.

Other potential sits: Todd Gurley versus San Francisco 49ers, Royce Freeman versus Tennessee Titans

Wide Receiver

Start ‘Em:

Washington Redskins WR Terry McLaurin versus Miami Dolphins

Scary Terry has been one of the best receivers in the league, scoring in three out of four contests. Quarterback Case Keenum is expected to return to the starting spot, giving more reasons to love this incredible matchup against the Dolphins. McLaurin is an absolute must start in Week 6.

Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Panthers are usually a one-man show by way of running back Christian McCaffrey, but D.J. Moore has established himself as the receiver Kyle Allen is comfortable with. Moore has eclipsed 12.50 points in every game this season except for Week 4, and now gets the Buccaneers who were torched to the tune of 31.50 points by Chris Godwin in Week 5.

Other potential starts: Josh Gordon versus New York Giants, D.J. Chark versus New Orleans Saints

Sit ‘Em:

New York Giants WR Golden Tate III versus New England Patriots

Returning from a four-game suspension, Golden Tate was targeted six times, securing three grabs for 13 yards. Tate looked like a check down option and nothing more for Daniel Jones. They have yet to build any chemistry, and now face the best defense in football. Even with all the injuries to the Giants’ offensive weaponry, Tate isn’t a strong option.

Tennessee Titans WR A.J. Brown versus Denver Broncos

Outside of two great performances, A.J. Brown has been quiet. The Titans are a weak offense who faces a Broncos defense that allows only 6.2 yards per pass attempt, good for 8th in the league. Quarterback Marcus Mariota cannot be trusted, and neither can Brown.

Other potential sits: Geronimo Allison versus Detroit Lions, Brandin Cooks versus San Francisco 49ers

Tight End

Start ‘Em:

Seattle Seahawks TE Will Dissly versus Cleveland Browns

Will Dissly is officially a tight end you should start every week. Dissly has scored over 18 points three times, over 12 points four times, and only scored in the single digits once in Week 1. Dissly faces the Browns, who just allowed George Kittle the most points of any tight end in Week 5 (20.80 points).

Los Angeles Rams TE Gerald Everett versus San Francisco 49ers

Gerald Everett might not even be on a roster in your league, yet he’s becoming a big weapon for the Rams. Everett — who is routinely forgotten about — has posted back-to-back weeks with solid production, scoring 15.40 and 20.60 points. Running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks both appeared on the injury report, potentially putting them in doubt for the contest. Their absences would open more opportunities for Everett to shine, even in a tough matchup.

Other potential starts: Greg Olsen versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mark Andrews versus Cincinnati Bengals

Sit ‘Em:

Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert versus Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Eifert couldn’t be less of a factor in the Bengals’ offense. Eifert’s targets have remained in the lower end of the single digits, and his yardage totals are nearly non-existent. The Bengals are a bad offense, and Eifert is not able to overcome that.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE O.J. Howard versus Carolina Panthers

O.J. Howard might be the biggest disappointment in all of fantasy football as he’s become a complete afterthought. Howard hasn’t had a game with more than four targets since Week 1, getting completely blanked in the first contest against the Panthers. Howard is nearing “drop” territory.

Other potential sits: Noah Fant versus Tennessee Titans, Kyle Rudolph versus Philadelphia Eagles

Defense

Start ‘Em:

New England Patriots versus New York Giants

The Patriots are nearly 40 points ahead of the second placed 49ers in defensive scoring. They’ll face a rookie quarterback who’s missing two running backs, his top receiver, and his top tight end. And all on a short week.

Los Angeles Chargers versus Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chargers are an average defense, ranking 14th in scoring with 39 points. This week, they’ll likely face a third-string quarterback in Devlin Hodges. If the Chargers perform as they should, they’ll have plenty of chances at turnovers.

Other potential starts: Seattle Seahawks versus Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys versus New York Jets

Sit ‘Em:

Houston Texans versus Kansas City Chiefs

The Texans are an average defense, ranking 15th in the league in scoring with 39 points. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II will lead the Chiefs on a bum ankle, though I wouldn’t bet against him and the best offense in football.

Minnesota Vikings versus Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have one of the best offensive lines in football, which could negate any pressure/sacks from the Vikings’ defensive line. Quarterback Carson Wentz is one of the best out-of-structure players in the league, proving a play is never over the whistle is blown.

Other potential sits: Detroit Lions versus Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns versus Seattle Seahawks