TGIF fantasy enthusiasts, and welcome back to my Start/Sit HUB! Mike Hubbard Jr here, providing information to help you win your fantasy league one week at a time. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) and Instagram (@fantasyhubbard). You can tweet me or message me on either social media with any questions you might have regarding the fantasy football season.
Week 6 is underway following the TNF game between the defending champions in Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a Jalen Hurts 2nd half fantasy surge, the Bucs started the game strong and were too much to overcome. The win went to Tampa Bay 28-22. This Sunday there are only 12 games since the Jets, Falcons, Saints, and 49ers are on BYE weeks. Plan those lineups accordingly! Also don’t forget we have another 9:30am ET game in London to start off Sunday funday between the Dolphins and Jaguars. Sundays slate looks like half of the games will be blowouts while the other half will be decided by a late field goal. Luckily in the NFL you never know what will happen, hence the saying and film “Any Given Sunday”. I’m back with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. The games I look forward to the most this Sunday are between Chiefs/Washington and Chargers/Ravens. A lot of potential offense in these games with many fantasy implications.
Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
Dolphins @ Jaguars
Start – James Robinson – James Robinson has hit his stride these past 3 weeks and now he gets the Dolphins defense. He has 4 TDs since week 2 ended and had a monster 149 rushing yards in week 5. Over the past 3 weeks Robinson has averaged 17 carries for 105 rushing yards. The 4 TDs are icing on the cake. The Dolphins defense have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to opposing RBs this year. If Urban Meyer wants to win, and keep his job, he will let Robinson run wild this weekend. Must start.
Sit – Jaylen Waddle – Waddle has been struggling these past 2 weeks catching 5 passes on 10 targets for a total of 64 yards. His 12-reception game in week 3 that boosted his promise only resulted in 58 receiving yards. He scored his only TD in week 1 and has yet to surpass 61 receiving yards in a game this season. The Jaguars aren’t the worst matchup for Waddle but certainly not the best either. Play him at your own risk but he should be benched no matter who is throwing to him until we see more fantasy production.
Packers @ Bears
Start – Damien Williams – Damien is well worth a starting spot in your lineup this week. Williams went for 64 rushing yards and a TD in week 5 since becoming the RB1 on the depth chart for Chicago since David Montgomery’s injury. He now has a rushing TD in each of his last 2 games. Although Khalil Herbert made an impact rushing 18 times for 75 yards last Sunday, Damien Williams had more red zone opportunities than any other Chicago RB. The Bears will want to stay run heavy against the Packers average defense to take pressure off of rookie QB Justin Fields.
Sit – Robert Tonyan – Tonyan is underperforming thus far after breaking out last season. Tonyan’s best performance this season was against Detroit in week 2 where he had 3 receptions for 52 yards and a score. In the other 4 games he has played he hasn’t had more than 2 receptions and hasn’t exceeded 8 receiving yards. Yikes! This week Tonyan gets the Bears who have a good defense this season against opposing TEs. Rodgers clearly has other receiving options this year that he prefers.
Bengals @ Lions
Start – Joe Burrow – Burrow has quietly had 2 or more passing TDs in every game this season. Joe Mixon and Chris Evans will most likely get a good workload for Cincinnati this week, but Burrow will still have his opportunities with his trio of WRs fully healthy. Chase, Boyd, and Higgins should all be getting attention from Burrow as they hope to establish an early lead. Burrow has top 10 QB potential in fantasy this week.
Sit – Jared Goff – Goff faces the Bengals this week who have for the most part held their own against opposing QBs. Momentum is not in Goff’s favor as he has only 2 passing TDs in his last 3 games. It will be interesting to see how this game goes for each offense. If the Bengals go up early then Goff will obviously throw more, but if it stays close, I expect the Lions to involve the RBs more. Regardless, I don’t have Goff starting this week. He is better off your roster in most standard leagues.
Texans @ Colts
Start – Brandin Cooks – Cooks is coming off of his worst game of the season. He had just 3 receptions for 23 yards against the Patriots. The positive from that game for Houston is that QB David Mills surpassed 300 passing yards and had 3 TDs. That progress will bode well for Cooks moving forward and that could start in Indianapolis. Garbage time could really help Cooks this week against the Colts weak secondary. Cooks is the only Texan that should be started.
Sit – Mark Ingram – Ingram had 16 rushes in week 5 but only registered 41 yards with his longest run being 8 yards. He is irrelevant in the pass game and the Colts rushing defense has been very stout. Look for the Texans to go down early and try to throw their way back into the game. Ingram is worth a bench spot at most this week.
Rams @ Giants
Start – Darrell Henderson – Henderson has been a reliable fantasy RB this season when he is healthy and able to play. In his 4 games this season he has averaged over 73 rushing yards and has a total of 3 TDs. The Rams have a high-powered offense with numerous weapons that should be able to take advantage of a beat up NYG team this week. Sony Michel could vulture some touches, but Henderson should get the majority of snaps and can be effective receiving as well. Henderson could get extra opportunities if the Rams build a lead and want to run clock. Expect a top 10 fantasy RB finish this week.
Sit – Evan Engram – Engram has had a few games where he could have been a focal point in the Giants passing game with the absence of multiple receiving options on offense. In his 3 games thus far, he has averaged under 4 receptions and under 35 receiving yards per game. This week the NYG should have Sterling Shephard, Kadarius Toney, and Darius Slayton all playing, although Kenny Golladay and Saquon Barkley are both doubtful. For what it’s worth, there still is no decision on who will be the starting QB in this one. Engram is outside my top 15 TEs in week 6.
Chiefs @ Washington
Start – Darrel Williams – CEH left the SNF game against Buffalo and was later placed on IR due to an MCL sprain. Enter Darrel Williams. Williams was a top waiver priority this week and we should see why when the Chiefs face the WFT. The Chiefs are a surprising 2-3 sitting alone in the basement of the AFC West and will want to make a statement this week. Look for the Chiefs team to put up points at the rate they did when they played the Eagles. Williams is line for a great day with rushing and receiving opportunities. Washington loves to give up the big play and I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams catches a screen and takes it to the house. Could Williams be an upgrade from CEH for fantasy owners? I’m starting Darrel Williams as a RB2 with confidence this week.
Sit – JD McKissic – JD had 2 rushing attempts and 1 reception on 4 targets in week 5 resulting in a total of 7 yards. He has yet to have double digit rushing attempts in a game this season and seems only fantasy relevant in the pass catching game. McKissic could get chances in garbage time but I would steer clear this week unless your RB options are very limited.
Vikings @ Panthers
Start – Justin Jefferson – Jefferson is a must start in every game moving forward. He has a minimum of 7 targets in every game this season, has scored 3 TDs and is averaging 92 receiving yards per game. That is consistency at its finest. Jefferson should crack the top 10 WRs in fantasy points this week even though he is facing a very good Carolina defense. He leads the Vikings in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Keep an eye on his participation in practices prior to Sunday just in case.
Sit – Robby Anderson – Raise your hand if you’re frustrated with Robby Anderson. *raises hand* I have given him time to get out of his slump and show some promise but after 5 weeks of mediocracy I have little hope. In every game this season he has yet to catch more than 50% of his targets and has only scored 1 TD that was way back in week 1. “Sam Darnold to DJ Moore” is about all I’ve heard while listening to their games and with Christian McCaffrey possibly returning this week, Anderson will probably get even less attention. He is an easy player to bench this week.
Chargers @ Ravens
Start – Mark Andrews – Mark Andrews had an incredible MNF performance in week 5 that helped the Ravens beat the Colts in OT. He led the team in targets (13), receptions (11), and receiving yards (147). He also found the end zone twice. This is Andrews 2nd game with over 100 receiving yards this season when he had only surpassed 100 receiving yards once in his first 3 NFL seasons. Lamar Jackson clearly trusts him, and Andrews has shown to be a reliable target. He gets the Chargers defense this week that just let David Njoku have a field day against them posting 7 receptions for 149 yards and a TD. Mark should be in the discussion of top 5 TEs currently healthy and able to play.
Sit – Latavius Murray – Latavius Murray was looking like the go-to guy for the Ravens RB1 position since Ty’Son Williams didn’t play in week 4. Murray scored 3 TDs in 4 weeks and had 18 carries in week 4 alone. In week 5 he led the RBs in rushing attempts with just 5 and had a couple short receptions. His workload was minimal on a team that loves to run the ball. Lamar threw for 442 yards and 4 passing TDs which almost never happens. Even 300 passing yards is usually a rarity from him. Although I believe the rushing attempts will still come for Murray, it is too risky to start any of the Ravens RBs right now.
Cardinals @ Browns
Start – Odell Beckham Jr – Call me crazy but OBJ might be in line for a nice fantasy outing against the undefeated Cardinals this week. He has had back-to-back disappointing games, but he has been on the field a lot and gets to face the Cardinals who let opposing WRs rack up yards and scored TDs. I don’t expect Njoku to repeat his stellar week 5 performance and Jarvis Landry will be out for at least 1 more week leaving OBJ as Baker Mayfield’s best receiving option. A lot of eyes will be on him this Sunday, so we’ll see if he can make something happen.
Sit – David Njoku – Like I said above, I don’t expect Njoku to repeat his stellar week 5 performance. Prior to week 5 he had a maximum of just 3 receptions in every game played. The matchup is less than ideal for Njoku this week as the Cardinals have been a top 5 defense against opposing TEs this season. Keep Njoku on the bench this week and hope for some consistency moving forward. I unfortunately don’t see lightning striking twice for Njoku.
Raiders @ Broncos
Start – Noah Fant – Fant is coming off of a game against the Steelers where he caught 3 of 4 targets for 20 yards. That’s 2 games in the last 3 weeks where he didn’t score or surpass 20 receiving yards. I feel like this week he can easily bounce back given his usage and matchup. The Raiders have struggled with their defense against TEs recently and it has been apparent how bad Las Vegas is defending in the red zone. Fant scored both his TDs in the red zone and the Raiders give up TDs in the red zone over 90% of the time. Fant could be in for some nice production being the 2nd most targeted pass catcher on the team. Plug him into your lineup with ease.
Sit – Henry Ruggs III – Ruggs had only 3 targets in week 5. We have seen his potential this season when he went off for 113 receiving yards and a TD in week 2, but other than that he has only had 4 receptions at most in all other games and no TDs. He is 3rd on the team in targets but Waller has 20 more than him and Renfrow has 10 more than him. Renfrow and Waller also have each scored 2 TDs a piece. Ruggs is too low on Derek Carr’s priority list and will be a boom or bust kind of player until we get some consistency.
Cowboys @ Patriots
Start – Hunter Henry – Hunter Henry has started to trend in the right direction in the past few weeks. He has been targeted at least 5 times and converted that into a minimum of 4 receptions since the beginning of week 3. He also has scored a TD in 2 consecutive games. Mac Jones is looking for him more often and it shows. Henry is 2nd in receptions and receiving yards for New England and leads the team in receiving TDs. The Patriots take on the Cowboys this week who struggle in the red zone and against TEs. Look for his TD streak to continue in New England on Sunday.
Sit – Dalton Schultz – Schultz has been a pleasant surprise for both the Cowboys and for his fantasy owners. I have nothing but good things to say about Dalton except that his matchup this week is risky. Bill Belichick and the Patriots defense know how to defend TEs and are very good in the red zone. I expect Dallas to keep feeding Zeke as it has clearly been working. A good stat line for Schultz this week seems unlikely. You will probably start him since options at TE are slim, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Seahawks @ Steelers
Start – Chase Claypool – Chase Claypool is in a very good position to produce for your fantasy team this week. Both him and Diontae Johnson should have great exposure against Seattle with JuJu Smith-Schuster out for the season after injuring his shoulder, and the fact that they are facing the Seahawks who have been one of the worst defenses against WRs this season. Big Ben has looked anything but sharp so far, but he does throw it enough and JuJu’s targets will have to go somewhere. I like Claypool and Johnson a lot this week.
Sit – Chris Carson – Chris Carson is a very interesting player this week. On one side he was hurt last game and didn’t play so his status for week 6 is still up in the air, plus he has the run stopping Steelers defense to go against. On the other side we have a Seahawks team without Russell Wilson that could look to run the ball a lot in order to keep Geno Smith calm and open up opportunities for him. The safe play is to bench him if you have better options. If you don’t have better options and he is announced as active, then play him. There’s a chance he is completely healthy and runs the ball 15+ times, but more than likely his workload will be less than normal coming off injury and Alex Collins could cut into his playing time. There are more cons than pros in playing Carson this week so I’m staying away.