Week 6 Starts, Sits and Sleepers
Pretty good job by us picking our starts/sits/sleepers last week, with most of our sits really busting and half of our start suggestions hitting big. The other half of those start predictions really struck out but hey, better then week four.
With us now having to factor in byes to our lineups, waiver wires will be looking very thin some weeks. If your team doesn't have a couple go-to guys at this point...the bell may be tolling on your season already. But if you're stocked up on talent, read below for some insight on who to play and bench this week:
Starts
Lamar Jackson @ NYG: It's a little too early to say whether this Giants defense has overachieved or is simply just good. I'm leaning to the latter, but they've got as difficult an assignment as you'll come across this week, going up against the electric Ravens quarterback. Rashod Bateman is set to miss their his second consecutive game, which will likely result in #8 shouldering more of the offensive load then he would otherwise. I think Lamar will have a lot of success on the ground with a steady performance passing to keep the defense honest. Put him down for 3+ touchdowns and 300+ total yards.
Tom Brady @ PIT: The Bucs are finally starting to get healthy on offense and nobody's numbers have reflected that more then their 45 year old quarterback. They travel to Pittsburgh this week to face the top quarterback in the 2022 draft, Kenny Pickett. The Steelers defense is really banged up and Tampa's strong defensive line should pressure Pickett and the run game all day. Tom Brady's won 12 straight games against rookie QBs and is 24-2 overall against first year signal callers. That streak won't be ending Sunday afternoon.
Rhamondre Stevenson @ CLE: Third string quarterback under center, an injured backfield partner and a game against the 5th worst run defense in the league. Smells like 30 touches for the Patriots second year running back. Stevenson has totaled over 89 yards in his last three games, clearing the century mark in two of them. He should explode in the Dog Pound, 150+ yards and two scores for the kid.
Dalvin Cook @ MIA: I thought Alexander Mattinson was the back to target against the Bears last week, but turned out Dalvin was A-OK, en route to 121 total yards and two touchdowns. He'll be going up against a Miami team that just allowed five rushing touchdowns to the Jets. The Dolphins will also be starting Skyler Thompson, who'll undoubtedly give the Vikings a few short fields and a pro-rushing game script. Dalvin should clear 100 again with relative ease and a couple tuddys.
Ja'Marr Chase @ NO: The Bengals' top wideout has been pretty tame this season outside of their opening game in Pittsburgh. It's hard to say if that's due to defenses keying in on him or Burrow having an easier time finding Tee Higgins and Hayden Hurst. Regardless, opposing receivers have had a surprising amount of success against Marshon Lattimore this season. If their O-line can keep Burrow upright, Chase should be able to get his down in the Big Easy.
Chris Godwin @ PIT: When this offense is humming, Mike Evans is the touchdown guy and Chris Godwin is the volume guy. The Bucs seemed to be getting back to that in Atlanta last week and should have an even easier time in Pittsburgh building on that performance. There's no reason this game should be close, and I think Godwin could finish up with a line in the ballpark of 11/130/1. We'll chop up and rip a line like that.
Mark Andrews @ NYG: Lamar is going to do a ton with his legs against the Giants, but someone has to catch his passes. The Ravens star tight end has had double digit targets in 60% of their games, producing monster lines on those days. Expect a very similar game plan in the Meadowlands, with Andrews snagging at least seven catches for 90+.
Sits
Daniel Jones vs. BAL: To his credit, Jones has been really solid all year. I wasn't alone in having low expectations for the Duke alumni, but all he's done is win. Tough matchup Sunday though. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey should have no problem in single coverage with the Giants' receivers, allowing the linebackers and safeties to load the box for Saquon and help contain Mr. Dimes. A rushing score might make his day slightly easier to stomach, but don't expect a big fantasy day from Daniel.
Aaron Rodgers vs. NYJ: Rodgers receivers are a work in progress at best, he hasn't thrown for over 255 yards all year and now is dealing with a thumb injury. If Matt LaFleur was smart (which he's shown a penchant for not being) then they'd implement a run heavy approach to alleviate some of the pressure on his QB. Regardless of the game plan, this Jets team has a scrappy defense that won't give up anything easy to the two-time reigning MVP. He's been letting you down all year so far in fantasy and that won't change this weekend.
Christian McCaffery @ LAR: I went back and forth on this one. Part of me still thinks that McCaffery might get force fed 25-30 touches and actually manufacture a decent day. The other part of me thinks that the Rams defense will be able to compress with PJ Walker under center, minimizing running room for the explosive running back. We'll see which ends up being true, but I don't have high expectations for Run CMC in LA.
Saquon Barkley vs. BAL: I was wrong about Saquon being a bust this year, that much has been established. But with Baltimore's elite corners being trusted to neutralize the passing attack, I think Barkley is going to see packed boxes all game. It's also very possible this game gets away from them game script-wise as well. He could salvage his day with some receptions, but it's not going to be an explosion of a game for the Giants RB.
Ceedee Lamb @ PHI: The Cowboys top receiver should be seeing a ton of Darius Slay Sunday night. He's been solid with Cooper Rush, but the offense as a whole has been more conservative. With all of his other pass catching options healthy and back in the fold, I think Rush may look elsewhere for more ideal matchups. Shouldn't be a lot of points scored either in this one.
Tyreek Hill vs. MIN: Ankle injury + Skyler Thompson + decent Vikings defense. It's possible he gets peppered with like 20 targets by the rookie quarterback, but it's just as likely they get down big early and sit the banged up speedster. Not worth the risk if you have other options.
Kyle Pitts vs. SF: Pitts didn't play a week ago, but seems to be up to the task with San Francisco coming around. The Niners have allowed the third fewest fantasy points to tight ends and should be able to key on Pitts and London in the weak Falcons' passing game. Pitts has been a roller coaster regardless, not the week you wanna ride it.
Sleepers
Zach Wilson @ GB: If you listen to the podcast, you know I actually love the Jets this week. This Packers defense hasn't been as good as advertised and it seems like Wilson has gotten stronger as his two starts have gone along. I think this is a breakout game for the former BYU Cougar, leaving his mark in Lambeau.
Deon Jackson vs. JAX: Jackson played 49% of snaps last week in Jonathan Taylor's absence, looking sharp in the process. Taylor practiced this week but was officially ruled out yesterday. Nyhiem Hines is also on the fence with a concussion. Way worse options out there then Jackson, who'll easily get 10+ touches.
Corey Davis @ GB: Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore got all the hype coming into the year, but it's actually Corey Davis who leads the team in receiving yards. I expect him to again this weekend, flying under the radar with Eric Stokes and Jaire Alexander on Wilson and Moore. Should find pay dirt as well.
Robert Tonyan vs. NYJ: It's no secret that Green Bay's lacking talent at wideout. Sauce Gardner should lock up whoever he's on, most likely Allen Lazard, forcing Rodgers' to look elsewhere for majority of the game. Tonyan has a chance to be a productive target underneath, maybe even mustering a touchdown at some point. The tight end roulette continues!
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@Choppinglines
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