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Fantasy Football Recap and Takeaways: Week 6

Fantasy Football Recap and Takeaways: Week 6

Another week, another superstar down for the count.

Aaron Rodgers left Green Bay’s Week 6 showdown against Minnesota after suffering what the team later confirmed to be a broken collarbone. The superstar quarterback may miss the rest of the season.

A week after losing Odell Beckham Jr. and J.J. Watt, the NFL will miss yet another franchise cornerstone. While Rodgers has far bigger concerns than his fantasy investors locating a replacement, most did not bother drafting or rostering a backup to the position’s premier talent.

Let’s look around the league after another eventful, high-scoring week.

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Philadelphia Eagles 28, Carolina Panthers 23

  • On the same night Cam Newton ceded his second three-interception game of the season, Carson Wentz tossed three touchdowns a week after accruing four. Carolina’s quarterback, however, made amends with 71 rushing yards-his highest tally since Dec. 2, 2015-and a score on the ground. Both signal-callers are solidifying trust as weekly starters.
  • Six games into 2017, Zach Ertz tied his season high in touchdowns (four) by scoring on both of Thursday night’s receptions. It’s an odd outcome for a tight end who leads the position with 52 targets while recording at least five catches and 55 yards in each previous game this season. But his owners will certainly take it. With Wentz blossoming into a star and eyeing his 6’5″ tight end in the red zone, Ertz is challenging Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce for the position’s fantasy throne.
  • Four days after breaking off a 72-yard touchdown, Nelson Agholor registered a 24-yard score, his fourth of the season. He also received his most targets (seven) since Week 1, debunking last week’s theory that he’s too big-play reliant to trust. Those woes have not entirely dissipated, but most gamers can do worse in their flex or third receiver slot when the well-rested Eagles face Washington next Monday night.
  • Christian McCaffrey has 15 rushing yards over the last two games. It hardly matters, as he also compiled 15 catches for 87 yards and the season’s only two touchdowns. The rookie leads Carolina in targets (50) and receptions (37), so he’s a dynamite PPR option despite making minimal waves in the ground game. Jonathan Stewart‘s investors, on the other hand, must cancel “The Daily Show” after he totaled minus-four yards and stayed outside the end zone for the fifth straight contest. The floundering running attack also led to a heavier workload for Newton, who attempted 52 passes and 11 runs during a contested loss.

Miami Dolphins 20, Atlanta Falcons 17

  • Jay Ajayi, who accrued 139 combined rushing yards over his past three games, tallied a season-high 130 rushing yards on 26 carries. The rare workhorse back has also yet to reach the end zone and is a non-factor in the passing game, which blocks him from validating the lofty preseason sticker price even when healthy and productive. Nevertheless, only a fantasy super team will consider sitting a rusher with 25 or more carries in three of five games. Look for him to redeem Week 3’s 25-yard dud against the Jets in Week 7’s rematch.
  • Matt Ryan had another tame outing, going 24-of-35 for 248 yards with a touchdown and a pick. He has thrown six touchdowns this season with six picks in his last three bouts. After averaging 309 passing yards per game during last year’s MVP campaign, he has not hit the barrier since Week 1. Investors should worry he does not remedy that drought in Week 7 against the Patriots, who have surrendered over 300 passing yards in every game.
  • Austin Hooper received two targets in each of Atlanta’s first three games. After catching five of seven targets in Week 4, he collected career highs in receptions (seven) and targets (nine) against the Dolphins. Taylor Gabriel also received a season-high eight targets, so the tight end should remain active in Atlanta’s offense even when Mohamed Sanu returns. He’s a top play against New England.

New England Patriots 24, New York Jets 17

  • Perhaps it was only a matter of time before Bill Belichick infuriated fantasy players with a game of running back roulette. Dion Lewis led the team with 11 rushes and 52 yards, punching in a 1-yard touchdown. Those goal-line carries had consistently gone to Mike Gillislee, a touchdown-dependent player now averaging 44 yards and no scores in the last four games. James White recorded four catches for 22 yards, but he remains a solid PPR flex choice. Gillislee will probably never recreate Week 1’s magic and needs to take a seat. Lewis, who momentarily looked like a game-changer in 2015, warrants a deeper look.
  • Gronkowski returned from a Week 5 absence to register 83 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Seferian-Jenkins also should have submitted two scores, but the officials oddly overturned one with a head-scratching fumble and touchback call. The Jets tight end still logged eight catches and 46 yards on 11 targets. Despite averaging just 6.6 yards per catch, he has developed a rapport with Josh McCown, especially in the red zone. The blend of volume and touchdown upside makes him Gang Green’s most interesting fantasy player.
  • McCown’s 354 passing yards says more about exploiting New England’s defense than trusting the veteran. It was also a byproduct of Matt Forte and Elijah McGuire each mustering 22 yards on 19 combined carries. Even with Bilal Powell sidelined, the healthy backs represent bench depth at best.

Houston Texans 33, Cleveland Browns 17

  • Deshaun Watson regressed, tossing only three touchdowns against the Browns. The rookie could have inflicted more damage if Houston did not take its foot off the gas after jumping to a 24-3 halftime lead. Even those worried about the neophyte falling for earth should have went along for the ride in Week 6, so they must remember that small-sample skepticism when the neophyte travels to Seattle following a Week bye. He should still, however, warrant a starting spot more weeks than not.
  • Will Fuller did it again. After taking a 39-yard catch to the house, five of his eight receptions have ended in the end zone. That’s obviously unsustainable, so consider selling high if someone sees the 23-year-old as a star. DeAndre Hopkins also has converted four of his last six catches into touchdowns, but the volume will return for a stud who averaged 12.2 targets per game before getting just four looks in a lopsided victory.
  • Taking over for Deshone Kizer, Kevin Hogan registered 140 yards on 37 passes with three interceptions-one of which went for a Texans score-a fumble, and a safety. So … back to Kizer? Either way, the 0-6 Browns have no reliable fantasy players. David Njoku‘s two catches went for zero yards, one more than Duke Johnson netted on his three receptions. A short-handed PPR manager would still be forgiven for trotting out Johnson against the Titans, especially if Kizer gets a second chance.

Chicago Bears 27, Baltimore Ravens 24 (OT)

  • How does a game with 277 combined passing yards produce 50 points? The Ravens returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns. The Bears, whose first touchdown came on a pass from running back Tarik Cohen, appeared to put the game out of reach with a 90-yard interception returned for six points. These remain the two worst teams for wideouts. Kendall Wright caught the only two receptions from Chicago receivers, and Joe Flacco completed just 10 of his 41 attempts to the position. This at least vaults Zach Miller-who caught Cohen’s pass-and Ravens reception leader Benjamin Watson to decent matchup plays.
  • Remember when Javorius Allen led Baltimore in rushing a week after vanishing in favor of Alex Collins? Both averaged 4.9 yards per run, but Collins received 15 handoffs to Allen’s 10 despite the latter playing 46 snaps, per Pro Football Focus’s Nathan Jahnke. Collins is averaging 73.3 rushing yards over the last four games, but zeros in the touchdown and reception columns hinder his value. Gamers will have to pick their spots carefully with Allen, who should take a seat with the Ravens visiting Minnesota.
  • Jordan Howard tallied a week-high 36 rushes, but the volume didn’t manifest many results until he broke off a 53-yard run in overtime. He played in 54 snaps to Cohen’s 26, per Jahnke, so an early scare of splitting the rock with the 5’6″ rookie feels like a distant memory. A tough Week 7 matchup against the Panthers doesn’t diminish Howard’s standing as a low-end RB No. 1.

Washington Redskins 26, San Francisco 49ers 24

  • In what many observers saw as an unofficial audition for the 49ers, upcoming free agent Kirk Cousins deposited 330 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in a closer-than-anticipated win. It marked his third consecutive multi-touchdown game with a quarterback rating over 100. He also accumulated 28 yards and another score with his legs after adding 38 rushing yards last Sunday night. Cousins is rounding into form as the top-12 option drafters anticipated despite another quiet day from wide receivers Jamison Crowder (26 yards) and Terrelle Pryor (23 yards) in a spot beckoning for a breakout. While the quarterback is a must-start in a Week 7 division showdown against Eagles, it’s tough to trust his wideouts despite the favorable matchup.
  • Cousins flourished with a 51-yard completion to Vernon Davis and a 49-yard strike to Chris Thompson, who led Washington in receiving (105) and rushing (33) yards. He also drew five missed tackles, according to PFF. Although Samaje Perine posted a 3-yard receiving score, he delivered just 23 yards on nine carries with Robert Kelley inactive. Thompson won’t garner 16 carries with a healthy Kelley, but he’s on pace for 1,088 receiving yards. He even justifies a Week 7 starting nod in standard formats. If Perine can’t break out against the 49ers with the starting running back out, he will probably never ascend to fantasy relevance in 2017.
  • Amid a week of trade rumors and Matt Breida hype, Carlos Hyde submitted 75 total yards and two touchdowns. Week 5’s split playing time did not carry over into another narrow road loss. As noted by Jahnke, Hyde logged 55 snaps to Breida’s 18. The rookie is no more than a bench stash in case 0-6 San Francisco trades its starter, who remains a high-end No. 2 back.
  • George Kittle has 17 targets over the last two weeks. He caught a 31-yard bullet from fellow rookie and former Iowa teammate C.J. Beathard, who went 19-of-36 for 245 passing yards, a touchdown, and a pick after replacing Brian Hoyer. The tight end had 48 catches over four years with the Hawkeyes, so let’s not overplay a special college connection. Washington entered the week having allowed ESPN.com’s third-most points to tight ends, so Kittle is still a low-end matchup flier who at most can justify a pickup in deeper leagues. Beathard is only worth adding in two-quarterback leagues.

Minnesota Vikings 23, Green Bay Packers 10

  • Losing Rodgers is bad. How’s that for analysis? After he left early in the game, Brett Hundley went 18-of-33 for 157 yards, a touchdown pass to Davante Adams, three interceptions, and four sacks. Adams and Jordy Nelson obviously take major hits going from an MVP to a 2015 fifth-round pick, but a Week 7 matchup against the Saints gives owners the opportunity to examine their progress in the starting lineup. Don’t be surprised if Green Bay acquires another quarterback to vie for the starting role.
  • Ty Montgomery investors entered Week 6 afraid of him sharing touches with Aaron Jones. The reality proved worse, as he played 20 snaps to Jones’ 43, per Jahnke, and disappeared from a depleted passing game with one 3-yard catch. Jones recorded 42 yards to Montgomery’s 31, so suddenly neither is too appealing without Rodgers absorbing defenders’ attention. New Orleans has allowed 7.4 receptions per game to running backs, so Montgomery is the better Week 7 play. Their long-term stock is muddier.
  • Jerick McKinnon ran circles around Latavius Murray, registering 99 total yards (69 rushing, 30 receiving) and two touchdowns on 21 touches to Murray’s 37 yards (28 rushing, 9 receiving) on 16 touches. With 245 total yards and three touchdowns in two games without Dalvin Cook, the 25-year-old demands a spot in all starting lineups despite fumbling in each of the last three games.

New Orleans Saints 52, Detroit Lions 38

  • Anyone looking at the final score probably wanted more from their Saints and Lions stars. Before bemoaning the Saints’ defense returning to normal, they limited the Lions to 4.6 yards per play and scored three touchdowns (two interceptions and one fumble recovery). The Lions made a blowout interesting with a pick-six of their own and a Jamal Agnew punt return during the fourth quarter.
  • Golden Tate and Marvin Jones each produced 96 yards and a touchdown, but Matthew Stafford needed 52 passes to reach 312 yards. He also surrendered three interceptions and two fumbles in a disastrous real-life performance but fine fantasy display. Averaging 6.3 yards per attempt, sit Stafford against a Steelers defense that stymied the red-hot Chiefs at Arrowhead. Shy away from Jones-who should line up on the outside against Marcus Peters-but roll with Tate as a high-floor volume play.
  • In by far his best game of the season, Mark Ingram amassed 150 yards and two touchdowns on 30 touches (25 runs, five receptions). Adrian Peterson hardly played before the trade, so a favorable game script deserves more credit than the trade. But it’s at least a few snaps and an occasional carry Ingram and Alvin Kamara no longer need to share. Ingram is a strong Week 7 start against the Packers, who have relinquished a rushing touchdown in each of the last three weeks but don’t be surprised if he goes back to running the ball 15 times instead of 25.
  • Playing from a lead with a strong running game, Drew Brees mustered 186 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 31 passes. Willie Snead submitted 11 yards in his first game of the season, and Darius Slay stifled Michael Thomas to 11 yards on three catches. Following his fourth 5,000-yard season, Brees is averaging 264.2 passing yards per game, putting him on pace for his lowest output (4,227) in 12 seasons with the Saints. The 38-year-old no longer needs to put up video-game numbers for an improved team, but even a diminished version remains a steady starter. Thomas should have a big bounce-back game against Green Bay.

Los Angeles Rams 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 17

  • In one of the week’s strangest stat lines, Chris Ivory led the Jaguars with nine catches, which he turned into 74 yards and a touchdown. Yes, the same Ivory who previously had seven receptions for 69 yards through five games and 80 catches over 86 career contests. Everyone can probably write off the anomaly as fun randomness since Leonard Fournette returned to action after sustaining an ankle injury. The rookie running back exceeded 20 carries for the third straight game, but he already delivered a worthwhile outing when going 75 yards to the house on his first handoff. He’s a top-five play with Jacksonville going to Indianapolis.
  • Sammy Watkins had one catch for 11 yards, which is better than zero catches for zero yards but still an alarming development. He now has two receptions in three games since torching the 49ers for 106 yards and two scores. Three times is a trend, so those who own the wideout should take Jackie Moon’s advice.
  • Jared Goff going 11-of-21 for 124 yards and a score should not incite the same hysteria. Jacksonville entered the day allowing 177.8 passing yards per game with three touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 56.9 opposing quarterback rating. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have forfeited 250.3 passing yards per contest and 13 scores through the air. Don’t abandon Goff in Week 7, even if his 51.9 completion percentage from Weeks 3-5 is troubling.

Arizona Cardinals 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33

  • Arizona used Peterson a tad more than New Orleans. Traded with 27 carries and 81 yards, he compiled 26 carries, 134 yards, and two touchdowns in his team debut. Jahnke noted that he had more snaps (48) on Sunday than in five games with the Saints (44). The featured role makes him a must add and solid Week 7 start against the Rams, but beware that the Cardinals won’t always jump out to a 31-0 lead. A busier outing than anticipated from AP torpedoed Andre Ellington‘s usage; he had zero touches after gathering nine catches in each of the last two games. Those who just shoved him into a flex role must demote him back to the bench, but see how Arizona handles both backs during a different game situation. The 32-year-old Peterson probably can’t withstand a bell-cow role anyway.
  • Because of Peterson’s emergence, Carson Palmer traded volume for efficiency. Averaging 45.4 passes per game through Week 5, he needed just 22 throws to stockpile 18 completions for 283 yards and a season-high three touchdowns. The veteran honed in on Larry Fitzgerald, who now has three touchdowns in his last four games and 465 yards this season. Arizona’s old offensive cornerstones aren’t going away just yet.
  • After Jameis Winston left with a shoulder injury, Ryan Fitzpatrick assembled 290 passing yards for three touchdowns and two picks. The starting quarterback was warming up on the sideline but did not return. Yet he does not appear to need a lengthy absence. “I’ll be back. Soon,” he insisted after the game, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. None of his teammates suffered without him, but the Bills present a tough Week 7 opponent for whoever plays.
  • Different quarterback, same result for Cameron Brate. After finding the end zone in his fourth straight game, the tight end has 10 touchdowns in his last 14 games. He also continued an encouraging pattern with these game-by-game reception tallies: 2, 4, 4, 5, and 6. A top-five tight end in each of the last three weeks, he headlines the position’s second tier after Gronkowski, Kelce, and Ertz. At this rate, he could soon join them.

Pittsburgh Steelers 19, Kansas City Chiefs 13

  • Le’Veon Bell (179 yards) and Antonio Brown (155 yards) accounted for 76 percent of Pittsburgh’s offense and both of its touchdowns. Brown bailed out Ben Roethlisberger by turning a deflected pass into a 51-yard score, the beleaguered quarterback’s only one of the day. Don’t buy the “Big Ben is back” narratives likely to materialize after upsetting the previously undefeated Chiefs on the road, but a passer with arguably the best running back and wide receiver in football should at least settle into a matchup play. The Bengals have allowed 160 passing yards per game, so keep Roethlisberger benched in Week 7.
  • Tyreek Hill did not play during the final drive after suffering a hard hit on the preceding punt return. Per ChiefsDigest.com’s Matt Derrick, the speedy wide receiver is getting evaluated for a concussion. Kansas City playing on Thursday night decreases his chances of suiting up, which could make De’Anthony Thomas a high-risk flier after scoring twice in the last two games.
  • Alex Smith has still not thrown an interception. Kareem Hunt has surpassed 100 yards in every game on account of his 89 receiving yards. Both players maintain high floors, even in a loss where Kansas City flopped in the mud for three quarters. Yet Smith’s ceiling takes a hit if Hill doesn’t clear the concussion protocol.

Los Angeles Chargers 17, Oakland Raiders 16

  • The Chargers yielded 136 rushing yards to LeGarrette Blount and 152 yards to the Giants’ non-existent ground game, so gamers naturally expected Marshawn Lynch to discover the Fountain of Youth. The Raiders, however, limited him to 13 touches for the second straight week. A restricted workload makes him a touchdown-or-bust option. Anybody else with the same opportunities and results wouldn’t sniff a starting lineup, but Beast Mode continues to receive a longer leash because of past glory as Seattle’s workhorse back.
  • Is a Hunter Henry breakout finally happening? After scoring in consecutive weeks, the tight end led Los Angeles with 90 yards on five catches. Antonio Gates, meanwhile, had just one target from Philip Rivers, who finished with 268 yards and a passing touchdown to Melvin Gordon. It’s difficult to endorse anyone with two goose-eggs in six weeks, but the Chargers finally appear ready to ride with the 22-year-old.
  • Mike Williams played just nine snaps in his NFL debut, per Jahnke, catching his only target for 15 yards. Anyone who stashed the first-round pick on account of his sky-high upside must exude extreme patience. His breakthrough could come Week 8 against the Patriots, but Week 7 versus the Broncos should only be used to monitor his playing time on the bench or waiver wire.

New York Giants 23, Denver Broncos 10

  • The Giants entered Sunday No. 30 in rushing offense. Denver boasted the NFL’s premier run defense by a comfortable margin, permitting 50.8 yards per game. It’s clear where this is going: Obviously Orleans Darkwa tallied a career-high 117 rushing yards. On the verge of a Week 6 breakout, he carved up the Chargers for 69 yards on eight carries before exiting early with a calf injury. He seized Big Blue’s primary role back from Wayne Gallman, and they will try to run as much as possible with Beckham, Brandon Marshall, and Sterling Shepard sidelined. Darkwa is a high-priority waiver add but risky Week 7 start against Seattle.
  • New York conversely shut down Denver’s run game after struggling all year. A home game against the battered, winless Giants figured to write an award-winning game script for C.J. Anderson, who instead finished with 17 yards on nine carries. The 26-year-old has 60 yards in two losses and 354 yards in three victories, which could lead to trouble with an upcoming stretch at Kansas City, at Philadelphia, and at home against the Pats. A Week 7 slate against the Chargers looks far more advantageous for Anderson, but so did this matchup. Stick with him anyway in hopes of getting the huge game most expected on Sunday night.
  • In something that actually went according to plan, a depleted Giants offense did not accomplish much against Denver’s stout defense. Replacement receivers Roger Lewis and Tavarres King mustered one catch apiece against Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib. Evan Engram, practically their only pass-catching option left, accounted for 82 of their 128 receiving yards and secured Eli Manning‘s lone touchdown pass. The rookie tight end should get plenty of opportunities by default, but defenses may thus give him extra attention.
  • Emmanuel Sanders was carted off the field with an ankle injury after getting hit low by Landon Collins. Although Demaryius Thomas set season highs in receptions (10), targets (14) and yards (133), he was visibly limping after returning from a lower leg injury. Bennie Fowler II hasn’t done much since scoring twice in Week 1, but he finished Week 6 with eight targets. He could be in line for a bigger role.


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Andrew Gould is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his archive and follow him @andrewgould4.

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