Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
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Fantasy Football Lineup Landmines: Week 6
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 6.
Justin Fields (QB – NYJ) vs. Denver Broncos
Fields has been outstanding in the three games he has played start to finish this season. The former Ohio State star has averaged 242.3 passing yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 27.5 fantasy points per game in those three contests, totaling 25.9 or more in every outing. Furthermore, in those three contests, he has averaged 8.7 rushing attempts for 5.2 yards, a touchdown, and 11.2 fantasy points per game. However, Fields faced three struggling defenses in those games, including the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys, over the past two weeks.
Unfortunately, the veteran quarterback will face his toughest matchup this year on Sunday. The Broncos have held quarterbacks to 13 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the NFL. They have surrendered only four passing touchdowns to quarterbacks, allowing one or fewer in all but one game. More importantly, Denver has contained rushing quarterbacks. They have given up the fewest rushing yards to quarterbacks this season, allowing only five per game. While he will have more than five rushing yards against the Broncos, expect Fields to struggle in London.
James Cook (RB – BUF) vs. Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy players couldn’t have been happier with Cook’s production over the first month. The former Georgia star averaged 100.3 rushing yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 22.8 PPR fantasy points per game over the first four contests, totaling 20.8 or more in every outing. However, he faced multiple struggling defenses during that run. Last week, Cook struggled against the New England Patriots, totaling 15 rushing attempts for 49 yards and 4.9 fantasy points, setting season lows in nearly every metric. Unfortunately, the star running back has another unfriendly matchup on Monday night.
Atlanta has quietly had one of the top defenses in the NFL this season. They have held opposing running backs to only 14.7 fantasy points per game, the fewest in the league. The Falcons have also surrendered the third-fewest rushing yards (318) and the second-fewest touchdowns (two) to running backs. Furthermore, Bucky Irving averaged only 2.6 yards and 0.26 fantasy points per rushing attempt against Atlanta earlier this year. Unless he sees significant work in the passing game, Cook will likely have his second consecutive game with single-digit fantasy points.
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL) vs. Los Angeles Rams
Many fantasy players have tried to trade away Henry over the past few weeks. The veteran was outstanding in Week 1, totaling 18 rushing attempts for 169 yards, two touchdowns, and 29.2 PPR fantasy points. Unfortunately, he has struggled over the past four weeks, averaging 11.5 rushing attempts for 37 yards, 0.5 touchdowns, and 7.5 fantasy points per game, scoring 10.7 or less in every contest. While he should return to his superstar form once Lamar Jackson is healthy, Henry belongs on the bench until after the Week 7 bye.
Last week, the future Hall of Famer had 15 rushing attempts against the Houston Texans, his highest total since Week 1. However, Henry averaged only 2.2 yards per rushing attempt and scored 9.3 fantasy points only after scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter. Unfortunately, he will likely struggle again on Sunday against the Rams. Los Angeles has held running backs to 15.6 fantasy points per game, the third-fewest in the NFL. They are the only team not to give up a rushing touchdown to running backs this season.
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ) vs. Denver Broncos
Fantasy players love that Wilson is the WR5 for the year, averaging 19 PPR fantasy points per game. However, they hate having to wait until the fourth quarter to see the star wide receiver put up fantasy points, as most of his production comes late in the game when the Jets are chasing points in garbage time. Wilson has averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game over the first three quarters. By comparison, the former Ohio State star has averaged 8.1 fantasy points per contest in the fourth quarter of games.
More importantly, Wilson has an awful fantasy matchup on Sunday in London. The Broncos have held wide receivers to 27.7 fantasy points per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Furthermore, Denver has completely shut down opposing No. 1 wide receivers, surrendering only 4.8 receptions on 7.8 targets for 44.4 receiving yards and 9.2 fantasy points per game, allowing 9.3 or fewer in all but one contest despite facing A.J. Brown and Ja’Marr Chase the past two weeks. Unfortunately, Wilson will likely finish Week 6 outside the top 30 wide receivers.
Jameson Williams (WR – DET) vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Despite losing Ben Johnson to the Chicago Bears this offseason, the Lions haven’t skipped a beat on offense. After averaging 33.2 points per game in 2024, Detroit has averaged 34.8 this year. Unfortunately, Williams has gone from a fantasy star to a massive bust. The former Alabama star is the WR50 over the first five weeks, averaging 7.9 PPR fantasy points per game. He has two or fewer receptions in four consecutive contests. More importantly, Williams has scored more than 6.6 fantasy points in a game only once this year.
While things could turn around for the former Alabama star, fantasy players shouldn’t trust Williams in their lineups until he has a strong performance. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have held wide receivers to 29.7 fantasy points per game, the ninth-fewest in the NFL. They’ve given up one receiving touchdown to wide receivers over the past month. Furthermore, Kansas City surrendered only 4.5 receptions on 7.3 targets for 48.5 receiving yards and 9.4 fantasy points per game to Brian Thomas Jr., Zay Flowers, Malik Nabers, and A.J. Brown over the past month.
Darren Waller (TE – MIA) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Waller has been on fire after missing the first three games because of a hip injury. The veteran has been the TE2 over the past two weeks, averaging four receptions on 4.5 targets for 52.5 receiving yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 18.3 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling at least 17.7 in both contests. Last week, he caught all five targets for 78 receiving yards and a touchdown over Miami’s first three drives, totaling 18.8 fantasy points. However, Waller didn’t see the ball again the rest of the matchup.
Furthermore, the veteran tight end finished tied for third on the team in targets (five) with Julian Hill and Malik Washington. Meanwhile, the Chargers have held tight ends to 8.5 fantasy points per game, the fifth-fewest in the NFL. Los Angeles has surrendered 1.9 or fewer fantasy points in two of their past three games, including zero to Zach Ertz last week. Fantasy players should sell high on Waller before Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers. It’s only a matter of time until he misses time with an injury.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
