Welcome to Week 6 of the NFL and fantasy football action.
Whoa, baby! This slate looks amazing. We have so many interesting storylines swirling around these games. Do the Bolts drop their third straight game and lose their spot atop the AFC West? Do the Jags stay riding high and take down the Seahawks to improve to 5-1 for the season? Can Joe Flacco save Cincy’s season? I can’t wait to watch these games and see how it all unfolds.
Before this week kicks off, we have injuries to discuss, lineup decisions to make, and plenty of matchups to mull over for our fantasy lineups. As we move closer to the midway point of the NFL season, this is where fantasy seasons are defined, so let’s get after it. Welcome to the Week 6 Primer. Enjoy.
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PHI vs. NYG | DEN vs. NYJ | ARI vs. IND | LAR vs. BAL | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. JAC | LAC vs. MIA | DAL vs. CAR | NE vs. NO | TEN vs. LV | SF vs. TB | CIN vs. GB | DET vs. KC | BUF vs. ATL | CHI vs. WAS
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Fantasy Football Primer
Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
- PHI -7.5, O/U 40.5
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Eagles Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jalen Hurts | QB | QB1 |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | RB1 |
| A.J. Brown | WR | WR1/2 |
| DeVonta Smith | WR | WR2 |
| Jahan Dotson | WR | WR5 |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | TE1/2 |
Giants Players & Weekly Rankings
| Jaxson Dart | QB | QB2 |
| Cam Skattebo | RB | RB2 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB | RB3/4 |
| Darius Slayton | WR | Out |
| Wan’Dale Robinson | WR | WR4/5 |
| Jalin Hyatt | WR | WR6 |
| Beaux Collins | WR | WR6 |
| Theo Johnson | TE | TE2 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Cam Skattebo has been as advertised. He’s been a volume-gobbling, screaming backflip waiting to happen. Since Week 2, Skattebo has averaged 19.3 touches and 93.6 total yards as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. Among 46 qualifying backs, Skattego ranks 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 12th in yards after contact per attempt. He should find success on the ground this week against Philly. Their run defense has yielded the 12th-most rushing yards per game, the ninth-most yards before contact per attempt, and the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt and yards per carry to zone runs (Skattebo 74.6% zone).
Has it been a great season for A.J. Brown so far? Nope. He’s the WR49 in fantasy points per game and has one outing with double-digit fantasy points. Brown is still getting a large market share of the passing offense with a 25.9% target share, 36.3% air-yard share, and 33.0% first-read share, but he is averaging only 38.8 receiving yards per game with 1.26 yards per route run. Brown has five deep targets and three red zone targets (all of his targets inside the 20-yard line occurred in Week 3). The Giants have the sixth-highest single high rate (58.3%). Against single high, Brown has maintained a 25.8% target share while his yards per route run have jumped to 1.81 and his first-read share has crept up to 34.1%. Brown should have a nice bounce-back week against the Giants. New York has allowed the tenth-most fantasy points per game and the eighth-most receiving yards per game to perimeter wide receivers.
DeVonta Smith has had a stronger start to the season than his counterpart (A.J. Brown). Smith is the WR34 in fantasy points per game and has at least 19 PPR points in two of his last three games. He has three deep targets and three red zone looks. Smith has a 21.6% target share while averaging 54.4 receiving yards per game (1.70 yards per route run) with a 27.7% first-read share. The Giants have the sixth-highest single high rate (58.3%). Against single high, Smith has seen his target share dip to 19.4% with 1.30 yards per route run and a 25% first-read share. Those numbers aren’t encouraging, but the matchup is. New York has given up the second-most fantasy points per game and receiving yards per game to slot receivers.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
N/A
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Dart is the QB16 in fantasy points per game, with his rushing ability carrying much of his fantasy production. Dart has averaged 7.5 rushing attempts and 54.5 rushing yards per game. Among 40 qualifying passers, he ranks 39th in yards per attempt and 33rd in highly accurate throw rate, but he also has the sixth-best catchable target rate and the fourth-lowest off-target rate. Dart can post solid QB2 numbers this week because of his legs, but I wouldn’t expect more than that with a tough matchup incoming. Dart has the fourth-highest pressure rate dealing with rushers in his face with 48% of his dropbacks. The Eagles have the 14th-best pressure rate while holding passers to the fourth-lowest yards per attempt, the fifth-lowest passer rating, and the seventh-lowest CPOE.
Tracy Jr. will return to the huddle this week, but it’s tough to consider him as anything more than a dart-throw flex or handcuff. Cam Skattebo has done nothing to lose the workhorse job for the Giants. Skattebo has played well in Tracy Jr.’s absence, with the team feeding off his infectious energy. Sit Tracy Jr., but hold him on your benches as a handcuff.
Darius Slayton (hamstring) is has been ruled out for Week 6.
Over the last two weeks with Jaxson Dart under center, Robinson has tied for the team lead with a 19.7% target share while averaging 22 receiving yards (0.65 yards per route run) with a 21.4% first-read share. He does have two red zone targets in that span. This isn’t the matchup to consider going back to Robinson as a flex option. Philly has allowed the fewest PPR points per target and the second-fewest receiving yards per game to slot receivers.
Dallas Goedert is the TE5 in fantasy points per game, who has run hotter than the sun with four touchdowns in his last three games. He has done that with only two red zone targets in that span. Goedert has a 17.9% target share while averaging 33.3 receiving yards per game (1.15 yards per route run) and a 19.2% first-read share. The Giants have the sixth-highest single high rate (58.3%). Against single high, his target share has remained steady at 17.2% and had a 19.5% first-read share, but his per-route efficiency has tumbled with only 0.59 yards per route run. This isn’t a week to expect Goedert to smash. The Giants have allowed the seventh-fewest receiving yards and the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Since Week 4, with Jaxson Dart starting, Theo Johnson has finished as the TE14 and TE3 in weekly scoring with three touchdowns leading the charge. Over the last two games, he has a 19.7% target share (tied for the team lead) with 25 receiving yards per game (1.04 yards per route run) and a 26.2% first-read share. Johnson could lead the way in targets this week, but temper expectations against a Philly defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game and receiving yards to tight ends.
PHI vs. NYG | DEN vs. NYJ | ARI vs. IND | LAR vs. BAL | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. JAC | LAC vs. MIA | DAL vs. CAR | NE vs. NO | TEN vs. LV | SF vs. TB | CIN vs. GB | DET vs. KC | BUF vs. ATL | CHI vs. WAS
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
- DEN -7.5, O/U 43.5
- Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Broncos Players & Weekly Rankings
| Bo Nix | QB | QB1/2 |
| J.K. Dobbins | RB | RB2 |
| RJ Harvey | RB | RB3 |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | WR1 |
| Troy Franklin | WR | WR3 |
| Marvin Mims Jr. | WR | WR4 |
| Evan Engram | TE | TE2/3 |
Jets Players & Weekly Rankings
| Justin Fields | QB | QB1/2 |
| Breece Hall | RB | RB2 |
| Isaiah Davis | RB | RB3/4 |
| Garrett Wilson | WR | WR2 |
| Josh Reynolds | WR | WR6 |
| Mason Taylor | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Bo Nix is the QB19 in fantasy points per game as he’s run hot and cold. He has surpassed 20 fantasy points in two games while being held below 18 fantasy points in the other three contests. Nix has regressed big time from his monster rookie season. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 30th in yards per attempt, 28th in passer rating, 29th in highly accurate throw rate, 32nd in catchable target rate, and he has the seventh-highest off-target rate. With all that said, this matchup lines up as another probable spike week for Nix because the Jets’ pass defense has been horrendous. New York has allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-most passing touchdowns, the third-highest passer rating, and manufactured the fourth-lowest pressure rate.
Dobbins continues to rumble along as a dependable RB2 as the RB17 in fantasy points per game. He has averaged 16.6 touches and 85 total yards. His production has come almost exclusively from his rushing work, as he has only one reception through the air in four of five games this season. Among 47 qualifying rushers, Dobbins ranks fourth in explosive run rate and 19th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Dobbins should have another strong week against the Jets’ porous defense. New York has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game, the sixth-most yards after contact per attempt, and ranks 15th in missed tackle rate.
Over the last two weeks, Mason Taylor has been a focal point of the Jets’ passing attack as the TE9 in fantasy points per game. Since Week 4, Taylor has a 26% target share, 66 receiving yards per game (1.89 yards per route run), and a 27.8% first-read share. Those are elite usage numbers. Taylor looks primed to continue the hot streak in Week 6. Garrett Wilson will see shadow coverage from Patrick Surtain, which should push Justin Fields to funnel more of the passing offense through Taylor, possibly. Denver has the ninth-highest single high rate (56.8%). Over the last two weeks against single high, Taylor has a 30.8% target share, 2.60 yards per route run, and a 33.3% first-read share. Denver is only 18th in targets faced for tight ends, but they have allowed the seventh-highest yards per reception.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Troy Franklin is the WR41 in fantasy points per game with two top-36 weekly wide receiver finishes (WR7, WR36). Franklin has three deep targets while ranking eighth-best among wide receivers in red zone targets. Courtland Sutton could see shadow coverage this week from Sauce Gardner, which would leave Franklin seeing a ton of Brandon Stephens (68.2% catch rate and 129.9 passer rating allowed), which would be fantastic for Franklin. Franklin has a 17.6% target share, 1.62 yards per route run (46.2 receiving yards per game), a 73.7% route share, and an 18.5% first-read share. The Jets have utilized single high with 57.6-61.8% of their defensive snaps in three of five games this season. Against single high, Franklin has seen his yards per route run increase to 1.95. Franklin should have a strong day and is a nice flex play in Week 6. The Jets have allowed the 12th-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Garbage time or not, Justin Fields has been awesome in fantasy football this season. In the three full games he has played, he has averaged 27.9 fantasy points, which over the entire season would make him QB1 for the season. In those contests, Fields has averaged 8.6 rushing attempts and 51.6 rushing yards with three scores on the ground. His passing stats have been okay, but nothing to write home about. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranks 19th in yards per attempt and highly accurate throw rate, 12th in CPOE, and 22nd in catchable target rate. Fields will need all the rushing equity he can squeeze out of his legs this week because it will be tough sledding for him through the air. Also, his top target will be shadowed by Patrick Surtain. Denver has allowed the 12th-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest success rate per dropback, and the second-fewest passing touchdowns.
Sean Payton rug-pulled us again. After Week 4, when the backfield was whittled down to J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, Payton was back on his bs in Week 5. Tyler Badie cut into R.J. Harvey’s role, crushing his fantasy outlook. Harvey’s snap share fell to 21.4% with only four of 25 running back rushing opportunities. His route share fell to 18.6% despite getting three targets on his eight routes run. This is incredibly frustrating after he played well in Week 5, after seeing a growth in his usage. Until we see some sustained consistency in his usage, Harvey has to sit on fantasy benches.
I know that if you have Wilson on your fantasy roster, you’re likely starting him, but I had to write him up this week because you need to realign your expectations with reality. Patrick Surtain is likely to follow Wilson this week, and that has been horrible news for receivers this season. Surtain has followed A.J. Brown, Calvin Ridley, Quentin Johnston, and Ja’Marr Chase this season on 64.3-94.7% of their routes. Only Johnston has surpassed 40 receiving yards in his coverage, and none of them scored a touchdown. Wilson has a 30.1% target share, 76.4 receiving yards per game (2.10), and a 44.7% first-read share as the WR6 in fantasy points per game. He has four deep targets and only two red zone looks this season. Good luck, Wilson, and fantasy managers forced to start him this week. It’s gonna be rough sailing.
PHI vs. NYG | DEN vs. NYJ | ARI vs. IND | LAR vs. BAL | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. JAC | LAC vs. MIA | DAL vs. CAR | NE vs. NO | TEN vs. LV | SF vs. TB | CIN vs. GB | DET vs. KC | BUF vs. ATL | CHI vs. WAS
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts
Cardinals Players & Weekly Rankings
| Kyler Murray | QB | Out |
| Jacoby Brissett | QB | QB2 |
| Zonovan Knight | RB | RB3 |
| Michael Carter | RB | RB4 |
| Emari Demercado | RB | RB5 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | WR | WR3 |
| Michael Wilson | WR | WR6 |
| Zay Jones | WR | WR6 |
| Trey McBride | TE | TE1 |
Colts Players & Weekly Rankings
| Daniel Jones | QB | QB1/2 |
| Jonathan Taylor | RB | RB1 |
| D.J. Giddens | RB | RB4 |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | WR2 |
| Josh Downs | WR | WR3 |
| Alec Pierce | WR | WR4/5 |
| Adonai Mitchell | WR | WR6 |
| Tyler Warren | TE | TE1 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the WR30 in fantasy points per game with three top-36 wide receiver finishes (WR12, WR14, WR33). He has five deep targets and four red zone looks this season. Harrison Jr. has a 19.1% target share with a 39.5% air-yard share, 61.2 receiving yards per game (1.79 yards per route run), and a 19.8% first-read share. All of these metrics are pretty consistent with WR3-level production. Harrison should have another solid week against a secondary that has allowed the seventh-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.
Pittman Jr. has already defied any preseason expectations that I had for him in 2025 as the WR13 in fantasy points per game. He is 18th among wide receivers in deep targets and has three red zone targets. Pittman Jr. has already tied his season-high for receiving touchdowns over the last four years. He’s only two scores away from tying his career-high for a season. He has a 22.2% target share, 1.96 yards per route run (56.5 receiving yards per game), and a 25.4% first-read share. This week, he faces a Cardinals defense that has utilized two high at the ninth-highest rate (57.2%). Against two high, Pittman Jr. has seen his target share increase to 24.4% with 2.28 yards per route run with a 30.5% first-read share. Pittman Jr. should have a productive day against a secondary that hasn’t allowed a receiving touchdown to perimeter wide receivers but has surrendered the sixth-most receiving yards per game to the position.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
Jones is the QB11 in fantasy points per game, but has been held below 17 fantasy points in each of his last three starts. Since Week 3, he hasn’t had a rushing touchdown and has surpassed 20 rushing yards in a game only once. Jones has passed for multiple touchdowns in only one game this season. Now, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t playing at a high level because he is. The fantasy production just hasn’t been there. Among 40 qualifying passers, Jones ranks third in yards per attempt, eighth in passer rating, seventh in catchable target rate, and 12th in hero throw rate. Jones has a tall order this week, but he should be up to the task. Arizona has allowed the 11th-fewest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns, but they have also surrendered the fifth-most passing yards per game and rank 17th in CPOE. Jones should at least post solid QB2 numbers.
Zonovan Knight is a dice roll flex play this week. The news broke Sunday morning that Knight will be the Cardinals’ starting running back for Week 6. We’ll see what his share of the workload is this week, but he’s a viable flex play this week. The Colts have allowed the 11th-highest explosive run rate and the fifth-highest yards before contact per attempt.
Last week, Downs had a season-high 71.9% route share, 21.9% target share, 54 receiving yards, and a 29.2% first-read share. Downs finished with six grabs and 54 receiving yards. His 11.4 PPR points were also another season-high. Downs could continue to ride high this week. This week, he faces a Cardinals defense that has utilized two high at the ninth-highest rate (57.2%). Against two high, Downs is second on the team with a 27% target per route run rate while ranking third in first-read share with 16.9%. The Cardinals have fielded a strong pass defense this season, but they have been vulnerable to slot receivers, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game and the second-most receiving yards per game to the position.
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Kyler Murray has been ruled out for Week 6.
Jacoby Brissett will start for the Cards this week with Kyler Murray dealing with a foot issue. Last year, when Brissett was a starter, it wasn’t pretty. Among 47 qualifying passers, he ranked 46th in yards per attempt, 43rd in passer rating, 33rd in highly accurate throw rate, and 43rd in catchable target rate. He didn’t finish higher than QB26 in weekly fantasy scoring in any start. He’d be a low-end QB2 if he draws the start. Indy has allowed the eighth-lowest passer rating, the tenth-lowest CPOE, and the 12th-fewest yards per attempt.
Michael Carter has lost the starting spot this week to Zonovan Knight. This backfield looks like a mess, and I’m avoiding it altogether this week, if possible. Sit Carter this week.
Last week, Emari Demercado played only 27.9% of the snaps, finishing with three carries and 81 rushing yards. He had a mental error with the football that I’m sure everyone has seen the clip of by now, so I won’t rehash it here. That brain fart did lead to his coach having a less-than-pleasant interaction with him on the sidelines last week, so I don’t see his role growing this week. I expect Michael Carter to lead the backfield again this week. Demercado is best viewed as a handcuff, right now.
PHI vs. NYG | DEN vs. NYJ | ARI vs. IND | LAR vs. BAL | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. JAC | LAC vs. MIA | DAL vs. CAR | NE vs. NO | TEN vs. LV | SF vs. TB | CIN vs. GB | DET vs. KC | BUF vs. ATL | CHI vs. WAS
Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens
- LAR -7.5, O/U 44.5
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens Player Prop Bets via BettingPros
Rams Players & Weekly Rankings
| Matthew Stafford | QB | QB1 |
| Kyren Williams | RB | RB1 |
| Blake Corum | RB | RB3/4 |
| Puka Nacua | WR | WR1 |
| Davante Adams | WR | WR1 |
| Tutu Atwell | WR | Out |
| Tyler Higbee | TE | TE2 |
Ravens Players & Weekly Rankings
| Cooper Rush | QB | QB2 |
| Derrick Henry | RB | RB2 |
| Justice Hill | RB | RB4 |
| Zay Flowers | WR | WR2/3 |
| Rashod Bateman | WR | WR5 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | WR6 |
| Mark Andrews | TE | TE1/2 |
| Isaiah Likely | TE | TE2/3 |
Must-Start
These are no-brainer MUST starts.
Strong Starts
Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.
Matthew Stafford has been absolutely ballin’ out. He’s the QB9 in fantasy points per game with at least 25.6 fantasy points in each of the last two games. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Stafford ranks second in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns, seventh in passer rating, and first in hero throw rate. Stafford should smash again this week. Baltimore’s pass defense is in shambles, allowing the third-most passing yards per game, the most passing touchdowns, the third-highest in CPOE, and the sixth-highest success rate per dropback.
Zay Flower is the WR19 in fantasy points per game, ranking 13th among wide receivers in deep targets. He is still waiting on his first red zone target of the season. Flowers has a 27.1% target share with a 30.9% air-yard share while averaging 75.4 receiving yards per game (2.64 yards per route run). He has a 31.8% first-read share. Last week, with Cooper Rush under center, Flowers had a 25% target share (five receptions), 72 receiving yards (3.43 yards per route run), and a 33.3% first-read share as the WR29 for the week. Flowers should still operate as a WR2/3 this week. Rush isn’t amazing, but he’s good enough to feed volume to Flowers. The floor is intact with Rush while his weekly ceiling is depressed until Lamar Jackson returns. The Rams have allowed the ninth-most receiving yards per game and the 12th-most fantasy points per game to perimeter wide receivers.
Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider
Let’s fill out those flex spots.
N/A
Concerning Starts & Players to Fade
Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.
Cooper Rush is expected to start his week with Lamar Jackson still nursing a hamstring injury. Last week, just to keep it simple, Rush was terrible. He finished last week’s game with 179 passing yards and three picks (zero scores) as the QB28 for the week. Baltimore wants him to play game manager with a 5.8 aDOT (third-lowest) and 6.1% deep throw rate (fourth-lowest). Rush likely turns in low-end QB2 numbers again this week against a Rams’ pass defense that ranks 15th in yards per attempt and 16th in passer rating, but has allowed the 13th-lowest success rate per dropback and is ninth-best in pressure rate.
It has been a tough season for Derrick Henry so far. Lamar Jackson has had hammy issues, and the Ravens’ defense has fallen apart, which has hurt his weekly volume. Henry is the RB27 in fantasy points per game, averaging 13.6 touches and 70.6 total yards. He hasn’t had more than 50 rushing yards since Week 1. Henry’s gamescript sensitive role and his lack of passing game usage have crushed him. He still has been efficient with his rushing volume. Among 47 qualifying backs, he ranks seventh in explosive run rate and ninth in yards after contact per attempt. Sadly, this is another game that doesn’t project well for Henry. The Rams’ offense should shred the Ravens’ pass defense, and Baltimore will likely be trailing in this game. Los Angeles has also fielded an elite run defense. The Rams have allowed the tenth-fewest rushing yards per game, the lowest explosive run rate, and the fourth-fewest yards after contact per attempt. Henry will need at least one touchdown to save his fantasy day.
Outside of Week 3, Mark Andrews has been unplayable this season. Take out that massive and what unfortunately looks like an outlier game, and he has a 14.9% target share, 14.8 receiving yards per game (0.81 yards per route run), and a 20% first-read share. In his four other games this season, Andrews has averaged only 4.3 PPR points per game with two red zone targets. Maybe he turns it around this week, but I highly doubt it. The Rams are 14th in receiving yards and 16th in yards per reception and schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game allowed to tight ends.
PHI vs. NYG | DEN vs. NYJ | ARI vs. IND | LAR vs. BAL | CLE vs. PIT | SEA vs. JAC | LAC vs. MIA | DAL vs. CAR | NE vs. NO | TEN vs. LV | SF vs. TB | CIN vs. GB | DET vs. KC | BUF vs. ATL | CHI vs. WAS
