Seth Vigdor
Week 6 is here, so let’s all rejoice! Things are starting to take shape around the league. We’re starting to see what teams appear to be pretenders or contenders. The NFL has some big time matchups this week, so without further hesitation, let’s dive deeper into week 6.
Let’s take a look at my five biggest Fantasy Football storylines heading into Week 6:
1. #BlackMonday (Eagles vs Giants) –
Don’t look now but the Eagles and the Giants are in the running for the NFC East title. In what’s being billed as #BlackMonday, the Giants will travel up to Philly with first place on the line. The Giants are currently 3-2, while the Eagles are 2-3. Eli Manning is starting to look impressive, so it’ll be interesting to see if he can keep it going in this divisional matchup. Plus, we need to see if the Eagles offense can actually look good two games in a row. One thing is for sure and that is that this game will have a big time feel to it.
2. Friendly Rivalry Renewed (Patriots vs Colts) –
When the Colts and Patriots get together sparks fly. This one will be no different. The Patriots are coming into this game undefeated, while the Colts are looking to find their rhythm. The Patriots look unstoppable at this point as they’re getting sick play all around from all of their players, especially Brady, Gronkowski, Edelman & Lewis. Meanwhile, Andrew Luck has been dealing with a nagging shoulder and their big offseason acquisitions, Frank Gore and Andre Johnson have mainly been silent. All of that doesn’t matter though as come Sunday, both teams will be ready for war.
3. Dolphin Tales –
The first half of the season has been a disaster for Miami. They’re 1-3 to start the season and they just fired their Head Coach, Joe Philbin and their QB is playing like a pile of turds. Their defense isn’t anything as was promised and it doesn’t look like things will get better anytime soon. Perhaps there’s some reason for optimism under a new coach and perhaps the players will start playing like they give a rat’s ass. They’ll get their first chance to prove they have some testicular fortitude this week when they play the 1-3 Titans.
4. Fantasy Value in Jacksonville?
Don’t look now but the Jacksonville offense actually have some players that are Fantasy relevant. They already had Allen Robinson, but the immergence of Allen Hurns over the last few weeks has been a tremendous addition to the Jags O. Julius Thomas has returned to the lineup as well, after missing the start of the season with a thumb injury. All of this makes their QB, Blake Bortles a decent option to look at, especially with the bye-weeks upon us. Keep an eye on this offense the next couple of weeks because they may be onto something.
5. Panther Power –
The 4-0 Carolina Panthers travel to Seattle this weekend to play the struggling Seahawks. It’s a giant test for both teams, but especially for the Panthers. No one could’ve predicted this hot start for the Panthers, especially after they lost Kelvin Benjamin to a torn ACL. But, Cam Newton, Greg Olsen and the rest of the boys are playing great football. On the other side of the spectrum, the Seahawks choked against the Bengals and their machine is leaking major oil right now. Only the strong will survive, so don’t be surprised if Cam and company pull off the upset.
Each week I will present what I think are the juiciest fantasy matchups at each position. I don’t want to keep you guys waiting, so let’s take a look at the juiciest matchups for Week 6:
Quarterbacks
Drew Brees (N.O. vs ATL) – The Saints are 1-4 to start the season and they’re in danger of being placed in a deeper hole if they lose another game here against the 5-0 Falcons. Drew Brees is 113/170 for 1,304 yards, while throwing 6 touchdowns. He also has thrown 3 interceptions and fumbled 4 times. He can’t make those mistakes this week and I don’t think he will. I like the Saints here in a TNF upset.
Joe Flacco (BAL vs SF) – On the season, Joe Flacco is 121/194 for 1,262 yards and 6 touchdowns to go along with 5 interceptions. His less then spectacular play is one of the reasons that the Ravens stink this year. A matchup against the 49ers should be a little boost for Flacco. I expect 3 touchdowns and a W here for Flacco and the Ravens.
Ryan Tannehill (MIA vs TEN) – The Dolphins are a mess right now, but I have to think that pride is going to come into play at some point and I think that it does this week against the Titans. Tannehill is 97/171 for 1,080 yards and 7 touchdowns, which aren’t the numbers we were expecting from him coming into the season. Look for better play from him this week as I expect him to throw 2-3 touchdowns.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Johnson (DET vs CHI) – It hasn’t been a great year for Calvin Johnson or the Lions to say the least. Johnson has 32 receptions for 322 yards and 1 touchdown on the year. Quite frankly, his QB, Matthew Stafford blows. I don’t think the Lions win this week, but I do believe that Calvin will be more involved in the offense. I’m expecting 1 touchdown with 90+ receiving yards for Johnson against the Bears.
Allen Hurns (JAX vs HOU) – Allen Hurns has been like LL Cool J as of late. He’s been doin’ it and doin’ it and doin’ it well. He has 27 receptions for 430 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season. He’s one of Blake Bortles most reliable weapons. Look for more of the same against a surprisingly weak Houston defense. Hurns will find the end zone again this week.
Brandon Marshall (NYJ vs WAS) – Prior to the season starting, I said that Marshall was going to have big time season. So far he has 30 receptions for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’ll keep it going this week against Washington. I’m looking at 1 touchdown and 115+ yards in this game for Marshall.
Running Backs
Chris Ivory (NYJ vs WAS) – Chris Ivory has been running like a man on a mission this year. He’s running mean like Marshawn Lynch. He has 63 carries for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns. Look for the Jets to keep playing smash mouth football this week against Washington. I’m expecting 75+ yards and 1 touchdown for Ivory this week.
Darren Sproles (PHI vs NYG) – My gut tells me that Chip Kelly unleashes his special weapon on the Giants this week on Monday Night Football. Sproles only has 26 carries for 107 yards and 1 touchdown, but he’s always a threat to catch the ball and take it to the house and there’s always that chance that he’ll break loose on a punt or kick return for touchdown. It’s Monday Night Football. It’s NFC East Football, so expect Chip to pull out all of his tricks in this one. Sproles will have 1 or 2 touchdowns in this game.
Mark Ingram (N.O. vs ATL) – We’ve already established that the Saints need a win here against Atlanta. They’ll need to use their running game to their advantage. Mark Ingram has yet to get things going this year as he has 68 carries for 261 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 fumble lost. He’ll be more involved in the O this week. I expect 80+ yards plus a touchdown on Thursday Night Football for Ingram.
Tight Ends
Larry Donnell (NYG vs PHI) – Larry Donnell has been virtually silent all year as he has 21 receptions for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. He came out hibernation when he grabbed the game winning TD reception in the final seconds against the 49ers. He’s a sneaky play against the Eagles, who don’t cover tight ends well. He may be shut down for most of the game this week, but he’ll find his way into the end zone at some point.
Kyle Rudolph (MIN vs KC) – Rudolph has done absolutely nothing this year. However, the Vikings take on a Chiefs team that is in a downhill spiral with their recent losses and with losing Jamaal Charles for the season with the torn ACL. I don’t think that they’ll be up for the Vikings this weekend, which is why I think Rudolph will have a nice game. Look for 75+ yards and 1 touchdown in this one for Rudolph.
Kickers
Adam Vinatieri (IND vs NE) – The Patriots/Colts games are generally high scoring. I don’t expect the Colts to match the Patriots touchdown for touchdown, but I do expect them to put some points on the board, which is where Vinatieri comes into play. Look for 15+ Fantasy points for Adam against the Patriots.
Mason Crosby (GB vs SD) – The Packers and Chargers both score a lot of points. It’s simple. Therefore, I’m looking for 13+ Fantasy points from Crosby against the Chargers.
Defense
New York Jets (vs WAS) – The Jets have one of the best defenses in the league and I don’t think Washington will be any match for them. Look for another dominating performance out of this Jets D against Washington.
Minnesota (vs KC) – I already mentioned that I didn’t think the Chiefs will be ready for this game and I don’t think that their offense will have much chance to get things going. I think the Vikings will swarm whatever type of non-sense offense Andy Reid decides to run. This one could get ugly.
Bust of the Week
Josh McCown (vs DEN) – McCown has been on one hell of a run. He has 3 straight games with 340+ yards and 3 touchdowns. Those numbers aren’t happening against the best defense in the league this weekend. Denver is going to crush McCown to the point that he won’t even know what hit him. Time’s run out for Cinderella.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Each week I will give you my value picks for both FanDuel and DraftKings. Please remember that the salaries are a bit different at each site, so you may not see the same guys on each list because of that. Also, at the end of the day, the final decisions are yours to make, but I’m here to guide you through some value picks. Without further hesitation, let’s get into my DFS value picks for Week 6:
Teddy Bridgewater (MIN – QB -$6,600) vs KC – I just love the overall matchup here for the Vikings and for $6,600, it’s a no brainer.
Darren Sproles (PHI – RB – $5,500) vs NYG – I have a funny feeling with Sproles, so I’m rolling with him all the way.
Allen Hurns (JAX – WR – $6,500) vs HOU –If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He’ll keep rolling this week.
Antonio Gates (SD – TE – $5,500) vs GB – The Rivers/Gates connection won’t let me down here.
Minnesota Vikings (DEF – $4,500) vs KC – If you read anything above, you’ll know why I’m rolling with this.
Blake Bortles (JAX – QB – $5,200) vs HOU – Bortles is clicking on all cylinders with his squad and this price is 100% solid for me.
Boobie Dixon (BUF – RB – $3,300) vs CIN – If Karlos Williams misses another game due to a concussion than this will be a steal.
Allen Hurns (JAX – WR – $5,000) vs HOU – See FanDuel reason above
Larry Donnell (NYG – TE – $2,800) vs PHI – Eagles have tough times covering TE’s. Donnell will get in the end zone at least once.
New York Jets (DEF – $3,100) vs WAS – A dominant D for $3,100? I’ll take it.
Good luck this week!
You can stay up to date with everything Fantasy Football related by following me on Twitter (@ViggieSmalls765) and Instagram. I’ll be available on Twitter for upcoming Twitter Chats and to give out advice to help guide you through your fantasy season.