What You Need to Know From Week 6

Photo: USA Today Sports

HOU @ TEN

1. It’s Derrick Henry’s world, we’re just living in it. He’s the most valuable player in fantasy football right now.
2. Jonnu Smith went down with an ankle injury that will probably cost him one game at most. Anthony Firkser went off in his stead and should be a fine streamer if Smith can’t go vs. Pittsburgh.
3. Deshaun Watson showed it wasn’t just the Jaguars defense that rekindled his fire. He’s making use of all of his downfield targets and back in elite fantasy QB1 standing.
4. Ryan Tannehill was outstanding, using all of his targets (even Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught a two-point conversion) and playing nearly flawless football in the win. He has been an elite fantasy quarterback again the last two weeks but has a tough test against Pittsburgh this week.
5. Brandin Cooks had a quiet second half and then Watson peppered him with short targets in the second half and he hoovered them up. With two good weeks in a row, we will leave him in lineups for Week 7 at Green Bay.
6. A.J. Brown caught two scores including an acrobatic game-tying touchdown at the end of regulation. He’s healthy and back to the strong WR2 status he was drafted at this summer.
7. Darren Fells had a huge game that put fantasy teams and DFS lineups over the top. Whether it’s him or Jordan Akins, who has been out for two weeks with a concussion and ankle injury, the Texans tight end group has four scores already this year plus at least 57 receiving yards in all but one game this year.
8. Jeremy McNichols looked good spelling Henry and he’s the clear backup. That’s rosterable value in typical leagues.

BAL @ PHI

1. Zach Ertz went out with an ankle injury that will cost him 3-4 weeks. Week 10 after the bye is his earliest possible return, and Dallas Goedert could be ready before that. Goedert could easily take over the primary receiving tight end once he’s healthy and he shouldn’t be on any waiver wires even though we’re not sure when he’ll be back.
2. Miles Sanders left with a knee injury when he was chased down from behind on a long run (he fumbled into the end zone and JJ Arcega-Whiteside recovered for a score). He is likely to miss at least Week 7 and with a Week 9 bye, Week 8 is questionable at best. Boston Scott is going to start in his stead, but his worth is in the range of the starter for his Week 7 opponent, Devonta Freeman.
3. Mark Ingram left with an ankle injury that might also sideline him for Week 8. Gus Edwards got the score and larger share of touches, but this could also be the opening for J.K. Dobbins to put his mark on this backfield. Both need to be rostered in every league.
4. Travis Fulgham had a strong second half and almost pulled in a hail mary in this one. Alshon Jeffery isn’t pushing him back to the bench, giving Fulgham staying power, although he may face James Bradberry on Thursday and Desean Jackson will be back.
5. Carson Wentz never gave up even though it took well into the second quarter to get a first down. He scored on the ground for the fourth time this year and added 49 rushing yards. The Eagles are losing weapons faster than they are getting them back, but performances like this one will keep Wentz in QB1 consideration.
6. Lamar Jackson had a long touchdown run that should have iced the game and finally got him back in the elite QB1 scoring column. With more competitive matchups coming after the bye, he should be fine.

ATL @ MIN

1. Justin Jefferson was in the background a bit in the Vikings near-win at Seattle last week, but he was in the forefront against the Falcons, especially (but not completely) during garbage time. We’ll have to be burned by him multiple times to put him back on our benches after the bye.
2. Julio Jones is healthy and back to elite WR1 status. He scored early and late and helped make the Falcons offense go.
3. Matt Ryan’s fortunes rose with the return of Jones and with a poor defense, he should be considered a QB1 again going forward.
4. Alexander Mattison was a colossal dud in his awaited start. Dalvin Cook might return in Week 8, making Mattison a potential top letdown of the year on the waiver wire.
5. Kirk Cousins was miserable again in this game, but he scratched out good numbers in garbage time to help anyone who was counting on him in fantasy leagues. It’s fair to wonder if he’ll get traded this offseason.
6. Todd Gurley didn’t convert a score despite the Falcons putting up 40 on the board, but he did get 20 carries and this offense looks like it will create more scoring opportunities than it was with a hobbled/out Julio Jones. Don’t overreact to this outcome.
7. Hayden Hurst scored but it came in garbage time and the score also accounted for most of his yardage. He’s still a what-the-heck tight end play who hasn’t yet established himself as a mainstay in his new offense.

CLE @ PIT

1. Chase Claypool only scored once but caught the ball inside the five two other times. He’s unbenchable.
2. James Washington scored on an excellent double move and he is showing he can have fantasy relevance if any of the other top three Steelers receivers are out.
3. Baker Mayfield was overwhelmed by the Steelers defense and looked terrible (and hurt) outside of structure again. In general, the Browns saw just how far they have to go to match the Steelers.
4. Ben Roethlisberger had a quiet week because the game was too easy for the Steelers, but he could heat up with his top four receivers on the field this week vs. Tennessee and the second-half schedule is easy.
5. With nothing working in the Cleveland downfield passing game or running game, it was a long day for top talents Odell Beckham and Kareem Hunt, but they should both bounce back against the Bengals this week.

CIN @ IND

1. Jonathan Taylor was more involved in the passing game again this week and looked like he deserves to stay in that clear feature back role after the bye - and against a weak schedule. Throw out a trade offer for him during the bye.
2. Trey Burton ran in one score as an option quarterback and caught another with a great diving effort. Given the team and Rivers penchant for using the tight end, he’s worth carrying through the bye, although if Mo Alie-Cox’s knee is better during the bye, he’ll figure into the tight end picture too.
3. Joe Mixon had one score vulture by Giovani Bernard and had another broken up before getting dinged with a foot injury that forced him to leave the game for a bit. He could have had a great game in a tough matchup with the Bengals line having some good moments as a run-blocking unit.
4. A.J. Green finally showed signs of life, but he’s probably still just a short and mid-range target. He could be traded before the deadline (New England) and is back to being rosterable in typical leagues. That didn’t stop Tee Higgins from being the most valuable Bengals receiver and primary downfield target for Burrow.
5. Philip Rivers had a big game, but it was only because he was allowed to throw a ton with the Colts dropping behind big early, and his teammates had to make great plays on all of his TD throws. He’s still just a desperation play.
6. Joe Burrow got out to a 21-0 lead but couldn’t hold it. The matchup was tough on paper, but Burrow did enough to be a solid play. He’s unexciting but his continued volume is keeping him rosterable.
7. T.Y. Hilton had a touchdown called back by penalty but otherwise was barely heard from on a day that saw Rivers throw for 371 yards. He’s not worth carrying through the bye.

DET @ JAX

1. The Lions finally made D’Andre Swift as prominent as Adrian Peterson in the game plan, and he responded with their longest play of the day and two scores. He’ll be shoehorned into Week 7 lineups.
2. Gardner Minshew had solid numbers again, but he wasn’t seeing open receivers and at least DJ Chark is calling out that he is leaving plays on the field. Minshew could be replaced before the season is over at this rate.
3. Matthew Stafford only accounted for one of the Lions four offensive scores, but don’t bail on him with an easy stretch of the schedule underway. The Falcons “defense” is up this week.
4. Kenny Golladay is healthy and he drew a pass interference call in the end zone in addition to going over 100 yards. He’s a must-start now that he’s healthy.
5. Keelan Cole had the biggest yardage game of the year for a Jaguars receiver. He is still only injury/bye depth, but his dynasty value is growing as he enters the free-agent market in 2021.
6. Marvin Jones couldn’t do anything against one of the worst defenses in the league. He’s droppable even though it feels inevitable that he’ll have a three-touchdown game one of these weeks.

CHI @ CAR

1. D.J. Moore drew a pass interference to set up the only touchdown for the Panthers and also dropped a score in the end zone, so his big day could have been huge with a few breaks. He’s starting to heat up.
2. Teddy Bridgewater’s problems converting red-zone trips into scores continued, although the Bears have been one of the stingiest defenses in the league this year. We’ll reserve judgment until we see how he does against his old Saints team this week.
3. David Montgomery was stopped just short of the goal line and had a strong enough total yards and PPR performance to eliminate doubts about whether to play him going forward.
4. Even though second-round pick Cole Kmet caught the touchdown, Jimmy Graham was still involved enough to keep him in TE1 consideration against the Rams this week.

WAS @ NYG

1. Terry McLaurin survived Kyle Allen and the matchup with James Bradberry to have a solid game. Don’t let your faith in him waver.
2. J.D. McKissic continues to be dependable and productive on his touches, which is a problem for Antonio Gibson’s value growth prospects, although both are good plays against Dallas this week.
3. Logan Thomas had a wide receiver-esque catch in the corner of the end zone and revived his value just in time for a matchup with the Cowboys.
4. Nothing can save the Giants offense this year, it appears. Only Darius Slayton is worth starting as the Jason Garrett offense had to depend on a defensive touchdown forced by Kyler Fackrell on a strip-sack to get the win.
5. Kyle Allen made a few nice throws in the red zone for scores and had a chance to win on a two-point conversion, so this was a hopeful game if you are forced into using him or depend on any of his passing game pieces.

DEN @ NE

1. Phillip Lindsay ran with a ton of heart and showed that he should be given a chance to be the Denver lead back even after Melvin Gordon returns.
2. Damien Harris didn’t do anything to stand out on the field or in the backfield work split. Unless this running game gets jumpstarted against the 49ers, he might not be worth rostering for much longer after his auspicious debut this year.
3. Cam Newton’s lack of weapons is catching up to him. N’keal Harry is worthless, Julian Edelman looks old, and Damiere Byrd isn’t finishing plays downfield. Newton’s fantasy value is dependent on his running ability.
4. Julian Edelman was more of a factor in the offense as a passer than a receiver. We can’t start him until he looks like his old self. He might be nursing an injury.
5. Tim Patrick is the Denver #1 receiver, not Jerry Jeudy. Patrick is a good fit with Drew Lock’s see it, throw it style and he can hang with tough corners like the Patriots outside duo.
6. With Noah Fant out Albert Okwuegbunam got four end zone targets from his college quarterback. Sometimes these narratives are predictive and Fant’s value could take a hit if Albert O continues to get snaps after Fant returns to the lineup.
7. Drew Lock was not that effective against the Patriots defense and almost gave the game away with a terrible interception late in the game. He’s still much more work in progress than a budding franchise quarterback.

NYJ @ MIA

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s swan song as the Miami starter this year was an easy win - too easy for him to build on three touchdowns in the first half. He was a fantasy QB1 this year, and with the quality of the evolving offense, Tua Tagovailoa could also be a fantasy factor when he starts in Week 8.
2. Myles Gaskin had his best day of the season to date running the ball and appears to have a strong grip on the lead back job.
3. We’re waiting to see who has the best chemistry with Tagovailoa, which is probably a reason to hang onto Mike Gesicki if you have the room or need in a typical league. He has a very high weekly ceiling and rare big-play upside and could still become one of the new quarterback’s favorites.
4. Breshad Perriman was back with his usual speed and acumen and may have some desperation play upside, especially when Sam Darnold returns.

GB @ TB

1. Now that Chris Godwin is back, it is time to get worried about Mike Evans' output. Fantasy wideouts can not live on touchdowns alone and Evans floor is now in clear view after Week 6. He’s still a play this week vs Las Vegas, but more WR3/Flex than the WR1 he was drafted to be.
2. Ronald Jones II had his third straight 100-yard day and has probably settled this backfield with his physical running. Leonard Fournette is there to maybe steal a score here and there, but Jones is a bonafide hit after a rough start to the year.
3. Rob Gronkowski had his best day of the year and has some streaming tight end appeal against the Raiders this week. He’s still not the player he was five years ago, but this game proved that he can still matter in fantasy leagues.
4. Tom Brady got all of his weapons back against the Packers but still had a so-so fantasy day because the defense and running game did the heavy lifting. This is how the Bucs want to win games and we shouldn’t expect a lot of shootouts spurring Brady to QB1 numbers as long as the defense and Ronald Jones II are playing like this.
5. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers got punched in the face by the Bucs defense and running game after opening up a 10-0 lead and had no answer. Rodgers and the passing game should bounce back this week, but it’s a warning about starting players vs. Tampa.
6. Like Rodgers, Aaron Jones' result should be chalked up to the Bucs run defense. He has an excellent remaining schedule beginning with the wreckage of the Texans offense after Derrick Henry turned it into roadkill last week.

LA @ SF

1. Raheem Mostert went down with a high ankle sprain that will sideline him for 3-4 weeks. Jerick McKinnon was the initial replacement for Mostert, but UDFA JaMycal Hasty got the work down the stretch and looked good salting the game away. Hasty could have as much or more value than McKinnon while Mostert is out.
2. Darrell Henderson dominated the touches in the backfield and looked good doing it. We can’t assume that Sean McVay will let this group stabilize with Henderson as the lead back, but as long as he keeps playing this week, he is forcing McVay’s hand and keeping Cam Akers off of the field.
3. Jimmy Garoppolo had a bounceback game on paper, but the offensive game plan didn’t challenge him to do much downfield passing and his biggest plays to Deebo Samuel were basically handoffs. He did make an excellent fourth-down throw to George Kittle for a score, but Garoppolo is still a low wattage fantasy quarterback and should be avoided against the Patriots this week.
4. There was a bigger day there for Cooper Kupp if he had held onto a touchdown and tracked the ball better when he was open deep and couldn’t reel the ball in. Don’t get too worried about his lack of production.
5. Deebo Samuel was strong after the catch and the 49ers are back to having the commitment to getting the ball in his hands as a mainstay of the running game disguised as passing plays. He’ll be a focal point going forward.

KC @ BUF

1. Demarcus Robinson took Sammy Watkins place and Mecole Hardman remained a part-time player doing little (along with Tyreek Hill) as the Chiefs never really flipped the switch to on in the deep passing game. Hardman could bounce back this week against the Broncos, but Robinson looks like the better short term play.
2. The Bills smartly induced the Chiefs to run and took the ball out of Patrick Mahomes II' hands, but Clyde Edwards-Helaire made a statement with tough running and great suddenness and burst against a weary Bills offense. Edwards-Helaire is still startable for LeVeon Bell’s first game as a Chiefs next week at Denver.
3. Josh Allen had his second straight shaky game. The elements didn’t help but he is missing easy throws and doesn’t look comfortable. At least the Jets are up next.
4. John Brown isn’t 100%, but his presence is fanning out the target tree and making no one outside of Stefon Diggs a reliable play.

ARI @ DAL

1. Andy Dalton looked unable to handle the pressure from the Cardinals even though Chandler Jones is out for the year. He still had 54 attempts and fed CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper in the fruitless attempt to close the massive deficit, but Dalton’s fantasy value is looking precarious after a strong relief appearance last week. This pass offense is looking worse than the median expectations with hope for a better game vs. Washington, but their defensive line won’t let up on this ragtag group. The last remaining cornerstone of the line - Zack Martin - will be relied on to come back from a concussion this week.
2. Ezekiel Elliott had two fumbles to give him seven in the last 13 games. Tony Pollard came in more to spell Elliott and if this trend continues, we might see more of a committee - albeit in a much less exciting offense.
3. Kenyan Drake’s 69-yard touchdown to ice the game finally rewarded teams that stuck with him, but this was more opponent based than evidence that Drake is turning the corner. Sell high.
4. Dalton and Michael Gallup hooked up for heroics in Week 5, but they couldn’t connect for any big plays in Week 6. Don’t be too quick on the trigger to release Gallup as Dalton will likely keep trying to find that magic again.
5. Kyler Murray had an easy night at the office, connecting on a deep ball to Christian Kirk after a slow start and zig-zagging through the Cowboys “defense”. He may end up being the most valuable fantasy quarterback this year.
6. Kirk had his second short touchdown of the year but also finally got that long score that fantasy teams are searching for to put their lineups over the top. He should be in lineups again this against the Seahawks.