We are entering perhaps the most challenging week yet with six teams on a bye (CAR, HOU, DAL, CIN, NYJ, TEN), injuries everywhere, and teams more than ever using a multiple-back approach at running back. Who is healthy? Who can play? Who can you add? In the interest of keeping your team competitive, it may be wise not to replace some players who are out or have bye weeks. It's better to take a zero for one week than lose out on a quality player that you may not be able to get back. You could say the same for the Cowboys' defense (Week 7 bye), who have singlehandedly won some weeks this season.
The name of the game is scoring fantasy points. What are some factors that lead to scoring more fantasy points that can be beneficial to your decision-making?
- Players on high-scoring teams
- Players against teams who allow high-scoring
- Players on teams who run a lot of plays
- Players against teams who allow a lot of plays
Teams scoring the most points per game
- 37.2 Miami
- 30.7 San Francisco
- 28.8 Buffalo
- 28.0 Detroit
- 25.8 Philadelphia
- 25.7 Dallas
- 25.4 Los Angeles Chargers
- 24.8 Seattle
- 24.5 Kansas City
- 23.7 Jacksonville
Teams allowing the most points per game
- 33.3 Denver
- 31.0 Carolina
- 29.3 Washington
- 29.3 Chicago
- 27.8 New York Giants
- 27.0 Arizona
- 26.0 Miami
- 25.3 Indianapolis
- 25.3 New England
- 24.8 Los Angeles Chargers
Teams running the most plays per game
- 71.3 Philadelphia
- 71.0 Cleveland
- 68.3 Jacksonville
- 67.8 New Orleans
- 67.3 Carolina
- 67.2 Indianapolis
- 66.8 Kansas City
- 66.8 Atlanta
- 66.7 Detroit
- 66.0 Los Angeles Rams
Teams allowing the most plays per game
- 70.0 Pittsburgh
- 69.7 Indianapolis
- 69.0 Green Bay
- 68.8 Seattle
- 68.7 New York Jets
- 67.3 Minnesota
- 67.2 Los Angeles Chargers
- 66.3 Miami
- 65.8 Washington
- 65.7 Arizona
Target players on these teams
- Philadelphia (5th in points scored, 1st in plays run)
- Detroit (4th in points scored, 9th in plays run)
- Jacksonville (10th in points scored, 3rd in plays run)
- Kansas City (9th in points scored, 7th in plays run)
Target players against these teams
- Washington (3rd in points allowed, 9th in plays run allowed)
- LA Chargers (10th in points allowed, 7th in plays run allowed)
- Arizona (6th in points allowed, 10th in plays run allowed)
- Indianapolis (8th in points allowed, 2nd in plays run allowed)
- Miami (7th in points allowed, 8th in plays run allowed)
HELPFUL QUARTERBACK STATS
300-YARD PASSING GAMES
4 times
- None
3 times
- Kirk Cousins, MIN
- Matthew Stafford, LAR
- Tua Tagovailoa, MIA
2 times
- Josh Allen, BUF
- Derek Carr, NO
- Jared Goff, DET
- Justin Herbert, LAC
- Jalen Hurts, PHI
- Patrick Mahomes II, KC
- Desmond Ridder, ATL
- Geno Smith, SEA
- C.J. Stroud, HOU
- Russell Wilson, DEN
1 time
- Joe Burrow, CIN
- Andy Dalton, CAR
- Justin Fields, CHI
- Jimmy Garoppolo, LSV
- Sam Howell, WAS
- Daniel Jones, NYG
- Mac Jones, NE
- Trevor Lawrence, JAC
- Baker Mayfield, TB
- Gardner Minshew, IND
- Brock Purdy, SF
300-YARD PASSING GAMES ALLOWED
4 times
- None
3 times
- Denver
- Jacksonville
- Seattle
- Washington
2 times
- Arizona
- Chicago
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- LA Chargers
- Miami
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Tampa Bay
- Tennessee
1 time
- Buffalo
- Cincinnati
- Detroit
- Los Angeles Rams
- Minnesota
- San Francisco
0 times
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Carolina
- Cleveland
- Dallas
- Green Bay
- Kansas City
- Las Vegas
- New England
- New Orleans
- New York Jets
FANTASY WEEKLY TOP 12 FINISHES - QUARTERBACK
Six Times
- None
Five times
- None
Four times
- Josh Allen, BUF
- Kirk Cousins, MIN
- Jalen Hurts, PHI
- Brock Purdy, SF
Three times
- Justin Fields, CHI
- Justin Herbert, LAC
- Sam Howell, WAS
- Lamar Jackson, BAL
- Patrick Mahomes II II, KC
- C.J. Stroud, HOU
- Russell Wilson, DEN
Two times
- Joshua Dobbs, ARI
- Jared Goff, DET
- Trevor Lawrence, JAC
- Jordan Love, GB
- Anthony Richardson, IND
- Desmond Ridder, ATL
- Tua Tagovailoa, MIA
- Deshaun Watson, CLE
INJURED PLAYER? WHO BENEFITS?
QUARTERBACK
Anthony Richardson, IND - The Colts rookie quarterback is out with a shoulder injury that could shelve him for the rest of the season if he opts to have surgery to repair an AC joint injury. At the very least, he was placed on IR in Week 5. There is growing speculation that the Colts will want to use every precaution with Richardson, thus making the surgery seem like the preferred decision. Gardner Minshew takes over as the Colts signal-caller. In four games this season, Minshew has averaged 220 yards passing, including a 329-yard effort this past week. His touchdown totals are a bit meager, with only three touchdowns and three interceptions. He is an in-case-of-emergency-break-glass type of quarterback and only has stand-alone value in multiple-quarterback leagues.
Justin Fields, CHI - The Bears top offensive leader is out with a thumb injury that could keep him sidelined for multiple weeks. Rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to handle duties in his absence. Bagent is an undrafted free agent from Division II Shepherd College. He is not a viable fantasy option until he proves otherwise.
Jimmy Garoppolo, LV - Jimmy Garoppolo (back) may miss Week 7 at Chicago, making Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell the starter in a decent matchup against the Bears. Both have seen limited action this year, and neither has impressed to the point where it is obvious who the replacement will be. O'Connell is the less experienced of the two, but he has the bigger arm. Hoyer comes from Josh McDaniels' tree via the Patriots and has a good grasp of the playbook. Either one would only be an option in multiple-quarterback leagues.
Ryan Tannehill, TEN - The Titans have a bye in Week 7, which will give Tannehill's ankle injury time to heal. This is the same ankle he injured last year, so it may give him some complications that would keep him out longer. If he misses time, Malik Willis is slated to assume the role. Willis has the athleticism to make some splash plays, but he has struggled to be a consistent threat as a passer. If he starts, temper your expectations with the Titans receiving unit.
RUNNING BACK
Kyren Williams, LAR - The Rams leading rusher, Kyren Williams, who also boasts seven touchdowns this season, is out with an ankle injury. His backup, Ronnie Rivers, is also out with a knee injury. The sudden loss of personnel in the Rams backfield is cause for concern. Los Angeles does not have a bye until Week 10, but they do have options to consider. Zach Evans, the rookie sixth-round pick from Mississippi, saw limited action last week after Williams left. But the Rams made three free-agent signings this week, acquiring veterans Myles Gaskin, Royce Freeman, and Darrell Henderson Jr.. Evans will probably get the first crack, but we could see one or both of Freeman or Henderson. There is potential to be mined in this situation, but the likely reality is that the production should see a significant drop-off from what Williams brought. Evans is the best waiver pickup option, but expect multiple backs to see touches.
Christian McCaffrey, SF - The 49ers' top weapon has an oblique strain that could keep him out for at least two weeks. The 49ers have a Week 9 bye, so it may not be until Week 10 that we see McCaffrey back in the lineup. Filling the void in Kyle Shanahan's offense is Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell. Mason was the better, more used back after McCaffrey's injury, but expect to see both in the backfield for San Francisco in Week 7 at Minnesota. Mason gets the slight nod over Mitchell in waiver rankings, but Week 7's results will help clear the air.
David Montgomery, DET - A rib/shoulder injury is expected to keep Montgomery out of the lineup for at least one week and maybe two. The Lions have a decent replacement in Craig Reynolds who would assume the lead-back role. Even if Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) can return to play, he will likely be relegated to a third-down role and receiving threat. Reynolds is the back to have while Montgomery is out. Detroit is at Baltimore and home vs Las Vegas in the next two weeks.
James Conner, ARI - A knee injury will keep James Conner out of the lineup for the Cardinals for the next few games. Keaontay Ingram had the most success for the backfield audition and should keep that role for now.
WIDE RECEIVER
Diontae Johnson, PIT - Johnson (hamstring) is expected to be activated from IR this week and could play in Week 7 against the Rams.
Davante Adams, LV - Adams is dealing with an AC sprain (shoulder) and has not been his usual self over the last two weeks. Filling the void for the Raiders has been Jakobi Meyers, who should continue to see decent production during Adams' recovery.
Justin Jefferson, MIN - a hamstring injury will keep Jefferson out of the lineup for at least four weeks. In the first game without him, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn each had a 17% team target share. Neither was that productive. Osborn had more yards, but Addison had a touchdown. Expect to see similar results in Jefferson's absence.
TIGHT END
Pat Freiermuth, PIT - The Steelers' top tight end target is expected to return to the lineup for Week 7 against the Rams. He was dealing with a hamstring strain and rib injury that kept him relatively quiet in the opening quarter of the season. A return to health could elevate his numbers starting this week.
Juwan Johnson, NO - A calf injury has shelved Juwan Johnson for the time being, and last week, we saw Taysom Hill make produce as a receiver, catching 7 passes for 49 yards. If that type of production continues, along with his rushing prowess, Hill becomes an interesting, sneaky, flex option. If you're in dire need at the position, Hill is an option to consider.
Thanks for reading. Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome. You can hit me up on X, formerly Twitter.