RADIO
Week 6 of the NFL season is here. We're a little under one third of the way through the season, and the year just continues to get more and more weird with each passing week. The New York Giants knocked off the Green Bay Packers in London while the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts combined for the first game in NFL history with two starting quarterbacks that each had four or more Pro Bowl selections while failing to score a touchdown in the game. Every single week, you have to be prepared for the weirdest possible outcome because there is a greater chance than usual of that coming to fruition.
Last week, we had a decent showing for this column. All three of the best matchups selected finished as QB7 or better, including two of the top three scores of the week. In the sits part of the column, all three quarterbacks finished outside the top 12 at the position, with two of the three finishing as QB20 or worse. Early on this season, we're seeing some defensive units wrecking any and all gameplans that teams are throwing together. Additionally, we're seeing that there are a number of offensive lines that have a lot of growing up to do as the season moves onward.
Well, it's finally that time of the year where bye weeks start to kick in which makes your life as a fantasy manager even more difficult. We have four teams on a bye this week. While a couple of the teams haven't brought much in the passing game, two of the quarterbacks on the shelf this week have been top 12 performers this season. You'll need to find replacements for them, and there will be more off weeks moving forward. If you have a starter you like, you would be smart to look ahead to his bye week to try and find a fill in for that week off.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pass Rush vs. Kenny Pickett
Well, the first start for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett could have gone a bit better. Unfortunately, a buzzsaw from Buffalo was running loose. Now, he gets an easier matchup against… the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Todd Bowles who has been one of the best blitzing coordinators of the last decade. Good thing his offense is designed for him to get the ball out fast because he is going to be fighting for his life.
The Bucs rank third in sacks and first in adjusted sack rate at 10.2 percent. While they haven’t been as dominant at stopping the run as they were over the past couple of seasons, this Steelers’ team has struggled to create space for their backs to run. Running back Najee Harris is averaging just 2.0 yards before contact. The Bucs can shut that running game down before pinning their ears back and getting after Kenny in this one.
Verdict: Sit 'Em
Los Angeles Rams Pass Rush vs. P.J. Walker
If you were planning on starting Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker, you were already in a rough spot, but the matchup doesn’t make it any better for you. The third-year signal caller is set to make his third career start on Sunday, and he’s doing it up against Aaron Donald. His offensive line has also given up 17 sacks in five games at a rate of 9.6 percent. Essentially, every 10 snaps, a Panthers quarterback has been sacked.
The Rams are currently 2-3 and needing to keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers in the division. They need this win badly because their schedule just continues to get more and more difficult as the season goes on. We should expect to see a lot of pressure thrown at Walker to force him to analyze it all. He’s a fun story, as he was in the XFL once upon a time, but this is a terrible matchup for him this week.
Verdict: Sit ‘Em
Carolina Panthers Pass Rush vs. Matthew Stafford
What? We’re going with two quarterbacks from the same game? Well, when you have the matchup at hand that we have here, it makes a lot of sense. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been beaten up and battered all season long, and we’re only through five games. He has been sacked a league-worst 21 times while being hit 22 times, which is tied for 27th in the league. This offensive line just isn’t gelling.
Now, they’re up against a Carolina Panthers pass rush that hasn’t gotten their sea legs under them yet. They’re tied for the third-fewest sacks in the NFL while having the second-worst adjusted sack rate. What’s the cure for a group that just fired their head coach and defensive coordinator? How about an offensive line that is giving up an average of 4.25 sacks per game. This Panthers defense has some dudes up front, and this could be their coming out party.
Verdict: Sit ‘Em
Easy on Sunday Morning - QB vs. Pass Rush Matchups
Atlanta Falcons Pass Rush vs. Jimmy Garoppolo
Let me start off by saying that recommending 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to be a starter in fantasy is definitely not my best move ever, but the logic is there for this week. Jimmy has at least 200 yards and one touchdown in each of the four games he’s played this season, and he’s thrown three touchdowns with zero interceptions in his last two games. Also, outside of the messy game against the Denver Broncos in Week 3, his offensive line has done a good job of keeping him upright.
They’ve given up just three sacks in the other three games combined, and they’re up against an Atlanta Falcons front that can’t really rush the passer. They have just eight sacks on the year, which is tied for 30th leaguewide, and their adjusted sack rate of 4.6 percent is tied for 31st. This team does some exotic stuff on offense, but they don’t do the same to help out their defense. Jimmy doesn’t have a crazy-high ceiling, especially with the way his defense is playing right now, but he has some upside in this matchup this week.
Verdict: Start 'Em
Miami Dolphins Pass Rush vs. Kirk Cousins
This game should be interesting to watch. The Miami Dolphins are starting their third-string quarterback which could result in a game being over quickly and the Minnesota Vikings running the ball relentless. However, we could also see them hang around, and this makes quarterback Kirk Cousins very interesting this week. His offensive line has done a decent job of keeping him upright, and the Dolphins aren’t great at rushing the passer.
Despite blitzing on 27 percent of plays, they rank third to last in pressure rate at 14.3 percent, and they’re 23rd in sacks with just nine. This roster has invested a lot in the defensive secondary, but they haven’t put as much into the pass rushers, and it’s showing early on. Kirk could be an outstanding play this week. Even if the game becomes a blowout, he should get his work done early to be a strong play.
Verdict: Start ‘Em
Indianapolis Colts Pass Rush vs. Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been up and down this season. After a strong start the first few weeks, he’s become a bit rattled over the last two. This week, he gets a chance to bounce back against a team that he’s already beaten once this year. Not only did he beat them, he was nearly flawless in the team’s Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts as he went 25-of-30 for 235 yards and two touchdowns. He was also not sacked in that game, and Indy only registered two quarterback hits in the game.
The Colts are coming off of one of the ugliest games of football that I have ever seen in my life. They may have won, but it was still one of the grimiest three hours of play we will ever watch. The defense continues to carry the offense, but they won’t be able to do that in this matchup. They don’t get after the passer enough, as they’re 15th in sacks on the year, and seven of their 11 sacks have come in the last two games against bad offensive lines. Meanwhile, the Jags quietly rank third in the league in sacks allowed. Trevor should have time in the pocket this week.
Verdict: Start 'Em
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