RADIO
The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used in the deep lineup leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS.
In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust plays for Week 6 of the fantasy football season.
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Quarterback
Dak Prescott, Packers QB @ GBP
Dak Prescott has been side by side with Carson Wentz for the most impressive young quarterback so far this season. Not only has Prescott led the Cowboys to a 4-1 record without Tony Romo, he has also had fantasy success, scoring 20 or more points in four of five games, even with Dez Bryant on the sideline in the last two weeks.
In Week 6, Prescott and the Cowboys travel to Green Bay against a pass defense that has allowed the 14th most fantasy points to quarterbacks through the first five weeks. While that may not seem like a juicy matchup, the Packers have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs, which means the traditionally run-heavy Cowboys may need to air it out more often if the Packers are able to contain Ezekiel Elliott and Dallas' rushing offense.
Verdict: Boom
Wide Receiver
Cameron Meredith and Alshon Jeffery, Bears WR vs JAX
The Cameron Meredith breakout was one of the stories of Week 5, and for good reason as he racked up 28.60 PPR points; good for WR3 overall on the week. While Meredith was the most popular waiver wire add this week, I don’t think he is safe to immediately insert into your Week 6 lineups, even with the juicy matchup against a Jaguars defense who has allowed the 5th most fantasy points to wide receivers so far this season.
This may seem like a bit of narrative street, but this has to be an Alshon Jeffery week, right? Jeffery is averaging 12.28 PPR points per game, with a season high of 14.60. I think that the Bears use this plus matchup against the Jaguars to get Jeffery back looking like the number one wide receiver that fantasy owners drafted him to be. With Jeffery’s big week coming, I see Meredith taking a backseat to him. Also, I don’t think Brian Hoyer will continue to be the type of quarterback who can support 3+ fantasy weapons.
Verdict:
Cameron Meredith: Bust
Alshon Jeffery: Boom
Tight End
Coby Fleener, Saints TE vs CAR
In recent seasons, the Carolina Panthers defense has been known as one of the better units in the NFL. That hasn’t been the case so far this season as the defense has allowed 27 points per game, including 48 to the Atlanta Falcons in their last road division game two weeks ago.
Not only has the Panthers defense struggled overall, they have been particularly weak against the tight end, allowing the 5th most fantasy points to the position so far. Fleener has definitely been more bust than boom in the first four weeks with 23.90 PPR points in Week 3 and failing to exceed 5 PPR points in each of the other three games this season. Although, I think the Saints will be passing early and often, and Fleener will be taking advantage of the plus matchup.
Verdict: Boom
Hail Mary of the Week
In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire or at the end of benches in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week:
Bobby Rainey, Giants RB vs BAL
Bobby Rainey has long been a stash at the bottom of benches in deep dynasty leagues. The type of player that you like when you watch him, it is just a matter of when he gets that shot. In past seasons, he has gotten that shot thanks to injuries to Doug Martin and other Buccaneer backs. Now with the Giants, injuries to Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen have opened the door for Rainey.
In each of his last two games, Rainey has put up 13 PPR points while being heavily involved in the passing game with 15 targets and 13 catches. While his nine carries for 44 rushing yards may not be awe inspiring, when you are digging this deep, you are looking for a player who can break a big play. Rainey can certainly do that in the passing game.
