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Welcome to part two of our Week 6 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football, covering the later games.Be sure to check part two of this matchups column as well, for the earlier games.
This article will cover the New England Patriots vs. New York Jets 1:00 PM ET game, and all of the afternoon/evening games for Sunday. We'll be covering every matchup, to help you make the best start/sit decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.
Let's get to the matchups for Week 6!
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Week 6 NFL Matchups - 1:00 PM ET Game
Important note and credits about data used in this article:
- All snap counts taken from Football Outsiders. Adjusted line yards also taken from Football Outsiders. You can read more here.
- Success rate is taken from Sharp Football Stats (Warren Sharp). You can read more about it here.
- Wide receiver snap percentages and corner grades/stats are taken from Pro Football Focus.
Patriots at Jets
Matchups We Love:
Tom Brady (QB, NE)
Brady has been a no-brainer play all season and that will remain the case this week against a weak New York Jets pass defense. New York ranks 18th in pass defense DVOA, although that number may be a bit inflated after their gift matchup against the Cleveland Browns last week. Brady, as usual, is a high-end QB1 this week.
Josh McCown (QB, NYJ)
McCown draws a second consecutive plus matchup as he will square off against a New England defense that has been one of the worst units in the league through five weeks. While McCown didn't shred the Browns in Week 5, he did manage two passing touchdowns on just 30 pass attempts. The game script in Week 6 should force New York to throw more often as the Patriots will have no issues scoring on Gang Green. McCown is on the radar as a flex play in standard leagues and is a lock in two-quarterback formats.
James White (RB, NE)
White has been the most consistent running back for the Patriots this season. He has caught at least seven passes in three of his past four games. While trying to predict the rest of New England's backfield can be frustrating, White remains a solid RB2 in PPR leagues based on his heavy usage. The Jets have struggled against pass-catching backs this season, ranking 26th against them. That includes a 41-yard touchdown reception from Duke Johnson in Week 5.
Elijah McGuire (RB, NYJ)
McGuire is a "love" as long as Bilal Powell is unable to suit up on Sunday. Powell left Week 5's game against the Browns with a calf issue and is being considered day-to-day. If Powell sits, McGuire is worth firing up as a low-end RB2 against a Patriots run defense that is ranked 27th in DVOA this year. If Powell plays, downgrade McGuire to a flex option.
Brandin Cooks (WR, NE)
Cooks has underwhelmed through his first five games with the Patriots, but he and Tom Brady have just missed connecting on a few long touchdowns. With a little better luck on deep passes, Cooks would be a locked-in WR1 in fantasy this season. Cooks still ranks eighth in the league with 379 receiving yards and will run some of his Week 6 routes against Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne, who doesn't have the speed to keep up with the lightning fast Cooks. Cooks is a low-end WR1 in a great matchup this week.
Chris Hogan (WR, NE)
Hogan is well on his way to a career year, posting 288 receiving yards and five touchdowns through the first five weeks. At some point, some of his touchdowns are going to start going to other receiving options on New England, but the Jets pose a favorable enough matchup to consider Hogan as a high-end WR2. He's entrenched as the No. 2 option for Tom Brady and has drawn 10 red zone targets this season, second-highest in the league behind Davante Adams.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ)
After being suspended for the first two games of the year, Seferian-Jenkins has emerged as one of Josh McCown's favorite targets. The massive tight end has drawn 6, 4, and 8 targets in his three games played. The Patriots are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to enemy tight ends.
Matchups We Hate:
None. With the lack of performance out of these two defenses this season, everyone is at least on the fantasy radar.
Other Matchups:
If you have Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE) on your teams, you are starting him. He's not in the "love" section because we don't know how affected he will be by a quad issue which held him out of action last week and out of this Wednesday's practice. The Jets have actually been good against tight ends this season, ranking second in DVOA against the position. Again, it's Gronk, so you're playing him, but he has enough working against him to be downgraded this week. Danny Amendola (WR, NE) turned in a big game in Week 5 against the Buccaneers, but as the fourth or fifth option in the passing game, he's no more than a flex consideration. Mike Gillislee (RB, NE) has shown fantasy owners both his ceiling (four rushing scores in the first two weeks) and his floor (132 scoreless rushing yards in Weeks 3-5). He hasn't even drawn a single target in the passing game. He's a low-end RB2 in standard and a flex option in PPR. At this point you are praying for a score (or more) if you play Gillislee. Of course, he plays for one of the best offenses in the league, so his chances of scoring in any given week are good. In the leagues I have him I'm just playing him as my RB2 and taking the good with the bad.
Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) is being called day-to-day after straining his calf against the Browns last week. Some who cover the team are predicting he will not play in Week 6. If he does suit up, he and Elijah McGuire will eat into each other's workloads, capping their ceilings from a fantasy perspective. Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ), Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ), and Jeremy Kerley (WR, NYJ) have operated as the Jets' top three receivers. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, it will be hard to predict who will have the better game against what is a vulnerable New England pass defense. All three set up as desperation flex options this weekend. Kearse has shown the most upside of the bunch, scoring three receiving touchdowns on the year.
NFL Week 6 Matchups - 4:00 PM EST Games
Buccaneers at Cardinals
Matchups We Love:
Jameis Winston (QB, TB)
Winston is in a good spot this week as he will face off against an Arizona pass defense that ranks 24th in the league in DVOA. The Bucs' quarterback has reached 300 passing yards in three straight games while tallying six passing touchdowns over that span. Unlike in years past, the Bucs have enough passing game weapons outside of Mike Evans for Winston to attack defenses in various ways. Winston is a solid QB1 this weekend.
Carson Palmer (QB, ARI)
Palmer has been one of the busiest quarterbacks in the league this season, topping 44 passing attempts in four of his five games. Once David Johnson got hurt in Week 1, the Cardinals pretty much have scrapped the running game and have become one of the most pass-heavy teams in the league. The Buccaneers have set up as a funnel defense this season, stopping the run effectively but ranking just 27th in DVOA against the pass. Palmer's receiving corps is finally at full strength and ready to roll. Palmer can be used as a low-end QB1 in Week 6.
Andre Ellington (RB, ARI)
Ellington has been resurrected after several years of fantasy irrelevance. While he hasn't been great as a runner, Ellington is being used heavily as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He has caught 18 passes over the past two weeks and will face off against a Tampa Bay pass defense that is ranked 21st in DVOA against receiving backs. Ellington shapes up as a rock-solid RB2 in PPR formats and is flex-worthy in standard leagues.
DeSean Jackson (WR, TB)
Jackson had his biggest game with the Buccaneers in Week 5, hauling in 5-of-9 targets for 106 yards against the Patriots. He should be in line for a big workload again in Week 6. Tampa Bay's top wideout, Mike Evans, is in for a long afternoon as he will draw shadow coverage from stud cornerback Patrick Peterson. That leaves Jackson to run most of his routes at Arizona defensive back Justin Bethel. Bethel has not performed well this year, earning just a 44.7 player grade from Pro Football Focus. Jackson is on the radar as a solid WR3 this weekend.
Larry Fitzgerald (WR, ARI)
The ageless Fitzgerald draws a fantastic matchup against burnable Buccaneers slot corner Robert McClain. McClain is currently grading out as Pro Football Focus' 106th ranked cornerback with a 37.5 grade. It's all systems go for Fitzy in Week 6 in what should be a pass-happy affair.
Matchups We Hate:
Adrian Peterson (RB, ARI)
The Cardinals made a deal with the Saints to acquire Peterson on Monday and instantly installed him as the starter on their depth chart. While this all looks promising at first glance, the Cardinals have boasted one of the worst offensive lines in football this season, ranking 30th in adjusted line yards at Football Outsiders. Without the elite skills of David Johnson, the Cardinals can't, and don't, run the ball effectively. Peterson is a lock to disappoint fantasy owners against a Tampa Bay run defense that ranks sixth in DVOA this year.
Mike Evans (WR, TB)
Evans will draw shadow coverage from star defensive back Patrick Peterson. While Evans uses his 6'5" frame to bully opposing corners, Peterson is fast enough (4.38 40-yard dash) and big enough (6'0") to hang with Evans all over the field. Check out how other star wideouts have performed against Peterson this year: T.Y. Hilton (four catches, 49 yards, zero touchdowns), Dez Bryant (2-12-1), Pierre Garcon (4-39-0), and Alshon Jeffery (3-31-0). Those aren't even WR3 numbers. You have to downgrade Evans this week and can even consider benching him if you have another option at receiver.
Other Matchups:
Doug Martin (RB, TB) showed well in his first game back from suspension, toting the ball 13 times for 71 yards and a score. The Cardinals have been stout against the run this season but we know the Buccaneers want to run a balanced offense. Week 5 showed us that Martin is the team's clear-cut bell cow. As such, he is a volume-based RB2 this weekend. He's a better play in standard leagues as Charles Sims (RB, TB) should eat into his opportunities in the passing game. Sims, by the way, finally showed up in 2017, catching five passes in Week 5. He's a desperation flex play in PPR formats. Adam Humphries (WR, TB) has been surprisingly busy this season, drawing 25 targets through the first four weeks of the season. On pace for 100 targets this season, you could do worse at the flex position in PPR formats, especially with four teams on bye this week. At first glance, it appears Cameron Brate (TE, TB) and O.J. Howard (TE, TB) would be eating into each other's workloads, but Brate is handily out-targeting Howard, 24-9 this year. Brate would be having an even bigger season but he's dropped a few catchable balls in the end zone. The Cardinals have been very average against tight ends this season, making Brate a low-end TE1 this weekend. Howard's time will come in fantasy, but it's not going to be this year. He shouldn't be in starting lineups.
Once you get past Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinals' passing game becomes very murky. The ongoing injury struggles of John Brown (WR, ARI) make it hard to decipher how the Cardinals' pass catchers will be deployed now that he is healthy. Jaron Brown (WR, ARI) is coming off of his least productive game of the season, catching just three balls for 39 yards against the Eagles. Not surprisingly, that slow outing coincided with the return of John Brown to the lineup. John Brown, when healthy, possesses game-breaking speed and multi-touchdown, week-winning upside. John has consistently out-snapped Jaron when both are healthy. Both are nothing more than flex options this weekend with John earning a slight nod as a better play. Jermaine Gresham (TE, ARI) is far off the fantasy radar as he's drawn just 18 targets in four games.
Rams at Jaguars
Matchups We Love:
Todd Gurley (RB, LAR)
Gurley disappointed in Week 5 with just 50 scoreless yards but he also suffered from some bad luck as he had what looked to be a touchdown overturned after it was ruled he fumbled the ball off of the pylon. Shake off the slow week and lock Gurley into those starting lineups in Week 6. The Jaguars have been the textbook definition of a funnel defense this season, ranking first in DVOA against the pass and 31st against the run. Why the Steelers only ran the ball 18 times against them in Week 5 will remain a mystery. Gurley is a smash RB1 play this weekend.
Leonard Fournette (RB, JAX)
Fournette is off to a fine start in his rookie season, racking up six all-purpose touchdowns and leading the NFL with 109 rushing attempts through five games. The Rams' defense splits against the run and pass aren't as extreme as the Jaguars are but they have been much better against the pass this season. The Jaguars have shown they have no desire to pass the ball unless forced to, meaning Fournette is locked in for another heavy workload.
Matchups We Hate:
Jared Goff (QB, LAR)
Avoid playing quarterbacks against the revamped Jaguars pass defense. The Jaguars have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game in the league to opposing quarterbacks this season. Goff's improvement this season has been a nice story but this is not the week to use him.
Blake Bortles (QB, JAX)
Bortles has not been a useful fantasy option this season because the Jaguars have been successful in limiting his attempts on the back of a strong running game. Outside of a Week 3, four-touchdown explosion against the Ravens, Bortles has been waiver wire fodder in standard fantasy leagues. Hard pass.
Sammy Watkins (WR, LAR)
Watkins doesn't have much going for him this weekend. He has posted just one useful fantasy week, has to do battle against Pro Football Focus' third-ranked cornerback in Jalen Ramsey, and most likely just alienated his teammates a few days ago when he complained on Twitter about his lack of Week 5 targets. Glue him to your bench.
Robert Woods (WR, LAR)
On the positive side, Woods will likely avoid coverage from Jalen Ramsey. Of course, Jacksonville's other corner, A.J. Bouye is no slouch, either, earning an 86.6 grade from Pro Football Focus. Avoid the Rams passing game this weekend.
Marqise Lee (WR, JAX)
Lee hasn't done much over the past two weeks. It's hard to trust anyone in the Jacksonville pass game at this juncture, especially in a game that the Jags should be able to impose their will on the ground this weekend.
Other Matchups:
Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) has been the Rams' most productive wideout this season, hauling in 17 passes for 230 yards and two scores. While the Los Angeles outside receivers have tough matchups, Kupp draws a much friendlier matchup against Jacksonville slot corner Aaron Colvin. If anyone in the Rams' passing game is going to be fantasy viable this weekend, it's Kupp. Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR) had the best game of his young career in Week 5, hauling in four passes for 98 yards. Jacksonville has been most vulnerable against the tight end position this season, allowing the 10th-most fantasy points per game. Higbee hasn't shown enough consistency to trust as a TE1 but he's on the radar as a deep streamer if you're desperate.
Allen Hurns (WR, JAX) draws the best matchup of the Jacksonville receiving corps as he will run the majority of his routes against Rams defensive back Trumaine Johnson. Johnson has struggled in coverage this season, earning just a 49.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. That being said, don't expect Hurns to see more than 5-6 targets this weekend. You should be able to do much better in your flex spot this weekend. Marcedes Lewis (TE, JAX) predictably returned to earth after a three-touchdown performance against Baltimore in Week 3. Since he demolished the Ravens, he has caught 1-of-6 targets for 14 yards in two games.
Steelers at Chiefs
Matchups We Love:
Le'Veon Bell (RB, PIT)
Bell is an RB1 whenever he takes the field, despite some questionable usage this past weekend. The Chiefs have evolved into an explosive offense this season but their run defense remains an issue, just as it was last season. Bell offers as much of a weekly floor as any running back in the league and has week-winning upside if he gets a reasonable workload this weekend. Lock him in as a shoo-in RB1 starter.
Kareem Hunt (RB, KC)
Hunt has reached 100 yards in three straight games and four of his five games played this season. He's been one of the best fantasy running backs in the league this season and Pittsburgh's run defense has been just average against opposing running backs this season. The Chiefs boast one of the league's top run-blocking offensive lines and Hunt's been an elite performer up until this point. Hunt is an every-week RB1.
Antonio Brown (WR, PIT)
Brown is the best wide receiver in the league and is a must-start whenever he takes the field. Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters has been an above-average performer this season but Brown is as matchup-proof as it gets. The Chiefs also showed vulnerability against the Texans last week, allowing five passing touchdowns, including three to Houston WR1 DeAndre Hopkins.
Matchups We Hate:
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)
Roethlisberger is coming off one of the worst games of his career, tossing five interceptions in a home game against the Jaguars in Week 5. Now he goes on the road to take on the Chiefs' 14th-ranked pass defense. Kansas City is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the position this season but Roethlisberger is going to have to prove his fantasy worth on the bench before he can be trusted in lineups going forward. He's a middling QB2 for Week 6.
Martavis Bryant (WR, PIT)
Bryant is in a situation similar to that of Ben Roethlisberger. Much like his veteran quarterback, Bryant has been struggling for most of the 2017 season and has had better career splits at home. The Chiefs don't pose an especially forbidding matchup for him, but he's going to need to show more consistency to be start-worthy. Consider him a boom/bust WR4 who is much more likely to bust in Week 6.
Other Matchups:
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT) has overtaken Eli Rogers (WR, PIT) as the team's starting slot receiver. He has seen a steady stream of targets, averaging five per game over his past four contests. The Chiefs have been beaten soundly by opposing slot receivers, with slot corner Phillip Gaines posting just a 36.5 player grade at Pro Football Focus. JuJu isn't a must-start but he's okay as a flex in deeper leagues if you're in a pinch. Jesse James (TE, PIT) and Vance McDonald (TE, PIT) have been splitting snaps but James is dominating McDonald in targets, 25-4. Neither are particularly useful as fantasy options. James is a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE2 while McDonald should be nowhere near fantasy lineups.
Alex Smith (QB, KC) has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises this season, ranking as the No. 2 overall point scorer among fantasy quarterbacks and leading one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. He provides a solid floor with his rushing ability, but the Steelers have been excellent against the pass this season, ranking third in DVOA and allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. In addition, the Chiefs' pass protection has been shoddy this season, with Kansas City allowing 18 sacks and posting a 9.8% adjusted sack rate. Smith has been awesome, which keeps him in the QB1 conversation, but he's more on the low-end of that spectrum this week. Tyreke Hill (WR, KC) draws a tough matchup against a stingy Steelers pass defense, but he can't be listed as a "hate" because he isn't used as a traditional wide receiver. Hill should see a few rushing attempts in this game and can take any ball he touches to the house at any time. He's a solid WR3 for this week. Travis Kelce (TE, KC) is looking unlikely to play this week after sustaining a concussion against the Texans in Week 5. He didn't practice on Wednesday and still has to pass the concussion protocol. Demetrius Harris (TE, KC) would be his backup but he's not a fantasy option. Kelce owners should be making alternate plans at the position.
Chargers at Raiders
Matchups We Love:
Philip Rivers (QB, LAC)
Rivers continues to see a heavy workload, topping 38 pass attempts in all but one of his games played this season. He draws a fantastic matchup against a weak Oakland pass defense which is ranked 30th in the league in DVOA. While Rivers doesn't have a huge ceiling, he provides a steady floor and can be trusted as a low-end QB1 in a great matchup.
Melvin Gordon (RB, LAC)
Gordon finally broke out in Week 5, scoring twice against the Giants and topping 100 yards for the first time this season. He has a good chance to stay hot in Week 6 against a Raiders run defense that is ranked just 19th in DVOA and 32nd against running backs in the receiving game. Gordon's work in the passing game gives him a high floor and he has as much touchdown upside as any running back in the league.
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)
Allen continues to be one of the most targeted receivers in the game. Allen has 55 targets, good for third in the league and is tied for fourth with nine red zone targets. That kind of opportunity share is bankable in fantasy. His matchup against Raiders' slot corner T.J. Carrie isn't especially advantageous for him but it's nothing to be concerned over, either. Trust Allen as a low-end WR1 in Week 6.
Matchups We Hate:
Derek Carr (QB, OAK)
Carr is tending toward playing through some broken bones in his back. That really should be all you need to know when trying to decide whether to start him in fantasy. He hasn't played particularly well since Week 2 and his only two useful fantasy outings have been against the swiss cheese pass defenses of the Titans and the Jets. Carr is in prove it territory before he can be trusted in one-quarterback leagues.
Amari Cooper (WR, OAK)
Cooper's 2017 season has been bizarre to say the least. Over the past three weeks, Cooper has just four catches for 23 yards and no scores. He's way too talented to stay down for long but he's hard to trust short term. The likely return of Derek Carr will help but Cooper is expected to see plenty of Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams, both of whom have been excellent cover corners this season. Cooper is in the same boat as Carr, he's going to need to prove it on the bench before he can be trusted in starting lineups.
Other Matchups:
Tyrell Williams (WR, LAC) has had one big game, two marginal ones, and two terrible games from a fantasy perspective. He continues to take a back seat to Keenan Allen in the passing game. He isn't seeing enough opportunities to be a safe fantasy play and could have to contend with the possible debut of first-round draft choice Mike Williams (WR, LAC). Williams should remain on benches until we see how he will be used in the passing game. Antonio Gates (TE, LAC) and Hunter Henry (TE, LAC) continue to eat into each other's opportunities. Oakland has been very average against tight ends and one of them is a good weekly bet to score but guessing who it will be is the issue. Henry is a high-end TE2 while Gates is more of a low-end option.
Marshawn Lynch (RB, OAK) hasn't shown much of a ceiling this season with his best fantasy performance being just 43 rushing yards and a touchdown last week. He hasn't been able to get much going on the ground as Oakland's heralded offensive line hasn't performed as expected, to date. The Chargers' run defense ranks just 26th in DVOA, which theoretically gives Lynch a shot at a big game but his performance so far keeps him from being a "love" this week. He's an RB2 this weekend. Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK) is as good a weekly bet to score a touchdown as anyone but Pro Football Focus expects stud corner Casey Hayward to shadow him. If you have Crabtree, you are starting him, but temper expectations in Week 6. Jared Cook (TE, OAK) has been a pleasant surprise this year but he's nothing more than a streaming option with a less than 100% Derek Carr under center.
NFL Week 6 Matchups - Sunday Night Football
Giants at Broncos
Matchups We Love:
C.J. Anderson (DEN, RB)
Anderson draws a fine matchup against a Giants run defense that Melvin Gordon just ripped for 163 all-purpose yards and two scores. Anderson has reached at least 81 yards in three of his four games this season while also catching at least two passes in three games. New York's run defense ranks just 28th in DVOA this season and the Broncos are massive 13-point home favorites in this game. Usually running backs on home favored teams perform well. Anderson is a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 this week.
Matchups We Hate:
Eli Manning (QB, NYG)
Poor Eli will square off on the road against a dominant Denver secondary without the services of Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall. This game is going to be ugly for the Giants. He's a desperation QB2 in two-quarterback formats.
Orleans Darkwa (RB, NYG)
Darkwa had a big game in Week 5 against the Chargers but the Broncos rank first overall in run defense DVOA. Darkwa, Wayne Gallman, and Shane Vereen have combined to form a three-man committee in New York's backfield. Avoid all three.
Wayne Gallman (RB, NYG)
See Orleans Darkwa above. No thanks.
Roger Lewis (WR, NYG)
Lewis was a popular waiver add this week as he is positioned to become New York's No. 1 wide receiver following all the injuries. While he is a fine prospect as a receiver, this is not the week to use your new waiver acquisition. He will likely run most of his routes at all-world cornerback Aqib Talib.
Demaryius Thomas (WR, DEN)
Thomas has taken a back seat to Emmanuel Sanders in the passing game. To make matters worse, he's expected to run most of his routes against star defensive back Janoris Jenkins. Even with the Giants in disarray, Thomas is not in a good spot this week. Downgrade him to a WR3.
Other Matchups:
Jamaal Charles (RB, DEN) is playing second fiddle to C.J. Anderson but he is averaging 5.3 yards per carry when he gets the ball and can still break long runs. He's a low-end flex play due to workload concerns. Emmanuel Sanders (WR, DEN) should avoid shutdown corner Janoris Jenkins on the majority of his routes and will instead contend with burnable second-year defender Eli Apple. This is a nice matchup for Sanders but the Broncos probably won't need to throw very often to dispose of the Giants this week. Sanders is a low-end WR2/high-end WR3. A.J. Derby (TE, DEN) had a big game in Week 4 against the Raiders, catching four passes for 75 yards and a score, but he had done nothing in his three previous games this year. He's off the radar.
Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG) missed practice on Wednesday and is looking doubtful this weekend. Even if he plays, he's an avoid against Denver's elite secondary. Evan Engram (TE, NYG) didn't perform in what looked like a favorable matchup in Week 5. He should become one of Eli Manning's top targets with all the injuries to the New York receiving corps.
