ZB’s Start’ Em, Sit’ Em Week 6 & TNF Preview

By ZachBrook@Zbrook Oct 11, 2018, 12:00pm EDT

QB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 6:

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers:

Matchup: vs. 49ers

Week 5 Stats: 442 Passing YDS, 3 Passing TD, 2 Fumbles, 28.7 PTS

Despite a poor outcome on the scoreboard as a result of missed field goals and an extra point attempt, A-Rob did everything in his power to propel his squad to victory last week in the Motor City. He told the media after the game that he was dealing with a little bit of new soreness but he should be ready to go on Monday Night football against San Fran. Hopefully he gets Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb back, if not, I'm expecting another big game for Davante Adams and Jimmy Graham.

QB I like in Week 6:

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers:

Matchup: @ Redskins

Week 5 Stats: 237 Passing YDS, 2 Passing TD, 2 INT, 29 Rushing YDS, 16.4 PTS

When Cam Newton arrives in the nation’s capital this weekend, the Redskins’ defense will get a shiver down their spine. After getting ravaged by the Saints on Monday Night Football, it appears Jay Gruden is losing the locker room and the entire organization is in disarray. Look for Newton to take advantage of the ‘Skins woes and have a terrific performance, especially with his favorite target, Greg Olsen, back in the mix.

QB I am hesitant about in Week 6:

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns:

Matchup: vs. Chargers

Week 5 Stats: 342 Passing YDS, 1 Passing TD, 1 INT, 23 Rushing YDS, 18 PTS

After this weekend, I love Baker Mayfield’s next four matchups - Tampa, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Atlanta. But this week is against the Chargers, even without Joey Bosa, their defense has still been better than most. I may roll the dice on the Heisman trophy winner with the lack of solid options on the waiver wire after seeing him pick apart the Ravens in the victory last Sunday, but I’m not expecting anything out of the ordinary.

QB that I am avoiding in Week 6:

Alex Smith, Washington Redskins:

Matchup: vs. Panthers

Week 5 Stats: 275 Passing YDS, 1 INT, 1 Fumble, 7 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 13.7 PTS

What can I say. I wasn't mad at the performance by the Redskins’ offense on Monday Night Football, because I have been become so accustomed to them constantly letting me down. The play calling is horrific, their schemes are more than predictable, and they don't utilize their weapons to the best of their abilities. Alex Smith hasn't shown me anything so far that I didn't see from Kirk Cousins over the past couple years, and boy have I been critical of the latter. They made the Saints’ defense look like the ‘85 Bears. A real defense is rolling into FedEx Field this weekend, and they are going to terrorize the former number one pick.

Washington Redskins v New Orleans Saints

RB that needs to be in your lineup in Week 6:

James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers:

Matchup: @ Bengals

Week 5 Stats: 110 Rushing YDS, 2 Rushing TD, 4 Receptions, 75 Receiving YDS, 34.5 PTS

After the reports that Le’Veon Bell will be returning after the bye week, this gives James Conner one more platform to try and keep and keep a major role in this dynamic offense. Personally I’m hoping that Bell doesn't return. For one reason, I have Conner and I love what he’s been doing for me. He’s a reliable RB1 and that offense is a juggernaut. But aside from the fantasy perspective, I honestly cannot foresee Bell returning to Pittsburgh after the bye week. He saw up close and in person what can happen to a star player who gets on the field with no long-term contract guarantee after seeing Seahawks’ standout free safety Earl Thomas break his leg just weeks ago, and if Bell is true to his word about wanting financial stability, he needs to request a trade, or continue to sit out.

RB I like in Week 6:

Sony Michel, New England Patriots:

Matchup: vs. Chiefs

Week 5 Stats: 98 Rushing YDS, 1 Rushing TD, 1 Reception, 12 Receiving YDS, 18 PTS

The Patriots wideouts have been a disaster so far in 2018, Chris Hogan has been a bust in PPR, Julian Edelman missed four games, Josh Gordon is slowly getting acclimated to the new offense, and Rob Gronkowski has only put up two good outings. The running backs on the other hand, have been stellar. James White has been as good as any running back in the NFL on the receiving end, and first round pick Sony Michel has been the talk of New England as one of the potential steals of the draft. The two-headed monster up in Foxboro should wreak havoc on the Chiefs defense on Sunday Night Football.

Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots

RB I am hesitant about in Week 6:

David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals:

Matchup: vs. Vikings

Week 5 Stats: 55 Rushing YDS, 2 Rushing TD, 2 Receptions, 16 Receiving YDS, 21.1 PTS

Albeit a major disappointment in 2018 for all fantasy owners that most likely selected him within the top five picks this year, he has slowly but surely been regaining trust. The offense is a mess, and Johnson is the only semi-reliable contributor. A tough matchup this weekend agains the stout Vikings defense should provide some cause for concern, but you will still be starting him.

RB that I am avoiding in Week 6:

Dion Lewis, Tennessee Titans:

Matchup: vs. Ravens

Week 5 Stats: 34 Rushing YDS, 3 Receptions, 14 Receiving YDS, 5.8 PTS

Dion Lewis has only reached the double digit point threshold twice this season in his first five contests. The Titans offense has been absolutely abysmal, and they somehow managed to lose their contest last week to Buffalo. With a matchup this weekend against a surreal Ravens defensive unit, I’m not rolling the dice on Lewis. He has been a major disappointment.

WR that needs to be in your lineup in Week 6:

Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams:

Matchup: @ Broncos

Week 5 Stats: 5 Receptions, 92 Receiving YDS, 53 Rushing YDS, 19.5 PTS

As of Wednesday evening, Robert Woods is the only Rams starting wide receiver not in concussion protocol. If Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks are unable to suit up against Denver, Robert Woods becomes a top-10 wideout in PPR.

WR I like in Week 6:

Keke Coutee, Houston Texans:

Matchup: vs. Bills

Week 5 Stats: 6 Receptions, 51 YDS, TD, 17.3 PTS

The Bills head into NRG Stadium on Sunday for a matchup with a stellar Texans’ receiving corp that features DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller IV and rookie standout Keke Coutee. With Tre’Davious White most likely shadowing Hopkins, this matchup sets up a potent opportunity for the first-year receiver from Texas Tech.

WR I am hesitant about in Week 5:

Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles:

Matchup: @ Giants

Week 5 Stats: 2 Receptions, 39 YDS, 5.9 PTS

After exploding back onto the scene in Week 4, Alshon Jeffery showed his rust last week against the Vikings while being exclusively shadowed by Xavier Rhodes. This week he has a bit of an easier matchup with Janoris Jenkins. He’s still a low-end WR2/flex in my book this weekend, but expectations are definitely lessened.

WR that I am avoiding in Week 6:

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers:

Matchup: @ Browns

Week 5 Stats: 8 Receptions, 90 YDS, 17.5 PTS

It’s been an up-and-down season for Keenan Allen. With a matchup against rookie standout Denzel Ward on Sunday, I’m expecting a heavy run-oriented offense and minimal targets on the outside for the Chargers’ star wideout. He’s currently ranked WR25, and this week I’m extremely cautious about his output.

TE that needs to be in your lineup in Week 6:

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Matchup: @ Falcons

With the injury to O.J. Howard and the slotting of Jameis Winston back in the pocket, combined with the lack of reliable options league-wide at tight end, I’m expecting a great outing from Harvard alumnus Cameron Brate, who has finished in the top ten at the position for the past two seasons with Winston under center.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TE I like in Week 6:

Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts:

Matchup: @ Jets

Week 5 Stats: 9 Receptions, 105 YDS, 2 TD, 31.5 PTS

If you took my advice last week and started Eric Ebron against New England, you are very welcome. This week the former first round pick will again be Andrew Luck’s top target as both Jack Doyle and T.Y. Hilton are expected to be inactive yet again.

TE I am hesitant about in Week 6:

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers:

Matchup: @ Redskins

Greg Olsen is scheduled to make his return to the Carolina offense this weekend in D.C. after deciding not to undergo foot surgery after a setback in the season opener. The Redskins defense is a mess and could set up a big day for Olsen as he sheds some rust, but their is a major possibility of a setback if he pivots his foot in the wrong direction or gets hit the wrong way that would absolutely end his afternoon and potentially his season. Be very cautious. He needs to rostered in all leagues as a trade chip and a potential starter for the back-end of the season as well as a bye week fill-in, but I’m still very nervous about him returning to the action.

TE that I am avoiding in Week 6:

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins:

Matchup: vs. Panthers

Week 5 Stats: 1 Reception, 21 YDS, 3.1 PTS

Jordan Reed no-longer seems to be the focal point of Jay Gruden’s aerial attack. On Monday Night Football against the Saints, it almost appears that the Redskins’ top brass would rather keep Reed healthy and unused on the turf over being a major factor and constantly missing time with his low durability. Unless there are rapid changes to the schemes, all players on the Redskins offense will be completely useless in PPR.

Thursday Night Football Starts & Sits: Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) vs. New York Giants (1-4)

Eagles:

Carson Wentz: Start

Corey Clement: Flex

Wendell Smallwood: Flex

Alshon Jeffery: Flex

Nelson Agholor: Sit

Zach Ertz: Start

Eagles D/ST: Start

Jake Elliott: Sit

Giants:

Eli Manning: Sit

Saquon Barkley: Start

Odell Beckham Jr.: Start

Sterling Shepard: Flex

Rhett Ellison: Sit

Giants D/ST: Start

Aldrick Rosas: Sit