Best/Worst Matchups - Week 6

These injuries keep getting worse and worse on fantasy lineups. The latest big names involve Omarion Hampton and Brenton Strange going on injured reserve. I've already lost count as to how many season-ending injuries we've had this year and there's plenty of guys that have lingering issues that make them game-time decisions.

We need to stay vigilant! There's no giving up; we're still only five weeks in and plenty of season left to turn things around. Keep on that waiver wire each week and pick out those matchups that offer plenty of upside. The Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets and Chicago Bears are just a few matchups that have provided juicy matchups on all levels in each week of this season so far. Perhaps we will see a few of these below... Continue reading and find out!

QUARTERBACKS

START Sam Darnold vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Color me surprised but Darnold has looked the part of a steady QB in the NFL. I thought for sure he would revert back to the Darnold years of old where he was seeing ghosts but here he is nearly replicating his solid season in Minnesota where he currently sits as the QB14 on the season where he finished as QB10 in Week 3 and as QB2(!) last week against the Buccaneers. He threw for 341 yards and 4 touchdowns. This is the type of production you should see from a former 3rd overall pick. This week, he gets the Jaguars who let Patrick Mahomes finish as QB4 last week and have allowed the 10th most points per game to opposing QBs this season. While Darnold is leading the Seahawks offense, you can actually feel comfortable starting him at the moment.

Honorable Mention: Matthew Stafford vs BAL, Bo Nix vs NYJ

SIT Daniel Jones vs Arizona Cardinals

Indianapolis Jones had a fantastic start to the season where he was a darling for fantasy football. Now that the season has worn on a bit, his luster as worn a bit. He's been very mediocre for a Colts team that has been relying heavily on Jonathan Taylor to carry the load. Jones draws the Cardinals this week who have allowed the 5th least number of points to opposing QBs this season and this matchup has slugfest written all over it. The Cardinals defense has been pretty sturdy while their offense is heavily banged up. This won't be high-scoring and you should not be playing Jones this week.

Honorable Mention: Justin Fields vs DEN, Kyler Murray vs IND

RUNNING BACKS

START Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Chicago Bears

Now THAT is the game we needed to see from him. 150 total yards, 2 touchdowns, nearly 50% snap share (and likely to go up after that performance) was the breakout game that people needed to see in JCM to trust him for the rest of the season. He's really been surprisingly efficient on the ground this season with 6.6 YPC so far which is better than any RB with over 40 carries this season. He gets the Chicago Bears this week in a JUICY matchup. While teams look to scheme against Jayden Daniels, Bill will gash them on the ground when they least expect it.

Honorable Mention: Rico Dowdle vs DAL, Hassan Haskins vs MIA

SIT Chase Brown vs Green Bay Packers

Things have gone horribly wrong for Chase Brown. A stellar sophomore season last year has turned into a nightmare for owners who invested in him early this season. He's only sitting at RB32 this season so far and the end in sight doesn't come until the fantasy playoffs. This week he gets the stout Packers defense who allow the 4th least points to opposing RBs this season. The game script will lean away from the run once again leaving Brown as an afterthought. Leave him on your bench until the playoffs.

Honorable Mention: Jaylen Warren vs CLE, Alvin Kamara vs NE

WIDE RECEIVERS

START Xavier Worthy vs Detroit Lions

Rashee Rice returns next week following his 6-game suspension to start the season. This is Worthy's last chance to really put up video game numbers before his workload shrinks a bit. The Chiefs host the Lions this week where they are down several key defensive backs and allow the 6th most points to opposing WRs this season. It really looks like the last must-start game for Worthy but it realistically could continue beyond this. I'm just saying that this one could really be huge for him.

Honorable Mention: Tre Tucker vs TEN, Rashid Shaheed vs NE

SIT Terry McLaurin vs Chicago Bears

Now this sounds counter-intuitive based on what I've said about the Chicago Bears but hear me out... This season has been "scary" in another way than what he's been on the field in previous seasons. This season, it's actually looking scary in the stat columns, like Halloween scary for those who invested in him early. He hasn't played the last two weeks but even before that his numbers have been dismal. Only 17 targets in the first 3 games. It seems as if Deebo Samuel (current WR7 in fantasy) has clearly taken over the WR1 role for Washington. At this moment in time, I am not comfortable in starting McLaurin until he gets fully healthy and reasserts himself into this offense. Despite the decent matchup, I believe the run game has held up and will carry this game.

Honorable Mention: Khalil Shakir vs ATL, Tee Higgins vs GB

TIGHT ENDS

START Juwan Johnson vs New England Patriots

Let me be clear: I am not a fan of the Saints or their fantasy options. However, Juwan Johnson has managed to stay healthy and provide us with a definitive "matchup exploiter". Johnson, over the first three weeks was among the top 3 TE's in PPR points. He was able to put up major points and finish as a Top 10 TE in each of those weeks. He did that against Arizona, San Francisco and Seattle who have been somewhat susceptible to opposing TE's this season. The past two weeks he went up against Buffalo and the NY Giants who have been among the best at stopping the opposing TE's. Johnson seems to thrive in the juicy matchups this season. For that reason, he's my play of the week against the Patriots who have allowed the 7th most points to opposing TE's. Johnson only trails Chris Olave in total targets this season and continues to look the part of the 2nd option for Spencer Rattler who continues to throw the ball while playing from behind often.

Honorable Mention: Hunter Henry vs NO, Harold Fannin Jr vs PIT

SIT Sam LaPorta vs Kansas City Chiefs

LaPorta put up easily his best week of the season last week against the Bengals where he found the end zone with his 92 yards receiving and finishing as TE4. However, I urge you to look back at the 3 consecutive duds he put up from Weeks 2-4. Yuck. And a few of those were decent matchups on paper, too. This week, LaPorta and the Lions go to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. The Chiefs continue to be a TE's worst nightmare and surrender on average 5.10 points per game (3rd least). LaPorta averaged 6.6 PPR points in that 3 game stretch previously mentioned. You may not have a ton of other great options but this one is likely to be a downer for you if you start him.

Honorable Mention: Darren Waller vs LAC, Dalton Kincaid vs ATL

#DRock313