We are about one-third of the way through the fantasy football season. Entering Week 6–we have a great opportunity to evaluate our teams and pull together for a playoff run. Much like the NFL, fantasy football is a weekly contest. Whether your team is 5-0, 0-5, or anywhere in between your focus needs to be on this week alone. That’s this article’s one and only focus.
Here are 10 tips you should know heading into Week 6:
1. Bye Weeks are Here
As if we don’t have enough injuries to deal with now bye weeks will be a weekly occurrence. This week the 49ers, Falcons, Saints, and Jets have the week off. Ugh, just when Falcons’ TE Kyle Pitts was starting to break out. But hey, maybe the 49ers can get healthy during the bye–yeah, right.
So I know I said that we need to focus on Week 6 in the opening but now is also a good time to start planning for Week 7 byes. It is easier to pick up a player that you need on waivers the week before you actually need them. So just a reminder that the Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Chargers, Vikings, and Steelers all have Week 7 byes. Plan accordingly.
2. Najee Harris RB1 Incoming
Steelers’ RB Najee Harris has been tearing it up the past four weeks. He is currently on pace for over 1,000 rushing yards and an outstanding 133 targets in the passing game.
This week Najee goes up against the soft Seahawks’ defense which ranks second-worst in the league in rushing yards allowed per game. Expect a huge week from the rookie running back as the Steelers lost WR JuJu Smith-Schuster for the season. This should increase Najee’s involvement in the Steelers’ limited passing attack.
3. Another Big Week for Leonard Fournette
Buccaneers’ RB Leonard Fournette has emerged as the top back in Tampa’s rotation. Last week he totaled over 100 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins.
This week, “playoff Lenny” faces an Eagles defense that ranks bottom-five in rushing yards allowed. Philadelphia also ranks top five in passing yards allowed. I wouldn’t expect Tampa to abandon taking shots down the field by any means. Fournette should be heavily involved regardless.
4. Emmanuel Sanders a Viable WR2
Bills’ WR Emmanuel Sanders has had three consecutive impressive performances to establish himself as the team’s No. 2 wideout. Through five weeks he has actually outscored teammate Stefon Diggs.
He and QB Josh Allen have been on the same page and I am confident starting him as a WR2 this week against Tennesee. The Titans’ defense has been weak thus far allowing 265 passing yards per game.
5. Herbert Fully Loaded
Last week I suggested that we should temper expectations for Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert against the Browns defense. Boy was I wrong. All Herbert did was throw for 398 yards and four touchdowns while adding another TD on the ground.
You don’t need me to tell you that Herbert is a must-start moving forward but I will anyway. This week he plays against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in what is obviously going to be a shoot-out. Baltimore ranks bottom-five in passing yards allowed. Start Herbert, WRs Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, and RB Austin Ekeler with supreme confidence.
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6. Jags-Dolphins Play in London
Another week, another lousy game across the pond. Last week the Falcons and Jets played in London and Kyle Pitts stole the show. This week they will feature the Jaguars and the Dolphins. The game will start at 9:30 AM ET so set your lineups accordingly.
The only players I would consider starting in this one are Dolphins RB Myles Gaskin and TE Mike Gesicki as well as Jaguars RB James Robinson.
7. Big Day for the Browns
Browns’ RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have both had tremendous starts to the 2021 season. Both are currently RB1s in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.
Expect this trend to continue as Cleveland goes up against a Cardinals’ defense that ranks bottom-five in the NFL in rushing yards allowed. Start Chubb and Hunt with confidence.
8. Another QB1 Finish for Jalen Hurts
Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts has finished as a QB1 in four out of five games. This week the Eagles draw the Buccaneers which appear to have a solid defense at first glance. However, Tampa actually ranks dead last in the league in passing yards allowed.
Hurts has been too good to bench. Philadelphia will likely find themselves coming from behind in this one which result in a ton of opportunities for Hurts to tack on fantasy points.
9. Matchup of the Week
The best matchup from a fantasy football standpoint has got to be Ravens-Chargers. This game should be an absolute offensive shoot-out not unlike what we saw last week from Browns-Chargers. Sit back and enjoy.
10. Defense to Stream
The Steelers defense has gotten off to a slow start but they should be able to turn things around this week against the Russell Wilson-less Seahawks. Backup QB Geno Smith gets the start which should make piling up sacks and turnovers a much easier task for Pittsburgh.
If you enjoyed this article, then you’re in luck! Be on the lookout for weekly installments of “10 tips to know” throughout the season. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @jaltorfer1. Any and all feedback is welcome.
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