Fantasy Football Week Six: Start ’em, Sit ’em

Wake up everyone, it’s me again.

Week Five dealt out another hand of injuries, most notably Rashaad Penny fractured his tibia and will miss the rest of the season, Chris Olave and Teddy Bridgewater are in concussion protocol, and Baker Mayfield is expected to miss 2-6 weeks with a foot injury.

Week Six yields another good-looking Sunday slate, as we have Allen vs. Mahomes round three, the G-Men looking to really prove themselves against the Ravens, and undefeated Jalen Hurts vs. undefeated Cooper Rush in Philadelphia. So who should you start? I did pretty well last week, so I’m feeling good.

Ian’s Record: 26-12

Start ’em

Kareem Hunt (RB, Browns) vs. Patriots

With byes starting this week, Kareem Hunt should be the first player coming off your bench to replace a RB2 or a flex.

Although paired with arguably the best running back in the league, the snap share between the two is too much to disregard Hunt’s fantasy relevance. Although acting more as the team’s closer in the 4th quarter, you should look for Hunt to start taking reps more consistently throughout the game.

The Patriots’ run defense has been mediocre, so the narrative of Hunt producing RB2 numbers while attached to Nick Chubb should stay the same this week.

Raheem Mostert (RB, Dolphins) vs. Vikings

While the Dolphins’ run game has been unexpectedly shaky so far, Mostert looked like a starting-caliber running back against the Jets last week. He had a season-high 18 carries for 113 yards and a score with rookie QB Skylar Thompson under center.

With Thompson trending towards making his first career start this week, you should expect Mostert to carry a similar workload as Chase Edmonds continues to phase out.

Mike Evans (WR, Buccaneers) vs. Steelers

The Bucs are overdue for a whomping win.

Through five weeks Tom Brady has not been having a Tom Brady season, although he’s somewhat found his footing these past couple weeks. Granted, being without his top three wide receivers here and there so far hasn’t helped. Julio Jones hasn’t been able to remain healthy since he landed in Tampa, and Chris Godwin missed weeks 2 and 3 with a hamstring issue.

Going to Pittsburgh this Sunday, I’m expecting a revitalizing performance from Tom Brady which will rub off on all his receivers, but especially Mike Evans. The T.J. Watt-less Steelers defense has been atrocious and currently ranks 31st in passing yards allowed.

George Kittle (TE, 49ers) vs. Falcons

With the Bucs overdue for a whomping win, George Kittle is WAY overdue for a breakout game.

After battling a groin injury for the first two weeks of the season, Kittle has seen the field each of the last three weeks and the production just hasn’t been there. The team doesn’t seem worried about it however, as they feel he’s still just returning from his injury.

I still see Kittle as one of the league’s top tight ends. All it takes is one spark to really get him going, and I’m banking on it being this week against a Falcon defense that’s been giving up a lot of receptions to tight ends recently.

He’s also starting in my fantasy lineup, so I’m hoping there’s some magic in me writing about how you should start him.

Sit ’em

Russell Wilson (QB, Broncos) vs. Chargers

Following their TNF loss to the Colts, Wilson let out the saddest “Let’s Ride” to date.

The Broncos haven’t been nearly the rejuvenated team everyone thought they’d be with Wilson under center. Through five weeks he’s only thrown four touchdowns, and the entire team only has six on the year.

Don’t expect anything to change on the road against the Chargers, rather expect this to be another primetime disappointment.

Devin Singletary (RB, Bills) vs. Chiefs

Since his nine-catch game against the Dolphins, Singletary unfortunately hasn’t been seeing the volume necessary in what’s been a pass-heavy offense in Buffalo. Four of the five games this season he’s seen less than 10 carries and has yet to exceed 50 rushing yards.

The Bills are currently averaging 41.2 pass attempts per game, fifth in the league. If you’re like me you’ll be expecting more of the same in what should be a high-scoring shootout in Kansas City. 

Singletary may enter borderline flex range with pass-catching, but I don’t see the Chiefs containing Stefon Diggs to that extent.

Romeo Doubs (WR, Packers) vs. Jets

While Doubs is promising and will probably become an impact player soon, right now Allen Lazard seems to be Aaron Rodgers’ favored target. Lazard has seen steady production each of the last three weeks, as he’s proved so far to be the one that can score touchdowns plus a little more.

Doubs’ inexperience may prove fatal this week against a sneaky-good Jets secondary, I see the Sauce Flu hitting him harder than Lazard.

Any Falcons RB vs. 49ers

I wouldn’t advise Cordarelle Patterson against the 49ers, and I definitely don’t advise any Falcons running back not named Cordarelle Patterson against the 49ers.

Tyler Allgeier has been the one filling Patterson’s shoes, and he’s been doing an adequate job. He averaged 8.4 yards on 10 carries in week 4 after Patterson left the game and was given the ball 13 times last week.

Caleb Huntley and Avery Williams have rounded out the community, but Allgeier has been the feature of the backfield. However, a fifth-round rookie running back going up against the number one defense in rushing yards allowed? Pass.