Thanks for checking out Belly Up Start Em, Sit Em: Week 6! This is our first full week of byes: The Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks are all missing from this week’s docket. Let’s dig for some guys that have favorable matchups to keep your team on track. We’re hitting mid-fantasy season and bye weeks are when the standings start to show separation. Here are the guys I am plugging into my lineups this week.
Start Em: QBs
Matthew Stafford @ JAX
I’m sure you’re not that excited to start Matthew Stafford on your fantasy team, but hear me out. The Jaguars have allowed 300+ yards passing in three out of their five games this season. The other two games? Tannehill went off for 4 TDs, and Fitzmagic completed 18/20 passes. Stafford finally got his number one WR back healthy and on the field last week, and has multiple TD passes in three straight games. The former Georgia Bulldog is in a fantastic spot to torch the Jaguars, who have allowed nearly nine yards per passing attempt, and over 75 percent completions to opposing QBs. If you’re QB needy in Week 6, stream Matthew Stafford with confidence.
Ben Roethlisberger vs CLE
Big Ben is completing a career-high 69.9 percent of his passes and is surrounded with receiving weapons of all sorts. The Steelers will be missing target leading WR Diontae Johnson again, whose absence has allowed the emergence of yet another weapon, rookie WR Chase Claypool, who leads the team in yards and TDs. Roethlisberger is facing a Cleveland pass defense that has allowed the most first downs, second-most passing TDs, and third-most yards through the air. The Steelers defense has been vulnerable through the air as well, so I expect there to be fireworks. You want to be starting Ben Roethlisberger with legitimate shoot-out potential in this one.
Belly Up Start Em Sit Em Week 6: Start Em RBs
James Robinson vs DET
James Robinson comes into the week being 1 of 12 RBs with 70 or more carries, sixth among RBs in receptions, and third in receiving yards. Although Robinson only has three TDs on the year, he has scored double-digit fantasy points in each game, and the TDs are coming. This week he gets the opportunity to slaughter the league’s worst fantasy defense against RBs in the Detroit Lions. The Lions have allowed six TDs to the RB position over their last three contests, and are allowing over five yards per tote this season. Robinson hasn’t had that true breakout performance yet, this is the week!
David Montgomery @ CAR
David Montgomery had a career-high eight targets and six receptions last week in a thrilling win over the Buccaneers. In Week 4, Montgomery had six targets as well, giving me the impression he will finally be utilized the way he was intended to be used on draft day. The Panthers render almost every RB a must-start, and with the volume Montgomery receives, this is a no-brainer. Although he has averaged a mere 2.8 YPC over his last two games, I am expecting the Bears RB to redeem himself. The Panthers have allowed 8 rushing TDs and 5.4 yards per carry this year. This could be the signature game for the developing second-year pro.
Start Em: WRs
Hollywood Brown @ PHI
Brown finally looked like the WR you drafted him to be last week against the Bengals. Hollywood has six or more targets in each game this year and was peppered with 10 just last week. That was only his second career game with double-digit targets. The Ravens have also increased his snaps, playing 75+ percent of offensive snaps in the last two weeks. The Eagles secondary has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs, and the Ravens are craving the big play. Have Hollywood in your lineups this week, he could reach paydirt more than once visiting the Eagles.
Laviska Shenault vs DET
Shenault has become a more prominent piece of the Jaguars passing attack each week. With Chark nursing an ankle, I expect the former Colorado Buffalo to take full advantage of the Lions defense. Detroit has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs, and Shenault could easily see double-digit targets. This game should yield points. Shenault should yield fantasy points. Plug him in against the Lions!
Start Em: TEs
Eric Ebron vs CLE
Ebron has five or more targets in each of the last three games, and five receptions in the last two. With the Steelers hosting the Browns defense that has allowed the eighth-most points to TEs this season, Ebron is a great streaming option this week. With his targets on the rise, his efficiency has followed. I look for Ebron to make a splash in this divisional showdown.
Evan Engram vs WAS
Evan Engram has emerged as the second most targeted option for the New York Giants passing game. This week they host their division rival Washington Football team who are allowing the third-most fantasy points to TEs. Considering the Washington Football Team is much more stingy to the WR position, Engram should be the focal point of the passing game in the matchup. Engram is second on the team with 32 targets, which is tied for fifth in the NFL among TEs. This matchup provides a comfortable floor, Evan Engram is worth a start this week.
Sit Em: QBs
Joe Burrow @ IND
Joe Burrow has been impressive for stretches of his rookie campaign already. Visiting the Colts this week, Burrow is sure to struggle. Indianapolis ranks first in the NFL against the pass and has recorded more interceptions (9) than passing TDs allowed (7). Burrow has been sacked three or more times in all but one contest this season and is coming off a zero TD, seven sack, two fumble effort vs the Ravens. Leave Burrow on the bench in Indy, this isn’t your Dad’s Colts defense.
Nick Foles @ CAR
Foles hasn’t surpassed 20 points in either of his 2 starts since his magical relief effort in Week 3 at Atlanta. The Panthers only allow an average of 14 fantasy points to opposing QBs, making Foles a long-shot to be start-worthy in Week 6. Carolina has allowed 6 TDs through the air in 2020, third-fewest in the league. Part of Foles’ struggles have been the gauntlet of defenses he has faced, unfortunately, it doesn’t get any better for a couple more weeks for Nick Foles and the Chicago Bears. Avoid Foles again in Week 6.
Belly Up Start Em Sit Em Week 6: Sit Em RBs
Joe Mixon @ IND
Joe Mixon needs to be sitting next to Burrow on your fantasy bench. I know he exploded against the Jaguars in Week 4, but he has only rushed for 65 or more yards twice this season. He also hasn’t had a rushing TD outside of that Week 4 that kept his fantasy pulse beating. The Colts have allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards, and have only allowed one rushing TD through five games. The Bengals RB has an extremely low floor in this matchup, avoid starting him at all costs.
Kenyan Drake @ Dallas
Drake has had the carries to be productive but has not been impressive on the ground. Totaling just 6 receptions for 22 yards, he has surrendered nearly all of the passing game work to Chase Edmonds. With both teams being poor against the pass, I see this being yet another week when the backup RB outperforms Drake. Start him if you must, but I would strongly temper my expectations. As if they were all that high to begin with.
Sit Em: WRs
Darius Slayton vs WAS
Darius Slayton came through in a big way last week vs the Dallas Cowboys. This week the G-men host the Washington Football Team, who are the fourth toughest against WRs in fantasy points allowed. Giants QB Daniel Jones has also struggled mightily thus far, creating a real risk starting WR Darius Slayton. I don’t expect Slayton to have a repeat performance in Week 6. Pick and choose when to start Slayton, his production will be spotty as the Giants will continue to struggle.
DJ Moore vs CHI
Moore finally scored his first TD of the season last week on a nice catch and run up the sideline. That catch accounted for 57 of his 93 receiving yards. Robby Anderson has assumed the number one WR role with Teddy Bridgewater under center, leaving DJ Moore as a low-end WR2. The matchup against the Bears is about as tough as it gets. The Bears have allowed the fewest passing TDs in the NFL, and the second-fewest fantasy points to WRs. I’m not starting DJ Moore under any circumstance this week.
Sit Em: TEs
Zach Ertz vs BAL
Ertz has been on the field for at least 85 percent of the Eagles offensive snaps in every game this season. However, he has just 5 receptions for 15 yards in their last 2 games. The Ravens have allowed 3 receptions for 30 yards to TEs over the last 2 weeks. You’re probably already looking for other options to start at TE, definitely keep seeking any other options.
Tyler Higbee @ 49ers
Higbee has had only one startable fantasy performance this season. He just hasn’t been what you drafted him to be. The 49ers allow the ninth fewest fantasy points to TEs, not to mention teammate Gerald Everett has shown flashes of being the more effective player at the position. Higbee hasn’t had 60 yards receiving in a single game thus far in 2020, and I don’t see him helping you to victory any time soon. Look elsewhere for your TE services, there are likely better options on your waiver wire for Week 6 and beyond.
Thanks for checkin’ out Belly Up Start Em, Sit Em: Week 6. If you want to see how I’ve done in previous weeks, check out my other Start Em, Sit Em’s. You can follow me on Twitter @bwhitt24, and the rest of the fantasy crew @bellyupfantasy. Join us live on Twitter and Facebook Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM CST for Belly Up Fantasy Live! The crew will be breaking down the upcoming week’s fantasy outlook, and as always answering your questions in the comments! Enjoy 20% off of your www.manscaped.com purchase by using our promo code BELLYUPFANTASY. You’re Welcome!