It’s week 6 in the NFL and that means it’s time for the starts and sits, and this one is particularly important with it being the first week of byes. This week is the time for big decisions in your lineup and I’m here to help you with your decisions. This starts and sits article is here to make your life easier, and help you set your optimal lineups. This week we have New Orleans, San Francisco, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons on byes. That means we have important decisions to make and I hope this starts and sits article helps you win your matchup.

Quarterback

Starts

Ben Roethlisberger vs Seattle Seahawks

So Ben Roethlisberger CAN still throw it deep 🚀

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/zE34BemgeC

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 10, 2021

Big Ben is coming off his best game of the year against the Denver Broncos. In that game, he put together 253 passing yards and 2 TDs while only being sacked once. This was the way the Steelers want to play football, let Big Ben take his shots behind a strong running attack. Najee gave the Steelers 122 rushing yards and allowed Ben to only throw the ball 25 times. I think this game has a similar recipe and Ben will have similar results. My prediction is 250-300 yards and 3 TDs, for the future Hall of Famer.

Teddy Bridgewater vs Las Vegas Raiders

Bridgewater almost brought the Broncos back from a big defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers. In doing so he threw his first interception of the season, while still throwing 2 TDs. Bridgewater is the epitome of an efficient quarterback, in games that he’s finished he averaged 18 fantasy points. This seems like a good game for Bridgewater to go over his usual expectations. The Raiders have averaged about 16 fantasy points to opposing QBs, but have been somewhat distracted this past week. With Jon Gruden officially out in Vegas one has to wonder how the team will respond. My prediction for this game is a shootout, with Bridgewater accumulating 300 yards and 3 TDs.

Sits

Daniel Jones vs LA Rams

So Danny Dimes passed concussion protocol this week and will be starting for the Giants. I don’t know if I like this, last week he looked like a newborn horse trying to get his footing. It was not good, and I think he shouldn’t be playing this week, but I’m a writer, not a coach so what do I know. I do know that this Rams defense is tough, allowing 17 fantasy points to opposing QBs, with big performances from Kyler Murray and Tom Brady being outliers in this season. Outside of those two, the Rams have held opposing QBs to 11 fantasy points per game. My prediction is that Jones recovering from a concussion and playing a tough defense without some important weapons (Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay), leads to 250 passing yards, a TD, 2 INTs with 40 rushing yards.

Ryan Tannehill vs Buffalo Bills

I think Tannehill is going to recover from his slump soon, just not this week against Buffalo. Tannehill has only thrown for 300 yards once this season, but the Titans have been saved by the outstanding play of Derrick Henry. This week Tannehill should get Julio Jones back but will be paying one of the best secondaries in the league. The Bills have 9 interceptions this season and have allowed the second-fewest passing yards (867) and passing TDs (5). Look for Tannehill to rebound soon just not today, my prediction is 250 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs.

Starts

Antonio Gibson vs Kansas City Chiefs

Gibson is finally starting to get a spark going in 2021. After three straight weeks of averaging 13 carries/game, Gibson got 20 last Sunday against one of the better rush defenses in New Orleans. This week Gibson plays one of the worst defenses against the run in Kansas City who has allowed the fourth-most yards (705) and the most TDs (9) to opposing runners. The Chiefs’ game plan will most likely be to beat the Football Team with the offense, which will give Gibson plenty of opportunities to get involved in this game. My Prediction is that Gibson gets his first big rushing game, 100 rushing yards, TD, and 4 receptions for 40 yards.

Javonte Williams vs Las Vegas Raiders

James Pierre with the game-winning INT today. But this effort and tackle of RB Javonte Williams to saved a TD was a massive play. Not an easy guy to tackle in any situation, especially trailing.

Broncos end up settling for a FG. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/NSStAFAfHN

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) October 10, 2021

Javonte Williams has been eased into this offense but has made an impact in his limited touches. Averaging 4.6 ypc on the season, last week we saw what he can potentially do with a 49-yard burst onto the ball that came just short of a TD. The Raiders coming into this game have allowed a top 20 finish to RBs in all but one game in 2021. This is a team that has allowed seven TDs to opposing runners, and 134 yards/game. The problem in Denver is figuring out who is going to have the big week. and/or if they’ll both nullify each other. While Melvin Gordon has been out snapping Williams, it’s been the rookie who has been making the most of his snaps. With Williams’ ability to break tackles and the Raiders in limbo after losing their Head Coach, this could be a recipe for a big game.

Sits

Damien Harris vs Dallas Cowboys

Damien Harris had a very pedestrian game against the Texans, and it was alarming to see him fumble his opportunity to score a second TD. The lead to Rhamondre Stevenson getting 11 carries on the day and might be an indicator of future production split between the two. The Cowboys on the other hand have been surprisingly good against the run, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards (397) and fourth-fewest rushing TDs (3). This combo leads me to believe it will be a tough game for Damien Harris, my prediction is 50 rushing yards and no TDs.

James Conner vs Cleveland Browns

Conner has been a touchdown machine this year, currently tallying five in 2021. Conner has been the clear 1B RB in Arizona with an average snap share of 43 percent. While Conner has 15 red zone carries this year, and is the number one goal-line option for the Cardinals. The Browns have been stingy against the run allowing the second-fewest yards (378) to opposing backs. This will be a game that Conner has to score in order to save and I don’t think he will. My prediction is Conner goes for 30 rushing yards and zero TDS.

Wide Receiver

Starts

Jakobi Meyers vs Dallas Cowboys

Last time the Patriots played the Cowboys Jakobi Meyers was making impact plays as a rookie. 🔥👀pic.twitter.com/IbFYr7wzL8

— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) October 13, 2021

Meyers will need to be involved in this offense in order for the Patriots to get downfield against a good Dallas defense. Meyers has been targeted 46 times this season and is on pace for an outstanding 156 targets this year. While the Cowboys have boasted the second-fewest rushing yards in the league, they have allowed the second-most passing yards (1638). Look for Meyers to be targeted heavily in the run game is abandoned early. My prediction is Meyers gets 7 receptions for 80 yards and his first TD of the year.

Jaylen Waddle vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaylen Waddle will look to return to early-season form with the return of Tua Tagovailoa. Waddle has been a no-show the past couple of weeks but draws another ideal matchup against the Jaguars. The rookie wide receiver has been working primarily out of the slot this season and will look to be a target machine in this game. Waddle with Tua was getting 6 targets/game and if that resumes we’ll see him return to relevance in fantasy football. My prediction for Waddle for 5 receptions, 80 yards, and a TD.

Sits

AJ Brown vs Buffalo Bills

Let’s get something straight here, I think AJ Brown is better than he’s played. Unfortunately, he’s played like absolute doo doo for the past five weeks. In four games this season Brown has 25 targets (20 percent target share) that he’s converted into 10 receptions, 130 yards, and a TD. With Julio Jones out and Brown running more slot routes (20 percent), you’d think this would lead to more receptions, instead of its lead to four drops and a poor catch rate (40 percent). The narrative of this game is the Brown turned his season around last year against the Bills, so will he do it again this season. I’m not a firm believer in that narrative, especially with Tre’Davious White guarding him this week. My prediction is 4 receptions for 50 yards.

Tyler Lockett vs Pittsburgh Steelers

The loss of Russell Wilson is going to affect someone in this offense and I think it’ll be Lockett. The wide receiver has been struggling to get something going for the past three weeks, tallying 19 targets, 13 receptions, and 112 yards while averaging 8 fantasy points/game. This week is going to be a tough defensive matchup, with the steelers bringing a strong pass rush against backup Geno Smith. My prediction for Lockett is he gets 4 receptions for 60 yards.

Tight End

Starts

Dan Arnold vs Miami Dolphins

Dan Arnold with a nice route over the middle. Play-action really opening things up pic.twitter.com/VFC1IVxQjT

— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) October 12, 2021

In his second game with the Jaguars got 73 percent of the team’s offensive snaps at tight end. This led to a 6 reception, 64-yard day for the journeyman. Trevor Lawrence looked comfortable targeting Arnold 8 times on Sunday. This has a good chance of continuing today with the Jaguars matching up with the Miami Dolphins whose defense hasn’t been the greatest against opposing tight ends. The Dolphins have allowed an average of 5 receptions and 50 yards to opposing tight ends. Arnold showed to have a role in this offense going forward as a check down/safety valve for the Number One pick. Look for Arnold to pull down 4-6 receptions for 70 yards and a TD.

Sits

Robert Tonyan vs Chicago Bears

Tonyan has been a non-factor for three weeks now, being targeted 10 times, catching 4 receptions for 22 yards. That’s a bad stat line for one game let alone three. Tonyan draws a bad matchup this week against a tough Bears defense. The Bears have allowed 8 fantasy points/game to opposing tight ends and should continue that success this week against Tonyan. My prediction is Tonyan gets 3 receptions for 20 yards.

Conclusion

I’m happy to bring you guys the weekly starts and sits for Week 6. The byes are here and these starts and sits articles are becoming more important by the week. Putting out good starts and sits means a lot to me. I want to help your team more than I want my team to win. So I really do hope these starts and sits have helped you so far and continue to lead your team to victory.

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