Start ‘Em
Josh Gordon
The Patriots are a fantastic football team, but what does Bill Belichick do to receive this type of schedule. We are entering Week 6, and the Patriots have managed to play the Dolphins, Jets without Sam Darnold, Redskins, Bills, Steelers, and now Giants. No wonder they are only giving up 6.8 points per game. However, this isn’t about their defense. On a Thursday night, against the Giants, who are the third-worst defense in the league, I expect Josh Gordon to pop off.
Cooper Kupp
Kupp is one of those players that seemingly always find this list. He’s been going off of late, and I don’t expect that to change this week against a 49ers defense that has defended phenomenally against the pass this year, ranking second in the league. However, the Rams are at home and will be prepared for Niners, who are riding a high horse and playing on short rest following a Monday Night Football Game. I think Kupp and the Rams win big, and I want to remind fantasy owners not to shy away from starting Kupp.
Kyler Murray
The Falcons can’t stop anybody, and I don’t expect that to end anytime soon. Murray already has such a high floor because of his rushing capabilities and is a must-start in all leagues this week. I also love him as a DFS play.
Tom Brady
See Josh Gordon above.
Mark Ingram
This matchup makes me want to drool. I love me some Mark Ingram. The way he runs reminds me of how football is supposed to be played. This week, he gets a Bengals rush defense that doesn’t want any of that physicality. I expect him to rack up 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns.
Alvin Kamara
You’re starting him every week, but I like paying the price for him in DFS leagues this Sunday. They’ve been leaning on him with Brees out, and Jacksonville’s defense isn’t what it used to be, especially against the run. The Jags are allowing over 130 yards per game on the ground and have surrendered six rushing touchdowns already. Add in Kamara’s target share, and he should be in for a stat sheet stuffing performance this weekend.
Devonta Freeman
I’m sure most Devonta Freeman owners aren’t happy with his production this season; I know I’m not. However, the Falcons have an extremely favorable matchup against the Cardinals this weekend. It could be one of those games where everything clicks for a talented yet underperforming Atlanta offense. If that’s the case, you don’t want to miss out on having Freeman in your lineup.
Sit ‘Em
Russell Wilson
The Browns are a living and breathing enigma. One week they look like they can compete with anybody in the NFL; the next week they look like straight trash. After getting blown out by the Niners on MNF, I have a feeling they will be a different team this weekend against the Seahawks, who don’t have a very good offensive line. The one thing I know about the Browns is they can get after the quarterback. I’m expecting a less than spectacular day from Russell Wilson.
Daniel Jones
Jones makes my Sit ‘Em list for the second week in a row. I still believe there are some matchups where he should be starting in most fantasy leagues, but not this time. The Pats are only giving up 6.8 points per game, Belichick destroys rookie quarterbacks, and Jones will be going on the road on a Thursday night in Foxborough.
Dalvin Cook
He’s starting in week-to-week fantasy leagues, but I’m staying far away from him in DFS leagues. The Eagles have been fantastic against the run, and I can’t imagine the Vikings have much success when they can’t keep anybody honest with their passing game.
Miles Sanders or any Eagles running back
Sanders has become a decently reliable flex play most weeks, but he still isn’t getting enough touches to be an automatic start. This week against the Vikings; he should be sitting on your bench.
Joe Mixon
When the Ravens get beat, it’s usually through the air. They are only allowing 90 yards rushing per game – good for tenth in the league. Baltimore’s at home and facing one of the worst offensive lines I’ve seen in recent memory. Unless Mixon gets lucky and picks up a goal-line score, I don’t see him doing much in this one.
Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders has come back to earth after a marvelous start. I don’t expect it to get any better this week, either. The Broncos passing attack is pitiful, and the Titans are only allowing 227 yards passing per contest. I could see Flacco throwing for well under 200 yards in this one, so unless Sanders finds the endzone, this isn’t going to be a game where you want to have him in your lineup.