Jason’s HOT or NOT: Week 6 Sit/Start (2020 Fantasy Football)

HOT or NOT (Sit / Start)
Written By Jason Shallcross

As always, here’s my weekly list of players I’m higher and lower on this week in fantasy football. I try to involve as many fringe players as possible in case you need a plug-and-play flex player or a viable end-of-the-bench stash as we move into bye weeks.

HOT Quarterbacks in Week 6

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions @ Jaguars

Matthew Stafford hasn’t lived up to his preseason expectations up until this point as he’s currently QB21 on the season. But, it’s worth mentioning that he started the season without his number 1 target, Kenny Golladay. In games that they’ve played together dating to last year, Stafford is averaging more than 20 FPPG. Combine that with the fact that the Jaguars are currently allowing more than 20 FPPG to quarterbacks, and I think Stafford is a great plug-and-play quarterback in Week 6.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans vs. Texans

To fully understand just how good Ryan Tannehill has been since joining the Titans, look at this:

Tannehill was the QB1 in fantasy scoring last week and is available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues (COME ON MAN). He can do it in any matchup as he has the 8th-highest FPPG average. Going against a middling Texans defense doesn’t scare me one bit, especially with A.J. Brown back in the fold.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. Falcons

While this game looks iffy due to some positive COVID-19 tests, Kirk Cousins will be a great streamer if it gets played. Currently QB25 and only rostered in 19.6% of leagues, he should be available if you’re in a tight spot at QB this weekend. Did I mention that the Falcons are giving up more than 30 FPPG to QBs, most in the league and more than 5 points more per-week than the next-worst defense?

Fire up Kirk with confidence this weekend.

Honorable Mentions:

Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to drop at least 20 fantasy points against the Jets this weekend and look for Kyler to take advantage of the Cowboys.

NOT Quarterbacks in Week 6

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Ravens

Carson Wentz is starting to turn the corner with the emergence of Travis Fulgham in that offense, but it is still far from pretty in Philly. With an unforging Ravens defense (only allowing 11.9 FPPG to QBs) on-tap for this weekend, you can do better than starting Wentz this weekend.

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers vs. Bears

Our stream of the week last week, Teddy lit up the Falcons for more than 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. It won’t be so easy against the Bears this week, who are the second-best defense against quarterbacks this year. They’ve held four-of-five quarterbacks under 14.5 fantasy points and have only given up four passing touchdowns so far, fewest in the league. Stay away from Teddy this weekend.

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals @ Colts

Even though there will likely be a positive game-script for Joe Burrow this weekend, I don’t expect him to do much with it. The Colts defense is giving up the fewest amount of fantasy points to quarterbacks through the first five weeks of the season (12.5 FPPG). It isn’t going to be easy for Smokin’ Joe Burrow to produce this weekend.

Honorable Mentions:

Matt Ryan fell off of a cliff. Feel free to drop him.

HOT Running Backs in Week 6

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings vs. Falcons

Dalvin Cook managers who don’t have Mattison rostered are going to be upset that they missed out on this matchup. Going up against the injury-riddled Falcons at home is going to spell at least one score for Mattison, if not two. The Falcons are giving up the ninth-most points to running backs on the season (29.3 FPPG), and the Vikings average 28 running back carries per game (second-most in the league). Giggity.

Yes, I know the Vikings are teasing that Dalvin might play, but I think it is just that, teasing. I don’t anticipate Dalvin’s return until after the bye week.

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts vs. Bengals

At home against Cincinnati this week, I believe Jonathan Taylor will take advantage of the Bengals’ defense. The Bengals are giving up more than five yards per rush attempt so far this season, good for third-worst in the league.

If only they can only stop giving the ball to Jordan Wilkins. This three-headed split is giving me Ravens nightmares.

Honorable Mentions:

Myles Gaskin is going to be a low-end RB2 against the Jets at home this weekend. Book it. Need some convincing? Last week was the first week Jordan Howard saw zero snaps.

NOT Running Backs in Week 6

Damien Harris, New England Patriots vs. Broncos

The Broncos are giving up the fewest amount of FPPG to running backs through six weeks (14.2). With Cam Newton coming back into the fold and potentially vulturing some touchdowns as well, I’m benching Damien this weekend. He needs passing-down work to bolster his floor. Sigh.

Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals @ Colts

If you drafted Joe Mixon, you’re locked into starting him on a weekly basis. I wouldn’t expect much from him this weekend against the Colts, however. The Colts give up the third-lowest opponent rushing yards per game (86.4) and fourth-lowest opponent yards per rush attempt (3.6). I see the Bengals getting down early on the road and abandoning the run, leaving Mixon out to dry.

Devonta Freeman, New York Giants vs. Football Team

With the second-worst offensive line in the league as graded by Pro Football Focus, I’m not excited about starting Devonta Freeman against Chase Young and company this weekend. Washington is giving up just 4.2 yards per rush attempt, tied for 11th-lowest in the league. That number dipped to 3.7 yards per rush attempt against the Rams last week after Chase Young rejoined the team. This is why:

No thanks.

Honorable Mentions:

Darrell Henderson won’t be startable for much longer with Cam Akers trending towards double-digit carries every week.

HOT Pass Catchers in Week 6

Jamison Crowder, New York Jets @ Dolphins

Receivers averaging more fantasy points per game than Jamison Crowder this season (min. 15 catches):

Davante Adams

That’s it.

Crowder is a target machine in an offense devoid of weapons now that Le’Veon Bell is gone. Look for Flacco to continue to hammer Crowder early and often against the Dolphins this week. Crowder doesn’t need to get into the end zone to produce when he’s averaging 11 targets per game. Did I mention he’s gone over 100 receiving yards in all three starts so this season?

Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Miami Vikings vs. Falcons

This matchup is too appealing to get away from. Start both of these guys with confidence against the Falcons’ defense, currently giving up the fourth-most passing attempts per game, second-most passing yards per game, and the most passing touchdowns per game.

This one is going to get out of hand.

Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Lions

Laviska looks well on his way to claiming the No. 1 job in Jacksonville, doesn’t he? He reeled in 7-of-8 targets for 79 yards against the Texans and led the team in targets. Mwanwhile, D.J. Chark only had 4 targets and was carted off during the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. He has yet to practice this week and is looking doubtful for Sunday.

Laviska has a tasty match up ahead of him against the Lions, who are giving up the fifth-most passing touchdowns per game (2.2) and ninth-most yards per pass attempt (7.5). This could be the Shenault Jr. breakout game we’ve been waiting for.

Honorable Mentions:

Evan Engram finally showed some life last week and is among the top five in targets at tight end. CeeDee Lamb is taking over the Dallas offense and has a middle-of-the-road Arizona Cardinals defense on tap for this weekend.

NOT Pass Catchers in Week 6

Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team at Giants

With Alex Smith averaging a meager 2.2 yards per attempt and 5.7 air yards per attempt, don’t anticipate any flashy Terry McLaurin plays any time soon. Couple that with a tough draw against James Bradberry and I’m fading McLaurin this weekend. Can we get Dwayne Haskins back?

Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Ravens

This is probably my favorite twitter follow: @ZachErtzYAC

I don’t think he breaks a tackle this weekend either. Is anyone more disappointing than Zach Ertz so far this season? I’d play just about anyone else over Ertz against the vaunted Ravens defense at this point.

D.J. Moore & Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers vs. Bears

There are a few constants in this world, and fading receivers going up against the Bears defense is one of them. The Bears have given up just one touchdown to a wideout all season and only allow a 56% catch rate to opposing recievers, best in the NFL. Be thankful for flex output from these two this weekend.

Honorable Mentions:

Has Tyler Higbee (TE10) done anything this season besides blowing up in week two? Take that game away and he’s only averaging 4.55 FPPG. Going against the Rams and Jalen Ramsey this weekend, I don’t think it's the week Deebo Samuel gets back on track.

Jason Shallcross
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