USA TODAY International Edition
Cousins, Howard could flourish
Fantasy: Steelers could make it difficult for Smith
Week 6 is upon us, and as we do every week during the NFL season, we’re helping fantasy owners out with the studs, duds and sleepers for your lineups.
Studs
QB Kirk Cousins, Redskins: Fresh off a bye week, the quarterback faces a 49ers defense that ranks 28th against opposing passers. Expect a 300yard day through the air and at least a couple of touchdowns.
RB Jordan Howard, Bears: Want to know a secret? The Ravens haven’t been all that good against the run (23rd in the NFL). Mitchell Trubisky might struggle, but Howard won’t.
WR Chris Hogan, Patriots: He might just be a WR1 now after four consecutive weeks of 60plus yards and at least one score. He’ll look to build on that in what might be a surprising shootout against the Jets.
TE Evan Engram, Giants: Say hello to the first option for Eli Manning. He was quite productive before Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall went down, but now, with the Broncos shutting down the Giants’ passing game, I fully expect Engram to benefit with a bunch of catches, especially since Denver’s cornerbacks will prevent New York’s wideouts from doing much.
Duds
QB Alex Smith, Chiefs: No one has been stingier against quarterbacks than the Steelers, so you might want to find another quarterback option even though Smith has looked matchup-proof thus far.
RB Aaron Jones or Ty Montgomery, Packers: Either
of the two Packers running backs should hit the bench this week — they’re traveling to Minnesota.
WR Jarvis Landry, Dolphins: Jay Cutler’s struggles + a tough Falcons passing D = no thank you.
TE Jordan Reed, Redskins: Per ESPN, the Niners are the toughest against fantasy tight ends, allowing just 4.9 points per game in 2017.
Sleepers
QB Josh McCown, Jets: Are you in a two-QB league and have byes to deal with? Or a deep league? Then McCown is your guy. He’ll match up against a Patriots team still finding its footing defensively, and McCown will have to throw a ton to play catch-up assuming the Pats offense continues putting on a show.
RB Jerick McKinnon, Vikings: You saw what he did Monday night. Can that continue against the Packers, especially for a speedy pass-catcher who might be needed late in the game?
WR Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers: His first score of the season came Sunday, and now he and Cam Newton get to work on an Eagles squad that’s the thirdworst against the pass. TE Hunter Henry, Chargers: Is the breakout we’ve all been waiting for about to happen? He’s scored in two consecutive games, though he’s put up two goose eggs too. But he’s trending up.