FANTASY FOOTBALL
POINTS COULD BE HARD TO COME BY IN WEEK 6; J.C. TALON LOOKS FOR SOME
In a season full of surprises, the biggest shocker thus far has been the emergence of Andy Dalton. In standard formats, he is fantasy’s top scorer through five weeks. ( Tom Brady is averaging more points per game.) If you’ve been sitting Dalton behind a better- known commodity (say, Manning, Peyton), it’s probably time to make the switch.
Unfortunately for Dalton owners, he faces another tough defense (at Buffalo) in Week Six. There would seem to be the potential for quite a few low-scoring contests. In fact, if we are to believe the betting lines, we could be looking at the most offensively challenged week of the season. With high point totals at a premium, fantasy owners will want to be especially careful selecting their lineups this week.
MATCHUPS TO EXPLOIT
FALCONS (@ SAINTS)
7:30 p.m. Thursday
Thursday night matchups are a bit risky fantasy-wise, especially if you have a banged-up player – like Julio Jones – who needs a full week of rest. With that in mind, Falcons owners should probably roll the dice in this game anyway. After five weeks, the Saints are giving up a league- worst 409 total yards per game. They are particularly ineffective at stopping the run, which should mean a big day for Devonta Freeman. The over/under in this game is 51. Only the New England at Indy game is set higher. Must start: Freeman, Jones* Solid play: Matt Ryan, Matt
Bryant
Worth a look: Leonard Hankerson, Jacob Tamme
Last resort: Tevin Coleman, Falcons D/ST
Stay away: Roddy White
TITANS (vs. DOLPHINS)
Noon Sunday
The Miami defense is ranked No. 29, giving up 399 yards and more than 25 points per game. The wild card in this game is the fact that it is Miami’s first game under interim coach Dan Campbell. Assuming he didn’t solve the mystery of what ails the Dolphins’ defense in just two weeks, Tennessee should have offensive success in this game.
Marcus Mariota is not yet a surefire fantasy starter, but he has a chance to be a top-five QB this week. The Titans’ running game sputtered last week against Buffalo, but the Bills are No. 3 against the run and the Dolphins are ranked dead last in that category. Some Tennessee back could have a good day, although it’s not clear which one it might be. Solid play: Mariota Worth a look: Antonio Andrews, Bishop Sankey, Kendall Wright, Delanie Walker, Ryan Succop, Titans D/ST Last resort: Justin Hunter Stay away: Dexter McCluster
PACKERS (vs. CHARGERS)
3:25 p.m. Sunday
In our first of two chip shots, we’re recommending Green Bay at home against a San Diego team coming off a brutal loss on a short week. Facing an average defense, look for Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy to rebound from their subpar performances in Week Five.
Must start: Rodgers, Lacy, Randall Cobb
Solid play: James Jones, Mason Crosby, Packers D/ST
Worth a look: Ty Montgomery, Richard Rodgers
Last resort: James Starks PATRIOTS (@ COLTS)
7:25 p.m. Sunday
In a game with the week’s highest over/under (around 55), the Pats are another “uh, duh” recommendation. The Colts’ defense has yielded more yards than all but four other NFL teams. The Patriots’ offense is ranked first in yards and passing yards per game. For the first time this season, we are recommending four “must starts” from one offense.
Must start: Brady, Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Stephen Gostkowski
Solid play: Dion Lewis, LeGar
rette Blount Worth a look: Patriots D/ST Last resort: Danny Amendola, Aaron Dobson
ALSO CONSIDER
BEARS (@ LIONS)
Noon Sunday
This likely will be a low-scoring game. The current over/ under is hovering around 43. However, if Alshon Jeffery plays (and that’s a big “if”), the Bears’ offense could do well. The Lions are starting to look like this year’s biggest train wreck.
RAVENS (@ 49ERS)
3:25 p.m. Sunday
After five weeks, only New Orleans is giving up more yards than the 49ers. The Ravens are 1-4, but they put up a respectable 360 yards per game on offense.
MATCHUPS TO AVOID
CHIEFS (@ VIKINGS)
Noon Sunday
Kansas City was enjoying limited offensive success before Jamaal Charles went down with an ACL injury. The Chiefs will have to make a big adjustment; Jamaal Charles accounted for 32 percent of their offensive production over the past three seasons. Only Matt Forte of the Bears boasts a larger portion of his team’s yardage.
The Vikings’ defense ranks 12th in passing yardage, but they are just 26th against the run. This would have been a decent matchup for Charles. KC will use a committee approach to replace Charles. Knile Davis is a 225-pound north/south runner. Charcandrick West is closer in size ( 5- 9, 203) to Charles, and may offer more upside spark than Davis. Solid play: Travis Kelce Worth a look: West, Jeremy Maclin, Chiefs D/ST
Last resort: Alex Smith, Knile Davis, Cairo Santos
Stay away: De’Anthony Thom
as
WASHINGTON (@ JETS)
Noon Sunday
Washington is somehow ranked 11th in offensive yards, but they are 25th in points scored, averaging just 19.4 per game. The Jets’ defense is ranked 2nd in total yards allowed, 2nd in passing yards, and 8th in rushing yards. Matt Jones was the big waiver pickup after Week One, but in his last two games he has produced 31 total rushing yards and is averaging just 1.7 yards per carry. Keep an eye on the injury status of DeSean Jackson and Jordan Reed. If both play, Washington could score around 20 points.
Worth a look: Jackson*, Reed*, Washington D/ST
Last resort: Alfred Morris, Pierre Garcon
Stay away: Matt Jones*
PANTHERS (@ SEAHAWKS)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
The over/under in this game is a paltry 41. Seattle’s defense is ranked 5th in yards allowed and Carolina’s defense is 10th. Because Carolina’s offense is so one- dimensional, this looks to be a particularly tough matchup for them. If you have Cam Newton, he’s probably your starter. Your best hope is that he scores at least one TD on the ground and doesn’t turn the ball over. In a standard scoring format, he could be good for something like 15 to 18 points. A monster day seems unlikely.
Fun stat: the third- leading receiver on the Panthers (Corey Brown) has a grand total of six receptions this year.
Solid play: Newton, Panthers
D/ST Worth a look: Greg Olsen Last resort: Jonathan Stewart,
Tedd Ginn
Stay away: Brown, Devin Funchess, Graham Gano
ALSO BEWARE
BROWNS (vs. BRONCOS)
Noon Sunday
Cleveland’s offense and the play of QB Josh McCown have been a pleasant surprise lately. They’ll get a real test this week when Denver’s No. 1 ranked defense comes to town.
SEAHAWKS (vs. PANTHERS)
3:05 p.m. Sunday
The talk that the Seahawks need to get Jimmy Graham more involved in their passing game is starting to wear thin. Through five games, he barely has 200 receiving yards. For whatever reason, it’s not working, and you might need to explore a different option at TE. Seattle would get a boost if Marshawn Lynch returns from injury.
*Check injury status