USA TODAY International Edition
Rookie Elliott faces first real test
Wilson, Miller poised to rebound as top- tier options
Several every- week fantasy starters run into difficult matchups in Week 6. They shouldn’t necessarily be benched, but owners should temper expectations.
STUDS QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks:
Wilson had a week to get healthy and had been starting to heat up before the Seahawks’ bye. Don’t be fooled by the Atlanta Falcons’ performance against Denver Broncos rookie Paxton Lynch. This defense is vulnerable against the pass.
WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers:
The best receiver in the league matching up with the NFL’s least- talented cornerback group? Brown could put up his best fantasy day of the season against the Miami Dolphins. Pack as many Steelers into your lineup as possible.
QB Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders:
The Kansas City Chiefs’ pass rush has been ineffective without Justin Houston. Oakland’s pass protection has been stellar. Carr will have plenty of time in the pocket to pick apart the secondary and rack up fantasy points.
RB Lamar Miller, Houston Texans:
After Brock Osweiler’s disastrous effort against the Minnesota Vikings, the Texans will want to put the game in Miller’s hands. The Indianapolis Colts have been bad against the run, so Miller will get plenty of touches. That’s a recipe for a big day.
DUDS RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys:
The Green Bay Packers run defense has been historically good through five weeks, giving up 2.0 yards per carry ( a full yard better than the secondplace unit). You’ll probably want to keep Elliott in your lineup, but don’t expect a ton of production from the rookie.
WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons:
If the Falcons’ Week 6 game plan is anything like the one they employed a week ago, expect a reduced role for Jones. The star wideout was used as a decoy against the Broncos’ talented secondary, which allowed Matt Ryan to attack the linebackers in coverage. Using a similar strategy would make sense against the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom.
TE Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins:
The Philadelphia Eagles pass defense has been dominant all season, giving up six receptions to opposing tight ends. The Eagles’ safeties and lineback- ers are all capable of matching up with Reed.
WR A. J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals:
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is known for taking away what his opponents do best on offense. And Green has been the Bengals’ best weapon. The Patriots’ game plan will be built around stopping Green and forcing somebody else to beat them.
TE Coby Fleener, New Orleans Saints:
Fleener started slowly, but he’s a good play this week. The Carolina Panthers have had a lot of trouble covering tight ends. The last time the Saints played a team with that same weakness — Atlanta in Week 3 — Fleener went for 109 yards and a score.
QB Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs:
Smith is due for a good game, and the Raiders have been generous to fantasy quarterbacks this season. Also, Andy Reid’s teams have been exceptionally good after bye weeks. If you are desperate for a quarterback, take a chance on Smith.
RB Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins will do everything in their power to keep the Steelers’ potent offense off the field. Grinding the clock out on the ground is the best way to do that, which means Ajayi could be in for a busy day against a defense that is giving up 18 fantasy points a game to opposing running backs.