Welcome to Week 6 of the 2023 season, and our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series. This is where it all the hard work is done as we prepare for another week of hard hitting action and paper championships.
As always, if you are struggling with a decision you can checkout our rankings for each Week. Or, if you want a more personal touch, reach out on social media. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. All stats refer to 1/2 PPR, 6 point per passing touchdown leagues. The number in brackets next to an opponent is that teams rank against the position. Rank 1 is the best possible matchup, Rank 32 is the worst. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Start’Em
Kirk Cousins, Vikings v Bears (1)
This is a juicy matchup for Cousins. The Bears are allowing 23.0 fantasy points to quarterbacks, good for last in the NFL. Pretty much every quarterback to face Chicago has had the best day of their season and Cousins will prove to be no exception. Cousins has top-3 upside this week.
Matthew Stafford, Rams v ARI (3)
Stafford has been solid yet unexciting. Luckily for him, he gets an Arizona defense that allows 21.8 fantasy points to quarterbacks and is one of the weaker secondaries in the NFL. Look for Stafford to have a monster day with all his weapons back at his disposal. Stafford should be a low-end QB1.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys v LAC (4)
Prescott has struggled mightily through five games seeing his share of highs and lows. In Week 6 he gets a Chargers defense that allows 21.7 fantasy points quarterbacks in what figures to be a high-scoring affair. Look for Dak to be a mid-range QB1.
Sit ‘Em
Ryan Tannehill, Titan v BAL (31)
Tannehill has looked washed up through five weeks and a meeting with the Ravens defense will prove to make things worse. The Ravens allow only 11.2 fantasy points to quarterbacks and make Tannehill a desperation superflex QB3 only.
Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders v NE (29)
Garoppolo is nothing more than a game manager, but with la horrendous offensive line his production will be minimal. This week he takes on a familiar foe in the New England Patriots, who are limiting opposing quarterbacks to 12.5 fantasy points per game. Jimmy G is a low-end QB2 option this week.
Deshaun Watson, Browns v SF (28)
Watson has struggled to return to his pre-suspension form. It’s starting to look like that version of him is gone and what is left is a mid-range QB2. This week he faces the vaunted 49ers defense who allow 12.7 fantasy points to quarterbacks. If you have to start Watson, pray he finds his way to high-end QB2 numbers.
Start ‘Em
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs v DEN (1)
Pacheco is seeing elite levels of volume this season and has produced at a solid level as a result. This week he sees a Broncos defense that allows 11 fantasy points per game more to running back than the next team. They are a dream spot for his dream workload. Pacheco has top-5 upside in Week 6.
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins v CAR (2)
Mostert appeared left for dead with the emergence of Devon Achane. As things normally do in Miami’s backfield, things changed due to injury. Achane and Jeff Wilson are both out for this tilt against a Panthers run defense allowing 28.5 points to running backs. Fire up Mostert and enjoy the RB1 production.
Alexander Mattison, Vikings v CHI (3)
Mattison has been disappointing for most of the season, but his volume and matchup make him a prime target in Week 6. He faces a Bears defense allowing 27.2 fantasy points to running backs and should be able to volume his way to a top-12 day even if he’s massively inefficient.
Sit ‘Em
Rachaad White, Buccaneers v DET (31)
White has been the forgotten man in the Buccaneers offence and this week that struggle will go head on with a Detroit Lions defense that now appears formidable. The Lions are allowing only 10.9 fantasy points to running backs and have not allowed more than 45 yards to a back this season.
Dameon Pierce, Texans v NO (28)
Pierce has seen his role minimized in the Houston offense as the passing game has taken flight. This week he faces off against a stingy Saints run defense allowing only 12.0 fantasy points to running backs. It’s going to be tough running for Pierce this week.
Javonte Williams, Broncos, v KC (26)
Williams missed Week 5 with an injury and between his injuries and poor play, he may have seen his job stolen away by Jaleel McLaughlin. In Week 6 he gets a matchup with the Chiefs who are allowing only 13.2 fantasy points to running backs. This is a situation to avoid for the immediate future.
Start ’em
DJ Moore, Bears v MIN (4)
Moore and the Bears offence have been all over the place to start the season. They appear to be 100% matchup dependent, which works in their favor in Week 6 against one of the best matchups for wide receivers. The Vikings are allowing 38.2 fantasy points to receivers and should allow Moore for another boom week.
Zay Flowers, Ravens v TEN (8)
Flowers has quickly emerged as the go-to receiver in the Ravens passing game. He’s had three games with 10+ targets and should have a solid outing against a porous Titans pass defense that is accurately described by most as a pass-funnel.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs v DEN (12)
Rice is emerging as the WR1 in Kansas City and is just in need of an increase in workload. This week he faces a Broncos defense allowing 30.7 fantasy points to receivers. If he is able to secure a few extra targets this could be his breakout game.
Sit ’em
Deebo Samuel, 49ers v CLE (32)
Samuel and Aiyuk have alternated week of usefulness. This week they matchup with a stingy Browns defense allowing 13.5 fantasy points to receivers. Even if it’s a Deebo Week, there likely won’t be enough fantasy points to go around in this tough matchup.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders v ATL (27)
McLaurin has seen his production ebb-and-flow with the inconsistent play of Sam Howell. Atlanta is giving are rushing yards in chunks and the Commanders are likely to exploit that weakness rather than taking to the air often. Look for a disappointing week from Scary Terry.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos v KC (24)
Sutton has been the top receiver in Denver to start the season but this week he faces off against a surprisingly tough Chiefs pass defense. The Chiefs are allowing only 25.4 fantasy points to receivers and will look to continue the struggles of Russell Wilson.
Start ‘Em
Logan Thomas, Commanders v ATL (2)
Thomas has been a waiver wire godsend for tight end desperate managers. He is quickly becoming a trusted target for the inexperienced Sam Howell. Look for him to continue his production in a matchup with a Falcons defense allowing 13.4 fantasy points to tight ends.
Zach Ertz, Cardinals v LAR (5)
Ertz has been the surprising TE1 in Arizona over highly drafted Trey McBride. IN the end backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs has chosen to target the safe veteran. This week Ertz faces a Rams defense that allows 12.8 fantasy points to tight ends and should make for easy prey.
Tyler Conklin, Jets v PHI (9)
Conklin completes a trio of tight ends that were the same three I targeted in Week 5. They have just been that consistent off the waiver wire. The Eagles are allowing 11.1 fantasy points to tight ends and Ertz too should put up another solid streaming week in Week 6.
Sit ’em
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans v BAL (32)
Okonkwo has been a major disappointment thus far and he faces a Ravens defense that’s holding tight end to only 4.4 fantasy points per game. He may turn his season around at some point, but it won’t be this week.
Dalton Schultz, Texans v NO (31)
Schultz finally showed up on the stat sheet in Week 5 after a disappointing opening month. Look for his production to dip once again against a Saints defense that limits tight end production every week. Schultz is a risky streaming option in Week 6.
Darren Waller, Giants v BUF (30)
Waller was one of a handful of tight ends who finally produced a useful stat-line in Week 5. Week 5 saw his lowest start rate of the season and fantasy managers will reinvest their trust in him just in time for him to drop a dud against a Bill defense allowing only 5.0 fantasy points to tight ends.
Start ‘Em
Tennessee Titans DST v BAL (4)
The Titans are a risky start in the sense that they are an elite run defense paired with a suspect pass defense. This week the face a Ravens team that is allowing 11.0 fantasy points to opposing defenses. Even if they give up some points, they should compile more than enough stats for a usable performance.
Jacksonville Jaguars DST v IND (7)
The Jaguars have alternated looking like a contender with looking like a pretender. In Week 6 the face division rival Indianapolis who are allowing 10.2 fantasy points to D/STs. Fire up the Jaguars as they face a backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew.
Baltimore Ravens DST v TEN (8)
The Ravens are on the flip side of the Titans, and they too are a solid option at D/ST this week. This game should be low-scoring as both offences are struggling. Look for Ryan Tannehill to turn the ball over enough to keep the Ravens D/ST in the top-5.
Sit ‘Em
New York Jets DST v PHI (32)
The Jets have struggled this season as a subpar offense has left them on the field for prolonged periods of time. This week they face the Eagles who are a weekly must-sit opponent for D/STs. Don’t risk it with New York, find a streamer elsewhere.
Indianapolis Colts DST v JAC (31)
The Colts will be starting a backup quarterback in Week 6 and their offensive struggles could leave the defense vulnerable to fatigue. If the jaguars are able to finally fire on all cylinders it could make for a long day for the Colts D/ST. It’s time to drop the Indianapolis D/ST
New York Giants DST v BUF (29)
The Giants have been terrible in every phase of the game and could easily be the worst team in the NFL. This week they face one of the leagues elite offences. The Giants D/ST has no business in a fantasy lineup at this point and need to be dropped everywhere.
Start ‘Em
Jake Moody, 49ers v CLE (3)
Moody has been a pleasantly consistent surprise as a rookie and in this offense he gets ample opportunity to produce. Add in a Browns defense allowing 13.8 fantasy points to kicker and he has the makings of a top-5 kicker this week.
Greg Joseph, Vikings v CHI (5)
Joseph has not been very good to kickoff 2023, but his Week 6 matchup matchup against a Bears defense allowing 11.0 fantasy points to kickers should serve as a healing tonic to his struggles. He is a solid streaming option this week if you need one.
Joey Slye, Commanders v ATL (6)
Slye is another struggling kicker who has a get-right spot this week. He faces a Falcons defense that is allowing 9.4 fantasy points to kickers and should present Slye with many opportunities for long field goals.
Sit ‘Em
Dustin Hopkins, Browns v SF (32)
Hopkins gets a brutal Week 6 matchup against a 49ers defense that limit production to all positions. They are allowing only 0.2 fantasy points to kickers and have held multiple opponents to 0 points at the position. Avoid Hopkins at all costs.
Evan McPherson, Bengals v SEA (31)
McPherson has always been an elite kicker, but this year he has struggled along with the rest of the Bengals offense. In Week 6 he has a matchup with a Seahawks defense that allows only 2.3 fantasy points to kickers and his struggles will continue on for at least another week. He is a desperation play at most.
Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys v LAC (30)
Aubrey has been solid so far this season but in a high-scoring shootout with the Chargers both teams figure to go for touchdowns rather than settling for field goals. This will severely limit his upside and make him a risky play in Week 6.
Well that’s it for our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em for Week 6 of the 2023 season. Remember, you can check out rankings for each Week. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. Follow me on Twitter @FFMadScientist
Image Credit: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em 2022 Week 14
