Welcome back to my trust or bust series, brought back for 2024, here we look at the Week 6 matchups. There’s a saying that in order to master something, you have to do it for 10,000 hours. No, that’s not a misprint, you read that right, 10,000 hours! Saying it out loud is crazy, but actually doing it is borderline insane. However, in order to do anything well, it takes time, effort, and practice. All the greatest athletes loved practice even at the end days of their careers and the majority would tell you, it starts and ends with practice.
After 5 weeks I think we can all agree that the NFL season has officially begun. I mean think about it, with most starters not playing in the pre-season, padded practices being limited, and guys getting into football shape. It makes sense that it would take a few weeks for players and coaches to find their footing.
Of course most NFL players have put in their 10,000 hours if you factor in their days playing peewee football, but after 5 weeks I think it’s safe to say the rust of the off-season has been shaken off and the high scoring games are finally here! Week 6 here we come.
Inside/ Outside Picks
QB Jalen Hurts (PHI)
Current Ranking 2nd
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense has been inconsistent this season, but with star receiver AJ Brown missing 3 games, DeVonta Smith missing 1, and no real receiver of note outside of them, it makes sense that Hurt’s fantasy numbers would take a hit. Thankfully, both Brown and Smith will be back this week, but facing a Browns team with problems of its own this matchup isn’t as ‘fantasy friendly’ as one would think. Allowing less than 14 PPG and 4 total touchdowns to quarterbacks this season. Teams haven’t had to try very hard in the 2nd half against them this season, to put it into perspective in the 2nd half of games this season (5) teams scored an average of 8.6 PPG when playing the Browns.
Who I like More
QB Jared Goff (DET)
Week ranking 17th
Goff hasn’t lived up to his QB14 ADP but last week against Seattle the Lions passing game came alive and Ben Johnson made good on his promise that “points were coming” now will Goff go 18 for 18, not likely. But, facing a Cowboys defense that’s missing its two best pass rushers, in a game with the highest projected point total this week (52.5) in what many are calling a revenge game and the stars are starting to align for Goff this week.
RB Chuba Hubbard (CAR)
Current Ranking 10th
Hubbard has been a nice surprise this season and for many who wrote him off because Carolina drafted Jonathan Brooks, Hubbard has made people pay for those who did. Currently sitting as the RB8 on the season, if you invested in Hubbard, bravo! But, before I give you a standing ovation, it may be time for an intermission. In Hubbard’s 3 best games this season, he scored a touchdown. Unfortunately for Hubbard, the Falcons defense doesn’t let running backs score touchdowns, seeing as they’ve only allowed one all season.
Who I like More
RB Najee Harris (PIT)
Week ranking 17th
The Pittsburgh offense has been a pleasant surprise this season and whether it be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at quarterback, I thought Najee Harris would be a big beneficiary of the new and improved offense. The Steelers offense has improved, but Harris has been a disappointment. However, if you squint you can see the one major factor for Harris’s lack of success, is he’s scored ZERO touchdowns! But, the volume has been there with almost 20 touches per game. Jaylen Warren is set to make his return this week and I think that will actually help Najee. Facing the Raiders bottom 10 run defense in rushing and receiving yards allowed, I’m banking on Harris as a volume play this week.
WR Garrett Wilson (NYJ)
Current Ranking 11th
It was nice to see Garrett Wilson have the breakout game we’ve all been waiting for, it only took 22 targets but at this point we’ll take what we can get from this dysfunctional Jets team. After firing their defensive minded head coach, the offense should be fixed now, right? Wilson is a special talent, but prior to last week Garrett didn’t have a top 24 performance or have more than 60 receiving yards in a game. Facing a top 5 pass defense in the Buffalo Bills, I don’t see another top 12 finish in Garrett’s future.
Who I like More
WR Terry McLaurin (WAS)
Week Ranking 17th
Terry McLaurin finally has a quarterback and fantasy players couldn’t be happier! Jayden Daniels has been a godsend for the Commanders offense and McLaurin has benefited the most. In his last 3 games McLaurin is averaging 8 targets per game, 5 receptions, over 85 receiving yards, and over 18 PPG. With a projected point total of over 50 points, McLaurin is well on his way to another top 20 finish this week. Oh yeah and the Ravens defense is bottom 5 in TDs, Yards, Receptions, and fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
TE Sam LaPorta (DET)
Current Ranking 5th
We can add LaPorta to the list of ‘tight ends’ who have disappointed us this season. In LaPorta’s defense the Lions and every other offense in the league has gotten off to slow starts. But, the emergence of Jameson Williams might be the true culprit to LaPorta’s slow start. LaPorta has yet to score a touchdown, have 60 receiving yards, or more than 5 receptions in any game this season. As much as I like his matchup this week, starting LaPorta is a risk that hasn’t proven to be worth taking this season.
Who I like More
TE Dalton Schultz (HOU)
Week Ranking 14th
The Houston Texans offense took a major hit, after placing WR Nico Collins on IR. Tank Dell hasn’t been the receiver we saw last year, so who will step up, why not Dalton Schultz? It was just last year that Schultz put up his 4th consecutive TE1 season and with Tank Dell still recovering from his injuries this off-season, Schultz is in a prime position to help fill the void left behind by Nico. Averaging over 5 targets per game and playing over 90% of the offensive snaps the last 3 weeks, Houston has been getting Schultz more involved in the offense.
That’s gonna do it for this week’s piece. I hope you found the info useful and actionable.
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There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
