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FFL: Week 6 | NFL: Week 6

The Weekly Bender: You Can Always Come Home

Fri Jul 5 6:00pm ET
By HOWARD BENDER
Fantasy Writer

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There is nothing better than winning your fantasy football league. Whether you’re playing against your friends in a home league or gearing up to take down the $500,000 grand prize in The Fantasy Championship, that euphoric feeling hits you in such a way that sometimes words can’t even describe. But it takes work. It takes tenacity. You don’t just stumble into a championship. You earn it. And that starts with your research here in July. Scouting talent is a top priority for you right now and it’s not just about the NFL players on the field. It’s also about which fantasy analysts you choose to trust each season.

Back in 2011, the folks here at RealTime Fantasy Sports led the way in premier scouting. During a raucous after-party following the FSTA Conference (currently the FSGA) in San Francisco, two of RTSports’ finest made their way to the bar and struck up a conversation with the guy slinging drinks. As it turned out, he also happened to be an aspiring fantasy analyst, freelancing for a couple of sites and looking for more work.

The conversation was light and friendly but intensified when opinions on players and teams came into play. The Giants had just won the World Series and baseball talk was buzzing in the Bay Area. The Green Bay Packers were in mini-camp looking to defend their Super Bowl championship and as we witness every year, the football frenzy was already taking over. With every lager and IPA that hit the bar, the men of RTSports also received formidable opinions, spicy hot takes, boatloads of sarcasm and some pretty entertaining jokes. By the end of the evening, a business card was handed across the bar with a firm demand: “We need a fantasy article written every week with these thoughts, these opinions and this kind of attitude.” With smiles all around and firm handshakes given, “The Weekly Bender” was born.

Yes, all of this, just to re-introduce myself to the community here at RealTime Fantasy Sports. What’s going on, everyone? I am over-the-moon with excitement about being back. In some ways, I never left. Though I was soon offered a full-time position at Fantasy Alarm and the Weekly Bender came to a close, I have remained very active on this website. For years, I hosted the Mock Draft Army here on RTSports and provided fantasy owners an opportunity to mock draft alongside dedicated fantasy players and industry analysts from all over. I’ve hosted numerous best ball drafts here for my audience at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and until my return today, have been logging plenty of time turning a profit in the RTSports DFS Pick ‘Em contests.

Yes, I am still over at Fantasy Alarm and you can find all of my fantasy football player rankings, cheat sheets (coming this Monday, July 8), draft strategies and my coaching scheme breakdowns in our Fantasy Football Draft Guide. The community over there is spectacular and I am sure that some of you reading this right now may already be over there. But RTSports has always been a home for me and now that I am back, I cannot wait to jump in.

In addition to the Weekly Bender, an article dedicated to providing winning strategies and picks with a hefty serving of snark, I will also be joining Jeff Paur on his weekly podcast/livestream, sharing videos with DFS Pick ‘Em contest picks, hosting mock drafts to get everyone ready for the 2024 NFL season and even setting up some “Beat Howard Bender” contests so that we can not only play against each other but also give you the opportunity to serve some of that smack-talk back to me.

When Thomas Wolfe wrote “You Can’t Go Home Again,” he was referring to the way nostalgia has us viewing the past in an overly-positive light. For those of you who remember the original Weekly Bender, you know we don’t look back at those pieces with rose-colored glasses. We crushed the research together, we ruled the waiver wire together and we shared championships together. It all comes full circle today and if Wolfe was sitting with me here right now, I’d let him know that you truly can go home again.

Here's to a spectacular 2024 season!

Bender, out!

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The Paur Report

Hot Plays, Fades and Sleepers: Week 6

Player Notes
Joey Bosa Oct 10 3:50pm CT
Joey Bosa

The Los Angeles Chargers defense is a solid option in Week 6 fantasy lineups. Before their bye week, the Bolts defensive unit ranked sixth in fantasy points per game, averaging 9.5 points. They'll be well rested in general although a few guys like Joey Bosa (hip) and Kristian Fulton (knee) are questionable at best. Facing rookie quarterback Bo Nix and a mediocre Denver Broncos offense, the Chargers can be trusted as a top-10 fantasy option in leagues starting defensive units. They've been the fourth, sixth, 15th, and 10th highest scoring defenses in their four games played this year.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Warren Oct 10 3:50pm CT
Jaylen Warren

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (knee) remained limited during Thursday's practice, according to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. Warren was initially deemed "doubtful" earlier in the week for Sunday's game, according to his head coach, Mike Tomlin. However, seeing him at practice on consecutive days, albeit in a limited capacity, could open the door for him to suit up this weekend. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as the Oklahoma State product will likely carry a designation into the weekend. After totaling over 1,000 all-purpose yards last season, Warren has gotten off to a slow start in 2024 due to numerous injuries. However, if he can play, he should be viewed as a solid flex option in PPR formats, given his pass-catching abilities. If he is unable to play, Najee Harris should see a heavy workload against a weak Las Vegas defense.

From RotoBaller

Josh Palmer Oct 10 3:40pm CT
Josh Palmer

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer is not much of a fantasy option in Week 6 lineups. The Bolts new run-first and run-often offense has limited Palmer to just seven catches total in the three games he's played so far this season. He has yet to record more than three catches or put up more than 36 receiving yards in a game this season, and has clearly fallen behind rookie Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston in the wide receiver pecking order. Fantasy managers rostering Palmer should hold on to see if he has a prove it game soon, but a matchup against an excellent Denver Broncos secondary is unlikely to provide that opportunity.

From RotoBaller

Justin Fields Oct 10 3:40pm CT
Justin Fields

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is expected to remain the starting quarterback heading into Week 6, according to Mark Kaboly. After starting the season with three straight victories, Fields has dropped both of the past two games and could eventually be in danger of losing starting duties as Russell Wilson (calf) was a full participant during Wednesday's and Thursday's practices. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the depth chart heading into the weekend, as Fields could be on a very short leash going forward. Last weekend, in their loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Fields completed just 55.6% of his passes, his lowest mark of the campaign. However, given his ability to succeed as a runner, Fields remains a low-end QB1 for fantasy purposes this weekend, facing a Las Vegas defense that has allowed the 22nd-most points to opposing quarterbacks.

From RotoBaller

Rashid Shaheed Oct 10 3:30pm CT
Rashid Shaheed

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (hip) said that he will be good to go for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers according to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times. Shaheed said, "I'll be all good. Just trying to take care of this hip. By the time game time comes around, I'll be alright." This is a great sign, as the 26-year-old was kept sidelined during Thursday's practice for the second straight day. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Friday's practice in case he faces a setback. Shaheed has eclipsed 15.0 PPR points in four out of five games this season and should be locked into all lineups as a WR3 with upside as he faces a Tampa Bay defense that has allowed the 24th-most points to opposing wideouts this season.

From RotoBaller

Quentin Johnston Oct 10 3:30pm CT
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston will face his toughest matchup of the season so far in a Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos. Johnston got off to a great start this season, scoring three touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3 combined, but he followed that up with a one-catch performance in Week 4 before the Bolts went on their bye week. This week, they'll face a Denver Broncos secondary that has had Patrick Surtain shadow receivers like Johnston and limit them to under 30 yards per game. Surtain has also yet to allow a touchdown in his coverage this season. Johnston has a dangerously low floor this week without much of a ceiling to make up for it, he should be benched in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 10 3:20pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hip/hand) was seen at practice on Thursday, according to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Football Network. This is a great sign, as the star running back did not participate during Wednesday's session. Fantasy managers should monitor the injury report as it should provide clarity on Kamara's status. The 29-year-old was dealing with a hip and hand injury on Wednesday, but seeing him return on Thursday suggests this injury is not overly serious. Kamara is coming off the worst outing of the season as he ran for just 26 yards on 11 carries. However, he should remain locked into all lineups if he is cleared to play as he has averaged an impressive 23.8 PPR points across the first five weeks of the campaign.

From RotoBaller

Devin Singletary Oct 10 3:10pm CT
Devin Singletary

New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) logged a limited session during Thursday's practice, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Singletary was also a limited participant in Wednesday's session. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Friday's injury report, as it should provide clarity on his status heading into the weekend, but seeing him participate early in the week is a positive sign. Singletary did not suit up in last weekend's game due to a groin injury, which allowed rookie Tyrone Tracey Jr. to enjoy a breakout performance as he ran for 129 yards on 18 carries. If Singletary is able to suit up, he should be viewed as a high-floor RB2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. If not, fantasy managers should feel confident slotting Tracy back into their lineup for the second straight weekend.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Oct 10 3:00pm CT
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) has missed two practices coming out of the bye week and is not an option in most Week 6 fantasy lineups. J.K. Dobbins has taken over the Chargers backfield as is the clear starter in a run-first offense. Despite the Bolts relying on the run all season, Edwards has yet to put up more than 5.9 fantasy points in a game and is averaging just three fantasy points per game. On top of his own ineffectiveness and injury, Edwards will have to face a strong Broncos run defense if he plays. He's almost completely off the fantasy radar and can be dropped in most formats at this point.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Oct 10 3:00pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey has a tough matchup coming out of the Chargers bye week with a Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos. McConkey has clearly been the WR1 on the Chargers offense, but an obvious run-first approach has limited the rookie pass catcher to an overall WR42 ranking in fantasy points per game. He has been able to put up two WR2 finishes, however, and clearly has the upside for more. He has a 25.8% target share and a 30.5% first read share, both strong numbers. He'll face a Broncos secondary that has limited opposing slot receivers to the lowest fantasy points per target so far this season. It's a decently high floor but limited ceiling kind of matchup for McConkey in Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Oct 10 3:00pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) did not practice for the second straight day on Thursday and is now in danger of missing his second consecutive game. The LSU standout suffered a concussion in their Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and has not taken the field since. It was reported earlier on Thursday that Nabers was seen doing side work with the coaching staff but has not progressed to the next step in concussion protocol. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during Friday's practice but should begin to look for another option on the waiver wire, as Nabers will likely face an uphill battle to suit on Sunday evening. If he does suit up, Nabers should be locked into your lineup as a high-end WR1. If not, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton should see an uptick in opportunities.

From RotoBaller

J.K. Dobbins Oct 10 2:40pm CT
J.K. Dobbins

Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins has another tough matchup in a Week 6 game against the Denver Broncos. Dobbins got off to an excellent start this season with huge games in Weeks 1 and 2, but then hit some of the league's best run defenses in Weeks 3 and 4. Week 6 features another strong run defense, as the Broncos have limited opposing runners to mediocre at best weeks all season. Even with the two tough weeks though, Dobbins is the fantasy RB16 in points per game and is averaging just under 100 total yards per contest. He's a high floor option despite the tough matchup, but his ceiling is limited by his opponent and potentially by the Chargers offense in general. Dobbins comes into the lower half of RB2 rankings for this week.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Oct 10 2:30pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (ankle) is off the fantasy radar in a Week 6 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Herbert was limited in practice on Wednesday as he continues to recover from an early-season ankle injury. Besides that, the Chargers run-first offense has turned Herbert into the overall fantasy QB32, with no finishes in the top 20 yet. He's 33rd in passing yards per game out of 35 qualified quarterbacks, and 28th in yards per attempt. Combine all of that with a strong Denver Broncos defense that has limited opposing quarterbacks to the fifth lowest passer rating and third lowest yards per attempt, and there's no reason Herbert should be near most fantasy starting lineups this week.

From RotoBaller

Jake Haener Oct 10 2:13pm CT
Jake Haener

Dynasty | The Saints will start Spencer Rattler at quarterback this week. Dynasty Analysis: Rattler gets the nod over Jake Haener and will have a chance to make an impression while Derek Carr is sidelined with an oblique injury. Once one of the highest profile college quarterbacks, Rattler's journey to a starting nod is filled with ups, downs, disappointments, and general weirdness. In the end, he'll get a chance to show he belongs in the NFL. Expectations should be tempered as rookies tend to struggle, but this is obviously a big development as Rattler gets an opportunity much earlier than expected to show he could be the Saints quarterback of the future. He should be on dynasty rosters everywhere at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Micah Parsons Oct 10 2:10pm CT
Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (ankle) is doing side work on Thursday to rehab the ankle injury that held him out of the Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Parsons suffered the ankle injury in the Week 4 Thursday Night Football win against the New York Giants and is unlikely to face the Detroit Lions in Week 6. However, it's a good sign that the Cowboys did not place the three-time Pro Bowler on Injured Reserve, so he could reasonably return soon. Parsons has tallied 227 tackles, 41.5 sacks, and seven forced fumbles through his first 54 games in the NFL since being drafted in 2021 out of Penn State.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Oct 10 1:50pm CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (foot) was not spotted at the team's open portion of practice on Thursday, marking the second straight day he has missed. A Thursday "DNP" is always concerning, so fantasy managers should start to prepare for the possibility of him missing the Week 6 contest against the Houston Texans. If he misses, former Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson could see close to a workhorse role, while JaMycal Hasty would likely see some work behind him. The Texans have allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to RBs this season, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye will likely target Stevenson or Gibson often in his first career NFL start. That said, whichever running back starts could see a slight boost in PPR setups.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Oct 10 1:50pm CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) is back on the practice field on Thursday after logging a limited practice on Wednesday. The 2023 first-round pick out of Florida has been oft-injured during his short career, but it sounds like there's a chance he plays and starts against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. If Richardson is the starter, he'll be without Michael Pittman Jr. (back), who is expected to miss a few weeks. Additionally, Josh Downs (toe) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, meaning he could be out. To make things even more challenging, the Titans have allowed the fewest passing yards per game this season (124.0). However, Tennessee gave up 73 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to Malik Willis and 40 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown to Tyler Huntley, so the ground game is Richardson's path to fantasy success. Either way, his floor is lower than expected based on his early-season results. If Richardson can't play, Joe Flacco will get the start, but he's likely to struggle given the Colts' injuries and the matchup against a strong secondary.

From RotoBaller

Joe Mixon Oct 10 1:40pm CT
Joe Mixon

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) is at practice on Thursday for the first time this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and hasn't played since Week 2, so his return to practice is promising for a potential Week 6 return to game action. Mixon was excellent in the Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, posting 178 total yards and a touchdown on 33 touches. He was injured in Week 2 and only produced 50 total yards. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday for his practice participation and gameday status, but if he plays, it will be tough to keep him out of the lineup against the New England Patriots, who have surrendered the 11th-most fantasy points per game to running backs. If Mixon doesn't play, Dameon Pierce (hamstring), who is likely to return this week, could handle starting duties. However, there's a chance Houston will opt to implement a three-headed backfield with Pierce, Cam Akers, and Dare Ogunbowale.

From RotoBaller

Brian Robinson Jr. Oct 10 1:30pm CT
Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) was not spotted during the open portion of Thursday's practice, meaning he's likely to be listed as a "DNP" with a knee injury for the second straight day. Robinson missed the first day of practice last week and still played, but opening the week with two straight missed practices is far from ideal. If Robinson is in real danger of missing the Week 6 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, Austin Ekeler (heel) could become an RB2 option, while Jeremy McNichols could be utilized as a deep-league flex play. Through the first five weeks of the season, Robinson is the RB9 in half-PPR formats and has posted over 400 yards of offense. Ekeler and McNichols have looked good in limited roles, but Baltimore has surrendered the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs through Week 5. Robinson's official game status will be announced Friday afternoon, so this is a "wait and see" situation.

From RotoBaller

Khalil Shakir Oct 10 1:20pm CT
Khalil Shakir

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday leading up to the Monday Night Football matchup against the New York Jets in Week 6. Shakir missed the Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans with an ankle injury, so he could reasonably sit out the AFC East contest. While the third-year wideout out of Boise State has not been a fantasy superstar this year, he's reached double-digit PPR points in all four active games, making him a solid flex option. Fellow wide receiver Curtis Samuel (foot) and receiving back James Cook (foot/toe) are also banged up, so Buffalo could have a depleted skill group. These injuries could clear the way for a big game from tight end Dalton Kincaid, but wideouts Keon Coleman and Mack Hollins will likely be more involved if at least two of the three banged-up pass-catchers can't suit up this week. However, the Jets have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers this year, so it could be an ugly passing attack for Buffalo on Monday night.

From RotoBaller