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Soaring NFL ratings suffer second straight dip in Week 6

Wed Oct 16 5:58pm ET
Field Level Media

The NFL's streak of sky-high ratings to begin the season suffered its second consecutive setback in Week 6 with almost all key network windows down year-over-year, according to Sports Media Watch.

Week 6 opened with an NFC West showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, but the ratings for Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime was down 5 percent compared to the same week last season.

Meanwhile, Fox's 1 p.m. ET window of Sunday games were down 13 percent, in part due to Detroit's blowout of Dallas being down 8 percent compared to the Eagles-Jets in 2023.

The trend continued into the final game of the day, with Cincinnati's win over the New York Giants watched by 15.44 million viewers -- the fewest to tune into a Sunday Night Football broadcast since 2020.

Week 6 concluded with a tight game between AFC East rivals Buffalo at the New York Jets. Despite the star power of quarterbacks Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers, the game brought in 17.3 million viewers, down from 19.64 million for the Cowboys against the Los Angeles Chargers last year. However, it was still a strong end to an otherwise down week, representing the second-largest Week 6 Monday Night audience since 2000, according to Sports Media Watch.

Ratings could be in store for a rebound in Week 7, which kicks off on Thursday night with Sean Payton's return to New Orleans with the Denver Broncos. Season to date, Amazon Prime games are averaging 13.98 viewers on Thursday nights, up 18 percent over the full-season average for 2023.

Sunday's slate is highlighted by the Super Bowl rematch between San Francisco and Kansas City on Fox.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 7

Player Notes
Travis Etienne Oct 17 12:30am ET
Travis Etienne

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old has been on a peculiar stretch of games lately; he saw his rushing workload scaled back in Week 5, and then he only registered three carries last Sunday in London. While his reduced opportunities could be attributed to a new hamstring injury, it's also possible the Jaguars simply preferred Tank Bigsby or D'Ernest Johnson in certain scenarios against the Chicago Bears. As a result, Etienne has become tough to trust in fantasy football, even if the team gives him a clean bill of health. He's merely an RB3/FLEX play for Week 7.

From RotoBaller

Mason Tipton Oct 17 12:30am ET
Mason Tipton

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Mason Tipton could be in for an increased snap share in Week 7 with Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) both out. Tipton logged a season-high 41% share in Week 6 after Olave departed with his injury just three plays into the game. The extra run did not equate to a more productive day, however, and he finished with one catch for 15 yards on two targets. Unfortunately for Tipton, the Saints square off against the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. Denver has one of the stingiest defenses in the league this season and is allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Despite the opportunity to see more time on the field, Tipton shouldn't be counted on as a fantasy asset.

From RotoBaller

Jaleel McLaughlin Oct 17 12:30am ET
Jaleel McLaughlin

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin just cannot be trusted in starting fantasy lineups for a Week 7 primetime clash against the hosting New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. McLaughlin checks in as the RB58 in terms of half-PPR points per game through six weeks in his second year in the NFL. The Broncos are averaging just over 100 rushing yards a game in 2024, with neither McLaughlin nor Javonte Williams doing much on the ground. The lone bright spot is that McLaughlin has found the end zone twice (one rushing, one receiving), but he's only seen double-digit carries once (back in Week 1) and is averaging a paltry 3.2 yards per carry on 36 attempts. The volume just isn't there for McLaughlin to be a viable starting option for fantasy managers, especially now that rookie Audric Estime is back in the mix.

From RotoBaller

Ricky Pearsall Oct 17 12:20am ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Although Pearsall is still on the non-football injury list as a result of being shot during an armed robbery attempt in the preseason, he's one step closer to making his NFL debut after the 49ers opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week. Essentially, the 49ers have three weeks to activate Pearsall from the non-football injury list. During that span, he can practice with the team, but he can't appear in a game until he's activated. If 21 days pass and Pearsall is still not activated, he's done for the season. As of now, it appears as though the rookie is trending in the right direction and will be able to make his NFL debut sooner rather than later. He's presumably competing with Jauan Jennings for the No. 3 role behind Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.

From RotoBaller

Javonte Williams Oct 17 12:20am ET
Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams, and the Broncos' ground attack in general, have been a big disappointment heading into a Week 7 primetime game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. Williams is averaging a career-low-tying 3.6 yards per carry with 213 rushing yards and no touchdowns on 59 carries through six games. He's caught 20 passes for 143 additional yards. The 24-year-old is averaging just 7.6 half-PPR fantasy points per game, fewer than Dameon Pierce and Jeremy McNichols. The good news is he'll face a Saints defense that has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points per game to the RB position this year, including the fourth-most points in the last three weeks. It's hard to get excited about Williams in starting fantasy lineups based on what he's produced so far, but he has the potential to be a serviceable RB3/flex this week on the road.

From RotoBaller

Bub Means Oct 17 12:10am ET
Bub Means

It took injuries to the New Orleans Saints top two receivers, but rookie Bub Means will likely get his first NFL start on Thursday when Week 7 begins. With Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) declared out, Means has a chance to build off his impressive Week 6 performance. In that game, he tied running back Alvin Kamara for the team lead in both catches (five) and targets (eight), gaining 45 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown after taking over for Olave, who was forced out of the game on the Saints' third offensive play. Unfortunately, Means' opportunity comes against the Denver Broncos, who have held opposing wide receivers in check better than anyone else this season. Over their first six games, they have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game and just one touchdown to the position. The one glimmer of hope for Means is that Denver will be missing the elite play provided by cornerback Patrick Surtain II (concussion). Means projects as a WR5 and is a risky play in the first game of the week.

From RotoBaller

Bo Nix Oct 17 12:10am ET
Bo Nix

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has an opportunity on Thursday night on the road at the Caesars Superdome to continue his positive momentum against the New Orleans Saints. Nix comes into the Week 7 contest as the QB21 in average fantasy points at his position, but he's shown notable progress in the last three weeks with 482 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception after throwing for 600 yards, no TDs and four picks in his first four NFL games. The Saints defense has allowed 15.1 fantasy points per game to QBs (ninth-fewest), but they've also surrendered the fourth-most passing yards per game (262.2). By no means has Nix been great so far -- Denver's offense is averaging 18.7 points per game -- but he's shown flashes of his potential as the 12th overall pick and has a matchup to exploit this week. Fantasy managers should consider him a low-end QB2 in superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Oct 16 11:40pm ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hand) was limited in practice all week managing a lingering hand injury but is expected to play in Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos. New Orleans was probably just taking it easy on the league leader in total touches (132) on a short week. Kamara will likely be relied on heavily to produce for a Saints offense that will be missing several skill position players, with Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) already declared out and Taysom Hill (ribs) designated as doubtful. Kamara was targeted eight times by rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler in Week 6, who will likely get another spot start with Derek Carr (oblique) listed as doubtful. Denver's defense has been among the most effective in the league this season but Kamara should still be in starting lineups when Week 7 kicks off on Thursday night.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Oct 16 11:30pm ET
Spencer Rattler

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is in line for another start when the team kicks off the Week 7 slate on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. Regular starter Derek Carr (oblique) is listed as doubtful on the Saints' final injury report but the eleven-year veteran did not practice at all this week. In his professional debut last week, Rattler went 22-for-40 on pass attempts for 243 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. The rookie also fumbled (and recovered) his second snap of the game but was otherwise surprisingly efficient for most of the first half until the Buccaneers defense started to turn up the heat. Rattler faces an uphill battle in Week 7, going against a defense that ranks second in total sacks (22) and is allowing just 16 points per game to opposing offenses. He will also be without the services of Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) who have been declared out, making Rattler a risky play in the first game of the week.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Oct 16 10:40pm ET
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers wide receivers Jayden Reed (ankle), Christian Watson (ankle), and Dontayvion Wicks (shoulder) were all officially limited participants for the team's Wednesday practice. Tight end Tucker Kraft (groin) was also limited. Yikes. As of now, wideouts Romeo Doubs, Malik Heath, and Bo Melton are the only three receivers on the roster without a designation. Watson played through the ankle injury he sustained a few weeks back in last week's contest, so it's likely just a maintenance day for the third-year wideout. However, Reed and Wicks picked up their respective injuries in the 34-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The former returned to action -- with minimal production -- while the latter did not return in the victory. In the case of Wicks, head coach Matt LaFleur remarked that he "dodged a bullet," and it seems the team is optimistic he misses little to no time. Fantasy managers should closely monitor the Packers' WR room over the coming days.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Oct 16 10:40pm ET
Jake Moody

San Francisco 49ers kickers Jake Moody (ankle) and Matthew Wright (shoulder) were both listed as non-participants in the team's first practice of the week. In a bizarre occurrence, the 49ers have had a kicker get injured in back-to-back weeks while attempting a tackle on a kickoff return. It's not much of a surprise that Moody missed another practice as he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain he picked up in San Francisco's Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. However, Wright's designation is worth noting after the MRI he received on his shoulder last Friday came back clean. The hope is that the 28-year-old will be healthy enough to play in the team's Week 7 tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Wright can't suit up, the 49ers have signed kicker Anders Carlson to their practice squad as his replacement.

From RotoBaller

Jauan Jennings Oct 16 10:20pm ET
Jauan Jennings

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (hip) did not participate in the team's first practice of the week. The 27-year-old played 52% of snaps in Thursday's 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, which is around his typical allotment, so it's unclear when he picked up the hip ailment. When reporters asked about the former Volunteer on Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said the injury was sustained in the Week 6 matchup, but they were unaware of it Friday morning. Jennings will have two more opportunities to log at least a limited session this week before the team decides on his status for Sunday. The 49ers will square off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 and need all the help they can get against one of the league's top defenses.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 16 10:13pm ET
Mike Williams

Dynasty | Jets wide receiver Mike Williams did not practice on Wednesday. Dynasty Analysis: He was out due to "personal reasons." Those reasons surely include the fact his quarterback threw him under the bus after the game this week, the Jets subsequent trading for Davante Adams and rumors the team is attempting to trade him. At this point, it would be a surprise to see him play another game for the Jets. New York would surely take just about anything in exchange for the oft-injured wide receiver at this point, so things could move quickly. Williams is looking like more of a roster clogger than a dynasty asset at this point.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Rashid Shaheed Oct 16 10:13pm ET
Rashid Shaheed

Dynasty | Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed will reportedly undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Dynasty Analysis: It sounds as if Shaheed is going to be a candidate for injured reserve and any dynasty manager enjoying his breakout season is going to need to look elsewhere for production, at least in the short-term. Shaheed has 20 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns this season, a pace that was putting him at 57 catches for 988 yards and nine touchdowns, which would all obliterate his career highs. While those numbers are likely now unattainable, Shaheed should be able to maintain his rising value, despite being sidelined.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Hayden Hurst Oct 16 10:13pm ET
Hayden Hurst

Los Angeles Chargers TE Hayden Hurst (groin) may miss some time, but his groin injury isn't considered serious.

From TheHuddle

Deebo Samuel Oct 16 10:10pm ET
Deebo Samuel

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist) got in a limited practice to kick off the week on Wednesday. The 28-year-old caught 3-of-5 targets for a team-leading 102 yards -- including a 76-yard touchdown -- in the 36-24 win over their division-rival Seahawks but left the contest briefly to get his hand checked out. He would return to the game, but it appears the injury has lingered. Considering he was not ruled out from Week 6, it's likely that fantasy managers have little reason to be alarmed regarding his status for a pivotal Week 7 matchup against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs. Still, his practice participation over the remainder of the week is worth tracking.

From RotoBaller

T.J. Hockenson Oct 16 9:50pm ET
T.J. Hockenson

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was again listed as a limited participant in the team's practice report. Technically, it's the veteran's second straight limited session, as he was designated as such in the final practice leading up to the team's Week 5 outing against the New York Jets. Whether or not he plays this week is uncertain; however, with his 21-day practice window set to close on Oct. 25, Minnesota must activate him soon lest they lose him for the remainder of the season. Fortunately, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was optimistic when asked about him. "He's in a great spot," said O'Connell, "he's moving around great, but he's gotta get acclimated back into football a little bit." With Minnesota set to play their Week 8 matchup on Thursday Night Football, Hockenson's debut may be pushed back until then. We'll know more regarding his Sunday status over the next few days' practice designations.

From RotoBaller

Tucker Kraft Oct 16 9:30pm ET
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (groin) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week. Kraft popped up on Green Bay's injury report last Thursday with a groin injury, logging two limited sessions before suiting up for the Packers' Week 6 win over the Cardinals. The 23-year-old played a full complement of snaps (82%), though he disappointed with his performance, catching 2-of-4 targets for just 13 yards -- a season-low output -- as is the case sometimes in a deep Rolodex of competent Packers' skill players. However, his designation for the following two practices will be telling about his status ahead of Week 7's home tilt against the Houston Texans. If Kraft plays, he could be in store for a busy day with a litany of Packers' wideouts dinged up this week. If he can't, tight end Ben Sims would likely handle most of the TE duties with Luke Musgrave (ankle) on injured reserve.

From RotoBaller

Mike Williams Oct 16 9:23pm ET
Mike Williams

New York Jets WR Mike Williams is open to a trade, and the team 'is comfortable moving on' from Williams, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com.

Fantasy Spin: With the addition of Davante Adams, Williams is likely the No. 4 receiver in New York. His best chance at fantasy relevance would be a trade to a receiver-needy team.

From TheHuddle

Leonard Floyd Oct 16 8:43pm ET
Leonard Floyd

San Francisco 49ers DT Maliek Collins (knee), DE Leonard Floyd (non-injury), PK Jake Moody (ankle), OT Trent Williams (non-injury) and PK Matthew Wright (back, shoulder) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Oct. 16. DT Jordan Elliott (knee), CB Darrell Luter Jr. (pelvis) and S Malik Mustapha (ankle) were limited during practice. LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), WR Ricky Pearsall (chest) and CB Charvarius Ward (knee) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle