RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 6

Fri Oct 10 9:30am ET
By MIKE BARNER
Contributing Writer

Only two teams are on a bye during Week 6, but injuries continue to alter the landscape of DFS. As we try to make sense of it all, here are some players at each position to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.

Quarterbacks

Matthew Stafford, LAR at BAL ($6,400): Stafford has thrown for at least 375 yards in back-to-back games. He also has 10 touchdowns across his last four matchups. This is a great opportunity for him to stay locked in, considering that the Ravens have allowed the second-most passing yards per game and the most passing touchdowns in the NFL.

Jordan Love, GB vs. CIN ($6,200): Love is well rested after the Packers had their bye in Week 5. Week 6 provides a soft landing spot for their return to action with the Bengals allowing 31.2 points per game. The Bengals’ problems can be attributed to their secondary, which has allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game. They have also allowed 12 passing touchdowns, which is just one fewer than the Ravens.

Player to Avoid

Jared Goff, DET at KC ($6,300): The Chiefs have allowed just five touchdown passes this season, while also registering four interceptions. It’s also noteworthy that this game will be played in Kansas City. Goff has not been great on the road, throwing for fewer than 260 yards in all three games away from Detroit. He has seven touchdowns in two home games, compared to five touchdowns over three road matchups. Stafford and Love have similar salaries and much better matchups, which means Goff isn’t very appealing.

Running Backs

Ashton Jeanty, LV vs. TEN ($6,900): With the Raiders getting blown out by the Colts last week, Jeanty had a modest 14 carries, which he turned into 67 yards. Since the team was trying to play catchup, Jeanty finished with a season-high seven targets. He made them count, hauling in five receptions for 42 yards. The Raiders could have a more run-heavy approach against the struggling Titans, who are averaging just 14.6 points per game. Their defense has been as bad as their offense, allowing the third-most rushing yards per game in the league.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS vs. CHI ($5,600): The Commanders gave Croskey-Merritt a season-high 14 rushing attempts against the Chargers last week. He certainly made a case to remain in an expanded role, totaling 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught both of his targets for 39 more yards. If he receives a similar workload in Week 6, he could provide significant value against a Bears team that has allowed an NFL-worst 6.2 yards per carry.

Player to Avoid

Travis Etienne Jr., JAX vs. SEA ($5,900): The Chiefs held Etienne to 49 yards on 12 carries last week. A matchup against the Seahawks isn’t any more favorable, considering they have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards per game. While his salary won’t destroy your budget, it’s his unfavorable matchup that makes Etienne someone to avoid.

Wide Receivers

Puka Nacua, LAR at BAL ($8,700): Nacua has accounted for 35.0% of the Rams’ targets and 36.0% of their air yards this season. That has helped him record at least eight receptions and 85 receiving yards in all five games. While he didn’t reach the end zone earlier in the season, he has recorded a touchdown in both of his last two games. His salary will do a number on your budget, but stacking him with Stafford comes with tremendous upside.

Keenan Allen, LAC at MIA ($5,600): In his return to the Chargers, Allen has stepped right back into a prominent role. He has received at least seven targets in all five games, which he converted into at least five receptions in each of them. In four of the games, he finished with at least 58 receiving yards. The Dolphins have allowed the 10th-most yards per target to wide receivers, leaving Allen with the potential to provide value.

Player to Avoid

Ja’Marr Chase, CIN at GB ($7,700): Chase exploded for six receptions, 110 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions last week. However, he had 10 receptions for 73 yards and no touchdowns over his previous two games. The Bengals are a mess at quarterback and will now turn to Joe Flacco to take over under center. He was just acquired in a trade with the Browns on Tuesday, so he won’t have a ton of time to learn the finer points of the Bengals’ offense. This is also a difficult matchup against a Packers team that has allowed just six passing touchdowns over four games. With his expensive salary, Chase comes with a ton of risk this week.

Tight Ends

Jake Ferguson, DAL at CAR ($5,300): Ferguson caught seven passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns against the Jets last week, giving him three touchdowns over his last two games. The Cowboys have looked Ferguson’s way early and often, leaving him with a 24.6% target share. CeeDee Lamb (ankle) will likely be sidelined again, so expect Ferguson to remain a key part of their offense.

David Njoku, CLE at PIT ($3,500): The initial results of Dillon Gabriel taking over at quarterback for the Browns were promising for Njoku. The stellar tight end was targeted nine times against the Vikings last week, totaling six receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown. That marked his season high in targets, receptions and receiving yards. The Steelers have allowed the sixth-most yards per target to tight ends, so Njoku is a great option for those looking to save some of their budget at the tight end spot.

Player to Avoid

Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL vs. BUF ($3,700): Pitts has been much better this season, posting 20 receptions for 205 yards and one touchdown over four games. However, his average depth of target is down to 5.8 yards, which is on pace to be the lowest mark of his career. As concerning as that is, his matchup with the Bills is even more worrisome. In five games, the Bills have allowed a total of 11 receptions to tight ends.

Mike Barner has been covering fantasy sports since 2007. His work has appeared in Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, SportsLine and RotoWire. Mike was also a finalist for the 2018 FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Follow Mike on Twitter @rotomikebarner.

RealTime DFS Strategy: Week 6

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