With a third of the NFL season behind us, we as fantasy owners are dealing with a number of challenges; whether it is a star player on their bye week or a season long injury to your stud. These challenges you are facing make your lineup decisions even more important as we have a narrower margin for error. To help get these important decisions right, take a look inside the numbers before you set your fantasy lineup for Week 6.
Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers
If you trust his health this week, Trevor Siemian has a nice matchup. The Chargers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the position at a 25-point weekly clip.
Denver has allowed just three passing touchdowns this season, so you may need to look elsewhere for quarterback if you have Philip Rivers, especially with the Chargers’ signal caller averaging just 215 yards in two games against the Broncos last season.
The Broncos’ C.J. Anderson has averaged eight fantasy points since his two-touchdown performance in Week 1. Since then, he has averaged 50.2 yards per game on 3.1 yards per carry. He also almost was out snapped by Devontae Booker last Sunday.
Denver’s rookie running back has seen his snap count grow each week and was up to 41 percent in Week 4. Both ball carriers should feast in this one though. San Diego has allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
The Chargers’ Melvin Gordon is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry this season while having played the Raiders, Jaguars, Colts, Saints and Chiefs. Those five teams are allowing a combined 4.6 yards per carry to running backs this season. Denver is allowing just 3.8 yards per carry in 2016, so he should continue to struggle to rack up heavy yardage this week.
Emmanuel Sanders has averaged eight receptions per game in each of his last three games.
The Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas has a touchdown in three straight. He also has a touchdown in each of his last three contests versus the Chargers.
The Chargers’ Tyrell Williams has at least five receptions in each of his last three games. But the increase in workload likely won’t lead to a big fantasy performance this week. Denver is allowing just 61 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
In a game against Denver last season, Travis Benjamin hauled in nine passes for 117 yards. Since Keenan Allen’s injury, he also leads the Chargers in targets with 29. However don’t expect another big outing this time around. The Broncos are allowing the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
The Chargers have allowed just one touchdown to tight ends this season, so no need to consider Virgil Green this week.
Hunter Henry has scored a touchdown in each of his last two contests. But with Denver allowing the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2016, there probably are better options this week.
Antonio Gates saw 25 fewer snaps than Henry in Week 5.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, so Colin Kaepernick is an easy fade in his first game in 2016.
The 49ers’ pass defense has allowed at least two passing touchdowns in each of their last four games. The Bills’ Tyrod Taylor finds himself in a nice spot this week.
Carlos Hyde has scored six touchdowns already this season. He has a good chance at finding paydirt again this weekend. The Bills have allowed the third-most touchdowns to running backs in 2016.
Fire up LeSean McCoy this week. The 49ers have given up four straight 100-yard rushers this season. While the Bills’ ball carrier has accounted for at least 100 yards of offense in three straight contests.
The 49ers’ Jeremy Kerley has 45 targets this season, seventh-most in the NFL. Buffalo has allowed the third-most receiving yards to wideouts this season, so Kerley could be in for more action on Sunday.
San Francisco has allowed the seventh-fewest completions to wide receivers this season, so not a lot to get excited for when looking at the Bills’ receiving corps.
Buffalo has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season, so find your tight end somewhere else for Week 6.
Charles Clay has caught five passes in each of his last two games, so the tight end could have some value in deeper leagues. San Francisco is allowing the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2016.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
Carson Wentz has passed for two touchdowns in three of his four starts this season. But keep in mind that Washington has allowed just six passing touchdowns through five games in 2016.
Kirk Cousins has always enjoyed playing against the Eagles. In three games, he has accumulated 1,082 passing yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. But this year looks like it is going to be a bit different for the quarterback. Philadelphia is allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Washington has allowed the second-most rushing yards and the third-most fantasy points to running backs so far this season. Seems like a good spot for Ryan Mathews to finish with his fourth double-digit fantasy performance of the season.
Matt Jones has rushed for more than 65 yards just once this season. And this week doesn’t look good either. The Eagles are allowing just 54.3 rushing yards per game to running backs this season.
If you have to start a Redskins’ running back, you may want to consider Chris Thompson instead. He had four catches in Week 5 and Philadelphia is allowing an average of five receptions to running backs per week.
In his last game against Washington, Jordan Matthews finished with six catches for 104 yards and a trip across the goal line. The Redskins are allowing 97.6 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers, so the Eagles’ pass-catcher should be a fine option again this week.
DeSean Jackson has just four catches in his last two games. Philadelphia has allowed an average of just 12 receptions per game to wide receivers in 2016, so it is not likely that D-Jax gets a ton of work again this weekend. And do not even think about the end zone. Philly has allowed just one touchdown to wide receivers this season.
Pierre Garcon has 11 catches in his last three games with a high of 59 yards. Tough to see him doing much better this week. The Eagles are allowing just 38 yards per game to No. 2 receivers.
Washington has allowed the third-most receptions to the tight end position this season, so you could do worse than Zach Ertz this Sunday.
Don’t look at the Redskins if you are trying to find a tight end for your roster. The Eagles have given up just 52 yards to the position in 2016.
Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee has allowed just four passing touchdowns this season, so this is not the time to start a Browns’ signal caller.
On the other hand, this is a great spot for the Titans’ Marcus Mariota. The Browns have allowed three passing touchdowns in each of their last three games.
Isaiah Crowell struggled last week with just 22 yards on 13 attempts. His tough times should continue this week. The Titans have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to the position this season and held the Dolphins’ backfield to 49 yards last Sunday.
DeMarco Murray is only one of two players (Greg Olsen being the other) to finish among the top-12 in fantasy points scored at his position in each week this season. The Browns are allowing an average of 142 offensive yards to running backs this season, so the Titans’ running back should finish in the top 12 again in Week 6.
Since his big Week 3 performance, Terrelle Pryor has averaged just five receptions and 47 receiving yards per game. Tennessee has allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, so don’t bank on another big outing from the former quarterback.
Running back DeMarco Murray leads the Titans in receptions, so naturally there isn’t much to pick from Tennessee’s receiving group for fantasy purposes.
Cleveland’s Gary Barnidge has at least five receptions in each of his last three games and has seen 15 targets in the last two.
The Titans’ Delanie Walker should be line for a nice game on Sunday. In their last two games, the Browns have allowed 21 catches for 257 yards and five touchdowns.
(Photo by Greg McWilliams/Icon Sportswire)
Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Giants
Joe Flacco has a total of just two passing touchdowns in his last three games. Don’t be surprised if he struggles to find the end zone again this week. The Giants have allowed just six passing touchdowns in five games this season.
Baltimore is allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2016. So don’t expect much from Eli Manning this week. He has just two passing touchdowns in his last four contests.
Terrance West has 208 yards on his last 32 carries. The Giants should slow him down this week. The New York defense is allowing just 3.8 yards per carry and the sixth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this year.
Baltimore has allowed a total of 156 rushing yards to running backs in their last three contests. You will want to avoid the Giants’ ball carriers in this one.
In the last two games he was able to complete, Steve Smith had 16 catches for 198 yards. So if he is able to play, he is a safe start in Week 6.
A late touchdown saved Odell Beckham’s fantasy value in Week 5. He will need another garbage time score to hit value this week. The Ravens are allowing just 58 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
Sterling Shepard has a total of six catches in his last two games. With a Ravens’ defense that is allowing the fifth-fewest yards to the receiver position, this is a good week to keep the rookie on your bench.
Dennis Pitta is averaging 5.6 receptions per game, but he has not yet caught a touchdown. The Giants have allowed just one touchdown to the position this season, so expect the tight end to be shut out of the end zone again in Week 6.
Baltimore has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, so look right over Will Tye.
Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
Last year when these two teams played in New Orleans, Cam Newton and Drew Brees combined for 613 yards and eight touchdowns.
In that same game, Jonathan Stewart scored 17.3 fantasy points. If he is healthy enough to give it a go this week he very well could hit that number again. The Saints have allowed five rushing touchdowns over the past two weeks and are allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position this season.
Ingram enters this game having scored in each of his last two contests. He will have a tough go extending his streak on Sunday. In their last four games, the Panthers have allowed just one rushing touchdown to running backs.
Kelvin Benjamin has just eight catches in his last three games. He likely won’t break out in this one. The Saints are allowing just 76 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
Since his Week 1 outing, Brandin Cooks has a total of 112 yards in three games. Seattle has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season so this won’t be the week he breaks out.
Michael Thomas has scored a touchdown in each of his last two games. The Seahawks have allowed just one touchdown to wide receivers this season so the rookie is going to have a tough time extending his streak.
The Panthers’ Greg Olsen is a must start this week. He has 517 yards already this season.
Carolina has given up four touchdowns to tight ends in the last four weeks so you can gamble Coby Fleener in Week 6.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears
Blake Bortles has scored multiple touchdowns in each of his last three contests. The Bears have allowed two touchdowns just once in their last four. Something will be giving this week.
The Bears’ Brian Hoyer enters play having thrown for at least 300 yards and two scores in each of his starts this season. Jacksonville is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, so there’s no reason to believe Hoyer slows down in this one.
T.J. Yeldon has rushed for more than 40 yards just once this season. Facing a Bears’ defense that has allowed a total of 127 rushing yards over the last two weeks won’t help the Jaguars running back’s chance of having a big game this week.
Over the last two weeks, the Bears’ Jordan Howard is the fourth-best fantasy running back. He compiled 295 offensive yards in that time.
Allen Robinson has snagged three touchdowns in his last two games, but be leery. The Bears have allowed just one touchdown to wide receivers in their last two contests.
The Jaguars’ Allen Hurns has been held under 75 yards in each game this season. Chicago is allowing just 53 yards per game to No. 2 wide receivers this season, so look for more of the same on Sunday.
From 2012-15 Alshon Jeffery averaged nine targets per game. This season, he has averaged just six. Jacksonville has allowed 7.7 targets to No. 1 wide receivers in 2016, so don’t look for a big jump in his involvement this weekend.
Cameron Meredith played a big role last weekend. He led the team with nine receptions for 130 yards. With Eddie Royal hobbled again this week, the second-year player could be heavily involved again in Week 6.
Chicago is allowing an average of just five receptions and 44.4 yards to tight ends, so tame your expectations for Julius Thomas.
Most of Alshon Jeffery’s targets have gone to Zach Miller, who has had 20 passes thrown his way since Hoyer took over the quarterback position. But this week will be his toughest challenge yet. Jacksonville is allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points to the tight end.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
If you are desperate for a quarterback this week, the Rams’ Case Keenum has an excellent matchup. The Lions have allowed the most-touchdown passes this season (14).
The Rams’ defense has allowed six passing touchdowns in their last three games. They have also allowed 300-plus passing yards in two of those three contests. Stafford has thrown for three touchdowns in two of his last three games.
Todd Gurley had his best game of the season last week. Expect the success to be short lived. The Lions have not allowed a rushing touchdown to a running back yet in 2016.
Tavon Austin saw his best work of the season in Week 5 when he caught seven passes. With Detroit allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, the Rams’ top option in the passing game could be in position this week to strike.
Kenny Britt has at least 75 yards in each of his last two weeks. Detroit has allowed 380 yards to wide receivers in the last two weeks, so there should be plenty of opportunity for the veteran pass catcher to hit that total again in Week 6.
Since his 200-plus yard game in Week 3, Marvin Jones has combined for just 111 yards in the last two weeks. With the Rams allowing just 60 yards per game to opposing No.1 wideouts, the Lions’ receiver could struggle once again.
In five games this season, Golden Tate has a high of 41 yards. He is a fade until further notice.
Your Hail Mary tight end play this week is the Rams’ Lance Kendricks. The Lions have allowed six touchdowns to tight ends already in 2016, as well as the second-most fantasy points to the position.
In their last four games, the Rams have allowed a score to tight ends just once.
(Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Miami Dolphins
In two games with Le’Veon Bell back in the huddle, Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for nine touchdowns. He is a must-start each week.
Ryan Tannehill has one touchdown and four turnovers in the past two weeks. Pittsburgh has allowed just six passing touchdowns in 2016, so you should have little confidence in the Miami quarterback on Sunday.
Le’Veon Bell has not scored a touchdown yet in 2016 and the Dolphins have allowed just one rushing touchdown. But the running back is still a must-start. He has racked up 332 offensive yards in two games.
Pittsburgh has allowed more than 87 rushing yards just once this season, so this is not the week to lean on a Dolphins’ running back to carry your fantasy team.
Antonio Brown has either a touchdown and/or a 100-yard game in four of the Steelers’ five games. Miami has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2016, so expect another big game from Brown this week — especially with Miami allowing 99 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers this season.
Sammie Coates had 11 targets in Week 5. He produced 4.33 fantasy points per catch. Have to play him if you got him with that rate.
The Dolphins’ Jarvis Landry has a combined 10 catches for 89 yards over his last two games. But the Miami pass catcher should bounce back this week. Pittsburgh has allowed 79 receptions to wide receivers this season, most in the NFL.
So much for the DeVante Parker hype. Since receiving 13 targets in his first game this season, he has a total of 12.
The Dolphins have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, making Jesse James a stream option for Week 6.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. New England Patriots
Andy Dalton has just five touchdown passes on the season. That pace should not increase much this week. The Patriots have allowed just seven touchdown passes in 2016.
The Patriots’ Tom Brady returned to action last week with a 406-yard, three-touchdown performance. Cincinnati has allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterback in 2016.
Cincinnati’s Jeremy Hill is in a tough place this week. Over his last 25 carries, he has just 83 yards and zero touchdowns. He now gets to face a Patriots’ defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points in 2016.
James White played 48 percent of the Patriots’ snaps last week, which was a season high. While LeGarrette Blount played his lowest total this season at just 39 percent.
The last time he played New England, A.J. Green finished with five catches for 81 yards and a score. New England is allowing 90 yards to No. 1 wide receivers this season, so Green should have a decent day on Sunday.
Brandon LaFell had two touchdowns last week and now gets a revenge game as he takes on his former employer.
Julian Edelman has not scored a touchdown yet this season. That should change this week. The Bengals have allowed the third-most touchdowns to wide receivers in 2016.
Chris Hogan finished Week 5 with 114 yards and could be an intriguing play this Sunday.
New England is allowing the 11th-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. If Tyler Eifert is able to play this Sunday, he could make for an interesting play.
Martellus Bennett has 100 yards or a touchdown in three of his last four games. He will be challenged this week, though. Cincinnati has allowed just 13 catches to tight ends this season.
This past Sunday, Rob Gronkowski finished with 109 yards on five receptions.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders
In two games against the Raiders last season, Alex Smith finished with multiple touchdowns in each game. With Oakland allowing the most fantasy points this season to quarterbacks, it seems like the Chiefs’ signal caller should be in good shape in Week 6.
Derek Carr could be in for a rough one. In four games in his career against the Chiefs, the quarterback has five touchdowns and four interceptions. And this season the Kansas City defense has more interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed.
Oakland has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2016. The toughest decision will be which Kansas City back to use this weekend.
With the Chiefs allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to running backs, this would normally be a great spot to start an Oakland ball-carrier, but it looks like a running back by committee has formed.
If the 2015 season is any indicator of success, Jeremy Maclin is a must-start this week. In two games against the Raiders last season, the wide receiver went off. He finished with 12 catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns.
The Raiders’ Michael Crabtree has 13 touchdowns over his last 16 games played. So far in 2016, Kansas City has allowed five touchdowns in four weeks to wide receivers so he has a nice chance to add another.
Amari Cooper has a 23.8 share of the Raiders’ targets in the passing game. With the Chiefs allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to the position this season, that share should return a nice fantasy value this Sunday.
Oakland is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends, so Travis Kelce is a must-start this weekend. Kelce should add a touchdown for the third straight week this Sunday.
Kansas City has allowed just 12 receptions to tight ends this season.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks
A week after facing a difficult Denver defense, Matt Ryan draws another tough game this week. The Seahawks have allowed just one passing touchdown on the season.
Coming off the bye week, Russell Wilson should come out on fire. The Falcons have allowed 14 passing touchdowns this season, most in the NFL.
The Falcons’ backfield will be tested this weekend. The Seahawks are allowing just 3.4 yards per carry as well as the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The key to Devonta Freeman’s success could come down to finding pay dirt. He has scored in three straight.
Tevin Coleman has scored double-digit fantasy points in all but one game this season.
The Falcons are allowing 4.24 yards per carry to running backs, so look for Christine Michael to be busy this Sunday. And when he isn’t rushing the ball, expect him to be involved in the pass game. Atlanta has allowed 45 catches to running backs this season.
Seattle is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this year, so don’t look for a pass-catcher here, outside of maybe Julio Jones.
But even Jones is a risk. Seattle is allowing just 71 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers this season.
In half of Doug Baldwin’s games this season, the wide receiver has been limited to four or fewer receptions. In those games, he has a high of 54 yards. This week could be another one of those games. Atlanta is allowing just 57 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
Seattle has given up just 96 yards to tight ends in 2016, so don’t bank on a big game from Jacob Tamme.
Jimmy Graham has recorded 100-yard games in each of his last two contests. The tight end has a great chance at making it three in a row. Atlanta is allowing the most fantasy points to tight ends this season thanks to five touchdowns allowed to the position.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Rookie Dak Prescott has helped his fantasy production courtesy of three rushing touchdowns in four games. The quarterback could struggle to find running room in this one. The Packers have allowed just 11 rushing yards on six carries to quarterbacks this season.
Aaron Rodgers has nine touchdown passes through four games this season.
The Cowboys’ other rookie, Ezekiel Elliott, has rushed for at least 134 yards in each of his last three games. The ball-carrier has his work cut out for him if he plans to hit that total again. The Packers are allowing just 2.2 yards per carry and have not allowed more than 47 rushing yards in a game this season.
While Green Bay’s run defense is very stout, Dallas’ is not too shabby itself. The Cowboys are allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Eddie Lacy isn’t a strong play this week.
If you can trust that he is healthy enough to produce, Dez Bryant should play well this week. The Packers are allowing 133 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
Terrance Williams could be a sneaky play for the Cowboys if Bryant sits this one out again. The wide receiver has recorded at least 70 yards or a touchdown in each of his last three games. Also the Packers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
Jordy Nelson only caught 31 percent of his 13 targets last Monday and now faces a Cowboys team that is allowing just 47.5 yards per game to No. 1 wide receivers.
Coming off his first 100 yard game of the season, Randall Cobb might be the Packers’ lead receiver this week. While the Cowboys hold No. 1 wide receivers in check, opposing team’s No. 2 pass-catcher is accounting for 60 yards per game. The league average is 45.
Davante Adams has scored a touchdown in three of four games this season. Dallas has allowed six touchdowns to wide receivers this season so there is room for another score by Adams this week.
Green Bay is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, so Jason Witten should have a decent day in Week 6.
If you are a tight end streamer, Richard Rodgers is a high-risk option. The Cowboys have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends in the league this season.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Texans
You didn’t draft Andrew Luck to bench him, but understand this is going to be a tough game for the quarterback. The Texans have allowed just three passing touchdowns all season and are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2016.
If desperate for a quarterback in Week 6, Brock Osweiler has an excellent set up on Sunday. The Colts are fresh off allowing 397 passing yards to Brian Hoyer and have allowed multiple touchdown passes in each of their past two games.
Frank Gore’s fantasy value is touchdown dependant. With the Texans’ having allowed six rushing touchdowns already this season, the aging running back has some value this weekend.
The Texans’ Lamar Miller has received 80.8 percent of the team’s carries this season. The heavy workload should pay off this weekend, as the Colts are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season.
T.Y. Hilton is the only player in the NFL this season with 10-plus targets in every game. The big usage makes him a tough sit, but keep in mind the Texans are allowing just 59 yards to No. 1 wide receivers this season.
In the three games that Donte Moncrief has missed, Phillip Dorsett has fewer targets than backup running back Josh Ferguson.
DeAndre Hopkins has three touchdowns this season, but will struggle to find the end zone in this one. The Colts have allowed just three scores to wide receivers this season.
The Texans’ Will Fuller leads the league in deep balls with 17 and could be a factor in this one. Indianapolis has allowed the third-most receptions to wide receivers this season.
The Colts’ Dwayne Allen has a tough matchup this week. The Texans are allowing just 21 yards per game to tight ends and have yet to allow a touchdown to the position.
Houston’s C.J. Fiedorowicz has caught four passes in each of his last two games.
New York Jets vs. Arizona Cardinals
There are better quarterback options that Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. The Jets’ signal caller has thrown for fewer than two touchdowns in each of his last four starts.
Carson Palmer has just one touchdown and six turnovers in his last two starts, so he is a risky play in Week 6. But if you are looking to gamble on him, he does have a decent matchup. The Jets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.
Since carrying the ball 52 times in the first two weeks, Matt Forte has seen just 41 carries in his last three. Bilal Powell has outscored Matt Forte in PPR formats in each of New York’s last three games.
David Johnson is always a must-start. He’s scored double-digit fantasy points in each of the Cardinals’ games.
Brandon Marshall has a touchdown in two straight games.
Quincy Enunwa has at least four receptions in each game this season.
The Jets’ have allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, so Larry Fitzgerald is a strong play in Week 6.
