Breece Hall was a star at Denver in Week 5 for the first time this season as the Start of the Week, and it was fantastic to watch. He had 22 carries for 177 yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 17 yards on three targets, and he scored a season-high 28.4 PPR points.
He seems to be all the way back from last year's torn ACL, and hopefully he's ready to dominate for the rest of the season. But I'm a little worried about his matchup against the Eagles in Week 6.
The Jets lost standout right tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker (Achilles) for the season in the victory against the Broncos, and this is a tough run defense for Philadelphia. The Eagles have allowed just one touchdown to a running back this season with Brian Robinson Jr. in Week 4, but no running back has run for more than 53 yards. And Rhamondre Stevenson in Week 1 is the lone running back with more than 62 total yards.
I'm not benching Hall in any leagues, but you should lower expectations for him in this matchup. With a beat up offensive line, and facing a tough run defense, there could be a slight letdown for Hall after his breakout game against Denver.
Now, the great news for Hall is that after the bye in Week 7, the Jets return with matchups against the Giants, Chargers, Raiders, Bills and Dolphins. Hall is set for an amazing stretch run of production coming very soon.
Start of the Week
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I've been skeptical of Matthew Stafford this season, and I was unsure that even Cooper Kupp coming back from his hamstring injury would turn Stafford back into a starting Fantasy quarterback. But three things have led me back to trusting Stafford in a big way in Week 6 against Arizona.
For starters, Stafford looked solid against the Eagles in Week 5 in Kupp's return. He was 21-of-37 passing for 222 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and he scored a season-high 20.9 Fantasy points. He could have had an even bigger outing if he connected with Tutu Atwell when he was open on a potential 63-yard touchdown catch.
Not only was Kupp amazing in his return with eight catches for 118 yards on 12 targets, but Puka Nacua also stayed hot with seven catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Giving Stafford two standout receivers like Kupp and Nacua, along with Atwell, Tyler Higbee and Kyren Williams, should help Stafford thrive against the Cardinals.
The No. 2 reason to like Stafford this week is the Arizona defense. The Cardinals are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks, and they were just the perfect antidote for Joe Burrow's woes in Week 5 when he scored a season-high 29.4 Fantasy points. Daniel Jones had his best game against Arizona (34.7 Fantasy points in Week 2), and Brock Purdy also scored 23.3 Fantasy points against the Cardinals in Week 4.
And Stafford knows all about beating up on the Cardinals, which brings us to reason No. 3 to trust him this week. In his past five meetings against Arizona (three with the Rams), Stafford has scored at least 22.5 Fantasy points in four of those outings, with an average of 23.8 Fantasy points per game over that span.
I expect Stafford to have another quality outing against the Cardinals in Week 6, and he should build off his performance from Week 5 against the Eagles in Kupp's return. Stafford is worth starting in all leagues as a top-10 Fantasy quarterback.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Quarterbacks
QBs to Start
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I wrote in Start 'Em & Sit 'Em last week that I needed to see Burrow look like Burrow again before we could start him with confidence. Well, he's back, and hopefully the best is yet to come. Burrow lit up the Cardinals for 317 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Week 5, with all three scores going to Ja'Marr Chase. For the first time this season, Burrow didn't seem to be bothered by the calf he originally injured at the beginning of training camp, and he should have another quality outing against Seattle on Sunday. Two of the past three quarterbacks to face the Seahawks (Jared Goff and Andy Dalton) have scored at least 27.5 Fantasy points.
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Lawrence only scored 17.7 Fantasy points in Week 5 against Buffalo in London, but he had his best game throwing the ball this season with 315 passing yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, and he added 31 rushing yards. He lost two fumbles, his trend of failing to throw for multiple touchdowns continued, as it has happened in four games in a row. His best Fantasy output of the season was Week 1 at Indianapolis when he had 21.7 points -- and threw two touchdowns -- and he should have another quality outing in the rematch. Two other quarterbacks have topped what Lawrence did against the Colts, who allow an average of 20.7 Fantasy points per game to the position. And Lawrence is averaging 23.4 Fantasy points per game in his past four meetings with Indianapolis.
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Cousins lost Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for at least the next four games after he was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, but Cousins should still be considered a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback against Chicago in Week 6. He has enough weapons in T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison and K.J. Osborn to score well against the Bears, who allow the most Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks at 27.2 Fantasy points per game. All five quarterbacks against Chicago have scored at least 20.4 Fantasy points, including Jordan Love, Baker Mayfield, Russell Wilson and Sam Howell. Cousins only has one game this year with fewer than 20.5 Fantasy points, and he's scored at least 21.6 Fantasy points in four of his past six games against the Bears going back to 2020.
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Purdy doesn't have an easy matchup in Week 6 at the Browns, who are No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. The only quarterback with more than 12.3 Fantasy points against Cleveland is Lamar Jackson (32.9 points) in Week 4, but that might be because of the competition the Browns have faced in their other three games against an injured Joe Burrow in Week 1, Kenny Pickett in Week 2 and Ryan Tannehill in Week 3. Cleveland does have a quality defense, but I'm not sure it's better than San Francisco's offense right now, especially with how well Purdy is playing. He's scored at least 20.8 Fantasy points in four of five games this season, including three in a row with at least 23.3 Fantasy points. I'll stick with Purdy while he's hot, even on the road against the Browns.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Minshew should start for the Colts for the foreseeable future with Anthony Richardson (shoulder) hurt, and this is a great week to consider Minshew a low-end starter in one-quarterback leagues. He's a definite starter in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues at Jacksonville since he's facing his former team. It helps that the Jaguars have allowed four of five quarterbacks this season to score at least 22.9 Fantasy points, including Richardson in Week 1. Minshew started for the Colts in Week 3 at Baltimore and scored just 15.1 Fantasy points, but this is a much better matchup in a trip to his old neighborhood.
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It will take some guts to start Prescott in one-quarterback leagues after the way he played at San Francisco in Week 5 with just 153 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. And he's scored 16.4 Fantasy points or less in all but one game this season. But this is a good bounce-back spot for Prescott against the Chargers, who are No. 4 in most Fantasy points per game allowed to opposing quarterbacks at 24.4 points. Only Aiden O'Connell subbing for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 4 failed to score at least 23.0 Fantasy points against the Chargers this season, and Prescott should be considered a borderline No. 1 Fantasy quarterback in this matchup on Monday night.
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Deshaun Watson in Week 1 and Lamar Jackson in Week 2 each scored at least 22.7 Fantasy points against the Bengals, but Cincinnati clamped down on its next three opponents, holding Matthew Stafford, Ryan Tannehill and Joshua Dobbs to 14.7 Fantasy points or less. The Bengals should make things tough on Smith, but I expect this game to be a shootout, which is why I like Smith as a low-end starter in all one-quarterback leagues. He only has one game this season north of 20 Fantasy points, which was Week 2 at Detroit (27.1), but I expect this to be another quality outing for Smith as he goes head-to-head with Joe Burrow.
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QBs to Sit
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The Falcons cooled Stroud off in Week 5, holding the rookie to 16.2 Fantasy points, which snapped a three-game streak of him scoring at least 24.6 points. I expect the Saints to also keep Stroud in check in Week 6. Safety Marcus Maye returns to the New Orleans secondary after his three-game suspension, and we'll see if the Saints can be the first team to get an interception off Stroud. He also hasn't been sacked in three games in a row. The key will be if Stroud gets a second touchdown or not if he remains without a turnover (he hasn't fumbled since Week 2), and rookie receiver Nathaniel Dell (concussion) could be out in Week 6. I would only start Stroud in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in this matchup.
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Wilson has been a nice surprise for Fantasy managers this season, scoring at least 22.7 Fantasy points in three of five games, including two in a row against the Bears and Jets. But I'm not sure this is a great matchup for him against the Chiefs on the road. While Kansas City has allowed Zach Wilson and Kirk Cousins to each score at least 23.2 Fantasy points in the past two games, those were on the road. In two games at home this year, the Chiefs held Jared Goff and Justin Fields to 16.0 Fantasy points or less in each outing. Wilson is still worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, but I would bench him in all one-quarterback leagues on Thursday night.
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The Falcons have done a great job against opposing quarterbacks so far this season, with Jordan Love and Jared Goff the lone passers to eclipse 20 Fantasy points. In the past two games, Atlanta has held Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud to 18.5 Fantasy points or less, and the Falcons should be able to contain Howell. He's done well as a Fantasy asset for most of the season, scoring at least 21.6 Fantasy points in three of his past four games. But I would only start him in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues against Atlanta given how well the Falcons pass defense has done through most of the first five games.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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The Buccaneers come off their bye in Week 5 looking to remain a tough opponent for opposing quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins (20.5 Fantasy points) in Week 1 and Jalen Hurts (21.9) in Week 3 are the lone quarterbacks to score more than 20 Fantasy points against Tampa Bay, and both barely eclipsed that mark. For the season, the Buccaneers have allowed just four passing touchdowns compared to six interceptions, and now they get Jared Goff on the road. He's scored 16.0 Fantasy points or less in two road games this season at Kansas City and at Green Bay, and he's been under 17.0 Fantasy points in 13 of his past 14 road games going back to 2021. Goff is only worth starting in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues in Week 6, especially if Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) remains out.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Running Backs
RBs to Start
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Pacheco has been great so far this season, scoring at least 13.4 PPR points in three games in a row, and he should have the chance for another huge outing in Week 6 against Denver. The Broncos are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and Week 5's Start of the Week Breece Hall became the fifth running back in the past four games to score at least 22.2 PPR points against Denver, joining Brian Robinson Jr., De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and Khalil Herbert. Jerick McKinnon and possibly Clyde Edwards-Helaire also have sleeper appeal given this matchup, but Pacheco is worth starting as a No. 1 Fantasy running back in all leagues.
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The Bears did a good job stopping Brian Robinson Jr. in Week 5, holding him to just 8.3 PPR points. Prior to that, six running backs in the first four games against Chicago (Aaron Jones, Rachaad White, Jerick McKinnon, Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jaleel McLaughlin) scored at least 12.7 PPR points, and Mattison should follow suit in Week 6. While Mattison didn't have a great game in Week 5 against Kansas City with 46 total yards on just 10 total touches (two catches on three targets), he did catch a touchdown to score 12.6 PPR points. That gives him at least 12.6 PPR points in three of five games this year, and I like him as a No. 2 running back in all leagues against the Bears.
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Cook just had his worst game of the season in Week 5 against Jacksonville in London with five carries for minus-4 yards and three catches for 25 yards on four targets. He only scored 5.1 PPR points, after scoring at least 13.2 PPR points in each of his three previous games. He should return to that level of production in Week 6 against the Giants, who are No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to running backs. A running back has scored at least 13.9 PPR points against the Giants in every game this season (Tony Pollard, James Conner, Christian McCaffrey, Kenneth Walker III, De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert), and I expect Cook to finish as a quality No. 2 Fantasy running back in all leagues against this defense.
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At some point soon, Jonathan Taylor will take over as the best running back for the Colts, and it could happen this week against the Jaguars. But Taylor is still working his way back from a long layoff due to his ankle injury, and the Colts can continue to lean on Moss until Taylor is 100 percent. We saw that in Week 5 against the Titans when Moss had 23 carries for 165 yards and two touchdowns, along with two catches for 30 yards on two targets. He's now scored at least 20.7 PPR points in three of his past five games, and I would still use him as a No. 2 running back in all leagues in Week 6. Jacksonville's run defense is tough, and the Jaguars are No. 7 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. But two of Moss' best games have come against the Ravens and Titans, so this matchup shouldn't be considered as daunting if he continues to get the work ahead of Taylor.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Demercado and Keaontay Ingram will share touches with James Conner (knee) on IR, and I like Demercado as a flex option in Week 6 against the Rams. We'll see how Arizona uses both running backs, but I'll give a slight edge to Demercado. And hopefully he can pick up where he left off in Week 5. Conner was hurt against the Bengals, and Demercado had 10 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 12 yards on three targets. Ingram was out for that game and missed the past two with a neck injury, but Demercado should have a bigger role in the passing game, which might matter more. This isn't an easy matchup against the Rams, who are No. 9 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, but three running backs in the past four games (Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon and D'Andre Swift) have scored at least 14.0 PPR points against this defense. Demercado will hopefully take advantage of Conner being out, and I like him as a flex option in Week 6.
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I'm more hopeful than anything that this is the week where Stevenson gets going, and I would start him as a low-end No. 2 running back against the Raiders. Las Vegas has only allowed four running backs to score at least 11.1 PPR points this season, but A.J. Dillon just had 20 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders on Monday night in Week 5. The Patriots need to lean on Stevenson to help get the offense back on track, and he had 19 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown at Las Vegas in Week 15 last year. Stevenson also just had three tough matchups in a row against the Jets, Cowboys and Saints, and it would be smart to get him back involved in the passing game. You'll have to have some faith to trust Stevenson, and I hope he delivers in this matchup. It also helps that this is a homecoming game for Stevenson, who is from Las Vegas.
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I hope we're not at the point where Derrick Henry is starting to slow down, but he's struggling of late, while Spears is starting to gain momentum. Spears has outscored Henry in PPR points in two of the past three games, and Spears has already played more snaps then Henry in two of five games this season. Spears also has one less rushing touchdown than Henry (2-1). I don't think that's a sign of Henry losing his job by any stretch, but it's clear the Titans want to get Spears on the field. In Week 6, if the Titans are trailing against the Ravens, we could see Spears once again play more than Henry, which puts Spears in play as a flex option in PPR.
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RBs to Sit
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Be patient with Ford, because after Week 6 we might have a must-start running back in all leagues. Starting in Week 7, Ford gets to face Indianapolis, Seattle and Arizona, and those are all favorable matchups after he's dealt with Tennessee, Baltimore and now San Francisco in Week 6 since he took over for the injured Nick Chubb (knee). While Ford did score 19.1 PPR points against the Titans with two touchdowns, he had just 41 total yards in that game, and he followed that up with 45 total yards against the Ravens. We'll see if Deshaun Watson (shoulder) plays against the 49ers, but San Francisco is a brutal matchup since only Kyren Williams in Week 2 has scored more than 10.8 PPR points against this defense. Ford should be considered a flex at best in most leagues for Week 6.
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Despite getting 21 total touches in Week 5 at Atlanta, Pierce only scored 9.2 PPR points with 66 rushing yards and one catch for 16 yards on one target. He still has just one touchdown this season and has scored 9.2 PPR points or less in three of five games. I hate this matchup for him in Week 6 against the Saints, who are No. 5 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs, and no running back has scored against New Orleans this year. Keep him reserved in most leagues if you can, but buy low now because his schedule lightens up following a bye in Week 7, starting with the Panthers in Week 8. Pierce will hopefully have a strong finish after a brutal start to his sophomore campaign.
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Williams is expected to play in Week 6 at Kansas City after being out in Week 5 against the Jets with a quad injury, and we'll see how the Broncos use him in a likely committee with Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine. It's a situation you likely want to avoid, and I hope McLaughlin continues to get more work in Denver since he's the most explosive running back for the Broncos. Williams has yet to score a touchdown this season, and he's been held to 9.7 PPR points or less in every game this year. The Chiefs also haven't allowed a running back to gain more than 74 total yards this season, and only David Montgomery in Week 1 scored a rushing touchdown, with Alexander Mattison also catching a touchdown against Kansas City in Week 5.
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Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
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White comes off his bye in Week 5 with a brutal matchup against the Lions, and he's a flex play at best in the majority of leagues. Detroit has yet to allow a running back to rush for more than 43 yards this season, and Bijan Robinson has the most total yards against the Lions with 60. White has one touchdown this year, and he has two games with 7.2 PPR points or less. Even though he's rested and Tampa Bay is at home, I wouldn't expect much from White in this matchup against Detroit.
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START 'EM & SIT 'EM
Wide Receivers
WRS to Start
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I always love the narrative of players facing their former team, and Meyers, Jimmy Garoppolo and even Josh McDaniels get to face the Patriots in Week 6. New England would love to have Meyers back right now with how he's played this season since he's scored at least 15.5 PPR points in three of four games -- and all three starts with Garoppolo under center. With Garoppolo, Meyers is averaging 10.7 targets, 8.3 receptions, 80.3 yards and 1.0 touchdowns per game, and he should stay hot against the Patriots. Without pass rusher Matthew Judon (biceps) and cornerback Christian Gonzalez (shoulder), Meyers should have the chance for a revenge game New England.
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Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is on IR, which should allow Addison and K.J. Osborn the chance for a big game in Week 6 at Chicago. Osborn is more of a sleeper as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, but Addison should be a standout No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. He already has three touchdowns in five games this season with Jefferson on the field, and in three games with at least six targets (Week 1, Week 3 and Week 5), Addison is averaging 15.2 PPR points per game, with two touchdowns. The Bears have allowed three receivers to score at least 18.5 PPR points this season (Romeo Doubs, Mike Evans and Curtis Samuel), and Addison could add his name to that list in Week 6.
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I'm not sure what more Thielen has to do before Fantasy managers trust him in all leagues, but his start percentage as of Wednesday afternoon was just 77 percent on CBS Sports. He's scored at least 15.2 PPR points in four games in a row, and he's averaging 23.7 PPR points per game over that span. Bryce Young is leaning on Thielen with a 24.9 percent target share, and he's No. 8 in total targets among receivers with 46. There's a good chance the Panthers will be chasing points in this matchup at Miami, and Thielen should continue to soak up targets against the Dolphins, who have allowed five receivers to score at least 13.1 PPR points this season. Thielen is a top-10 PPR receiver heading into Week 6 and should be started in all leagues.
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Kirk gets the chance for revenge against the only team to slow him down so far, which was the Colts in Week 1. In that game, Kirk was held to one catch for 9 yards on three targets. Since then, Kirk has scored at least 14.4 PPR points in each of his past four games, and he's averaging 10.0 targets, 7.3 catches and 81.5 receiving yards over that span, with one touchdown. We'll see what happens with Zay Jones (knee), who has been hurt during most of Kirk's hot streak and missed practice Wednesday. But even if Jones plays then you should still start Kirk in all leagues, as Indianapolis has allowed eight receivers to score at least 13.0 PPR points this season.
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Brown has been exceptional so far this season, scoring at least 16.1 PPR points in four games in a row. He should stay hot in Week 6 at the Rams, who have allowed four of five No. 1 receivers this season (DK Metcalf in Week 1, Deebo Samuel in Week 2, Ja'Marr Chase in Week 3 and A.J. Brown in Week 5) to each score at least 13.7 PPR points. Only Michael Pittman in Week 4 failed to reach that total, but Marquise Brown is worth starting as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. During his four-game hot streak, he has three outings with at least 10 targets, five catches and at least 61 receiving yards, and he's scored three touchdowns. It's been fantastic how much Joshua Dobbs has leaned on Brown, which should continue in Week 6.
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Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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I thought Flowers would play well in Week 5 at Pittsburgh, and he had a quality stat line with five catches for 73 yards on 11 targets, although he left plenty of plays on the field, including when he slipped on what would have been a long gain and also dropped a pass. I hope Lamar Jackson doesn't lose faith in Flowers because this is another great matchup for him in Week 6 against Tennessee. The Titans are No. 8 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and eight receivers have scored at least 13.8 PPR points against Tennessee this season. Flowers should be considered a borderline starter in all leagues in Week 6.
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Palmer comes off his bye looking to build off his performance from the past two games when Mike Williams (ACL) was lost for the season. Palmer has 15 targets over that span for seven catches, 143 yards and a touchdown, and he should continue to be a go-to option for Justin Herbert. The Cowboys have only allowed two touchdowns to receivers this season and just four have topped at least 11.5 PPR points. But this game should be a shootout with a projected point total of 51. I like Palmer as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues for Week 6.
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Downs seems to thrive every time Gardner Minshew plays for the Colts, and that's going to happen in Week 6 at Jacksonville with Anthony Richardson (shoulder) on IR. Minshew has appeared in three games so far for the Colts in Week 2, Week 3 and Week 5. In those games, Downs has scored 7.7 PPR points, 13.7 PPR points and 15.7 PPR points, and clearly the two have a strong connection. The Jaguars have allowed five receivers to score at least 16.0 PPR points this season, and Michael Pittman should remain the go-to option in the passing game. But Downs is worth using as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, with his value higher in PPR.
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Prior to Week 5 at San Francisco when the Cowboys were blasted 42-10, Gallup had started to gain momentum as a potential No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. He had two games in a row with at least six targets, five catches and 60 yards, and he scored at least 11.0 PPR points in each outing against the Cardinals in Week 3 and the Patriots in Week 4. I expect him to get back on track in Week 6 at the Chargers, who are No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Seven receivers have scored at least 11.2 PPR points against the Chargers in just four games, and Gallup should have success in this matchup on Monday night.
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WRs to Sit
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