Another week, another Fantasy Spotlight. Last week the spotlight was on Andrew Luck (322 yards and two touchdowns), as well as the Atlanta Falcons who knocked off the defending champs in Denver. We now move to week six in the National Football League and turn on the Fantasy Spotlight once again.
Week Six Fantasy Spotlight: Things to Watch
Brian Hoyer
The Jay Cutler era in Chicago may be finally coming to an end. Brian Hoyer, who took over for the much maligned Cutler in week two, has been nothing short of fantastic as the Chicago Bears starting quarterback. Hoyer enters week six with three straight 300+ yard passing games. He looks to make it four straight at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sporting a 108.45 quarterback rating on the season, the well traveled Hoyer has put the Bears in position to win all three games he has started. Although the Jaguars have allowed less than 200 yards passing per game, they are giving up a robust 27.8 points per game. Furthermore, Jacksonville ranks 24th against fantasy quarterbacks in 2016. Hoyer has done a great job mixing in his playmakers including, Jordan Howard and Alshon Jeffery as well as veteran tight end Zach Miller and little known receiver Cameron Meredith. If you are looking for a quarterback to stream in week six, this is your guy.
Jamaal Charles
Not many running backs can drop a stat line of 3,829 yards and 26 touchdowns over a three-year period. But that’s exactly what Kansas City Chiefs star running back did from 2012-2014. Jamaal Charles, prior to his injury last season, was on pace for a fourth straight 1,000 yard season and has never averaged less than five yards per carry in any full season. He saw his first action of 2016 in week four against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the game he saw limited snaps and carried the ball two times for seven yards. Now with the Chiefs coming off their bye, look for Charles to be featured more prominently against an Oakland Raiders defense allowing 122 yards per game on the ground. Don’t expect to see vintage Jamaal Charles this week, however fantasy owners should be excited at the possibilities.
DeAndre Hopkins
Through five weeks, DeAndre Hopkins is averaging 56.6 yards per game receiving and has three touchdowns. Fantasy owners were expecting a lot more from the consensus second round pick. The troubles this season for Hopkins are directly linked to the bad play of quarterback Brock Osweiler. The targets are there, but the results are not. Osweiler has been ultra inconsistent ranking 27th in completion percentage among starting quarterbacks. The Houston Texans get a primetime matchup with the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis comes in with a defense allowing 301 yards per game in the air and 25.6 points per game. As long as Osweiler makes the throws, the man they call “Nuke” should exploit the Colts suspect secondary and produce his best game of the season.
Jimmy Graham
Seattle Seahawks fans all around are rejoicing. For the past two games, Jimmy Graham has exploded offensively. Graham lit up both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets to the tune of 213 yards and a touchdown on 12 catches. He was targeted 17 times during those two games. Russell Wilson is healthier and his mobility will continue to allow Graham to get open. Graham and the Seahawks get the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons in week six. Despite the great start, Atlanta has been torched by opposing tight ends. Greg Olsen, Coby Fleener and company have left their mark against a Falcons defense ranked 31st against tight ends. Graham will join that list of successful tight ends and will be the top fantasy tight end in week six. Graham is a must start in all formats.
New York Jets
The New York Jets are 1-4 and fading fast. The schedule has been difficult. The quarterback play has been spotty at best and the injuries are piling up. Is there enough time to turn it around? Can the Jets find a way to contend in the AFC? If so, it needs to start week six in Arizona. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to be better. The journeyman quarterback is coming off his best year in 2015. So far in 2016, he has regressed with a 64.7 quarterback rating and ten interceptions. Brandon Marshall continues to have problems with drops. Marshall had 3-4 key drops last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Eric Decker out for the year, the pressure falls on Marshall and youngster Quincy Enunwa to carry the team offensively. After nearly 200 yards on 50 carries through the first two weeks, Matt Forte has carried the ball only 41 times the last three weeks. The Jets need to keep Forte involved to help open the passing game. Despite a record of 2-3, the Arizona Cardinals pose a daunting task for the Jets. However, with their season on the line, look for the Jets to be aggressive. Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is coming off a concussion. The Jets defense will try to pressure him early. It’s now or never for “Gang Green”. The Fantasy Spotlight shines bright in Arizona on Monday Night!
