![\"Week](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/Chargers-Week-1-300x213.jpg\")
Start: Matthew Stafford (LAR @ BAL)<\/strong> – Baltimore<\/a>\u2019s outside corners can be stressed by the Rams<\/a>\u2019 motion\/stacks, and Stafford has been aggressive on early downs. Even with a respectable Ravens pass-rush grade, Stafford\u2019s time-to-throw plus play-action keeps pockets workable. Usage trends point to 35+ attempts with premium target consolidation to his top two options. (More on that below.)<\/p>\n Sit: Michael Penix Jr. (ATL vs BUF)<\/strong> – Buffalo<\/a> disguises post-snap looks well and limits explosive pass plays; that\u2019s a tough read-heavy assignment for a mehhhhhh starter. Buffalo\u2019s secondary typically grades out in the top-third, shrinking windows in the intermediate. Atlanta<\/a>\u2019s offense tilts run-first in neutral situations, capping raw dropbacks and fantasy ceiling.<\/p>\n Sit: Aaron Rodgers (PIT vs CLE)<\/strong> – Cleveland<\/a>\u2019s defense pairs top-tier pass-rush and sticky coverage, a combo that historically squeezes big plays and forces shorter times-to-throws. Pittsburgh<\/a>\u2019s neutral-script tendencies lean conservative with a steady rush rate, which trims Rodgers\u2019 opportunities. Unless he spikes early efficiency, you\u2019re betting into a unit that converts pressure at a high rate and caps downfield shots – making Rodgers more floor than ceiling this week.<\/p>\n Start: Josh Jacobs (GB vs CIN)<\/strong> – Cincinnati\u2019<\/a>s front can be moved in gap schemes and has leaked chunk gains after contact. Run-defense and tackling have graded the Bengals unevenly, a signal to lean into Green Bay<\/a>\u2019s run rate near the stripe. Jacobs\u2019 snap share and short-yardage monopoly keep 20-touch, TD equity squarely in play.<\/p>\n Start: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WSH vs CHI)<\/strong> – Chicago<\/a> has been more forgiving to running backs in the passing game than to perimeter wideouts, and a home script should keep Washington<\/a> leaning into RB touches. The Bears\u2019 run-defense and tackling have been so-so at best, making screens and angle routes an efficient way to chunk yards. Plus, usage is trending up for Croskey-Merritt – more inside-the-10 work and growing third-down snaps give him both floor and TD equity.<\/p>\n Sit: Jaylen Warren (PIT vs CLE)<\/strong> – Cleveland\u2019s front is stout on early downs and limits yards before contact, forcing backs into low-success carries. The Browns\u2019 run-defense\/pass-rush combo is among the toughest weekly puzzles for RBs. With Warren sharing key snaps and sometimes ceding goal-line work, the touch floor is fragile.<\/p>\n Sit: Chase Brown (CIN @ GB)<\/strong> – Green Bay\u2019s defense tackles well in space and typically rallies to RBs on outlet work. The Packers\u2019 linebackers generally offer fewer freebies than most on angle routes and screens. With role volatility in an extremely uneven offense with Browning at the helm, and a hostile Lambeau script, Brown profiles as TD-or-bust this week (most weeks).<\/p>\n Start: Davante Adams (LAR @ BAL)<\/strong> – The Rams can stress Baltimore\u2019s perimeter with isolation and stacked releases, giving Adams clean wins on slants, digs, and back-shoulders against outside corners that have been more vulnerable than the safeties. Even if the Ravens\u2019 pass-rush\/coverage shows up, Adams\u2019 elite release package and quick-hitting route tree mitigate any pressure and create immediate throwing windows. Usage stays premium – high target rate, steady red-zone involvement, and full-time snaps keep double-digit targets firmly in play.<\/p>\n Start: Deebo Samuel (WSH vs CHI)<\/strong> – Chicago\u2019s zone looks can be pushed by pre-snap motion and cross-field misdirection, which sets up Deebo\u2019s signature in-breakers, jet action, and YAC-heavy touches. As previously mentioned, the Bears\u2019 second level has shown inconsistent tackling\/fit discipline, making schemed touches and screens usable plays. Usage stays premium – rushing attempts plus manufactured targets give him a sturdy floor with real red-zone juice.<\/p>\n Sit: Zay Flowers (BAL vs LAR)<\/strong> – If Cooper Rush starts, the Rams\u2019 simulated pressures and match-zone rules are built to squeeze a late-to-trigger passer, forcing checkdowns and stalling drives. Los Angeles has limited first-read access outside and compressed throwing windows, which is a bad combo for a QB struggling with accuracy and turnover-worthy plays. Expect Baltimore to lean run-heavy to hide the quarterback, shrinking Flowers\u2019 target volume and lowering the quality of his looks.<\/p>\n Sit: Jameson Williams (DET @ KC)<\/strong> – Kansas City<\/a>\u2019s safeties squeeze vertical shots and funnel throws underneath, reducing Williams\u2019 splash-play odds – which is where his value lives. The Chiefs\u2019 coverage scheme has trended strongly, forcing WRs into efficiency over explosiveness. His role remains high-variance with target spikes tied to the game script, not stable usage.<\/p>\n After you digest our Week 6 Start\/Sit, make sure to check out our top Waiver Wire Pickups<\/a> for the week!<\/strong><\/p>\n Start: Tucker Kraft (GB vs CIN)<\/strong> – Cincinnati has been more generous to TEs on seams and sit routes than to boundary WRs. The Bengals\u2019 coverage spacing can be exploited – an area where Kraft excels. Kraft\u2019s role is secure in this scheme with end-zone targets and play-action crossers, giving him a stable floor and decent ceiling in most matchups.<\/p>\n Start: Jake Ferguson (DAL @ CAR)<\/strong> – Let\u2019s face it – with CeeDee shelved, Jake is the clear-cut TE1 in fantasy. So we obviously keep riding. Carolina<\/a>\u2019s underneath zones are very attackable, a Ferguson specialty. The Panthers’ second-level discipline has wavered recently in grading, which boosts TE efficiency. With a massive target share and red-zone looks, Ferguson is a volume-plus-TD must-start.<\/p>\n Sit: Darren Waller (MIA vs LAC)<\/strong> – The Chargers\u2019 coverage rules are especially stingy against tight ends – safeties squeeze, and YAC has been limited with sound tackling. In this matchup, Miami\u2019s path likely runs through perimeter speed and RB matchups, leaving Waller with capped volume and lower-quality targets. He\u2019s been great so far, don\u2019t get me wrong – I just don\u2019t like the matchup.<\/p>\nRUNNING BACKS<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/11\/USATSI_24845198-300x190.jpg\")
WIDE RECEIVERS<\/h3>\n
![\"Kupp](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/07\/Kupp-Adams-Rams--300x200.jpg\")
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\nTIGHT ENDS<\/h3>\n
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2024\/10\/Morgan-Tencza-300x216.jpg\")