{"id":3408,"date":"2016-10-12T16:41:07","date_gmt":"2016-10-12T20:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=3408"},"modified":"2016-10-12T16:41:07","modified_gmt":"2016-10-12T20:41:07","slug":"week-six-fantasy-football-boom-or-bust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/10\/12\/week-six-fantasy-football-boom-or-bust\/","title":{"rendered":"Week Six Fantasy Football: Boom or Bust"},"content":{"rendered":"

Week Six<\/strong>\u00a0of the fantasy football season is a critical time for all teams, especially those below .500. Currently there are 16\u00a0NFL<\/strong> teams that sit below 2-2. One more loss can make playoff hopes almost impossible. We have only two teams on bye\u00a0with the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/strong>\u00a0getting needed rest. There are four teams now coming off their bye weeks: the\u00a0\u00a0Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Week Six Fantasy Football: Boom or Bust<\/h2>\n

This is not just a \u201cgarden variety\u201d fantasy football column. Recommending to start\u00a0Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong>, or sit a backup running back is a waste of time. The \u201cBooms\u201d will be those players that have under-performed this season, but project to do well this week. The \u201cBusts\u201d will be players who have been quality fantasy producers, but will disappoint in this\u00a0week’s matchup.\u00a0Each week this column will give 20 Boom\/Busts for fantasy lineups, including\u00a0a full disclosure breakdown of the prior week. Please enjoy the balance of contrarian predictions with full accountability.<\/p>\n

Season Record: \u00a036-24 (60 percent)<\/h3>\n

BOOMS<\/h3>\n

Tyrod Taylor<\/a>, Buffalo Bills, QB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. San Francisco 49ers<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a015th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB12 or better<\/p>\n

Very quietly, the Buffalo Bills<\/strong> have won three games in a row (two on the road) and are one game behind New England in the division. \u00a0Even without Sammy Watkins<\/a><\/strong>, the Bills have won with a ball control offense and a strong defense. Taylor has started to run more, with 132 rushing yards over his last three games. Taylor gets a San Francisco 49ers<\/strong>\u00a0defense just ravaged by injuries. Still available on your waiver wire, he is a fantastic bye week replacement for Jameis Winston<\/a> <\/strong>and will be a top-12 QB play this week.<\/p>\n

Brian Hoyer<\/a>, Chicago Bears,\u00a0QB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a019th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0QB11 or better<\/p>\n

Hoyer is fresh off an impressive road performance of 397 yards and two touchdowns. \u00a0The Bears<\/strong>\u00a0offense is playing well, and this week they welcome a Jacksonville defense that gave up 38 points at San Diego<\/strong> and 30 points in London against the\u00a0Indianapolis Colts<\/strong>. Hoyer should have a healthy trio of wide receivers in Alshon Jeffery<\/a>, Eddie Royal<\/a><\/strong>, and last week’s big breakout Cameron Meredith<\/a>.<\/strong> Teams coming off their bye have started sluggish this season, and Chicago should cruise to their biggest win of the season. Hoyer is a top-12 quarterback play.<\/p>\n

James White<\/a>, New England Patriots,\u00a0RB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs.\u00a0Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a046th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB24 or better<\/p>\n

Fantasy players should like what they saw from White last week. In Tom Brady’s first game back off of suspension, White had five\u00a0rushes and four receptions for a total of eight fantasy points. The screen passes returned, and White looked the part of a solid RB2 option. This week the Patriots<\/strong> get the Bengals<\/strong> who only rank 17th defensively against the run. After a poor performance in Dallas<\/strong>,\u00a0the Patriots will roll in their first home game with Brady. White is a safe bet to score his first touchdown of the season, and is a great top-24 running back play in Week Six.<\/p>\n

Lamar Miller<\/a>, Houston Texans, RB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. Indianapolis Colts<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a022nd
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB12\u00a0or better<\/p>\n

Miller owners have been waiting for this game\u00a0all season. The consensus first-round fantasy draft pick is still looking for first first touchdown this season. That will change on Sunday Night Football<\/strong> when Houston<\/strong> hosts an Indianapolis defense that is giving up the second most (29.6) points per game in the league. Bears running back Jordan Howard<\/a><\/strong> rolled up 118 rushing yards on just 16 carries for a 7.4 yards per carry average. Miller will finally find the end zone and will catapult up the running back season totals with an RB1 showing. Start him with confidence in all formats.<\/p>\n

John Brown<\/a>, Arizona Cardinals, WR<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs.\u00a0New York Jets<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a086th
\nProjection:<\/strong> WR24 or better<\/p>\n

The best play of the week is John Brown<\/a> <\/strong>of Arizona<\/strong>. \u00a0In Week Five, Brown torched the Rams at home for ten catches and 144 yards. \u00a0In that game, Brown had 15 targets which was only three less than his first three combined weeks. Most fantasy owners probably forgot about Brown after his one point output vs. San Francisco last week. But with Carson Palmer<\/a> <\/strong>scheduled to return at quarterback against a\u00a0Jets secondary giving up 302.1 passing yards per game, Brown will shine. Fellow wide receiver Michael Floyd<\/a><\/strong> is really struggling, so look for Brown to be the main downfield threat on Monday Night Football.<\/p>\n

Additional Booms<\/h3>\n

Alshon Jeffery<\/a>, Chicago Bears, WR<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:\u00a0<\/strong>30th
\nProjection:<\/strong> WR12 or better
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0 After being visibly frustrated with lack of targets vs. Indianapolis, the squeaky wheel gets oiled at home vs. Jaguars<\/p>\n

Richard Rodgers<\/a>, Green Bay Packers, TE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs.\u00a0Dallas<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a036th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0TE12 or better
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0 With Jared Cook<\/a> <\/strong>out and Randall Cobb<\/a><\/strong> hurting, Rodgers will be a top-12 TE against a Dallas defense that ranks 27th against opposing fantasy tight ends.<\/p>\n

Charles Clay<\/a>, Buffalo Bills, TE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:\u00a0<\/strong>Home vs.\u00a0San Francisco 49ers<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a023rd
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0TE12 or better
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0 He’s seen 12 targets in the last two games. San Francisco is allowing the\u00a0tenth-most points per game to opposing tight ends, and there’s no\u00a0Sammy Watkins<\/a> <\/strong>to steal targets.<\/p>\n

Bilal Powell<\/a>, New York Jets,\u00a0RB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Away vs. Arizona Cardinals<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a047th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB24 or better
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Powell has secured six receptions each of the last three games. The Cardinals stuff run at home, and the Jets will be forced to pass to keep the\u00a0game close on Monday Night Football<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions\u00a0Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. Los Angeles Rams<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a020th
\nProjection:<\/strong> DEF12\u00a0or better
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0In each of Lions two home games this season,\u00a0the defense\u00a0has been an top-12 fantasy performer.<\/p>\n

BUSTS<\/h3>\n

Matt Ryan<\/a>, Atlanta Falcons<\/strong>, QB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong> Away\u00a0at\u00a0Seattle Seahawks<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a0First
\nProjection:<\/strong> QB13\u00a0or worse\u00a0(Do Not Start)<\/p>\n

Ryan has been nothing short of brilliant through five games. He is the number one ranked fantasy quarterback, and leads the league with 1,740 passing yards. It will take some moxie, but fantasy owners should put Ryan on the bench this week at Seattle. In two career games in the Emerald City, Ryan is only averaging 232 passing yards per contest. A well rested Seahawks defense ranks second overall against the pass. It is asking a lot for the 4-1 Atlanta Falcons<\/strong> to repeat the brilliant performance last week in Denver. Back-to-back road games means Ryan should hit the fantasy bench for Week Six.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Hill<\/a>, Cincinnati Bengals, RB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong> Away\u00a0at New England Patriots<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a023rd
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB30\u00a0or worse<\/p>\n

Hill greatly disappointed in Dallas last week. A combination of game flow and a downplayed injury (chest) were the likely culprits. Regardless, the Bengals face the\u00a0eight-toughest run defense (86.4 ypg) on the road in New England. In Tom Brady’s first home game of the season, this game script could be similar to last week’s. \u00a0Even if healthy, fantasy owners should look to someone else for a starting running back this week.<\/p>\n

Dwayne Allen<\/a>, Indianapolis Colts, TE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong> Away\u00a0at\u00a0Houston Texans<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a0Ninth
\nProjection: <\/strong>TE13\u00a0or worse<\/p>\n

Don’t be tempted by Allen’s overall fantasy ranking. The veteran tight end is a feast of famine player that will definitely go Bust this week. The Colts travel to Houston for Sunday Night Football,<\/strong> and face a Texans defense that is only allowing two fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. On the road this season, Allen is average two receptions for 22.5 yards per game. \u00a0There are several better waiver wire tight ends available, and he may not outscore fellow tight end Jack Doyle<\/a><\/strong> regardless. Leave Allen on the bench.<\/p>\n

Dak Prescott<\/a>,\u00a0Dallas Cowboys, QB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong> Away\u00a0at\u00a0Green Bay Packers<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong> 10th
\nProjection:\u00a0<\/strong>QB15\u00a0or worse<\/p>\n

It has been extremely impressive to watch Dak Prescott<\/a><\/strong> emerge as a rookie quarterback this season. Through five games, Cowboys fans could not have asked for more than the 10th ranked fantasy quarterback. However, it is long overdue for a bad performance, and Prescott ranks outside the top quarterbacks this week in Green Bay. The Packers run defense ranks first in the league allowing only 42.8 yards per game. This means Prescott will have to attack through the air, and may still be without the services of wide receiver Dez Bryant<\/a><\/strong>. The crew of Cole Beasley<\/a><\/strong>, Terrance Williams<\/strong><\/a>, and Brice Butler<\/a><\/strong> just won’t be enough to win in Lambeau Field<\/strong>. With or without cornerback Sam Shields<\/a><\/strong>, Prescott will fall outside the top-12 this week.<\/p>\n

Matt Forte<\/a>, New York Jets, RB<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Away at\u00a0Arizona Cardinals<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong> 12th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0RB24 or worse<\/p>\n

The fact that Matt Forte<\/a><\/strong> is currently a top-12 running back is pure fantasy fraudulence. An incredible 75 percent of his 56 fantasy points came in the first two weeks. His weekly production each of the last three weeks has been six, three, and five fantasy points. In that same time period, fellow running back Bilal Powell<\/a><\/strong> has scored seven, seven, and five fantasy points. Forte is not even the best running on his team at the moment. Traveling to Arizona, against a strong Cardinals defense is no easy task. Throw in a potential playing from behind game script, and Forte is a must avoid this week in all fantasy backfields.<\/p>\n

Additional Busts<\/h3>\n

Tyrell Williams<\/a>, San Diego Chargers,\u00a0WR<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Home vs. Denver Broncos<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong> 18th
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0WR28\u00a0or worse
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0 Feast or famine Williams struggles against Denver’s mighty secondary.<\/p>\n

Martellus Bennett<\/a><\/strong>, New England Patriots, TE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:\u00a0<\/strong>Home vs. Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong> Second
\nProjection:<\/strong>\u00a0TE12 or worse
\nRationale: \u00a0<\/strong>First home game for Brady\u00a0means a\u00a0big Rob Gronkowski<\/a><\/strong> game. Bennett will be minimized.<\/p>\n

Terrelle Pryor<\/a>, Cleveland, WR<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Away at Tennessee Titans<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a017th
\nProjection: <\/strong>WR13 or worse
\nRationale: <\/strong>Injured quarterbacks are hurting Pryor’s performance. A road game vs. a tough Titans<\/strong> defense will provide struggles.<\/p>\n

A.J. Green<\/a>, Cincinnati Bengals, WR<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:\u00a0<\/strong>Away at New England Patriots<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank<\/strong>:\u00a0Eighth
\nProjection<\/strong>: WR20\u00a0or worse
\nRationale<\/strong>: \u00a0Top outside wide receivers against the Patriots this season are averaging\u00a04.2 catches for 56 yards and no touchdowns.<\/p>\n

Baltimore Ravens\u00a0Defense<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Matchup:<\/strong>\u00a0Away at\u00a0New York Giants<\/strong>
\nYear To Date\u00a0Positional Rank:<\/strong>\u00a0Sixth
\nProjection:<\/strong> DEF12 or worse
\nRationale:<\/strong>\u00a0Facing a desperate Giants team at home, this is the\u00a0Ravens<\/strong> biggest road test so far (at Cleveland, at Jacksonville).<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n