Start/Sit for Week 6

Guest column to HMF by Dan Mattox

Greetings sports fans! In the immortal words of George Constanza, “I’m back, baby!” After a couple weeks off to tend to family matters and the integration of my daughter’s demon cat into my household, I proudly re-commence gently guiding my struggling fantasy brethren through bye weeks, Covid-19, and general indecision. I may be wrong. I may be right. I may be crazy. I’m definitely not Billy Joel. Here are the Week 6 Starts and Sits.

STARTS

Quarterback

Matt Ryan, Falcons @ Vikings. Yes, Matty Ice has looked more like Peppermint Patty Ice without Julio Jones, and no, he likely won’t have him this week, either. However, a funny thing happened: the Falcons fired their head coach. I suspect a wake up call was served and the offense as a whole will rebound big. 

Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Colts. Burrow was completely flummoxed (like that?) by the multiple blitz looks the Ravens offered, and by all appearances so were the Bengals’ play-callers. Burrow is a studious, smart fellow, even if the same can’t be said for the Bengals sideline, so I expect him to be ready for a Colt defense that is good in the back end but can be exploited in the middle.

Andy Dalton, Cowboys vs. Cardinals. The Andy Dalton era, at least for 2020, has begun in Dallas. Last time Dalton had this much skill talent he was an MVP candidate. Forget about the tired “primetime” narrative and fire Dalton up as top 5 for the week. 

Running Back

Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team @ Giants. Gibson had a miserable week against the Rams, actually being out scored by J.D. McKissic. No coincidence, the WFT lost by 20. Ron Rivera is smarter than that. Gibson for the win this week. 

Alex Mattison, Vikings vs. Falcons. Mattison is a league winner if Cook misses extended time. He’s missing a week, so Mattison is a week winner.

Myles Gaskin, Dolphins vs. Jets. I feel gross even suggesting Gaskin is a “start,” no less good, but he offers an exceptionally safe floor, and now that Jordan Howard is inexplicably a weekly healthy scratch, Gaskin should get his own goal line looks. You could do worse.

Wide Receiver

Brandin Cooks, Texans @ Titans. Left for dead after goosing in Week 4, Cooks inexplicably exploded for 8/161/1 in Week 5. Inexplicable? Really? Nope. Bill O’Brien was discharged from his duties and suddenly the team is using their high dollar receiver. Weird, right?

Tee Higgins, Bengals @ Colts. I was leaning strongly towards an A.J. Green renaissance against the Colts, but then I watched tape and realized Burrow/Higgins IS Dalton/Green of 2011. Tee adds the “D” to his name this week with a TD versus the Colts. [Editor’s Note: Hail Mary Football apologizes for this horrendous “dad joke.”]  

Mecole Hardman, Chiefs vs. Bills. With the injury to Shammy Watkins, Hardman should see his targets explode. It only takes three to four targets for Hardman to pop, so if he gets seven to nine he could end up in WR1 discussion. The only caveat? DeMarcus Robinson. Let’s hope Reid leans on speed rather than buttery-fingered Robinson. 

Tight End

Dalton Schultz, Cowboys vs. Cardinals. Andy Dalton made Tyler Eifert fantasy relevant, I believe Schultz is a sneaky good play against the Cards. [Editor’s Note: The Notre Dame fanboys at HMF would argue that Tyler Eifert made Andy Dalton fantasy-relevant, not vice versa.]

Zach Ertz, Eagles vs. Ravens. Is Ertz done? Recent production says maybe, but in a pinch Ertz is a low key good start against a Ravens squad that will force Wentz to get rid of the ball quickly or die. 

Mo Alie-Cox, Colts vs. Bengals. A man this size shouldn’t be able to run like he does. The Bengals historically struggle with tight ends. Alie-Cox will go hard against the Bengals. 

SITS

Quarterback

Jared Goff, Rams @ 49ers. Expect the 49ers to be extra salty after being embarrassed by the Dolphins. There may be a record number of runs between these two Sunday night.

Baker Mayfield, Browns @ Steelers. Baker has been very good since being turned into a game manager. The Steelers jump out early on the Browns, forcing Mayfield to save the day. The day loses.

Philip Rivers, Colts vs. Bengals. The Bengals rolled out different looks against the Ravens in Week 5, shockingly holding the Raven offense in check. Noodle-arm Rivers will struggle against the Bengal defense. 

Running Back

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs @ Bills. Quick question, is the “H” silent in Clyde’s last name? If its silent, it isn’t invisible, as Helaire will be against a Bills defense looking for redemption. 

Kenyan Drake, Cardinals @ Cowboys. I started this column with a classic Costanza and I’m doing it again. “Hate the Drake!” We are just a week or so away from the Chase Edmonds (or Lev Bell) show. Set your DVR.

Ronald Jones, Buccaneers vs. Packers. RoJo has looked very good since Len Fournette went out with an ankle injury, but a fresh Packer team will force Tom Brady to the air, which as we all know isn’t Jones’ strong suit.

Wide Receiver

Odell Beckham Jr., Browns @ Steelers. It’s been a nice resurgence for OBJ in recent weeks, however the Steelers will force the Browns into finding ancillary weapons. Expect a quiet week from Odell. 

Michael Gallup, Cowboys vs. Cardinals. Lots of mouths to feed on the Cowboys, but with an expected emphasis on the run as well as the emergence of CeeDee Lamb, Gallup looks to be the hungriest pup in the litter.

Tyreek Hill, Chiefs vs. Bills. The expected emergence of Mecole Hardman tempers my expectations for Hill. With so many weapons on the Chiefs’ side of the ball, Buffalo will take away the WR1 and make the supporting cast beat them.

Tight End

Eric Ebron, Steelers vs. Browns. The explosion of Chase Claypool in Week 5 effectively filled the need for a big-bodied target in Pittsburgh. Fade Ebron until further notice.

Tyler Higbee, Rams @ 49ers. Expect this to be a ground and pound game. Targets will be hard to come by.

Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers vs. Packers. The ghost of tights ends past may be tempting as he is getting targets and OJ Howard is on the shelf, but do you really want 4-45? Fade Father Christmas and roll the dice elsewhere.

As always, go with your gut and start your studs in Week 6, but most of all have fun with it! Like what you read? Hate it? Drop an email to hailmaryFB@gmail.com with any feedback, criticism or your eternal gratitude.