NFL Fantasy Football: Who to start and sit in Week 6

The Cincinnati Bengals are on a bye this week, but your fantasy team doesn’t get a break. Week 6 also has the Bills, Cowboys and Seahawks on a bye. There are some fantasy studs on those teams, but your team should be able to survive this week without dipping too deep into your bench or waiver wire.

Here are the players you should start and sit for Week 6:

Must starts

Kareem Hunt (Chiefs RB): Hunt has been the Cinderella story of this season as he has dominated the Chiefs backfield. Last week against the Texans he ran over 100 yards, but last week he had two touchdowns vultured from him by Charcandrick West who only had three touches for the game. It is something to monitor, but I wouldn’t put too much into it.

Carson Palmer (Cardinals QB): For those who need a quarterback this week, or who are lucky enough to have him on their roster already. You should be starting Palmer this week against the Buccaneers awful pass defense. According to FantasyPros, Tampa Bay is giving up the fifth most points to opposing quarterbacks, and Palmer has been solid all season.

Devin Funchess (Panthers WR): Cam Newton seems to have a new favorite target. Funchess has recorded seven catches in each of the past two weeks to go along with three touchdowns during that span. It is time to ride that hot streak.

Favorable matchup

Marshawn Lynch (Raiders RB): Lynch reached the end zone last week in typical beast mode fashion. This week he is slated to take on the Chargers who have barely slowed down any running backs this season. His value gets a boost as well if Derek Carr returns.

T.Y. Hilton (Colts WR): The Titans defense hasn’t stopped anyone this season, and Hilton and the Colts are heading to town next for a Monday Night showdown. Hilton had seven catches last week, and seems to be getting on board with this Jacoby Brissett offense.

Good but not great matchups

Carlos Hyde (49ers RB): Things are really weird right now in San Francisco. Hyde has been dinged up this season, but he is no longer on the injury report. The team gave some carries to Hyde’s backup last week, and now the team says they will go with the hot hand. I don’t expect Hyde to lose his job. Washington hasn’t done well against running backs this week.

Cardinals receivers: If you need a flex this week throwing a Cardinals’ receiver in there isn’t a bad gamble. Between Larry Fitzgerald, Jaron Brown, John Brown and J.J. Nelson a couple of them are bound to have decent games against Tampa Bay’s awful secondary.

Jacoby Brissett (Colts QB): In need of a waiver wire quarterback? This is probably your guy. The Cots are taking on the Titans, and Brissett seems settled into this offense. His passing stats don’t jump off the page at you, but he also has the threat of running to add to his fantasy value.

Unfavorable matchups

Christian McCaffrey {Panthers RB): I don’t think there has been a more disappointing rookie running back this season. Many expected McCaffery to be a PPR monster in Carolina, but it hasn’t worked that way at all. The Eagles have allowed the third fewest points to running backs, so don’t expect McCaffery to explode on Thursday Night Football.

Jared Goff (Rams QB): Goff has been a solid quarterback in fantasy this year, but it is best to look elsewhere this week. The Jaguars have been dominating in pass defense this year, and it’s best not to take a chance on Goff this week.

DeVante Parker (Dolphins WR): Parker had a rough game last week after having a pretty good season till then. The Dolphins are taking on the Falcons in Atlanta this week. Atlanta’s secondary has done well against receivers this season. Jarvis Landry was the only Dolphins receiver last week to get more than one reception. It could be another long day for Parker this week.

Just sit them

Giants running backs: Whether it is Orleans Darkwa or Wayne Gallman, don’t bother putting either in your lineup. The Giants will be taking on the Broncos this week, who are an instant sit for most running backs. The Broncos will also pile defenders in the box daring the Giants’ receivers to beat them after the team lost Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall for the season last week.

Sammy Watkins (Rams WR): Since exploding on Monday night football for two touchdowns, Watkins has caught one pass for 17 yards in two weeks. You shouldn’t expect him to get back on track with Jalen Ramsey covering him on Sunday.