Delanie Walker

Fantasy football: 10 best Week 6 matchups to attack

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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It’s almost time for another big week of fantasy football, and you can get your team set up for success by making sure to attack these 10 best Week 6 matchups.

Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) are in some of the best week 6 matchups. Make sure to get them in your fantasy football lineup if you can. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Depending on how your fantasy league playoffs work, the regular season is probably almost half over already. If you are outside the playoffs looking to make a move in or trying to cling to a precious playoff spot, the next few weeks are critical to get you in the right spot for a big finishing kick. As you look to get the win this week, make sure to keep an eye on the best week 6 matchups to attack on the following slides. These matchups should result in plenty of fantasy points for the players listed which could lead to them being stars this weekend.

On the NFL slate, there are some interesting Week 6 matchups to watch this week with some important division games like Oakland-Kansas City, Carolina-New Orleans, and Philadelphia-Washington. The Primetime game Sunday Night is another good divisional showdown as the Colts and Texans face off. In some of the better non-divisional contests, Atlanta flies west to take on Seattle, the Bengals visit Foxboro, and Colin Kaepernick will make his season debut as the 49ers take on the Bills.

As you try to make your tough fantasy football lineup decisions for the weekend, remember to check out each players’ matchups. While over-weighting matchups can result in leaving good starts on your bench, analyzing some of the best matchups to attack can help you get players in a place where they could have monster weeks. If you’ve played fantasy football for any length of time, you know just how huge matchups can be. Make sure you do your best to attack the best week 6 matchups to put your team in a place to produce a win for you this week.

To help you with your lineup decisions for the week, my Week 6 rankings will be updated throughout the weekend. You can also use our cool new start/sit advice tool to see who I think you should have in your lineup and whether the full panel of experts at FantasyPros.com agrees or disagrees.

If you’re still uncertain based on your league’s quirks or other issues, you can always find me throughout the weekend on Twitter @FansidedFantasy to ask your specific question. It’s also a good idea to set a bookmark on our fantasy football hub to keep up with all our content this weekend and in the weeks to come. Check back on Sunday morning for last-minute sleepers to give you a late boost, and make sure to check back Monday for the leading scorers, biggest busts, and most pleasant surprises of Week 6.

To check out my take on the top 10 fantasy football Week 6 matchups, check out the following slides starting with a QB who may finally be ready to be elite now that he’s healthy.

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) rolls out on a passing play during the third quarter in a game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson vs Falcons

If you’re looking for a QB who could be an elite option based on one of the Week 6 matchups but you want to go outside the box a little bit, check out Russell Wilson of the Seahawks as Seattle comes back after their bye week.

Wilson struggled to start the season as Seattle’s offense sputtered Week 1 at home against Miami and Week 2 in LA. They were able to right the ship in Weeks 3 and 4, though, romping over the 49ers and Jets. In the game against New York, Wilson has his best game of the season throwing for 309 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson has thrown for at least 240 yards in each of his four games this season, but that was his first game with multiple touchdown passes.

The best news for Wilson’s potential investors is that he was able to rest through the bye week and is expected to be back to 100% healthy this week. He was battling knee and ankle injuries the last few weeks.

Since Wilson is healthy, I think he’ll come back with a bang in one of the more exciting Week 6 matchups as the Seahawks host the impressive Falcons. Atlanta knocked off Denver last week, but remember they only had to slow down Paxton Lynch. In fact, Lynch was really the first QB they have had any success against. So far this season, they are allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing QB’s. Before facing Lynch, they had allowed at least three passing touchdowns and 281 passing yards in each of their four games.

Don’t let last week fool you, the Falcons defense is definitely beatable through the air. I think Russell Wilson will remind us all of that fact on Sunday while also proving he’s back to 100% healthy and ready to lead Seattle in their quest for the NFC West.

Oct 2, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs with the ball during the second quarter as Tennessee Titans free safety Rashad Johnson (25) defends at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Lamar Miller vs Colts

The Texans offense hasn’t been great this year, and last week they were completely bottled up by an elite Vikings’ defense which is on their bye week this week. Houston should find things much easier going on Sunday Night Football as they face the Colts in one of the marquee Week 6 matchups.

Indianapolis is allowing the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing RB’s this season which should set up well for workhorse back Lamar Miller. The Colts have allowed 100 yards rushing to opposing RBs in four of their five games, and last week they were beaten badly by Jordan Howard of the Bears.

This week, it’ll be Lamar Miller’s turn to take on the Colts’ front seven. Miller is getting plenty of work in Houston although he hasn’t converted it to huge fantasy numbers yet because he’s missing one thing–touchdowns. Miller had actually run for at least 80 yards in every game this season before being held to just 20 in the team’s loss in Minnesota. Miller is usually involved as a receiver too, but he hasn’t been able to get into the end zone either way yet this season.

This week looks like a good matchup for Miller to turn things around, and he has more favorable games ahead. He could be on the verge of a fantasy breakthrough, so expect big things from him as he faces the Colts on Sunday.

Sep 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) catches a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Delanie Walker vs Browns

With Jordan Reed dealing with another concussion and Rob Gronkowski missing practice with illness, there are even more questions than usual at the TE spot coming into the Week 6 matchups. The whole position has been a volatile mess this season which makes a solid option like Delanie Walker even more important to have.

Walker has found the end zone in two of his last three games and has totaled 225 yards receiving on 16 catches in his four games played. The Titans don’t have any top-shelf options at WR which means that Walker is one of the most-targeted pass-catchers almost every week.

This week, Walker should get enough work to be among the fantasy football scoring leaders since the Titans will host the Browns. Cleveland is allowing more fantasy points to opposing TE than any other team in the NFL. In the last two weeks, Cleveland has allowed five touchdowns and 257 yards to opposing tight ends. Granted, those numbers have come against Jordan Reed, Martellus Bennett, and Rob Gronkowski, but they still show just how beatable the Browns secondary is.

I actually have Walker as my top tight end play of the week based on this matchup, and I think Marcus Mariots will go to him early and often as the Titans try to level their record at 3-3. For DFS play, Walker is a great option to target based on his role in the offense and his spot in one of the best week 6 matchups for TE.

October 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi

Larry Fitzgerald vs Jets

So far this season, Larry Fitzgerald is the no. 6 WR in the NFL based on standard scoring fantasy points. Fitzgerald continues to defy any signs of aging even though he is playing his 13th season in the NFL.

Last week, Fitzgerald had his second multi-touchdown game of the season catching two Drew Stanton passes for touchdowns as part of his six-catch, 81-yard effort against the 49ers. Fitzgerald has yet to post 100-yard game this season, but he has consistently been between 60-85 yards per contest.

He should be able to improve on those numbers this week and makes a very low-risk play as a result of his high usage. In week 6, Fitz and the Cardinals close out the week with a tasty matchup against the Jets. New York is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing WR so far this season, and they were beaten up last week by the effective Pittsburgh attack.

This week, John Brown, Michael Floyd, and Larry Fitzgerald get their shot at Darrelle Revis and the Jets secondary. Brown and Floyd have been inconsistent, but Fitzgerald has been as consistent as ever. Look for Fitz to be a great play again this week with potential to go off especially if Carson Palmer returns as expected and opens up the offense.

Oct 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is congratulated by running back DeAndre Washington (33) after catching a touchdown pass against the San Diego Chargers in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders rookie rushers vs Chiefs

For the second straight week, the Raiders will be without Latavius Murray in their backfield as they take on a division foe. Murray is week-to-week with a troublesome turf toe injury leaving one of the better week 6 matchups for Oakland’s dynamic due to split this week against th Chiefs.

Kansas City is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing RB. We last saw the Chiefs getting shredded by Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football before taking their bye week last week. They have yet to hold opposing running backs under 95 yards rushing or under 11 fantasy points in any contest this season.

Just like last week, the tricky part about using either of the two Oakland rookie rushers is that they’ll split time again this week. Both DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard have had success at times this year but neither has been able to separate himself as the clear “workhorse” while Murray is out.

When Murray was out last week, Washington got the start and carred the ball nine times for 23 yards and hauled in five passes for 29 more yards. He was out-produced by Richard, but Washington continues to get carries throughout the game as he should again on Sunday.

Jalen Richard totaled 97 yards with 31 yards on eight carries and six catches for 66 yards. In PPR leagues, I’d give him a slight edge, but the backs seemed to rotate based on series more than specific situations.

Richard and Washington both have upside, but neither one got the goal line carry last week. It was fullback Jamize Olawale who got the one-yard plunge while totaling 22 yards on his six carries.

It’s a full-blown committee while Murray is out which is enough to give all of the three replacement backs some fantasy value. You can definitely use Washington and Richard in a flex spot this week although the presence of the other options does put a ceiling on their value even as they take on the Chiefs in what should be a very interesting AFC West matchup in Oakland.

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) catches a pass for a seventy-two yard touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Sammie Coates @ Dolphins

The way Miami has been going, almost all the Steelers make good plays this week. While Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown are all set up for monster games, there’s nice value to be had in WR Sammie Coates as well who has played a growing role in the potent Steelers’ aerial attack.

Coates has at least 50 yards receiving every week this season and has hauled in six catches in each of the last two games. He went off for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Jets last week, and he left an even bigger game on the table by dropping three more passes in the end zone. One of the reasons he may have struggled catching the ball was a lacerated finger he sustained at some point.

Coates hasn’t been practicing with the full offense this week, but he reportedly caught passes on Friday. All signs point to him being a go this week against the Dolphins. Miami is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing WR so far this season, and they have allowed at least 98 yards to opposing receivers every week except last week when they played the receiver-starved Titans. With Coates and Antonio Brown ready to roll this week, look for the Steelers to pummel the Dolphins in Miami in one of the most favorable week 6 matchups across the board.

Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) catches the ball against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. Seattle defeated New York 27-17. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Graham vs Falcons

The Seahawks acquired Jimmy Graham from the Saints looking to add one of the elite pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. Since coming to Seattle before last season, though, Graham has struggled with injury and ended up with a down year last year with only 605 yards and two touchdowns.

This season, though, things seem to be starting to turn around, and he should be able to keep them going the right direction in one of the best week 6 matchups for a tight end. He and the Seahawks come off their bye and welcome in the Falcons who are soaring high after they knocked off the Broncos last week.

Graham had two of his best games with Seattle just before the bye hauling in six catches against the 49ers and the Jets in Week 3 and Week 4. He had 100 and 113 yards in those two contests and scored one of the ‘Hakws TDs against the 49ers.

He’ll look to continue clicking with Russell Wilson this week as he faces the Falcons who have been vulnerable to opposing tight ends. Only the Browns have given up more fantasy points to TE this season, and last week was the first game where Atlanta had been able to hold opposing tight end out of the end zone (partly because Denver didn’t have Virgil Green). Look for Graham to continue his renaissance with a big week this week at home against the Falcons.

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) and other defenders make a tackle on New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) during the first quarter at Heinz Field against the New York Jets. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers D/ST @ Dolphins

For the second week in a row, the Steelers are my favorite streaming defense. If you still have them from last week when they took on the Jets, roll them out again this week. They have one of the best week 6 matchups as they visit Miami to take on the struggling Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill and the Dolphins offense have turned the ball over multiple times in each of their last four games. The team gutted their offensive line this week after surrendering 11 sacks in Week 4 and week 5. The new-look front line will face a tough test on Sunday against the Steelers who have some strong playmakers on defense.

Last week, Pittsburgh didn’t force any turnovers even against the Jets but they did manage to get to the quarterback throughout the game. They ended up with four sacks led by Jason Worilds 1.5 sacks. Casey Heyward is another name to watch for on Sunday since he’ll cause plenty of mayhem if he gets into the backfield. The Dolphins overhauled their line, but they still present one of the best Week 6 matchups to attack if you’re looking for a team defense.

Oct 9, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) attempts a pass in the game against the Miami Dolphins during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Tennessee Titans defeat the Miami Dolphins 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Mariota vs Browns

Last week, the highest scoring player in standard scoring leagues wasn’t Tom Brady. Brady’s big return fell just one point short of the top player of the week–Marcus Mariota.

Mariota bounced back from a pair of ugly weeks with 163 yards passing on 20-of-29 including three touchdown passes. He boosted his fantasy value by scrambling for 60 yards and a fourth touchdown on his seven carries. Mariota looked very good as he helped his team improved to 2-3 on the season.

This week, the Titans can get to .500 if they can bet the lowly Browns at home in Nashville. The Browns are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing QB’s in the league so far this season. In each of the last three weeks, Cleveland has give up three passing touchdowns to their opponent and has yet to hold any QB under two touchdown passes.

In one of the best week 6 matchups, Mariota should be able to build on his momentum from last week. He isn’t a top-ten option this week, but if you need a streaming solution or are in a two-QB league, he deserves a look in this tasty matchups.

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) participates in drills during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Forsett vs Rams

The Lions signed former-Ravens running back Justin Forsett earlier this week, and he may end up playing a big role for the team since their backfield has been wiped out by injury. Ameer Abdullah is on IR and Theo Riddick has missed practice all week.

Riddick was ruled out yesterday which leaves plenty of work for whoever is healthy in the Detroit backfield. Dwayne Washington also missed last week’s game and the entire week of practice until returning for a limited session on Friday. Washington would be the early-down back if he is able to play this week with Forsett as the receiving-down specialist in a pass-heavy attack. If Washington isn’t able to go, Forsett would likely get all the work he could handle on all downs.

With so many injuries in the Detroit backfield, Forsett could end up with a lot of work on Sunday. The Lions are at home against the Rams this week who gave up over 150 yards and a rushing touchdown to LeSean McCoy and the Bills’ running backs last week.

Forsett has had a turbulent season after entering camp as the presumed starter, getting cut by Baltimore, being re-signed before Week 1, getting cut again after two weeks, and ultimately ending up in Detroit. He didn’t generate much when he was active with the Ravens finishing with just 98 yards on his 31 carries (3.2 YPC) and 36 more yards on 11 catches. However, he could be a solid fill-in for Riddick and one of the better last-minute flier options available heading into one of the more uncertain week 6 matchups.