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Each week, the Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet will combine analysis, data and game predictions with a confidence scale to help owners get a definitive answer on who to start in their leagues.
Say, what do all those snazzy numbers mean? That’s our confidence scale. It slides from 10.0 for a fantastic start to 5.0 for an average rating to a 1.0 for a pitiful rating.
Is the confidence scale based on a specific scoring system? It is based on standard leagues but is (mostly) applicable to PPR leagues. You should probably consult our PPR-specific rankings for more detail.
Who is listed below? Everyone who matters, but anyone already starting in 90 percent or more of CBSSports.com leagues is considered an obvious must-start. We’re not going to waste your time trying to convince you to start DeAndre Hopkins .
What if someone isn’t listed below? If someone’s missing, it’s not an accident. Anyone missing is a definitive must sit, if not a must-cut player. Or they’re on bye.
What’s the best way to find a specific player on this page? Use your personal search function — CTRL-F on PCs and Command-F on MACs. If neither of those are options, or if you’re on a mobile device, you can search by game. Games are listed by starting times.
What if I am still unsure who to start or sit after reading this? Ask me! Shoot me a note on Twitter (@daverichard) (I’ll keep an eye out for the #CBSFCS hashtag). You can always consult our rankings, too.
Ring that bell, let’s get after it!
Cardinals at Steelers, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Carson Palmer (8.6): The Cardinals stayed out east and should be ready for a 1 p.m. ET game against a Steelers pass defense that has allowed multiple passing touchdowns in three of five games and will be a little tired after playing out west on Monday night. Palmer has been money this season.
Mike Vick (2.6): Until we see the Steelers give Vick a little more leeway with the offense, he can’t even be thought about as a bye-week replacement. The matchup against the Cardinals doesn’t help.
Running backs
Chris Johnson (7.1): Last week Johnson dominated playing time with the starters, rotating with Ellington and losing goal-line carries to rookie David Johnson . Expect a similar rotation at the Steelers, who have been way better than expected against the run.
Andre Ellington (5.3): Ellington should see more work than he had last week while splitting reps with Johnson, but it’ll take him being on the field at the right time and/or breaking a long run like he did last week in order to cash in for Fantasy owners.
David Johnson (4.5): Last week saw Johnson act as the Cardinals short-yardage/goal-line back. The guy clearly has a nose for the end zone after delivering at least one score in four of his first five games. Without the workload to back him up, though, he’s a very risky Fantasy play.
Le’Veon Bell (9.4): Obvious must-start.
Wide receivers
Larry Fitzgerald (8.8): With 11-plus Fantasy points in three of his last four games and plenty of targets and catches in every game this season, you’d have to be loaded at receiver to sit Fitzgerald.
John Brown (6.3): Brown has never scored or had more than 61 yards in any of six career outdoor games. The Steelers have allowed three completions to receivers over 20 yards this season — not that the Cardinals won’t try to take some shots.
Antonio Brown (7.4): Brown’s dilemma isn’t just the quality of targets he’s getting but the limited number of targets going around in Pittsburgh. The Steelers offense has gone mostly conservative with Vick under center, and the Cardinals have done a nice job against No. 1 receivers. There’s also options for Vick to throw to besides Brown, including Martavis Bryant. But if you know Brown, you realize it takes just one catch for him to deliver a big stat line, and he remains a difficult cover for anyone, even Patrick Peterson . He’s still worth starting, just don’t expect elite numbers.
Martavis Bryant (5.75): We’ll see if Bryant earns a lot of playing time against the Cardinals after not being ready last week. Hopefully he’ll see a good amount of targets — it took Markus Wheaton five weeks to finally have a game-breaking play, so it’s not like the Steelers have someone who has taken Bryant’s spot.
Tight ends
Darren Fells (3.0): The last time the Steelers gave up multiple touchdowns to a tight end, they bounced back for three straight weeks. Fells is clearly a touchdown-dependent tight end.
Heath Miller (3.1): If Brown is the biggest loser in Ben Roethlisberger ‘s absence, Miller is second-biggest. He has five Fantasy points in his last three games. Gross.
Defense/Special teams
Cardinals (7.1): The Steelers offense just isn’t the same without Roethlisberger. Arizona’s defense remains a solid start.
Steelers (4.2): Pittsburgh’s DST has posted 11-plus Fantasy points in each of its last four games! If the matchup were a wee bit better they’d be more than a low-end option.
Chiefs at Vikings, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Alex Smith (4.4): Smith threw three touchdowns in Week 1, two since. Losing Jamaal Charles and his 35.4 receiving yards per game puts more pressure on him to perform, and Mike Zimmer has owned Smith in two career meetings (no touchdowns, three interceptions).
Teddy Bridgewater (5.1):The Chiefs have been very giving to opposing quarterbacks, but Bridgewater hasn’t thrown multiple touchdowns in a game yet this year and has one game with 20 Fantasy points and two with under 10. Even with the matchup, he’s a risk.
Running backs
Charcandrick West (5.9) & Knile Davis (4.0): West has a little more explosiveness and lateral agility than Davis but will have to really stand out in order to land a lot of work. Davis is a downhill runner who has a proven track record of filling in admirably for Charles in the past. Here’s a problem: Since Week 1, the Vikings have allowed literally one big play to opposing running backs. It’s a very tough matchup.
Adrian Peterson (9.6): Obvious must-start.
Wide receivers
Jeremy Maclin (6.9): You have to expect more targets for Maclin with the Chiefs run game changing with Charles going down. Every receiver to get at least eight targets against the Vikings has posted at least eight Fantasy points. Maclin has at least nine targets in every game this season.
Mike Wallace (6.0): The Chiefs have allowed a touchdown to a wideout in every game this year and 11-plus Fantasy points to four of five No. 1 receivers. Wallace is a good sleeper.
Tight ends
Travis Kelce (7.1): The Vikes have allowed a touchdown to a tight end in two of their last three games. Kelce figures to see more targets with Charles no longer on the field for the Chiefs.
Kyle Rudolph (2.9):It’s a tough matchup and Rudolph hasn’t been better than nine Fantasy points in any game this year.
Defense/Special teams
Chiefs (2.4): Only one of the last three DSTs to play the Vikings has left with more than five points (the Broncos had 13 in Week 4).
Vikings (6.7): It’s a terrific matchup because they’re at home against a team led by Alex Smith and no Jamaal Charles. Each of the last three DSTs to take on the Chiefs have posted nine Fantasy points — consider that the floor for the Vikings.
Redskins at Jets, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins (2.8): Cousins’ lone good game came against a bad pass defense. The Jets are one of the best pass defenses out there.
Ryan Fitzpatrick (4.9): Fitzpatrick is no better than a bye-week replacement — he doesn’t have a 20-point game to his name yet this year despite owning three games with two touchdowns.
Running backs
Chris Thompson (3.6): Thompson will continue to lead Washington running backs in snaps so long as they find themselves playing from behind. His matchup is tough as the Jets have held opposing rushers to under 3.3 yards per carry and 6.0 yards per catch.
Matt Jones (3.8) & Alfred Morris (3.2): If Jones’ toe keeps him out then Morris could land at least a dozen carries. That won’t be enough for him against one of the league’s top run defenses. Avoid both backs if you can.
Chris Ivory (7.4): Tough matchup, but Washington has allowed a rushing score in two of its last three games and is starting to give up more and more rush yards per carry to running backs.
Wide receivers
Jamison Crowder (4.9): Non-No. 1 receivers have scored on the Jets in three of four games and Crowder figures to be a candidate based on the coverage he’ll receive and the targets he’s been getting — 20 in the last two games for 15 catches and just over 10 yards per grab.
Pierre Garcon (4.6): Garcon figures to draw Darrelle Revis in coverage, which is basically a death knell for his statistics.
Brandon Marshall (8.9): Obvious must-start.
Eric Decker (6.4): Eventually Decker’s touchdown streak will end, and when it does Fantasy owners could be real disappointed. He has one game with more than five targets and it was a high-scoring contest. If you start Decker, you need him to score. That could definitely happen given the Redskins’ propensity for allowing touchdowns to receivers.
Defense/Special teams
Redskins (4.4): Surprisingly, the Redskins defense has notched at least 11 Fantasy points in four of five games. It has been their Top 10 pass rush that’s especially generated those numbers. However, the Jets have allowed two sacks through four games. This would be a risky choice against an offense averaging 23.8 points per game.
Jets (8.9): The best DST out there, the Jets have racked up at least 15 Fantasy points in three of four games. Washington’s offense should struggle down several O-lineman and without DeSean Jackson.
Bears at Lions, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Jay Cutler (7.1): Props to Cutty for getting 21 Fantasy points each of the last two weeks without top target Alshon Jeffery . Combine that with an underperforming Lions pass defense and there’s optimism for another solid week from Cutler.
Matthew Stafford (6.8): Let’s be real here, Stafford just got done with a very tough gauntlet of pass defenses. Now he’ll take on the Bears, who have held opposing quarterbacks to 17 Fantasy points or less over their last three games, but the gut feeling is that Stafford surges with his back against the wall and the Lions desperate for a win.
Running backs
Matt Forte (9.5): Obvious must-start.
Ameer Abdullah (5.7), Zach Zenner (2.9) & Joique Bell (2.1): After reading what Lions coaches had to say this week, I would guess Abdullah’s stay in the dog house is over. I expect him to see the most work of any Lions running back against the Bears. That goes double after Theo Riddick popped up on the injury report with a groin issue and didn’t practice by Friday. If he’s out then the door’s open for Abdullah to quickly regain his workload with Zach Zenner potentially fending off Bell for some of the early-down duties. Abdullah could rebound pretty quickly here.
Wide receivers
Marquess Wilson (5.8): Assuming Wilson remains the Bears’ top receiver, he’ll take on a Lions defense that has allowed top receivers to score in each of its last three games. Wilson has caught 12 of 17 targets for 165 yards and a touchdown over his last two games against poor pass defenses. Obviously his stock takes a hit if Alshon Jeffery is active.
Calvin Johnson (8.1): This is a telling week for Megatron, who has a touchdown and/or over 100 yards in each of his last four against the Bears. James Jones , Larry Fitzgerald, Jimmy Graham and Amari Cooper are other big-bodied pass-catchers who have had good games against this secondary. Johnson should too.
Golden Tate (5.1): Credit the Lions for trying to get Tate more involved in the offense, offering him 18 targets last week. With that number he should have notched double digits but instead caught eight passes for 74 yards and fumbled the ball away.
Tight ends
Martellus Bennett (7.2): Bennett typically hogs targets and catches at Detroit, averaging eight catches and nearly 100 yards in his last two against them. Detroit has allowed a tight end to score on them in four of its five games.
Defense/Special teams
Bears (4.1): Three of the last four DSTs have done real well against the Lions, but they’ve been quality defenses like the Broncos, Seahawks and Cardinals. The Bears don’t quite qualify and shouldn’t be considered as reliable.
Lions (3.7): With the way the Bears offense has been playing despite missing key players, and with the way the Lions defense has been playing, no one should use them.
Broncos at Browns, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Peyton Manning (6.3): If Manning can’t come through this week then you know there’s trouble. The Browns have allowed multiple touchdowns to every quarterback they’ve faced and at least 24 Fantasy points to the last three passers they’ve taken on. The Browns pass rush is just so-so and the secondary is a mess. Manning should do well, and he came darn close to having two touchdowns last week, but it’s hard to be confident in him.
Josh McCown (6.2): “Bombs Away” McCown has averaged 47 pass attempts over his last three games. Given that volume it’s no wonder he has averaged 384.7 pass yards with two passing touchdowns per. No doubt the matchup is tough but if McCown’s going to sling it he should get some decent numbers.
Running backs
Ronnie Hillman (5.6) & C.J. Anderson (5.2): The matchup is incredible as the Browns are allowing 5.3 yards per carry and 13.3 yards per catch to opposing running backs. And teams are running a lot at the Browns — an average of 27.6 times per game. But the Broncos running backs have averaged 20.6 rushes per game, not a lot considering their split. Ultimately figure they both struggle to land good numbers.
Duke Johnson (5.8): Denver’s run defense has been great but we have seen pass-catching backs rack up some numbers against them. Johnson’s role figures to expand if the Browns are playing from behind.
Isaiah Crowell (4.4): Crowell has three games in his last four with a touchdown, so why not start him? Well, he scored in two of those games and caught three passes for 62 yards in the other. He’s not playing as much as Johnson and is averaging a shade under 4.0 yards per carry. This isn’t a good matchup for him.
Wide receivers
Demaryius Thomas (8.2): Thomas’ damage has come mostly in the short-area passing game, which is where the Browns have proven to be susceptible. Cleveland has allowed just four deep passes for more than 20 yards. If he had held on to a ball in the end zone last week no one would be quite as worried about starting him. Expect a lot of targets and a good stat line.
Emmanuel Sanders (6.8): The combination of the Browns bend-but-don’t-break secondary, Peyton’s limited deep pass attempts and Sanders’ inconsistent production make him a little riskier to use than last week. He has four red-zone targets on the year but just one from inside the 5.
Travis Benjamin (5.15): The Broncos corners are among the best in football, but that doesn’t mean the Browns won’t try some deep shots, particularly if they can get Benjamin matched up on Aqib Talib and his rolled ankle.
Tight ends
Owen Daniels (5.4): Last week’s donut will send people running from Daniels but the Browns aren’t particularly good against tight ends. Offenses that actually use tight ends against the Browns (at least five targets) have found the end zone at least once and racked up a bunch of Fantasy points.
Gary Barnidge (5.2): No tight end has landed more than six Fantasy points against the Broncos, but no tight end has had more than five targets against them on the year. Expect Barnidge, who is averaging 8.7 targets per game in his last three as a McCown favorite, to grind his way to 70 or so total yards.
Defense/Special teams
Broncos (7.7): McCown has been sacked 13 times in three-and-a-half games. Even without DeMarcus Ware , they should get to him and force some turnovers.
Browns (3.6): Three of five DSTs to play the Broncos have posted 12-plus points including the Raiders last week. It’s all a matter of the Browns attacking the Broncos offensive line and sacking/picking off Manning, which is to say they’re a risky choice.
Dolphins at Titans, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Ryan Tannehill (5.8): Tannehill’s turnovers sunk what was otherwise a nice three-game stretch for him, throwing multiple touchdowns per game. Every quarterback to play the Titans has had multiple touchdowns, so really it’s just a matter of Tannehill not throwing picks. He should be okay as a bye-week replacement.
Marcus Mariota (4.7): Mariota did a fine job leading the Titans on long drives last week but couldn’t finish any of them off. Call it a crazy hunch, but figure the Dolphins will make things very tough on him and potentially not look like the defense they were through the first four weeks of the season.
Running backs
Lamar Miller (6.4): Two things the Dolphins will change following the bye are addressing the run game and the offensive line. Expect more work for Miller and maybe some success — throw out last week against the Buffalo Bills ‘ bumbling run game an the Titans have allowed 4.5 rush yards per carry to running backs with three rushing touchdowns. He’s worth a start.
Antonio Andrews (4.2): Andrews’ best bet from week to week is to score. He did last week, and the Dolphins have allowed three rushing touchdowns to backs in their last two games, but defensive changes for Miami could make them a much tougher defense than what we’ve seen.
Wide receivers
Jarvis Landry (5.6): Big-time opportunity for Landry here against Titans cornerback Coty Sensabaugh , who has already allowed two touchdowns on the season including one last week. Landry has double-digit targets in every game and eight catches in three of four games. He’s just missing the touchdowns.
Rishard Matthews (4.7): It’s going to take a shift in how Matthews has been used for him to be effective for Fantasy owners. He usually lines up split out to Tannehill’s right, which for this week means a big matchup against quality cornerback Jason McCourty , who allowed three touchdowns last season.
DeVante Parker (2.5): There’s talk of Parker being given more opportunities after he declared himself 100 percent healthy this week. We’ve waited a while to see him get involved. He’s worth stashing just in case he shows signs of a breakout this week.
Kendall Wright (5.9): Miami has allowed four receivers to land 10-plus Fantasy points over its last three games, but Miami is also going to try and change up what they do defensively. Wright makes sense as a flex option.
Tight ends
Jordan Cameron (3.3): Before you get excited about Cameron because the Dolphins interim coach used to be the tight ends coach, remember that Dan Campbell was a blocking tight end and not a pass catcher like Cameron is supposed to be. Tennessee has been dynamite against tight ends over their last three games.
Delanie Walker (5.6): Expect Walker to get a chance to put up some numbers against Miami, which has struggled against quality tight ends. Walker has 16 targets in his last two games.
Defense/Special teams
Dolphins (7.0):The only DST to struggle with the Titans is the Bucs back in Week 1. If you buy into the Dolphins changing things up on defense and being more physical, you should want to start them.
Titans (2.6): Don’t be in a hurry to trust the Titans DST, even with their improved pass defense, against a wild-card Miami offense coming out of the bye.
Bengals at Bills, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton (8.5): The Bills defense managed to fend off the Titans in the red zone last week but figure to have too many problems to cover against the Bengals this week. Dalton should land a minimum of two touchdowns.
E.J. Manuel (3.0): You know, Manuel didn’t play so poorly this preseason, completing 20 of 30 passes for 358 yards and four touchdowns including 7 of 8 passes for 170 yards and two scores in a start against the Steelers. Even so, he’s not worth trusting even with pieces of the Bills offense getting healthy.
Running backs
Giovani Bernard (6.1): The Bills are especially susceptible to running backs through the air, allowing 11.3 yards per catch to the position. Bernard clearly is the back the Bengals are rolling with for now.
Jeremy Hill (5.1): It’s touchdown-or-bust for Hill, who played just 19 snaps last week and had 25 total yards. If the Bills offense can’t get moving then there could be some garbage time chances for Hill, but I wouldn’t hang a hat on that.
LeSean McCoy (5.25): It’s not an ideal situation to start him against Cincinnati but your options figure to be limited. His rushing average is bad, his receiving average is okay and he’s been buoyed by touchdowns. He even admitted this week he’s not at 100 percent, so don’t expect too much, even if he is going up against a run defense that got blasted last week by Thomas Rawls.
Wide receivers
A.J. Green (8.3): Obvious must-start
Marvin Jones (5.7): Jones looks like a pretty good choice to score as the Bills have allowed seven touchdowns to receivers on the season. Non-No. 1 receivers have posted at least eight Fantasy points in four of five games against the Bills.
Sammy Watkins (5.3): Looks like Watkins will play, and the matchup is pretty nice, but he’s a total wild card in terms of production. Theoretically the Bills will draw up plays for Watkins to take advantage of the matchup but questions about his health and his quarterback make him a wild card. In four games with Manuel last season, Watkins was almost always heavily targeted but had 10-plus Fantasy points just once and three points or fewer twice.
Tight ends
Tyler Eifert (7.4): After spiking the Seahawks last week, there’s no reason in the world to sit Eifert, even in a matchup against a defense that hasn’t allowed more than three points to an opposing tight end in the last three weeks.
Charles Clay (3.7): Clay was covered up pretty well against the Titans last week and figures to be just as covered against a Bengals defense that routinely does well against tight ends.
Defense/Special teams
Bengals (6.9): The Bengals DST should be considered a good option based on how three of the last four units to play Buffalo have done.
Bills (6.4): Rex Ryan’s crew hasn’t had consecutive big games and doesn’t seem likely to do so against a very active and dangerous Bengals offense.
Texans at Jaguars, Sun., 1 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Brian Hoyer (3.8): Jacksonville’s pass defense has settled down over the past couple of weeks and has fared well against below-average quarterbacks. Hoyer isn’t a good bye-week replacement.
Blake Bortles (7.5):The matchup at home against the Texans is pretty darn good. So long as Bortles’ shoulder doesn’t bother him in practice this week, he should be considered a very good start.
Running backs
Arian Foster (8.0): Obvious must-start.
T.J. Yeldon (6.55 if he plays): Yeldon didn’t practice this week, but the Jaguars aren’t ruling him out. Running backs have torn up the Texans over the past couple of weeks and if Yeldon were fine then he’d continue that trend. But since he’s not, we could see Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart mix in even if Yeldon is active come Sunday. I wouldn’t feel good starting him.
Wide receivers
DeAndre Hopkins (9.5): Obvious must-start.
Allen Robinson (7.5): There shouldn’t be any more questions about Robinson’s ability after last week’s two-score performance. The Texans don’t have the defensive backs to keep Robinson in check.
Allen Hurns (6.6): Hurns doesn’t get the targets Robinson gets but it hasn’t stopped him from scoring in three straight. He also scored on the Texans at home last year. Given the matchup, it’s understandably difficult to pass on him in Fantasy.
Tight ends
Julius Thomas (4.5): Expect Thomas to be targeted more this week after barely being used last week (the Jaguars admitted he wasn’t part of the game plan). Houston has been solid against tight ends this year including both Indianapolis Colts guys last week.
Defense/Special teams
Texans (2.2): Before the season started, this looked like a slam-dunk matchup. Now, after the way the Texans DST has played, you should not consider them.
Jaguars (4.3): It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Jaguars defense come away with a couple of takeaways and some sacks, making them a very low-end bye-week replacement.
Panthers at Seahawks, Sun., 4:05 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Cam Newton (5.5): Cam’s Fantasy totals in four career games against the Seahawks are 9, 14, 6 and 20, with the 20 coming in the playoffs last year when he hit Kelvin Benjamin for two touchdowns. It’s bad timing to take on the Seahawks in Seattle after they lost the week prior.
Russell Wilson (5.7): This isn’t the kind of get-right game Wilson needs after a tough loss last week, but it’ll do. In four career games against the Panthers he has scored 11, 18, 14 and 30 Fantasy points, with the 30 coming in the playoffs last year. Carolina’s secondary is better now than it was then and should keep things tough on Wilson.
Running backs
Jonathan Stewart (3.4): No one should be excited to start Stewart against the Seahawks. He had 70 rush yards in the playoffs against Seattle in January and 94 total yards at home against Seattle last October. So far this season his total-yard high is 81.
Marshawn Lynch (6.7): Finally expected to play after missing two games, figure the Seahawks take it easy with Lynch. Around 15 or so touches against a Panthers run defense that held him to 94 total yards or fewer in each of his last four games.
Thomas Rawls (3.3): The combination of a tough matchup and limited work keeps Rawls from being a reliable Fantasy option.
Wide receivers
Ted Ginn (3.9): His speed will be honored by the Seahawks secondary but it doesn’t mean they’ll let up a big play. Cam’s receivers have three touchdowns in four career games against the Seahawks.
Devin Funchess (1.0): The Panthers could have more in store for Funchess coming out of the bye. Keep an eye on his playing time.
Doug Baldwin (4.2) & Jermaine Kearse (3.5): Just a guess from an observer: The Panthers will put Josh Norman on Kearse and Charles Tillman on Baldwin. If it turns out that way or not, don’t expect either receiver to have a good game (Baldwin should fare better). Carolina’s starting cornerbacks have allowed one touchdown between them on the year.
Tight ends
Greg Olsen (6.3): Olsen probably sees Tyler Eifert’s game against the Seahawks from last week and salivates, but unlike Eifert in Cincy, Olsen is the Panthers’ No. 1 receiver and will see the most coverage. Since Cam’s been his quarterback, Olsen has never had more than 58 yards receiving against the Seahawks in four tries.
Jimmy Graham (6.5): If the Seahawks are smart they’ll get Graham way more involved this week. Carolina is statistically awesome against opposing tight ends but the best it’s faced is Benjamin Watson and Garrett Graham . Keep expectations high and keep him in your one-week Fantasy lineups.
Defense/Special teams
Panthers (6.5): Expecting a good game from this DST at Seattle is risky business but Wilson has been sacked an average of 4.4 times per game and the Seahawks have seven turnovers in five matchups. If you’re not willing to start them this week, you might not be willing to start them against the Eagles, Colts and Packers in the three games to follow.
Seahawks (8.8): Knowing Cam Newton’s struggles against this defense, it makes a lot of sense to ride with the Seahawks DST just as you normally would.
Chargers at Packers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers (8.1): It’s a tough spot for Rivers to be in after playing on Monday. Figure him to throw a bunch, which typically leads to quality Fantasy numbers.
Aaron Rodgers (9.5): Obvious must-start.
Running backs
Danny Woodhead (6.6): The lack of playing time and loss of targets to Gordon on Monday were surprising developments. If the Chargers were to play from behind as expected, it would seem likely Woodhead would regain the edge in playing time and targets.
Melvin Gordon (5.5): Gordon got a lot of work last week and totaled nearly 100 yards, but also fumbled. It’s hard to buy into Gordon as a capable running back, even after last week’s seven-catch surprise.
Eddie Lacy (9.1): Obvious must-start, though this will be a telling week for Lacy. The Chargers should get tired easy after battling on Monday and then hitting the road for a Sunday game. A running back has landed 17 or more Fantasy points against the Chargers in three straight weeks.
Wide receivers
Keenan Allen (7.3): Obviously, Antonio Gates ‘ return took some targets away from Allen, but he still had 10. He just didn’t do much with them. He’s worth buying into in Week 6 figuring that the Chargers will play from behind.
Randall Cobb (9.0): Obvious must-start, even if Jason Verrett covers him.
James Jones (7.2): Love the matchup for Jones if he gets one-on-one with Brandon Flowers , who hasn’t played particularly well when he’s been on the field.
Tight ends
Antonio Gates (7.0): Green Bay has been rather stingy against opposing tight ends, but Gates proved last week he’s not only going to be a regular in the Chargers offense, but that he can still play at a good level.
Ladarius Green (3.5): We’ve seen Green consistently get four or five targets per game with around 50 yards. That’s his floor, and that’s his expectation for Week 6.
Richard Rodgers (4.8): Rodgers has been involved lately for the Packers, pretty much since Davante Adams went down with an injury. Though he’s clearly touchdown-dependent, he’ll take on a Chargers defense that has allowed a score to a tight end in three of five games. He’s worth consideration as a low-end starter.
Defense/Special teams
Chargers (3.2): Not against the Packers in Green Bay. No way.
Packers (7.6): Four of the five DSTs to play the Chargers have posted at least 14 Fantasy points thanks to a bevy of sacks and turnovers. The Packers DST has been on fire (over 20 Fantasy points each of the last two weeks).
Ravens at 49ers, Sun., 4:25 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco (5.3): Flacco was resourceful last week without an ample receiving corps, but the 49ers have played much better defense at home than on the road. It’s not a great week to bank on Flacco.
Colin Kaepernick (5.9): Three of the last four quarterbacks to play the Ravens have posted over 30 Fantasy points (the one who didn’t, Michael Vick , had 13). Kap has been as boom or bust as you can imagine, posting 24-plus points in two games and 10 or fewer in three. I’d bank on Kaepernick having a good game given the matchup.
Running backs
Justin Forsett (6.5): If the game were in Baltimore, Forsett could be counted on for a big game. But the 49ers have played well against good running backs at home, holding the likes of Adrian Peterson and Eddie Lacy to under nine Fantasy points each. Forsett should be expected to get around that number.
Carlos Hyde (6.8): The final stat line from Week 5 was great, but until the Niners’ second-to-last drive, he had 66 yards on 17 carries without the touchdown. But the silver lining is that the Niners weren’t afraid to stick with Hyde on that last drive that netted him 27 more yards and a touchdown. In fact, maybe the Niners learned to lean on Hyde and not give him the 12.0 carries per game he averaged in Weeks 2 through 4. It could be fool’s good, but against a suspect Ravens defense he’s worth using as at least a No. 2 running back.
Wide receivers
Kamar Aiken (4.8): If he is indeed the default No. 1 receiver for the Ravens, he’ll take on a Niners defense that has played better at home than on the road. Truly elite wideouts have caught four of the five touchdowns allowed by the Niners this season — no one’s ready to use that term on Aiken.
Torrey Smith (5.5): Revenge on Smith’s mind? The former Ravens receiver will take on a defense that has allowed 10 deep passes for 25-plus yards in their last four overall including three for touchdowns. Smith is a fantastic one-week Fantasy league play.
Anquan Boldin (5.4): Boldin is another former Ravens receiver with payback on his mind. He has been extremely risky to use — three points or fewer in three games, 12 points or more in the other two. That’s practically par for the course for Boldin, who had five games with 10-plus points last season and nine with six or fewer. The Ravens have allowed seven of nine passing touchdowns to opposing receivers. He’s worth a look as a flex or No. 3 choice.
Tight ends
Crockett Gillmore (6.4): He’ll give the Ravens offense a big boost if he plays, not to mention his Fantasy owners. Surprisingly, the 49ers have allowed a tight end to score in three of their last four games.
Vernon Davis (3.2): Looks like Davis will play after missing a few games with an injury, but he’s undeserving of your trust, even after Barnidge crushed the Ravens last week.
Defense/Special teams
Ravens (4.5): The Ravens have four sacks in each of their last two games and have 10-plus Fantasy points in three of five on the year. Expect that decent sack total to continue.
49ers (4.6): The Ravens have scored at least 23 points in each of their last four games, putting a lot of pressure on the Niners defense. Sure, they’ve played well at home against the Vikings and Packers, holding them to a combined 20 points. If you’re looking for a decent bye-week option, this one should be on the list.
Patriots at Colts, Sun., 8:30 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Tom Brady (9.7): Obvious must-start.
Andrew Luck (7.0): Luck’s record against the Pats is a mixed bag filled with 300-yard games, multiple touchdown throws, poor completion percentages and multiple turnovers. Here’s the bottom line: He’s scored more than 20 Fantasy points just once in four career meetings with the Patriots. With the Colts offense projected to make some tweaks to the conservative side, expectations should be limited for Luck.
Running backs
Dion Lewis (9.0) & LeGarrette Blount (7.0): In their last four meetings with the Colts, Patriots running backs have averaged 38.7 carries for 193.0 rush yards and 3.7 rushing touchdowns per game. That’s UNREAL. It comes from a combination of the Patriots running at will and taking advantage of Colts turnovers. Even with Indy’s run defense being slightly improved, there’s no reason to believe Lewis and Blount won’t succeed, especially since the Pats run game has been just fine all season.
Frank Gore (6.9): One common denominator in the Colts’ last four losses to the Patriots is a lack of a run game. That’s what Gore gives them — with 15 or more touches in each of his last three games, expect Gore to continue to see a good dose of work.
Wide receivers
Julian Edelman (8.0): Obvious must-start.
Donte Moncrief (7.1): It’s been non-No. 1 receivers who have posted good numbers on the Patriots since Luck took over the Colts offense. Moncrief is a hunch play — he got out of the way in Week 5 so Andre Johnson could have his Houston homecoming. It would only make sense for him to regain his work in the offense against a porous pass defense that — surprise — has struggled against non-No. 1 receivers this season.
T.Y. Hilton (6.5): Bill Belichick labeled Hilton a “problem” in a press conference this week, and if how he’s defended him recently is any indication, he’ll try to solve the problem on Sunday night. As the Colts’ top target, Hilton has totaled 60 yards on four catches over two games. In the two games prior he wasn’t the top target and had 10 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Expect the Pats to take him away from Luck and send his numbers south (not that they were earth-shattering in the first place).
Andre Johnson (3.2): Last week was no coincidence — Johnson got thrown a bone against his former team. Maybe he’ll keep up with some playing time but it’s not like he’s a cinch to keep the touchdowns coming. It’s OK to roster him, it would be risky to start him.
Tight ends
Rob Gronkowski (9.8): Obvious must-start.
Coby Fleener (4.0) & Dwayne Allen (3.6): Expect the trend to continue where these guys take targets and stats away from each other. Both are low-end options.
Defense/Special teams
Patriots (6.6): Because they seem to constantly have Luck’s number, plus they will try to knock Luck around and create some takeaways, they’re a useful option this week. The Pats have allowed 21 or fewer points in three of four games.
Colts (1.1): With the Pats’ track record against them, there’s no way they should come close to your starting lineup.
New York Giants at Eagles, Mon., 8:30 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Eli Manning (7.8): First thing’s first — if Odell Beckham is out for the Giants, Manning shouldn’t be started. It’s also worth noting Manning hasn’t thrown a touchdown in Philadelphia since Chip Kelly became the Eagles coach (which was 2013). The matchup seems favorable but Philly’s penchant for turnovers have left opposing quarterbacks with one game over 20 Fantasy points and three very close to it.
Sam Bradford (7.4): The only time the Eagles didn’t throw two touchdowns over their last four against the G-Men was when Matt Barkley started. Bradford seemingly has his act together and should take advantage of a Giants defense that could be without one of its starting cornerbacks.
Running backs
Shane Vereen (5.0), Rashad Jennings (3.7) & Andre Williams (2.2): The Eagles run defense is awesome and the Giants’ three-headed monster has been very hit-or-miss for Fantasy. If the Giants are to play from behind, or avoid running into the teeth of a tough run defense, then Vereen makes sense as the running back of choice, just as he wound up being last week.
DeMarco Murray (7.3): The Giants were battered late last week against the run, but they hung tough before the fourth quarter and will get linebacker Jon Beason back. He makes a huge difference for their run defense and could make things a little tough on Murray.
Ryan Mathews (6.3): When he’s in the game for Philly, good things happen. He’s still not getting much work with Murray active but he’s worth a flier as a low-end No. 2 running back.
Wide receivers
Odell Beckham (9.6): Obvious must-start if he practices by Saturday.
Rueben Randle (5.2): Randle practiced this week and looks like he’ll play through a hamstring injury that sidelined him last week. The Giants will need him against an Eagles pass defense that’s allowed seven touchdowns to receivers through five games and 30 total Fantasy points to two Saints wideouts in Week 5.
Jordan Matthews (6.7): Matthews has been a disappointment this year but he’s still getting targets. That will change if he keeps underperforming, but the Giants have had a hard time with underneath-type receivers this year.
Josh Huff (5.0): It’s a total hunch play but with Nelson Agholor sidelined expect Huff to get some extra opportunities as an outside receiver.
Tight ends
Larry Donnell (5.1): The Eagles allowed their first touchdown to a tight end on the season in Week 5, but that’s not a reason to like Donnell. With the Giants receiving corps banged up, Donnell should end up with extra targets and a decent chance at getting near 10 Fantasy points.
Zach Ertz (5.3) & Brent Celek (4.1):The Giants are among the worst in the league in covering tight ends. Ertz has picked up plenty of chances to make plays and Celek has been scoring touchdowns. Both are sneaky plays.
Defense/Special teams
Eagles (6.3): They’re already a pretty good starting option as it stands, but if the Giants roll into this game without Odell Beckham, they should have a feast.
Giants (3.3): With Philadelphia’s offense rolling and key members of the Giants defense either playing hurt, coming back from a concussion or missing, this isn’t the right time to trust the unit.
Falcons at Saints, Thu., 8:25 p.m. ET
Quarterbacks
Matt Ryan (8.0): Obvious must-start.
Drew Brees (7.2): Brees tossed for over 300 yards in each game against the Falcons last year but couldn’t land more than one touchdown. Between that track record, his recent numbers (just one game over 20 Fantasy points) and the Falcons pass defense being better than expected, Brees should figure to come in right around 20 or 21 Fantasy points.
Running backs
Devonta Freeman (9.2): The Saints run defense has been hot and cold all season, but Freeman has been red hot. On a short week, expect very good numbers.
Tevin Coleman (1.9): Coleman won’t play much anytime soon but is still worth rostering as a handcuff for Freeman or a lottery ticket in the event Freeman misses playing time.
Mark Ingram (8.1): Obvious must-start.
C.J. Spiller (3.9): Knowing how bad the Falcons are at defending running backs through the air (8.5 yards per catch), expect Spiller to see a few more than the four targets and six touches he had last week.
Wide receivers
Julio Jones (9.1): Obvious must-start.
Leonard Hankerson (6.1): Last week was a weird game for Hankerson. A rib injury cost him the first half, but he came back in the second half only to have Ryan miss him on three end-zone targets and a two-point conversion. Don’t be the least bit shocked to see him land at least seven targets and potentially deliver a big game.
Roddy White (2.0): The only way White’s targets will rise is if Jones doesn’t suit up for the Falcons. Otherwise, expect him to remain bench/waiver material.
Brandin Cooks (7.0): Garbage time saved him last week against the Eagles, but Cooks at least showed why he was worthy of an early-round pick. He’s always worth a start when playing at home.
Willie Snead (6.2): Opposing non-No. 1 receivers have come down with at least 80 yards against the Falcons in their last two games. Snead has at least that many yards in each of the Saints’ last two games and should notch at least that many in Week 6.
Tight ends
Jacob Tamme (3.4): Nine of his 10 targets last week came in the first half when Hankerson was sidelined with an injury. The Saints have struggled against tight ends, but it’s unclear just how many passes will go Tamme’s way (he has zero red-zone targets on the season).
Defense/Special teams
Falcons (6.8): Atlanta’s allowing 22.4 points per game and 366.4 yards per game. The Saints are averaging 387.4 yards per game but have struggled to put numbers on the scoreboard with 20.6. The Saints are also giving up a bunch of sacks and Brees has turned the ball over five times in four games. The Falcons aren’t a horrible start and are worth dealing with this week if only to keep for the two games after.
Saints (2.8): The Falcons are one of the league’s top scoring teams and they rack up a lot of yardage to boot. The Saints DST still hasn’t posted a game with more than nine Fantasy points.
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