The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and pumpkin spice is everywhere — we’re officially in the heart of football season. What a high-scoring weekend we just witnessed! Twenty-two teams scored 20 or more points, and 21 different quarterbacks threw for at least 220 yards. Offenses across the league were firing on all cylinders. After the first few weeks of big-name busts, it finally feels like most players — and fantasy managers — have found their rhythm. Hopefully, by now, you’ve got a good feel for your team, so let’s set those lineups and get a Week 6 victory!
Starts
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (@LAC)
Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa is rostered in just 20% of leagues, but that number is expected to climb rapidly. After a rough Week 1 performance — throwing for under 120 yards with three turnovers — it made sense he was left on the wire. Since then, though, he’s flipped the script. Tagovailoa has now posted four straight games with at least two passing touchdowns and is coming off his best outing of the season, throwing for 256 yards and three scores against the Panthers.
Over that four-game stretch, he’s averaged more than 220 passing yards per game — not elite, but certainly strong enough for a QB1, especially when paired with his growing consistency. The Dolphins’ run game has been hit or miss lately, managing just 19 yards on 14 carries in Week 5. That should open the door for Tua to air it out once again in what could be a shootout with the Chargers.
Start Tagovailoa confidently this week; he’s heating up and shaping into a reliable fantasy starter.
RB – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)
He goes by “Bill,” and the rookie running back might just turn into a must-start option every week. Washington RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been impressive every time he’s gotten the ball — the only issue has been Washington’s crowded backfield. In Week 5, he logged a season-high 14 carries, which he turned into 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also added two catches for 39 yards, rounding out a breakout performance.
On the season, Croskey-Merritt has totaled 44 carries for 283 yards and four touchdowns — that’s an outstanding 6.6 yards per carry. If he continues to see 15+ touches per game, he has legitimate top-20 RB potential every week. This week, he faces a Bears defense that’s allowed the 8th-most rushing yards in the league, making him a rock-solid flex play. Get him into your lineup before his usage (and popularity) climbs any higher.
WR – Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (Dal)
It finally happened — McMillan broke out. After weeks of showing flashes, the rookie wideout exploded in Week 5 with seven catches on eight targets for 123 yards and a touchdown. He’s been developing strong chemistry with rookie quarterback Bryce Young, and his route-running has quickly become one of the most polished aspects of this Carolina passing game.
McMillan now leads the team in air yards and has seen a steady increase in target share each week. His combination of size, body control, and reliable hands has helped him emerge as a true WR2 option moving forward — especially in full-PPR leagues. The upcoming matchup against Dallas is another favorable spot, as the Cowboys have the worst secondary in the NFL.
If you’ve been waiting for a reason to get McMillan into your lineup, this is it. Expect continued volume and another strong fantasy outing.
TE – Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers (@TB)
Ah, the ever-frustrating search for a reliable tight end in fantasy football. For years, it’s been one of the most volatile and inconsistent positions in the game, which means you have to play the hot hand when it appears. Right now, that hot hand belongs to 49ers TE Jake Tonges.
With all the injuries in San Francisco, Tonges has taken full advantage of his opportunity. He now has three touchdowns on the season, and his target share continues to rise. In the last two games alone, he’s seen 16 targets, turning that volume into steady fantasy production.
As long as San Fran starting TE George Kittle remains sidelined, Tonges is a must-start option. He’s seeing red-zone work, earning consistent looks, and proving that he can be a dependable fantasy contributor in an offense desperate for healthy playmakers.
Defense – New England Patriots (@NO)
The New England Patriots have quietly put together a fantastic defensive season so far. They’ve allowed 21 or fewer points in four of their five games and currently rank among the league’s best against the run. New England has given up the fourth-fewest rushing yards this year, along with a league-low two rushing touchdowns — impressive numbers that highlight their defensive consistency.
Now, let’s look at the matchup. The New Orleans Saints offense has been slightly better than expected, but they’re still a team you want to target when streaming defenses. The Saints have scored the seventh-fewest points in the league and currently rank 21st in total offensive yards.
The Patriots’ defense is available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues, making them one of the best streaming options for Week 6. Their ability to limit rushing production, force turnovers, and control tempo gives them top-10 fantasy defense potential this week.
Sits
QB – Justin Fields, New York Jets (@DEN)
Jets QB Justin Fields has been one of the biggest surprises of the fantasy football season so far. He’s topped 25 fantasy points in three of his four starts, showcasing both his passing efficiency and rushing ability. Also, Fields has yet to throw an interception this year and has totaled four passing touchdowns and three rushing scores — a strong combination for fantasy production.
Despite those impressive numbers, I don’t trust him in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos. The primary concern lies in the defenses Fields has succeeded against — the Steelers, Dolphins, and Cowboys — all of which have struggled to contain opposing quarterbacks. In fact, those three teams have allowed a combined 28 passing touchdowns through five games.
Denver, on the other hand, has been much tougher. The Broncos have surrendered only four passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns all season. Fields might still get some production on the ground, but this matchup has all the makings of a potential fantasy dud. Keep him on your bench this week and look for a safer option at quarterback.
RB – Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars (@SEA)
We’re far enough into the season that matchups truly matter, especially for running backs. Jags RB Travis Etienne remains the clear RB1 in Jacksonville, averaging about 15 carries per game through five contests. However, his Week 5 performance against Kansas City was disappointing — just 12 carries for 49 yards as the Jaguars fell behind early and shifted to a pass-heavy script.
Unfortunately, a similar game flow could unfold in Week 6 against the Seattle Seahawks, who have been one of the toughest defenses in the league against opposing running backs. Seattle has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards while holding opponents to just 3.3 yards per carry, the second-best mark in the NFL. They’ve also allowed only two rushing touchdowns, tied for the fewest in the league.
With Etienne’s limited usage in the passing game — only nine receptions on the year — his floor is lower than most fantasy managers would like. Until Jacksonville’s offense proves more consistent, Etienne is best left on the bench in Week 6.
WR – Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (@KC)
Detroit QB Jared Goff is once again putting together an impressive season, leading the league with 12 passing touchdowns while ranking near the top in completion percentage. He’s also on pace to surpass 4,000 passing yards, showcasing his continued consistency under center.
However, despite Goff’s success, Lions WR Jameson Williams has been one of the more disappointing fantasy wide receivers so far. Through five games, he’s managed just 11 receptions on 21 targets, functioning almost exclusively as a deep-ball specialist in Detroit’s run-heavy offense. That limited role has capped his weekly production, with two or fewer catches in four of five games.
His lone big play — a 64-yard reception — accounts for more than a quarter of his total yardage this season, further illustrating his boom-or-bust nature. Until Williams becomes a more consistent part of the passing game, he’s too risky to trust, even as a flex option. Keep him on your bench until his target share and usage improve.
TE – Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (@Buf)
Selecting a tight end to sit can be a challenge, as even the league’s top TEs are often risky weekly starts. Atlanta TE Kyle Pitts is no exception. Last week, he was on a bye, and this week, it’s wise to give him another rest on your bench.
Pitts has had a solid season, coming off a game where he scored his first touchdown of the year. However, don’t expect him to find the end zone again this week. Historically, Pitts isn’t known for consistent touchdown production, with just 11 TDs in 65 career games, and he has never recorded back-to-back TD games.
To make matters tougher, he faces a challenging matchup against Buffalo, a team that has allowed the second-fewest points to tight ends this season. With these factors combined, Pitts carries a high bust risk this week, making it smarter to explore a better TE option for your lineup.
Defense – Detroit Lions (@KC)
The Detroit Lions are currently the number one-ranked defense in fantasy, but that doesn’t automatically make them a must-start this week. No defense is truly matchup-proof, and this is a situation where caution is warranted.
A couple of weeks ago, the Chiefs looked shaky, and the Lions could have been a strong play. However, Kansas City has now found its footing on offense. They rank 9th in passing, 10th in rushing, and 12th in scoring this season. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has also heated up, throwing 588 yards and 6 TDs over his last 2 games.
With the game shaping up to be an absolute shootout, the Lions' defense carries significant risk. Keep them on your roster if you can, but this week, it’s safer to leave them on the bench.
