Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
by Kevin Tompkins
It’s Week 6, and there are only two teams on bye: the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. Enough time has gone by this season that we’re starting to know what these teams are in 2025. Like the Colts, it’s much more than a hot start at this point; they’re AFC contenders. There’s a lot of parity in the NFL, though, with no undefeated teams left.
We have some clarity and insight into what these teams are doing, and we’re no longer guessing about player utilization. While the NFL is a true week-to-week league, finding angles in micro- and macro-level decision-making is a massive part of fantasy football in the middle of the season.
In this ongoing series, I will take every game and jot down any fun thoughts he has about each weekly matchup. It’s going to be a bit scattershot, but that’s when the best ideas flow. We got to almost 3,000 words this week, because there’s a LOT to talk about!
NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football Angles and Leverage
Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!
*All odds courtesy of FantasyLabs*
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets (43.5 Over/Under)
Denver Broncos (-7.5)
- The Broncos left for London just a few hours after they beat the Eagles in Week 5, so the jet lag and general fatigue from an overseas flight should be a little bit lessened.
- Courtland Sutton is in play, as is J.K. Dobbins.
- The sophomore slump for Bo Nix is real: he’s been inconsistent and has yet to string two solid performances together. He’s a low-end QB1, but in London and with two decent defenses, this game probably goes under the 43.5 total.
New York Jets
- Only Quentin Johnston has surpassed 40 yards from Patrick Surtain‘s shadow coverage this season, but you must start Garrett Wilson at the very least. One play can make the week, and you don’t want to leave Wilson on the bench.
- Breece Hall feels totally fine as a start, but obviously, it’s the Broncos. The same goes for Justin Fields, but you’re going to have to hope and pray for a lot of rushing stuff to counteract the lack of passing statistics that’s probably on tap in Week 6.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts (46.5)
Arizona Cardinals
- Kyler Murray is questionable with a foot injury, but is likely to play. He’s an okay start, as is Marvin Harrison. The Cardinals are the ultimate underachieving team in the NFL, as evidenced by their horrific Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
- Trey McBride is a lock in lineups, but Michael Carter‘s robust role puts him close to that lofty status. That’s helped by Emari Demercado entering the eternal doghouse in Hangar 51 at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)
- The Colts are a real offense and could steamroll this Cardinals team based on both teams’ trajectories.
- Daniel Jones is a low-end start, but Jonathan Taylor is as locked-in a must-start as it gets. Same with Tyler Warren.
- Michael Pittman is a fine fantasy start, and Josh Downs is a low-end flex play.
- The offensive environment from preseason to Week 6 has flipped almost 180 degrees from our expectations to what we have here, so this offense has a massive floor —and not only that, it is beating the teams it SHOULD be beating, handily.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers (49.5)
Dallas Cowboys (-3)
- Lock in Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens, and Dak Prescott into your lineups. This game against the Panthers could get squirrely, and with an offensive explosion certainly in the cards, you want pieces of this game.
- I’d even consider a flex spot for Ryan Flournoy if he can be a bigger part of the offense, ala Jalen Tolbert last season. I’m interested to see if Flournoy can build off his 100-yard performance. In a strong offensive environment, the secondary pieces gain some viability in games like this where the over/under approaches 50 points.
Carolina Panthers
- Despite some of the quarterback issues and offensive volatility, Tetairoa McMillan has been as advertised this season and is a clear foundational WR1 for this team. Now they have to figure out the rest.
- Could it be Jalen Coker? He’s a game-time decision for Week 6, so his availability is going to go right down to the wire. I’d be okay with him as a flex if he’s active.
- Rico Dowdle, he of the 200-yard rushing game last week, has to be in lineups with Chuba Hubbard out. He’s not going to put up 200 yards again. If he does, well… you’ll want to have him in your lineup as a flex at worst.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens (44.5)
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
- This one’s easy. Fire up your studs.
- That includes Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams (my favorite DFS RB of the week), Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams.
Baltimore Ravens
- Last week, the Ravens and Cooper Rush ran into a Houston Texans buzzsaw and were down multiple touchdowns before they could regroup. They get the Rams at home, but it’s not much easier, as with a porous defense, the Rams are much more capable of getting the horses lined up to score almost at will.
- That said, there’s real concern that Derrick Henry could be game-scripted out yet again after 12-to-14 carries, so he’s just an RB2 for me this week.
- I’m only starting Zay Flowers here and not bothering with any secondary pass-catcher in Baltimore.
- Does the above statement include Mark Andrews? With how bad tight end fantasy scoring has been this season across the board, you probably can’t afford to sit him. That said, the floor is very low here.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (37.5)
Cleveland Browns
- It’s time. It’s time. No, not Vader Time (RIP), but it’s time to anoint Quinshon Judkins as a must-start option in fantasy, finally. He’s been incredibly awesome over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and his robust role of at least 70% of team rushing attempts in the last three weeks cements it.
- Dillon Gabriel took a nasty situation staring down a Brian Flores defense in London and looked pretty good despite a loss in his first NFL start. We’re not starting Gabriel in fantasy, but we do know he can support an option or two in the passing game, like David Njoku.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-,5.5)
- Jaylen Warren is off the injury report for the Steelers, so he will start and be a solid fantasy contributor. It’s also likely Kenneth Gainwell isn’t going away. Still, I’m much less confident about Gainwell getting a decent-enough role to trust for fantasy purposes against a Browns team that has been pretty stout in defending the run.
- I’d start D.K. Metcalf as a high-end WR3 fantasy option, but that’s about it for the Steelers. It’s bleak. Thanks, Arthur Smith.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins (44.5)
Los Angeles Chargers (-4.5)
- Despite both tackles being out for this one on the road against the Dolphins, you’re still firing up Justin Herbert and the top three pass-catchers in Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, and Ladd McConkey.
- With the running back situation in a sad situation now that Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve, it’s very hard to get to the point where you feel anything other than uneasy plugging one of Hassan Haskins or Kimani Vidal into fantasy lineups. If I can help it, I’m not.
Miami Dolphins
- The Dolphins are easy: Tua Tagovailoa is a streaming option, but a low-end one.
- Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller, and De’Von Achane are lineup locks.
- Malik Washington could be a flop lag DFS punt play at wide receiver following a Week 5 where he just retained his usual role instead of earning more snaps and routes in the post-Tyreek Hill-era Dolphins.
New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints (45.5)
New England Patriots (-3.5)
- With Antonio Gibson out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, it’s a two-man backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The changeover likely isn’t happening this week, so let the disappointment sink in. Of course, this will likely be what it says in this section before the game that the switch DOES happen. So, I’m letting that sink in as well.
- Drake Maye? Lock.
- Stefon Diggs has been excellent over the last two weeks as the clear alpha wide receiver, with 19 targets, 16 receptions, and 247 yards receiving. It’s Diggs and then a step down to Hunter Henry for the receiving stuff. That’s all we can reliably trust here.
New Orleans Saints
- Chris Olave has four games with double-digit targets, so obviously, we’re firing him up with Christian Gonzalez back on the injury report for the Patriots with a hamstring injury.
- Juwan Johnson has been banged up the last two weeks, and we’ve really seen his ankle injury sap his production after such a strong start to 2025.
- Alvin Kamara is also on the injury report with an ankle injury, but Kendre Miller has encroached a bit on Kamara’s overall workload. Kamara has trended down quite a bit this season, as he hasn’t retained the receiving role we’ve been so used to from him. It’s apparently not a thing head coach Kellen Moore wants to keep going in the offense, so we have to adjust and place Kamara in the high-end RB3 or flex category.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5)
Seattle Seahawks (-1.5)
- Lock in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the second-best wide receiver in football.
- Kenneth Walker over Zach Charbonnet, but don’t get it twisted: Charbonnet is at least a flex play in this matchup with the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s defense is legitimate, but I’m not sure if people are really buying them as a contender right now.
- Cooper Kupp has been a very boring flex option, and you can tell that he just doesn’t have the ability he once had. He’s hanging on the edge of the fantasy viability cliff right now. Is there such a thing? If so, Kupp is holding on for dear life.
- It feels like Tory Horton (three touchdowns this season) is somebody who should be earning more work in this offense, but has been stuck in neutral with 50-65% of routes each week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brian Thomas looked as good as he has all season on Monday Night Football in Week 5, so we could be building on something here with not just Thomas, but the Jaguars’ passing game. With Seattle’s secondary in injury hell, I’m playing Thomas in my DFS cash game lineups as a foundational piece. Clearly, he should be in your redraft lineups as well.
- Travis Etienne keeps his strong role and is pushing away Bhayshul Tuten at every turn. Etienne feels much more like the focus of the offense than even the passing game is, so he’s got to be firmly in lineups.
- For DFS, the Trevor Lawrence play feels good, and I’d go as far as to say he should be a low-end streaming quarterback, too.
Tennessee Titans vs. Las Vegas Raiders (41.5)
Tennessee Titans
- Previous weeks just had us hands off of all Titans, but at the very least, Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley are decent starts—especially Pollard, who faces a Raiders team that’s 24th in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
- Ridley led all Week 5 pass-catchers in air yards (176), so the intent is there with Cam Ward. Sometimes, that’s all that matters.
Las Vegas Raiders (-4.5)
- No Brock Bowers yet again in Week 6, but Michael Mayer has put together two full practices and comes off of concussion protocol to start. Mayer is a decent punt TE for DFS purposes, but still a long way away from starting in managed fantasy leagues.
- It’s a smash spot for Ashton Jeanty against the Titans, who are a pure run funnel through five weeks.
- Jakobi Meyers is the quintessential WR3 play, but I suppose Tre Tucker is okay in deeper leagues. (Tre Tucker Enterprises did not pay me to say that.)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers (44.5)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Flacco gets these Packers for the second time in three weeks, but with a little more firepower.
- Ja’Marr Chase is questionable (illness) but should gut it out. He’s going to have to be active for the Bengals to have a chance.
- As a flex, Chase Brown is okay, but if I have other options, I’m probably not bothering here. As we saw with the Bengals getting down big to the Lions, Brown was subbed out for elderly Samaje Perine for a lot of the receiving stuff.
Green Bay Packers (-14)
- Jordan Love isn’t throwing the ball 43 times in this game unless something insane happens, so Josh Jacobs is a smash play of this entire offense against a Bengals team that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing backfields.
- We’re likely back to the status quo with these pass-catchers, so the hierarchy has Tucker Kraft at the top, with Matthew Golden as a viable option given his incremental role growth.
- After those two, it’s a sizable gap to Romeo Doubs, who is just a low-floor flex play. I can’t put him any higher because I don’t reward huge touchdown games like that.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (47.5)
San Francisco 49ers
- Of course, Christian McCaffrey. He would be the WR6 in just receiving fantasy points.
- This passing game is in rough shape, given everyone’s health. I almost don’t even want to bother with the Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall stuff. The “will they/won’t they” is tiresome. Give me liberty, or give me Kendrick Bourne! (as a solid WR3 in Week 6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
- With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving all out, the top of the production for the Buccaneers lands squarely on Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka, and Rachaad White. All three are must-starts in Week 6.
- I wouldn’t even mind tossing Sterling Shepard or Cade Otton in lineups either, but to note, I’d be more apt to put Otton in DFS lineups than Shepard in redraft lineups.
Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (52.5)
Detroit Lions
- The Lions are easy(ish). Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs are all locks.
- The gap between Gibbs and David Montgomery is much wider than it’s been in previous seasons, but Monty is a solid flex this week, hoping that he gets into the end zone.
- The tough one is Jameson Williams, who has put up just a 14.8% target share this season. He’s a tough needle to thread here, but in a game with the highest over/under of the slate, I’m fine with rolling the dice on Williams to jump out of his funk. We talk about narratives; wouldn’t Dan Campbell want to target Williams early to get him out of it? The lights may still be shining on Narrative St. for the Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
- Patrick Mahomes? Yes. The Lions are down Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed, their top two cornerbacks.
- Xavier Worthy? Yes, without question.
- Travis Kelce? I guess. It’s volume-dependent, but you probably have to.
- The running backs? God, miss me with all of these guys. Kareem Hunt could score five touchdowns, and it wouldn’t change my opinion about him or this run game. Some are calling him “running back Romeo Doubs.”
Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons (49.5)
Buffalo Bills (-4.5)
- Josh Allen and James Cook are in lineups, without question.
- The only pass-catcher we can feel good about might just be Khalil Shakir, as he seems to fall outside of the rest of the wide receiver “cone of influence,” as Shakir gets the most routes and is the most consistent week-to-week option available.
- There’s Dalton Kincaid, too, who is producing big time over limited routes. Kincaid has at least a touchdown or 100 yards receiving in four of five games this season, but has run just 60% of routes per dropback this season. That makes it tough to capture a player’s true upside when he’s consistently rotating with Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes. Still, Kincaid is a low-end TE1 based on his efficient role in the offense and the state of the tight end position in fantasy, where we’re desperately trying to find viable starters.
Atlanta Falcons
- The Falcons’ offense hasn’t been super productive this season, but most of it revolves around Bijan Robinson, so obviously, he’s a must-start option and the same for Drake London.
- The rest of the Atlanta stuff centers around Darnell Mooney‘s availability, as there are a few moving parts here. If Mooney plays, he’s a solid WR3/flex play. If Mooney doesn’t play, I like playing Kyle Pitts as a low-end TE streamer.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders (49.5)
Chicago Bears
- Your vaunted Caleb Williams-to-Rome Odunze connection is back in business following the Bears’ Week 5 bye.
- Is there anything more boring or sleep-inducing than rostering and starting D’Andre Swift? Maybe it’s more of an “eat your vegetables” play, but Swift hasn’t had a fantasy performance better than RB20 this season in four games.
- Taking a clear step back in the target hierarchy is DJ Moore, who is pretty boring himself. He’s averaging five targets, four receptions, and 43 yards per game this season, and is squarely in low-end flex territory against the Commanders.
Washington Commanders (-4.5)
- Hoping that the Jacory Croskey-Merritt workload split from Week 5 either grows or stays the same, as we don’t want to see the toothpaste get put back into the tube. The Bears are one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, so he’s a must-start this week.
- Terry McLaurin still hasn’t practiced, so it’s unlikely he will go in Week 6. That opens the door for Deebo Samuel Sr. yet again. Samuel has been on the injured list, more for veteran rest than for a nagging heel injury. Deebo has touchdowns in three of his last four games, plus two straight weeks as a top-12 or better fantasy wide receiver.
- I shouldn’t have to say start Jayden Daniels, but… start Jayden Daniels.
Kevin Tompkins is a co-owner of Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Kevin on Bluesky @ktompkinsii.bsky.social and right here on Optimus Fantasy.
It’s Week 6, and there are only two teams on bye: the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. Enough time has gone by this season that we’re starting to know what these teams are in 2025. Like the Colts, it’s much more than a hot start at this point; they’re AFC contenders. There’s a lot of parity in the NFL, though, with no undefeated teams left.
We have some clarity and insight into what these teams are doing, and we’re no longer guessing about player utilization. While the NFL is a true week-to-week league, finding angles in micro- and macro-level decision-making is a massive part of fantasy football in the middle of the season.
In this ongoing series, I will take every game and jot down any fun thoughts he has about each weekly matchup. It’s going to be a bit scattershot, but that’s when the best ideas flow. We got to almost 3,000 words this week, because there’s a LOT to talk about!
NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football Angles and Leverage
Check out our Premium Tools – Use Code “OptimusFall” for 25% OFF 4 Months!
*All odds courtesy of FantasyLabs*
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets (43.5 Over/Under)
Denver Broncos (-7.5)
- The Broncos left for London just a few hours after they beat the Eagles in Week 5, so the jet lag and general fatigue from an overseas flight should be a little bit lessened.
- Courtland Sutton is in play, as is J.K. Dobbins.
- The sophomore slump for Bo Nix is real: he’s been inconsistent and has yet to string two solid performances together. He’s a low-end QB1, but in London and with two decent defenses, this game probably goes under the 43.5 total.
New York Jets
- Only Quentin Johnston has surpassed 40 yards from Patrick Surtain‘s shadow coverage this season, but you must start Garrett Wilson at the very least. One play can make the week, and you don’t want to leave Wilson on the bench.
- Breece Hall feels totally fine as a start, but obviously, it’s the Broncos. The same goes for Justin Fields, but you’re going to have to hope and pray for a lot of rushing stuff to counteract the lack of passing statistics that’s probably on tap in Week 6.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts (46.5)
Arizona Cardinals
- Kyler Murray is questionable with a foot injury, but is likely to play. He’s an okay start, as is Marvin Harrison. The Cardinals are the ultimate underachieving team in the NFL, as evidenced by their horrific Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
- Trey McBride is a lock in lineups, but Michael Carter‘s robust role puts him close to that lofty status. That’s helped by Emari Demercado entering the eternal doghouse in Hangar 51 at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)
- The Colts are a real offense and could steamroll this Cardinals team based on both teams’ trajectories.
- Daniel Jones is a low-end start, but Jonathan Taylor is as locked-in a must-start as it gets. Same with Tyler Warren.
- Michael Pittman is a fine fantasy start, and Josh Downs is a low-end flex play.
- The offensive environment from preseason to Week 6 has flipped almost 180 degrees from our expectations to what we have here, so this offense has a massive floor —and not only that, it is beating the teams it SHOULD be beating, handily.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers (49.5)
Dallas Cowboys (-3)
- Lock in Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens, and Dak Prescott into your lineups. This game against the Panthers could get squirrely, and with an offensive explosion certainly in the cards, you want pieces of this game.
- I’d even consider a flex spot for Ryan Flournoy if he can be a bigger part of the offense, ala Jalen Tolbert last season. I’m interested to see if Flournoy can build off his 100-yard performance. In a strong offensive environment, the secondary pieces gain some viability in games like this where the over/under approaches 50 points.
Carolina Panthers
- Despite some of the quarterback issues and offensive volatility, Tetairoa McMillan has been as advertised this season and is a clear foundational WR1 for this team. Now they have to figure out the rest.
- Could it be Jalen Coker? He’s a game-time decision for Week 6, so his availability is going to go right down to the wire. I’d be okay with him as a flex if he’s active.
- Rico Dowdle, he of the 200-yard rushing game last week, has to be in lineups with Chuba Hubbard out. He’s not going to put up 200 yards again. If he does, well… you’ll want to have him in your lineup as a flex at worst.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens (44.5)
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
- This one’s easy. Fire up your studs.
- That includes Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams (my favorite DFS RB of the week), Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams.
Baltimore Ravens
- Last week, the Ravens and Cooper Rush ran into a Houston Texans buzzsaw and were down multiple touchdowns before they could regroup. They get the Rams at home, but it’s not much easier, as with a porous defense, the Rams are much more capable of getting the horses lined up to score almost at will.
- That said, there’s real concern that Derrick Henry could be game-scripted out yet again after 12-to-14 carries, so he’s just an RB2 for me this week.
- I’m only starting Zay Flowers here and not bothering with any secondary pass-catcher in Baltimore.
- Does the above statement include Mark Andrews? With how bad tight end fantasy scoring has been this season across the board, you probably can’t afford to sit him. That said, the floor is very low here.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (37.5)
Cleveland Browns
- It’s time. It’s time. No, not Vader Time (RIP), but it’s time to anoint Quinshon Judkins as a must-start option in fantasy, finally. He’s been incredibly awesome over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and his robust role of at least 70% of team rushing attempts in the last three weeks cements it.
- Dillon Gabriel took a nasty situation staring down a Brian Flores defense in London and looked pretty good despite a loss in his first NFL start. We’re not starting Gabriel in fantasy, but we do know he can support an option or two in the passing game, like David Njoku.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-,5.5)
- Jaylen Warren is off the injury report for the Steelers, so he will start and be a solid fantasy contributor. It’s also likely Kenneth Gainwell isn’t going away. Still, I’m much less confident about Gainwell getting a decent-enough role to trust for fantasy purposes against a Browns team that has been pretty stout in defending the run.
- I’d start D.K. Metcalf as a high-end WR3 fantasy option, but that’s about it for the Steelers. It’s bleak. Thanks, Arthur Smith.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins (44.5)
Los Angeles Chargers (-4.5)
- Despite both tackles being out for this one on the road against the Dolphins, you’re still firing up Justin Herbert and the top three pass-catchers in Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, and Ladd McConkey.
- With the running back situation in a sad situation now that Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve, it’s very hard to get to the point where you feel anything other than uneasy plugging one of Hassan Haskins or Kimani Vidal into fantasy lineups. If I can help it, I’m not.
Miami Dolphins
- The Dolphins are easy: Tua Tagovailoa is a streaming option, but a low-end one.
- Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller, and De’Von Achane are lineup locks.
- Malik Washington could be a flop lag DFS punt play at wide receiver following a Week 5 where he just retained his usual role instead of earning more snaps and routes in the post-Tyreek Hill-era Dolphins.
New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints (45.5)
New England Patriots (-3.5)
- With Antonio Gibson out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, it’s a two-man backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The changeover likely isn’t happening this week, so let the disappointment sink in. Of course, this will likely be what it says in this section before the game that the switch DOES happen. So, I’m letting that sink in as well.
- Drake Maye? Lock.
- Stefon Diggs has been excellent over the last two weeks as the clear alpha wide receiver, with 19 targets, 16 receptions, and 247 yards receiving. It’s Diggs and then a step down to Hunter Henry for the receiving stuff. That’s all we can reliably trust here.
New Orleans Saints
- Chris Olave has four games with double-digit targets, so obviously, we’re firing him up with Christian Gonzalez back on the injury report for the Patriots with a hamstring injury.
- Juwan Johnson has been banged up the last two weeks, and we’ve really seen his ankle injury sap his production after such a strong start to 2025.
- Alvin Kamara is also on the injury report with an ankle injury, but Kendre Miller has encroached a bit on Kamara’s overall workload. Kamara has trended down quite a bit this season, as he hasn’t retained the receiving role we’ve been so used to from him. It’s apparently not a thing head coach Kellen Moore wants to keep going in the offense, so we have to adjust and place Kamara in the high-end RB3 or flex category.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5)
Seattle Seahawks (-1.5)
- Lock in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the second-best wide receiver in football.
- Kenneth Walker over Zach Charbonnet, but don’t get it twisted: Charbonnet is at least a flex play in this matchup with the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s defense is legitimate, but I’m not sure if people are really buying them as a contender right now.
- Cooper Kupp has been a very boring flex option, and you can tell that he just doesn’t have the ability he once had. He’s hanging on the edge of the fantasy viability cliff right now. Is there such a thing? If so, Kupp is holding on for dear life.
- It feels like Tory Horton (three touchdowns this season) is somebody who should be earning more work in this offense, but has been stuck in neutral with 50-65% of routes each week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brian Thomas looked as good as he has all season on Monday Night Football in Week 5, so we could be building on something here with not just Thomas, but the Jaguars’ passing game. With Seattle’s secondary in injury hell, I’m playing Thomas in my DFS cash game lineups as a foundational piece. Clearly, he should be in your redraft lineups as well.
- Travis Etienne keeps his strong role and is pushing away Bhayshul Tuten at every turn. Etienne feels much more like the focus of the offense than even the passing game is, so he’s got to be firmly in lineups.
- For DFS, the Trevor Lawrence play feels good, and I’d go as far as to say he should be a low-end streaming quarterback, too.
Tennessee Titans vs. Las Vegas Raiders (41.5)
Tennessee Titans
- Previous weeks just had us hands off of all Titans, but at the very least, Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley are decent starts—especially Pollard, who faces a Raiders team that’s 24th in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
- Ridley led all Week 5 pass-catchers in air yards (176), so the intent is there with Cam Ward. Sometimes, that’s all that matters.
Las Vegas Raiders (-4.5)
- No Brock Bowers yet again in Week 6, but Michael Mayer has put together two full practices and comes off of concussion protocol to start. Mayer is a decent punt TE for DFS purposes, but still a long way away from starting in managed fantasy leagues.
- It’s a smash spot for Ashton Jeanty against the Titans, who are a pure run funnel through five weeks.
- Jakobi Meyers is the quintessential WR3 play, but I suppose Tre Tucker is okay in deeper leagues. (Tre Tucker Enterprises did not pay me to say that.)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers (44.5)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Flacco gets these Packers for the second time in three weeks, but with a little more firepower.
- Ja’Marr Chase is questionable (illness) but should gut it out. He’s going to have to be active for the Bengals to have a chance.
- As a flex, Chase Brown is okay, but if I have other options, I’m probably not bothering here. As we saw with the Bengals getting down big to the Lions, Brown was subbed out for elderly Samaje Perine for a lot of the receiving stuff.
Green Bay Packers (-14)
- Jordan Love isn’t throwing the ball 43 times in this game unless something insane happens, so Josh Jacobs is a smash play of this entire offense against a Bengals team that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing backfields.
- We’re likely back to the status quo with these pass-catchers, so the hierarchy has Tucker Kraft at the top, with Matthew Golden as a viable option given his incremental role growth.
- After those two, it’s a sizable gap to Romeo Doubs, who is just a low-floor flex play. I can’t put him any higher because I don’t reward huge touchdown games like that.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (47.5)
San Francisco 49ers
- Of course, Christian McCaffrey. He would be the WR6 in just receiving fantasy points.
- This passing game is in rough shape, given everyone’s health. I almost don’t even want to bother with the Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall stuff. The “will they/won’t they” is tiresome. Give me liberty, or give me Kendrick Bourne! (as a solid WR3 in Week 6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
- With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving all out, the top of the production for the Buccaneers lands squarely on Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka, and Rachaad White. All three are must-starts in Week 6.
- I wouldn’t even mind tossing Sterling Shepard or Cade Otton in lineups either, but to note, I’d be more apt to put Otton in DFS lineups than Shepard in redraft lineups.
Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (52.5)
Detroit Lions
- The Lions are easy(ish). Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs are all locks.
- The gap between Gibbs and David Montgomery is much wider than it’s been in previous seasons, but Monty is a solid flex this week, hoping that he gets into the end zone.
- The tough one is Jameson Williams, who has put up just a 14.8% target share this season. He’s a tough needle to thread here, but in a game with the highest over/under of the slate, I’m fine with rolling the dice on Williams to jump out of his funk. We talk about narratives; wouldn’t Dan Campbell want to target Williams early to get him out of it? The lights may still be shining on Narrative St. for the Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
- Patrick Mahomes? Yes. The Lions are down Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed, their top two cornerbacks.
- Xavier Worthy? Yes, without question.
- Travis Kelce? I guess. It’s volume-dependent, but you probably have to.
- The running backs? God, miss me with all of these guys. Kareem Hunt could score five touchdowns, and it wouldn’t change my opinion about him or this run game. Some are calling him “running back Romeo Doubs.”
Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons (49.5)
Buffalo Bills (-4.5)
- Josh Allen and James Cook are in lineups, without question.
- The only pass-catcher we can feel good about might just be Khalil Shakir, as he seems to fall outside of the rest of the wide receiver “cone of influence,” as Shakir gets the most routes and is the most consistent week-to-week option available.
- There’s Dalton Kincaid, too, who is producing big time over limited routes. Kincaid has at least a touchdown or 100 yards receiving in four of five games this season, but has run just 60% of routes per dropback this season. That makes it tough to capture a player’s true upside when he’s consistently rotating with Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes. Still, Kincaid is a low-end TE1 based on his efficient role in the offense and the state of the tight end position in fantasy, where we’re desperately trying to find viable starters.
Atlanta Falcons
- The Falcons’ offense hasn’t been super productive this season, but most of it revolves around Bijan Robinson, so obviously, he’s a must-start option and the same for Drake London.
- The rest of the Atlanta stuff centers around Darnell Mooney‘s availability, as there are a few moving parts here. If Mooney plays, he’s a solid WR3/flex play. If Mooney doesn’t play, I like playing Kyle Pitts as a low-end TE streamer.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders (49.5)
Chicago Bears
- Your vaunted Caleb Williams-to-Rome Odunze connection is back in business following the Bears’ Week 5 bye.
- Is there anything more boring or sleep-inducing than rostering and starting D’Andre Swift? Maybe it’s more of an “eat your vegetables” play, but Swift hasn’t had a fantasy performance better than RB20 this season in four games.
- Taking a clear step back in the target hierarchy is DJ Moore, who is pretty boring himself. He’s averaging five targets, four receptions, and 43 yards per game this season, and is squarely in low-end flex territory against the Commanders.
Washington Commanders (-4.5)
- Hoping that the Jacory Croskey-Merritt workload split from Week 5 either grows or stays the same, as we don’t want to see the toothpaste get put back into the tube. The Bears are one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, so he’s a must-start this week.
- Terry McLaurin still hasn’t practiced, so it’s unlikely he will go in Week 6. That opens the door for Deebo Samuel Sr. yet again. Samuel has been on the injured list, more for veteran rest than for a nagging heel injury. Deebo has touchdowns in three of his last four games, plus two straight weeks as a top-12 or better fantasy wide receiver.
- I shouldn’t have to say start Jayden Daniels, but… start Jayden Daniels.
Kevin Tompkins is a co-owner of Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Kevin on Bluesky @ktompkinsii.bsky.social and right here on Optimus Fantasy.
It’s Week 6, and there are only two teams on bye: the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings. Enough time has gone by this season that we’re starting to know what these teams are in 2025. Like the Colts, it’s much more than a hot start at this point; they’re AFC contenders. There’s a lot of parity in the NFL, though, with no undefeated teams left.
We have some clarity and insight into what these teams are doing, and we’re no longer guessing about player utilization. While the NFL is a true week-to-week league, finding angles in micro- and macro-level decision-making is a massive part of fantasy football in the middle of the season.
In this ongoing series, I will take every game and jot down any fun thoughts he has about each weekly matchup. It’s going to be a bit scattershot, but that’s when the best ideas flow. We got to almost 3,000 words this week, because there’s a LOT to talk about!
NFL Week 6 Fantasy Football Angles and Leverage
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Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets (43.5 Over/Under)
Denver Broncos (-7.5)
- The Broncos left for London just a few hours after they beat the Eagles in Week 5, so the jet lag and general fatigue from an overseas flight should be a little bit lessened.
- Courtland Sutton is in play, as is J.K. Dobbins.
- The sophomore slump for Bo Nix is real: he’s been inconsistent and has yet to string two solid performances together. He’s a low-end QB1, but in London and with two decent defenses, this game probably goes under the 43.5 total.
New York Jets
- Only Quentin Johnston has surpassed 40 yards from Patrick Surtain‘s shadow coverage this season, but you must start Garrett Wilson at the very least. One play can make the week, and you don’t want to leave Wilson on the bench.
- Breece Hall feels totally fine as a start, but obviously, it’s the Broncos. The same goes for Justin Fields, but you’re going to have to hope and pray for a lot of rushing stuff to counteract the lack of passing statistics that’s probably on tap in Week 6.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Indianapolis Colts (46.5)
Arizona Cardinals
- Kyler Murray is questionable with a foot injury, but is likely to play. He’s an okay start, as is Marvin Harrison. The Cardinals are the ultimate underachieving team in the NFL, as evidenced by their horrific Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
- Trey McBride is a lock in lineups, but Michael Carter‘s robust role puts him close to that lofty status. That’s helped by Emari Demercado entering the eternal doghouse in Hangar 51 at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Indianapolis Colts (-7.5)
- The Colts are a real offense and could steamroll this Cardinals team based on both teams’ trajectories.
- Daniel Jones is a low-end start, but Jonathan Taylor is as locked-in a must-start as it gets. Same with Tyler Warren.
- Michael Pittman is a fine fantasy start, and Josh Downs is a low-end flex play.
- The offensive environment from preseason to Week 6 has flipped almost 180 degrees from our expectations to what we have here, so this offense has a massive floor —and not only that, it is beating the teams it SHOULD be beating, handily.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers (49.5)
Dallas Cowboys (-3)
- Lock in Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens, and Dak Prescott into your lineups. This game against the Panthers could get squirrely, and with an offensive explosion certainly in the cards, you want pieces of this game.
- I’d even consider a flex spot for Ryan Flournoy if he can be a bigger part of the offense, ala Jalen Tolbert last season. I’m interested to see if Flournoy can build off his 100-yard performance. In a strong offensive environment, the secondary pieces gain some viability in games like this where the over/under approaches 50 points.
Carolina Panthers
- Despite some of the quarterback issues and offensive volatility, Tetairoa McMillan has been as advertised this season and is a clear foundational WR1 for this team. Now they have to figure out the rest.
- Could it be Jalen Coker? He’s a game-time decision for Week 6, so his availability is going to go right down to the wire. I’d be okay with him as a flex if he’s active.
- Rico Dowdle, he of the 200-yard rushing game last week, has to be in lineups with Chuba Hubbard out. He’s not going to put up 200 yards again. If he does, well… you’ll want to have him in your lineup as a flex at worst.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens (44.5)
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5)
- This one’s easy. Fire up your studs.
- That includes Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams (my favorite DFS RB of the week), Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams.
Baltimore Ravens
- Last week, the Ravens and Cooper Rush ran into a Houston Texans buzzsaw and were down multiple touchdowns before they could regroup. They get the Rams at home, but it’s not much easier, as with a porous defense, the Rams are much more capable of getting the horses lined up to score almost at will.
- That said, there’s real concern that Derrick Henry could be game-scripted out yet again after 12-to-14 carries, so he’s just an RB2 for me this week.
- I’m only starting Zay Flowers here and not bothering with any secondary pass-catcher in Baltimore.
- Does the above statement include Mark Andrews? With how bad tight end fantasy scoring has been this season across the board, you probably can’t afford to sit him. That said, the floor is very low here.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (37.5)
Cleveland Browns
- It’s time. It’s time. No, not Vader Time (RIP), but it’s time to anoint Quinshon Judkins as a must-start option in fantasy, finally. He’s been incredibly awesome over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and his robust role of at least 70% of team rushing attempts in the last three weeks cements it.
- Dillon Gabriel took a nasty situation staring down a Brian Flores defense in London and looked pretty good despite a loss in his first NFL start. We’re not starting Gabriel in fantasy, but we do know he can support an option or two in the passing game, like David Njoku.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-,5.5)
- Jaylen Warren is off the injury report for the Steelers, so he will start and be a solid fantasy contributor. It’s also likely Kenneth Gainwell isn’t going away. Still, I’m much less confident about Gainwell getting a decent-enough role to trust for fantasy purposes against a Browns team that has been pretty stout in defending the run.
- I’d start D.K. Metcalf as a high-end WR3 fantasy option, but that’s about it for the Steelers. It’s bleak. Thanks, Arthur Smith.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins (44.5)
Los Angeles Chargers (-4.5)
- Despite both tackles being out for this one on the road against the Dolphins, you’re still firing up Justin Herbert and the top three pass-catchers in Quentin Johnston, Keenan Allen, and Ladd McConkey.
- With the running back situation in a sad situation now that Omarion Hampton was placed on injured reserve, it’s very hard to get to the point where you feel anything other than uneasy plugging one of Hassan Haskins or Kimani Vidal into fantasy lineups. If I can help it, I’m not.
Miami Dolphins
- The Dolphins are easy: Tua Tagovailoa is a streaming option, but a low-end one.
- Jaylen Waddle, Darren Waller, and De’Von Achane are lineup locks.
- Malik Washington could be a flop lag DFS punt play at wide receiver following a Week 5 where he just retained his usual role instead of earning more snaps and routes in the post-Tyreek Hill-era Dolphins.
New England Patriots vs. New Orleans Saints (45.5)
New England Patriots (-3.5)
- With Antonio Gibson out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, it’s a two-man backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The changeover likely isn’t happening this week, so let the disappointment sink in. Of course, this will likely be what it says in this section before the game that the switch DOES happen. So, I’m letting that sink in as well.
- Drake Maye? Lock.
- Stefon Diggs has been excellent over the last two weeks as the clear alpha wide receiver, with 19 targets, 16 receptions, and 247 yards receiving. It’s Diggs and then a step down to Hunter Henry for the receiving stuff. That’s all we can reliably trust here.
New Orleans Saints
- Chris Olave has four games with double-digit targets, so obviously, we’re firing him up with Christian Gonzalez back on the injury report for the Patriots with a hamstring injury.
- Juwan Johnson has been banged up the last two weeks, and we’ve really seen his ankle injury sap his production after such a strong start to 2025.
- Alvin Kamara is also on the injury report with an ankle injury, but Kendre Miller has encroached a bit on Kamara’s overall workload. Kamara has trended down quite a bit this season, as he hasn’t retained the receiving role we’ve been so used to from him. It’s apparently not a thing head coach Kellen Moore wants to keep going in the offense, so we have to adjust and place Kamara in the high-end RB3 or flex category.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (47.5)
Seattle Seahawks (-1.5)
- Lock in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the second-best wide receiver in football.
- Kenneth Walker over Zach Charbonnet, but don’t get it twisted: Charbonnet is at least a flex play in this matchup with the Jaguars. Jacksonville’s defense is legitimate, but I’m not sure if people are really buying them as a contender right now.
- Cooper Kupp has been a very boring flex option, and you can tell that he just doesn’t have the ability he once had. He’s hanging on the edge of the fantasy viability cliff right now. Is there such a thing? If so, Kupp is holding on for dear life.
- It feels like Tory Horton (three touchdowns this season) is somebody who should be earning more work in this offense, but has been stuck in neutral with 50-65% of routes each week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brian Thomas looked as good as he has all season on Monday Night Football in Week 5, so we could be building on something here with not just Thomas, but the Jaguars’ passing game. With Seattle’s secondary in injury hell, I’m playing Thomas in my DFS cash game lineups as a foundational piece. Clearly, he should be in your redraft lineups as well.
- Travis Etienne keeps his strong role and is pushing away Bhayshul Tuten at every turn. Etienne feels much more like the focus of the offense than even the passing game is, so he’s got to be firmly in lineups.
- For DFS, the Trevor Lawrence play feels good, and I’d go as far as to say he should be a low-end streaming quarterback, too.
Tennessee Titans vs. Las Vegas Raiders (41.5)
Tennessee Titans
- Previous weeks just had us hands off of all Titans, but at the very least, Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley are decent starts—especially Pollard, who faces a Raiders team that’s 24th in fantasy points allowed to running backs.
- Ridley led all Week 5 pass-catchers in air yards (176), so the intent is there with Cam Ward. Sometimes, that’s all that matters.
Las Vegas Raiders (-4.5)
- No Brock Bowers yet again in Week 6, but Michael Mayer has put together two full practices and comes off of concussion protocol to start. Mayer is a decent punt TE for DFS purposes, but still a long way away from starting in managed fantasy leagues.
- It’s a smash spot for Ashton Jeanty against the Titans, who are a pure run funnel through five weeks.
- Jakobi Meyers is the quintessential WR3 play, but I suppose Tre Tucker is okay in deeper leagues. (Tre Tucker Enterprises did not pay me to say that.)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers (44.5)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Flacco gets these Packers for the second time in three weeks, but with a little more firepower.
- Ja’Marr Chase is questionable (illness) but should gut it out. He’s going to have to be active for the Bengals to have a chance.
- As a flex, Chase Brown is okay, but if I have other options, I’m probably not bothering here. As we saw with the Bengals getting down big to the Lions, Brown was subbed out for elderly Samaje Perine for a lot of the receiving stuff.
Green Bay Packers (-14)
- Jordan Love isn’t throwing the ball 43 times in this game unless something insane happens, so Josh Jacobs is a smash play of this entire offense against a Bengals team that gives up the most fantasy points to opposing backfields.
- We’re likely back to the status quo with these pass-catchers, so the hierarchy has Tucker Kraft at the top, with Matthew Golden as a viable option given his incremental role growth.
- After those two, it’s a sizable gap to Romeo Doubs, who is just a low-floor flex play. I can’t put him any higher because I don’t reward huge touchdown games like that.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (47.5)
San Francisco 49ers
- Of course, Christian McCaffrey. He would be the WR6 in just receiving fantasy points.
- This passing game is in rough shape, given everyone’s health. I almost don’t even want to bother with the Jauan Jennings or Ricky Pearsall stuff. The “will they/won’t they” is tiresome. Give me liberty, or give me Kendrick Bourne! (as a solid WR3 in Week 6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
- With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving all out, the top of the production for the Buccaneers lands squarely on Baker Mayfield, Emeka Egbuka, and Rachaad White. All three are must-starts in Week 6.
- I wouldn’t even mind tossing Sterling Shepard or Cade Otton in lineups either, but to note, I’d be more apt to put Otton in DFS lineups than Shepard in redraft lineups.
Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs (52.5)
Detroit Lions
- The Lions are easy(ish). Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs are all locks.
- The gap between Gibbs and David Montgomery is much wider than it’s been in previous seasons, but Monty is a solid flex this week, hoping that he gets into the end zone.
- The tough one is Jameson Williams, who has put up just a 14.8% target share this season. He’s a tough needle to thread here, but in a game with the highest over/under of the slate, I’m fine with rolling the dice on Williams to jump out of his funk. We talk about narratives; wouldn’t Dan Campbell want to target Williams early to get him out of it? The lights may still be shining on Narrative St. for the Lions.
Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
- Patrick Mahomes? Yes. The Lions are down Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed, their top two cornerbacks.
- Xavier Worthy? Yes, without question.
- Travis Kelce? I guess. It’s volume-dependent, but you probably have to.
- The running backs? God, miss me with all of these guys. Kareem Hunt could score five touchdowns, and it wouldn’t change my opinion about him or this run game. Some are calling him “running back Romeo Doubs.”
Buffalo Bills vs. Atlanta Falcons (49.5)
Buffalo Bills (-4.5)
- Josh Allen and James Cook are in lineups, without question.
- The only pass-catcher we can feel good about might just be Khalil Shakir, as he seems to fall outside of the rest of the wide receiver “cone of influence,” as Shakir gets the most routes and is the most consistent week-to-week option available.
- There’s Dalton Kincaid, too, who is producing big time over limited routes. Kincaid has at least a touchdown or 100 yards receiving in four of five games this season, but has run just 60% of routes per dropback this season. That makes it tough to capture a player’s true upside when he’s consistently rotating with Dawson Knox and Jackson Hawes. Still, Kincaid is a low-end TE1 based on his efficient role in the offense and the state of the tight end position in fantasy, where we’re desperately trying to find viable starters.
Atlanta Falcons
- The Falcons’ offense hasn’t been super productive this season, but most of it revolves around Bijan Robinson, so obviously, he’s a must-start option and the same for Drake London.
- The rest of the Atlanta stuff centers around Darnell Mooney‘s availability, as there are a few moving parts here. If Mooney plays, he’s a solid WR3/flex play. If Mooney doesn’t play, I like playing Kyle Pitts as a low-end TE streamer.
Chicago Bears vs. Washington Commanders (49.5)
Chicago Bears
- Your vaunted Caleb Williams-to-Rome Odunze connection is back in business following the Bears’ Week 5 bye.
- Is there anything more boring or sleep-inducing than rostering and starting D’Andre Swift? Maybe it’s more of an “eat your vegetables” play, but Swift hasn’t had a fantasy performance better than RB20 this season in four games.
- Taking a clear step back in the target hierarchy is DJ Moore, who is pretty boring himself. He’s averaging five targets, four receptions, and 43 yards per game this season, and is squarely in low-end flex territory against the Commanders.
Washington Commanders (-4.5)
- Hoping that the Jacory Croskey-Merritt workload split from Week 5 either grows or stays the same, as we don’t want to see the toothpaste get put back into the tube. The Bears are one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, so he’s a must-start this week.
- Terry McLaurin still hasn’t practiced, so it’s unlikely he will go in Week 6. That opens the door for Deebo Samuel Sr. yet again. Samuel has been on the injured list, more for veteran rest than for a nagging heel injury. Deebo has touchdowns in three of his last four games, plus two straight weeks as a top-12 or better fantasy wide receiver.
- I shouldn’t have to say start Jayden Daniels, but… start Jayden Daniels.
Kevin Tompkins is a co-owner of Optimus Fantasy Football. Find more from Kevin on Bluesky @ktompkinsii.bsky.social and right here on Optimus Fantasy.
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