Week 6 is already making fantasy football managers sweat, with big-name running backs Jahmyr Gibbs, Aaron Jones, Ollie Gordon II, and Chase Brown all on bye. And if that wasn’t enough, we’re still dealing with injuries to key guys like the Jets’ Breece Hall and the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, both of whom might return. But you gotta watch that Saquon news closely, ’cause if he’s out, you’re benching all Philly backs. Plus, David Montgomery with the Texans is still week-to-week thanks to a groin injury.
Week 6 Starts: Don’t Miss These Upside Plays
Okay, so Tony Pollard had a rough one last week against the Houston Texans. Yeah, I saw it, you saw it. But hold up, the Texans are literally one of the worst matchups for running backs all season. This week? It’s a whole different story. Pollard gets the Indianapolis Colts, a team that’s basically been a fantasy point ATM for running backs. They’ve coughed up six touchdowns to RBs, with only four other NFL teams being worse. Pollard was solid the two weeks before Houston, so there’s zero reason to doubt he’s getting back to that production. Get him in!
This one’s a bit trickier, but the payoff could be massive. Quinshon Judkins’ status for Cleveland’s Sunday game against the Baltimore Ravens is still up in the air. If he plays, even if he’s not 100%, you have to start him. His first five weeks were a bit of a rollercoaster, with only one breakout game coming in Week 4 against the Steelers. Yeah, the Ravens are a tougher matchup, no doubt. But here’s the kicker: KC Concepcion is likely out with a concussion, meaning Judkins is looking at a seriously expanded role and probably more targets. That’s a recipe for fantasy points, even against a tough defense.
Look, Houston isn’t exactly lighting it up on the ground, and they’re heading to London to face the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is not a favorable matchup for running backs. But sometimes, you just need a dude to plug in when your main guy’s on bye, right? Woody Marks is that dude. Last week against Tennessee, he put up 62 rushing yards and snagged four receptions for 23 yards. Especially if you’re in a PPR league, Marks is a solid fill-in who could even earn himself a permanent spot on your roster if he performs well.
Week 6 Sits: Bench These Guys, No Questions Asked
Alright, let’s talk about the guys who absolutely, positively need to be glued to your bench this week. First up, Jeremiyah Love with the Arizona Cardinals. It’s official: bench him. He’s getting some carries, sure, but he’s doing nothing with ’em. His season-low 22 rushing yards against the Detroit Lions, a team that should have been a dream matchup, is a massive red flag. The Los Angeles Rams are a decent matchup, but honestly, not as sweet as Detroit should have been. With Marvin Harrison Jr. gone, Arizona’s offense is so depleted it’s easy for teams to just shut down the run. Plus, they aren’t even tossing him targets, which just adds insult to injury for fantasy owners. Until Arizona figures out how to use their first-round pick, he’s a definite sit.
And then there’s Omarion Hampton from the Los Angeles Chargers. Everyone thought this guy was the clear No. 1 back heading into the season. Well, that hasn’t exactly panned out, has it? Last game, Kimani Vidal got eight carries and punched in a touchdown, while Hampton barely managed 39 total yards. This backfield is a mess, and Hampton isn’t the guy you want relying on right now.
Week 6 is all about navigating those byes and injury reports. Keep a close eye on Saquon Barkley and Breece Hall’s status right up to game time, because their return could reshape a lot of lineups. For everyone else, trust the matchups, grab those sneaky upside plays, and avoid the landmines. Good luck out there!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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