NFL Game Previews: Week 6 Matchups

SUNDAY A.M.

Jacksonville (+1.5) vs. Chicago in London, o/u 44.5
Sunday, 9:30 a.m. EDT

The Jaguars got off the schneid last week, as Cam Little kicked a last-minute field goal to down a Colts team missing its starting quarterback, star running back, best defensive lineman, elite slot corner and two of its best edge rushers. Truly an impressive accomplishment. Trevor Lawrence racked up big numbers against that shorthanded Indy defense, but it's the only time this season he's completed at least 60 percent of his passes in a game. Tank Bigsby also erupted for his first career 100-yard performance and his first career two-TD performance, and with Travis Etienne nursing a shoulder injury, the door could be open for Bigsby to seize the starting job, or at least the bulk of the early down work in a timeshare. Even with Lawrence's struggles, though, offense isn't really the problem for the Jags. The defense is 31st in yards allowed per play, 30th in points allowed per game and 32nd in passing yards allowed per game. That last stat is particularly damning considering they've faced Deshaun Watson, who drags down the average for every other QB. Jacksonville has injury issues of its own in the secondary, but having guys like Tyson Campbell and Tashaun Gipson healthy wouldn't exactly move the needle. DC Ryan Nielsen put together units that ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed each of the last two years for two teams (Saints and Falcons), but that was in part because the opposition had little trouble running the ball against them. Nielsen's defenses have also fared poorly in takeaways, so it could be a long, long season on that side of the ball for the Jags.

The Bears are 3-2 to begin Caleb Williams' rookie season, which would be great except it still leaves them in the NFC North basement. They've also taken advantage of a weak early schedule — the victories are over the Titans, Rams and Panthers, none of whom have more than one win — so Chicago isn't exactly battle-tested just yet. Williams is getting the hang of things quickly, though. He's topped 300 passing yards with two TDs in two of the last three games, and during that three-game stretch he's got a 67.3 percent completion rate, 7.9 YPA and 5:2 TD:INT. That sets him up nicely for a clash with a Jags secondary that just got rag-dolled by Joe Flacco. D'Andre Swift has also busted out, piling up 285 scrimmage yards and two scores the last two weeks, while the defense leads the league in QB rating against and is in the top seven in yards allowed per play, takeaways and points allowed per game. Again, the quality of the opposition could make those numbers something of a mirage, but the bubble doesn't seem likely to burst across the pond. A Week 8 clash with Jayden Daniels and the Commanders after the Bears' bye, however... might as well get the hoopla started on that one now, because you know the NFL's promotion machine is going to be jamming that one down everyone's throat soon enough.

Key Info

JAC injuries: WR Gabe Davis (questionable, knee), TE Evan Engram (questionable, hamstring), LB Foyesade Oluokun (IR, foot)
CHI injuries: S Jaquan Brisker (out, concussion)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
JAC DFS targets: Tank Bigsby
CHI DFS targets: Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze

JAC DFS fades: Trevor Lawrence
CHI DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Bigsby leads the JAC backfield with 80 yards and a score. Lawrence throws for less than 200 yards and gets picked off twice. Swift collects 100 scrimmage yards and two TDs, one rushing and one receiving. Williams throws for 280 yards and two more touchdowns, hitting DJ Moore and Odunze, but he still shows some rookie jitters on a pick-six to Ronald Darby. Bears 34-14

EARLY SUNDAY

Washington (+6.5) at Baltimore, o/u 51.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

Another week, another piece of history for Jayden Daniels. The second overall pick in the 2024 draft is the first player in NFL history with at least 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in his first five games, while the Commanders are the first team in league history to average at least 30 points in its first five games with a rookie under center. Daniels is first in completion rate by nearly five percentage points over Joe Burrow (77.1 percent to 72.3 percent), second to Brock Purdy in yards per attempt, and he's one of four QBs in the top 10 in both completed air yards per attempt and YAC per completion — a combo that suggests he's both aggressive in attacking downfield, but also accurate in terms of giving his receivers a chance to do damage after the catch. (The other QBs in that group? C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, and ... wait, Anthony Richardson? Hmm, might have to re-think that theory.) Daniels' incredible start to his career has Washington atop the NFC East at 4-1, and given how vulnerable both Dallas and Philly have looked, it's not out of the question that Dan Quinn's crew stays there, especially if the defense keeps coming around. Shutting down Deshaun Watson last week means little, but holding Kyler Murray and the Cards to 14 points in Week 4 was a little more impressive. In those two games, the Commanders racked up 11 sacks but only two takeaways, both fumble recoveries by Frankie Luvu. When they start producing more of the latter, that's when you know it's really a Dan Quinn defense.

The Ravens won their third consecutive game last week, pulling it out of the fire in OT after being down by 10 to the Bengals with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. That probably says more about Cincy's defense than anything else, but the prior two wins were over Buffalo and Dallas, and there's only so much you can downgrade a streak like that against preseason contenders. Derrick Henry has six rushing TDs in five games with a 6.0 YPC, and it could be a while before anyone figures out how to slow him. Lamar Jackson might be starting to figure out how best to utilize the space that opens downfield, and he's coming off the kind of monster passing performance he's good for a couple times a season. There was even a Mark Andrews sighting last week! While OC Todd Monken's scheme is humming though, DC Zach Orr's side of the ball has disappointed. Blame the offseason coaching brain drain, or injuries in the secondary, but seeing the Ravens 25th in QB rating against and 31st in passing yards per game allowed is a shocker. The team's track record says they could — maybe even should — get that figured out as the campaign wears on, but until they actually do it, it's tough to assume they'll be able to shut down some rookie whippersnapper who's been making other defenses look bad.

Key Info

WAS injuries: RB Brian Robinson (questionable, knee)
BAL injuries: RB Keaton Mitchell (PUP, knee)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
WAS DFS targets: none
BAL DFS targets: Zay Flowers

WAS DFS fades: Brian Robinson
BAL DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Austin Ekeler leads the WAS backfield with 80 scrimmage yards, but Robinson does punch in a short TD. Daniels throws for 270 yards and two scores, finding Terry McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey, while also running in a touchdown of his own. Henry rumbles for 120 yards and two TDs. Jackson throws for 250 yards and three scores, two to Flowers (who tops 100 yards) and the game-winner to Andrews late in the fourth quarter. Ravens 35-34

Arizona (+5.5) at Green Bay, o/u 47.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

So far, the Cardinals are 2-0 against the NFC West and 0-3 against everyone else, after outright stealing last week's game against the Niners. They were down 23-10 at halftime, with their only TD coming on a heroic 50-yard scamper by Kyler Murray — points that got balanced out by a blocked field-goal attempt returned to the house by San Francisco. Somehow, the Arizona defense got off the mat and shut down the opposition completely in the second half, and 11 fourth-quarter points completed the comeback. The frustrating thing about the Cards this season is that they look like they beat anybody ... for about two quarters a week, max. That inconsistency has been great for fantasy GMs, though, as the average total in an Arizona game this year has been 49.8 points. Murray's been mostly just steady as a passer, with Marvin Harrison on the other end of four of his seven touchdowns through the air, but if he gets going as a runner, the floor for the whole offense rises. The issue is the defense — 27th in yards allowed per play, 27th in points allowed per game, 30th in third-down rate. Young edge rushers BJ Ojulari and 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson have yet to play a snap, with the former lost for the year to an ACL tear, but that doesn't explain the poor run defense or all the big plays the secondary surrenders. Murray is capable of some dazzling moments, but he may not be able to drag his team across the finish line every week.

The Packers are 2-0 with Malik Willis under center and 1-2 with Jordan Love, which means even less than the Cardinals' splits. Love hasn't reached a 60 percent completion rate in his three games this season, which is also how he kicked off 2023, but Green Bay has to be hoping it doesn't take him until Week 11 to really get going this time around. Josh Jacobs finally found the end zone last week against the Rams, and now that he knows the way, he should be a more frequent visitor. The receiving crew seems to be sorting itself out too — Jayden Reed is the clear No. 1, posting a massive 15-355-2 line on 20 targets in Love's three starts, while Christian Watson is having his usual injury luck, Romeo Doubs could be sulking his way out of town and Dontayvion Wicks has one big game among a bunch of duds. Surprisingly, it's been tight end Tucker Kraft who's emerged instead, hauling in three TDs in two games since his QB's return. The defense leads the league in takeaways, highlighted by Xavier McKinney's incredible five-game INT streak, and it's tied for sixth in sacks too. Piling up splash plays is a great way to compensate for being in the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed per game and passing TDs allowed.

Key Info

ARI injuries: WR Zay Jones (out, suspension), K Matt Prater (questionable, knee)
GB injuries: RB MarShawn Lloyd (IR, ankle), WR Christian Watson (questionable, ankle)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
ARI DFS targets: none
GB DFS targets: Jordan Love, Jayden Reed

ARI DFS fades: none
GB DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 10-15 mph wind, 85-95 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

James Conner gains 90 yards and a touchdown. Murray throws for less than 200 yards but hits Harrison and Trey McBride for scores. Jacobs responds with 100 yards and a TD. Love throws for 260 yards and three touchdowns, two to Reed and one to Doubs. Packers 34-24

Houston at New England (+7), o/u 38.0 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

The Texans may not be undefeated like Kansas City or the Vikings, but their two-game lead in the AFC South seems pretty insurmountable already. All four of Houston's victories have been by a single score, but last week's came against Buffalo felt like a statement — they held a 17-3 lead at halftime, and then weathered the inevitable Josh Allen comeback despite turnovers by C.J. Stroud on back-to-back fourth-quarter possessions. The second-half offensive swoon was understandable, as the Texans were missing Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce and Nico Collins at that point, but Stroud still has talent around him and should be able to adjust to the loss of his top wideout. The defense is still trying to find its peak form and has only three takeaways in five games, but the Texans are fourth in yards allowed per play and are still waiting for their pass rush to get going — Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson have combined for 4.0 sacks.

This is probably as good a spot as that duo is gong to get to start clicking. Jacoby Brissett has been sacked 17 times behind a shoddy Patriots offensive, but he gets a reprieve with rookie Drake Maye finally being handed the keys to the offense. The UNC product was drafted third overall behind Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, who have both turned out pretty good so far, and Maye at least has the mobility to escape the pressure he's inevitably going to face. The switch under center probably just means more work for a backfield missing Rhamondre Stevenson though, as New England still has arguably the worst collection of pass-catchers in the league, as yes I'm including the Davante Adams-less Raiders. The Pats' defense has been reasonably stingy, ranking ninth in points allowed per game at 20.4, but that's a product of luck (both in-game, and in the timing of when they got teams like the Bengals) and pace of pay as anything. New England's in the bottom 12 in yards allowed per play, 20th in QB rating against and 27th in third-down defense, and the secondary will be down multiple starters for this one.

Key Info

HOU injuries: RB Joe Mixon (questionable, ankle), WR Nico Collins (IR, hamstring), WR Robert Woods (out, foot), EDGE Denico Autry (out, suspension), LB Christian Harris (IR, calf)
NE injuries: RB Rhamondre Stevenson (out, foot), WR Kendrick Bourne (questionable, knee), WR KJ. Osborn (questionable, shoulder), LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (IR, pectoral), S Kyle Dugger (questionable, ankle)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
HOU DFS targets: Dalton Schultz
NE DFS targets: none

HOU DFS fades: none
NE DFS fades: Hunter Henry

Weather notes: 25-45 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Pierce leads the HOU backfield with 60 yards. Stroud throws for 260 yards and two TDs, finding Schultz and Tank Dell. Antonio Gibson picks up 100 combined yards and a score. Maye struggles in his debut, throwing for less than 200 yards, getting sacked five times and tossing a pick-six to Jalen Pitre. Texans 24-10

Tampa Bay at New Orleans (+3.5), o/u 41.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

Last week's loss to the Falcons could end up being critical in what figures to be a tight NFC South, and the Buccaneers have no one to blame but themselves. Kirk Cousins came into that game with just four TDs on the year, and a season high of 241 passing yards. He did a wee bit better than that, capping a career-best performance with this overtime gift from a tacking-averse Tampa Bay defense. The Bucs are 28th in passing yards allowed per game and 25th in yards allowed per carry, and aren't getting the splash plays to make up for it. Baker Mayfied's been fantastic, ranking third in completion percentage and tied for second in passing TDs, but that could end up being a recipe for more pinball scores rather than wins. Rookie Bucky Irving should also get a chance this week to conclusively prove he deserves to be the lead back, providing a little more balance to the offense than Rachaad White is capable of.

The Saints have scored 49 total points while losing three consecutive games, a shocking collapse for a team that scored 47 in its opener. Injuries along the offensive line is the easy explanation, and that certainly contributed to the oblique injury that's put Derek Carr on the shelf. Second-year QB Jake Haener actually looked decent in relief against Kansas City last week, but New Orleans will instead turn to rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler in Carr's place, on the apparent theory that the front office needs to figure out whether they'll be in the market for a quarterback in the 2025 draft. Aside from denying Haener a chance to earn a nickname like Jake the Snake and committing the team to a full serpentine rebranding (I mean, copperheads are even native to Louisiana and sort of fit the color scheme ... it's all right there for you, Saints social media team), losing Carr for even just a few weeks could doom New Orleans' chances of a division title. The defense — third in QB rating against and eighth in PPG allowed — will need to find another gear to keep the team afloat.

Key Info

TB injuries: RB Rachaad White (doubtful, foot), WR Jalen McMilllan (questionable, hamstring), WR Trey Palmer (out, concussion), S Antoine Winfield (questionable, foot), S Jordan Whitehead (questionable, groin)
NO injuries: QB Derek Carr (out, oblique), "TE" Taysom Hill (out, ribs)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
TB DFS targets: Cade Otton
NO DFS targets: none

TB DFS fades: Mike Evans
NO DFS fades: Rashid Shaheed

Weather notes: indoors

The Scoop

Irving bangs out 80 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield throws for 230 yards and a score to Otton. Alvin Kamara piles up 120 scrimmage yards and two TDs. Rattler limits his mistakes and throws for 210 yards with a touchdown to Chris Olave. Saints 24-17

Cleveland (+9.5) at Philadelphia, o/u 42.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

I'm calling it now. Deshaun Watson's contract is going to cost either or both of Kevin Stefanski and GM Andrew Berry their jobs. I don't know whether it's the shoulder issues, the long layoff or the guaranteed money, but the quarterback who terrorized secondaries in Houston appears to be gone for good. Watson's throws have absolutely nothing on them, and his 4.8 yards per attempt is fewest in the league. Jacoby Brissett managed a 5.2 YPA, and he just got benched. Aaron Rodgers has a 6.0 YPA, and his head coach just took the fall for the Jets' offensive woes. Stefanski has the Nick Chubb card to play, and his offensive line is still missing key starters, but if Chubb's eventual return doesn't spark the offense and Stefanski can't (or isn't allowed to) sit Watson down, there aren't many other ways this can play out. It doesn't help that the defense has been merely all right rather than sniffing elite territory as it has in the past, and a patchwork secondary doesn't seem likely to play above its heads this week. Barring a miraculous recovery by Watson, he appears destined to be an albatross around the franchise's neck.

The Eagles come out of their bye refreshed and mostly healthy after A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both missed time in the first month. Jalen Hurts hasn't had both his top wideouts on the field together since Week 1, and while he made do (71.4 percent completion rate and 6.7 YPA over the last three games), it's not a coincidence that Philly didn't score more than 21 points in any of those contests and went 1-2. The Commanders look dangerous, and who knows which version of the Cowboys will show up in any given week, but the NFC East still seems like the Eagles' division to win. It would help if the defense figured things out, though. Philly's in the bottom five in yards per play allowed, sacks, turnovers, yards per carry allowed ... not a lot's gone right on that side of the ball, but the unit's got enough young talent that making a big leap at some point isn't out of the question under DC Vic Fangio.

Key Info

CLE injuries: RB Nick Chubb (PUP, knee), RB Nyheim Hines (NFI, knee), LB Jordan Hicks (questionable, elbow), S Grant Delpit (out, concussion)
PHI injuries: no fantasy-relevant injuries

DFS Lineup Optimizer
CLE DFS targets: Amari Cooper
PHI DFS targets: A.J. Brown

CLE DFS fades: David Njoku
PHI DFS fades: Dallas Goedert

Weather notes: 9-10 mph wind, 5-15 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Jerome Ford picks up 80 yards and a TD. Watson throws for less than 200 yards. Saquon Barkley erupts for 130 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Hurts throws for 230 yards and two scores, both to Brown (who tops 100 yards), while also running in a TD. Eagles 28-13

Indianapolis (+2.5) at Tennessee, o/u 43.0 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT

Joe Flacco's magic may have run out more quickly this year, as the Colts handed the Jaguars their first win of the year last week. Not that it was Flacco's fault — he squeezed another 359 yards and three TDs out of his 39-year-old arm — but the lack of a consistent running game without Jonathan Taylor and a poor showing from the defense spelled disaster. Anthony Richardson could be back under center this week, but coach Shane Steichen might also just decide not to put that kind of pressure on the kid. Not only is Taylor still sidelined, but Michael Pittman and Josh Downs are banged up too. Flacco is probably better prepared to make do with a sketchy supporting cast. (Or maybe Richardson goes out there, forgets abut throwing the ball and runs all over a Titans defense that's already given up rushing scores to Malik Willis and Tyler Huntley ...) Whoever is running the offense might need all the points he can get, as the Indy defense is 31st in rushing yards allowed per game and 28th in QB rating against. For what it's worth the last three season series in this AFC South rivalry have all been sweeps, with the Colts getting the better of it in 2023.

The Titans come out of their bye with QB concerns as well. Will Levis is healthy after a minor shoulder scare in Week 4, but having Mason Rudolph out-play him isn't a good look. Levis' nine turnovers (six INTs including two pick-sixes, plus three lost fumbles) in basically 13 quarters is simply horrific, and Brian Callahan may have little choice but to bench him until he learns to rein in the boneheaded decisions. Tennessee could arguably be 3-1 with steadier QB play, but this is also a team that's had two kicks blocked in four games, so let's not get ahead of ourselves. The defense is third in yards allowed per play, but I'm not entirely sure how, other than maybe a schedule made very favorable by injuries to Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa — the Titans are middle of the pack against the run and the pass, and no team has fewer takeaways.

Key Info

IND injuries: QB Anthony Richardson (questionable, oblique), RB Jonathan Taylor (out, ankle), WR Michael Pittman (questionable, back), WR Josh Downs (questionable, toe), DT DeForest Buckner (IR, ankle), EDGE Samson Ebukam (IR, Achilles)
TEN injuries: no fantasy-relevant injuries

DFS Lineup Optimizer
IND DFS targets: none
TEN DFS targets: Chigoziem Okonkwo

IND DFS fades: Josh Downs
TEN DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Trey Sermon manages 60 yards, but Tyler Goodson catches a TD pass. Richardson starts and throws for less than 200 yards, but he hits Alec Pierce for another score and runs in a third. Tony Pollard rings up 90 combined yards and a touchdown. Levis throws for 220 yards and a TD to DeAndre Hopkins but also tosses his usual two INTs. Colts 24-20

LATE SUNDAY

L.A. Chargers at Denver (+3), o/u 35.5 – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

Justin Herbert's ankle may not be 100 percent healthy coming out of the Chargers' bye, but he's getting there. The bigger question is how much that actually matters. Herbert's been a minor part of Jim Harbaugh's offense, as instead the Bolts have leaned on J.K. Dobbins and the defense. That's also made preseason sleeper darling Joshua Palmer a complete non-factor, while younger wideouts Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been kept afloat by occasional TDs. Maybe peak Herbert is better able to take shots downfield when the opportunity presents itself, but it's also possible that low yardage and YPAs are just the new normal for him under Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman. That defense has been stingy on the ground and has given up a league-low 12.5 points per game, but it's also 31st in completion percentage allowed, a weakness that could burn the Chargers at some point — especially while they're struggling to find healthy cornerbacks.

The last three weeks, the rookie trio of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix is 8-1 — and the loss isn't on Nix. After an 0:4 TD:INT in his first two games, Nix flipped the switch and has posted a 3:0 TD:INT during his three-game win streak, and while his 63.6 percent completion rate and 5.5 YPA are far from great, Sean Payton will take the lack of turnovers even if it comes with some sideline fireworks. The Broncos' defense has really been leading the way, though, ranking third in yards allowed per play, fifth in QB rating against third in sacks, tied for seventh in takeaways, second in PPG allowed ... basically the perfect partner for a rookie QB still getting his feet wet. This is another Spider-Man meme of a game, but the Broncos seem to be a bit better in executing that game plan. They've also owned this AFC West rivalry on home turf lately, winning the last five meetings in Denver — which is pretty amazing when you consider that those five years include the Nathaniel Hackett Debacle, and zero seasons with a record of .500.

Key Info

LAC injuries: RB Gus Edwards (out, ankle), WR DJ Chark (IR, hip), EDGE Joey Bosa (questionable, hip)
DEN injuries: RB Audric Estime (IR, ankle), WR Josh Reynolds (out, hand)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
LAC DFS targets: none
DEN DFS targets: Troy Franklin/Marvin Mims, Broncos DST

LAC DFS fades: Will Dissly/Hayden Hurst
DEN DFS fades: Javonte Williams

Weather notes: 15-20 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Dobbins scratches out 50 yards. Herbert throws for less than 200 yards but finds Johnston for a score. Williams ekes out 40 yards. Nix throws for 200 yards and two TDs, finding Franklin and Lucas Krull. Broncos 17-16

Pittsburgh at Las Vegas (+3), o/u 36.5 – Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EDT

The Steelers' close-to-the-vest style keeps them in every game – four of their first five contests this year have been decided by a single score – but leaves them with no margin for error if the bounces go against them, as they have the last two weeks. Justin Fields took a step back in Week 5 with a 55.6 percent completion rate, but he's still produced eight TDs this season against only two turnovers, and it's hard to imagine a healthy Russell Wilson doing any better. Fields has had to be productive, though – Najee Harris has a 3.3 YPA and zero touchdowns, and Jaylen Warren hasn't been much better. Without a consistent running attack, Pittsburgh is living closer to the edge than Mike Tomlin would probably like, and while the Steelers keep getting mentioned in trade rumors for every big-name wideout on the market, I do wonder if they might try to bring in a running back instead. The issues along the offensive line don't help, of course, but Harris is headed for free agency after 2024 and the team has no real commitment to him if he continues to struggle.

The Raiders finally bit the bullet and benched Gardner Minshew, but they aren't exactly setting Aidan O'Connell up for success. Davante Adams won't play while nursing a hamstring injury/waiting for a trade, while Jakobi Meyers could also miss this one as well. That might leave Vegas' new starting QB with rookie TE Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker as his top targets. Minshew also got sacked 15 times in five games thanks to the team's shaky offensive line, and now here comes T.J. Watt. Thanks, coach. The Raiders are 2-0 against the AFC North, winning both games by a single score, but the average score in their three losses (including flops against the Panthers and Broncos) is about 31-17, and that probably better reflects the state of the club.

Key Info

PIT injuries: RB Cordarrelle Patterson (out, ankle), LB Cole Holcomb (PUP, knee), EDGE Alex Highsmith (out, groin), EDGE Nick Herbig (out, hamstring)
LV injuries: RB Zamir White (questionable, groin), WR Davante Adams (out, hamstring/trade request), WR Jakobi Meyers (questionable, ankle)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
PIT DFS targets: Calvin Austin, Pat Freiermuth
LV DFS targets: Alexander Mattison

PIT DFS fades: none
LV DFS fades: Tre Tucker

Weather notes: indoors

The Scoop

Harris grinds out 60 yards and a touchdown. Fields throws for 220 yards and a score to Austin while also running in a TD. Mattison leads the LV backfield with 50 yards. O'Connell throws for under 200 yards but does hit Bowers for a touchdown. Steelers 24-13 

Atlanta at Carolina (+6), o/u 47.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

I guess Kirk Cousins has figured out this offense. Last week's 509-yard, four-TD bonanza likely happened on a lot of fantasy GMs benches given his lackluster start to the season, but it at least announces that the veteran QB might be ready to go on a tear. The Falcons are technically atop the NFC South right now – two of their three wins have come in the division – so a winning streak could put them in the driver's seat for a title. Weirdly though, the talented young players around Cousins aren't really benefiting from his presence. Bijan Robinson hasn't topped 100 scrimmage yards since Week 2. Drake London is starting to see the kind of volume expected of a WR1, but he's still only had one monster game so far. And then there's poor Kyle Pitts, who's coming off his best performance of the year but still has big question marks about his usage – last week's 47 routes were more than any two other games this season combined. Instead, guys like Darnell Mooney (basically equal receiving numbers to London on 75 percent of the targets), Ray-Ray McCloud and last week's OT hero, KhaDarel Hodge, have been getting their numbers called more than you might expect. Maybe there will be enough offense to go around, but Cousins isn't going to throw for 500 yards every week. The defense is happy to give up yards on the ground (29th in rushing yards per game allowed versus eighth in passing yards per game allowed), and if Matthew Judon ever wakes up the league's worst pass rush, that defensive philosophy might work out a bit better.

The Andy Dalton bump lasted all of one week. Over their last two games, the Panthers have lost by a combined score of 70-34, and that overstates how close they were. Dalton has a 63.2 percent completion rate, 5.2 YPA and 2:2 TD:INT in the two defeats, and those numbers aren't good enough to justify keeping Bryce Young on the bench. Somehow, Chuba Hubbard has kept chugging along, averaging a stunning 5.8 yards per carry despite the dumpster fire of an offense around him. Jonathon Brooks is close to having his practice window opened, and with Miles Sanders still around to caddy for the rookie, Hubbard's got to be on the move at some point. It's not like there aren't any contenders out there in need of a lead back – he's be an upgrade for Dallas, maybe Pittsburgh too, and injuries could also create an opportunity somewhere else before the trade deadline. Carolina's own injury-plagued defense is going to dig holes too big for the offense to escape anyway, so might as well ship out who you can, while you can.

Key Info

ATL injuries: LB Troy Andersen (out, knee)
CAR injuries: RB Jonathon Brooks (NFI, knee), WR Diontae Johnson (questionable, ankle), WR Adam Thielen (IR, hamstring), LB Josey Jewell (out, hamstring) EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (doubtful, shoulder), EDGE D.J. Wonnum (PUP, quadriceps), S Jordan Fuller (IR, hamstring)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
ATL DFS targets: Kirk Cousins, Bijan Robinson
CAR DFS targets: none

ATL DFS fades: none
CAR DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 9-10 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Robinson delivers 120 combined yards and two scores, one rushing and one receiving. Cousins throws for 340 yards and two more touchdowns, one each to Mooney (who tops 100 yards) and Pitts. Hubbard bangs out 90 yards and a TD. Dalton throws for under 200 yards and a score to Johnson, but a Judon strip sack leads to a Grady Jarrett fumble recovery touchdown. Falcons 38-17

Detroit at Dallas (+3), o/u 52.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT

The Lions seemed to get on track in Week 4 before their bye. Home Jared Goff showed up and went a perfect 18-for-18 while also catching a seven-yard score on a Philly Special-esque trick play, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for three rushing TDs, and the defense got some timely stops against a dangerous Seattle offense in the fourth quarter. Just in time too – the Vikings are still undefeated, but nobody in the NFC North has fewer than three wins. Goff's 5:4 TD:INT on the year looks rough, but it comes with an 8.2 YPA and (thanks to that ridiculous perfecto) 71.0 percent completion rate, both fourth in the league. The Lions are healthy too, and while it's possible they get caught looking ahead to a Week 7 tilt against the Vikings here, Dan Campbell should be able to keep them focused.

At 3-2, the Cowboys are right on the Commanders' heels for the NFC East lead, but they could just as easily be 4-1, or 1-4. There's simply no predicting which version of this team you'll get from week to week. Dak Prescott has two games with 350-plus yards and two TDs, and the one bad game he's had statistically was when Dallas didn't need him to lift a finger against Cleveland, but five of his nine total TDs have come in the fourth quarter. Does that make him clutch, or a QB who has trouble finishing drives until it's too late? It would help if the Cowboys had any kind of running game, but while Rico Dowdle is coming off a solid performance on the ground, he still doesn't have a rushing TD. The defense is also losing key guys left and right, and the team's top healthy pass rusher right now is, hmm, Carl Lawson maybe?

Key Info

DET injuries: no fantasy-relevant injuries
DAL injuries: WR Brandin Cooks (IR, knee), EDGE Micah Parsons (out, ankle), EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence (IR, foot), LB Eric Kendricks (out, calf), CB DaRon Bland (IR, foot)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
DET DFS targets: David Montgomery/Jahmyr Gibbs
DAL DFS targets: none

DET DFS fades: none
DAL DFS fades: none

Weather notes: indoors

The Scoop

Gibbs leads the DET backfield with 140 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown, while Montgomery adds 70 yards and two TDs. Goff throws for 260 yards and a second score to Jameson Williams. Dowdle grinds out 50 yards. Prescott throws for 290 yards and three touchdowns, two to CeeDee Lamb (who tops 100 yards) and one to Jalen Tolbert, but yet another comeback attempt comes up short. Lions 34-27

SUNDAY NIGHT

Cincinnati at N.Y. Giants (+3.5), o/u 47.5 - Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EDT

The Bengals stick out like a sore thumb on the list of one-win AFC teams, mixed in with the Patriots, Titans, Jaguars and Browns, but that doesn't change how big a hole they've dug for themselves. Even with Joe Burrow and the passing game doing everything they could, they still dropped decisions to the Commanders and Ravens, and Cincy's one win came against lowly Carolina. This simply doesn't look like a team on its way to losing to Kansas City in the conference finals again. The issue is the defense, which sits 30th in rushing yards per game allowed, 31st in PPG allowed and 31st in third-down percentage. There aren't even really any injuries to pin it on – the unit's just been flat bad, and the only team it's held before 24 points was New England (and frankly, I'm not sure the Bengals could do it again if they had a rematch). That's great news for folks with shares of Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins (and Andrei Iosivas if Higgins gets dealt), but not so great news for Bengals fans. They're heading into the weakest part of their schedule, with games against the flailing Browns in Week 7 and the disintegrating Raiders in Week 9, but can you actually count on them to bank wins against anyone right now?

After stealing a win against the Seahawks last week, the Giants are 2-3, and the defense at least seems to be coming together. Nobody's scored 30 or more points against Big Blue so far, and they've had a fairly tough slate, with the Vikings, Commanders and Cowboys all doing plenty of damage against other opponents. The offense, however, is another thing entirely. Daniel Jones hasn't been terrible, but he also hasn't been a difference-maker. Malik Nabers looked great until he got hurt, and players like Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton and even rookie RB Tyrone Tracy have had big individual games, but the Giants are still 27th in PPG and tied for 26th in red-zone TD rate. Basically, the defense isn't quite stingy enough to drag the game down to the offens'e level on a consistent basis. Maybe a healthy Nabers tips the scales, but seven wins might be this roster's ceiling.

Key Info

CIN injuries: RB Chase Brown (questionable, quadriceps)
NYG injuries: RB Devin Singletary (questionable, groin), WR Malik Nabers (out, concussion), K Graham Gano (IR, hamstring), EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (IR, wrist)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
CIN DFS targets: none
NYG DFS targets: Darius Slayton

CIN DFS fades: none
NYG DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 60-70 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Zack Moss tallies up 80 scrimmage yards and a score. Burrow throws for 250 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chase. Tracy leads the NYG backfield with 70 combined yards. Jones throws for 220 yards and tosses a TD to Slayton while also running in a score of his own. Bengals 24-20 

MONDAY NIGHT 

Buffalo at N.Y. Jets (+2.5), o/u 41.0 – Monday, 8:15 p.m. EDT

A hot start for the Bills has hit a couple speed bumps, and while losses to the Ravens and Texans are far from embarrassing, it's still a realty check for a team that averaged wins of about 37-16 through the first three weeks. Josh Allen took a beating against Houston and is the latest QB to make outsiders wonder exactly what exactly the rules are around concussions, because it sure looked like he got knocked out when his head rattled off the turf on one hit. Allen's still building a solid MVP case though, producing 10 total TDs against zero interceptions through five games – a big turnaround after he got picked off a career-high 18 times in 2023. His receiving corps is also beat up, and James Cook is limping, but the defense is getting healthier and has been holding its own. If the Bills are going to be among the teams left standing in January, it'll probably be because the defense got them there.

Ah, the Jets. Tied for fifth in PPG allowed, first in yards per play allowed, fourth in sacks... the defense is pretty clearly not the issue here. So what does GM Joe Douglas do? Fires the architect of that defense, head coach Robert Saleh, because Aaron Rodgers and his hand-picked crony, OC Nathaniel Hackett, can't get the ball into the end zone. Makes total sense. I'm sure interim coach Jeff Ulbrich will do his best, and maybe the move lights a fire under the team for a week or two, but the only thing sadder than Douglas' desperate ploy was his plea for Haason Reddick to finally report, because clearly the team is so well-run now. (The big winner in this could end up being Reddick, who suddenly looks very smart for trusting his instincts and staying far away from this mess.) Anyway, if Ulbrich gets Hackett to start treating Breece Hall like a bell cow, it'll be a step in the right direction, but trading for another Rodgers buddy in Davante Adams isn't going to fix what's wrong with the team. This season is looking like it'll play out a lot like last season did, where the defense finally breaks under the strain of trying to carry the load every week, only this time the Jets won't have the excuse of losing Rodgers. (Unless they do – his lack of mobility has him taking a pounding lately.)

Key Info

BUF injuries: RB James Cook (questionable, toe), WR Khalil Shakir (questionable, ankle), EDGE Von Miller (out, suspension), LB Matt Milano (IR, biceps)
NYJ injuries: QB Aaron Rodgers (questionable, ankle), TE Tyler Conklin (questionable, hip), EDGE Haason Reddick (out, contract dispute), LB C.J. Mosley (questionable, toe)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
BUF DFS targets: none
NYJ DFS targets: Breece Hall, Jets DST

BUF DFS fades: none
NYJ DFS fades: none

Weather notes: 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Cook gains 70 yards, while Ray Davis adds 50 and a touchdown. Allen throws for 210 yards and a TD to Dalton Kincaid while also running in a score. Hall churns out 80 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Rodgers throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Allen Lazard. Bills 27-20

THURSDAY NIGHT

San Francisco at Seattle (+3.5), o/u 48.5
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT

The Niners have lost three of their last four games, and in two of them they had a late lead slip through their fingers. The fact that both of those came against NFC West opponents might also be ominous for this week's tilt, but surely it can't happen three times in a row ... can it? Statistically, there's been nothing wrong with them on the offensive side of the ball, despite the absence of Christian McCaffrey and other injuries. San Francisco is third in yards per play, seventh in rushing yards per game and 10th in points per game. Brock Purdy leads the NFL with 8.8 yards per attempt, while Jordan Mason is second to Derrick Henry in rushing yards. The Niners even have someone in the top 10 in receiving yards, though somehow it's Jauan Jennings. It's defensive side of the ball where things aren't quite clicking. They're only 12th in PPG allowed, but that seems lucky compared to rankings like 17th in QB rating against, 20th in yards allowed per play and 21st in yards allowed per carry. McCaffrey's gotten all the attention, but Dre Greenlaw hasn't played a snap this season, Javon Hargrave was lost for the year a couple weeks ago and Talanoa Hufanga has only played one full game. The cracks are showing, and while Purdy and company can still out-score the opposition, comfortable, blowout wins could be hard to come by.

The Seahawks are clinging to their perch atop the division, but they've lost consecutive games themselves, and last week's downer against the Giants was simply ugly. The offensive line was atrocious — Geno Smith got sacked seven times and wound up leading the team in rushing yards as he fled the pocket repeatedly. Allowing Isaiah Simmons to stroll through and block a potential game-tying field goal in the final minute of the fourth quarter was just the cherry on top of the [BLEEP] sundae. Smith's been brought down 18 times in five games — only Deshaun Watson has been sacked more often — and the offense is going to have a hard time maintaining any sort of consistency without better protection for its QB. Mike Macdonald's defense looked good early in some favorable matchups, but after getting ripped apart by Jared Goff and the Lions, it's a bad sign that the Hawks had trouble containing Daniel Jones too.

Key Info

SF injuries: RB Christian McCaffrey (IR, Achilles), WR Ricky Pearsall (NFI, chest), K Jake Moody (out, ankle), LB Dre Greenlaw (PUP, Achilles)
SEA injuries: EDGE Boye Mafe (questionable, knee), EDGE Derick Hall (questionable, foot), S Julian Love (questionable, hamstring)

DFS Lineup Optimizer
SF DFS targets: 49ers DST, Jordan Mason
SEA DFS targets: Tyler Lockett

SF DFS fades: none
SEA DFS fades: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Weather notes: 1-10 percent chance of rain

The Scoop

Mason picks up 70 yards and a touchdown. Purdy throws for 310 yards and three TDs, one each to Deebo Samuel (who tops 100 yards), George Kittle and Jennings. Kenneth Walker churns out 120 yards and a score. Smith throws for 250 yards and two TDs, both to Lockett (who tops 100 yards), but he gets sacked four times and picked off twice. 49ers 31-30

Last week's record: 8-6, 8-6 ATS, 6-8 o/u
2024 record: 41-37, 32-44-2 ATS, 40-38 o/u