The Fantasy Footballers’ Starts of the Week for Week 6

Oh injuries, how I hate thee! I know I am not the only one dealing with these injury problems, but did they all have to come simultaneously? If your team is suddenly missing a few key pieces and you are now wondering who to play and what matchups to attack, this is the perfect article for you to read. This Thursday, Andy and Mike brought us their Starts of the Week. Jason sent his in from Disneyland, which is not as helpful for your fantasy roster but is excellent for vacation advice. If you want to watch the entire episode on YouTube, check below.

Of course, if you are still hungry for more fantasy goodness after this, you should jump over to jointhefoot.com and become a part of the #FootClan which will give you access to the exclusive footcast.  Everyone is also invited to come join our fantasy football Discord community. Now, let’s get into the Starts of the Week!

Andy’s Starts of the Week

QB – Kirk Cousins vs. CHI

The Bears have given up the second-most passing touchdowns in the NFL and the second-highest passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. It makes sense to be worried about Cousins without Justin Jefferson, but Minnesota throws the ball 66% of the time, which is the highest percentage in the NFL. Justin Fields‘ recent success could be a sign for a shootout to be brewing. The defense is terrible, and the running game is lackluster. Kirk is essential for the team to get yards and points. 

RB – Raheem Mostert + His Running Mate vs. CAR

The running mate is only in play if it is a single running mate. If it is a committee behind Mostert, then that value goes away. No team has given up more rushing touchdowns this year than Carolina. Meanwhile, no player has scored more touchdowns than Mostert. The Panthers’ defense averages allowing teams 141 rushing yards per game and ranks 29th in PFF’s rushing defense grades. That means Mostert can blow up in the first half of the game, and then his running mate can blow up in the second half. 

WR – Calvin Ridley vs. IND 

The season has been a bumpy ride so far for Ridley managers. In Week 1, he was the WR6 but then disappeared for a few weeks. Despite that, he is in the top 10 regarding the percentage of catches over 20 yards. Those kinds of targets have high value for fantasy scoring. The Colts are the second-worst defense at allowing 20+ yard plays in the passing game. This week could be a home-run kind of week for Calvin Ridley. 

TE – Logan Thomas vs. ATL

Andy was hungry for more Thomas on Wednesday, and now he has him as a Start of the Week. That tells you to roll him out in your lineup. He averages over six targets per game, and Atlanta gives up over seven TE receptions per game. He has been a good player all season, and this week should be no exception, so chase those targets. 

Jason’s Starts of the Week

QB – Space Mountain

RB – Incredicoaster

WR – Guardians of the Galaxy

TE – Rise of the Resistance

Mike’s Starts of the Week

QB – Matthew Stafford vs. AZ

From Stream to Start, Mike is doubling down on Stafford this week. The Rams rank third in Pass Rate Over Expectation and are first in plays per game, meaning that Stafford is slinging it all over the field. He’s on pace for over 5,000 yards. He just hasn’t thrown many touchdowns. Between Cooper Kupp and the Cardinals, the touchdowns are coming. Because Arizona is dead last in the NFL in Schedule Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed to QBs, they allow a first down on 41% of their opponents’ pass attempts. The Rams have the fourth highest Team Implied Total on the week. That will only come true if Stafford is helping put up points for the team. 

RB – Isiah Pacheco vs. DEN

He is the RB13 on the season. Mike faces Pacheco in the Ballers’ League of Record, which means he could have ulterior motives with this pick. The thing is, Denver has been awful against running backs. They allow 5.9 yards per carry to the running back, the most ever through five games. The team has been going to Pacheco more this year, and he seems to be finally filling some of that Kareem Hunt role from years ago, which is very valuable for fantasy. 

WR – Chris Godwin vs. DET

Before their Week 5 bye, Godwin went eight for 114 on 11 targets. That happened when Mike Evans went down with a hamstring injury, but Evans is still not fully healthy. Godwin’s 25% target share on the year means he is a safe play every week but can boom on weeks when he is the only target for Baker Mayfield. The Lions’ rushing defense has been top-notch. Teams cannot run the ball against Detroit, so they are forced to throw it more. Opposing teams average 39 pass attempts per game against them. That is the fourth highest in the NFL—meanwhile, the Lions rank 27th in Schedule Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed to the WR. The Lions’ defense lost two starters to the IR, so this could be an even better matchup than it looks on paper. Baker will have to throw it, and if there is no Evans, there will be many targets for Godwin. 

TE – Zach Ertz vs. LAR

Mike’s trophy Nasty Boy pick. However, Zach Ertz has been a target monster all year. Ertz has the fourth most targets at the TE position. He is one of six TEs with eight or more fantasy points in at least three of the five weeks. Across the field, the Rams are the 30th Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed to the TE position. We saw the Colts’ TEs go off two weeks ago, and last week, Dallas Goedert went wild. Expect Ertz to join the party.