Mario’s Hot & Not Fantasy Rundown: Week 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Hot: Leonard Fournette
Playoff Lenny showed up for the first time this season. The Bucs force fed Fournette on Thursday night vs the Eagles, and he didn’t disappoint. The bulldozing back was given a season high 28 touches, and rewarded Arians’ with 127 total yards and 2 TDs, including 6 receptions. If Thursday’s usage was a premonition, Fournette can be considered a weekly RB1 for the rest of the season.
Not: Devonta Smith
The Bucs’ pass defense has been porous all season, and is also missing ¾ of the starters from the secondary due to injury. Smith and the Eagles failed to capitalize. Even with no semblance of a running game, the Heisman trophy winner was only targeted 4 times on the evening, converting those targets into only 2 receptions for 31 yards. If the Eagles’ passing game couldn’t get it done at home vs the poor Bucs’ pass defense, it’s difficult to trust them at all moving forward.
Miami Dolphins @ Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Hot: Jaylen Waddle
The Dolphins’ 1st round draft pick received 13 targets for the second time this season, and exploded for 29.0 fantasy points. This time those targets were converted into 10 receptions for only 70 yards, but Waddle found the endzone twice. The Dolphins complete lack of a running game forces them to use the short and quick passing game, and Waddle (also Gesicki) have been the main benefactors. Tua looks for Waddle often, and fantasy players would be wise to keep him in lineups simply because of sheer volume.
Not: Dolphins RBs
Despite what appeared to be a breakout game for Myles Gaskin last week, he reverted back to his non-productive ways in London. Gaskin received only 7 touches for 14 total yards. Malcolm Brown and Salvan Ahmed didn’t fare any better. As of right now, there is no reason to have any Dolphins RB on your roster.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens
Hot: Mark Andrews
A TE showing any sign of life in 2021 deserves a second look by fantasy players. Andrews started off the season slowly, but he has gotten HOT during the Ravens’ 5 game win streak. With 5 receptions for 68 yards and another TD on Sunday totaling 17.8 fantasy points, the 4th year TE out of Oklahoma has catapulted himself to the #2 fantasy TE overall, behind only the dominant Travis Kelce. The Ravens are playing great football, and Andrews is a lineup lock the rest of the season.
Not: Austin Ekeler
The Chargers played poorly in all aspects of the game on Sunday. However it is still surprising how the Ravens were able to completely neutralize Ekeler, who up to this point had been playing stellar football. Ekeler finished the game with 10 touches for 55 yards, with only 7 of those yards coming on the ground. There is no way you can leave Ekeler out of your lineup. Chalk this up as an outlier in a tough game on the road, and fire him up after the bye week at home vs the Patriots.
Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Hot: Adam Thielen
Thielen had 17 receptions COMBINED the past 4 weeks, but he blew up for 11 receptions in Carolina. Tack on 126 yards receiving and an incredible TD catch while falling towards the sideline, and he finished with 31.6 fantasy points in the overtime victory. The Vikings have a potent offense, and even though prior to this game Thielen hadn’t been getting as many touches, he leads the team with 5 TDs in 6 games. He is a lineup lock as a WR2.
Not: Sam Darnold
Darnold is not a weekly starter in the past 3 weeks, which makes his performance this week that much more disappointing. He was a popular QB streamer this week vs a Vikings defense that has been susceptible to the pass. Darnold underwhelmed, and looked like the Darnold who played with the Jets. In his worst game of the season to date, he completed only 41% of his passes on 41 attempts for 207 yards and a TD, but also committed 2 turnovers. You can look elsewhere for good fantasy QB play.
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Hot: Khalil Herbert
The rookie 6th round pick was thrust into action after Damien Williams tested positive for COVID. In his first NFL start, Herbert assumed the workhorse role, posting 112 total yards and a rushing TD for 18.4 fantasy points. He also had another rushing TD called back due to a holding call. There is a strong possibility that Williams will not be available next week vs Tampa Bay. It’s a touch matchup, but with 6 teams on bye in Week 7, you may be forced to start Herbert.
Not: Pass Catchers Not Named Davante Adams
Davante Adams had a modest day by his standards, but what is more concerning about this Green Bay offense is that there aren’t any consistent pass catchers behind him. Excluding Aaron Jones, the rest of the Packers offense combined for only 9 receptions for 72 yards. The only viable fantasy skill players on this offense are Adams and Jones.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Detroit Lions
Hot: Joe Mixon
As expected, Mixon was able to exploit the Lions defense to the tune of 24.3 fantasy points on 23 touches. Mixon neared the century mark rushing, and also threw in 59 yards receiving on 5 receptions. The Bengals visit division rival Baltimore next week, and Mixon is a must start.
Not: Jamaal Williams
Williams and Swift have spent most of the season splitting snaps, and each putting up good numbers, with Williams being serviceable as a fantasy RB2/Flex. However, in a negative game script, Williams received minimal work. He totaled only 9 total yards on 5 touches. Swift has been getting increased touches, and Williams is nothing more than a bench stash at this point.
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Hot: Jonathan Taylor
In the first few weeks of the season, Taylor was splitting touches to Nyheim Hines. In the past couple of weeks, his snap share has increased as Frank Reich finally decided that giving Taylor more touches is good for his offense. Taylor exploded for 145 yards on 2 TDs on only 14 carries, including an 83 yard burst that set up his 2nd TD. Taylor gets a chance to repeat his 30 point performance next Sunday night vs the 49ers.
Not: Michael Pittman
After 3 straight games of at least 6 receptions and 59 yards, Pittman put up a 2 for 35 stinker on only 3 targets. The game was in hand early, and the Texans never threatened. It’s possible that is what limited Pittman’s touches on the day. He should remain in your starting lineup.
Los Angeles Rams @ New York Giants
Hot: Cooper Kupp
Kupp continues his 2021 fantasy dominance. The Stafford to Kupp connection has been lethal, and the Giants were burned for 9 receptions, 130 yards, and 2 TDs for a total of 36.0 fantasy points. Defenses have not had an answer for Kupp, and the Giants were no different. Kupp remains a lineup lock.
Not: Kadarius Toney
Last week vs Dallas, Toney became the WR1 by default. Injuries to Golladay and Shepard are what lead to 13 targets, and Toney came crashing back to earth vs the Rams with Shepard back in the lineup. He finished with 3 catches for 36 yards. Stash Toney on your bench for now until he can produce another good week.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Washington Football Team
Hot: Travis Kelce
There isn’t much to say about Kelce. He continues to be his usual fantasy TE1. Although he didn’t find the endzone in Washington, he still managed 99 yards on 8 receptions for a total of 17.9 fantasy points. Kelce gets another juicy matchup next week vs the defensively challenged Titans.
Not: Terry McLaurin
Terry McScorin’ was more like Terry McSnorin’ this week vs the Chiefs. In a game against the worst pass defense in the NFL, McLaurin managed only 4 receptions for 28 yards, and WFT scored only 13 points. This is McLaurin’s second straight subpar performance. If you have better matchups, Scary Terry may need to sit until this WFT offense comes back to life.
Arizona Cardinals @ Cleveland Browns
Hot: Donovan Peoples-Jones
Peoples-Jones was the lone bright spot for the Browns in a game where they were blown out at home by the undefeated Cardinals. He scored 4 receptions for 101 yards and 2 TDs on his way to a career high 28.1 fantasy points. One of his TDs was a 57 yard Hail Mary from Mayfield at the end of the 1st half. Jones is serviceable as a FLEX as long as either Beckham or Landry are out with injury.
Not: Chase Edmonds
Back in Week 5, Edmonds broke out for 139 total yards vs the Rams, and appeared to be trending up. In the past 2 weeks, Edmonds has only managed 84 total yards. To top it off, Conner takes all of the goal line carries. Edmonds has not scored a TD this season. He is a low end RB2.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos
Hot: Noah Fant
Like I’m always saying, the TE position in fantasy is razor thin. Fant was widely projected to have a breakout season, and it appears that finally happened. In a home divisional loss, Fant caught 9 passes for 97 yards and a TD, resulting in 24.7 fantasy points. As thin as the TE position is, Fant is a must start.
Not: Darren Waller
Waller didn’t play terribly. He finished the road win with 5 catches for 59 yards, but it is a far cry from Week 1 when he finished with 19 targets, and fantasy players rejoiced. He has not surpassed 8 targets in a game since then. You’re still starting Waller, but he is close to being a TD dependent TE.
Dallas Cowboys @ New England Patriots
Hot: CeeDee Lamb
The 35 yard TD grab from Dak Prescott to end the game was just the cherry on top of a dominant Sundae (pun intended) by Lamb. 88 finished the game with a team high 9 receptions for 149 yards and 2 TDs. It was Lamb’s most explosive game of the season, and could be a sign of more to come. Lamb should not be out of your fantasy lineups, no matter the matchup.
Not: Patriots TEs
The Patriots spent big money this offseason on Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. To help rookie Mac Jones transition to the NFL, the base offensive formation has been 2TE. However, Henry and Smith have been used primarily as blockers. Although Henry scored a TD against Dallas, the two combined for just 3 catches for 33 yards. Avoid both of these players in fantasy if you can.
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Hot: Alex Collins
With Chris Carson on IR, Collins and the Seattle running game did not miss a beat. Collins rushed 20 times for 101 yards and a TD. He was not involved at all in the passing game, but he is a solid RB2 until Carson returns.
Not: Chase Claypool
Claypool teased us last week with 130 yards receiving and a TD on his way to 26 fantasy points, only to let us all down this week with only 2 receptions for 17 yards. Not what we expected vs a poor and injured Seattle secondary. Diontae Johnson leads the Steelers WRs in targets week in and week out. Claypool can be relegated to your bench outside of smash matchups.
Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans
Hot: Derrick Henry
What can we say about King Henry? It’s the same story every week. Henry is on pace for the best season of his career, if you can even believe he can be better than 2020. Henry sped by, ran over, and stiff-armed his way through the Bills stout defense on his way to 143 yards and 3 TDs, and 36.9 fantasy points. King Henry and the Titans look to keep it rolling next week vs a poor run defense in KC.
Not: Bills RBs
On the opposite side of Henry, Devin Singletary and Zack Moss were virtually invisible. The duo combined for only 51 yards rushing on 13 carries. Moss was held without a TD, ending his 5 game streak of double digit fantasy points. You should not be starting either one of these RBs in fantasy unless you are desperate.
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