Fantasy Football Week 6 Start/Sit
Last Week:
Mike Wallace vs. Victor Cruz — Win
Zach Miller vs. Delanie Walker — Loss
Jarvis Landry vs. T.Y. Hilton — Loss
Week 5 Record: 1–2
Season Record: 12–12
This weekly column serves to help Fantasy Life App users make tough start/sit decisions and win their weeks. Let’s get into the questions.
@scotterikson asked: “Should I start Jordan Matthews or Will Fuller this week?”
Admittedly, I dropped Matthews down my pre-season rankings after finding out that Sam Bradford was traded from the Eagles to the Vikings. Bradford, while not likely a future hall-of famer, is a capable quarterback, and one that had built rapport with the wideout. Fearful of Carson Wentz’s inexperience — and to some extent, his talent — Matthews, who was actually a pre-season favorite of mine to exceed draft-day value before Bradford’s departure, landed on none of my teams. I regret that decision. A clear No. 1 receiver for a good offense on a competing team, Matthews — and really, Wentz — has overcome doubters and proven to be a fairly reliable, or at least consistent, threat. Fuller has not. An ultimate hit-or-miss option, Fuller has been anything but consistent…. But he has been good. Averaging a full fantasy point per game more than Matthews in standard leagues, Fuller seems only hindered by Brock Osweiler’s atrocious play, not his own talent. Still, Osweiler has been BAD, and Fuller’s stats have been noticeably, seemingly irregularly poor during certain weeks, and that leaves a level of distrust between the rookie and his fantasy owners. DeAndre Hopkins should be the main beneficiary from this matchup against the Colts, as he torched Indianapolis for 263 yards on 19 receptions in two games last season. Because of Osweiler’s negative outlook, Hopkins’ probable emergence, and Matthews’ consistency, the Eagles pass catcher is the way to go in this one.
The Pick: Jordan Matthews
@btavares5100417 asked: “Tevin Coleman or Frank Gore for my RB2 standard league?”
Coleman has been one of the most pleasant surprises in football this year, and he currently ranks as RB7 in standard leagues, over fellow Falcons running back and consensus first-round pick Devonta Freeman. Especially dominating through the air, Coleman has become one of the premier receiving backs in the leagues. He hasn’t been as impressive on the ground, averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, but he has gotten the job done and does continue to see a sufficient amount of in-game reps; he won’t see the bulk of the carries any time soon, but he has been incredibly efficient with the touches he’s toted. Gore, on the other hand, has been just about what everyone expected: He’s the only option in a backfield that produces for a productive offense. He currently sits as RB15 in standard leagues, around where he finished last year, by volume and consistency alone. My decision between these two backs this week will be based on two areas of consideration: First, match up. Coleman will have to stack up against the always-solid Seahawks defense, who has allowed the tenth fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs this season, while Gore will have an easier time against a J.J. Watt-less Texans front who has allowed the thirteenth most points to opposing running backs. The other decision-maker here is Coleman’s aforementioned efficiency. Coupled with the matchup, his above-average yardage per touch total — combined with his five touchdowns in five games — seems unsustainable, so I’m rolling with old reliable in this one.
The Pick: Frank Gore
@sdcasey asked: “Amari Cooper vs. Chiefs or Mark Ingram vs. Carolina?”
A preseason breakout candidate of mine, Cooper seemed nearly bust-worthy until he finally unleashed a celebration-worthy performance last week against the Chargers (6–138–1). It’s important to note, however, that Cooper’s stats were inflated by a 64-yard score. Still, it’s encouraging to see some of his untapped potential explored. Ingram has looked better with each passing week, and with extra time to rest and prepare due to a bye, should be ready to attack a so-far vulnerable Panthers defense. Really, this decision comes down to match ups, and more specifically, matchup history. From the looks of it, Cooper should have an easier time against a Chiefs secondary that has allowed the seventh most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers than Ingram against a Panthers front seven, featuring Luke Kuechly, that has allowed the fourteenth fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. However, last year’s stats tell a different story: Cooper combined for only 89 yards on six receptions in two meetings with Kansas City last season, while Ingram put up 15.9 fantasy points in each of his tilts with Carolina a year ago. Both defenses don’t look to be playing with the same vigor this season as last, so there differences via offseason carryover are negligible. It all comes down to the fact that Cooper has struggled versus his opposition, and Ingram has succeeded against his. Off a bye week and in the Superdome, Ingram is the smart choice to start.
The Pick: Mark Ingram
Until next time, ask your start/sit questions to @cb on the Fantasy Life App and @CBRetweet on Twitter.
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