The difficult fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em decisions always come with the most reward.
When owners make the right call, of course.
Take last week. Andre Johnson hadn’t shown anything of merit with the Indianapolis Colts, nor was he playing with Andrew Luck under center. But he was facing his old team, the Houston Texans. Owners who made the tough call got 19 points, tied for tops at the position.
These same decisions and many more face owners in Week 6, so let’s break down the most notable scenarios by position.
QB
Difficult Start to Make: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
Owners hesitate to start Blake Bortles because, well, he’s Blake Bortles, quarterback of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville quarterbacks haven’t done right by owners for quite some time, but those who trusted Bortles last week got a superb 28 points.
This week, Bortles is probable and going against the Texans, owners of the defense surrendering the eighth-most points to the position on average. Thanks to Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson and T. J. Yeldon, Bortles quietly has one of the most high-ceiling units around him.
Difficult Situation to Avoid: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers (at SEA)
What a world, right? Start Bortles but sit Cam Newton?
It’s the way to go with the Carolina Panthers’ signal-caller stuck in Seattle this weekend against a unit he’s hardly scored 10 points against in each encounter over the past three. Even more discouraging would be the fact he’s without Kelvin Benjamin on the road for this one.
Seattle has allowed two quarterbacks to score more than 20 points this year, but they were Aaron Rodgers and Andy Dalton. The first name speaks for itself, the second has the deepest offense in the league.
Newton certainly doesn’t and needs to ride the bench.
RB
Difficult Start to Make: Chris Ivory, New York Jets (vs. WAS)
While it’s been quiet, New York Jets running back Chris Ivory has been a great boom-or-bust play this year.
Ivory has appeared in four games thus far. In half he’s gone for 21 or more points, in the other half he’s totaled five. As a game flow and matchup-based play, he’s a must-start option in Week 6.
It just doesn’t look like it at face value because Washington has surrendered the fourth-fewest points to backs, having held three backfields to single-digit production.
Owners should bank on Ivory having no issues, though. Washington just gave up 25 points in Week 5 to Atlanta, and New York will pound the rock against a hobbled defense to control the pace.
Difficult Situation to Avoid: Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers (at GB)
Owners really want San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon to break out, hence his 94.4 ownership percentage.
Gordon has yet to reach double digits this season, nor has he found paydirt. Logic says a matchup with the Green Bay Packers might lead to plenty of opportunities for the young back, but it’s a risky gamble to take.
Teams just don’t find success running the ball against the Packers in large part because they cannot find the time. Just two teams have run the rock more than 15 times against the defense.
To make matters worse, it’s quite clear Danny Woodhead still isn’t coming off the field in passing situations. So while this might look like an opportune time for a breakout, Gordon hopefuls will have to wait.
WR
Difficult Start to Make: Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers (vs. BAL)
It’s not easy to trust Anquan Boldin, mostly because Colin Kaepernick continues to struggle so much as a passer under center for the San Francisco 49ers.
Boldin remains the No. 1 receiver with the team despite the presence of Torrey Smith, but he’s gone for double digits just twice this year and looks like a touchdown-reliant play as the 49ers lean on the rush.
Still, it’s tough to ignore him this weekend in a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who have allowed the second-most points to wideouts this year with seven touchdowns in three games to the position.
With the offense looking much better last week—Boldin set season highs with eight catches, 107 yards, a score and 16 points—and a perfect matchup, now would be the time to ride the wave of momentum.
Difficult Situation to Avoid: Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills (vs. CIN)
Loud wideouts don’t always make great wideouts, so Sammy Watkins of the Buffalo Bills campaigning for more targets this week doesn’t mean owners should pay him any mind.
Despite the public campaign, Watkins is questionable at best this weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Owners know Watkins is one of the most explosive players in the league, but it’s not a good idea to start him against the Bengals when he’s hobbled and his starting quarterback appears on the same injury report.
Cincinnati has struggled against top wideouts such as Steve Smith and Jeremy Maclin, but both were healthy with starting quarterbacks slinging it.
TE
Difficult Start to Make: Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (vs. SD)
Owners don’t seem to trust Packers tight end Richard Rodgers much yet with his ownership percentage at 50.6.
It’s time to start. Rodgers is simply the beneficiary of being the top tight end in a passing attack led by Rodgers and as a result has at least three catches in four of five games, two scores and a pair of double-digit outings.
With an offensive-minded San Diego team in town, Rodgers should have a fine day against a defense that has already given up three scores and double-digit outings to the position.
Difficult Situation to Avoid: Charles Clay, Buffalo Bills (vs. CIN)
It’s never easy to bench a guy like Charles Clay, especially when he sits as the fifth-highest scorer at the position.
But not only is Clay’s quarterback injured, he’s also coming off a one-catch performance this past weekend. Most of his production placing him among the top five occurred over two weeks, as he’s already been held to single digits three times.
Expect a fourth. The Bengals allow the fourth-fewest points to the position and have yet to give up a score or a double-digit performance to any team’s set of tight ends. The unit shouldn’t have any issues putting the clamps down, especially if Taylor can’t go.
All scoring info courtesy of ESPN standard leagues, as is points-against info and ownership stats as of October 17. Statistics courtesy of ESPN. Dallas, Oakland, St. Louis and Tampa Bay are on bye.
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