Week 6 Fantasy Football Player Matchups and Notes 

Michael Cellars is on a multi-week break from the fantasy player matchups column, so you’ll have to deal with me shelling out some fantasy player notes for at least a week or two.

Week six has plenty of juicy matchups, as well as some brutal ones. We’re going to run through every single one and value each relevant fantasy option via  a star rating. Let’s get right to it:

Dallas Cowboys @ Baltimore Ravens

Cowboys Fantasy Options

QB Tony Romo– Romo was terrible in week four but I actually think he bounces back vs. Ravens. ★★★

RB DeMarco Murray– Hasn’t been getting it done and it doesn’t get easier this week. ★★★

RB Felix Jones– Only has value in return yardage leagues. ★

WR Dez Bryant– Big play potential is there, and we’re still waiting on it. Tough matchup this week to do so, though. ★★★

WR Miles Austin– Is the most reliable Cowboys WR, so there’s that. ★★★

WR Kevin Ogletree– Hasn’t done much since opening night, but that could change at any time. ★★

TE Jason Witten– Really turned it on last week, so you have to expect more targets coming his way. ★★★★

K Dan Bailey– Ravens should stall Dallas offense enough to give him solid value this week. ★★★★

Cowboys DEF/ST– Ravens got contained by the Chiefs last week, so Dallas has a chance. ★★★

VS.

 Ravens Fantasy Options

QB Joe Flacco– Flacco seems to be hit or miss and Dallas has a talented secondary. ★★★

RB Ray Rice– Cowboys can be run on and Rice is due. ★★★★

WR Torrey Smith– Smith could be locked down this week. ★★★

WR Anquan Boldin– Boldin should be active this week on underneath routes. ★★★

WR Jacoby Jones – Hit or miss option, for sure. ★

TE Ed Dickson– Inconsistent role, so hard to trust in this one. ★★

TE Dennis Pitta- Hasn’t been reliable the past two weeks at all. ★★★

K Justin Tucker– He’s been getting it done so you can use him if you need him. ★★★★

Ravens DEF/ST– They’ve been pretty solid overall, but Dallas could be tough for them this week. ★★★★

St. Louis Rams @ Miami Dolphins

 Rams Fantasy Options

QB Sam Bradford – Bradford can get it going but Miami’s D could give him fits. ★★

RB Steven Jackson – Dolphins run D is brutal and he hasn’t scored all year. ★★★

RB Daryl Richardson – Not a big factor unless S-Jax is hurt or ineffective. ★

WR Danny Amendola – Out for the next six weeks or so.

WR Brandon Gibson – Could have expanded role now but he’s pretty hard to trust. ★★★

WR Chris Givens – Deep threat with an expanding role but still too one-dimensional. ★★

WR Brian Quick – Really has no role and you can’t trust him yet. ★

WR Austin Pettis – No role yet but could step up into the slot. ★★

WR Steve Smith – Isn’t a factor, but no Amendola could give him the chance he needs. ★★

TE Lance Kendricks – Scored last week but role still just isn’t there. ★★

K Greg Zuerlein – Hasn’t missed yet and should continue being money. ★★★★★

Rams DEF/ST – Underrated unit that could cause a lot of trouble in Miami this week. ★★★★★

VS.

 Dolphins Fantasy Options

QB Ryan Tannehill – Not the best play with tough Rams D coming to town. ★★

RB Reggie Bush – Surely can defeat tough matchups, but isn’t 100% right now by his own admission. ★★★

RB Daniel Thomas – Could see some red-zone work but role is spotty, to be sure. ★★

RB Lamar Miller – Not getting a consistent role, so hard to trust. ★

WR Brian Hartline – He’s their legit #1, but Rams pass D is brutal so can’t expect much. ★★★

WR Davone Bess – Does carry some PPR value and could be active with Hartline drawing focus from Rams. ★★★

TE Anthony Fasano – Shaky role, so play him with caution. ★★

K Dan Carpenter – He’s been missing a ton of kicks but he’s still among the best and he should be active here. ★★★

Dolphins DEF/ST – They’ve been showing they got the goods and Rams aren’t an elite offense by any means. ★★★★

Detroit Lions @ Philadelphia Eagles

 Lions Fantasy Options

QB Matthew Stafford- He’s been dreadful for most of the year and Philly isn’t a cakewalk. ★★★★

RB Mikel Leshoure – He’s the guy but Eagles aren’t the easiest matchup. ★★★

RB Kevin Smith– Not locked into any kind of a role with Leshoure starting. ★

WR Calvin Johnson– Always got to start Megatron. ★★★★★

WR Titus Young– May not have the most reliable role but he’s too talented to stay down forever. ★★★

WR Nate Burleson– Solid PPR guy and he’s playing better than Young, so could bring value. ★★★

TE Brandon Pettigrew– Great PPR tight end, but doesn’t score much. ★★★★

TE Tony Scheffler– Pure red-zone guy with limited targets. ★★

K Jason Hanson– Seems to always score and this one could be high-scoring. ★★★★

Lions DEF/ST– Detroit D has been very shaky and Eagles could explode on them easily. ★★★

VS.

 Eagles Fantasy Options

QB Michael Vick – This could be the week Vick finally pays off. Lions are vulnerable through the air. ★★★★★

RB LeSean McCoy – Ditto. ★★★★★

WR Jeremy Maclin – Not doing much lately but this could be a good week for him. ★★★

WR DeSean Jackson – Could go back to returning punts and matchup works for him. ★★★★

WR Jason Avant – Solid role player but isn’t going to bring a ton of value. ★★

WR Damaris Johnson – Not really reliable, so hard to trust. ★

TE Brent Celek – Matchup certainly works and he’s been solid. ★★★★

K Alex Henery – Solid kicker with good matchup this week. ★★★★★

Eagles DEF/ST – They’ve been hit or miss but have nice potential and Lions not playing well. ★★★★

Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns

 Bengals Fantasy Options

QB Andy Dalton – Generally solid but Browns have Joe Haden back this week. ★★★

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis – Has the backfield to himself now, but he hasn’t been great lately. ★★★

WR A.J. Green – Great start in any week but Haden will look to quiet him down. ★★★★

WR Andrew Hawkins – Solid WR3 with upside due to running ability, and could be targeted this week. ★★★

WR Mohamed Sanu – Not reliable at all, so don’t risk it. ★

WR Armon Binns – On Sanu’s level, but might get a few more targets this week. ★

TE Jermaine Gresham – Solid tight end and matchup could work for him this week. ★★★

K Mike Nugent – Has been solid and matchup could offer plenty of tries. ★★★★

Bengals DEF/ST – Their D is underrated and it is the Browns, so they certainly have a chance. ★★★★

VS.

 Browns Fantasy Options

Indianapolis Colts @ New York Jets

 Colts Fantasy Options

QB Andrew Luck – Luck has been solid but Jets are at home and looked better against Texans. ★★★

RB Donald Brown – Out for the next 2-3 weeks.

RB Vick Ballard – Staring and Jets run defense still getting gashed. ★★★★

WR Reggie Wayne – Targeted like crazy and killing it, but Cromartie can be tough. ★★★★

WR Donnie Avery – Hit or miss, but he has some talent yet. ★★

WR T.Y. Hilton – Could get more balls his way this week. ★★

WR Lavonn Brazil – 4th option at best but he still has some potential. ★

TE Coby Fleener – Got a little more involved last week but still not a safe option. ★★

TE Dwayne Allen – Looking like the TE to use in Indy right now due to being on field more. ★★

K Adam Vinatierie – Mr. Reliable should be pretty active in this one. ★★★★

Colts DEF/ST – Their D isn’t the best but they are facing the Jets. ★★★

VS.

 Jets Fantasy Options

QB Mark Sanchez – Colts are a good matchup but he’s completed under 50% of passes in 4 straight. ★★★

QB Tim Tebow – Bit role and hasn’t supplanted Sanchez yet. ★

RB Shonn Greene – Colts can be run on but he’s sharing carries and far from reliable. ★★★

RB Bilal Powell – Could be worth a Flex against Colts, but not anything more. ★★

WR Stephen Hill – Should return this week but he hasn’t done anything since week one. ★★★

WR Jeremy Kerley – Better than average slot guy who could benefit from O getting healthier. ★★

WR Chaz Schilens – Average receiver with little upside. I’m not expecting much. ★

WR Clyde Gates – Shaky role and doesn’t offer much other than pure speed. ★

 WR Jason Hill  – Scrub talent. Not sure why he gets signed over Owens. ★

TE Dustin Keller – Looks to return this week but role is in question in first game back. ★★★

TE Jeff Cumberland – Could still have a role even with Keller returning. ★

K Nick Folk – Offense has to get him in range first, but you could do worse. ★★★

Jets DEF/ST – Looked better last week and Colts aren’t elite or anything. ★★★

Kansas City Chiefs @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

 Chiefs Fantasy Options

QB Matt Cassel – Concussion will keep him out this week.

QB Brady Quinn – Will get the start this week and Bucs actually giving up pass yards all year. ★★★

RB Jamaal Charles – TB seems to stuff the run pretty well but you can’t sit him. ★★★

RB Peyton Hillis – Still hurt and unlikely to play this week. ★

RB Shaun Draughn – Should keep getting touches with Hillis out. ★★

WR Dwayne Bowe – Still has a ton of value, even with Cassel out. ★★★★

WR Jonathan Baldwin – Quinn should throw the ball down the field more, which could help him. ★★

WR Steve Breaston – Slot man who is off to a slow start. Matchup could help him. ★★

WR Dexter McCluster – Hasn’t been healthy or effective lately. ★★

TE Tony Moeaki – Could get going in this matchup. ★★

K Ryan Succop – Good kicker, and should get some tries in this one. ★★★★

Chiefs DEF/ST – Looked better last week and Bucs offense is pretty weak. ★★★

VS.

 Buccaneers Fantasy Options

QB Josh Freeman– Chiefs D looking better and he has been shaky all year so far. ★★★

RB Doug Martin– Bucs will try to run all day and he’s been mostly solid. ★★★★

RB LeGarrette Blount– Not much more than a goal-line guy these days. ★★

WR Vincent Jackson– Chiefs secondary is healthier and he’s so inconsistent. ★★★

WR Mike Williams– Benefiting from V-Jax’s presence but still hit or miss. ★★

WR Preston Parker– See above. ★★

TE Dallas Clark– Good veteran, but not getting bulk of targets. ★★

TE Luke Stocker– Quickly rising up and getting as many plays as Clark. ★★

K Connor Barth– Good kicker and this is a matchup he should be active in. ★★★★

Buccaneers DEF/ST– Defense isn’t bad at all and Chiefs offense is beyond questionable right now. ★★★★

Oakland Raiders @ Atlanta Falcons

 Raiders Fantasy Options

QB Carson Palmer– Seems to always get yardage and actually is taking care of the football. ★★★

RB Darren McFadden– Falcons getting run on so he has a shot this week. ★★★★

WR Denarius Moore– Top receiver for Palmer – especially if DHB is out. ★★★

WR Darrius Heyward-Bey– Still has concussion woes so not a lock this week. ★★

WR Rod Streater– Could have a role if DHB is out this week. Otherwise, don’t expect much. ★★

TE Brandon Myers- Solid PPR option but has yet to find end-zone. ★★★

K Sebastian Janikowski– Always a reliable option, so feel free to use him. ★★★★

Raiders DEF/ST– They aren’t stopping the Falcons on the road. ★

VS.

 Falcons Fantasy Options

QB Matt Ryan – Raiders are awful and he’s on fire so act as usual here. ★★★★★

RB Michael Turner – Should be fine with solid matchup. ★★★★

RB Jacquizz Rodgers – He’s getting solid touches so can be used as Flex if you need him. ★★★

WR Roddy White – Still a beast and matchup is to die for. ★★★★★

WR Julio Jones – Got it going last week and matchup is killer this week. ★★★★★

WR Harry Douglas – Not seeing many balls as 5th option at best. ★

TE Tony Gonzalez – Still as good as ever. ★★★★★

K Matt Bryant – Going to rack up plenty of points. ★★★★

Falcons DEF/ST – They’re hit or miss but Raiders aren’t scary. ★★★

New England Patriots @ Seattle Seahawks

 Patriots Fantasy Options

QB Tom Brady – Tough matchup but you can’t bet against him now. ★★★★★

RB Stevan Ridley – Has been solid all year but matchup is tough. ★★★

RB Brandon Bolden – Could see some work this week but matchup stinks. ★★

RB Danny Woodhead – Third down guy but spotty role right now. ★★

 RB Shane Vereen –  Ditto. ★★

WR Wes Welker – A must start every week right now. ★★★★★

WR Brandon Lloyd – Could make something happen with ‘Hawks trying to stop Welker and Gronk. ★★★

WR Julian Edelman – Still not 100% but could return this week. ★★

TE Rob Gronkowski – A bit banged up so monitor his status. Should be a big factor if good to go, though. ★★★★

TE Aaron Hernandez – Getting close to a return and might make it back this week. Monitor status. ★★★

K Stephen Gostkowski – Pats are cleaning up so he’s always a good play. ★★★★

Patriots DEF/ST – Seahawks are one-dimensional and Pats D has been pretty decent. ★★★★

VS.

 Seahawks Fantasy Options

QB Russell Wilson – Pretty shaky overall and matchup not easy by any means. ★★

RB Marshawn Lynch – Beast Mode is still going but Pats do tend to stop the run. ★★★★

RB Robert Turbin – Not worth starting with such a small role usually. ★★

WR Sidney Rice – Has been shaky all year due to Wilson, but Pats can be passed on. ★★★

WR Doug Baldwin – Could get it going here but tough to trust. ★★

WR Golden Tate – Could get another Toucherception this week with bending Pats. ★★

WR Braylon Edwards – Not worth starting. ★

TE Zach Miller – Getting more looks but role is still shaky. ★★

TE Anthony McCoy – Decent TE but not worth starting over Miller. ★

K Steve Hauschka – Should be plenty active in this one. ★★★★

Seahawks DEF/ST – Clearly an elite defense but tough sell against Pats. ★★★

Buffalo Bills @ Arizona Cardinals

 Bills Fantasy Options

QB Ryan Fitzpatrick – Faces another tough defense this week. ★★★

RB Fred Jackson – Sharing the load and brutal matchup. ★★★

RB C.J. Spiller – Still sharing the rock and matchup isn’t good at all. ★★★

WR Stevie Johnson – Always worth a shot, but matchup isn’t ideal. ★★★

WR Donald Jones – Not the worst but isn’t targeted like crazy. ★★

WR T.J. Graham – Has big play ability but shaky start to be sure. ★

WR Naaman Roosevelt – Very hit or miss but has potential. ★

WR Brad Smith – See above. ★

TE Scott Chandler – Red-zone machine and could find his way to a TD this week. ★★★

K Rian Lindell – Good kicker and could be called upon quite a bit in this one. ★★★

Bills DEF/ST – Have shown some potential and Cards’ offense is pretty weak, but also have been trounced many times. ★★★

VS.

 Cardinals Fantasy Options

QB Kevin Kolb – Not killing it but Bills are a pretty favorable matchup on paper. ★★★ 

QB John Skelton – Getting closer to return but it doesn’t look like week six will be the week. ★

RB William Powell – Looks like he’s the guy for now. ★★★

RB LaRod Stephens-Howling – Kick return guy who should get some touches with injuries hitting backfield. ★★

WR Larry Fitzgerald – Stud you gotta play every week, while matchup looks great. ★★★★★

WR Andre Roberts – Has been scoring but not the most reliable option. ★★

WR Early Doucet – Not heavily targeted but quality matchup. ★★

WR Michael Floyd – Targets are hit or miss but he has potential. ★★

TE Todd Heap – Extremely inconsistent and can’t be relied on. ★★

TE Rob Housler – Great athlete with upside but just isn’t playing enough right now. ★★

K Jay Feely – Always active and should get plenty of chances in this one. ★★★★★

Cardinals DEF/ST – Nasty defense and Bills have been slapped around lately. ★★★★★

Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins

 Vikings Fantasy Options

QB Christian Ponder – Pretty favorable matchup in this one. ★★★★

RB Adrian Peterson – Can’t not start him and he’ll be looking to pay ‘Skins back for torn acl last year. ★★★★★

RB Toby Gerhart – Not worth the start unless Peterson gets hurt or misses time. ★

WR Percy Harvin – Great matchup here and he’s been beasting out. ★★★★★

WR Jerome Simpson – Struggling to stay healthy and may not play this week. ★★

WR Michael Jenkins – Pretty one-dimensional but could benefit if Simpson is out. ★★

TE Kyle Rudolph – Good matchup and he could be called upon a lot in this one. ★★★★

K Blair Walsh – Vikings offense will give him chances in this one. ★★★★★

Vikings DEF/ST – OK matchup here and they’ve been on fire. ★★★★

VS.

 Redskins Fantasy Options

QB Robert Griffin III – Always puts up solid fantasy numbers but concussion could be tricky. ★★★★

RB Alfred Morris – Always solid but Vikes aren’t a great matchup. ★★★★

RB Evan Royster – Not worth the start. ★

RB Ryan Grant – Not sure what he’s going to do. Worth keeping an eye on though. ★

WR Pierre Garcon – Still a bit banged up but it looks like he’s playing this week. Proceed with caution. ★★★

WR Leonard Hankerson – Not a bad option but he didn’t start last week. ★★

WR Santana Moss – The veteran still has it. ★★

WR Aldrick Robinson – Not worth starting. ★

WR Josh Morgan – See above. ★

TE Fred Davis – Solid TE with good matchup. ★★★★

K Kai Forbath – Billy Cundiff is no more, but we have no way in knowing yet if that will be a good thing. ★★

Redskins DEF/ST – Can make some plays here and there but overall they’re pretty weak. ★★

New York Giants @ San Francisco 49ers

 Giants Fantasy Options

QB Eli Manning – Brutal matchup but he’s been known to go off despite matchups before. ★★★

RB Ahmad Bradshaw – He’s all the way back but matchup is terrible. ★★★

RB Andre Brown – Not guaranteed a big role right now and matchup is awful. ★

WR Hakeem Nicks – Not a lock to play again this week as knee is giving him serious problems. ★★★

WR Victor Cruz – Always worth starting. ★★★★★

WR Domenik Hixon – Not a bad play here for a No. 2 guy. ★★★

WR Ramses Barden – Ditto. ★★★

TE Martellus Bennett – Solid TE play here as 49ers should focus on Cruz and/or Nicks. ★★★

K Lawrence Tynes – As long as it’s not a GW 50+ yarder, he’ll make it. ★★★

Giants DEF/ST – 49ers aren’t a cakewalk but they have the talent to contain them. ★★★

VS.

 49ers Fantasy Options

QB Alex Smith – Giants pass D is shaky and he’s been playing really well. ★★★

RB Frank Gore – Favorable matchup this week. ★★★★

RB Kendall Hunter – Gets some touches but nothing more than borderline Flex value here. ★★

WR Michael Crabtree – Great matchup here. ★★★★

WR Mario Manningham – Would surely like to go off on former team, so you never know. ★★

WR Randy Moss – Super hit or miss, but you never know. ★★

TE Vernon Davis – Always a must start and Giants can be passed on. ★★★★

K David Akers – Must start, per usual. ★★★★★

49ers DEF/ST – Giants are no picnic but they’re a defense you start every single week. ★★★★★

Green Bay Packers @ Houston Texans

 Packers Fantasy Options

QB Aaron Rodgers – A must start always, even against Texans. ★★★★★

RB Alex Green – Pretty elusive back and will start this week. ★★★

RB James Starks – Could see decent touches but matchup isn’t great. ★★

WR Jordy Nelson – Long ball hasn’t been there but should be targeted with Jennings possibly out again. ★★★★

WR Greg Jennings – Looks to rest his sore groin this week, so get him out of your lineup. ★

WR James Jones – Will be the #2 with Jennings out, so certainly has value. ★★★★

WR Randall Cobb – Getting chances again so worth a shot. ★★★

WR Donald Driver – Jennings is probably out so he could see some action. ★★

TE Jermichael Finley – Shoulder could be an issue but no Cushing could mean more targets if he plays. ★★★

K Mason Crosby – Should be as active as ever, so use him as usual. ★★★★

Packers DEF/ST – D has been solid but matchup isn’t the best. ★★★

VS.

 Texans Fantasy Options

QB Matt Schaub – Not an easy matchup but Texans do run a lot, too. ★★★

RB Arian Foster – Always a must start. ★★★★★

RB Ben Tate – Don’t know what he’s going to do on a weekly basis. ★★

 RB Justin Forsett –  Could see some work with Tate possibly out again. ★★

WR Andre Johnson – Wayne burned Pack last week so have to like AJ’s chances. ★★★★★

WR Kevin Walter – Favorable matchup and he’s sneaky. ★★

WR Lestar Jean – OK play here if healthy. ★★

WR Keshawn Martin – See above. ★

TE Owen Daniels – Not a bad matchup and he continues to be pretty active. ★★★★

K Shayne Graham – Have to start him with offense humming. ★★★★★

Texans DEF/ST – Their defense is solid even without Cushing, but Pack is a tough matchup. ★★★★

Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers

 Broncos Fantasy Options

QB Peyton Manning – You know how he is in prime time games…usually. ★★★★

RB Willis McGahee – Chargers run D is solid but he’s been playing well all year. ★★★★

RB Ronnie Hillman – Could get some touches but not worth starting. ★

RB Knowshon Moreno – See above. ★

WR Demaryius Thomas – Seems to be hit or miss but has loads of potential. ★★★★

WR Eric Decker – Solid PPR option with upside in this matchup. ★★★★

WR Brandon Stokley – Manning’s going to rely on him as needed, but little upside. ★★

WR Andre Caldwell – Extremely hit or miss, so can’t trust him. ★

TE Jacob Tamme – Not the PPR fiend we thought he’d be but still better than Dreessen. ★★★

TE Joel Dreessen – Is scoring but not doing much else. ★★

K Matt Prater – Always a must start. ★★★★

Broncos DEF/ST – Letting teams score on them so can’t imagine them shutting down Chargers. ★★★

VS.

 Chargers Fantasy Options

QB Philip Rivers – Has been solid and tends to play well at night. ★★★★

RB Ryan Mathews – Going to start getting a full load and Broncos aren’t a bad matchup. ★★★★★

RB Jackie Battle – Can’t count on him for much anymore. ★★

WR Malcom Floyd – Value depends on whether or not Bailey is on him. ★★★

WR Robert Meachem – Came to life last week so certainly has a chance to keep it going, ★★★

WR Eddie Royal – Facing former team so could get something going here. ★★

TE Antonio Gates – He is so over due it’s not even funny. It has to come this week. ★★★★★

K Nate Kaeding – Probably out again this week with sore groin. ★

K Nick Novak – Will get plenty of chances with offense and Kaeding on bench. ★★★★

Chargers DEF/ST – Tough matchup vs. Manning but they can get it done. ★★★