The Week 6 main window hasn’t been the prettiest selection of football. We’ve dealt with injuries and underperformance, not to mention a pesky four weeks off. But at least we have Caleb Williams back in our fantasy lives. And that means Chicago’s offense is back.
Williams was much better in real life than in fantasy in Sunday’s 31-23 win over Atlanta. He completed 30 of 36 passes for 305 yards, earning 8.5 YPA. He didn’t run much (three yards) and he was limited to one touchdown pass, meaning Williams was thrown around any league. But he passed the eye test and he got his playmakers back in the swing.
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We can finally take Colston Loveland out of the milk carton. Loveland returned a 6-65-1 line on seven targets, and the only miss was on a wide-open opportunity at the left pylon. Loveland won on planned plays and his touchdown came on a broken play, made possible by a Williams scramble and confident pass in coverage. Welcome to the season, #84.
Luther Burden III also had a perfect day, catching all of his targets en route to an 8-95-0 score. Rome Odunze was limited to four targets, so his 3-39-0 was below expectations. But it was reassuring to see Ben Johnson clicking with the play sheet, composing the play action and designing the QB move at just the right moment. Many of Williams’ completions came to wide-open receivers; Johnson wins as much as anything.
The running backs scored the other touchdowns and thus made their freight fantastic: D’Andre Swift (70 total yards) scored two rushing scores and Roschon Johnson passed like a Hail Mary (15 touches, 85 total yards, TD). Ultimately, this offense can sustain a bunch of winning fantasy plays almost every week, as long as Williams stays healthy and Johnson keeps his mojo.
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Chicago’s defense can also be an asset. Although the Falcons only managed 257 total yards and never really competed in Sunday’s game, they put up 16 points in the fourth quarter and made the final score respectable, pushing the game over the score. Kyle Pitts Sr. (the Loveland prequel) had two of the scores on a 5-60-2 day. Drake London (4-62-0) was silent on 10 targets, and Bijan Robinson had a rare quiet day (53 total yards). But for the most part, the Falcons are an easy fantasy liability.
Both teams will be challenged next week: Chicago will host the Patriots while the Falcons will host the 49ers. Prepare your popcorn for both.
Speaking of the Patriots, they finally had their offensive skill sheet where they wanted it on Sunday. AJ Brown (ankle) made his first start since Week 1, and TreVeyon Henderson (ankle) finished his miracle week of rehab by also playing. Alas, both players turned into fantasy traps. Brown went just 3-27-0 despite having 10 targets, dropping several passes, an incredibly messy day. And Henderson was limited to 40 yards on eight touches, in addition to a lost fumble.
Drake Maye’s distribution this year reminds you of Tom Brady’s early days – where the favorite receiver is the one with the right game. DeMario Douglas (7-86-1), Hunter Henry (4-48-1) and Romeo Doubs (1-42-1) caught all three touchdown passes from Maye; Unfortunately, Doubs injured his shoulder during the goal. Brown will surely maintain target status on this offense, but good luck deciphering the patterns in the rest of this passing game moving forward.
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As for Rhamondre Stevenson, he was also disappointed despite a top place. He was held to 36 yards on 14 carries, and Corey Kiner (11-57-0) helped run out the clock.
Forget what you thought of the Texans two months ago. Turns out the defense isn’t that hot and CJ Stroud is probably better than you think. Stroud passed for 312 yards and three scores as the Texans held off the Jaguars 34-31 in London — never an easy thing to do — and he thrived with wide distribution, targeting 10 different teammates. Interestingly, despite the presence of Nico Collins and the trades for Kayshon Boutte and Marvin Harrison Jr., it’s Jaylin Noel who is having an exceptional year. He caught all of his targets en route to 4-107-1, his third straight fantasy game of significance.
Stroud’s efficiency was necessary, as Woody Marks was disappointing – 15 carries, 56 yards. The Texans get the Giants next week, then enter Week 8 bye.
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Extra overtime helped Jaylen Warren take a sad song and make it better. Sharing the job with Rico Dowdle all day, Warren made a few second-level plays in overtime and ultimately had 78 total yards on his 16 touches. Dowdle had 10 touches for 49 yards and had a game-high YPC. This type of approximate 60 to 40 distribution can be assumed in the future.
Germie Bernard (11-87-1) was the star of the passing game, hitting several quickly defined routes and scoring the final touchdown. It was the rare day that Aaron Rodgers focused on his two main wideouts – Bernard and DK Metcalf (11-93-0) saw 27 of his 44 pass attempts. I don’t know Metcalf’s matrix — he’s been inconsistent all year — but the Steelers should move the ball against New Orleans next week, so we’ll keep an open mind. Bernard is quickly entering the rookie of the year mix.
Other Week 6 Booms
—Whatever you paid for Chuba Hubbard in August, it was worth it. Hubbard had 28 great carries in Philadelphia, totaling 120 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers only used one other running back. Carolina’s line is getting healthier and Hubbard is often getting more than what is blocked. Hubbard faces a tough challenge against Tampa Bay’s forward next week, and then it’s a series of successful draws – Packers, Broncos, Saints. He looks like a possible league winner.
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— Jameis Winston is the type of quarterback who can be benched in any start, and that happened again in Week 6 against the Saints. And miracle of miracles, JJ McCarthy (243 yards, 11.6 YPA) actually moved the Giants into catch-up mode. Call it a garbage time if you want, but we’re just happy the ball continues to get to Malik Nabers (12-165-0, 15 targets) and Isaiah Likely (6-99-1, 11 targets). The Ravens have to blame themselves for their close calls, as they opted to keep Mark Andrews on an extension and let Likely out.
John Harbaugh has an interesting QB choice for next week against Houston. The Giants rest in Week 8.
Other Week 6 Busts
— The Ravens and Browns had a stone fight type game, with a measly 23 points and 472 total yards of offense. Tyler Huntley is obviously a backup quarterback, and Deshaun Watson should be one as well. At least Zay Flowers (66 yards, 11 targets) can hope for the eventual return of Lamar Jackson. The Browns have put together a nice receiving room, but there is no one to throw the ball.
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—I wanted to keep an open mind with Tanner McKee, but 4.8 YPA against a run-of-the-mill Carolina defense doesn’t feed the cat. At least McKee continued to get the ball to returning DeVonta Smith (7-75-1), who came home on 14 targets. Dallas Goedert was also a reasonable play (6-61-0, eight targets), and at least Dameon Pierce (50 yards) applied deodorant for a touchdown. Dallas is a big draw next week, but is McKee ready for now?
– Maybe the Rams aren’t the Super Team they’re cracked up to be. An 18-16 home loss to Arizona is embarrassing, and there’s nothing random about it — the Rams were outplayed and outplayed for three hours. A late rally lifted Puka Nacua to 6-80-0, but Davante Adams was quiet (3-39-0) and Tyler Higbee didn’t see a target (the Rams opted for a different tight end, as Colby Parkinson had five short catches and a late touchdown).
The Rams backfield was closer to a 50-50 split, with Kyren Williams handling 13 touches (67 yards) while Blake Corum had 11 (60 yards), including a touchdown. The Rams need to ask themselves some tough questions heading into next week’s game against the Raiders.
— While the Giants were able to support their two primary pass catchers, the running back room was the ultimate false promise. Najee Harris was announced as the starter pregame, but he did nothing – four carries, two yards. Cam Skattebo didn’t play at all. Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a few touchdowns (including a nifty catch-and-run), an eight-touch, 45-yard game. Devin Singletary also showed up, five touches and 33 yards.
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It’s a mess. The Giants are clearly not in love with Skattebo, but no one else here has major upside. Tracy came out with the touchdowns, but he was always a companion. I hope your running back desperation doesn’t push you to the Meadowlands this month.
Gn sports
