- Starts of the Week — not sit-your-studs: This list highlights players poised to exceed expectations, with a confidence tag at the end of each outlook. Use it to make tough lineup decisions — not to bench your stars.
- Matthew Stafford is the top streaming option: Coming off a down week, Stafford now faces a Ravens defense that just gave up 44 points to Houston and is allowing 24.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. With a favorable matchup for Puka Nacua, per the PFF Matchup Tool, Stafford brings volume and multi-touchdown upside.
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Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert is in a classic bounce-back spot this week. After posting just 15.6 fantasy points last week, he now faces a Dolphins defense that ranks last in overall PFF grade and is allowing 20.4 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks.
Confidence Rating: Top-10 QB1
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Stafford profiles as one of the top streaming and DFS options heading into Week 6. He’ll face a Ravens defense that was just torched for 44 points by the Texans and remains banged up in the secondary. Baltimore is allowing 24.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and Puka Nacua has a favorable matchup edge this week, per the PFF Matchup Tool.
Confidence Rating: Top-five potential
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Williams looks to stay hot coming off the bye, currently ranking as the QB6 in fantasy points per game. He draws a favorable matchup against a Commanders defense that ranks dead last in PFF coverage grade and plays zone coverage at the third-highest rate in the league. That’s notable for Rome Odunze, who has racked up 51 PPR points against zone this season while averaging 0.43 PPR points per route run.
Expect the Caleb-to-Odunze stack to keep rolling in Week 6.
Confidence Rating: High-end QB1
Wide Receivers
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
McMillan draws the easiest wide receiver matchup of the week, according to the PFF Matchup Tool, and he’s in a prime spot to post the best fantasy game of his young career.
The first-year wideout ranks fourth in the NFL in explosive plays (15-plus-yard receptions), while the Dallas defense has allowed the eighth-most explosive plays to wideouts this season (20). He’s also been the focal point of Carolina’s passing game, posting a 28.8% adjusted target share, more than eight percentage points higher than any other Panther. With both volume and big-play potential, McMillan is a strong Week 6 start.
Confidence Rating: Strong-upside WR2
Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
Troy Franklin is in a strong position for one of his best fantasy outings of the season, according to the PFF Matchup Tool.
The Jets have quietly struggled against secondary receivers, allowing over 14 PPR points per game to opposing WR2s. Franklin draws a favorable individual matchup against Malachi Moore, whom he’s projected to face most often. With his vertical speed and an expanding role in Denver’s passing attack, Franklin’s combination of matchup advantage and big-play upside makes him a solid Week 6 start.
Confidence Rating: Mid-tier WR2, high-end flex
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
After a slow start to the season, Calvin Ridley is set up for a bounce-back in Week 6. There was plenty of preseason excitement with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward under center, and this matchup offers a prime opportunity for that connection to finally click.
Ridley faces a Raiders defense that ranks 30th in overall PFF grade. According to PFF's Strength of Schedule Tool, the Titans have the second-easiest matchup for quarterbacks and the third-easiest for wide receivers this week. Expect the Ward-to-Ridley connection to be on full display in Week 6.
Confidence Rating: Upside WR2
Running Backs
Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
Dowdle gets a perfect revenge-game setup against the Cowboys.
Dallas ranks dead last in PFF’s run-defense grade, while Carolina’s offensive line ranks fifth in run-blocking. With Chuba Hubbard expected to be inactive again, Dowdle should have every opportunity to find running lanes and rack up yardage. Add in the easiest running back matchup of the week, and the stage is set for Dowdle to deliver back-to-back strong fantasy performances.
Confidence Rating: High-end RB2, Low-end RB1
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
With Antonio Gibson out for the season, Rhamondre Stevenson’s role is set to grow heading into Week 6.
Touches this season:
- Rhamondre Stevenson: 51
- TreVeyon Henderson: 47
- Antonio Gibson: 27
Those 27 vacated touches are now up for grabs, and Stevenson is likely to command the larger share. He remains the clear goal-line option in this offense and draws a favorable matchup against a Saints defense that ranks 20th in PFF’s overall grade, opening the door for both efficiency and scoring chances.
The combination of increased volume and touchdown upside makes Stevenson a solid fantasy start.
Confidence Rating: Upside RB2
J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
This is shaping up to be J.K. Dobbins’ best game as a Bronco.
The Jets have allowed 120-plus rushing yards in all but one game this season — including three games with over 175 — and now face the league’s top-ranked offensive line, per PFF grades. According to the PFF Matchup Tool, this is one of the most favorable spots for any running back in Week 6. With Denver likely to play from ahead, the game script should tilt in Dobbins’ favor, setting him up for a heavy workload and a potential breakout performance.
Confidence Rating: High-end RB2
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