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In Week 5, we liked Detroit at Arizona, Buffalo at the Rams, San Francisco at Seattle, the Giants at Washington, and Baltimore at Atlanta. Our choices produced 66, 71, 61, 54, and 53 points, good for a 61-point average -- our best of the season. Across 20 selected games so far this season, we're averaging 54.4 combined points per game.
Now, Week 6 is here, and we've assembled five more matchups that give us both automatic starts capable of hitting their ceilings and players whose lineup value gets pushed upward based on the opponent. Here are the games that stand out this week.
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
This is our top overall choice because a high total (52.5 points) comes with a close spread, making a strong case for sustained offense on both sides.
For the Cowboys, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens are weekly locks. So is Javonte Williams, who has a plus matchup: the Packers rank 24th against the run and allow the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs. Season-ending injuries to Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Hargrave add to his upside. With four teams on bye (Bengals, Lions, Dolphins, Vikings), Jake Ferguson is a viable streamer.
On the other side, Jordan Love is attractive against a Dallas defense exploited weekly. Christian Watson (WR3) and Matthew Golden (WR11) are delivering at WR1 levels, and Tucker Kraft is gaining momentum. MarShawn Lloyd, coming off a two-touchdown, RB12 performance against the Bears, is an ideal streamer versus a defense allowing the eighth-most fantasy points.
Kaleb Johnson and Ryan Flournoy are emergency options.
Buffalo Bills at Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Allen gets a Raiders defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in a game with a 53.5 over/under. That alone puts this near the top.
Allen and James Cook III are automatic. DJ Moore missed Monday night's game against the Rams with a shoulder injury, so watch his status. If he's out, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid could all see their opportunities increase; Shakir offers the safer PPR floor, while Coleman's downfield role provides more explosive-play potential.
For the Raiders, Buffalo has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers, the third-most to quarterbacks, and the second-most to running backs. They're middle of the pack against tight ends, but Brock Bowers is matchup-proof.
Ashton Jeanty hasn't played well, but the matchup invites hope; if his foot injury lingers, Mike Washington Jr. matters. Kirk Cousins, at QB9, is more than a streamer. Tre Tucker is a deeper option if the six-point underdog Raiders must throw.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
This may be the week's best individual team matchup, but the 12.5-point spread makes it less attractive than the first two as a complete fantasy game. Still, a 52.5-point total is plenty attractive.
Arizona just surrendered 45 points to Detroit. The Rams are a concentrated group of fantasy stars primed to exploit that, as they did against Buffalo Monday night. Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, and Davante Adams all have significant ceiling potential, while Blake Corum and Tyler Higbee offer streaming appeal.
For the Cardinals, likely playing from behind, Jacoby Brissett, Trey McBride, Michael Wilson, and Jeremiyah Love are the relevant names. Wilson should keep seeing targets despite a poor showing in Detroit, and the Rams' advantage could create significant passing volume.
Tyler Allgeier and Kendrick Bourne are viable bye-week fill-ins; Elijah Higgins and Teagan Quitoriano aren't. Quitoriano's two touchdowns against the Lions came on two targets. Receiver Jalen Brooks bears watching before we move him into fill-in territory.
Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers
We featured both teams in Week 5, and a 50.5-point over/under and high-end options make a reasonable case for returning.
For San Francisco, Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Mike Evans form a formidable core, with the matchup enhancing their already considerable upside. Washington allows the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and the fourth-most to wide receivers and tight ends. Washington has allowed the second-fewest to running backs, but McCaffrey's receiving role (third on the team in targets) helps. With Deebo Samuel Sr. out multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, Brandin Cooks becomes a bye-week fill-in.
For the Commanders, Jayden Daniels reminded us of his upside last week with two touchdown runs. Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs (if he returns from a hamstring injury) are solid plays. Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White are replacement-level options, with White likelier to benefit from a negative script. Healthy again, Chig Okonkwo led the team in targets last week.
Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons
This is the Week 6 version of a positional-leverage selection. It has the lowest total (49.5 points) of the five, but a competitive spread makes it appealing. Quarterback health is central.
For Atlanta, Bijan Robinson and Drake London are the foundations. Michael Penix Jr. could become more interesting depending on the health of his ribs. If Penix is ruled out, Robinson and London are still must-start players, but an on-point Penix is the key to unlocking London's upside. Kyle Pitts Sr. remains a streaming option, and Brian Robinson Jr. is an emergency bye-week fill-in.
For Chicago, much depends on Caleb Williams, reportedly close to returning from his hamstring injury. His availability would materially improve the passing game, and the Falcons have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks and sixth-most to wide receivers. Williams, Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and Kalif Raymond are all in play. With Kyle Monangai expected to miss another week with a toe injury, D'Andre Swift, while also dealing with minor injury issues, should be locked into lineups. Colston Loveland, currently TE33 overall, is neither a lineup lock nor an appealing streaming option -- at least until we see signs of life.
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