Fantasy Football Week 6: Key Start and Sit Recommendations

As Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season approaches, fantasy football managers face critical decisions regarding their lineups. Here are some key recommendations for this week's matchups:

Quarterbacks

Start: Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

The Packers are projected to score 29.25 points against the Cincinnati Bengals, the highest team total this week. Despite a run-heavy offense, Love is expected to perform efficiently against a Bengals defense ranked 24th in EPA per dropback allowed.

Start: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Stafford, currently the QB14 in EPA per dropback and QB6 in fantasy points, benefits from the Rams' top-five pass rate over expectation. Facing a Baltimore Ravens defense that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, Stafford is poised for a strong performance.

Sit: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

The Los Angeles Chargers have been effective against quick passes, allowing the fourth-lowest yards per attempt and fifth-lowest touchdown rate on throws within 2.5 seconds. Given Tagovailoa's reliance on quick attempts, this matchup presents challenges. Additionally, the Dolphins are 4.5-point underdogs with a team total below 20.

Sit: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The Washington Commanders generate pressure at the 11th-highest rate, with a quick pressure rate of 27%, third-highest in the league. Williams has struggled under quick pressure, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt and holding a 37.3 PFF grade on such dropbacks, ranking last and second-to-last among qualified passers.

Running Backs

Start: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders

Croskey-Merritt has become the clear lead back, setting season-highs in snap rate (50%), carry share (61%), and route rate (38%). Leading the league with 6.6 yards per carry, he faces a Chicago Bears defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Start: J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos

Dobbins dominated the Broncos' backfield in Week 5, seeing 74% of the team's attempts and scoring a touchdown. With 12 red zone carries compared to RJ Harvey's four, Dobbins is set to continue his strong performance against a New York Jets defense that has conceded the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs.

Sit: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

With Tyjae Spears returning, Pollard's snap and carry shares decreased from 89% and 86% to 72% and 74%, respectively. As 4.5-point road underdogs, the Titans may struggle to establish a ground game, limiting Pollard's fantasy output.

Sit: Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

Since Jake Browning's three starts, the Bengals have called 42 running plays for their running backs, the second-fewest in the league. Brown has not exceeded 10 carries in a game since Joe Burrow's injury. Facing a 14-point deficit against the Packers, Brown's opportunities may remain limited.

Wide Receivers

Start: Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

In Week 4, Golden shifted to a slot role, running 75% of his routes from the slot and recording career-highs in targets (six), receptions (five), and yards (58). He faces a Bengals defense that has allowed the third-most yards and eighth-most receptions to slot receivers this year.

Start: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

The Carolina Panthers utilize zone coverage on 80% of defensive snaps. Pickens has excelled against zone, averaging 2.41 yards per route run, ranking 14th among wide receivers. With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, Pickens is expected to have an increased role.

Sit: DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cleveland Browns employ man coverage on 46% of snaps, the highest rate in the NFL. Metcalf has struggled against man coverage, averaging 0.69 yards per route run and being targeted on 11.1% of his routes. In a challenging matchup, he is considered a WR3 option.

Sit: Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

Hunter has been targeted on 15% of his routes, ranking outside the top 50 receivers. With a route rate of 69%, his role and target share are insufficient for reliable fantasy production.

Tight Ends

Start: Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins

Waller increased his route rate to 68% last week, earning a 15% target share with an average depth of target of 14 yards. Operating primarily as a wide receiver, he offers valuable fantasy potential at the tight end position.

Start: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

In three games without CeeDee Lamb, Ferguson has achieved a 28% target share, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game. With Lamb expected to miss Week 6 against the Panthers, Ferguson is a strong start.

Sit: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Andrews scored fewer than two points in two of three games without Isaiah Likely. Since Likely's return, Andrews' route participation has decreased to 61% from 74%. With Cooper Rush at quarterback, Andrews' fantasy prospects are diminished.

Sit: Evan Engram, Denver Broncos

Engram's recent performance and role in the Broncos' offense suggest limited fantasy value for Week 6.