Fantasy football thoughts for week six of the NFL

Image Courtesy of Bing

Playing fantasy football makes watching an NFL game a lot more complicated.  For example, I want the Bears to beat the Dolphins.  That used to be a straight forward proposition.  I would just root for the Bears.  Now I’m starting Tarik Cohen on my fantasy team, so I want the Bears to win and Cohen to get a lot of touches.  I also have Kenyan Drake on my team.  So, while I want the Bears to win, I’m okay with Drake putting up a lot of fantasy points.

Who scores more fantasy points, Drake or Cohen?

I actually think Drake could put up some points by being a receiver coming out of the Dolphins backfield.  Drake has been splitting time with Frank Gore, but I think Drake will be the more effective back against the Bears.  I’m also curious/hopeful to see if Cohen gets more touches at the expense of Jordan Howard.  Selfishly, I hope so.

I wish my RBs produced like my WRs

My receivers, along with Patrick Mahomes, have been carrying my fantasy team this season.  Devante Adams and DeAndre Hopkins have been both productive and consistent. I look for that to continue this week.  Hopkins goes up against a decent Bills defense.  I think he will do fine because of the extraordinary amount of targets he gets.  Adams goes up against a 49ers defense that is underwhelming, plus Aaron Rodgers is throwing to him.  That combination works in Adams favor.

Raiders are bad, but don't blame the cook

While the Raiders as a team have been woeful, TE Jared Cook has been a nice flex producer on my fantasy team.  I look for that trend to continue against the Seahawks.  

The Cook isn't bad, but how about the Garcon?

I have Pierre Garcon in my WR/RB slot.  He gets a lot of targets, but not a lot of results.  He’s picked up 9 fantasy points in each of the last two weeks.  I’m hoping for a little better this week.

Yes, I'm still bragging about drafting Mahomes

My best move in the fantasy draft was picking up Patrick Mahomes in the 8^th round of a 14 team draft.  I look for Patrick to do pretty well against the Patriots defense.  Overall, the Chiefs- Patriots matchup looks like one of the more enjoyable games of this NFL season.

Is 3.5 about right for the Texans over/under on sacks?

I have the Houston Texans defense this week. Their matchup against the Bills and their rookie QB, Josh Allen, looks to be favorable.  Allen will have his work cut out for him against the Texans pass rush.

Grab some bench

I finally benched Broncos RB, Royce Freeman.  Freeman has been effective with limited touches and has scored three TDs, but I need more out of a starting running back.

It's Texan against Texans

I started off by saying watching the NFL is more complicated when you play fantasy football. Another example of that is the Bills- Texans game.  While I have DeAndre Hopkins of the Texans, my opponent has DeShaun Watson and RB, Lamar Miller.  I have to hope that Watson is effective only when he’s throwing to Hopkins.  

Here's a potential problem

My opponent also has a pretty good set of receivers in Antonio Brown and Mike Evans.  Evans has a good matchup against the Falcons, but I not sold on Winston getting the ball to him.  Antonio Brown going up against the Bengals will be an interesting matchup.  I still like my WRs better.

Miscellaneous concerns

I’m counting on the Bears to suppress Dolphins WR, Kenny Stills.  Stills is a big play guy and I think he’s capable of pulling of a big play or two against the Bears, but I doubt he gets a lot of catches.

I’m also keeping an eye on Packers RB, Ty Montgomery and Raiders WR, Amari Cooper.  Montgomery doesn’t worry me much, though Cooper could be a problem against the Seahawks defense.  I have to hope Carr checks down to Cook rather than throwing to Cooper.

To me, the kickers are pretty much a wash.  I’ve got the Texans Josh Lambo while the opposition has  the Colts Adam Venateri.  

On it's wait and see

Finally, my opponent has the Eagles for his defense.  They put up 9 points last night.  If the Texans can match that total against the Bills, I’ll be happy.  All in all, I’m satisfied with my chances this week.