Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 6: Debating Difficult Fantasy Football Lineup Decisions
There are plenty of tough lineup decisions for fantasy football managers to make in a given week. Now, there are likely even more considering we've reached the point in the NFL season in which some teams will be out of action.
The pool of available players has gotten smaller for Week 6, as the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans all have byes this week. If you've been relying on a player or two (or even more) from these teams, you may be contemplating several others as potential fill-ins.
So, here's some start/sit advice to possibly help with some of the tougher decisions that fantasy managers may be facing for Week 6.
Start 'Em: Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
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It may not feel quite right to bench a quarterback such as the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers or the Denver Broncos Russell Wilson in favor of Geno Smith, but it actually makes sense in 2022. That's because Smith has emerged as a strong fantasy QB early in his first season with the Seattle Seahawks.
The 32-year-old Smith has been putting up big numbers in recent weeks. He's had multiple touchdown passes in each of his past three games, including a season-high three in Seattle's Week 5 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Smith had back-to-back 300-plus-yard passing games in Weeks 3 and 4, then threw for 268 yards last week.
Even though the Seahawks are 2-3, Smith is showing no signs of slowing down. He's poised for another strong showing this week against the Arizona Cardinals, who are giving up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks among all teams (per NFL.com).
So, feel confident in starting Smith this week, even over some of the bigger names such as Rodgers or Wilson. Smith may not stay this productive for the entire season, but he should fare well in a great home matchup against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Sit 'Em: Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
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It may be tempting to start Tyler Allgeier this week, given his recent uptick in involvement in the Falcons' offense. But the rookie running back shouldn't be trusted in a challenging matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Allgeier has some long-term fantasy value, as he should keep getting better as he gains experience. He had 104 total yards in Atlanta's Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns, and he had a season-high 13 carries for 45 yards in a Week 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs are strong at stopping the run, but the 49ers are even better. San Francisco is allowing an NFL-low 71.4 rushing yards per game, so it's going to be difficult for Allgeier or any other Atlanta player to be productive on the ground this week.
There should be times later in the year in which Allgeier will be fantasy relevant. But that's not going to be the case in Week 6.
Start 'Em: Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Many fantasy managers have likely been disappointed with Christian Kirk's performance over the past two weeks. After he got off to a tremendous start in his first season in Jacksonville, the 25-year-old wide receiver has been much less productive of late.
Over his past two games, Kirk has only three catches for 71 yards. He had a lone 11-yard reception in the Jaguars' Week 5 loss to the Houston Texans. Those disappointing showings came after Kirk had 18 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns through three weeks.
But Kirk should get back on track in Week 6, especially because Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence has still been trying to get him the ball. Plus, the Jags are facing the Colts for a second time, and Kirk had six catches for 78 yards and a season-high two touchdowns against them in Week 2.
Kirk may not put up quite that many points again this time, but he should get back into the end zone in Indianapolis. Expect a bounce-back performance that will reward the fantasy managers who stick with him this week.
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