Fantasy Football Week 6: Rankings and Advice for Thursday Night Football
Divisional matchups are always fun, aren't they? The teams know each other well, and it seems like the inevitable quirkiness we observe in nondivisional matchups is lessened, which is good for fantasy football.
Heading in to Thursday night, the Atlanta Falcons come with a high-powered offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones.
However, Jones is a bit banged up and is expected to be on what's being dubbed as a "pitch count," per NFL Media's Tiffany Blackmon (via NFL.com's Kevin Patra).
The New Orleans Saints are definitely not the team that won the Super Bowl oh so many years ago. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks hasn't been catching a ton of passes like we all expected him to. However, wide receiver and waiver-wire wonder Willie Snead seems to be the deep target and focal point of the Drew Brees-led offense.
Additionally, Falcons wide receiver Leonard Hankerson is flourshing (minus Week 5, of course) after finding a place in this Kyle Shanahan offense.
These short-week Thursday night games always have a chance to be a bit of a borefest, but let's hope that a divisional matchup can end that trend.
Big Board
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| Rank | Player | Pos. | Team |
| 1 | Willie Snead | WR | New Orleans Saints |
| 2 | Devonta Freeman | RB | Atlanta Falcons |
| 3 | Leonard Hankerson | WR | Atlanta Falcons |
| 4 | Jacob Tamme | TE | Atlanta Falcons |
| 5 | Matt Ryan | QB | Atlanta Falcons |
| 6 | Mark Ingram | RB | New Orleans Saints |
| 7 | Drew Brees | QB | New Orleans Saints |
| 8 | Brandin Cooks | WR | New Orleans Saints |
| 9 | C.J. Spiller | RB | New Orleans Saints |
| 10 | Julio Jones | WR | Atlanta Falcons |
Injury Report
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Atlanta Falcons
Player | Status | |
Julio Jones | WR | Probable |
Leonard Hankerson | WR | Probable |
Devonta Freeman | RB | Probable |
According to Tiffany Blackmon of NFL Media, Jones will play on Thursday Night Football.
New Orleans Saints
Player | Status | |
Marques Colston | WR | Doubtful |
While it's highly unlikely Colston suits up Thursday night, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the injury is not a long-term concern.
Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.
Quarterbacks
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Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan
Heading into Thursday night, Ryan is tied with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco for the No. 11 spot among fantasy quarterbacks.
Ryan has a fantastic matchup this week against a New Orleans defense that has given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and right around 273 passing yards per game.
Also, the Saints have allowed close to two touchdowns a game to opposing quarterbacks.
Although wide receiver Julio Jones is nicked up, Ryan will look to get running back Devonta Freeman and wide receiver Leonard Hankerson more involved in the passing game.
The Falcons are 5-0, and Ryan's arm will help not only your fantasy team, but will also lead his Falcons to another win.
Projections: 280 passing yards, 2 TDs
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
Although Brees has joined the 400 passing touchdown club, one club he is not a part of is the elite fantasy quarterbacks.
Heading into his Thursday night matchup, Brees is the No. 20 fantasy quarterback, behind Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookies Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, respectively.
Here's an oddity, though: The Falcons give up the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, but actually give up more yards per game than the Saints.
However, the Falcons have surrendered three fewer passing touchdowns and have picked off opposing quarterbacks four more times.
Brees has had high yardage totals this season, going over 300 yards in three games. Expect a modest game from Brees on Thursday night.
Projections: 275 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
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Running Backs
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Atlanta Falcons Starter: Devonta Freeman
I'll be the first to admit it—I was not a believer in Freeman heading into the season.
Freeman seems to have found a comfortable fit within offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's system.
Going into Thursday, Freeman has a decent matchup with a defense that is the 10th-most generous unit in terms of fantasy points allowed to the running back position. The Saints are allowing close to a rushing touchdown per game.
However, Freeman has been utilized quite a bit in the passing game, and the Saints have allowed an average of nearly five receptions per game to opposing running backs.
Freeman won't post his (seemingly) usual 200-yard stat line on Thursday Night Football, but he will be an RB1 no less.
Projections: 18 carries, 85 rushing yards, 1 TD; 5 receptions, 35 receiving yards
New Orleans Saints Starter: Mark Ingram
Juicy matchup alert!
The Falcons have given up the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs and have surrendered eight rushing touchdowns.
While three of those were to Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle, Ingram is poised for a very healthy stat line.
Ingram is also a fantastic daily fantasy play.
Projections: 16 carries, 75 rushing yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 20 receiving yards
New Orleans Saints: C.J. Spiller
Outside of the long touchdown catch against the Cowboys in Week 4's overtime win, Spiller has been very mediocre to this point.
Like Ingram, Spiller has a good matchup.
The Falcons are giving up close to 10 receptions and 83 receiving yards per game to opposing running backs.
Spiller is a solid flex play in Week 6.
Projections: 3 carries, 10 rushing yards; 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Wide Receivers
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Atlanta Falcons: Julio Jones
In case you've been living under a rock for the last few days, you know that Jones is coming into this game with a hamstring injury.
If the whole "pitch count" report on Jones is true, he's going to put his owners in a bind when it comes to deciding whether to start him or not.
I'm here to answer that for you.
Start Jones. Yes, it's risky, but a 50 percent Jones is better than a huge chunk of the other wide receivers in the league. However, he's not a daily fantasy option.
I'll project a modest line. Better to be safe than sorry.
Projections: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Hankerson
It's no secret that Hankerson is quite clearly the No. 2 wide receiver on the Atlanta Falcons roster, supplanting veteran wide receiver Roddy White.
Hankerson is ailing heading into this one, but don't let that sway you away from starting him.
He's finding paydirt this week.
Projections: 6 receptions, 85 receiving yards, 1 TD
Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White
With the news of Jones' injury, White owners may actually see some production from the wideout—something that has been absent all season.
Don't hold your breath, though. If you have better options, go with them.
Projections: 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards
New Orleans Saints: Brandin Cooks
Likely drafted as one of, if not your top wide receiver this season, Cooks has failed to live up to those expectations. However, Cooks did reward his faithful owners in Week 5 with a garbage-time touchdown.
Both the Falcons and the Saints are fairly stingy against wide receivers, but Cooks should produce enough to be on the WR3 radar this week.
Projections: 6 receptions, 55 receiving yards
New Orleans Saints: Willie Snead
Not only is Snead a great story, but he's also a pretty darn good football player.
Based on Snead's 17.3 yards-per-reception average, he's clearly the deep threat for quarterback Drew Brees.
Shame on you if you missed out on Snead! He's going to reward his owners again this week.
Projections: 6 receptions, 110 receiving yards, 1 TD
New Orleans Saints: Brandon Coleman
Coming into the season, it was hard to ignore Coleman.
What's not to like about him? He's big, fast and physically imposing.
However, since Week 1, that hasn't translated to the field. Coleman has caught more than one pass in just one game since.
Coleman is a desperation flex option in Week 6.
Projections: 3 receptions, 25 receiving yards
Tight Ends
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Atlanta Falcons Starter: Jacob Tamme
Tamme has been a roller-coaster play this season, but in a good way.
Coming into the 2015 season, no one really expected Tamme to do anything of fantasy relevance.
However, Tamme has had two games of five or more targets and 75 or more receiving yards.
Tamme gets another plus matchup this week against the Saints, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends this season, allowing six receptions per game to this position.
Tamme is a solid tight end streaming option this week.
I'll be bold here and say Tamme finds the end zone.
Projections: 6 receptions, 80 receiving yards, 1 TD
New Orleans Saints Starter: Josh Hill
Coming into the season, many expected Hill to be much more involved in this Saints offense.
However, he has just four receptions on the season.
Hill is off fantasy radars.
Projections: 1 reception, 5 receiving yards
Defense/Special Teams
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Atlanta Falcons Defense/Special Teams
If one thing is for certain, it's that new head coach Dan Quinn has definitely instilled new life in this Falcons defense.
If you'll recall, last season's defense was, for the lack of a better term, not very good.
The Falcons are tied for first in the league in defensive touchdowns this season. Those aren't something you can predict.
The Falcons are a low-end defensive unit this week.
Projections: 20 points allowed, 1 INT, 1 sack
New Orleans Saints Defense/Special Teams
The Saints defense/special teams unit has not been a fantasy defense you want to own this season. The trend will continue this week when they take on the high-powered Falcons offense.
Projections: 27 points allowed, 2 sacks
Best Sleeper Adds
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Leonard Hankerson, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Owned in 55.7 percent of ESPN Leagues)
Owned in more leagues than what normally constitutes being labeled a "sleeper," Hankerson is a must-own wide receiver. In a week where fellow wide receiver Julio Jones is dealing with injuries, he's undoubtedly a must-add.
Willie Snead, WR, New Orleans Saints (Owned in 51.2 percent of ESPN Leagues)
Again, owned in more leagues than normal "sleepers," Snead is quite clearly the most productive wide receiver on the Saints. He, like Hankerson, is not only a must-add for this week, but for the long haul as well. They're going to help you win your league.
Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons (Owned in 2.9 percent of ESPN Leagues)
While Tamme is far from an every-week starter, he has a very favorable matchup. As pointed out earlier in this column, the Saints allow gaudy numbers to tight ends. He's an exceptional streaming option or bye-week fill-in.
Start or Sit?
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Jacob Tamme, TE, Atlanta Falcons
He's projected to have a touchdown, has a fantastic matchup and is a top sleeper for this game. What more do you want from me?
Verdict: Start
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Making his first (and last) appearance on this slide, it's tough to sit Jones regardless of the injuries. Don't get cute, play him regardless.
Verdict: Start
All advanced stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Fantasy scoring numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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