Fantasy Football Week 6: Big-Play Performers Sure To Be Point Machines
As we roll into Week 6 of the fantasy football season, it's time to take a good look at some of the best big-play threats for the week.
These are the game changers, the guys most likely to win you your week on a single, spectacular play. Maybe they don't score, but a strong yards per catch or carry average helps them to have a fantastic week, regardless.
Maybe they're going against a vulnerable defense, or maybe they're too good for it to matter. Either way, these are the big value players in Week 6.
They're ranked based on big play potential, match-ups, and their projected totals for Week 6. We'll start at the bottom.
20. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
1 of 20
Why He's a Big Play Machine: Best is an explosive talent, capable of breaking off a monster play every week. His potential rests on Calvin Johnson's health, as the talented wideout keeps opponents from stacking the box against Best.
Who's the Matchup: The Giants rank 16th against opposing running backs, but they're vulnerable to giving up big plays, which Best excels at racking up.
Big Play Potential: 4.5 out of 10. New York could contain Best, but he ought to have a solid game.
The Verdict: 15 carries, 80 yards.
19. Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans
2 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Britt is big, rangy, has good hands, and is finally living up to his potential. He had a huge Week 5 performance, and Vince Young is starting to trust him.
Who’s the Match-up: The Jacksonville secondary can be beaten in a multitude of different ways, but they're especially vulnerable over the top.
Big Play Potential: 4.5 out of 10. Britt hasn't had a massive yardage game yet, but one should be coming soon.
Final Verdict: 5 catches, 85 yards.
18. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
3 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Davis finally awoke from his slumber in Week 5, racking up 104 yards on 5 catches, and scoring a touchdown against the Eagles.
Who’s the Match-up: The Niners host the Raiders, who have struggled to contain opposing tight ends in 2010.
Big Play Potential: 5 of 10. Davis is the most reliable receiver in San Fran, and quarterback Alex Smith should look for him early and often.
Final Verdict: 6 catches, 85 yards.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
17. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets
4 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Tomlinson has revived his career in New York, routinely gashing opponents for the kind of gains he was known for in his prime.
Who’s the Matchup: Denver's run defense was excellent early in the year, but they've struggled mightily in recent weeks, including giving up 213 yards and 3 scores to the Ravens last week.
Big Play Potential: 5 out of 10. Because Tomlinson shares the backfield work, he might not get enough carries to rack up a huge game, but should be valuable nonetheless.
Final Verdict: 15 carries, 90 yards.
16. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
5 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Austin has blossomed into one of the NFL's best wideouts in 2010, routinely putting up 100 yard receiving performances despite his lack of raw physical talent.
Who’s the Match-up: Minnesota's defense has been formidable this year, and their pass rush should hurt the number of big plays Austin can take part in.
Big Play Potential: 5 of 10. Austin's been fantastic in 2010, but the Vikings pass rush poses potential issues for him.
Final Verdict: 7 catches, 90 yards.
15. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
6 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Peterson's been the NFL's most productive running back by a long shot in 2010, averaging 18.4 points per week. It doesn't seem to matter who they're facing, Peterson will rip off a big gainer or two.
Who’s the Matchup: Another tough one in store for the Vikings, who face a Cowboys defense who locked down opposing running backs the first two weeks, but gave up over 100 rushing yards the last two.
Big Play Potential: 5 out of 10. Peterson should have a solid game regardless, but might not blow up this week.
Final Verdict: 20 carries, 90 yards.
14. Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland Raiders
7 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Murphy is the quintessential big-play wideout, racking up big yardage totals without getting many catches. He's incredibly fast and has excellent hands.
Who’s the Match-up: The Raiders have a juicy Week 6 match-up against a 49ers defense that has looked a little lost in 2010.
Big Play Potential: 5 of 10. It's possible the Raiders don't give Murphy enough looks to make a big impact, but it's unlikely that that will happen.
Final Verdict: 5 catches, 90 yards.
13. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
8 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Even when Johnson's hurting for the last couple of weeks, he's been an excellent receiver.
Who’s the Matchup: Kansas City's not terrible, but they can't handle Johnson, even on one leg.
Big Play Potential: 5 out of 10. Johnson's injury might keep him from an epic day, but he should be a strong player regardless.
Final Verdict: 7 catches, 95 yards.
12. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
9 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Wallace is the Steelers' best deep threat, and they've got Ben Roethlisberger's cannon to throw to him this week.
Who’s the Match-up: The Browns defense has gotten lit up by two different quarterbacks in the AFC North. Expect Big Ben and Mike Wallace to make it three.
Big Play Potential: 5.5 out of 10. Wallace is itching to catch some deep bombs.
Final Verdict: 6 catches, 95 yards.
11. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
10 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Gates has been downright unstoppable in 2010, racking up massive games like they were routine.
Who’s the Match-up: St. Louis has been good against opposing tight ends, but they haven't faced one of Gates' stature before.
Big Play Potential: 5.5 out of 10.
Final Verdict: 10 catches, 95 yards.
10. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos
11 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Lloyd has been one of the biggest surprises of 2010, becoming Denver's most reliable receiver.
Who’s the Match-up: The Jets' defense has struggled mightily against the pass in 2010, ranking 29th against opposing wideouts thus far.
Big Play Potential: 5.5 out of 10. Perhaps the Jets figure it out this week. But don't bet on them containing everyone, particularly Lloyd.
Final Verdict: 8 catches, 95 yards.
9. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
12 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: White has been beating double teams all year and racking up 100 yard games the way Braylon Edwards racks up dropped passes.
Who’s the Match-up: Philly's defense is incredibly vulnerable against opposing deep threats, and White's one of the league's best.
Big Play Potential: 6.5 out of 10. The Eagles could shut down White, but it doesn't seem terribly likely.
Final Verdict: 7 catches, 100 yards.
8. Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers
13 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Floyd has developed quite a connection with quarterback Philip Rivers, and is quickly making fans forget about Vincent Jackson.
Who’s the Match-up: The Chargers get the St. Louis Rams this week, who are slowly sinking in the standings against opposing wideouts.
Big Play Potential: 6.5 out of 10. Did you see what he did last week?
Final Verdict: 6 catches, 100 yards.
7. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
14 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Bradshaw's one of the NFL's most explosive running backs, capable of ripping off a massive gain at any point.
Who’s the Match-up: The Lions' run defense is one of the NFL's softest, and Bradshaw is fully capable of blowing them to bits.
Big Play Potential: 7 out of 10. Ahmad will gash the Lions at least once, the question is, can he do it multiple times?
Final Verdict: 20 carries, 100 yards.
6. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
15 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Nicks is the best wideout in New York right now, racking up big plays on a regular basis in 2010.
Who’s the Match-up: Detroit's defense lacks the corners to contain the talented Nicks, and his hands make him a logical deep and red zone target.
Big Play Potential: 7 out of 10. Hakeem will get his points, but with the way the Giants spread the ball around, he might not have one of those epic performances.
Final Verdict: 7 catches, 100 yards.
5. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
16 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Boldin has blown up some of the NFL's best pass defenses, and he and quarterback Joe Flacco have quite the connection.
Who’s the Match-up: The Patriots' defense has been flat out awful against the pass this season, and there's no one in their secondary who can keep up with Anquan.
Big Play Potential: 7.5 out of 10. Boldin is primed for another big game this week.
Final Verdict: 9 catches, 110 yards.
4. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
17 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Turner is one of the NFL's better backs, and with the workload the Falcons heap on him, he's a prime candidate to break one off every week.
Who’s the Match-up: Philadelphia's defense can't stop anyone, and Turner has thrived against the league's poor defenses in 2010.
Big Play Potential: 8 out of 10. Turner should have a fantastic game this week.
Final Verdict: 25 carries, 115 yards.
3. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
18 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Johnson is the most explosive runner in football, capable of going off for a monster game at any time. He's had some struggles in 2010, but make no mistake; he's one of the league's elite backs.
Who’s the Match-up: Jacksonville can't handle a talent like Johnson; expect him to run roughshod this week.
Big Play Potential: 9 out of 10. He's as close to a lock as you'll see this week.
Final Verdict: 25 carries, 120 yards.
2. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
19 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Gore's versatility and talent make him a two-way big play candidate, and he's been as reliable as anyone in the NFL in 2010.
Who’s the Match-up: The Raiders rank dead last against the run in 2010, and Gore has thrived against poor defenses.
Big Play Potential: 9.5 out of 10. He'll rip one off this week, don't you worry.
Final Verdict: 20 carries, 110 yards, plus 10 more receiving yards.
1. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
20 of 20
Why He’s a Big Play Machine: Wayne has been Peyton Manning's go-to receiver in 2010, and has flashed the ability to light up weak defenses. He gets one this week, so why can't he go off again?
Who’s the Match-up: Washington's defense can't seem to stop anyone from having a big game, and Wayne is one of the league's best wideouts.
Big Play Potential: 10 out of 10. It's a virtual lock.
Final Verdict: 10 catches, 130 yards.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")