Analysis
10/16/23
7 min read
2023 Fantasy Football: Takeaways From Every Week 6 Game
Here is one need-to-know takeaway from each NFL Week 6 contest, aimed at providing readers with immediately actionable fantasy football information.
Top 4 Takeaways
Buy Low On McLaurin With Favorable Schedule Ahead
The Washington Commanders equitably distributed the ball through their 2-3 start, funneling 27-to-31 targets to Terry McLaurin (31), Jahan Dotson (30) and Curtis Samuel (27).
In Week 6, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy smartly adjusted course, featuring McLaurin as their offensive centerpiece. McLaurin’s six first-quarter targets led all Week 6 pass catchers, and his 11 targets are his high this season. RB Brian Robinson (12 combined targets and rushing attempts) was the only Commander to challenge McLaurin for the touch-count lead.
Washington secured a 24-16 win against the Atlanta Falcons. The Commanders enter a dreamy five-week stretch facing exploitable pass defenses. The New York Giants’ (Weeks 7 and 11) 7.8 yards passing allowed per attempt are tied for fifth-most in the NFL.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ slot coverage, safety unit and defensive line are slowed by injury. Three of the New England Patriots' top four cornerbacks are on injured reserve. The Seattle Seahawks’ 257.6 yards passing per game are the fifth most in the NFL.
McLaurin failed to score a touchdown (six receptions on 11 targets for 81 yards receiving), which likely depresses his trade cost.
Buy Low On Chris Olave
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr played through an AC joint sprain in Weeks 4 and 5 but resumed practicing as a full participant in Week 6.
No. 1 WR Chris Olave has earned double-digit targets and produced at least 2.21 yards per route run (YPRR) in all four weeks where Carr was a full participant.
Olave’s Weeks 3 and 4 production dip — combined with his one 2023 touchdown — results in just 13.23 points-per-reception (PPR, WR23) on the year. His 17.20 PPR-point average in Weeks 1-3 and 6 more accurately represents his fantasy point-scoring potential. Even that range offers a conservative framework; his lone touchdown came in Week 5.
Carr’s average depth of target (ADOT) has increased by 0.8 yards passing per week in the last two games, affirming his successful healing process.
Olave is a screaming buy-low entering a four-game stretch against the Jacksonville Jaguars (13.3 yards allowed per wide receiver reception, No. 22), Indianapolis Colts (66.7 percent wide receiver catch rate allowed, tied for No. 20), Chicago Bears (13.5 yards allowed per wide receiver reception, No. 24) and Minnesota Vikings (75.2 percent wide receiver catch rate allowed, No. 31).
Zack Moss Remains RB2-Viable
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor returned from the PUP list in Week 5, but Zack Moss remains a featured player in Indianapolis’ offense. The table below reflects Taylor's and Moss’ Week 6 usage and results.
| IND RBs - Week 6 | Jonathan Taylor | Zack Moss |
| Rush Att. - Yards - TD | 8 - 19 - 0 | 7 - 21 - 1 |
| Rec./Tgt. - Yards - TD | 5/6 - 46 - 0 | 6/7 - 38 - 0 |
| 3rd/4th-Down-&-Long Snaps | 6 | 5 |
| 2-Min. Drill Snaps | 3 | 5 |
| TPRR - YPRR | 27.3% - 2.09 | 25.0% - 1.36 |
| Green Zone Snaps | 4 | 6 |
Moss’ shocking green zone usage and reliable passing-down role keep him on the RB2 radar.
Ingram Leads Arizona's Backfield
Arizona Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon turned the committee-lead reins over to 6-foot, 215-pound second-year RB Keaontay Ingram after James Conner’s knee injury.
The table below reflects the Arizona backfield’s Week 6 usage and results.
| ARI RBs in Week 6 | Keaontay Ingram | Damien Williams | Emari Demercado |
| Rush Att. - Yds - TD | 10 - 40 - 0 | 8 - 36 - 0 | 2 - 11 - 0 |
| Rec./Tgt. - Yds - TD | 2/2 - 11 - 0 | 1/1 - 8 - 0 | 1/1 - 6 - 0 |
| 3rd/4th-Down-&-Long Snaps | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 2-Min. Drill Snaps | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Green Zone Snaps | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Red Zone Snaps | 5 | 0 | 1 |
Remaining Storylines
Broncos Use RB Committee In Williams’ Return
Denver Broncos RB Javonte Williams ran well (4.30 yards after contact per rushing attempt) on a team-high 10 rushing attempts but earned zero targets. Samaje Perine took seven of eight total passing-down snaps, leaving one for Jaleel McLaughlin. McLaughlin tallied a backfield-high 11 routes run (two targets) and seven rushing attempts.
Tannehill Suffers Likely High Ankle Sprain
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill could miss four-plus weeks after re-injuring his surgically repaired right ankle.
#Titans QB Ryan Tannehill still in, limping heavily favoring his right leg. Right foot got trapped on a sack play, mechanism for high ankle sprain. Got taped. Tannehill had tightrope ankle surgery on that ankle (for a high ankle injury) last December. pic.twitter.com/ytBoNmEQzC
— DocFlynn (@DocFlynnNFL) October 15, 2023
No. 2 QB Malik Willis’ rushing-based upside is counterbalanced by his poor pocket awareness and tendency to take sacks. Tennessee faces the Atlanta Falcons’ 25th-ranked pass rush (30.5 percent quarterback pressure rate) after its Week 7 bye.
Willis is on the streaming radar.
Bears Rely on Foreman; Fields Hurt
The Chicago Bears leaned on big-bodied backup RB D’Onta Foreman (6-foot-1, 233 pounds) with their Nos. 1-3 running backs out. With Justin Fields suffering a throwing-hand injury, Foreman had 15 rushing attempts and one target.
Foreman’s 3.80 yards after contact per rushing attempt tied for sixth-highest among 20 Week 6 running backs with at least 10 rushing attempts.
He should retain an early-down rushing role against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. Fields’ injury requires both X-ray and MRI examination.
Smith-Njigba’s Usage Increases, Metcalf Hurt
Seattle Seahawks rookie WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted career-highs in routes run (33), ADOT (7.60), yards receiving (48) and YPRR (1.45). No. 1 WR DK Metcalf suffered a hip injury of unknown severity. Smith-Njigba’s buy-low window is closing.
McCaffrey, Samuel Exit, Backups Are Waiver Wire Targets
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey suffered an oblique strain.
Christian McCaffrey - report of oblique injury.
These core type injuries can be tricky to manage.
Different levels of severity but can linger for 3-5 weeks.
If you remember Jaylen Waddle dealt with a similar type injury for a larger chunk of this preseason.
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) October 15, 2023
WR Deebo Samuel was forced from the game due to a nonspecific shoulder injury. His X-rays were negative. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday.
If neither player misses time, fantasy managers should still expect coach Kyle Shanahan to lessen their workloads through the team’s Week 9 bye, creating opportunities for San Francisco’s talented backups.
Hubbard Plays Well In Full-Time Role
Carolina Panthers No. 2 RB Chuba Hubbard played well in Miles Sanders’ (shoulder) stead, totaling 90 yards from scrimmage, one reception and one touchdown rushing. He handled 81 percent of passing-down snaps and 66.6 percent of green zone snaps.
It was a strong showing entering Carolina’s Week 7 bye. Sanders has failed to eclipse 65 yards from scrimmage since Week 1, and coach Frank Reich can install Hubbard as the team’s rest-of-season lead running back.
Rookie TE Mayer Ascends In Weeks 5-6
Las Vegas Raiders second-round rookie TE Michael Mayer has crept onto the fantasy football radar during the past two weeks, averaging 3.00 YPRR, the second-most among 16 NFL tight ends with at least eight targets during that span. His 23.7 percent target per route run rate (TPRR) is the ninth best.
Mayer’s career-high 22 routes run in Week 6 coincides with teammate TE Austin Hooper dropping to a season-low nine routes run. Mayer is a Week 7 waiver wire target.
Lions' Williams Efficient After Suspension
Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams has logged 23 total snaps over the past two weeks, impressively averaging 26.1 percent TPRR and 2.39 YPRR. Williams’ hard-fought 43-yard touchdown reception likely earned him a fantasy-friendly role increase ahead of Detroit’s Week 7 impending shootout against the Baltimore Ravens’ elite pass defense.
Jameson Williams has arrived. What an adjustment to come down with the 45-yard TD.pic.twitter.com/J61sBqhH5a
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 15, 2023
Start Pass Catchers Against Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense has suffered a series of impactful injuries, severely impeding the team’s ability to stymie opposing passing games.
Philadelphia plays the Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys before its Week 10 bye, and fantasy football managers rostering pass catchers from those three teams should confidently start even moderately talented pass catchers against them.
#FlyEaglesFly defense remains elite but an injury cluster has formed in the secondary's interior, exacerbated by CB Darius Slay's knee injury.
S Justin Evans & Slot CB Avonte Maddox on IR
Safety/slot DB Sydney Brown out (hamstring)Future HoFer DT Jalen Carter also out (ankle) https://t.co/Kc3IeaEoAu
— Nic Bodiford (@NicBodifordNFL) October 15, 2023
Backup cornerbacks Eli Ricks (knee) and Bradley Roby (shoulder) also were injured late in Philadelphia’s Week 6 loss to the New York Jets.
Barkley’s Ankle Survives High-Volume Workload
New York Giants No. 1 RB Saquon Barkley returned from his multi-week high-ankle sprain to make a season-high 24 rushing attempts and play on 66.7 percent of the passing-down snaps. His 3.9 yards per rushing attempt reflects his still-healing status but he promisingly escaped the contest without suffering a re-injury. He is a high-volume RB1 in Week 7.
