Week 6 DFS: Quarterback Report
For the third week in a row, four quarterbacks scored at least 30.00 fantasy points in four-point passing touchdown leagues. Justin Fields (35.80) was the best player in Week 5, lifting him to sixth in quarterback scoring (119.25 fantasy points). Josh Allen (32.35), Jalen Hurts (31.35), and Sam Howell (30.30) filled out the quarterback superfecta last week. In addition, Jared Goff (29.90), Desmond Ridder (29.45), and Brock Purdy (28.60) played at a high level.
Here’s a look at the top five quarterbacks after five games based on scoring average:
- Josh Allen (138.35)
- Justin Herbert (107.80 – four games)
- Jalen Hurts (126.70)
- Kirk Cousins (122.10)
- Tua Tagovailoa (120.80).
Let’s break down this week’s field in the FullTime Fantasy Week 6 DFS: Quarterback Report.
Top-Tier Options
Josh Allen, BUF (DK – $8,300/FD – $9,200)
Allen had a rushing touchdown in three consecutive games, but his running output (20/120/3) is well behind his previous two years (122/763/6 and 124/762/7). His two bright spots after five games are his completion rate (73.1) and yards per pass attempt (8.0), both career-best. Over the last two weeks, he gained 710 combined yards with eight touchdowns.
The Giants are league-average defending quarterbacks (19.10 FPPG), with two teams (SF – 310/2 and MIA – 308/2) passing for more than 300 yards. New York allowed at least three touchdowns in all five games. Offenses scored 18 touchdowns and nine field goals on 52 possessions (30.6 points per game). Their defense will give up rushing touchdowns (9). Field position due to turnovers (8) has favored their opponents.
Buffalo is a 15-point favorite, suggesting more run by the Bills, especially in the second half. Allen will get his touchdowns but needs 33.00 fantasy points to pay off.
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA (DK – $7,600/FD – $8,300)
After five games, Tagovailoa leads the NFL in passing yards (1,614), and Miami has done an excellent job slowing down the pass rush (six sacks). His completion rate (71.7) grades well while gaining an impressive 9.7 yards per pass attempt (8.9 in 2022). He tossed three touchdowns over his last two games while matching that total in interceptions. Tagovailoa played at a high level in Week 1 (466/3) and Week 3 (309/4). Over his last four starts, he averaged only 30.3 passes.
Carolina sits eighth in quarterback fantasy defense (16.74 FPPG) while showing the most risk in Week 5 (DET – 236/4). Their defense allowed 79 points and nine touchdowns in their last two road games, with much of the damage coming against the run (33/146/2 and 30/159/3).
The Dolphins lost De’Von Achane last week, but they will still run the ball well in this matchup. Miami has been exceptional running the ball at home (43/350/5 and 23/222/2), with Achane (18/203/2 and 11/151/1) doing much of the damage. Tagovailoa needs Carolina to score to help his passing opportunity. His floor should be 300 passing yards and three touchdowns, putting one touchdown away from an impact showing.
Mid-Tier Options
Justin Fields, CHI (DK – $7,300/FD – $8,500)
Fields has yet to deliver an impact game running the ball (9/59, 4/3/1, 11/47, 4/25, and 11/57), but he stepped up his passing production against Denver (335/4) and Washington (282/4). The Vikings held him 255 combined yards with one touchdown in 2022 while missing his home start. He’s on pace for 3,886 passing yards with 41 combined touchdowns.
The Vikings’ defense ranks 26th defending quarterbacks (22.30 FPPG), with Jalen Hurts (228 combined yards and three touchdowns) and Justin Herbert (416/3) having the best success. Minnesota continues to play well vs. the run (3.5 yards per rush), with four rushing touchdowns allowed.
Chicago’s defense allows 30 points per game. They allowed 19 touchdowns on 53 possessions, giving the Vikings plenty of chances to score even without Justin Jefferson. Fields is trending upward, and his matchup points to another playable game. His overall production in 2023 supports his current salary.
Kirk Cousins, MIN (DK – $7,100/FD – $8,000)
The last start by Cousins without Justin Jefferson came in the postseason in 2019 against the 49ers (172/1). That season, he passed for more than 300 yards in four games while averaging 29.6 passes per game. This year, Cousins averaged 299.6 passing yards, with 38.1% of his yards and 26.3% of his completions going to Jefferson. In their five matchups, the Vikings attempted more than 40 passes in four games (44, 44, 50, and 47). Cousins had his best value in Week 2 (364/4) and Week 3 (367/3). Last year, he passed for 521 yards and two touchdowns in his two games vs. the Bears.
Chicago came into last week with only two sacks over the first four matchups. An early lead vs. the Commanders led to five sacks while Washington attempted 51 passes (388/2). Two other teams passed for more than 300 yards (KC – 303/3 and TB – 317/1). The Bears allow 8.3 yards per pass attempt, with quarterbacks tossing 12 touchdowns.
The loss of Justin Jefferson puts Cousins in the contrarian column in Week 6. The Bears’ defense has plenty of risk, and Minnesota will attempt many passes. I expect a competitive game in yards, but he needs at least three touchdowns to work at his current salary.
Low-Value Options
Joe Burrow, CIN (DK – $6,300/FD – $7,500)
The Bengals’ offenses played much better last week, highlighted by the great game by Ja’Marr Chase (15/192/3) and an uptick in play by Joe Burrow (317/3). He completed a season-high 36 passes, highlighted by a 63-yard touchdown to Chase. Despite the improvement, Burrow ranks 26th in quarterback scoring (69.55), a mere 69.80 fantasy points behind Josh Allen. He’s gaining only 5.3 yards per pass attempt, with questionable receiving options behind his top wideout with Tee Higgins injured.
Seattle ranks 22nd against quarterbacks (21.46 FPPG), with weakness in two games (DET – 323/3 and CAR – 372/2). The defense struggled in three games (20/262, 14/216/3, and 24/287/2) vs. wide receivers. Their run defense (3.2 yards per rush) has been better than expected over their first four games. The addition of S Jamal Adams should help the Seahawks’ overall defensive play.
Burrow has a lot of work to do to reach his draft status in the season-long games. The Bengals would love for him to come out of this game with no step back with his calf issue, as they have a bye in Week 7. The bet here is Chase, but Burrow needs someone else to become productive in the passing game to reach a winnable number in the daily contests.
Matthew Stafford, LAR (DK – $6,100/FD – $7,300)
My early thought for Week 6 is that Stafford will be my go-to quarterback. He passed for 300 yards in three games (334/0, 307/1, and 319/1) despite not having Cooper Kupp in any of those matchups. His best wide receiver (Kupp – 8/118 on 12 targets) hit the ground running against the Eagles, giving LA two front-line wideouts based on the early success of Puka Nacua (46/572/2). In his only game vs. the Cardinals in 2022, Stafford passed for 249 yards with no touchdowns.
Arizona sits 29th in quarterback defense (24.74 FPPG), with failure in two games (NYG – 380/3 and CIN – 324/3). Wide receivers already have 79 catches for 991 yards and four touchdowns on 106 targets. The Cardinals allow 7.8 yards per pass attempt with better-than-expected pressure on the quarterback (15 sacks).
Over the last two games, Arizona allowed 39 points and nine touchdowns (eight offensive). The Rams’ offense looks poised to start scoring more points, but they have had success rushing the ball at the goal line (five scores). Stafford must clean up his interceptions (5) if LA wants to get back in the playoff hunt. I expect 300 passing yards and three scores, as long as Kyren Williams doesn’t snipe the in-close touchdowns.
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