I'll be honest, I had to take a break from this.
Getting shellacked in fantasy contests week in and week out, I felt guilty giving out fantasy advice from a position of a loser.
Going into Sunday, I thought I was going to push it back yet another week. I had just gotten handed 18.8 points from my opponent, thanks to Chris Carson, with the team still having Alvin Kamara, DeAndre Hopkins and T.Y. Hilton up to play. I was hopeless.
However, I underestimated the confusing results fantasy can provide, as Josh Jacobs' 27.8 points against one of the best defenses in football swung the decision in my favor. Thus, I'm at a 2-3 record, so I'm not a complete loser.
At least until this week, when I play a squad with Russell Wilson, Aaron Jones, Derrick Henry, Keenan Allen and Tyler Boyd on it.
Onto the weekly DFS lineup, based on DraftKings values as of Wednesday.
QB: Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (at KC, $6,700)
Watson finally had his breakout game of the season last week, hitting five touchdowns against a hopeless Atlanta defense. The formula seems simple, keep Watson upright, he'll perform. He's been efficient, passing for 11 TDs to just one interception, while adding a running threat with three scores on the ground.
Coughing up the rock has been one issue, with the third-year pro fumbling six times thus far, but fumble luck saw the Texans keep both of his drops last Sunday. Much like the Falcons, the Chiefs cannot generate much of a pass rush. If Watson has even 80% of the time he had last week, he'll make things happen.
RB1: Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions (at GB, $5,400)
Now here's a value. Despite lackluster results during the Lions' 2-0-1 start, the team kept believing in Johnson, upping his carries to 26 against Kansas City in an attempt to keep Patrick Mahomes off the field. The Nebraska product delivered during the near-victory, putting up 125 yards, as well as two catches for 32 yards.
The workload is there, the team is more decent than most expected, and Green Bay's lack of a solid rush defense is a positive mix. When the only issue in someone is not finding the endzone (only two offensive TDs so far), I rest easy. Touchdowns are a true crapshoot, only determined by game-planning and opportunity. Johnson still has the opportunity, and with a price less than guys like Joe Mixon and Sony Michel, I'll take it.
RB2: James White, New England Patriots (vs NYG, $5,100)
What will happen more during Thursday's broadcast of this game; White grabbing an easy 12-yard swing pass against a weak Giants defense, or clips of the David Tyree catch in Super Bowl XLII?
My money is on White. Bill Belichek is going to be out for blood this week, knowing it'll be the last time he shares the same field with an active (though not playing) Eli Manning. Remember the October 18, 2009, 59-0 Pats win over the Titans, when the score could've been a lot higher? Yeah, The Hoodie doesn't care how many points it is this week. White cashes in with at least one TD.
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (at KC, $7,400)
Going heavy on the wideouts this week, starting with one of the game's most electric. Though he hasn't scored a touchdown, or had a 100-yard game, since Week 1 in New Orleans, this is the week to jump back onto Nuk. A high-scoring affair is almost ensured. The Colts were able to turn last weeks' high over/under total into a slugfest, thanks to a punishing running game. The Texans are a different story, since I don't think Carlos Hyde or the (surprisingly efficient) Duke Johnson will factor in as much as the Colts' Marlon Mack and Jordan Wilkins did.
Make no mistake, despite a TD drought, Hopkins is still Watson's favorite target from anywhere on the field. After catching seven of eight targets last week, the Hopkins bounce-back continues against KC.
WR2: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (vs SF, $7,100)
The west coast's answer to Julian Edelman, Kupp has looked fantastic coming off of an ACL tear last season. Per the Los Angeles Times, Kupp became an even speedier player following the injury, after studying his stride to eliminate imperfections. He is now measured between 1.5 and two miles per hour faster than before, which is scary for any team preparing for him, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks.
With Richard Sherman most likely taking on the challenge of Woods, Kupp will be free to catch at will, as he has done through the first five weeks. He has 41 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns, numbers reserved for the top of the receiver heap. Perhaps analysts will start referring to Kupp in that group soon. In his worst game of the season, a Week 1 dogfight with Carolina, he still caught seven balls. Keep a spot for Kupp.
WR3: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons (at ARI, $5,700)
The Alabama product has not taken the second-year leap many expected, but remains a high-ceiling play. Much of the trepidation with Ridley is being part of a three-headed group with Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu. While Matt Ryan does seem to take turns in who he favors, he definitely favored Ridley last week, giving him a team-high nine targets against Houston.
A matchup against Arizona is just what the reeling Falcons needed, as they dispatched the Cardinals at home last season, 40-14. Ridley caught five passes in that one, and I expect at least a repeat of that performance, if not more.
TE: Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles (at MIN, $5,400)
Most reliable tight end outside of a Chiefs uniform. No reasoning here, I just love this guy.
Flex: Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons (at ARI, $4,500)
My backup in case Ridley doesn't have a great day. Julio can't have all the targets, and Austin Hooper is mainly used on third downs and redzone opportunities. Sanu grabs chunks of yardage while the Falcons are driving, and they'll be doing a lot of driving against the Cardinals. He has at least four catches every game, making him an easy plug-in at a price reserved for boom-or-bust candidates.
D/ST: Miami Dolphins (vs WSH, $2,700)
Oh yes, you read that right. With a lot of close matchups this week on paper, I'm going with the game that will produce the least amount of points, and least amount of viewers. The Denver-Tennessee matchup is similarly intriguing for the low-scoring option, but neither team turns the ball over enough to make the defenses worthwhile. The Dolphins can give up 28 points, lose, but they'll still sleepwalk into one or two turnovers against Washington.
Here are the week six rankings. These will be updated to take out the Thursday players, as well as to account for any injuries.
QB:
1. Patrick Mahomes, KC (vs Hou)
2. Deshaun Watson, HOU (at KC)
3. Lamar Jackson, BAL (vs Cin)
4. Matt Ryan, ATL (at Ari)
5. Tom Brady, NE (vs NY Giants)
6. Dak Prescott, DAL (at NY Jets)
7. Kyler Murray, ARI (vs Atl)
8. Russell Wilson, SEA (at Cle)
9. Jared Goff, LAR (vs SF)
10. Jameis Winston, TB (vs Car)
11. Philip Rivers, LAC (vs Pit)
12. Baker Mayfield, CLE (vs Sea)
13. Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs Det)
14. Matthew Stafford, DET (at GB)
15. Carson Wentz, PHI (at Min)
16. Kyle Allen, CAR (at TB)
17. Gardner Minshew II, JAX (vs NO)
18. Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (at LA Rams)
19. Colt McCoy, WSH (at Mia)
20. Kirk Cousins, MIN (vs Phi)
21. Andy Dalton, CIN (at Bal)
22. Devlin Hodges, PIT (at LA Chargers)
23. Sam Darnold, NYJ (vs Dal)
24. Josh Rosen, MIA (vs Wsh)
25. Daniel Jones, NYG (at NE)
26. Teddy Bridgewater, NO (at Jax)
27. Joe Flacco, DEN (vs Ten)
28. Marcus Mariota, TEN (at Den)
RB:
1. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (at TB)
2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (at NY Jets)
3. David Johnson, ARI (vs Atl)
4. Alvin Kamara, NO (at Jax)
5. Nick Chubb, CLE (vs Sea)
6. Dalvin Cook, MIN (vs Phi)
7. Le'Veon Bell, NYJ (vs Dal)
8. Mark Ingram II, BAL (vs Cin)
9. Aaron Jones, GB (vs Det)
10. Leonard Fournette, JAX (vs NO)
11. Chris Carson, SEA (at Cle)
12. Todd Gurley II, LAR (vs SF)
13. Kerryon Johnson, DET (at GB)
14. Melvin Gordon, LAC (vs Pit)
15. James Conner, PIT (at LA Chargers)
16. Devonta Freeman, ATL (at Ari)
17. James White, NE (vs NY Giants)
18. Derrick Henry, TEN (at Den)
19. Joe Mixon, CIN (at Bal)
20. Phillip Lindsay, DEN (vs Ten)
21. Austin Ekeler, LAC (vs Pit)
22. Sony Michel, NE (vs NY Giants)
23. Kenyan Drake, MIA (vs Wsh)
24. Damien Williams, KC (vs Hou)
25. Carlos Hyde, HOU (at KC)
26. Ronald Jones II, TB (vs Car)
27. Tevin Coleman, SF (at LA Rams)
28. Jordan Howard, PHI (at Min)
29. Chris Thompson, WSH (at Mia)
30. Duke Johnson, HOU (at KC)
31. Peyton Barber, TB (vs Car)
32. Matt Breida, SF (at LA Rams)
33. Miles Sanders, PHI (at Min)
34. Jonathan Hilliman, NYG (at NE)
35. Adrian Peterson, WSH (at Mia)
36. Royce Freeman, DEN (vs Ten)
37. LeSean McCoy, KC (vs Hou)
38. Ito Smith, ATL (at Ari)
39. Gus Edwards, BAL (vs Cin)
40. Rex Burkhead, NE (vs NY Giants)
41. Rashaad Penny, SEA (at Cle)
42. Mark Walton, MIA (vs Wsh)
43. Jamaal Williams, GB (vs Det)
44. Giovani Bernard, CIN (at Bal)
45. Benny Snell Jr., PIT (at LA Chargers)
46. Raheem Mostert, SF (at LA Rams)
47. Chase Edmonds, ARI (vs Atl)
48. Latavius Murray, NO (at Jax)
49. Malcolm Brown, LAR (vs SF)
50. Elijhaa Penny, NYG (at NE)
51. Dion Lewis, TEN (at Den)
52. Alexander Mattison, MIN (vs Phi)
53. Kalen Ballage, MIA (vs Wsh)
54. Dare Ogunbowale, TB (vs Car)
WR:
1. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (at KC)
2. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (vs Sea)
3. Julio Jones, ATL (at Ari)
4. Amari Cooper, DAL (at NY Jets)
5. Keenan Allen, LAC (vs Pit)
6. Tyreek Hill, KC (vs Hou)
7. Michael Thomas, NO (at Jax)
8. Adam Thielen, MIN (vs Phi)
9. Cooper Kupp, LAR (vs SF)
10. Chris Godwin, TB (vs Car)
11. Julian Edelman, NE (vs NY Giants)
12. Kenny Golladay, DET (at GB)
13. Davante Adams, GB (vs Det)
14. Mike Evans, TB (vs Car)
15. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (vs Atl)
16. DJ Moore, CAR (at TB)
17. DJ Chark Jr., JAX (vs NO)
18. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (at LA Chargers)
19. Marquise Brown, BAL (vs Cin)
20. Tyler Boyd, CIN (at Bal)
21. Sammy Watkins, KC (vs Hou)
22. Michael Gallup, DAL (vs NY Jets)
23. Alshon Jeffery, PHI (at Min)
24. Josh Gordon, NE (vs NY Giants)
25. Terry McLaurin, WSH (at Mia)
26. Jarvis Landry, CLE (vs Sea)
27. Stefon Diggs, MIN (vs Phi)
28. Will Fuller V, HOU (at KC)
29. Calvin Ridley, ATL (at Ari)
30. Christian Kirk, ARI (vs Atl)
31. Robert Woods, LAR (vs SF)
32. Deebo Samuel, SF (at LA Rams)
33. Brandin Cooks, LAR (vs SF)
34. Curtis Samuel, CAR (at TB)
35. Golden Tate, NYG (at NE)
36. Courtland Sutton, DEN (vs Ten)
37. Dede Westbrook, JAX (vs NO)
38. Mike Williams, LAC (vs Pit)
39. Preston Williams, MIA (vs Wsh)
40. Jamison Crowder, NYJ (vs Dal)
41. Marquise Goodwin, SF (at LA Rams)
42. Marvin Jones Jr., DET (at GB)
43. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (vs Det)
44. Diontae Johnson, PIT (at LA Chargers)
45. Auden Tate, CIN (at Bal)
46. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN (vs Ten)
47. Phillip Dorsett II, NE (vs NY Giants)
48. DeVante Parker, MIA (vs Wsh)
49. Robby Anderson, NYJ (vs Dal)
50. Randall Cobb, DAL (at NY Jets)
51. Mohamed Sanu, ATL (at Ari)
52. Geronimo Allison, GB (vs Det)
53. Danny Amendola, DET (at GB)
54. Darius Slayton, NYG (at NE)
TE:
1. Travis Kelce, KC (vs Hou)
2. George Kittle, SF (at LA Rams)
3. Zach Ertz, PHI (at Min)
4. Mark Andrews, BAL (vs Cin)
5. Austin Hooper, ATL (at Ari)
6. Jimmy Graham, GB (vs Det)
7. Will Dissly, SEA (at Cle)
8. Vance McDonald, PIT (at LA Chargers)
9. Delanie Walker, TEN (at Den)
10. Jason Witten, DAL (vs NY Jets)
11. Vernon Davis, WSH (at Mia)
12. Greg Olsen, CAR (at TB)
13. O.J. Howard, TB (vs Car)
14. T.J. Hockenson, DET (at GB)
15. Tyler Eifert, CIN (at Bal)
16. Jared Cook, NO (at Jax)
17. Jordan Akins, HOU (at KC)
18. Geoff Swaim, JAX (vs NO)
19. Matt LaCosse, NE (vs NY Giants)
20. Gerald Everett, LAR (vs SF)
21. Ricky Seals-Jones, CLE (vs Sea)
22. Noah Fant, DEN (vs Ten)
23. Chris Herndon, NYJ (vs Dal)
24. Rhett Ellison, NYG (at NE)
25. Hayden Hurst, BAL (vs Cin)
26. Mercedes Lewis, GB (vs Det)
27. Tyler Higbee, LAR (vs SF)
28. Cameron Brate, TB (vs Car)
29. Dallas Goedert, PHI (at Min)
D/ST:
1. Patriots (vs NY Giants)
2. Cowboys (at NY Jets)
3. Ravens (vs Cin)
4. Jaguars (vs NO)
5. Titans (at Den)
6. Rams (vs SF)
7. Chargers (vs Pit)
8. Broncos (vs Ten)
9. Saints (at Jax)
10. Eagles (at Min)
11. Packers (vs Det)
12. Panthers (at TB)
13. Steelers (at LA Chargers)
14. Vikings (vs Phi)
15. 49ers (vs LA Rams)
16. Seahawks (at Cle)
17. Browns (vs Sea)
18. Bengals (at Bal)
19. Cardinals (vs Atl)
20. Texans (at KC)
21. Redskins (at Mia)
22. Dolphins (vs Wsh)
23. Buccaneers (vs Car)
24. Lions (at GB)
25. Falcons (at Ari)
26. Jets (vs Dal)
27. Chiefs (vs Hou)
28. Giants (at NE)
K:
1. Greg Zuerlein, LAR (vs SF)
2. Mike Nugent, NE (vs NY Giants)
3. Ka'imi Fairbairn, HOU (at KC)
4. Brett Maher, DAL (at NY Jets)
5. Zane Gonzalez, ARI (vs Atl)
6. Mason Crosby, GB (vs Det)
7. Joey Slye, CAR (at TB)
8. Dustin Hopkins, WSH (at Mia)
9. Jason Sanders, MIA (vs Wsh)
10. Harrison Butker, KC (vs Hou)
11. Matt Bryant, ATL (at Ari)
12. Justin Tucker, BAL (vs Cin)
13. Jason Myers, SEA (at Cle)
14. Austin Seibert, CLE (vs Sea)
15. Jake Elliott, PHI (at Min)
16. Chase McLaughlin, LAC (vs Pit)
17. Matt Gay, TB (vs Car)
18. Matt Prater, DET (at GB)
19. Dan Bailey, MIN (vs Phi)
20. Josh Lambo, JAX (vs NO)
21. Chris Boswell, PIT (at LA Chargers)
22. Robbie Gould, SF (at LA Rams)
23. Brandon McManus, DEN (vs Ten)
24. Wil Lutz, NO (at Jax)
25. Randy Bullock, CIN (at Bal)
26. Sam Ficken, NYJ (vs Dal)
Flex Top 100:
1. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (RB1)
2. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (RB2)
3. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (WR1)
4. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (WR2)
5. Julio Jones, ATL (WR3)
6. Amari Cooper, DAL (WR4)
7. Keenan Allen, LAC (WR5)
8. Tyreek Hill, KC (WR6)
9. Travis Kelce, KC (TE1)
10. David Johnson, ARI (RB3)
11. Alvin Kamara, NO (RB4)
12. Nick Chubb, CLE (RB5)
13. Michael Thomas, NO (WR7)
14. Dalvin Cook, MIN (RB6)
15. Adam Thielen, MIN (WR8)
16. Cooper Kupp, LAR (WR9)
17. George Kittle, SF (TE2)
18. Chris Godwin, TB (WR10)
19. Le'Veon Bell, NYJ (RB7)
20. Mark Ingram II, BAL (RB8)
21. Aaron Jones, GB (RB9)
22. Julian Edelman, NE (WR11)
23. Kenny Golladay, DET (WR12)
24. Zach Ertz, PHI (TE3)
25. Leonard Fournette, JAX (RB10)
26. Chris Carson, SEA (RB11)
27. Davante Adams, GB (WR13)
28. Mike Evans, TB (WR14)
29. Todd Gurley II, LAR (RB12)
30. Kerryon Johnson, DET (RB13)
31. Melvin Gordon, LAC (RB14)
32. James Conner, PIT (RB15)
33. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI (WR15)
34. DJ Moore, CAR (WR16)
35. DJ Chark Jr., JAX (WR17)
36. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (WR18)
37. Mark Andrews, BAL (TE4)
38. Devonta Freeman, ATL (RB16)
39. James White, NE (RB17)
40. Derrick Henry, TEN (RB18)
41. Marquise Brown, BAL (WR19)
42. Joe Mixon, CIN (RB19)
43. Phillip Lindsay, DEN (RB20)
44. Tyler Boyd, CIN (WR20)
45. Sammy Watkins, KC (WR21)
46. Austin Ekeler, LAC (RB21)
47. Michael Gallup, DAL (WR22)
48. Alshon Jeffery, PHI (WR23)
49. Sony Michel, NE (RB22)
50. Austin Hooper, ATL (TE5)
51. Josh Gordon, NE (WR24)
52. Terry McLaurin, WSH (WR25)
53. Jarvis Landry, CLE (WR26)
54. Stefon Diggs, MIN (WR27)
55. Will Fuller V, HOU (WR28)
56. Calvin Ridley, ATL (WR29)
57. Christian Kirk, ARI (WR30)
58. Robert Woods, LAR (WR31)
59. Jimmy Graham, GB (TE6)
60. Will Dissly, SEA (TE7)
61. Kenyan Drake, MIA (RB23)
62. Damien Williams, KC (RB24)
63. Carlos Hyde, HOU (RB25)
64. Deebo Samuel, SF (WR32)
65. Brandin Cooks, LAR (WR33)
66. Curtis Samuel, CAR (WR34)
67. Ronald Jones II, TB (RB26)
68. Tevin Coleman, SF (RB27)
69. Jordan Howard, PHI (RB28)
70. Chris Thompson, WSH (RB29)
71. Duke Johnson, HOU (RB30)
72. Golden Tate, NYG (WR35)
73. Peyton Barber, TB (RB31)
74. Matt Breida, SF (RB32)
75. Miles Sanders, PHI (RB33)
76. Jonathan Hilliman, NYG (RB34)
77. Adrian Peterson, WSH (RB35)
78. Vance McDonald, PIT (TE8)
79. Courtland Sutton, DEN (WR36)
80. Dede Westbrook, JAX (WR37)
81. Mike Williams, LAC (WR38)
82. Delanie Walker, TEN (TE9)
83. Royce Freeman, DEN (RB36)
84. LeSean McCoy, KC (RB37)
85. Ito Smith, ATL (RB38)
86. Jason Witten, DAL (TE10)
87. Vernon Davis, WSH (TE11)
88. Preston Williams, MIA (WR39)
89. Jamison Crowder, NYJ (WR40)
90. Marquise Goodwin, SF (WR41)
91. Marvin Jones Jr., DET (WR42)
92. Greg Olsen, CAR (TE12)
93. O.J. Howard, TB (TE13)
94. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (WR43)
95. Diontae Johnson, PIT (WR44)
96. Gus Edwards, BAL (RB39)
97. Rex Burkhead, NE (RB40)
98. Rashaad Penny, SEA (RB41)
99. Auden Tate, CIN (WR45)
100. T.J. Hockenson, DET (TE14)