Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: Jameis Winston ready to make up for lost time

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There are a lot of big-name players missing in Week 6 with New Orleans and Detroit on a bye, as well as our usual allotment of injuries. We're starting to see Fantasy owners have to really manage their rosters without some stars.

It's easy to do in most 10-team leagues or smaller, but those of you in 12-team leagues or larger could be scrambling. And this could be a crucial week for those of you with a record under .500 in your league.

You should be aggressive with trades if you need to win now. Don't hold onto guys who are out like Le'Veon Bell or Leonard Fournette when you can get players in return who can help you this week. You can figure out your starting lineup down the road — if you make it that far — but don't be stubborn and just watch your season end without a fight.

On the other hand, if you are 3-2 or better in your leagues, try to poach a star player from someone's roster if that team is struggling. For example, package two or three middle-tier players for a star, and you might be able to get someone on your team who could be a difference-maker in the Fantasy playoffs.

Roster management isn't just about adds and drops and finding the right starting lineup. You can always tweak your roster. And making a trade could help you win your league.

As for your lineup suggestions, we're here to help you with that. Hopefully, you'll make the right decisions in Week 6 and continue your path to the Fantasy playoffs.

Editor's Note: Projections are provided by SportsLine.com. Projected points are for PPR leagues.

Start of the Week

Jameis Winston is making his first start in 2018 after serving a three-game suspension to open the year, and he came off the bench in Week 4 in favor of Ryan Fitzpatrick. But now he gets his job back in Week 6 following Tampa Bay's bye week, and he should have the chance for a big game.

Facing the Falcons is a perfect setup since every quarterback has had success in this matchup. Since Atlanta's defense started falling apart in Week 1 due to injuries all over the place, the past four opposing quarterbacks — Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger — have all scored at least 27 Fantasy points against the Falcons.

Collectively, that group has combined for 1,318 passing yards, 14 total touchdowns and three interceptions against this defense. And now Winston gets his turn to post some eye-popping stats.

In his past three starts against Atlanta going back to 2016, Winston has passed for 841 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception, so he's used to beating up the Falcons. And he should deliver a big performance in his first start in Week 6.

I'm starting Winston over: Deshaun Watson (vs. BUF), Ben Roethlisberger (at CIN), Philip Rivers (at CLE), Cam Newton (at WAS) and Carson Wentz (at NYG)

Quarterback

Sleepers

• Derek Carr (vs. SEA): Carr only has one game with multiple touchdowns this season, but he's No. 5 in the NFL in passing yards. Seattle hasn't exactly faced a gauntlet of top quarterbacks this season, and Carr has the chance for his second-best Fantasy game of the season. He's worth using in two-quarterback leagues.
  
• Case Keenum (vs. LAR): The Rams defense has struggled of late with Philip Rivers, Cousins and Russell Wilson combining for 846 passing yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Keenum just scored 25 Fantasy points in Week 5 at the Jets, and he could have similar production this week given the matchup.
  
• C.J. Beathard (at GB): He's scored at least 20 Fantasy points in consecutive weeks against the Chargers and Cardinals, and he should be chasing points this week at Green Bay, which could lead to garbage-time production. The Packers have allowed three of their past four opposing quarterbacks to throw multiple touchdowns, with Cousins in Week 2, Alex Smith in Week 3 and Matthew Stafford last week.
  

Bust Alert

Wentz has done a nice job in his past two games, and he's scored at least 23 Fantasy points in both outings. But he has a terrible track record against the Giants, with just 692 passing yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in three career games. Watson in Week 3 is the lone quarterback with 20-plus Fantasy points against the Giants, including matchups against Drew Brees and Cam Newton, and New York should get pass rusher Olivier Vernon (ankle) on the field for the first time this year. Wentz should be considered a low-end starting option this week, but I'm nervous about his production, especially since he's been sacked 12 times in three games.

Running backs

Sleepers

• Wendell Smallwood (at NYG): Smallwood and Corey Clement are expected to share the workload with Jay Ajayi (ACL) out, and I like Smallwood better in Week 6 since he's healthy. Long-term, Clement could be the best Eagles running back, but he hasn't played for the past two games. Smallwood has scored 17 PPR points in two of his past three games, and the Giants have allowed a running back to score in every game this year.
• Bilal Powell (vs. IND): Isaiah Crowell (ankle) returned to practice Friday after sitting out all week, but he's expected to be a game-time decision in Week 6 against the Colts. If Crowell is out or limited, we could see more work for Powell in a favorable matchup. The Colts have allowed a running back to score or gain at least 90 total yards in four of five games this season, and Powell has at least seven PPR points in every game this year. If Crowell plays then consider Powell a flex option. But if Crowell is out then Powell would be a must-start Fantasy running back in all leagues.
• Nyheim Hines (at NYJ): Even if Marlon Mack (hamstring) plays this week, I'm still rolling with Hines in PPR. He has at least five catches in four of five games, including 16 catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 20 targets in his past two outings. The Jets are tied for No. 7 with most receptions allowed to running backs at 34.
  
• Alfred Morris (at GB): Morris is expected to start for the injured Matt Breida (ankle), and he should be looking at a heavy workload, even with Raheem Mostert and Kyle Juszczyk expected to get some touches. Green Bay has yet to allow a running back to score at home, but the Packers have allowed five running backs to either score or gain 80 total yards for the season.
  
• Aaron Jones (vs. SF): I'm going to stick with Jones this week despite Packers coach Mike McCarthy not wanting to use one of his most talented players in a featured role. I get that Jamaal Williams and Ty Montgomery should get touches, but Green Bay should give Jones a bigger role. And this is the perfect spot to do it in a home game against a bad team. The 49ers have allowed five running backs to either score or gain at least 90 total yards this season.
  

Bust Alert

Unless McCoy is traded to Philadelphia in advance of Thursday's game, I'm not playing him this week as anything more than a flex option. He just had his best game of the season in Week 5 against Tennessee with 24 carries for 85 yards and two catches for 23 yards, but I don't think the problems with Buffalo's offense are solved yet. And now McCoy has to face a Houston defense that has allowed just one rushing touchdown on the season. The Texans have struggled with pass-catching running backs, so maybe McCoy can have some production through the air, but he should not be considered a must-start option based on what happened in Week 5.

Wide receiver

Sleepers

• Keke Coutee (vs. BUF): Coutee has done well for the past two games with 17 catches for 160 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets, and he should continue to be heavily involved as the slot receiver for the Texans. Non-No. 1 receivers have done well against Buffalo this year, so there's a chance for Coutee and Will Fuller to have big performances in Week 6.
  
• John Brown (at TEN): Brown just had his worst game of the season in Week 5 at Cleveland despite seeing a season-high 14 targets. He managed just four catches for 58 yards, but he should get back on track this week against the Titans. Tennessee has struggled with big-play receivers like Brown, and this is a good week for Joe Flacco to take some shots with him down the field.
  
• Josh Gordon (vs. KC): His playing time continues to increase, and he scored his first touchdown in his second game with the Patriots in Week 5 against the Colts. With this expected to be a high-scoring affair, and facing a beatable Chiefs secondary, you should consider Gordon a high-ceiling play as a No. 3 Fantasy receiver. Once he gets fully comfortable with Tom Brady and this offense, look out, because the production could be special.
  
• Chester Rogers (at NYJ): Rogers has come alive the past two games with T.Y. Hilton in and out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, and Hilton could be out again in Week 6 at the Jets. In his absence, Rogers has 22 targets for 16 catches and 151 yards. He's still looking for his first touchdown, but you'll be thrilled with his average of 16 PPR points over the past two weeks.
  
• Mohamed Sanu (vs. TB): This will be the Julio Jones breakout game because the Buccaneers defense is so bad, but don't overlook Calvin Ridley and Sanu also playing well. And Sanu has scored at least 15 PPR points in three games in a row. Tampa Bay has allowed nine receivers to either score or gain at least 100 total yards in just four games this year.
  

Bust Alert

Even though Robinson scored in Week 4 against Tampa Bay, he still had a modest stat line despite the Bears blowing out the Buccaneers 48-10. Robinson had just two catches for 23 yards and a touchdown on four targets. He now has three games with 10 PPR points or less, and he should struggle this week at Miami. The Dolphins have given up some big games this year to Quincy Enunwa, Jordy Nelson and A.J. Green, but only three receivers have scored against Miami. And Robinson clearly has not been dominant in finding the end zone. I actually like Taylor Gabriel better than Robinson this week since he will spend the most time in the slot and avoid Dolphins' cornerback Xavien Howard. Robinson should be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver this week at best.

Tight end

Sleepers

• C.J. Uzomah (vs. PIT): With Tyler Eifert (ankle) out and Tyler Kroft (foot) hurt, Uzomah should get a bigger bump in targets in Week 6 against the Steelers. And Pittsburgh is No. 2 behind Tampa Bay in Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Five tight ends have already scored at least 10 PPR points against the Steelers.
  
• David Njoku (vs. LAC): Njoku just had his best game of the season in Week 5 against Baltimore with six catches for 69 yards on 11 targets, and hopefully he will build off that performance this week. With Rashard Higgins (knee) out for Cleveland, hopefully we'll see Njoku get another game with double-digit targets against the Chargers.
  
• Geoff Swaim (vs. JAC): Swaim has scored at least eight PPR points in three games in a row, and he should continue to get plenty of looks in Dallas' lackluster receiving corps. In the past two weeks, Jacksonville has allowed a tight end to score and gain 100 receiving yards, with Jordan Leggett in Week 4 and Travis Kelce last week. Swaim is a good streaming option in Week 6.
  

Bust Alert

I'm hopeful Burton will continue to increase his role with the Bears coming off their Week 5 bye, but he has six or fewer targets in every game this season. He has four or fewer catches in all four games, and he's been saved in two games by scoring touchdowns. This week, he has a tough matchup at Miami, and the Dolphins have been stingy against tight ends all season. No tight end has scored against Miami, including matchups with Jared Cook and Rob Gronkowski. We'll see if Burton can be the first to find the end zone against the Dolphins, but it's hard to trust him this week. He's a low-end starting option at best in the majority of leagues.

Defense/Special teams

Start 'Em

Packers (vs. SF) – 12.8 projected points

The last time the Packers were in this spot at home against an inferior opponent was Week 4 against Buffalo, and they shut out the Bills with seven sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. In two starts with C.J. Beathard, the 49ers have given up five sacks, four interceptions and one DST touchdown against the Chargers and Cardinals. The Packers DST is a top five Fantasy option in Week 6.

Sleepers

• Seahawks (at OAK): Derek Carr has thrown five interceptions in the past three games, and he's been sacked nine times over that span. Oakland also just scored 10 points in Week 5 against the Chargers.
  
• Panthers (at WAS): The Redskins are beat up on offense due to injuries and have to face a Panthers defense getting healthy with the return of linebacker Thomas Davis from a four-game suspension. Against New Orleans in Week 5, Washington gave up three sacks, an interception and scored just 19 points.
  
• Cowboys (vs. JAC): The Jaguars are beat up on their offensive line, and Blake Bortles was just a turnover machine at Kansas City in Week 5, giving it away five times. Jacksonville has also allowed 10 sacks in the past three games.
  

Sit 'Em

Broncos (vs. LAR) – 5.9 projected points

The Broncos defense is no longer trustworthy, and the DST has been downright awful for the past four games. The unit has combined for 13 Fantasy points over that span with just five sacks and two turnovers. Now, the Broncos get to face the Rams, and this offense should destroy this defense based on how both teams are playing. The only reason to keep the Broncos DST is for the matchup at Arizona in Week 7, but even then it will be hard to trust this unit based on recent play.

Kicker

Start 'Em

The kicker revenge game is in full effect this week with Janikowski facing his former team. He spent 18 years in Oakland, and we'll see how he does against the Raiders in London. It helps that the Raiders have allowed four kickers to make multiple field goals against them, and Janikowski should add to that total. He has 20 Fantasy points in his past two games against the Cardinals and Rams.

Sleepers

• Cairo Santos (at DEN): Santos is expected to remain the Rams kicker for at least one more week while Greg Zuerlein (groin) is out, and he was productive in Week 5 at Seattle with two field goals and three extra points. The Broncos have allowed a kicker to make multiple field goals against them in four games in a row.
  
• Cody Parkey (at MIA): Another kicker revenge game since Parkey spent 2017 with the Dolphins. He's doing great with the Bears this year and has scored 27 Fantasy points in his past two games. Miami has allowed four kickers to make multiple field goals this year.
  
• Ryan Succop (vs. BAL): Succop has been a solid Fantasy kicker to start the season, and he should be used in most leagues this week against the Ravens at home. He's scored at least nine Fantasy points in all five games, and he already has two games this season with at least three field goals.
  

Sit 'Em

We'll see who ends up playing for the Redskins this week with a lot of injuries on the offensive side of the ball, and the Panthers are getting healthy with Thomas Davis coming back from his four-game suspension. Carolina has been stingy against opposing kickers with only Aldrick Rosas in Week 5 making multiple field goals, and Hopkins only has one game this season with double digits in Fantasy points, which was Week 2 against the Colts.

So who should you sit and start? And what shocking QB could win you Week 6? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy football rankings for every single position, and see which shocking QB finishes in the top 10 this week, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.