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Predicting studs and duds for NFL Week 6

Jordy Nelson

NFL Week 6 is here with 14 fantastic matchups on the schedule. Three NFL squads are still winless after five games. Sadly the 0-5 New York Giants and a mystery squad of pass-catchers will be up against one of the league’s fiercest defenses. We predict a certain defensive back could be cut out for a field day when he meets up with Eli Manning.

Speaking of defenses, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to build on their five-interception performance last week Might they have the opportunity facing a young Los Angeles Rams quarterback surely hoping not to fall victim to the Ben Roethlisberger syndrome?

Lastly, four teams should be returning refreshed, from their byes. Will revitalized Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan finally look like his league MVP self again?

We have analyzed the matchups and have predicted the following studs and duds for NFL Week 6.

Stud: C.J. Anderson, running back, Denver Broncos

C.J. Anderson

Anderson will be coming fresh from a bye and has an amazing home matchup against those forlorn Giants. This is a beaten-down squad that just let Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon rush for 105 yards on 20 carries. Overall, the Giants are allowing on average 4.5 yards per carry and 139 total rushing yards per game. This should suit Anderson just fine as he has been averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. Plus, we don’t see the Broncos falling behind this game at all and having to abandon the ground game. Run C.J., run.

Dud: Jay Ajayi, running back, Miami Dolphins

Ajayi’s rushing yards improved this past week, but when will he score his first touchdown on the season? It might not come in a road game matchup against the Falcons. Atlanta has allowed only two rushing scores in four games and the Dolphins likely will not have the luxury of running the ball much in this tilt. Per the usual, quarterback Jay Cutler will probably be perplexed finding ways to keep his offense on the field. When he does, he should be flinging plenty of footballs to his receivers, leaving Ajayi, once again, in the cold.

Stud: Terrance Mitchell, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs 

Mitchell and the Chiefs will look to remain undefeated when they host the distraught Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. This is a sad cast of opponents that watched their own quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, completely implode in a five-interception performance.  We can see where Mitchell looks to factor in. He and the Chiefs are probably studying up those tapes that saw Roethlisberger complete perfect passes to his opponent’s defense. Through five games, Mitchell has tallied two interceptions, defended nine passes and has 24 combined tackles. Facing Big Ben, Mitchell could deliver a stud performance. That’s magnified with Marcus Peters set to go up against Antonio Brown on the other side.

Dud: Nelson Agholor, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

From week to week, Agholor’s performances are like watching a yo-yo. He is likely driving his fantasy football owners up the wall as such. After 93 total yards and a 72-yard touchdown game last week, we predict a pedestrian performance this time around. The Eagles hit the road for a quick turnaround matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is giving up just 9.1 yards on average per catch which is the second-fewest in the league. The Panthers have also allowed just five wide receivers to score in as many games. Unfortunately, Agholor’s stock could drop in this matchup.

Stud: Terrelle Pryor, wide receiver, Washington Redskins

When Pryor returns from his bye, he and the Redskins will host a San Francisco 49ers defense that is giving up receiving yards like free cash. Indianapolis Colts wideout T.Y. Hilton just torched the 49ers for 177 yards on seven catches. Through five games, the 49ers are surrendering an average of 266.4 receiving yards per tilt. As a result, San Francisco’s pass defense ranks fifth-worst in the league. Pryor just scored his first touchdown in his last game and should add to that against a bad pass defense.

Dud: Jared Goff, quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

Goff has been a joy to watch in action this year after making vast improvements from his rookie campaign. Although, he had a tough go of it last week against Seattle and could stumble up again in Week 6. He and the Rams travel back east to face that intimidating Jacksonville Jaguars passing defense. This unit just picked apart quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when it managed five interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns. Do we think Goff might be shaking in his cleats just a tad knowing he is up next against the Jags? We wish him luck.

Stud: Michael Thomas, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas New Orleans Saints

The Saints will look to build on their two wins when they host the Detroit Lions. Thomas stands to benefit big time against a Lions defense that has been extremely generous to receivers. The Lions have given up the fourth-most receiving yards at a rate of 12 yards per reception on average. Since we are not sure how things are progressing with wideout Willie Snead who has yet to play, we are betting that quarterback Drew Brees targets Thomas plenty in this contest.

Dud: Adrian Peterson, running back, Arizona Cardinals

Peterson will be suiting up in Cardinals red this game after those aforementioned Saints shipped him away in a surprising trade. But, a new team color and logo do not instantly mean that Peterson suddenly rushes for 100 yards and scores. Let’s be real. Peterson has not scored a touchdown since Week 17 of 2015. The Cards are hosting a Buccaneers rushing defense that ranks No. 4. It has ceded just 3.4 yards per carry on average and only one rushing touchdown to a running back.

Stud: Chris Harris cornerback, Denver Broncos

The Giants, with a skeleton receiving crew, head to face a well-rested Broncos defense. What might possibly go wrong here? We are going to suggest plenty could go awry and Harris might have himself a grand performance. If wideout Sterling Shepard is healthy enough to play in Week 6, he will be the man being most shadowed in Denver. Manning is about as turnover-prone as quarterbacks come when under pressure. Harris should be plenty busy foiling the Giants’ best attempts to put win No. 1 on the books.

Dud: Tyreek Hill, wide receiver, Kansas City Chiefs

In most any given game, Hill has the ability to bust out a huge performance. In just two matchups this season, Hill averaged less than 15.4 yards per catch. But, his fast as lightening legs may struggle against the Steelers. While the team’s offense is having its issues, the Steelers rank No. 1 at defending receivers. They have given up a league-low 8.7 yards per catch and only two touchdowns touchdowns to receivers. Instead of Hill shining, it should be Kareem Hunt gashing up a Steelers run defense that is yielding 5.1 yards per attempt.

Stud: Eric Weddle, safety, Baltimore Ravens

Weddle has a sweet home contest against Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky in Week 6. Do we need to say much more? Trubisky looked confident in his NFL debut last week. Unfortunately, he does not have much talent stacked at the pass-catcher position. Weddle should have a hand in covering tight end Zach Miller who Trubisky peppered with a team-high seven targets last week. If anyone wins in this matchup, it likely is the veteran safety who has two interceptions and 25 total tackles already on record.

Dud: Brian Hoyer, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Hoyer and the 49ers will attempt to etch their first win of the year at the home of a tough opponent. The 49ers will travel to face the Washington Redskins that know a thing or two about head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive coordinating skills. The Redskins’ pass defense ranks fifth-best and has given up just five touchdowns through the air. Hoyer has managed only four passing touchdowns in five contests. It could be another busy day for kicker Robbie Gould while Hoyer, once again, struggles to post points.

Stud: Leonard Fournette, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars

Leonard Fournette scored a TD in his NFL debut.

Fournette went rogue last game and scored a blazing 90-yard touchdown against the Steelers. We might expect more treats from Fournette at home against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams’ run defense is not equipped to stop a lightening rod like Fournette. It has given up 4.5 yards per attempt and a league-high seven rushing touchdowns. It would not be shocking to see Fournette take another big run to the house under such ideal conditions.

Dud: Isaiah Crowell, running back, Cleveland Browns 

Crowell could see his rushing yards tumble from his season-high 60 he managed last game. The winless Browns travel to Houston to face a run defense that just held Kansas City Chiefs star rusher Kareem Hunt to 3.7 yards per carry. Hunt still piled up 107 yards, but that is because the Chiefs’ offense is playing exceptionally well. We cannot say the same for Crowell’s offense that should be more challenged to stay on the field. We also do not see Crowell scoring his first touchdown considering the Texans have given up only one rushing touchdown to a running back.

Stud: Cam Newton, quarterback, Carolina Panthers

Newton has his groove back. Look for his superb performances to spill into this home tilt against the Eagles in Week 6. Super Cam will be pitted up against the league’s 30th-ranked passing defense. How fortunate is that? This unit is allowing 283 passing yards on average per game and a 65.5 pass-completion rate. Newton is on course to thrive and delight those who finally trust starting him in fantasy football.

Dud: Javorius Allen, running back, Baltimore Ravens

Allen rushed for a career-best 73 yards and a touchdown last week while the Ravens enjoyed a comfy lead against the Oakland Raiders. The third-year running back might be challenged to continue with those flashy numbers when the Ravens host the Bears. The Bears run defense is ranked much higher than that of Oakland’s. Furthermore, quarterback Joe Flacco should not find it as easy to gain an early lead. The Bears permitted only 141 passing yards and one touchdown to the Vikings last game. And, Flacco has been anything but elite this year. Running the clock with Allen may not be an option.

Stud: Matt Ryan, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan will return from his bye and hopefully delight fans with smashing performance at home against the Dolphins. This would be opposite of the clunker two-interception performance he produced in Week 4. What should be different this time around? The Dolphins have allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 73.3 percent of their passes. Next, Miami’s defense has yet to tally one interception. Last year’s league MVP should feast here. If not, it might be time for Matty Ice and Falcons fans to panic.

Dud: Doug Martin, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Martin did not miss a beat when he returned from his suspension and rushed 5.69 yards per carry and two touchdowns against the Patriots. But, he could find his paths more road-blocked on the road, facing a Cardinals rushing defense allowing just 3.3 yards per attempt. The team has also given up only three touchdowns total to opposing running backs. Where might the Muscle Hamster run? Perhaps in circles this time around.

Stud: Jordy Nelson, wide receiver, Green Bay Packers

Nelson and his Packers hit the trail to take on their division-rival Vikings. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has several mouths to feed, but Nelson has played extremely well in his 15-game history versus the Vikings. In this stretch of games, Nelson has scored 10 touchdowns. That is the most he has recorded against any team he has faced. The Vikings are currently yielding 11.2 yards per catch and 247.4 receiving yards on average per tilt. Nelson should be primed for success as Rodgers and Co. strive to remain in first place in the NFC North.

Dud: Josh McCown, quarterback, New York Jets

Very typically this season, quarterbacks going up against the generous New England Patriots defense look like Hall of Famers. But, can we really predict the same from McCown? His receivers are not exactly the cream of the crop for starters. Plus, we saw the Patriots’ defense begin to tighten its ship some last game against Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Winston managed only one passing touchdown and completed just 56.5 percent of his passes. We cannot realistically expect McCown to top this, can we? If he does, he should win some type of NFL award.

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