We all have our bad weeks. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys who got smoked on Sunday Night Football. I went 50% in last week’s starts and sits for IDP. That happens. The past is the past, so we are on to the next week. Week 6, about a third of the way to the finish. This week we take a look at a few guys with some solid matchups in front of them. Plus on the sit side we have some guys that have had a hot start, but may see a tough matchup this week.
*Side note- a sit to me is somebody that will get 10 or less fantasy points for you.*
Week 5 Starts (2 Pass, 3 Fail)
Aidan Hutchinson– 19pts – Pass; Jadeveon Clowney– 1pt – Fail; Quay Walker– 8pts – Fail; Kenny Moore– 16pts – Pass; Kyle Dugger– 7pts – Fail
Week 3 Sits (3 Pass, 1 Fail, 1 Push)
Aaron Donald– 5pts – Pass; Josh Allen– 2pts – Pass; Nicholas Morrow– 10pt – Push; Isaiah Simmons– 16pts – Fail; Jeremy Chinn– 3pts – Pass
Now that we see that let’s get into my week 6 Starts & Sits for the IDP!
START
DL- Chris Jones (KC) vs Denver Broncos (START)
Jones has connected with the quarterback in four straight games. Russell Wilson has been sacked in each game this year. Last week Wilson was sacked 4 times. Jones has 15 total pressures. Of those pressures, 8 have been in the last two weeks. He is catching his stride. The way the Broncos have been playing I do not see why his sack streak will discontinue this week. Start him up where you can.
DL- A.J. Epenesa (BUF) vs New York Giants (START)
If Greg Rousseau (foot) and Shaq Lawson (toe) miss time again, then fire up Epenesa. He had 4 total tackles, 2 sacks, and one forced fumble with a recovery last week. I am not saying he is going to repeat, but if he does, it is this game. He will face the league’s worst offensive line in terms of pass blocking and run blocking. Starting Quarterback Daniel Jones may also be out for the Giants. This means journey-man Tyrod Taylor would get the start. The Giants as a whole may just be a bigger mess this week than any week before. Epenesa and Ed Oliver should be in your starting lineups this week.
LB- Cody Barton (WAS) @ Atlanta Falcons (START)
We know the Falcons will try to run the ball up the middle. This would lead Bijan Robinson right into Barton’s hands. Barton currently leads the team in tackles. He averages 9 tackles per game. The recipe for a great Barton game is created this week. Heavy run game plus his ability to tackle. If you have him, he is worth the start this week.
DB- Mekhi Blackmon (MIN) @ Chicago Bears (START)
The Minnesota corner back room is beat up to say the least. Blackmon right now is one of their healthy ones. The third-round draft pick saw the most snaps he has all season last week. He was on the field for 46 of 66 defensive snaps. He might be called upon for a bigger role this week if Akayleb Evans is unable to suit up. Regardless, I think he is worth a start against a team that has shown more disappointment than success this season.
S- Jalen Pitre (HOU) vs New Orleans Saints (START)
He is back! He is healthy. Pitre played 100% of snaps this past week. He had a season-high 11 tackles. He now plays the Saints. A team that has been struggling to find their passing chemistry the past few weeks. Maybe it is because Quarterback Derek Carr injured his shoulder. Whatever the case may be, this will give Pitre plenty of opportunity to capitalize on a struggling passing game. Pitre is more than likely a weekly start moving forward, when healthy.
SIT
DL- Kayvon Thibodeaux (NYG) @ Buffalo Bills (SIT)
Thibodeaux has connected with the quarterback in three straight games. That streak may come to an end this weekend. The Bills have a top 6 pass blocking offensive line according to PFF. Plus Thibodeaux has a tough match up against Dion Dawkins. An offensive tackle that has allowed zero sacks this season. The Bills have allowed 9 sacks all season, but 5 came in week one. Thibodeaux will get plenty of opportunity. I do not think this week is a time that he will. I have him on my bench this week.
LB- Nik Bonitto (DEN) @ Kansas City Chiefs (SIT)
Bonitto has been on fire lately. He has 4.5 sacks in the last two weeks. His opponents those weeks- Chicago Bears and New York Jets. He now goes against an opponent that has allowed 4 sacks all season. The Chiefs did allow 2 of their 4 sacks last weekend. Patrick Mahomes will look to have a dominant performance against their first divisional game this season. I am concerned Bonitto does not connect this week. I think at best he gets 4-5 tackles, possibly only a couple. I am sitting him if I have him.
LB- Kamu Grugier-Hill (CAR) @ Miami Dolphins (SIT)
Grugier-Hill dominated when he first joined the Panthers. In weeks 2 and 3 obtaining 16 tackles and one sack. Since week 3 he has had 4 tackles with no sacks. He does have one interception now. He now plays against a tough opponent in the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins will be without speedster Devon Achane, but they still have plenty of speed all around. I think this will hurt Grugier-Hill causing him to miss some tackles. I thought he would be strong start moving forward a few weeks ago. Until he shows me he is a linebacker I can trust, I am keeping him on my bench.
DB- Sauce Gardner (NYJ) vs Philadelphia Eagles (SIT)
Gardner is arguably one of the better, if not the best, corners in the game. At least that was the thought coming into the season. This season, Gardner has allowed 73.9% of targets to be caught. He has allowed a passer rating of 105.7 when targeted. He also has no interceptions on the season. The Eagles host two receivers that could be considered “Alphas” on their team. This is important. If Gardner plays the lockdown corner that he can play, then the Eagles can naturally shift to targeting the other receiver. If I were to add all those things together to me, it just sounds like a bad matchup for Gardner this week. I am keeping him on my bench where I can.
S- Talanoa Hufanga (SF) @ Cleveland Browns (SIT)
Hufanga is a good safety. He has the best tackling grade for the team. However, he lines up in the box less than 25% of the time. This week that may be an issue. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is banged up. This is a divisional game. This means we might see more of a run heavy approach from the Browns. If they rely on P.J. Walker to make the plays they might keep it short and intermediate throws. If they choose either option, then that could eliminate Hufanga’s potential as a whole. It would just take him out the game script. He does not need to sign for the 49ers to win. I am sitting him this week.
That is my week 6 start/sits for the IDP positions.
Thank you for reading. Follow me on X at @ThePPRShow for more! If you need offensive start/sit advice, give @TFFGRobbie a follow for his weekly offensive start/sit articles! Peace & Love.
For additional IDP lineup advice, check out our Start/Sit Tool and our Week 6 IDP Rankings.