The Rundown: Week 6

Oct 11, 2019

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Reaching the midway point of the fantasy season already, this part of the year can be especially stressful for fantasy players. The bye weeks along with injuries make for more lineup holes and force additional creativity with any flex spots available. It makes playing matchups and getting added production from stalwart players especially important. Hopefully, a few will be identified here along with some fringe options that may be more useful than normal. As always, the Thursday preview along with stats to know is already available and this will focus on the rest of the slate including start/sit recommendations.

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Fantasy Rating Key

(5) - Elite option. Must start.
(4) - Strong option. Likely start.
(3) - Good option. Low-end starter to high-end backup.
(2) - Weak option. Possible flex or desperation play.
(1) - Bad option. Bench in nearly all cases.
(0) - Not an option. Injured, bench, or waivers.

Panthers @ Buccaneers (London - early Sunday start)

Spread: Buccaneers +2 | Total: 47

There have been two parts to the Panthers season so far: the Cam Newton and the Kyle Allen eras. The Kyle Allen era has been quite successful as the team has won all three of his starts and the team overall is above average in yardage and points scored. Of course, it remains a Christian McCaffrey team but it’s more diverse now. Against the Buccaneers, they get a schizophrenic pass offense that has either thrown for over 350 or under 200 passing yards in every game. It’s more likely that the latter occurs as the Panthers are a top-four pass defense. This could devolve quickly if Jameis Winston can’t find his receivers.

Carolina Panthers

They have struggled with turnovers this season as Week 5 represented their first game without one. Knowing how explosive the Buccaneers can be, they will look to be more conservative with their usual Christian McCaffrey-centric offense supplemented with short, quick passes. It’s unlikely the team takes too many chances in this one.

Team Trends That Matter

One of four teams averaging under 25 seconds per play this season (24.96).
Six different wide receivers have hauled in seven or more catches against the Panthers.
The Panthers had three different wide receivers play 75% or greater snap share in Week 5. The first such game this year.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Kyle Allen (3) - Scored just 14.9 fantasy points total in the last two weeks after a 24-point debut
RB Christian McCaffrey (5) - On pace to become the first player to surpass 500 PPR points in a season
WR D.J. Moore (3) - Averaging roughly 14 PPR points on eight targets per game in the last two against the Buccaneers
WR Curtis Samuel (3) - At least six targets in each of his last four games
TE Greg Olsen (4) - Four straight weeks of declining targets and target share with just two in Week 5

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five weeks in and it is still a mystery to guess how a fantasy game turns out for a Buccaneers player. Chris Godwin lately has looked like the surest bet with the rest of the passing game hoping they get a good Jameis Winston performance. It will be a little tougher against the Panthers pass defense so don’t be surprised if they mix in the run to keep them guessing.

Team Trends That Matter

Five different tight ends have scored 13 or more PPR points against the Buccaneers.
Week 5 was the first game no running back exceeded 35% snap share.
40% of their offensive touchdowns have occurred outside the red zone.

Fantasy Rating and a Stat to Know

QB Jameis Winston (3) - Three straight games over 17 fantasy points after failing to reach it once in the first two contests
RB Ronald Jones (2) - Four of five games with double-digit touches
RB Peyton Barber (1) - At least 13 total touches in his last four contests against the Panthers
WR Chris Godwin (5) - Has scored more PPR points in the last two weeks (72.7) than all but 19 wide receivers have this season
WR Mike Evans (3) - Only broken 15 PPR points once in his last four games against the Panthers
TE O.J. Howard (3) - Hasn’t had a double-digit PPR point game in 2019