Week 6 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers: 2019 Edition

Quarterback
MVP: Deshaun Watson (Texans) 
Watson's Week 6 performance served as a reminder of how finding success on the ground can significantly boost a quarterback's fantasy day. The 42 YDS and pair of rushing scores he had made up for the decent, but far from blemish free afternoon (280 YDS/1 TD/2 IN/1 2-PT CNV) he had through the air against the Chiefs. A well-rested Colts defense that shut down Patrick Mahomes in their last game awaits Watson next.
Honorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Russell Wilson (Seahawks)

LVP: Jared Goff (Rams) 
It was only a matter of time before Goff's real life struggles carried over to the fantasy game. He was just dreadful against the 49ers suddenly stout defense, throwing for a career-low 78 (!) YDS and losing a fumble in a depressing offensive outing for the Rams. If Goff can't rebound against a helpless Falcons D in Week 7, he'll be a no-brainer drop candidate.
Dishonorable Mentions: Gardner Minshew (Jaguars), Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Matthew Stafford (Lions)

Running Back
MVP: James Conner (Steelers) 
Devlin Hodges made a new friend in Conner on Sunday night. The undrafted rookie QB leaned on Conner hard in his 1st career start against the Chargers and he delivered big time, posting 129 scrimmage YDS (41 rushing, 78 receiving) and 2 TD's on 23 touches-which helped power the Steelers to a stunning road victory. While the quad injury that sidelined for him the last few series will be worth monitoring, Conner should be a solid RB1 play (if he's healthy) for the Steelers Week 8 showdown with the Dolphins.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Chubb (Browns), Devonta Freeman (Falcons), David Johnson (Cardinals)

LVP: Derrick Henry (Titans) 
Even the most consistent guys in the game falter some times. Top-tier RB2 Henry faceplanted in a terrific matchup against the Broncos paltry run defense, managing just 28 YDS on 15 carries in yet another deflating loss for the erratic Titans. Call me a blind optimist, but I think Henry should do better this week when the aforementioned reeling Chargers come to Nashville.

Dishonorable Mentions: Austin Ekeler (Chargers), Joe Mixon (Bengals), Aaron Jones (Packers)

Wide Receiver 

MVP: Stefon Diggs (Vikings)
Diggs finally rose from the dead this week and hot damn, did he have a fire under him. The disgruntled wideout torched an undermanned Eagles secondary for 167 YDS and 3 TD's on 7 receptions while adding another 18 YDS on the ground in a huge W for the Vikings. We'll see if the resurrection of Diggs is real or not when he goes up against a sneaky good Lions secondary in Week 7. 

Honorable Mentions: Terry McLaurin (Redskins), Tyreek Hill (Chiefs), Curtis Samuel (Panthers)

LVP: JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers)
As expected, Smith-Schuster was not apart of the game plan for the Devlin Hodges-led Steelers. Smith-Schuster only hauled in 1 catch for 7 YDS on a night where Conner was responsible for an overwhelming amount of the offense. The star wideout has been held back sigifinacntly by the revolving door of quarterback the Steelers have been forced to use this season and sadly will be relegated to fringe WR3 status until further notice. 

Dishonorable Mentions: Tyler Boyd (Bengals), Cooper Kupp (Rams), Keenan Allen (Chargers)

Tight End

MVP: Hunter Henry (Chargers)
The 4th year tight end thrived in a major way in his 1st game action since Week 1, picking up 100 YDS and 2 TD's on 8 catches versus an unsuspecting Steelers defense. Henry's alarming injury history makes him hard to trust, but he'll be an undisputed TE1 option every time he's healthy enough to suit up.   

Honorable Mentions: Austin Hooper (Falcons), George Kittle (49ers), Jared Cook (Saints)

LVP: Gerald Everett (Rams)
Goff's historically bad day killed any shot Everett had of following up his breakout Week 5 performance with a decent game, let alone a great one. He finished the afternoon against the 49ers with just 2 catches for 9 YDS and an opportunity for an easy 50+ YD TD taken away because Goff needed to keep feeding his favorite target: the grass at the Coliseum. Everett will be a boom-or-bust TE1 for a week 7 showdown with the Falcons.  

Dishonorable Mentions: Jimmy Graham (Packers), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Noah Fant (Broncos)

Defense/Special Teams

MVP: Patriots 
Another trash offense met the unforgiving wrath of the Patriots defense last Thursday night. While Daniel Jones and an absolutely depleted Giants offense were fortunate enough to post the 1st passing TD of the season against the league's top defense, the rest of the game was an unwavering nightmare as they turned the ball over at will (3 INT and a FUM REC which resulted in a TD) and allowed a blocked punt to be returned for a score. Sam Darnold's frail spleen and a wretched Jets offensive line are the next poor souls set to be disemboweled by this group of merciless executioners.   
Honorable Mentions: Broncos, Panthers, Saints

LVP: Cowboys 
BREAKING NEWS: Apparently Luke Falk was the primary reason the Jets offense was allowing so many fantasy points every week!!!! Sam Darnold led the Jets to 24 points while only getting sacked twice and throwing 1 pick against a Cowboys defense that was projected to be a top 3 fantasy defense this week. The 'Boys have regressed significantly on defense after a superb 2018 and can be safely dropped in all leagues.   

Dishonorable Mentions: Packers, Chargers, Titans

Week 6 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers

Quarterback
MVP: Kirk Cousins (Redskins) 
To the delight of his fantasy owners, Kirk Cousins was able to continue the hot streak he was on prior to the Redskins Week 5 Bye. Cousins carved up the 49ers young, aloof defense for 356 total yards (330 passing, 26 rushing) and 3 TD's (2 passing, 1 rushing). This nice stretch of play for Cousins is at risk of ending in Week 7 when the 'Skins travel to Philly to take on the 5-1 Eagles.
Honorable Mentions: Deshaun Watson (Texans), Cam Newton (Panthers), Carson Palmer (Cardinals)

LVP: Derek Carr (Raiders)

Derek Carr's Week 6 performance provided yet another example of why it's a bad idea to rush back from injury in the NFL. The Raiders signalcaller was god awful in his return from a back injury that was supposed to sideline him for 3-6 weeks, throwing for 171 YDS, 1 TD and 2 INT in a narrow loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Carr will be a risky play in his currently-hobbled state when he suits up to take on the Chiefs suspect secondary on a measly 3 days rest.

Dishonorable Mentions: Matt Ryan (Falcons), Drew Brees (Saints), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers)

Running Back

MVP: Melvin Gordon (Chargers)

It's official: Melvin Gordon is 2017's answer to LeGarette Blount. The Chargers painfully average starting back was once again able to overcome poor YPC (3.3) and YPR (7.4) totals on his way to a monster fantasy performance (150 YDS and 2 TD's on 34 touches) against the Raiders. As long as Gordon keeps finding the endzone, he'll be an RB1 option in all formats.

Honorable Mentions: Adrian Peterson (Cardinals), Le'Veon Bell (Steelers), Mark Ingram (Saints)

LVP: C.J. Anderson (Broncos)

For the 1st time in 2017, a starting running back got stifled by the Giants defense. A combination of ineffectiveness and the Broncos falling behind early led to C.J. Anderson's sorry-ass statline (9 carries for 17 YDS). Anderson will look to rebound against a Chargers team that he picked up 88 total yards against back in Week 1.

Dishonorable Mentions: Mike Gillislee (Patriots), Duke Johnson Jr. (Browns), Elijah Maguire (Jets)

Wide Receiver

MVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers) 

While Ben Roethlisberger strung together another below-average performance, Antonio Brown was his usual brilliant self. The league's best wideout had a field day against the Chiefs awful secondary, securing 8 receptions for 155 YDS and a TD on the afternoon. Brown will look to keep rolling against the Bengals banged-up secondary in Week 7.

Honorable Mentions: Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals), Marvin Jones Jr. (Lions), Golden Tate (Lions)

LVP: T.Y. Hilton (Colts)

Monday Night Football was not kind to the Colts star wideout. T.Y. Hilton only registered 1 reception for 19 yards against the Titans notoriously inept secondary last night. The absence of Andrew Luck has absolutely hurt Hilton's consistency this season, but he'll continue to be on the WR2 radar with Jacoby Brissett under center.

Dishonorable Mentions: Michael Thomas (Saints), Chris Hogan (Patriots), Terrelle Pryor Sr. (Redskins)

Tight End

MVP: Rob Gronkowski (Patriots)

On an afternoon where the Patriots offense underperformed, Rob Gronkowski provided a much-needed life raft. Gronk posted yet another excellent statline (6 REC/83 YDS/2 TD) and was the undeniable MVP for the Pats in their closer-than-expected showdown with the Jets on Sunday. Whenever he's healthy enough to suit up, the Patriots tight end is an elite fantasy option with a ceiling that no one at the position can come close to touching.

Honorable Mentions: Evan Engram (Giants), Zach Ertz (Eagles), Cameron Brate (Buccaneers)

LVP: Delanie Walker (Titans)

Marcus Mariota's return to the Titans lineup was kind to every one of his receivers besides Delanie Walker. The safety valve in this up-and-down offense posted a rare dud against the Colts, mustering just 17 yards on 4 catches. Walker has a prime opportunity to bust of his recent slump in Week 7 when his squad travels to the kingdom of gridiron hopelessness otherwise known as Cleveland's FirstEnergy Stadium.

Dishonorable Mentions: Coby Fleener (Saints), Jared Cook (Raiders), Travis Kelce (Chiefs)

Defense/Special Teams:

MVP: Los Angeles Rams 

This performance marks one of the rare instances where the special teams is responsible for the MVP honor. While Wade Phillips' defense sacked Blake Bortles 5 times and forced an ugly 4th quarter interception, a slew of special teams miscues by Jacksonville resulted in a blocked punt and 2 TD"s (returns on the opening kickoff and aforementioned blocked punt) for the Rams. The NFC West leaders have another tantalizing matchup versus the Cardinals sloppy, turnover-and-sack-prone offense in Week 7.  

Honorable Mentions: Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants

LVP: Atlanta Falcons

Leave it to the Falcons to deliver an underwhelming performance against the league's flattest offense. An early INT of Jay Cutler was the only positive play this unit managed in their agonizing 20-17 home loss to the Dolphins on Sunday. The Falcons are trending downward on the whole, so this group is absolutely worth dropping in any league that has under 14 teams.

Dishonorable Mentions: Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos

2015 Week 6 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers

Quarterback
MVP: Matthew Stafford (Lions)
After tormenting his fantasy owners for the first 5 weeks of the season, Matthew Stafford came alive in Week 6. Stafford embarrassed the Bears weak corners all game long, finishing with 405 YDS and 4 TD in Sunday's afternoon shootout that ended with the Lions picking up their 1st victory of the season. While his Week numbers are impressive, Stafford is likely to revert to the less-than-stellar form of his first 5 games when the Lions face the talented defense of the Vikings in Week 7. 
Honorable Mentions: Phillip Rivers (Chargers), Blake Bortles (Jaguars), Andrew Luck (Colts)

LVP: Marcus Mariota (Titans)
Marcus Mariota has had his fair share of struggles after his brilliant opening game against the Buccaneers. In the 3 games following his 4 TD, 0 INT, 158.3 QBR debut, Mariota has 4 TD, 3 INT, 2 fumbles and a QBR of 82.9. The highly-touted rookie hit a new low in Week 6 as he got manhandled by the Dolphins defense, finishing the afternoon with 219 YDS, 1 TD and 4 giveaways (2 INT and 2 fumbles lost). It was revealed yesterday that Mariota suffered a sprained MCL during the game, so his status for the Titans tough Week 7 matchup against the Falcons is unclear at this time. Even if Mariota doesn't miss any time, Mariota's spotty play makes him nothing more than a mid-level QB2.
Dishonorable Mentions: Peyton Manning (Broncos), Teddy Bridgewater (Vikings), Eli Manning (Giants)

Running Back
MVP: Devonta Freeman (Falcons)
Okay, this is just getting absurd now. Freeman has been putting up monster games like clockwork and he strung together another masterful performance (156 total yards, 2 combined TD on 18 touches) in the Falcons Week 6 loss to the Saints. Freeman has been the fantasy MVP of the 1st third of the season and there's no reason to believe that his level of production will tail off as the season progresses.
Honorable Mentions: Chris Ivory (Jets), LeGarrette Blount (Patriots), Jonathan Stewart (Panthers)

LVP: Eddie Lacy (Packers) (4 carries, 3 YDS, 2 catches, 17 YDS)
Last week I said that Lacy's time as a top-tier fantasy running back may be up. After his performance this week, I'm now starting to think that it is up. Lacy got out-touched by James Starks 11-5 and looked sluggish every time he touched the ball against a creampuff Chargers rush defense, finishing with just 20 total yards (17 receiving, 3 rushing) on 6 touches. With Starks putting up a 117-yard, 2 TD performance, Lacy's spot as the starter could very much be in jeopardy when the Packers return from bye in Week 8. If you're a Lacy owner and Starks is available in your league, add him as a handcuff ASAP.
Dishonorable Mentions: Dion Lewis (Patriots), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Melvin Gordon (Chargers)

Wide Receiver
MVP: DeAndre Hopkins (Texans)
The most-targeted receiver in the NFL proved his worth once again in Week 6. After a quiet start, Hopkins eviscerated the Jaguars surprisingly solid secondary and ended up putting together the best game of his stellar 2015 season so far, registering an absurd 148 YDS and 2 TD's on 10 receptions. Hopkins is the number 1 ranked fantasy receiver through the first 6 weeks of the season and as long as he stays healthy, he's pretty much a lock to be a top 5/10 fantasy wideout for the rest of the year.
Honorable Mentions: Martavis Bryant (Steelers), Calvin Johnson (Lions), Alshon Jeffrey (Bears)

LVP: Antonio Brown (Steelers) (3 REC, 24 YDS)
The loss of Ben Roethlisberger has put a serious damper on Brown's production. Michael Vick's horrendous, inaccurate passing paired with Brown's inability to get on the same page as the over-the-hill quarterback have made him a complete non-factor in the last 3 games. Brown's 3 reception, 24-yard performance against the Cardinals in Week 6 was his worst performance since December 2012. With Roethlisberger more likely out again this week, Brown better hope that his rapport with 3rd-string quarterback Landry Jones is better than it was with Vick. Even though his numbers have been terrible over the few week, fantasy owners would be foolish to take Brown out of their lineups.
Dishonorable Mentions: A.J. Green (Bengals), Randall Cobb (Packers), Jeremy Maclin (Chiefs)

Tight End
MVP: Greg Olsen (Panthers)
Olsen made up for his lackluster performance in Week 4 by coming out of the bye week in top form. Olsen served as the catalyst for the Panthers comeback victory over the Seahawks, picking up 131 yards and a touchdown on 7 receptions. Olsen will put up more stinkers than the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Gates, but his status as the Panthers primary receiving threat makes him a very strong weekly TE1 play.
Honorable Mentions: Gary Barnidge (Browns), Jimmy Graham (Seahawks), Julius Thomas (Jaguars)

LVP: Richard Rodgers (Packers)
Outside of James Jones, the Packers receivers has been erratic as hell all season long. Rodgers is the latest victim of the Packers flavor-of-the-week approach, picking up just 34 yards on 2 receptions against the Chargers middling pass defense. After a couple of dynamite games in Week 2 and 4, Rodgers appears to be the clear 3rd or 4th option in the Packers passing game. Rodgers has very little fantasy value, even at a position as thin as tight end and is safely droppable in all 10-team and most 12-team leagues. 
Dishonorable Mentions: Zach Ertz (Eagles), Larry Donnell (Giants), Martellus Bennett (Bears)

Defense
MVP: Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense has carried them for most of this season and that was once again the case in Week 6. The Eagles were dominant against a hot Giants offense that had only turned the ball over 3 times in their first 5 games, finishing the night with 3 sacks, 2 INT's, a fumble recovery, a touchdown and just 7 points allowed. The Eagles defensive hotstreak could come to a close in Week 7 as they take on a Panthers offense that has done a pretty good job of putting up points and protecting the football in the early part of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, New York Giants

LVP: Baltimore Ravens (25 points allowed, 3 sacks, 0 takeaways)
The Ravens traditionally excellent defense just hasn't been the same in 2015 and their week 6 performance was perhaps the strongest indicator of their struggles to-date. The Ravens registered 3 sacks, 0 takeaways and allowed 25 points to a 49ers offense that has been extremely kind to fantasy defenses for much of 2015. The Ravens will have some good games here and there, but this bunch doesn't hold a candle to their wildly productive unit from a year ago.
Dishonorable Mentions: Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers

2014 Week 6 Fantasy Football Winners and Losers

Quarterback
MVP: Cam Newton (Panthers)
The Superman side of Cam Newton made a glorious return on Sunday against the Bengals. Newton's  surgically repaired ankle appeared to be 100% for the first time all season,and he proved it by excelling in the running game for the first time all year. Newton's 107 yards and TD pushed him from a solid fantasy play (He threw for 284 yards and 2 TD's) to the best fantasy QB of the week. With Newton now 100%, his fantasy owners can except him to be a top 10 QB the rest of the way.
Honorable Mentions: Tom Brady (Patriots), Joe Flacco (Ravens), Colin Kaepernick (49ers)

LVP:Eli Manning (Giants)
After finally showing some life in Ben McAdoo's offense the past few weeks, Eli Manning struggled mightily again in a 27-0 blowout loss to the Eagles on Sunday Night. Manning didn't revert back to his old turnover-happy ways, but he wasn't able to get anything going against a horrid Eagles secondary, finishing with just 151 yards through the air and zero touchdowns on the evening. To be fair, the offensive line played terrible and his receivers dropped numerous catchable balls, but that doesn't take away from how disappointing his numbers were against a secondary that has gotten burned in every other game they've played this season. Manning will be a shaky start until his offensive line problems get squared away.
Dishonorable Mentions: Russell Wilson (Seahawks), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Matthew Stafford (Lions)

Running Back
MVP: Matt Forte (Bears)
Matt Forte once again proved to be a premier dual threat on Sunday against the Falcons. Forte crushed the lowly Falcons defense for 157 total yards (80 rushing, 77 receiving) and 2 TD's. Forte has another great matchup this week against the Dolphins, so his recent hot streak could very well continue
Honorable Mentions: Arian Foster (Texans), Giovani Bernard (Bengals), DeMarco Murray (Cowboys)

LVP: Eddie Lacy (Packers)
There has been a lot of disappointing fantasy running back this year, but there has been no bigger letdown than Eddie Lacy. Lacy-who was a top 5 pick in most fantasy leagues this year- has failed to get much of anything going in 2014. After his first 100-yard performance of the year last week against the Vikings, Lacy reverted back to mediocrity in Week 6 against a weak Dolphins run D- finishing the afternoon with a mere 40 yards on 14 touches. Lacy is losing snaps to James Starks, and his RB1 status has been all but erased at this point in time. He's still a high-upside RB2 thanks to his scoring potential, but he's not even close to the dominant player he was a year ago.
Dishonorable Mentions: Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks), C.J. Spiller (Bills), Le'Veon Bell (Steelers)

Wide Receiver
MVP: T.Y. Hilton (Colts)
T.Y Hilton has looked great all year long, but his first 5 games were nothing compared to his inhuman performance in Week 6. Hilton brought in all 9 of his targets for a whopping 223 yards and a touchdown in the Colts shootout with the Texans last Thursday night. Hilton has surpassed Reggie Wayne as the Colts top wideout and as long as Andrew Luck continues to play at a high level, Hilton will be a top-flight WR2/borderline WR1 in fantasy.
Honorable Mentions: Demaryius Thomas (Broncos), DeSean Jackson (Redskins), Mohamed Sanu (Bengals)

LVP: Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos)
The streak of Emmanuel Sanders putting up 100+ yards has officially ended at 3 games. Sanders was held in check for most of the afternoon putting up 38 yards on 3 receptions against the Jets on Sunday. Sanders is going continue to be an integral part of this Broncos offense- especially with Wes Welker struggling-for the rest of the season, so don't let these poor numbers against a poor secondary send you into a state of panic.
Dishonorable Mentions: Wes Welker (Broncos), Jeremy Maclin (Eagles), Golden Tate (Lions)

Tight End
MVP: Julius Thomas (Broncos)
"It's so fuckin easy" were the first words out of Julius Thomas' mouth when he caught his league-leading 9th TD against the Jets on Sunday. Thomas has made scoring touchdowns look easy all year long, as he's racked up at least 1 in every single game this season. He picked up 2 effortless scores against the Jets ,and I honestly don't think anyone stop him right now. Thomas is the most dangerous redzone threat in the league by far at the moment, and you are extremely fortunate if you have him on your fantasy roster. If he doesn't put up at least 20 TD's this season, it would be an absolute shock.
Honorable Mentions: Jordan Cameron (Browns), Greg Olsen (Panthers), Zach Ertz (Eagles)

LVP: Larry Donnell (Giants)
2 weeks removed from his starmaking 3 TD performance against the Redskins, Larry Donnell was once again invisible in Week 6. Donnell was forced into a blocking role due to the Giants o-line woes and large deficit, which led him to finish with only a single catch for 5 yards in the team's blowout loss against the Eagles on Sunday night. Donnell does have a potentially great bounceback matchup this week against the Cowboys, so keep starting him until further notice.
Dishonorable Mentions: Heath Miller (Steelers), Vernon Davis (49ers), Owen Daniels (Ravens)

Defense:
MVP: Detroit Lions
The Lions defense has been one of the biggest surprises of the fantasy season so far and their performance in Week 6 was easily their finest work to-date. The Lions D eviscerated the Vikings on Sunday picking up 8 sacks, 3 INT's  and only allowing a mere 3 points. If you were one of the smart people that picked up the Lions defense a few weeks ago, you got to really enjoy the spoils of your investment this week.
Honorable Mentions: Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos,

LVP: Buffalo Bills
The Bills defense have been fantasy gold this year, but that was not the case this week against the Patriots. The Bills fell victim to a revitalized Patriots offense who put up 37 points in Sunday afternoon's contest and failed to notch a single takeaway on the day. The Bills woes against the Patriots shouldn't carry over to this week as they face the battered Vikings offense- who just got lit up by the Lions- at home.
Dishonorable Mentions: Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers