Week 6 Fantasy Football Recap: Derrick Henry runs wild in win over Texans

Six weeks up, six weeks down. It hasn’t been easy but, hopefully you have been able to navigate the chaos and string together your fair share of fantasy victories.

So before we flip the page to Week 7, let’s take one more look back at Week 6, which featured Derrick Henry running wild, Matt Ryan returning to form and Anthony Firkser coming out of the woodworks to lead all tight ends in scoring. As usual, we’ll have the latest information on players who were injured over the weekend and key players to target on the waiver wire going forward. Let’s dive on in:

Note: All stats and percentages are from ESPN.com

Quarterbacks

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Stud: Matt Ryan (379 total yards, 4 TDs, 31.64 fantasy points)

The Falcons looked like a new team under interim head coach Raheem Morris, as Ryan went 30-for-40 through the air for 371 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions during Sunday’s 40-23 win over the Vikings. He took advantage of a banged up and inexperienced Vikings secondary, as Julio Jones’ return was a major plus for Ryan’s value.

Dud: Aaron Rodgers (174 total yards, 2 INTs, 3.8 fantasy points)

Rodgers and the Packers started Sunday with a 10-0 lead over Tampa Bay, then everything quickly went south. After completing eight of his first 12 passes, Rodgers tossed his first two interceptions on the year over three attempts, one being returned for a touchdown. He completed just 46 percent of his passes on the day as he was never able to right the ship.

Injuries: Baker Mayfield

Mayfield hurt his ribs in Cleveland’s Week 5 contest, but was medically cleared to play against Pittsburgh this week. After falling behind 31-7, he was removed as a preemptive measure. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday he expects Mayfield will be ready for Week 7, but this could be a situation to monitor.

Waiver Wire: Justin Herbert (Bye)

Rostered: 45.4 percent

With more byes and injuries upcoming, Herbert is still owned in under 50 percent of ESPN leagues. The rookie has scored over 20 fantasy points per game in three of his first four starts, throwing seven total touchdowns in his last two games. He gets a date with a struggling Jaguars defense at home coming off his bye.

Running Backs

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Stud: Derrick Henry (264 total yards, 2 TDs, 40.4 fantasy points)

Tractorcito could not be stopped as the Titans leaned on him late in Sunday’s victory over the Texans. After watching Ryan Tannehill toss a trio of touchdowns in the first half, Henry sprinted for a go-ahead 94-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He eventually had the game winning five-yard score in overtime, which was set up by a 53-yard catch-and-run. Henry now has three 200-yard rushing games since 2018 and is averaging 117.6 yards per game on the ground this year. He’ll get a tough matchup next week against the Steelers’ top defensive unit.

Dud: Alexander Mattison (30 total yards, 4.0 fantasy points)

Mattison had high expectations filling in for the injured Dalvin Cook this week, but the game script worked against him. Due to several Kirk Cousins interceptions, Minnesota quickly found themselves down 20-0, taking the ball out of Mattison’s hand. Cook should return following the Vikings’ Week 7 bye, so Mattison’s fantasy value will be minimum.

Injuries: Miles Sanders, Joe Mixon, Raheem Mostert

Sanders left Sunday’s loss to the Ravens early with a knee injury that is expected to sideline him one-to-two weeks, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN. Mixon also left his game early with a right foot injury. He did eventually return, but lost work to Giovani Bernard. Head coach Zac Taylor said he expects to learn more about the injury early this week.

After sitting out Weeks 3 and 4 with an MCL injury, Mostert tweaked his ankle on a reception late in the first half. On Monday, Kyle Shanahan said that the running back will “most likely” land on the injured reserve with a high left ankle sprain. If that is the case, Mostert will miss at least three more games — including the one against New England this week.

Waiver Wire: Boston Scott (9 total yards, 2.9 fantasy points)

Rostered: 10.9 percent

With Sanders likely to miss Thursday’s game and potentially more, Scott should be the top candidate to fill in. Filling in last week, Scott out-touched Corey Clement 5-0, while piling up 11 touches in Week 1 when Sanders was out. Scott looks like the lead option in the Philly backfield for the near future.

J.D. McKissic (84 total yards, 14.4 fantasy points)

Rostered: 23.6 percent

McKissic has found a steady role in the Washington Football Team’s offense, rushing eight times for 41 yards and securing all six targets for 43 yards on Sunday. He now has at least six receptions in his last three games, while his eight carries tied a season high. With more byes on the forecast, McKissic is worth a look in deeper leagues.

Wide Receivers

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Stud: Justin Jefferson (9 catches, 166 yards, 2 TDs, 39.6 fantasy points)

After a quiet Week 5, Jefferson dominated on Sunday hauling in nine catches for 166 yards and two scores. The rookie had double the targets of Pro Bowler Adam Thielen, commanding a team-high 31 percent target share. He’s established himself as one of the best route runners and downfield threats in the league and will look to stay hot following the Vikings’ Week 7 bye.

Dud: Mike Evans (1 catch, 10 yards, 2.0 fantasy points)

With Chris Godwin back in the lineup and Rob Gronkowski having his best game of the season, Evans was nowhere to be seen on Sunday. The two targets were a season low as he also failed to haul in a touchdown for the first time this season. Evans was held to 10 yards or less for the third time this season, all three games when Chris Godwin was healthy enough to play, so his usage going forward could be worrisome.

Injuries: DeVante Parker

Parker left Sunday’s game against the Jets with a groin injury after catching three of eight targets for 35 yards. He was deemed questionable to return but never made his way back to the field. We’ll monitor his status throughout the week.

Waiver Wire: Travis Fulgham (6 catches, 75 yards, 1 TD, 19.5 fantasy points)

Rostered: 47.2 percent

Fulgham continued his hot streak this week, catching six balls for 75 yards and a score. He has now reached at least 50 yards and a score in three straight games as the banged-up Eagles are looking for any help they can get. Even with Jalen Reagor (thumb), DeSean Jackson (hamstring), and Alshon Jeffery (foot) nearing a return, Fulgham has earned a role going forward.

Tee Higgins (6 catches, 127 total yards, 18.7 fantasy points)

Rostered: 43.9 percent

Even with A.J. Green finally making an impact, Higgins continued his impressive rookie campaign. Higgins now has double digit fantasy points in four straight games, showing off a strong connection with Joe Burrow. He’s cemented himself a role in the Bengals offense and needs to be owned moving forward.

Keelan Cole Sr. (6 catches, 143 yards, 20.3 fantasy points)

Rostered: 14.3 percent

Even though Cole falls behind D.J. Chark Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. on the Jaguars’ depth chart, he has now seen five-plus targets in every game this season. A season-high nine targets in Week 6 led to a 163-yard performance, as he broke receptions of 51, 35 and 24 yards. The numbers put Cole on the radar for teams in deeper leagues who need bench depth and a potential flex play.

Tight Ends

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Stud: Anthony Firkser (8 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD, 25.3 fantasy points)

Firkser caught eight of his nine targets for 113 yards and a score as he took over for the injured Jonnu Smith. His first touchdown catch on the season did come when Smith was still in the game however. If Smith is forced to miss time, Firkser becomes an immediate option at the position in Tennessee’s high scoring offense.

Dud: Mark Andrews (2 catches, 21 yards, 4.1 fantasy points)

Andrews saw just four total targets in the Ravens victory on Sunday, catching two for 21 yards — the yardage being his lowest output of the season. Andrews has now been held to under 60 receiving yards in every game this season, while being held under 30 yards in half of those contests. Entering his Week 7 bye, he looks like a touchdown dependent option.

Injuries: Zach Ertz, Jonnu Smith

As if the Eagles couldn’t get more banged up, Ertz suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s loss. According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, Ertz is expected to miss three to four weeks.

Smith was deemed questionable to return after he limped off the field and slammed his helmet to the turf. He was seen being re-taped and trying to warm back up, but never made his way back to the field as Firkser dominated. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Smith is dealing with an ankle sprain that is considered “minor,” so monitor his practice status throughout the week.

Waiver Wire: Trey Burton (4 catches, 59 total yards, 2 total TDs, 21.9 fantasy points)

Rostered: 6.2 percent

Since coming off the injured reserve, Burton has seen at least five targets in all three games he’s played. He finally capitalized this week finding the end zone twice, one coming off a one-yard wildcat run. Burton has become the Colts top option at tight end.

Dallas Goedert (Injured Reserve)

Rostered: 24.1 percent

With Ertz set to miss the next several weeks, Goedert will be TE1 for the Eagles when he returns off the injured reserve. He was very good early in the season before the injury and should provide a boost to the Philadelphia passing game when he returns.

Honorable Stud

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Brandon McManus (2/2 FG 30-39, 2/2 FG 40-49, 2/2 FG 50+, 24.0 fantasy points)

Nobody tell Brandon McManus and the Broncos that kicking field goals won’t help you beat the Patriots, as that is exactly what they did on Sunday in their 18-12 victory. McManus was money all afternoon, going six-for-six on field goals including two from 50-yards plus. His 24.0 fantasy points ranked 16th out of all players for the week, as it was his second straight game with over 20 fantasy points

Patriots Player of the Week

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James White (73 total yards, 15.3 fantasy points)

The Patriots offense looked sluggish through Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, scoring just 12 points while struggling to move the ball. This led to plenty of check-downs to James White, who led the team with nine targets and eight receptions. White managed just eight yards on four carries, but turned his eight catches into 65 yards. He led all Patriots skill players with 15.3 fantasy points.

That is all for this week’s recap. Leave a comment below or reach out on Twitter @iambrianhines if you have any questions about your fantasy team!