Tag: NFL Week 6

QB Deshaun Watson says Texans ‘got to control’ Titans’ Jadeveon Clowney

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson says the key to stopping Tennessee Titans edge defender Jadeveon Clowney is to control him.

It may be the first time the Houston Texans face their former 2014 No. 1 overall pick in Jadeveon Clowney, but the Tennessee Titans edge defender is no mystery to them.

Quarterback Deshaun Watson saw plenty of Clowney in practice from 2017-18, and he also saw how teams had to defend against the three-time Pro Bowler.

“You’ve got to control him,” Watson said. “You’ve got to get the ball out quick. You’ve got to be able to do things that the ball is out of my hands and getting into space. He can definitely disrupt the game. I’ve seen with my own eyes for two years. Seeing him and watching him in college and then watching him in the pros. Yeah, he’s a problem for sure. We’ve got to make sure that we know where he is at all times when he’s on the field.”

Clowney has not produced a sack for the Titans in his four games with his second team since the Texans traded him after the 2019 preseason. Since Clowney left Houston for the Seattle Seahawks, he has collected just 3.0 sacks and seven tackles for loss.

However, the Texans aren’t buying that Clowney is past his usefulness, and hope to get through Week 6 without their former Pro Bowler coming to life with edge disruption.

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Texans vs. Titans Wednesday injury report: TE Jordan Akins had limited participation

The Houston Texans announced their first injury report for Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans, and tight end Jordan Akins was a limited participant.

The Houston Texans announced their first injury report ahead of their Week 6 encounter with the Tennessee Titans Sunday at 12:00 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium.

Tight end Jordan Akins, who was out last week with a concussion and ankle injury, was listed as limited on the injury report.

Joining Akins as limited participants in Wednesday’s practice were left tackle Laremy Tunsil (elbow), inside linebacker Dylan Cole (knee), inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi (hamstring), running back Buddy Howell (hamstring), and outside linebacker Jacob Martin (ankle).

Defensive end J.J. Watt and receiver Keke Coutee did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. The reasons both were not injury related, according to the team.

For more information on the Titans’ injury report, check out the Titans Wire.

What are the Texans getting with ILB Kyle Emanuel?

The Houston Texans signed veteran linebacker Kyle Emanuel. What will he bring to the team?

The Houston Texans signed inside linebacekr Kyle Emanuel on Tuesday, giving them another body in the middle of their front seven after Pro Bowler Benardrick McKinney was placed on injured reserve pending shoulder surgery.

The San Diego Chargers drafted Emanuel with their fifth-round selection in 2015. The former North Dakota State product spent the next four seasons with the AFC West club, collected 147 combined tackles, 4.0 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, five pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 63 games, 32 of which he started.

Emanuel retired after the 2018 season. Although there wasn’t a specific reason given, in his statement released on Twitter, there was a reference to the attrition from injuries.

When Emanuel came out of retirement in August of 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him, and he spent time on the practice squad. The Raiders activated Emanuel ahead of their Week 3 game with the New England Patriots, and he played 14 special teams snaps. However, Las Vegas allowed Emanuel to revert back to the practice squad.

McKinney was out against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. During the 30-14 victory, inside linebacker Tyrell Adams played 67 snaps on defense compared to one on special teams. Inside linebacker Nate Hall, who was promoted from the practice squad for the game, played 13 special teams snaps and one defensive snap. Inside linebacker Dylan Cole did not play any defensive snaps, instead playing 12 snaps on special teams.

The Texans may be adding Emanuel to allow Adams to play more defensive snaps and not have to worry about special teams any longer as defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver looks for solutions at inside linebacker opposite of Zach Cunningham.

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Fantasy football IDP free-agent report: Week 6

Schedules have been shuffled, and important roster decisions loom in Week 6.

We have arrived at Week 6, and Week 5 took a little longer than normal in an abnormal season. Several teams have swapped bye weeks to account for the changes. We’re here to give you that edge over your competition with those key roster decisions.

Defensive linemen

DE Chase Winovich, New England Patriots

Winovich was off to a solid start the first four weeks, and his bye in Week 5 could have caused a lot of his owners to cut him. He has two good matchups against the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers upcoming, and he has at least a half-sack in three of four games.

DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins

The former second-rounder had a sack in his second straight game in Week 5, and he has at least a half-sack in four of five this year. The Dolphins have a good matchup against the New York Jets this week, and Ogbah is a back-end option to key on.

Linebackers

ILB Troy Reeder, Los Angeles Rams

Reeder was a breakout performer last week with 11 total tackles and three sacks. He’ll be a hot pickup, but his value largely hinges on how long starter Micah Kaiser (groin) is out. Reeder’s value is a lot better in the short term than long term.

ILB Avery Williamson, New York Jets

Finally healthy-looking after last year’s ACL tear, Williamson has impressed the last three weeks with 23 total tackles, three passes defensed and an interception. His tackles have been solid each week, and while the numbers don’t wow you, he has been steady across the board.

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OLB Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

The former fifth-rounder returned to the lineup after missing a game with a quadriceps injury. He had seven total tackles from the SAM position. He’s a bit riskier using on the outside, because he has just one sack in 19 career games, but his tackle numbers should hold.

Defensive backs

FS Daniel Sorensen, Kansas City Chiefs

Week after week, the 30-year-old veteran is among the top point-scorers at the position because of solid tackle production that has grown each week. He had a season-high eight total tackles last week and should continue to serve as a source for the IDP backbone stat.

CB Pierre Desir, New York Jets

Two weeks ago, Desir rattled off eight tackles, two interceptions and a touchdown. Fluke, right? Well, he countered with 11 total tackles in Week 5. It’s hard to ignore him for much longer. Grab him if you need to cover an injury or bye.

CB Chris Claybrooks, Jacksonville Jaguars

The seventh-round pick was thrust into the starting lineup and has produced 13 total tackles and three passes defensed in the last two games. If you’re in a league with a thin waiver wire, he’s a sneaky option to utilize while the league tries to pick on him as he gets his feet wet.

Philadelphia allowing Eagles to have fans in stands vs. Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens will have real cheers and jeers in Week 6 as the Philadelphia Eagles announce they’ll have fans in the stands.

The Baltimore Ravens haven’t seen too many fans in the stands this season. But that will change in Week 6 when they travel up I-95 to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

According to Glenn Erby of Eagles Wire, Philadelphia will be opening up their stadium to fans for this week’s game. In total, the stadium will be limited to 7,500 people, which likely means around 6,000 fans will be in the stands Sunday. Tickets for this game are being limited to season ticket holders who opted into this season.

Though Baltimore has had a handful of family members in the stands of M&T Bank Stadium for their last two home games, this will be the first time this season in which the Ravens will play in front of a decent crowd this season. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL and local governments around the country have either severely limited attendance at stadiums or outright restricted anyone but authorized staff, media, and players to be in the stands.

It’ll be interesting how that might impact oddsmakers and the teams themselves. Home-field advantage is a serious thing in sports and though this is a far cry from a packed stadium, there’s a very real possibility having actual fans in the stadium instead of piped-in crowd noise will mess with things like snap counts and calling plays. Prior to the announcement, Baltimore was a 7.5-point favorite over Philadelphia.

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Rest of season rankings: Week 6

Assigning season-long value to everyone of note in fantasy football leagues.

NOTE: These player rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation.

The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks

Rk

Never leaves lineup

Bye

Movement

Notes
1
 Patrick Mahomes, KC
10
2
 Russell Wilson, SEA
6
3
 Lamar Jackson, BAL
8
I’m assuming Jackson’s Wk 5 performance was related to his knee/illness
4
 Kyler Murray, ARI
8
6
 Murray is playing more like 2019 Jackson than Jackson is
5
 Josh Allen, BUF
11

Rk

Lineup regulars

Bye
6
 Aaron Rodgers, GB
5
7
 Deshaun Watson, HOU
8
10
 it’s only one game, but I liked what I saw
8
 Tom Brady, TB
13
ugly performance on TNF, albeit with loads of injuries
9
 Cam Newton, NE
5
having Wk 5 turned into a bye could mean Newton only misses one game
10
 Drew Brees, NO
6
11
 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
8
12
 Gardner Minshew, JAC
7
13
 Matt Ryan, ATL
10
12
 we’ll see if a coaching change can right the ship

Rk

Weekly matchup plays

Bye
14
 Justin Herbert, LAC
6
18
 for all of the attention Burrow has received, Herbert has been better
15
 Joe Burrow, CIN
9
that felt like a “welcome to the NFL” experience on Sunday
16
 Jared Goff, LAR
9
17
 Ryan Tannehill, TEN
7
18
 Matthew Stafford, DET
5
19
 Derek Carr, LVR
6
22
 Carr going deep!?!? you have my curiosity Mr. Gruden
20
 Carson Wentz, PHI
9
he’s currently on pace to throw 29 INTs this season
21
 Teddy Bridgewater, CAR
13
26
22
 Baker Mayfield, CLE
9
uneven performance vs IND & hurt his ribs as well
23
 Andy Dalton, DAL
10
NR
 Prescott’s injury puts Dalton in the starting job; he’s worth adding based on upside

Rk

Fringe plays/roster depth

Bye
24
 Ryan Fitzpatrick, MIA
11
he’d be higher if Tua wasn’t looming
25
 Kirk Cousins, MIN
7
26
 Daniel Jones, NYG
11
23
 Jerry Jones has as many TD passes as Daniel since Wk 1
27
 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF
11
21
 if you’re Shanahan you’re really hoping Sunday was an anomaly
28
 Philip Rivers, IND
7
22
 Rivers just looks AWFUL
29
 Drew Lock, DEN
5
Lock should return in Wk 6
30
 Sam Darnold, NYJ
11
29
 didn’t play in Wk 5 due to shoulder trouble & is uncertain for Wk 6
31
 Nick Foles, CHI
11
32
 Kyle Allen, WAS
8
31
 knocked out of Sunday’s game w/ an arm injury but likely to start in Wk6
33
 Mitchell Trubisky, CHI
11
34
 C.J. Beathard, SF
11
NR
35
 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA
11
36
 Dwayne Haskins, WAS
8
NR
 when WAS falls out of the race wouldn’t Haskins get the job back?

Running backs

Rk

Never leaves lineup

Bye

Movement

Notes
1
 Alvin Kamara, NO
6
2
 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL
10
3
 Dallas has to run more now, right?
3
 Dalvin Cook, MIN
7
suffered a groin injury on SNF & looks likely to miss a game
4
 Derrick Henry, TEN
7
5
 Aaron Jones, GB
5

Rk

Lineup regulars

Bye
6
 Joe Mixon, CIN
9
7
 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC
10
6
 since a strong debut, CEH has topped 100 yards just once & hasn’t scored
8
 Miles Sanders, PHI
9
9
 Chris Carson, SEA
6
10
 James Conner, PIT
8
7
 just felt a touch high & PIT did more things in the running game in Wk 5
11
 Kareem Hunt, CLE
9
Hunt got 23 touches Sunday; he’s an RB1 as long as Chubb is out
12
 Christian McCaffrey, CAR
13
13
 Josh Jacobs, LVR
6
14
 Todd Gurley II, ATL
10
17
 more Gurley could be a thing following the coaching change
15
 Melvin Gordon III, DEN
5
16
 Jonathan Taylor, IND
7
19
17
 David Montgomery, CHI
11
Montgomery’s 17 touches in Wk 5 were encouraging
18
 Austin Ekeler, LAC
6
LA’s bye moving up could mean Ekeler misses one fewer game
19
 Raheem Mostert, SF
11
Mostert accounted for 129 yards in his return from injury
20
 James Robinson, JAC
7
21
 Nick Chubb, CLE
9
22
 Kenyan Drake, ARI
8
I wonder if Drake starts to lose more touches to Edmonds

Rk

Weekly matchup plays

Bye
23
 Devin Singletary, BUF
11
24
 David Johnson, HOU
8
25
 Ronald Jones, TB
13
30
 has played well w/ Fournette out of action
26
 Le’Veon Bell, NYJ
11
27
 Myles Gaskin, MIA
11
Gaskin getting the goal line TD was a positive sign
28
 Antonio Gibson, WAS
8
25
 that offense is so bad
29
 Darrell Henderson, LAR
9
I still like Henderson as the Rams top RB
30
 Mark Ingram, BAL
8
31

Rk

Fringe plays/roster depth

Bye
31
 Latavius Murray, NO
6
32
 Mike Davis, CAR
13
33
 his strong play seems to ensure CMC won’t be rushed back
33
 James White, NE
5
34
 Phillip Lindsay, DEN
5
35
 Leonard Fournette, TB
13
active but did not see the field in Wk 5 as he recovers from an ankle injury
36
 Alexander Mattison, MIN
7
50
 likely to start in Wk 6; plenty of talent behind an injury-prone Cook
37
 Adrian Peterson, DET
5
38
 Justin Jackson, LAC
6
61
 he was much more effective than Kelley on MNF
39
 Davonta Freeman, NYG
11
40
 Jamaal Williams, GB
5
41
 J.K. Dobbins, BAL
8
I don’t understand why Dobbins doesn’t get the ball more
42
 Cam Akers, LAR
9
45
43
 Zack Moss, BUF
11
44
 Damien Harris, NE
5
45
 D’Andre Swift, DET
5
46
 Joshua Kelley, LAC
6
36
47
 Matt Breida, MIA
11
48
 Duke Johnson Jr., HOU
8
new coach, same nonexistent role
49
 Nyheim Hines, IND
7
50
 Frank Gore, NYJ
11
60
 only had four fewer carries than Bell
51
 Tevin Coleman, SF
11
52
 Chase Edmonds, ARI
8
67
 Edmonds has been getting more work recently
53
 Sony Michel, NE
6
54
 Jerick McKinnon, SF
11
43
 McKinnon was a ghost in Mostert’s return
55
 Malcolm Brown, LAR
9
56
 Benny Snell Jr., PIT
8
51
57
 Tony Pollard, DAL
10
66
 Pollard’s role could increase with Dalton at the helm
58
 Carlos Hyde, SEA
6
59
 Rex Burkhead, NE
6
60
 Boston Scott, PHI
9
48
 even with tons of injuries, Scott has basically no role right now
61
 Chris Thompson, JAC
7
62
 D’Ernest Johnson, CLE
9
64
63
 Brian Hill, ATL
10
NR
64
 Dion Lewis, NYG
11
65
 J.D. McKissic, WAS
8
NR
 I see lots of short receptions in McKissic’s future
66
 Jordan Howard, MIA
11
54
 healthy inactive in Wk 5
67
 Kerryon Johnson, DET
5
68
 Darrel Williams, KC
10
69
 AJ Dillon, GB
5
70
 Giovani Bernard, CIN
9

Wide receivers

Rk

Never leaves lineup

Bye

Movement

Notes
1
 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI
8
2
 Davante Adams, GB
5
Adams is set to return in Wk 6 after missing two-plus games
3
 Michael Thomas, NO
6
1
 missed another game after fighting w/ a teammate; not great, Bob
4
 Mike Evans, TB
13
5
 Julio Jones, ATL
10
sat out Wk 5 w/ a hamstring injury
6
 Tyreek Hill, KC
10
4
 not getting a lot of chances recently
7
 Calvin Ridley, ATL
10
10
8
 Keenan Allen, LAC
6
Allen bowed out on MNF with back spasms but will have the bye to get healthy
9
 DK Metcalf, SEA
6
15
 just a physical mismatch every week
10
 Stefon Diggs, BUF
11
11
 A. Robinson II, CHI
11
14
 the only sure thing in Chicago
12
 Chris Godwin, TB
13

Rk

Lineup regulars

Bye
13
 Amari Cooper, DAL
10
9
 Cooper drops out of Tier 1 following the Prescott injury but could return
14
 Adam Thielen, MIN
7
18
15
 Tyler Lockett, SEA
6
16
 JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
8
7
 he’s simply not the ball-dominant WR1 that Antonio Brown was
17
 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE
9
18
 Kenny Golladay, DET
5
19
 Cooper Kupp, LAR
9
20
 DJ Chark Jr., JAC
7
Chark suffered an ankle injury of unknown severity late in Wk 5
21
 Robby Anderson, CAR
13
26
 who knew CAR’s offense would be this good?
22
 Terry McLaurin, WAS
8
23
 Robert Woods, LAR
9
24
 Julian Edelman, NE
5
25
 D.J. Moore, CAR
13
21
 basically swapping Moore & Anderson based on usage
26
 Tyler Boyd, CIN
9
27
 CeeDee Lamb, DAL
10
29
 I would’ve moved Lamb higher, but I want to see how Dalton distributes the ball
28
 Jamison Crowder, NYJ
11
36
 who else do the Jets have?

Rk

Weekly matchup plays

Bye
29
 A.J. Brown, TEN
7
23
30
 DeVante Parker, MIA
11
31
 Darius Slayton, NYG
11
32
 Will Fuller, HOU
8
33
 Justin Jefferson, MIN
7
43
34
 Marquise Brown, BAL
8
35
 Michael Gallup, DAL
10
31
 two huge catches changed the trajectory of an otherwise-disappointing game
36
 Emmanuel Sanders, NO
6
44
 the question remains: what will his numbers look like with Thomas active?
37
 Jarvis Landry, CLE
9
38
 Diontae Johnson, PIT
8
30
 Johnson has been knocked out of the last two games but may play in Wk 6
39
 Brandin Cooks, HOU
8
I need to see more than one good game to elevate Cooks
40
 Jerry Jeudy, DEN
5
36
41
 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB
5
42
 Mecole Hardman, KC
10
43
 Marvin Jones, DET
5
33
 Jones felt too high given what he’s done this season
44
 John Brown, BUF
11
45
 Preston Williams, MIA
11
62
 Williams finally looked like his pre-injury self
46
 Tee Higgins, CIN
9
55
 his role keeps expanding & now Green is injured
47
 T.Y. Hilton, IND
7
37
48
 Chase Claypool, PIT
8
59
 huge game in Wk 5, but don’t overlook the fact that Johnson was sidelined
49
 Cole Beasley, BUF
11
50
 Mike Williams, LAC
10
68
 so much talent if he could just stay healthy…
51
 Deebo Samuel, SF
11
47
52
 Brandon Aiyuk, SF
11
53
 Laviska Shenault, JAC
7
60
54
 Christian Kirk, ARI
8
56
55
 Corey Davis, TEN
7
51
 Davis was placed on the COVID list

Rk

Fringe plays/roster depth

Bye
56
 Allen Lazard, GB
5
don’t expect to see Lazard until November
57
 Scotty Miller, TB
13
51
 still not sure what to make of his role
58
 Henry Ruggs III, LVR
6
70
59
 N’Keal Harry, NE
5
60
 Golden Tate, NYG
11
48
 the only notable thing he’s done in 2020 is fight Jalen Ramsey
61
 Hunter Renfrow, LVR
6
62
 DeSean Jackson, PHI
9
D-Jax logged another DNP in Wk 5
63
 Anthony Miller, CHI
11
53
64
 Tim Patrick, DEN
5
65
 Travis Fulgham, PHI
9
NR
 has burst on the scene in Philly, but what’s his role once D-Jax/Jeffery return?
66
 Randall Cobb, HOU
8
64
67
 B. Perriman, NYJ
11
68
 Sammy Watkins, KC
10
Watkins is expected to miss multiple games w/ a hamstring injury
69
 Michael Pittman Jr., IND
7
61
70
 A.J. Green, CIN
9
47
 add a hamstring injury to an already disappointing season
71
 Bryan Edwards, LVR
6
72
 Sterling Shepard, NYG
11
73
 Curtis Samuel, CAR
13
74
 Darnell Mooney, CHI
11
NR
 it feels like he could supplant Miller as WR2 in CHI
75
 Danny Amendola, DET
5
76
 Van Jefferson, LAR
9
77
 Russell Gage, ATL
10
78
 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
8
79
 Tre’Quan Smith, NO
6
80
 Alshon Jeffery, PHI
9
he’s getting closer…

Tight ends

Rk

Never leaves lineup

Bye

Movement

Notes
1
 Travis Kelce, KC
10
2
 George Kittle, SF
11
3
 Darren Waller, LVR
6
4
 Mark Andrews, BAL
8

Rk

Lineup regulars

Bye
5
 Hunter Henry, LAC
10
thus far Herbert seems more comfortable throwing to his WRs
6
 Zach Ertz, PHI
9
6
 three times in five games Ertz has gained less than 20 yards
7
 Tyler Higbee, LAR
9
5
 Everett’s presence makes Higbee’s value fluctuate greatly from week to week
8
 Noah Fant, DEN
5
DEN’s impromptu bye might be enough to keep Fant from missing a game
9
 Jared Cook, NO
6
10
 Evan Engram, NYG
11
11
 Mike Gesicki, MIA
11
15

Rk

Weekly matchup plays

Bye
12
 T.J. Hockenson, DET
5
16
 he’s actually been pretty consistent relative to a lot of TEs thus far
13
 Jonnu Smith, TEN
7
14
 Austin Hooper, CLE
9
19
 Hooper was targeted 10 times in Wk 5
15
 Hayden Hurst, ATL
10
16
 Robert Tonyan, GB
5
18
 Tonyan is worth picking up in hopes his expanded role continues
17
 Rob Gronkowski, TB
13
18
 Dallas Goedert, PHI
9
19
 Jimmy Graham, CHI
11
20
 Dalton Schultz, DAL
10
12
21
 Eric Ebron, PIT
8

Rk

Fringe plays/roster depth

Bye
22
 Jordan Akins, HOU
8
Akins missed Wk 5 with a concussion
23
 Gerald Everett, LAR
9
33
24
 Greg Olsen, SEA
6
25
 Mo Alie-Cox, IND
7
22
 Trey Burton had six targets in Wk 5 to Alie-Cox’s one
26
 Chris Herndon, NYJ
11
27
 Tyler Eifert, JAC
7
Eifert suffered a stinger in Wk 5 but is expected to play in Wk 6
28
 Irv Smith, MIN
7
30
 we have signs of life
29
 Drew Sample, CIN
9
30
 Trey Burton, IND
7
NR
 he sure looked the top pass-catching TE in IND this past week
31
 Cameron Brate, TB
13
NR
 Brate caught more balls than Gronk in Wk 5
32
 Ian Thomas, CAR
13
33
 Logan Thomas, WAS
8
34
 Dawson Knox, BUF
11
35
 David Njoku, CLE
5
NR
 Njoku was activated from IR

Defensive teams

Rk

Never leaves lineup

Bye

Movement

Notes
1
 Ravens
8
they made Burrow look like a rookie
2
 Steelers
8
3
 Colts
7
CLE might’ve exposed some cracks
4
 Bills
11

Rk

Lineup regulars

Bye
5
 Patriots
5
6
 49ers
11
4
 you can’t give up 43 points to MIA and remain in the top tier
7
 Rams
9
10
8
 Chiefs
10
9
 Browns
9
15
 there are some playmakers in CLE
10
 Bears
11
11
 Saints
6
7
12
 Buccaneers
13

Rk

Weekly matchup plays

Bye
13
 Eagles
9
14
 Chargers
10
their ability to blow leads is incredible
15
 Packers
5
16
 Washington
8
17
 Broncos
5
18
 Dolphins
7
NR
19
 Titans
7
20
 Seahawks
6
16
 if they’re not forcing turnovers they’re a liability

Fantasy Football: Targets, Touches & TDs: Week 6

Tackling five backfields that create confusion in fantasy football and trying to make sense of them.

Despite the ongoing extreme makeovers with the NFL itinerary, we remain right on schedule here with your weekly serving of TT&T.

Running backs remain the most valuable point-for-point fantasy football commodities, and with that in mind this week, we’re tackling five of the league’s most baffling backfields – ones where a clear, startable fantasy back has yet to emerge.

From each of these five backfields, we’ll take a look at the key stats and metrics produced so far and use those as guideposts to try and forecast whatever fantasy value may emerge from each going forward.

Here goes, starting alphabetically with the …

Baltimore Ravens

Primary backs and stats

  • Mark Ingram: (5 games played) 45 rushes-205 yards-2 TDs; 5 targets-3 receptions-25 yards-0 TDs. 35.0 standard-scoring fantasy points/38.0 point-per-reception points
  • J.K. Dobbins: (5) 16-126-2; 10-9-73-0. 31.9/40.9
  • Gus Edwards: (5) 34-192-0; 3-0-0-0. 19.2/19.2

Total touches-yards-TDs (fantasy points/touch)

  • Ingram: 48-230-2 (0.73 standard scoring/0.79 PPR)
  • Dobbins: 25-199-2 (1.28/1.64)
  • Edwards: 34-192-0 (0.56/0.56)

Offensive snap shares

  • Dobbins: 106/300 (35.3 percent)
  • Ingram: 99/300 (33.0)
  • Edwards: 95/300 (31.7)

Red-zone stats

  • Ingram: 7-16-1 rushing; 2-1-4-0 receiving
  • Dobbins: 2-5-2; 0-0-0-0
  • Edwards: 1-2-0; 0-0-0-0

Outlook

Major asterisk here, of course, with quarterback Lamar Jackson ranking second on the team in rushing attempts (41) and pacing the squad with 238 rushing yards – and that’s even with Jackson’s average number of attempts down 3.5 carries per contest (11.7-8.2) from last season.

The drafting of Dobbins has played a major role in knocking Ingram’s per-game touch average down to 9.6 from 15.2 a year ago, and that – and an expected touchdown regression – has caused Ingram to fall from the RB1 ranks down to sub-flex territory as he currently ranks 34th at the position in total fantasy points (standard scoring) and 42nd in average fantasy points per contest.

Ingram has been the Ravens’ back to own simply due to the fact that he’s getting the most the carries on the league’s second-best rushing team (160.8 yards per game). But Dobbins is superior in yards-per-touch (8.0-4.8) and fantasy-points-per-touch averages. Additionally, his higher usage in the passing game portends bigger and better fantasy things as the season presses on. He’s a must-add if he was somehow dropped in your league.

Edwards still will be involved as well – primarily as a late-game closer – but Ingram and Dobbins are the Ravens’ backs to own in standard-size leagues.

Detroit Lions

Primary backs and stats

  • Adrian Peterson: (4 games played) 54 rushes-245 yards-1 TD; 6 targets-4 receptions-31 yards-0 TDs; 33.6 standard-scoring fantasy points/37.6 PPR points
  • D’Andre Swift: (4) 12-42-1; 16-13-124-1; 28.6/41.6
  • Kerryon Johnson: (4) 21-71-1; 3-2-17-0; 14.8/16.8

Total touches-yards-TDs (fantasy points/touch)

  • Peterson: 58-276-1 (0.58 standard scoring/0.65 PPR)
  • Swift: 25-166-2 (1.14/1.66)
  • Johnson: 23-88-1 (0.64/0.73)

Offensive snap shares

  • Peterson: 105/264 (39.8 percent)
  • Swift: 83/264 (31.4)
  • Johnson: 70/264 (26.5)

Red-zone stats

  • Peterson: 12-35-1 rushing; 0-0-0-0 receiving
  • Swift: 2-2-1; 3-2-16-1
  • Johnson: 5-19-1; 0-0-0-0

Outlook

The Sept. 7 signing of the 35-year-old Peterson changed the whole dynamic of the situation here as he has 10 more touches than the rookie Swift and the incumbent Johnson combined.

Given his superior rushing attempt and snap shares and red-zone work, an iron man known as Peterson has been Detroit’s most trustworthy fantasy back to date, but Swift’s sizable edge in the passing game isn’t to be ignored. The second-round pick quietly ranks 20th among all league running backs with 13 receptions and figures to become more and more involved as his adjustment to the pro game eases and his early-season health issues further fade away.

Johnson, thought be to be a rising fantasy star only a season ago, has become the odd man out.

Los Angeles Rams

Primary backs and stats

  • Darrell Henderson: (5 games played) 58 rushes-260 yards-3 TDs; 11 targets-7 receptions-92 yards-1 TD. 59.2 standard-scoring fantasy points/66.2 point-per-reception points
  • Malcolm Brown: (5) 53-213-2; 14-9-44-0. 37.7/46.7
  • Cam Akers: (3) 26-113-0; 1-1-4-0. 11.7/12.7

Total touches-yards-TDs (fantasy points/touch)

  • Henderson: 65-352-4 (0.91 standard scoring/1.02 PPR)
  • Brown: 62-257-2 (0.61/0.75)
  • Akers: 27-117-0 (0.43/0.47)

Offensive snap shares

  • Brown: 176/336 (52.4 percent)
  • Henderson: 119/336 (35.4)
  • Akers: 40/210 (19.0)

Red-zone stats

  • Henderson: 17-35-3 rushing; 3-2-18-1 receiving
  • Brown: 10-31-2; 3-1-(-2)-0
  • Akers: 2-5-0; 0-0-0-0

Outlook

There’s definitely some interest here as the Rams have logged the league’s second-most rushing attempts (169) this season and trail only the Browns as well in overall rushing-play percentage at 51.5.

Even though Brown owns a sizable snap edge, Henderson has out-touched Brown in three of the Rams’ last four games for a 62-41 edge during that span. Akers, meanwhile, got the start in Los Angeles’ opening two games before leaving early in Week 2 with a rib-cartilage injury that kept him out of action until Sunday.

As a rookie second-round pick, Akers is the team’s shiny new object, while Brown lends a steady, veteran presence, and Henderson has been the most productive and dynamic of the trio to date. Look for a Henderson/Akers split of the workload going forward with the former drawing the slight edge in touches.

New England Patriots

Primary backs and stats

  • Rex Burkhead: (4 games played) 30 rushes-128yards-2 TDs; 17 targets-12 receptions-101 yards-1 TD. 40.9 standard-scoring fantasy points/52.9 point-per-reception points
  • Sony Michel: (3) 26-173-1; 3-2-23-0. 25.6/27.6
  • James White: (2) 8-43-0; 11-10-68-0. 11.1/21.1
  • Damien Harris: (1) 17-100-0; 0-0-0-0. 10.0/10.0
  • J.J. Taylor: (3) 16-70-0; 2-1-4-0. 7.4/8.4

Total touches-yards-TDs (fantasy points/touch)

  • Burkhead: 42-229-3 (0.97 standard scoring/1.26 PPR)
  • Michel: 28-196-1 (0.91/0.99)
  • White: 18-111-0 (0.62/1.17)
  • Harris: 17-100-0 (0.59/0.59)
  • Taylor: 17-74-0 (0.44/0.49)

Offensive snap shares

  • Burkhead: 128/280 (45.7 percent)
  • White: 59/139 (42.4)
  • Harris: 23/75 (30.7)
  • Michel: 60/205 (29.3)
  • Taylor: 25/205 (12.2)

Red-zone stats

  • Burkhead: 8-36-2 rushing; 4-2-23-1 receiving
  • Michel: 5-18-1; 0-0-0-0
  • Taylor: 3-10-0; 1-0-0-0
  • White: 1-7-0; 1-1-(-4)-0
  • Harris: 1-5-0; 0-0-0-0

Outlook

The Pats’ backfield situation is the toughest enigma to crack – for a number of reasons.

First, there’s the sheer number of backs in the mix (five), and then there’s the Cam Newton factor, as the quarterback remains one of the league’s top red-zone rushing threats with 12 carries for 37 yards and four TDs in only three games so far. And, then, most significant of all, this is the Patriots we’re talking about, as the chameleon-like Bill Belichick and his staff change things up on a weekly basis to keep opposing defenses – not to mention fantasy general managers – off-balance.

With Michel on injured reserve, though, and the rookie Taylor seeing only a 12.2-percent snap share in the games he’s played, that whittles the usable fantasy contenders down to three.

White, who’s averaging five catches per game, remains a PPR-format flex factor while Harris – he of the preseason buzz before a finger injury knocked him out of the first three games – made the most recent favorable impression with a team season-high 17 rushes for an even 100 yards in his 2020 debut in Week 4. Burkhead is the jack-of-all trades who always figures to be active and involved to some degree, but we’ve more than likely already seen his best game this season as he accounted for a 65.8 percent (34.8) of his 52.9 PPR points in Week 3.

That leaves White (PPR) and Harris (still need to see more coming out of the Week 5 bye) as the Pats’ best RB fantasy bets.

New York Giants

Primary backs and stats

  • Devonta Freeman: (3 games played) 33 rushes-103 yards-1 TD; 7 targets-6 receptions-62 yards-0 TDs. 22.5 standard-scoring fantasy points/28.5 point-per-reception points
  • Dion Lewis: (5) 13-31-1; 16-9-55-0. 14.6/23.6
  • Wayne Gallman: (4) 15-76-0; 6-5-21-0. 9.4/14.4

Total touches-yards-TDs (fantasy points/touch)

  • Freeman: 39-165-1 (0.58 standard scoring/0.73 PPR)
  • Lewis: 22-86-1 (0.66/1.07)
  • Gallman: 20-97-0 (0.47; 0.72)

Offensive snap shares

  • Freeman: 89/188 (47.3 percent)
  • Lewis: 124/321 (38.6)
  • Gallman: 43/256 (17.0)

Red-zone stats

  • Freeman: 3-6-1 rushing; 1-1-(-2)-0 receiving
  • Lewis: 1-1-1; 2-1-4-0
  • Gallman: 1-1-0; 1-1-3-0

Outlook

We go from the toughest nut to crack (Patriots) among our five to the easiest, as Freeman is the main man here as long as he can avoid the health issues of recent seasons (18 combined games missed from 2017-19).

The last two weeks, Freeman has out-touched Lewis and Gallman combined by a 34-18 margin and has outgained them 155-88 with a 27.5-14.8 edge in PPR points.

The Giants, though, are saddled with one of the league’s worst offensive lines and overall offenses, keeping Freeman in flex-start territory most weeks instead of the RB2 ranks. 

Extra points

  • The Ravens’ aforementioned Jackson is off to a slow start, ranking 14th among quarterbacks with 113.2 fantasy points through action Sunday. Gardner Minshew (120.7), Ryan Fitzpatrick (120.3), Derek Carr (119.5) and Carson Wentz (113.6) are among the QBs with more points. Jackson still ranks second at the position with his 238 rushing yards on 41 attempts (tied for first), but he only has one rushing score so far. Jackson, though, is mainly falling short as a fantasy passer, ranking 24th (as of Sunday) with 949 passing yards and tying for ninth with nine TD tosses after leading the league with 36 a season ago.
  • Jets WR Jamison Crowder has played in only three of the team’s five games, but he’s had at least 10 targets, seven receptions and 104 receiving yards in each outing while snaring a pair of TD passes for a total of 67.5 PPR points. Crowder’s average of 22.5 PPR points per contest, though, trails only the Packers’ Davante Adams (24.1) among league wideouts.
  • Dalvin Cook, Mike Evans and Tyreek Hill are the only players to score a TD in all five weeks so far this season.
  • Meanwhile, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Ronald Jones, Myles Gaskin, Austin Ekeler, Devin Singletary, Frank Gore, Amari Cooper and Robby Anderson were the only players with at least 60 touches or 35 receptions and one or fewer TDs through Sunday.
  • The Rams not only have a backfield fantasy conundrum but one at tight end, as well. Tyler Higbee had a monster Week 2 with five receptions for 54 yards and three TDs (28.4 PPR points), but he’s only caught 10-of-12 targets for 122 yards and no scores (22.2 points) in his other four contests combined. Gerald Everett, meanwhile, missed Week 2 but has out-produced Higbee in the other four games, catching 8-of-9 targets for 141 yards and no TDs while scoring on a 2-yard rushing TD (28.3 PPR points).

Ravens enter Week 6 as heavy odds favorites over Eagles

The Baltimore Ravens’ odds over the Philadelphia Eagles are among the highest of Week 6, making it a good NFL bet to make.

Though the Baltimore Ravens haven’t looked their best over the last few weeks, oddsmakers are still feeling the Charm City love apparently. Entering Week 6 of the 2020 NFL season, oddsmaker BetMGM has given the Ravens one of the highest point spreads.

Starting the week, Baltimore is a 7.5-point favorite over the Philadelphia Eagles, according to BetMGM. Only two other games feature a higher point spread, with the Indianapolis Colts favored over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Miami Dolphins favored over the New York Jets.

Much like those two other games, the Eagles look outmatched on paper against the Ravens, leading to the heavy odds. At 1-3-1 and having tied the Bengals in Week 4, Philadelphia looks all out of sorts this season. Quarterback Carson Wentz has had a disastrous beginning, completing just 60% of his passes for 1,188 yards, six touchdowns, a league-leading nine interceptions, and four fumbles.

For a Baltimore defense that just got done feasting on Cincinnati rookie quarterback Joe Burrow to the tune of seven sacks while forcing three total turnovers on the day, Wentz can’t feel great. The Ravens’ defense has also been on a roll getting the ball back for the offense, continuing their league-best streak of 16 consecutive regular-season games with at least one turnover. If things continue the way they have already this season, Wentz is likely in for a very long and painful day against Baltimore.

For those looking to maybe make a little money this week, it’s hard to bet against the Ravens in this one. Even though they have such a massive point spread, all four of Baltimore’s wins have had margins-of-victory of at least 14 points.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Odds watch: Browns open as underdogs in Pittsburgh

The undefeated Steelers are 3.5-point favorites over the 4-1 Browns

The Cleveland Browns are 4-1 for the first time since before Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett were even born. Alas, they’re still not able to earn favored status when heading into Pittsburgh in Week 6.

The Steelers have opened as 3.5-point favorites at BetMGM as well as most other outlets. Being undefeated and playing at home are valid reasons why the Steelers get the benefit of the doubt. They’ve earned that respect for how they’ve performed in 2020.

At 50.5 points, the over/under is one of the lower ones for the Week 6 slate. Cleveland has scored at least 32 points four weeks in a row but has also allowed 20 or more in every game. Pittsburgh has posted at least 26 points in each of its four games.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.