We're officially here.

Yes, we are officially at the point, as of Week 6, where you are officially in "make or break" mode.

Yes, fine, it's only week 6. I get it. But you're looking at your team, and you're starting to do the math, especially in dynasty leagues. Maybe you've lost David Johnson, or you just held your head in anguish while Odell Beckham Jr held his leg in pain. You probably went through the stages of fantasy grief.

How Fantasy Owner Are Feeling

Denial: Actually, this doesn't change anything! Sure, Zeke is suspended! And, ok, Run DMC is taken, but I can get, uh, Alfred Morris! That'll probably work. Between him and Aaron Jones and Paul Perkins, that's as good as Zeke! I'm good!

Anger: DAMNIT! Tyler Eifert, why didn't you just SAY your back was messed up! It's fine! Take the year off! But now I'm starting Jesse James and I mean, COME ON BEN JUST THROW IT TO JESSE OR SOMETHING.

Bargaining: If you bring back Jay Ajayi's first round value and just make that team better, I swear I won't draft a running back again in the first round. Just this year! I had to try it! I didn't have a better choice!

Depression: It's almost fantasy NBA season, so, like, that's better. I enjoy the day to day commitment. Whatever. Shut up.

Acceptance: Ok, so I'll stash Charles Clay and Chris Carson and just have it all taken care of next season. It'll be fine. It'll be better, honestly. Way better way to build a team.

For everyone who is shaking your fist at the sky, dragging your feet in the street, or just preparing for next season, there's probably still more hope than you realize. And that's coming from someone who had to start Aaron Jones AND Marlon Mack last week and won by 30 points. It's a Christmas miracle, and it could happen to you too.

Running Back Questions

______ will either be on my bench or will RUIN my week.

A: DeMarco Murray
B: CJ Anderson
C: Lamar Miller
D: Mark Ingram

Do you know what the most interesting part of the Adrian Peterson trade was for me? The rumor was that the Saints traded away Adrian Peterson because of how much they loved Alvin Kamara, not Mark Ingram. Though Ingram is still getting a higher share of targets, I'm assuming the targets that Peterson will no longer be getting will be going primarily to Alvin Kamara. Ingram is still a half-decent FLEX option, but among RB1's (and rankings wise, Ingram is still in that zone) he's the guy who I'm most nervous about in week one.

Against all odds, should you take a look at ___________ now?

A: Marshawn Lynch
B: Javorius Allen
C: Mike Gillislee
D: Carlos Hyde

I'm a man with some basic rules in life. If I see something anti-Seahawks, I upvote. If I see a wide receiver jump over some guys and hold onto the ball consistently, I try to draft him. And if I see a guy ever register more than 20 carries a game, even if it's not that consistent, I start him. Because starting Javorious Allen means a high enough floor that isn't guaranteed by so many other FLEX positions. Allen isn't exactly consistent just yet, and Chicago isn't an easier matchup than than Raiders, but you have to roll him out on potential alone and hope that a 15+ touch game permanently slots him in the RB2 conversation going forward.

Wide Receiver Questions

Am I going to really roll with ____________ this week? (Yes. Yes I Am)

A: Demaryius Thomas
B: Golden Tate
C: Rishard Matthews
D: Jarvis Landry

In a room full of #1 wide receivers, at least as it relates to their team, there's not a group of guys that leaves less to be desired. None of them have garnered a large share of targets as the weeks have gone on, though there have been some impressive highlights and breakout performances occasionally. This week, we're playing the matchups, which means the only guy on this list who leads his team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, plus he has a favorable matchup. Golden Tate and the Detroit Lions, enjoy your shootout with the New Orleans Saints, and while I'm starting every receiver I can (ok, fine, just Tate and Michael Thomas) for each team and letting the flags fly.

In Week 6, I will FLEX my muscles and put ________ in my lineup

A: Randall Cobb
B: Amari Cooper
C: Jeremy Maclin
D: Will Fuller

You're in the zone of WR2's and WR3's in a lot of leagues, but it's a reminder that wide receiver may be more shallow this year than it has been in any other year. Seriously, Cooper, Cobb, and Maclin are all signs that there has been a lot of change to the once great "ol reliables" of fantasy football. I actually believe Cooper will bounce back with Carr's return, but until then, let's see if end-zone security blanket Will Fuller V continues against the Cleveland Browns. I think Cleveland's defense is ok, but it might be one of the games where DeShaun Watson balls out in full, and Fuller is the primary beneficiary.

Tight End Question

In Week 6, I will stop blowing my horn for ASJ and start blowing my horn for _________

A: Evan Engram
B: Kyle Rudolph
C: Cameron Brate
D: Jared Cook

I think Kyle Rudolph falls into a strange category; a top-6 average draft pick tight-end who hasn't had anything bad happen to him. Unlike his contemporaries like Tyler Eifert and Travis Kelce, Rudolph is still being undervalued despite the fact that Sam Bradford is, well, sort of back. No one was quite sure of Bradford's status (which will be the title of Sam Bradford's biography) until he was suggested to be ruled out by various reporters on Friday afternoon. Despite so much success in their passing game regardless of the QB, the Vikings aren't consistently scoring without Bradford in, so maybe they'll rely on their bulky end-zone target a bit more than they have in the first few weeks.

More Week 6 Lineup Prep