Welcome to Fantasy Life's Start/Sit column, where John Laghezza and Gene Clemons dig a little deeper to offer some non-obvious, outside-the-box lineup advice. John's a numbers guy, Gene is a literal football coach — what more could you ask for?

We'll kick it off with John's “start” recommendations, check in on Gene's bold calls, move to the sits, and wrap it all up with a final thought from each. 

Good luck! Enjoy the column! And to fill in any players we didn't cover here, check out our premium set of expert fantasy football rankings.

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Week 6 RBs To Start: Justice Hill and the Bengals

Using a weighted mix of over a dozen different advanced stats on each side of the balI, I reverse-power-ranked every defense in the league — all to point fantasy gamers of any league size toward the right start/sit answers this weekend.

  1. Ravens (vs. WAS) — No sane person’s ever benching Derrick Henry at peak powers but this week even backup Justice Hill earns the nod.
  2. Bengals (vs. NYG) — Cincinnati’s backfield is becoming a perpetual committee-based source of frustration. Enjoy playing NYG when both earn the green light.
  3. Jets (vs. BUF) — Breece Hall’s fantasy GMs continue to express visible frustration and rightfully so. Given byes and the matchup. The time’s come where both Jets RBs should be starting Sunday.

Week 6 QBs/WRs/TEs To Start: Consider Olamide Zaccheaus and Tyler Boyd

  1. Bears (vs. JAC) — D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen start no matter what, you don't need me for that. Caleb Williams passed for 300+2 in two of three and it feels like a good weekend to roll with Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet as well.
  2. Titans (vs IND) — I’m waiting on Will Levis news before starting any Titans, but deep leaguers may actually want to pivot toward the contrary at Tyler Boyd regardless.
  3. Commanders (vs. BAL) — Baltimore’s two-high, cover-3 heavy style should open up slot targets to TE Zach Ertz and my sneakiest start of the week, Olamide Zaccheaus.
  4. Falcons (Vs. CAR) — Strike while the iron’s hot for Kirk Cousins and the dirty birds this weekend. Fire up all their pass-catchers, including Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud.

Gene’s Bold Prediction — Start Mark Andrews 

Over the past few years saying “start Mark Andrews” would have never been a bold prediction — but this season Andrews has been invisible in fantasy. Andrews has scored 17 points in five games. Yes, you heard that correctly: 17 points total. Many people believe that it's time to drop Andrews or stash him deep on the bench. I said before Week 5 on the Fantasy Football Forecast that it was time to put Andrews on the bench until further notice. Well… it's further notice. 

In Week 5 Andrews had four catches on five targets for 55 yards. That does not sound like a breakout week but what it said to me was that Lamar Jackson has not given up on him as a pass catcher in this offense. The Washington defense and how they play sets up perfectly for the tight end to have a great day in fantasy. It's time for Andrews to break out. 

Week 6 RBs To Avoid: Reality has settled in for J.K. Dobbins 

  1. Commanders (vs. BAL) — Brian Robinson’s status remains up in the air. It’ll be tempting to auto-start him if healthy but the matchups say think about a daring sit. Extend that sentiment to all WAS ball carriers including Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols.
  2. Raiders (vs. PIT) — Alexander Mattison topped waiver articles nationwide last week after Zamir White’s injury — and he performed admirably. Quit while you're ahead. The Steelers’ run defense hasn’t allowed a single +90 yard rusher, and has limited opponents to one total rushing TD this season. Sit all Raider RBs Sunday,
  3. Chargers (vs. DEN) — No one got out of the gate hotter than J.K Dobbins. And then reality set in. The last two weeks have been brutal and the downtrend should continue versus a really stout Bronco D; no RB has topped 70 yards in a month — sit all LAC RBs where you can.

Week 6 QBs/WRs/TEs To Avoid: Benching Brian Thomas Jr. 

  1. Jaguars (vs. CHI) — It’ll be tempting to roll out your Jaguars after last week’s offensive outburst (finally!) but pump the brakes. Aside from a breakout game from Nico Collins, the Bears secondary hasn’t allowed a single TD or more than 12 fantasy points to an opposing wideout. Deep leaguers excluded, cover your eyes and bench Brian Thomas Jr. (gulp)
  2. Colts (vs. TEN) — Indy’s quarterback situation’s still listed as TBD but I don’t think it matters. Not only have the Titans not allowed a QB to complete +19 passes or go over 205 yards, the offense stinks —and doesn’t push anyone to the limit. 
  3. Chargers (vs. DEN) — The Chargers’ passing attack is among the easiest to fade in the first place. Add in the possibility of Patrick Surtain shadowing your favorite WR and outside desperation, give Ladd McConkey and Josh Palmer a week on the bench.

Gene’s Bold Prediction — Sit Terry McLaurin

I know the Ravens gave up a gazillion fantasy points to receivers last week against the Bengals but the worst thing you could do is to overreact to individual performances in a given week. Most of those yards came via a game script that forced Cincy into opening the playbook and throwing the ball around. Also, Terry McLaurin is not Ja’Marr Chase and he does not have a Tee Higgins rolling with him. 

You want to know who understands how bad the Ravens secondary was last week against the Bengals? The Ravens secondary! They will be looking for retribution. 

In week three, CeeDee Lamb managed four receptions for 67 yards and in week four Khalil Shakir caught four passes for 62 yards. The Ravens will be fixated on taking McLaurin away. Other receivers may have success, but he will not. If you can help it, let him chill this week.

Gene's Parting Thought: There's Always a Next Man Up

Remember that if a player is out, someone has to play for them. This means that there is a chance for them to have a great performance. 

Darius Slayton scored 22.2 points in half-PPR leagues last week, finished as WR7, and is still only rostered in 5% or fewer of leagues on all the major platforms. JuJu Smith-Schuster was resuscitated once again in Kansas City and finished as a top 15 receiver — yet he is only rostered in 10% or fewer leagues. Sometimes you just need to put your big boy pants on, pull the trigger on a player that you know will get a chance to perform and live with the consequences. Especially if your team is struggling, what do you have to lose? 

John's Parting Thought: Let’s Go To The Circus

Simply put, winning weekly fantasy matchups is all about attaching yourself to the highest scoring games. When I’m in a pinch this is my favorite image when in need of a thousand words. I charted the entire league’s points scored with points allowed for a simple reference:

Of course start everyone you can against the Panthers, Rams and Jaguars but the two-way ceiling games involve the Bengals, Ravens, and Commanders.