NFL Weekly Grind Down: Week Six
Welcome to the RotoGrinders Weekly NFL Grind Down Article. There’s no better place to start your research for NFL action in the week ahead than the Grind Down. Each week, we break down every game in an effort to better prepare you when building your daily fantasy lineups.
The analysis should point you in the right direction, but it is still up to you to decipher the information and make your own selections. Use this article to help you gain a better understanding of the matchups for the coming week and build from there. We have everything you could possibly need on our Daily Research console for you to be a successful daily fantasy player!
Note: Any Fantasy Point Average Listed Uses FanDuel Scoring. For more info on FanDuel’s NFL Scoring System, check out the scoring systems section of our FanDuel Review
NY Giants at Chicago
| New York Giants | Chicago Bears | |||||||||
 |  | |||||||||
| Thurs – 8:25PM ET | Soldier Field | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 7.5 | 47 | 19.75 | -7.5 | 47 | 27.25 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Offense | 16.4 | 30 | 10 | 32 | Offense | 29.0 | 4 | 12 | 16 | |
| Defense | 36.4 | 32 | 22 | 27 | Defense | 28.0 | 26 | 24 | 13 | |
| Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | |
| Chicago | 16 | 19 | 16 | 21 | NY Giants | 30 | 24 | 22 | 28 | |
| Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | |
| Cruz | 55 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 12.0 | Marshall | 47 | 9.4 | 9.0 | 5.0 | |
| Nicks | 38 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 12.0 | Jeffery | 45 | 9.0 | 10.7 | 13.0 | |
| Randle | 38 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 13.0 | Bennett | 13 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 | |
| Myers | 29 | 6.2 | 4.0 | 5.0 | Bennett | 38 | 7.4 | 7.3 | 5.0 | |
NEW YORK GIANTS
The NYG are awful. They are giving up 36.4 PPG. It actually looked like they gave up in the 4th quarter Sunday against the Eagles. That offensive line is brutal and until they fix that, I can’t see myself taking anyone on that offense. The Giants’ minus 13 turnover differential is the worst in the NFL, and the Bears have 14 takeaways through five games. This could get ugly fast.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Manning has the worst offensive line in the NFL and has thrown a league leading 12 interceptions. Eli and his receivers were off all day in week 5,whether they were dropping passes or running the wrong routes, it was frustrating to watch. The Bears will pressure Eli like crazy and make it very difficult on him.
RBs – David Wilson is out which leaves Brandon Jacobs and Da’Rel Scott in the Giants backfield, which basically means no running game at all.
Receiving – The Bears are ranked 24th against the pass. The Giants won’t be able to run the ball, so expect them to be throwing a ton. I guess Cruz, Nicks and Randle are all in play.
CHICAGO BEARS
The Bears were in tough last week against the undefeated Saints. They did not play great, but were in the game late and could not get the big play they needed. Their defense was subpar which can be expected considering all the injuries. The Bears got more bad news Monday as defensive tackle Nick Collins will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. The offense should have a much easier time with the NYG rolling into town.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Jay Cutler has the 7th best PFF (Pro Football Focus) QB rating at 94.29. He has 4 legitimate weapons now with Forte, Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett. Cutler is in a great situation against this pathetic Giants secondary that ranks 30th VS the QB. He should have all day to throw VS the NYG weak pass rush that has allowed a QB to pass for 2+ TDs every week.
RBs – Forte has been a monster this year with at least 90 YFS in every game. He is averaging 5.4 receptions per game. The Giants are ranked 27th against the run and allow 21.8 FPPG to the RB. If you are playing the Thursday game, I think you need to get Forte in all your lineups.
Receiving – All of Marshall, Jeffery and Bennett are in play. In the last 2 weeks (both losses) Marshall only has 11 catches and 109 total yards. I expect them to get him more looks in week 6. Alshon Jeffery is the #3 ranked fantasy receiver in the last 3 weeks and had 3 red zone targets in week 5. Bennett is 8th in TE targets and the Giants are allowing 16 FPPG to the TE. Apparently Bennett is now a game time decision.
Carolina at Minnesota
| Carolina Panthers | Minnesota Vikings | |||||||||
 |  | |||||||||
| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Mall of America Field | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 1 | 44 | 21.5 | -1 | 44 | 22.5 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Offense | 18.5 | 27 | 30 | 7 | Offense | 28.8 | 5 | 23 | 10 | |
| Defense | 14.5 | 3 | 8 | 7 | Defense | 30.8 | 29 | 29 | 15 | |
| Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | |
| Minnesota | 23 | 32 | 25 | 31 | Carolina | 1 | 22 | 9 | 2 | |
| Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | |
| Smith | 35 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 10.0 | Jennings | 23 | 5.8 | 5.0 | ||
| Lafell | 22 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | Simpson | 32 | 8.0 | 9.5 | ||
| Ginn Jr. | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Patterson | 9 | 2.3 | 3.0 | |||
| Olsen | 30 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | Rudolph | 20 | 5.0 | 5.0 | ||
CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Carolina Panthers turned in a brutal showing in Arizona last week and now sit at 1-3. Cam Newton started out solid, going 14-21 with 215 yards in the 1st half, but could not get them in the end zone. It only got worse from there. Newton ended up with 3 INTs and the entire Carolina offense was shut down by an underrated Cardinals defense. Ron Rivera’s days could be numbered
with another performance like this.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Cam Newton has a great chance to redeem himself this week. The Vikings have the 29th ranked defense against the pass and are allowing 326 passing yards per game. Per PFF the Vikings secondary is allowing over 73% comp rate.
RBs – Even with Jonathan Stewart out, DeAngelo Williams is still losing goal line carries to Newton and Tolbert. The Vikings give up the most FPPG to RBs with 26.5 per game.
Receiving – With the Viking poor pass defense everyone is in play. Smith caught only 4 passes last week, but was targeted 10 times. Even with Newton’s inconsistencies, Olsen is averaging over 5 catches a game and 68.25 YPG. The Vikings rank 31st in FPPG to the TE with an average of 17.9 PPG.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
You know you are in trouble when you sign Josh Freeman. I actually think he will be given the chance to start over Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel come week 7. He can’t be any worse. The Vikings last played in London defeating the Steelers, before a week 5 bye. They will look to make it two in a row against a struggling Panther team.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Matt Cassel will start in week 6, Ponder is out (Ribs) and Freeman is not ready yet. The Panthers have the 8th best passing defense in the NFL and are ranked #1 in FPPG at the QB with only 11.3 per game.
RBs – The Panthers have the 7th best defense against the run and are only allowing 3.6 YPC. However with Adrian Peterson you can pretty much throw out all those numbers, he is a beast.
Receiving – Jennings and Simpson are both in play with Cassel at QB. Both had solid games against the Steelers and their 5th rank passing defense in week 4.
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay
| Philadelphia Eagles | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |||||||||
 |  | |||||||||
| Sun – 1:00PM ET | Raymond James Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 0 | 46 | 23 | 0 | 46 | 23 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Offense | 27.0 | 8 | 11 | 1 | Offense | 11.0 | 31 | 32 | 18 | |
| Defense | 31.8 | 30 | 29 | 17 | Defense | 17.5 | 8 | 15 | 8 | |
| Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | |
| Tampa Bay | 14 | 6 | 10 | 24 | Philadelphia | 27 | 16 | 32 | 8 | |
| Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | |
| Jackson | 50 | 9.8 | 8.3 | 12.0 | Jackson | 41 | 10.3 | 8.5 | ||
| Cooper | 19 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 1.0 | Williams | 29 | 7.3 | 7.5 | ||
| Avant | 29 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 7.0 | Shepard | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
| Celek | 17 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 3.0 | Stocker | 0.0 | ||||
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Michael Vick was on his way to what looked like a huge day against the Giants before leaving with a hamstring injury. He had 79 yards rushing and 105 throwing in the 2nd quarter. Vick’s injury not only hurts the Eagles, but it destroyed a lot of fantasy players hopes in GPPS. Nick Foles came in and did a really nice job leading the Eagles to Victory.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Nick Foles is an underrated QB in a very good offense. He finished last week with 197 passing yards and 2 TDs. I think he has value this week in GPPs.
RBs – LeSean McCoy is averaging 140 YFS per game. TB has not allowed a TD to a RB this season and rank 6th in FPPG against the RB. However Shady will be by far the best RB to face the Bucs all year.
Receiving – Darrelle Revis is the 2nd ranked CB according to PFF in coverage this season. He will likely shadow DeSean Jackson.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The Bucs finally rid them selves of Josh Freeman and have started the Mike Glennon era. Just when you thought it could not get much worse for the TB receivers. The Buccaneers were winning 10-0 in the 4th quarter last week against the Cards (thanks to their defense) when Glennon threw not one but two terrible picks late in the game and cost the Bucs a victory.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Even against a terrible Eagles defense I cannot recommend starting Glennon. He will continue to look like an over matched rookie for the time being.
RBs – Doug Martin has been one the leagues biggest fantasy disappointments to date averaging only 85.5 rushing yards per game. The Bucs will be relying on him heavily in this game. Volume and the Eagles poor defense should allow Martin to have a successful day.
Receiving – The Eagles have allowed the 4th most plays of 20+ yards this season. They are ranked dead last in FPPG to WRs. Even with Glennon starting you still have to consider Jackson and Williams.
Pittsburgh at NY Jets
| Pittsburgh Steelers | New York Jets | |||||||||
 |  | |||||||||
| Sun – 1:00PM ET | MetLife Stadium | |||||||||
| Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | Vegas Odds | Sprd | Total | Proj.Pts | |||
| 2.5 | 41.5 | 19.5 | -2.5 | 41.5 | 22 | |||||
| Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | Tm Stats | PPG | Scoring | Pass | Rush | |
| Offense | 17.2 | 29 | 9 | 31 | Offense | 19.6 | 22 | 19 | 11 | |
| Defense | 27.5 | 23 | 5 | 25 | Defense | 23.2 | 15 | 13 | 2 | |
| Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | Opp. Def vs. Pos | QB | RB | WR | TE | |
| NY Jets | 18 | 3 | 18 | 15 | Pittsburgh | 3 | 28 | 13 | 3 | |
| Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | Rec. Targets | Total | Seas | Last3 | Last1 | |
| Brown | 42 | 10.5 | 13.0 | Kerley | 20 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 6.0 | ||
| Sanders | 38 | 9.5 | 8.0 | Gates | 17 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | ||
| Wheaton | 6 | 1.5 | 3.0 | Hill | 26 | 5.2 | 3.0 | 2.0 | ||
| Miller | 12 | 6.0 | 6.0 | Winslow | 24 | 4.8 | 3.3 | 1.0 | ||
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers are 0-4 for the first time since 1968 and have been outscored 110-69. They have turned it over 11 times and have forced zero turnovers this year. They are looking at their first losing season since 2003. I am a Steelers fan and it has been hard to watch so far and I don’t see to getting much better unfortunately.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Big Ben will be in tough against the Jets this week. The NYJ are one of the most difficult teams to throw on, allowing only 6.3 yards per attempt.
RBs – Bell broke away from the 3 headed monster which was the Steelers RB situation up until week 4. However he is unlikely to be as successful as he was in London with the Jets allowing an NFL best 80 YFS to the RB position.
Receiving – In his last 2 games Brown is averaging over 10 catches per game and 142 receiving yards. Sanders is averaging 9.25 targets per game. Big Ben loves Heath Miller, especially in the red zone. The NYJ have giving up the 6th most FPPG at TE in the last 3 weeks.
NEW YORK JETS
The New York Jets shocked a lot of people with their Monday night win in Atlanta. The Jets blew a 27-14 4th quarter lead only to have Geno Smith lead them down the field and allow Folk to kick the game winning field goal. Smith looked the part of a cagey veteran and not a rookie in that last drive. For those who missed it Antonio Cromartie and Julio Jones put on a great show themselves battling all night against each other.
Fantasy Relevant
QB – Geno Smith played likely his best game yet last week, but is still in tough against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is ranked 5th against the pass and are only allowing a 3rd best 12.9 FPPG to the QB.
RBs – The Jets are healthy at RB and now have a 3 way committee. Powell has played well and I expect him to get the most carries. The Steelers are allowing over 24 FPPG to the RB.
Receiving – Santonio Holmes remains out. Kerley was solid last week and should see the most targets. It’s hard to count on any value from the Jets WRs.