Week 6 QB Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds: Who plays Atlanta?

We’re headed to week six and nearing the halfway point of most fantasy football regular seasons. As you continue to stream quarterbacks or look for a season-long option, possibly to replace Dak Prescott as I am in a handful of leagues, look no further. Here are a few great matchups for week six and beyond. Any reference to fantasy points and rankings is based on standard quarterback scoring formats (4 points per passing touchdown, 1 point per 25 passing yards, and standard rushing points).

Kirk Cousins

Another week in the books, and the Atlanta Falcons are still giving up more points to the quarterback position than any other team. This past week, Teddy Bridgewater elated streamers and daily fantasy players with 313 yards and 2 touchdowns. Week six, Atlanta heads to Minnesota, which is why I’m recommending you stream Kirk Cousins. Cousins, who has benefitted from the emergence of Justin Jefferson, and might be asked to do more if Dalvin Cook sits with a groin injury, has a wonderful opportunity against Atlanta. On average, Atlanta is giving up 345 passing yards and three touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. While Cousins has a bye in week seven, three of his next four opponents after the bye include Green Bay, Detroit, and Dallas.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Despite a week one stinker, Ryan Fitzpatrick is still averaging nearly 20 fantasy points per game. He’s managed at least 20 in each of the past four weeks, including a monstrous 350-and-three against the 49ers in week five. In week six, Miami will take on the Jets, who have given up nearly 20 points per game in mostly blowouts to Josh Allen, Jimmy Garoppolo, Philip Rivers, Brett Rypien, and Kyler Murray. Expecting another blowout to limit Fitzpatrick’s upside is a concern, but Miami has a beatable defense that could allow the Jets to keep up somewhat. Fitzpatrick’s long-term stay on fantasy teams will be tested in the following weeks, however, as weeks eight and nine include the Rams and Cardinals after a week-seven bye.

Ryan Tannehill

Tannehill might be a bit overlooked after missing a week due to a COVID-induced bye, but consider him against Houston in week six. Houston isn’t the best matchup, as their inability to stop the run is limiting opponent quarterback output. However, the scoring opportunities will be there. Even better is Tannehill will likely have his number-one target, A.J. Brown, back from injury. As week six streaming options are slim, you could do much worse than Tannehill, who has been more likely than not to finish as a top-12 quarterback since taking over as the starter in Tennessee.

Jared Goff

It’s unlikely that Goff is available in your league, but if he is, consider him against the 49ers. Yes, the 49ers. Currently, San Francisco is giving up the 14th-most fantasy points to the quarterback position, despite having a few cupcake opponents in the Jets, Giants, and Eagles. Against formidable offenses, the Cardinals and the Dolphins, the 49ers appear more vulnerable than last year, mostly due to injury. After losing Joey Bosa and Solomon Thomas for the year, San Francisco played without a handful of more key pieces against Miami on Sunday and it showed. Ezekiel Ansah and K’Waun Williams were both added to the IR prior to the game against Miami, making them unavailable for the upcoming game against the Rams. Meanwhile, Goff has put up top-12 games in three of five weeks so far, making him an intriguing option against a depleted 49ers defense that just gave up 350 yards and three touchdowns to Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Gardner Minshew

The Minshew Mania has faded a little, but his consistent fantasy production has not. Other than his week-three dud against Miami, Minshew has averaged just over 21 fantasy points per contest, making him a top-12 player so far through five weeks (prior to Monday and Tuesday’s games). Most recently, Minshew managed 301 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-14 loss to the Texans. As long as their defense continues to give up a lot of points, Minshew will continue throwing the ball with high volume, and he’ll continue to stay relevant in fantasy. In week six, Jacksonville will host Detroit, who is giving up the 10th-most fantasy points to the quarterback position. Another good matchup, against a pass-heavy opponent that can drive scoring up should bode well for Minshew. Other than his week-eight bye, Minshew plays the Chargers, Texans, and Packers over the next four weeks, and has Minnesota, Cleveland, and Tennessee in weeks 12, 13, and 14. Consider hanging on to Minshew for the remainder of the season.