Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com is in his seventh season of Fantasy Football analysis on seahawks.com. Scott is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writer's Association's Hall of Fame and a former FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award Winner. He can be heard on FNTSY Radio every morning and seen on FNTSY Sports Network daily on CenturyLink's sports package and Dish Network.
The Seahawks are one of four teams on a bye this week, and with injuries to star players also mounting, it's going to be seemingly very challenging to field a solid Week 6 Fantasy Football lineup. But with proper preparation and the knowledge that your opponents are dealing with much of the same issues, you don't have to be anxious or feel like you are heading into this week with a distinctive disadvantage. Plus, as always, we get you ready for victory with some notable plays that are more than just fill-in replacements, but you may have been questioning whether to use them or not.
Running Backs
Elijah McGuire vs. New England: It is likely that Bilal Powell will not be available this week, and at 3-2 and at home, the Jets will be hosting their rivals with some confidence. The Patriots allow an AFC-high 23.80 Fantasy Points Per Game to opposing running backs, and McGuire is a potentially versatile performer that could be a key part of the New York offense this week.
Samaje Perine vs. San Francisco: The rookie is expected to see a significant workload this week and faces a 49ers defense that has allowed 21.96 FFPG to opposing running backs, the second-highest total among NFC teams on NFL.com. Chris Thompson will also figure in the mix for PPR leaguers, but Perine should get the key goal-line carries and will fill in nicely as a flex option or even as a RB2 if you have a dire need there.
Alvin Kamara vs. Detroit:He has quickly emerged as a major pass-catching producer in his first NFL season, and Kamara has already displayed some big-play potential. He can threaten defenses out of the backfield but also gets looks on deeper throws. The Lions have allowed 291 receiving yards to opposing running backs, fourth-highest on NFL.com.
Javorius Allen vs. Chicago: Allen first emerged as a viable pass-catching threat early in the season, and last week he started to see more work as a ball carrier. The Bears have allowed five rushing TDs to RBs, second-most in the NFC, and he can also challenge the Bears linebacking crew with his dual purpose skills.
Wide Receivers
Martavis Bryant vs. Kansas City:There are reports he could see some of his reps reduced after a slow start to the season, but the Steelers need to get their passing game re-energized after a down Week 5, and Bryant has the big-play abilities to jump-start the air attack again. The Chiefs allow an AFC-high 27.88 FFPG to opposing WRs, and the Kansas City secondary will be primarily focused on containing Antonio Brown.
Jermaine Kearse vs. New England:The former Seahawks receiver has seized an opportunity to move to the front of the Jets receiving corps. He has already caught three TD passes and has been a viable depth wideout on many Fantasy squads. This is the week when you bring him off reserve to face a Patriots pass defense that has allowed 25.86 FFPG to WRs, fifth most on NFL.com. Maybe Kearse will make another amazing catch vs. New England as he did in Super Bowl XLIX.
Amari Cooper vs. Los Angeles Chargers: Derek Carr may be able to return this week, and Cooper is just too talented to stay quiet for much longer. The Raiders will likely make it a point to get him involved early and often against the Chargers, who have also allowed eight TD passes to WRs, third most on NFL.com.
Donte Moncrief vs. Tennessee:He is a sneaky play in any format. The Titans secondary has allowed 26.24 FFPG to opposing WRs on NFL.com, second most among AFC teams. Their nine TD passes are the most allowed in the NFL to the position. Moncrief, a frequent TD target in 2016, will get his looks in the red zone but will also benefit from the Titans attempting to somehow keep T.Y. Hilton in check.
Quarterbacks
Jacoby Brissett vs. Tennessee: If you have Russell Wilson or Dak Prescott on a bye this week, Brissett is a quality sub against a Titans defense that has allowed 20.78 FFPG to opposing QBs, second most on NFL.com. Brissett threw for over 300 yards last week vs. the 49ers and has also rushed for three TDs this year.
Carson Palmer vs. Tampa Bay:Arizona has a deep wide receiver crew that will truly challenge a vulnerable Buccaneers secondary. Tampa Bay has allowed 1,261 passing yards, fourth most in the NFC. Despite the arrival of Adrian Peterson, the Cardinals will continue to rely heavily on their passing game.
Tight Ends, Kickers & Defenses/Special Teams
Austin Hooper could have his best game since Week 1 as he takes on Miami. … George Kittle is worth a look against a Washington defense that allows 12.10 FFPG to TEs, second most in the NFC on NFL.com. … The Houston defense is dealing with key injuries but is still a good start vs. Cleveland. … Atlanta should return strong off a bye and is a fine start vs. Miami. … Dustin Hopkins should be busy against the 49ers and Brandon McManus could be good for a few field goals against the Giants.
The Dallas RB Situation
We found out late this week that the Cowboys could need some replacements at RB for a six-game stretch beginning in Week 7. If you can pick up both Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris, do it until the situation becomes clearer. McFadden could get the first call because Dallas may choose to keep Morris in a current role they are comfortable with. Here's more on the situation from the FNTSY Sports Radio Network.
For more lineup recommendations and insights from Scott Engel and his team, register now for the Xclusive Edge In-Season Fantasy Football package at rotoexperts.com/discount. Seahawks.com readers get five dollars off with promocode "seahawks" at checkout.
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 16-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams during Week 5 at L.A. Coliseum.
Kicker Blair Walsh is dressed to the nines as he makes his way to the team buses on Sunday.
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor waits for the buses to depart the team hotel on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson takes his early warmup throws on the NFL logo painted at midfield at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum prior to facing the Rams.
Seahawks left guard Luke Joeckel stretches in the end zone during the early warmup period.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett greets the Rams' Alec Ogletree on the field before the game.
Early-arriving 12s found themselves down next to the field near the Seahawks bench during pregame.
Safety Kam Chancellor adjusts his helmet as the Seahawks head to the field.
Cornerback Richard Sherman makes the walk down the tunnel to the playing field at the Coliseum.
From left, Tanner McEvoy, Russell Wilson, Justin Britt and Oday Aboushi lead the Seahawks to the playing field.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett kneels on the field before the game.
Seahawks captains Russell Wilson, Jon Ryan, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman await the pregame coin toss.
The Rams pressured Seattle early, with Russell Wilson being tackled by L.A.'s Alec Ogletree in the first quarter.
The Seahawks defense worked hard to stop Rams running back Todd Gurley, here brought down by Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas saves a touchdown and creates a turnover at the last possible moment, jarring the ball away from Rams running back Todd Gurley just shy of the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson slides after scrambling during the first quarter.
Offensive lineman Ethan Pocic caught a line drive kickoff and returned it 13 yards in the second quarter.
Seattle's Luke Willson can't prevent Rams defensive back John Johnson III from intercepting a pass thrown by Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson helps save a touchdown by tackling Rams safety John Johnson III after Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Wilson.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races up the right side.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham rumbles down the field, pursued by Rams linebacker Mark Barron.
Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after evading the Rams' Cody Davis.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham outlaws the smaller John Johnson III of the Rams for a touchdown reception.
Running back Thomas Rawls celebrates with tight end Jimmy Graham after Graham scored on a four-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson looks for running room up the left side in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson runs over Rams defender Nickell Robey-Coleman along the Los Angeles sideline.
Seattle's Frank Clark collars Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy finds daylight for a six-yard gain.
Seattle's Blair Walsh, with Jon Ryan holding, makes one of his three field goals in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the game.
Seattle's Sheldon Richardson intercepts a pass intended for Rams running back Todd Gurley in the third quarter.
The Seahawks defense celebrates with defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson after his interception.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races away from Rams defenders in the third quarter.
Seattle punter Jon Ryan turned in another strong performance for the Seahawks.
With Seattle protecting a 13-10 lead, the Rams looked to come back in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll celebrates as his defense forced the Rams to punt late in the game.
Injured Seahawk Cliff Avril gives advice to defensive end Marcus Smith in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's run defense held the Rams dangerous running back Todd Gurley to his lowest rushing output of the year.
Seattle's defense swarms around Los Angeles receiver Tavon Austin in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Earl Thomas looks for an opening after intercepting a Jared Goff pass in the fourth quarter.
Seattle running back Thomas Rawls runs past a host of Rams.
Seattle's Frank Clark knocks the ball away from Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson returns a fumble caused by teammate Frank Clark in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Blair Walsh smiles after connecting on a 35-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining, giving the Seahawks a 16-10 lead. Walsh made field goals of 48, 49 and 35 yards in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere one looked on the road in Los Angeles and were treated to a 16-10 victory.
Seattle's Kam Chancellor and Justin Coleman defend as Jared Goff's pass intended for Cooper Kupp falls incomplete on fourth down, sealing the victory for the Seahawks.
Seattle's Justin Coleman celebrates after the defense held the Rams on the final drive of the game.
Rooke cornerback Shaquill Griffin is hugged by veteran safety Earl Thomas on the field after the hard-fought victory.
