Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.
As John Boyle of Seahawks.com noted, the Seahawks are looking forward to facing former teammate Marshawn Lynch this weekend when they take on the Raiders in London. Football at its highest level, is a game that can be fueled further by adrenaline and emotion. This week, we could see very good Fantasy production from current skill position Seahawks as well as Lynch, whose former teammates will not want to be outdone, and it is also a very good matchup overall for the Seahawks offense against the Raiders' 31st-ranked defense.
As we have indicated in this space before to Seahawks fans, you should not bench an opposing player just because he faces your favorite team. Rooting against a player does not mean that will affect his statistics, obviously, and at some point the opposition will likely score some points. If those points come from one of your Fantasy starters, your Fantasy outlook can be helped even if you don't like the result as a fan. But opposing yards and points are unavoidable. Plus, one of the first rules of Fantasy Sports is to never make moves with your heart. So keep Lynch locked into your lineup, and you can still cheer for a Seahawks victory at the same time. If Lynch does get in the end zone, his former teammates will salute him with respect, and you are doing the same and helping your outlook by keeping him active in your lineup.
But the Seahawks won't want to be outdone in this battle with their former teammate, and they have very favorable outlooks at running back, wide receiver and quarterback. The Raiders have allowed 551 rushing yards to running backs, second-most in the AFC. Chris Carson and Mike Davis should be started for sure this week. Carson, who is doing a great job of breaking tackles and gaining extra yardage when it seems the play may be finished, is a must-start RB2 for Week 6. Davis has scored three times in his past two games and should be utilized as a flex play. The Raiders have allowed five rushing TDs, most in the AFC.
Oakland has allowed the third-most receiving yards in the AFC (962) to opposing WRs. With 59.80 points, Tyler Lockett is the No. 15 WR on NFL.com, having outscored the likes of Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. so far. He will be a strong start again in what appears to be his breakout Fantasy campaign. Doug Baldwin should be started with confidence, and in deeper leagues and bye week situations, you can opt for David Moore, whose downfield big-play ability makes him a super sleeper for Week 6.
Russell Wilson deserves strong starting consideration against the Raiders' 24th-ranked pass defense. This matchup could produce some of the best Fantasy performances of the year so far from a few Seahawks.
Here's a look at other players to start in Week 6...
Running Backs
James White vs. Kansas City: The Chiefs have allowed 454 receiving yards to opposing running backs, the most in the NFL. You can bet Bill Belichick is well aware of that trend, and White is a good play even in non-PPR formats.
Phillip Lindsay vs. L.A. Rams: Los Angeles has allowed 476 rushing yards to opposing running backs, third-most among NFC teams. Lindsay has been arguably the most unexpected surprise at RB this year as Denver's new lead guy. He'll be a key to the Broncos trying to play ball control against the Rams.
Nyheim Hines vs. New York Jets: The rookie is emerging as a viable pass-catching specialist for the Colts, and he does get mixed into the running game as well. With blazing speed and big-play promise, we have not seen the best of Hines just yet. The Colts are dealing with some injuries at WR and TE, and Hines can play a significant role, especially in PPR leagues, against the Jets, who have allowed 34 receptions to opposing running backs, fourth-most in the AFC.
Bilal Powell vs. Indianapolis: Powell may be needed to handle an expanded workload this week, and the matchup is friendly. Not only have the Colts allowed 435 rushing yards to opposing running backs, they have also surrendered an AFC-high 39 receptions to the position, and Powell is an established versatile performer.
Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd vs. Pittsburgh: With 51.80 points, Boyd has made his first significant Fantasy splash this season as the 23rd most productive receiver on NFL.com, stamping him as a clear WR2. The Steelers have allowed 31.24 Fantasy Points Per Game.
Chris Godwin vs. Atlanta: There will be a lot of passing volume for Jamies Winston in a shootout, and he should rediscover the connection he started establishing with Godwin in some flashes of what was to come last season. Godwin averaged 15.4 yards per catch last year working with Winston. The Falcons allow 29.56 FFPG to opposing WRs, fourth-most in the NFC.
Josh Gordon vs. Kansas City: The former Brown is not the prominent target he was in Cleveland, but he already has a carved-out role in New England as a downfield, big-play threat. Gordon caught his first TD pass as a Patriot last week and Kansas City has allowed 957 yards to opposing WRs, fourth-most in the AFC.
Chester Rogers vs. New York Jets: Injuries have created opportunity for Rogers recently, and he has responded with two consecutive eight-catch, 11-target outings. The Jets have allowed an AFC-high 82 receptions to opposing WRs.
Tight Ends
Austin Hooper vs. Tampa Bay: Last week against the Steelers, Hooper had the best game of his career, catching nine balls for 77 yards. After facing the team that allows the most FFPG to TEs, he faces the most generous team of all to the position. The Buccaneers have yielded 13.38 FFPG to TEs.
C.J. Uzomah vs. Pittsburgh: Uzomah is being asked to step forward as Cincinnati's top TE, and the matchup is obviously a friendly one. Andy Dalton likes to look for his TEs near the goal line, and Bengals-Steelers should be a high-scoring affair.
For more Week 6 advice and tips from Scott Engel and the RotoExperts team, get theXclusive Edge Fantasy Football Packageon RotoExperts.com. Use promocode "seahawks" at checkout for a special discount.
