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Sports Illustrated
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Michael Fabiano

Week 6 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: Kickers and Team Defenses

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at the best and worst matchups based on a PPR scoring system in fantasy football. This column will not cover the elite players in the NFL like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson. Instead, I'll look at the players you have questions about who could exceed or fail to meet expectations at each position. For all of your final fantasy lineup decisions, be sure to check out my weekly player rankings which will be updated daily throughout the 2023 NFL season.

Fabs’ Top 10 Defenses

1. Bills defense vs. Giants
2. 49ers defense at Browns
3. Dolphins defense vs. Panthers
4. Eagles defense vs. Jets
5. Chiefs defense vs. Broncos (Thur.)
6. Ravens defense at Titans (London)
7. Falcons defense vs. Commanders
8. Lions defense at Buccaneers
9. Texans defense vs. Saints
10. Saints defense at Texans

Complete Week 6 defense rankings

Week 6 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em: QUARTERBACKS | RUNNING BACKS | WIDE RECEIVERS | TIGHT ENDS | KICKERS & TEAM DEFENSES

Byes: Packers, Steelers

Week 6 Start ’Em: Defenses

Start of the Week

Jamie Germano/USA Today Network.

Bills defense vs. Giants (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): The Bills defense didn’t do well in London last week and have lost some important players due to injuries, but I’m still starting them against the Giants. No team in the league has allowed more sacks of their quarterback, and the G-Men are averaging fewer than 13 points per contest.

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Start ’Em

Eagles defense at Jets (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): The Eagles defense scored just five fantasy points in last week’s win over the Rams, but I’m expecting more in terms of production against the Jets. Their offense has allowed 15 sacks, which is tied for eighth most in the league, not to mention eight giveaways committed, in 2023.

More Starts

Dolphins defense vs. Panthers (1 p.m. ET, CBS
Falcons defense vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Fox)
Lions defense at Buccaneers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Bargains (DraftKings)

Dolphins defense vs. Panthers ($3,500)
Saints defense at Texans ($3,300)
Lions defense at Buccaneers ($2,700)

Week 6 Sit S’Em: Defenses

Sit of the Week

Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys defense at Chargers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): The Cowboys D/ST is trending in the wrong direction, as it lost CB Trevon Diggs and was just smoked by Brock Purdy and the Niners. Next up is a tough matchup against the Chargers and former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, which doesn’t bode well for the Dallas defense.

Sit ’Em

Browns defense vs. 49ers (1 p.m. ET, Fox): The Browns have one of the best defensive units in the league, but starting it against the 49ers isn’t recommended. Their offense has committed just two giveaways and have allowed a modest eight sacks on the season, and it’s also averaging well over 30 points per game.

More Sits

Jets defense vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)
Seahawks defense at Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Cardinals defense at Rams (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox)

DFS Fades (DraftKings)

Raiders defense vs. Patriots ($3,900)
Falcons defense vs. Commanders ($3,600)|
Seahawks defense at Bengals ($3,000)


Fabs’ Top 10 Kickers

1. Jake Elliott vs. Jets
2. Tyler Bass vs. Giants
3. Jason Sanders vs. Panthers
4. Harrison Butker vs. Broncos (Thur.)
5. Justin Tucker at Titans (London)
6. Younghoe Koo vs. Commanders
7. Brett Maher vs. Cardinals
8. Brandon Aubrey at Chargers (Mon.)
9. Evan McPherson vs. Seahawks
10. Riley Patterson at Buccaneers

Byes: Packers, Steelers

Week 6 Start ’Em: Kickers

Start of the Week

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Younghoe Koo vs. Commanders (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Koo is averaging just 6.6 fantasy points on the season, but this week’s matchup against the Commanders makes him a prime start ’em. Their defense has surrendered 16 field-goals and the most points to opposing kickers, so Koo should find success this weekend.

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Start ’Em

Brandon McManus vs. Colts (1 p.m. ET, CBS): McManus has scored 7.8 fantasy points per game on the season, but a matchup against the Colts should be good for a double-digit performance. Their defense has allowed 14 field-goal attempts (10 makes) and an average of 9.8 fantasy points per game to kickers this season.

More Starts

Daniel Carlson vs. Patriots (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS)
Nick Folk vs. Ravens (London, 9:30 a.m. ET, NFL Network)
Brandon Aubrey at Chargers (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Week 6 Sit ’Em: Kickers

Sit of the Week

Greg Zuerlein vs. Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Zuerlein is coming off a huge, 17-point performance in a win over the Broncos, but he’ll come crashing back down to earth against the Eagles. Their defense has allowed just two field goals and the fewest fantasy points to kickers, so Zuerlein is in a bad spot this weekend.

Sit ’Em

Matt Gay at Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Gay has scored a combined 36 fantasy points in his last three games, including 11 in last week’s win over the Titans. He could be in for a rough afternoon, though, as he’ll face a Jaguars defense that has allowed four field-goal conversions and the second-fewest points to kickers.

More Sits


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