Here's my inside look at some of the Sunday's Week 6 matchups from an injury and player personnel perspective:
Ravens-Eagles
The Eagle defense continues to have issues with misdirection plays (pre-snap motion especially), so you can expect that coming again today from the Ravens and OC Greg Roman.
Teams also continue to attack their awful LB group with TEs and WRs on in-breaking routes (see Steeler WR Chase Claypool).
If the Ravens can protect, plays will be there to be made against the struggling Eagle secondary and linebackers, so QB Lamar Jackson could have a big game.
It's a real reach, but it wouldn't surprise me if rookie RB J.K. Dobbins made a few big plays in this game out of the backfield.
As for Eagle QB Carson Wentz, he continues to put up decent fantasy numbers, but it's hard to see it against the Raven secondary, which is outstanding at CB. I'm likely going to bench him in the leagues I have him in.
The good news for Wentz owners after today's game: His next 3 games are against the Giants twice and the Cowboys, so better days are ahead. And by then, he's expected to have WRs DeSean Jackson (hamstring) and Alshon Jeffery available. And I'm told TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) has a chance to return to play before the team's Week 9 bye. Week 8 would be the earliest he could play (worst case scenario Week 10). And rookie WR Jalen Reagor (thumb surgery) is expected to return after the bye.
Jets-Dolphins
I said here last week to not cut QB Ryan Fitzpatrick just yet after his disappointing game the week before against the porous Seahawk secondary.
Here's what I wrote: "I can understand why many cut journeyman QB Ryan Fitzpatrick after his lackluster performance against the bad Seahawk secondary last week (I got lucky that he got me over 20 points--see his rushing numbers), but being that he has yet another favorable matchup, you might want to give him one more start."
Fitzpatrick went off against the injured 49er secondary (they were without 4 CBs) and he faces a Jet defense that has the NFL's worst pass rush and which does not have a good quality CB.
If you're struggling for a QB this week, especially in DFS, Fitzpatrick is worth a shot.
The Jets think they're getting back starting WR Breshad Perriman (high ankle) this game, but keep in mind he has not worked with QB Joe Flacco yet.
I'm tempted to start him this week because of Perriman's speed and Flacco's arm strength, but I'm still wary of Perriman's injury history and his lack of time with the veteran signal caller.
Bengals-Colts
The Bengals are now without 3 key players on their front-4: DTs D.J. Reader (quadriceps-IR), Mike Daniels (foot-IR) and DE Sam Hubbard (elbow-IR).
With very little pass rush and issues that should come up against the run, the Colts could finally have some success with their passing game, but more importantly, with rookie RB Jonathan Taylor on the ground.
There's no reason that he should have less than 20 carries and 100 yards.
Browns-Steelers
From talking to some teams that have scouted the Browns, it has been pointed out to me how weak the Browns are at CB opposite Denzel Ward, which won't be lost on Steeler OC Randy Fitchner.
Fichtner went after the Eagles secondary opposite CB Darius Slay and also attacked the Eagles weakness at LB, and he's one of those play callers that I have a lot of trust in from evaluating him the past few years.
Today, I expect him to go after Brown CB Terrance Mitchell, who is starting for 2nd-year CB Greedy Williams (shoulder-IR). And don't forget the Browns are really poor in coverage at safety (they actually don't have a true free safety).
Not only does this bode well for QB Ben Roethlisberger, but for their WRs and TEs today.
Bears-Panthers
Despite his rocky first quarter against the Buccaneers (missed at least 3 open pass targets), the Bears believe QB Nick Foles actually played pretty well.
What does is put the ball in the area of the intended pass target's hands, which gives the WR or TE a chance to make a play on the ball.
So this is a good sign that WR Allen Robinson will continue to not only be heavily targeted, but he'll have a chance to put up big numbers each week.
And the team continues to be happy with the progress of TE Jimmy Graham. He has been "a true professional" from the day that he signed his contract.
They use him in a specific way: red zone and slants and routes that keep him going forward (seam routes). His one issue is that he has trouble on certain routes that would ask him to "throttle down."
The Bears might get a big break if Panther starting CB Donte Jackson (toe-questionable) can't go today. He has dealt with his lingering injury since Week 1 and only played one snap last week.
Keep in mind that they're starting former Eagles CB Rasul Douglas (he was cut) and might have to start rookie CB Troy Pride for Jackson. The matchup would be very favorable for the Bear passing game if Jackson can't go.
Lions-Jaguars
Once again, the Jaguars are dealing with injury issues on defense and it's not like their lack of developed talent on defense is going to improve. They're at least a few away from being competitive on this side of the ball.
Starting DE Josh Allen (knee-questionable) DNP on Friday and they've been struggling to find a pass rush in their recent games.
The Lions, who are coming off of their bye, have a very favorable matchup for their pass and run game today.
QB Matthew Stafford and WR Kenny Golladay are looking better than usual. While I'm not a fan of the play calling from Lion OC Darrell Bevell, it's hard to imagine that the Lions offense won't have a strong game today based on the matchups that are in front of them.
Falcons-Vikings
Once again, the Falcons are struggling in the secondary. But this time, they can't use injuries as an excuse as they got back both starting safeties last week against the Panthers. And despite that, QB Teddy Bridgewater torched them for over 300 and 2 TDs.
The problem is the Falcons have next to no pass rush, which is why Viking QB Kirk Cousins should have no problem putting up 250 yards in the air and 2 TDs.
Rams-49ers
While the Rams have a "programmed" passing game, they're still looking good against the injured 49er CBs.
Starting CB Richard Sherman (calf) remains on IR and nickel CB K'Waun Williams (knee) was placed on IR prior to last week's game.
And don't forget that they're already without 2nd-year DE Nick Bosa (ACL) for the season. It's amazing how much of a drop-off this defense has taken from last season when they were perhaps the biggest surprise in the NFL on that side of the ball.
They'll get CB Emmanuel Moseley (concussion) back this week, but they'll also be without CB Dontae Johnson (groin) who had been seeing increased playing time after Sherman got hurt.
QB Jared Goff can be maddening at times (just 8 TD passes in 5 games) and his pass attempts are generally low (30.4 per game), but the matchup is looking quite favorable today for him and his WRs.
