Fantasy football advice, Week 6: who to start for Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington

Whether it’s injuries, bye weeks, or a hot waiver wire claim that muddles fantasy lineups, the factors which fantasy owners have to consider before hitting the submit button are always present and rarely uncomplicated. There’s only one way to combat this, and that’s parsing each game, one at a time. Here’s what needs to be considered when the Philadelphia Eagles take on Washington:

The backfield was thought to be more than uncertain after Wendell Smallwood took the reins in Week 3 due to a Ryan Mathews injury, but Mathews resumed his spot atop the totem pole in Week 5 against the Lions. Mathews out-touched Darren Sproles 16-9 with Smallwood getting no touches, and against a Washington defense that is allowing a league-worst 5.1 yards per carry, there’s fantasy wealth to be had in Week 6. Mathews is an RB2, and Sproles deserves flex consideration in PPR formats.

With Jordan Matthews potentially getting the Josh Norman treatment, and with Bashaud Breeland slated to return from an ankle injury, it could be tough sledding for the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver. Zach Ertz has a middling matchup and could draw plenty of targets against a defense he has had success against in the past, and can be further encouraged by the Ravens’ tight ends combining for an 11-87-1 line in Week 5 against Washington. Ertz can be considered a low-end TE1, while Matthews is squarely in the WR2/WR3 range.

With multiple touchdown passes in three of four games to start the season, Carson Wentz continues to exceed rookie expectations. As long as the touchdowns and mistake-free football remains, Wentz can be considered a high-floor quarterback that fantasy owners covet each week. But with only Sam Bradford and Jameis Winston on byes, fantasy owners can likely aim for a quarterback with more upside in Week 6 than what the promising rookie presents.

With Jordan Reed on the doubtful side of questionable, Washington’s wide receivers will have to pick up the slack. DeSean Jackson loves putting up numbers against his former team, although his 40-yard output in the last meeting didn’t meet the expectations he set after posting yardage totals of 117 and 126. The usually volatile receiver could see an uptick in targets if Reed is absent, making Jackson a boom-or-bust WR2.

If Reed plays, he needs to be in every fantasy lineup. However, if he doesn’t, Vernon Davis would do in a pinch for Reed owners needing a substitute. With waiver wires devoid of tight end options, fantasy owners could look to Davis, who still looks as if he has gas in the tank, although he faces an Eagles defense that has been especially stingy to tight ends this season.

Reed’s potential absence also means slot receiver Jamison Crowder could get a boost from high-percentage routes, acting as a security blanket for Kirk Cousins. Crowder can be considered a flex option in PPR leagues, but one whose ceiling can be considered low after two straight weeks without many targets.

The Eagles’ defense is clearly rejuvenated under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, and there may not be much fantasy value to be had in what is usually a capable offense. Cousins, Matt Jones and Pierre Garcon should remain on benches in all formats as a result.