Fantasy football advice, Week 6: who to start/sit for San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills

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 San Francisco 49ers take on the Buffalo Bills:

Jeremy Kerley has been a target monster, and has been putting up stat lines that Torrey Smith owners thought they would be getting when they drafted him. Instead, it’s been Kerley, whose consecutive lines of 6-88-1 and 8-102-1 inspire confidence from his fantasy owners even in what has been a lethargic offense. It’s worth mention that new quarterback Colin Kaepernick could halt Kerley’s mini-streak of great fantasy outputs, but there’s upside to go along with the risk. Kerley remains a solid WR3 in leagues of all formats.

Carlos Hyde has a tough matchup against a Bills defense that has surrendered just 3.5 yards per carry this season, but it’s Hyde’s goal-line chances that could mitigate this. His NFL-leading six rushing touchdowns could be extended on Sunday, as the Bills have allowed the fifth-most rushing touchdowns thus far in the season. Hyde remains an RB1 until further notice.

Aside from Hyde and Kerley, there hasn’t been much to talk about in Chip Kelly’s offense. Fantasy owners can remain comfortable keeping Kaepernick, Smith and others out of their lineups.

Simply put, LeSean McCoy is an absolute stud, and shouldn’t be benched under any circumstances. The veteran back has a matchup with a 49ers defense that is allowing the eighth-highest fantasy points per game to opposing backs, and have allowed 134 rushing yards or more in each of their last four contests. McCoy is a no-brainer RB1 yet again.

Tyrod Taylor’s upside is always evident, as is his downside, as this fantasy series is always quick to point out. Against a 49ers defense that has limited the damage in the passing game and has been capably attacked on the ground, it’s difficult to imagine the Bills won’t want a run-heavy game plan. Taylor remains a volatile, touchdown-dependent QB2.

The Bills just don’t have much firepower outside of McCoy and Taylor on offense, and with only two teams on bye, Robert Woods and Charles Clay can remain on benches.