Fantasy football advice, Week 6: who to start/sit for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears

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 Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Chicago Bears:

Allen Robinson’s yardage totals could be more encouraging, but his ability to pull down grabs in the end zone has given him value in 2016. If his yardage had a chance to increase significantly, the Bears’ defense provides reason to believe it will, after allowing 171 yards to T.Y. Hilton in Week 5. Robinson is a WR1 once again. Julius Thomas, who is practicing in full, can also be started after the Colts’ tight ends combined for 8-58-1 against the Bears.

Clarity is emerging in the Jaguars’ backfield, as T.J. Yeldon out-touched a healthy Chris Ivory 18-8 in Week 4’s win and got a ringing endorsement from offensive coordinator Greg Olson to be the team’s featured back. Until that changes, Yeldon presents RB2 value for Week 6 and beyond.

Blake Bortles’ upside is undeniable, but his downside has to be accounted for as well, even against a banged-up Bears secondary. It’s hampered the production of receivers like Allen Hurns, who remains talented, but will likely need Bortles to thrive for his own stat line to help fantasy owners. Hurns can be considered a risky flex option.

Ivory, Marqise Lee, and the rest of the Jaguars’ complementary weapons can be benched.

Brian Hoyer has top-11 finishes in all three of his starts since Jay Cutler’s injury, and if he continues that trend against the Jaguars, it can’t be considered a surprise. The Jaguars have surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, and with Hoyer piloting an offense with a new-found ability to move the ball, he can be considered a legitimate QB1 for fantasy owners who are opting to stream. Jordan Howard, who monopolizes snaps in the backfield and produces results, can also be considered a borderline RB1 in a plus matchup, and Zach Miller garners enough usage to be a TE1 as well.

Unfortunately, Hoyer’s production hasn’t meant good things for Alshon Jeffery, who had been playing second fiddle to Kevin White and is now doing so to Cameron Meredith in the receiving game. Jeffery’s upside makes him worthy of WR2 status, but he has a lower floor than that of Meredith if he continues to lose targets to him. Meredith can be considered an upside flex after posting a crooked 9-130-1 line in Week 5, but fantasy owners can’t be faulted for waiting for more clarity to emerge in the Bears’ receiving game.

Despite drawing nine targets in Week 5, Eddie Royal would be a desperate flex option that likely doesn’t need to be considered with only the Vikings and Buccaneers on bye. Ka’Deem Carey can also remain on fantasy benches after getting just two touches in his return from a hamstring injury.