The Dallas Cowboys pass defense has allowed the most passing
yards (1,520), the second-most touchdowns passes (12) and the
most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (30.2). Under these
conditions, I would recommend 31 of last week's 32 starting
quarterbacks. (Can you guess which one I would not recommend?)
Young has only been fantasy-worthy in one of the first five weeks,
but here comes No.2.
The team vying with Dallas for the worst pass defense is the
Baltimore Ravens. They have yielded the second-most passing yards
(1,351), the most touchdown passes (13), and 27.9 fantasy points-per-game
to opposing quarterbacks. Into the Inner Harbor comes the dynamic
passing game of the Rams with Stafford (averaging 300 passing
yards), Puka Nacua (26.8 FPts/G) and Davante Adams (15.1 FPts/G).
Unless there is a hurricane or a blizzard, Stafford should have
a monster game. (Note: currently there is a 50% chance of rain
on Sunday)
Herbert is eighth in the league with 1,229 passing yards (certainly
believable with his arm), but he's surprisingly also seventh
in the league in rushing yards (153). If his line can get healthy,
or just stop losing starters, Herbert can take apart a Dolphins'
pass defense allowing opposing QBs 26.7 FPts/G. Additionally,
the Chargers are down to their third and fourth string running
backs (Najee Harris season-ending injury and Omarion Hampton on
four-week IR), making Week 6 a day for the passing game.
The Broncos are ranked third against opposing quarterbacks, allowing
just 16 FPts/G. More importantly, what they do best is stop opposing
QBs from running the ball. In the first five games, quarterbacks
have accumulated just 15 total yards on the ground and that includes
playing the Eagles and Jalen Hurts in Week 5. Over the first four
games, Fields has produced 38.4 points with his legs (41.7% of
his total points). He's averaging 12.4 FPts/G with his arm.
That doesn't seem like it's going to work out for
Fields in Week 6.
The Cleveland Browns have yielded the fifth-fewest passing yards
(185 ypg). Rodgers is only averaging 196.5 ypg, so it's
unlikely that he will crack 200 yards. Since the old man's
running days are behind him (11 rushing yards in four games),
that's going to make it hard for him to produce decent fantasy
numbers.
Tagovailoa had his best production of the season last weekend
at Carolina, but this is against Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers
defense. Los Angeles ranks 12th against opposing QBs, but when
you look closer they have been hurt by running quarterbacks (37-203-2),
not throwers. With Tua’s concussion history, I wouldn’t
expect him to try and take advantage of this weakness. The Chargers
have allowed just 188.2 passing yards to opposing quarterbacks
and four passing touchdowns in five games (second-best behind
only Houston).
