In Week 6 of the NFL, only two teams will be off, but with injuries and lower overall scoring, many are eyeing potential waiver wire pickups. It’s interesting to see that while pass attempts have stayed consistent, there’s been a drop in receptions and receiving yards. Those who went for quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Brock Purdy likely didn’t foresee these kinds of results. The same can be said for those who picked Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray—everyone is searching for alternatives.
There’s good news, though. Help is out there. Before you start thinking Joe Flacco might be the answer for the Bengals or that Geno Smith will shine against the Titans, it’s worth taking a step back. Neither of them is the solution. The Bengals’ offensive line has issues, and Flacco’s veteran status won’t compensate for his lack of mobility. Meanwhile, Smith isn’t performing well, and with the Titans’ poor run defense, Ashton Genty could be the one to grab instead. There are clearly better choices available.
Let’s take Matthew Stafford, for instance. He’s got two of the most talented receivers and is up against a Ravens defense that has leaked 40 points twice already this season, averaging about 35.4 points allowed per game. This matchup plays right into Stafford’s hands.
Additionally, the Ravens’ secondary has several question marks this week. Even though travel could be a factor for teams heading east from the West Coast, Stafford’s experience might mitigate those concerns. Comparatively, Sam Darnold and Mac Jones have outperformed QBs like Smith and Flacco. Darnold had an impressive outing against the Buccaneers and now faces the Jaguars, who seem a bit off their game despite coming off an upset over the Chiefs. They’re still giving up the sixth-most passing yards per game.
With a solid run game supporting him and a standout wide receiver in Jackson Smith-Njigba, Darnold doesn’t have to go above and beyond to yield value. Meanwhile, Jones will be up against the Buccaneers’ secondary that allowed Darnold to throw for 341 yards and four touchdowns. He operates effectively in Kyle Shanahan’s system, averaging over 300 yards each game so far.
If neither of those options works for you, you might want to consider Bryce Young from Carolina. The Dallas pass defense is struggling, ranking at the bottom, and their pass rush isn’t much of a threat. Given their offensive firepower, this game could turn into a shootout.
Young gets ground support from players like Jalen Coker, augmenting a receiver lineup that includes useful assets such as Tetailoa McMillan and Xavier Leggett. Year after year, the depth at the quarterback position is notable, and 2025 is no exception.
Of course, having your main starters is preferable, but if they’re unavailable, it doesn’t mean your week is ruined. With the right matchups, you can still keep your fantasy team competitive.
