:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51364977/usa-today-9601149.0.jpg)
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 Baltimore Ravens take on the New York Giants:
Baltimore Ravens
Start ‘em
When its coordinator gets fired five weeks into the season, it’s hard to point out many bright spots in an offense. Dennis Pitta has been one of them, reclaiming his role as Joe Flacco’s most reliable outlet, leading the Ravens in catches. He is a middle of the pack TE1 for Week 6.
Expect more of a concerted effort to run the football with Terrance West proving effective in his two starts, and with former OC Mark Trestman drawing criticism for abandoning the run in a close Week 5 game. West will have tougher sledding against the Giants than he did Washington, but until Kenneth Dixon displays anything to get excited about, West is a solid RB2.
Start ‘em?
Steve Smith, Sr. is expected to be sidelined, leaving an opening for Mike Wallace to take on more of a role in the offense. Against a banged-up Giants secondary, there could be room for Wallace to get free deep, which isn’t something he’s been able to do since catching a long touchdown against the Bills in Week 1. Wallace is a sneaky flex option in standard formats as a result.
Sit ‘em
Marty Mornhinweg’s promotion to offensive coordinator could eventually pay dividends for the Ravens in the wake of a dismal output with Trestman calling plays, but until they show something, much of the Ravens’ lineup deserves to be benched. Flacco, Breshad Perriman and Kamar Aiken remain off the fantasy radar for Week 6.
New York Giants
Start ‘em
Odell Beckham, Jr. doesn’t ever deserve benching consideration as long as he’s healthy, but it deserves mention that he is facing a Ravens defense that went from a laughingstock in 2015 to a fabulous one so far in 2016. The Ravens have allowed an average of just 191 passing yards per game, which could put a damper on Beckham’s upside. Despite that, he remains an elite WR1 option for Week 6 and beyond.
Start ‘em?
Because of the Ravens’ competency on defense, Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz could be in for long afternoons and victims of a poor matchup. Shepard is still in flex consideration for PPR formats, and Cruz has much to prove after failing to record a catch in Week 5. High-percentage targets could come this duo’s way, but it’s hard to imagine much of a ceiling for either receiver.
Sit ‘em
Rashad Jennings is likely to make his return after a thumb injury, but he has a matchup with a brick wall of Ravens linemen. He and his quarterback Eli Manning don’t inspire much confidence for fantasy owners in a subpar matchup.