Fantasy football advice, Week 6: who to start/sit for Atlanta Falcons vs. Seattle Seahawks

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 Atlanta Falcons take on the Seattle Seahawks.

Atlanta Falcons

Start ‘em

Through five weeks, which includes games against the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, Matt Ryan remains fantasy football’s top quarterback. That’s not something fantasy owners expected to say at the onset of the season, but the fact of the matter is the Falcons’ signal caller has been on absolute fire. Ryan faces another awful matchup on the road against the Seahawks’ elite pass defense, but it is one that could be without Kam Chancellor.

Ryan’s fantasy owners should not be faulted for opting for a quarterback with a better matchup on Sunday, but until Ryan falters, he deserves QB1 consideration. Julio Jones can be penned into lineups as well despite his streakiness and likely having to deal with Richard Sherman shadowing him. Jones can be considered a boom-or-bust WR1.

Start ‘em?

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman continue to produce standalone fantasy value despite working in tandem. It’s difficult to project value for both of these backs in such a tough matchup, but both are deserving of flex spots.

Sit ‘em

Complementary pass catchers Mohamed Sanu, Jacob Tamme and Justin Hardy don’t need to be given a second thought against Seattle’s elite defense.

Seattle Seahawks

Start ‘em

Fresh off of a bye week to get healthy, Russell Wilson draws a Falcons defense that gave up huge lines to Jameis Winston, Drew Brees, Derek Carr, and the tandem of Cam Newton and Derek Anderson. Wilson will also be getting a healthy Tyler Lockett to complement a resurgent Jimmy Graham and capable No. 1 receiver Doug Baldwin. Wilson is a high-end QB1 for Week 6, and Baldwin and Graham can also be in lineups of all formats.

Christine Michael is averaging 13 fantasy points per game thus far, which ranks him 12th among all running backs. He will face a middling Falcons run defense that hasn’t allowed much on the ground this season due to teams needing to abandon it after falling behind, but have surrendered 4.3 yards per carry. The Falcons are a good bet to be tested more than usual with Michael and company, putting him in RB1 territory yet again.

Sit ‘em

Lockett and Jermaine Kearse can safely be stowed on benches of all formats. Lockett may be healthy, but fantasy owners need to see heavy usage before deploying the dynamic playmaker.