As always, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is geared toward helping fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. You won't see "start Jahmyr Gibbs" here. Instead, I'm exploring the players closer to the perceived fringe and aiming to optimize your lineup for a win each week. Importantly, the new "Start of the Week" and "Sit of the Week" are the calls I have deemed the most notable in each category, not necessarily the most essential players to start or sit.
Also, you'll see quite a few references in this year's column to NFL Pro, spotlighting insights provided through Next Gen Stats data dashboards, matchup evaluations, All-22 film and the uniquely trained Fantasy AI Assistant. You can get access to all of those tools yourself with an NFL+ Premium subscription!
P.S. Feel free to follow me on X (@MattOkada) or Instagram (@mattokadaNFL) and hit me with your questions, congratulations or complaints throughout the year.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Hopefully, you read the waiver wire column and already added the Chiefs D/ST. If not, check whether the unit's available. NOW! Fresh off the bye, the Chiefs face a Chargers offense allowing the fourth-highest pressure rate (43.3%) and second-highest sack rate (10.6%). Los Angeles also leads the league with 13 giveaways in five games. With Miami on bye, L.A. is the most targetable offense playing in Week 6, and K.C. is more than capable of capitalizing at home after a week of rest.
Notable starts
The Saints have done a slightly better job of protecting Tyler Shough of late, giving up five sacks over the last three weeks after yielding eight in the first two. However, New Orleans has 11 giveaways on the season, tied for second-most in the league. The Giants have six interceptions, tied for third-most. Expect them to snag at least one more this Sunday.
The 49ers just racked up five sacks and four takeaways against Seattle, while Jayden Daniels took five sacks of his own against the Giants. He’s a more dangerous quarterback than Sam Darnold, but San Fran will still have chances to get home.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans have surrendered 14 sacks through five games, and the Jaguars have eight takeaways, including six interceptions. Stroud threw two picks in this matchup in a 17-10 loss last season. There could be a repeat performance Sunday in London.
The Cowboys were not a good stream against this Buccaneers' offense last week, but Pittsburgh is much more competent -- with eight takeaways and 11 sacks -- and should be a better play against Jalon Daniels.
Sit 'Em
NOTE: It's not a very sit-friendly slate this week, so there are only a couple D/STs to avoid.
Sit of the Week
Likely due to its high fantasy draft capital, the Eagles' defense is still heavily rostered in ESPN leagues. This is your PSA: Drop that unit and pick up something else. The Eagles have scored 5 or fewer fantasy points in each game this season. They have the league’s fourth-lowest sack rate (3.1%) and just three takeaways across five games. You’d be better off starting Miami’s D/ST on bye than Philly’s against Bryce Young and the Panthers. Seriously.
Notable sits
The Jets were heavily started last week against the Browns -- for good reason -- and rewarded fantasy streamers with 18 fantasy points. But the Week 6 Patriots are not the Patriots from the first few weeks of the season. Drake Maye and Co. have been unstoppable of late, scoring 74 points and taking just two sacks since Week 4. Avoid Gang Green in this matchup.
