Week 6 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books. Last week’s streamers were mostly a success, as Jimmy Garoppolo scored 16.9 fantasy points in a double-digit loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Meanwhile, Geno Smith struggled against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring only 12.7 fantasy points. Fantasy players who listened to my advice and avoided Zach Wilson made out well. The second-year quarterback scored a measly 4.5 fantasy points in a win over the Green Bay Packers.
However, the only easy win was last week’s win. So, let’s look at the top streaming options for Week 7.
All the quarterbacks in this article are rostered in under 50% of ESPN 1QB leagues and under 25% in superflex leagues.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Streaming Targets in 1QB Leagues
Marcus Mariota (ATL) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (14.4% Rostered)
The veteran quarterback has played well this season, averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game. Mariota has produced for fantasy players despite averaging only 175.8 passing yards per game this season. Furthermore, the former Oregon star has thrown for under 150 yards in three straight games, yet he’s scored 18 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games. While he has averaged only 19.5 pass attempts and 138 passing yards per game the past two weeks, Mariota has 13 rushing attempts for 111 yards and a touchdown during that span.
Offensively, the Bengals have an elite unit led by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Despite Atlanta’s impressive performance on defense last week, Cincinnati should have no trouble scoring points on the Falcons this week. Therefore, expect Mariota to spend much of the game in negative game script. Meanwhile, the Bengals have held quarterbacks to only 11.4 fantasy points per game this season. However, they have faced some of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this year. While the matchup isn’t ideal on paper, Mariota’s rushing floor (6.4 fantasy points per game on the ground this season) makes him a safe floor bye-week replacement.
Matt Ryan (IND) vs. Tennessee Titans (12.5% Rostered)
Wow, what a difference a week made for Ryan. The veteran quarterback had an awful performance in Week 5, throwing two interceptions and scoring only 6.1 fantasy points against the Denver Broncos. However, he bounced back massively last week, throwing for nearly 400 yards, three touchdowns, and scoring 27.2 fantasy points in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Furthermore, Ryan consistently connected with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce all game long. More importantly, the matchup this week is excellent for the veteran quarterback.
The Titans have struggled to slow down opposing passing attacks this season, giving up an average of 304.6 passing yards and 21.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. They have also given up 12 passing touchdowns to the position, the most in the NFL, entering Week 6. Furthermore, Tennessee has surrendered 22.4 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks since Week 1, giving up 19.8 or more fantasy points twice during that span. Meanwhile, Ryan completed 73% of his pass attempts for 356 yards and two touchdowns against the Titans two weeks ago, scoring 17.8 fantasy points. Fantasy players who need a bye-week replacement for Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts should make Ryan their top waiver wire claim.
Streaming Targets in Superflex Leagues
Jacoby Brissett (CLE) vs. Baltimore Ravens (5.9% Rostered)
While Brissett scored only 8.6 fantasy points against the New England Patriots, fantasy players shouldn’t let last week’s performance keep them from starting the veteran against the Ravens. The Patriots have made life difficult for quarterbacks not named Lamar Jackson this season, surrendering only 11.4 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, Brissett has played well leading up to last week’s performance. The veteran quarterback averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game from Week 2 through Week 5, scoring at least 14.4 fantasy points in every contest.
Unlike last week’s matchup, Brissett will have an easier matchup on Sunday against the Ravens. Baltimore has surrendered 20.6 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season, 4.8 fantasy points per game more than the league average. Furthermore, the Ravens have given up 11 passing touchdowns, ranking in the top-five most allowed this season. Last week, they allowed Daniel Jones to complete 70.4% of his pass attempts, throw two touchdowns, and score 13.5 fantasy points. He won’t score 20 or more fantasy points this week, but Brissett is a lock for at least 15.
Bailey Zappe (NE) vs. Chicago Bears (0.8% Rostered)
Who would have guessed a fourth-round rookie quarterback would lead the Patriots to back-to-back wins? Zappe has pulled off two straight wins as the starter. Furthermore, the former Western Kentucky star had an excellent performance on Sunday against the Browns, ending the week as a top-12 quarterback. The rookie completed 70.9% of his pass attempts for 309 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the game with 17.9 fantasy points. Could Zappe be the next Tom Brady for the Patriots? Unlikely, but he is an excellent streaming option this week.
Chicago held Carson Wentz to only 4.2 fantasy points last week. However, the Washington quarterback was missing several weapons and dealing with multiple injuries, including a fractured finger on his throwing hand. Over the previous two weeks, the Bears surrendered 22.7 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. Furthermore, Chicago has given up at least 234 passing yards in three of their previous four games before last week.
Meanwhile, Mac Jones (8.1% rostered) could return this week. If he plays, Jones is also a solid streaming option. However, I doubt he plays this week. The Patriots are winning with Zappe and have no reason to rush Jones back from his high-ankle sprain.
Streamer to Avoid
Justin Fields (CHI) vs. New England Patriots (27.1% Rostered)
Typically streaming articles tell you which players to target off the waiver wire. However, I will give one quarterback each week that you should avoid.
Last week, the second-year quarterback had his best fantasy performance of the season, scoring 18.4 fantasy points against the Washington Commanders. Furthermore, it was the second game in a row Fields had 190 or more passing yards and 17 or more fantasy points. After averaging 9.4 fantasy points per game over the first four weeks (the QB31), Fields has averaged 17.7 fantasy points the past two weeks (the QB10 heading into Monday Night Football). However, the second-year quarterback will struggle this week against the Patriots.
While they gave up 39.4 fantasy points and four passing touchdowns to Jackson in Week 3, the Patriots have held all other quarterbacks to only 11.4 fantasy points per game this year. Furthermore, they have surrendered only 10.2 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks not named Jackson or Aaron Rodgers this season. More importantly, the Patriots have held quarterbacks to only 122 rushing yards this season, with 107 coming in Week 3 against Jackson. Meanwhile, Fields is averaging 47 rushing yards per game this season. Expect Bill Belichick to keep the young quarterback in the pocket and not let him beat the Patriots with his legs.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
