Every Monday of the NFL regular season, we will showcase exceptional player performances from the weekend and analyze their potential for sustained success in fantasy football. We will rank these performances from ? to ????? based on whether we believe they are momentary or long-term options for your fantasy teams.
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Fantasy Football Heat Index
Quarterback
Stats: 14/23, 151 passing yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 4 att, 3 rushing yards
Position Rank (pre-MNF): QB4 (18.34 points)
Analysis: This season has been a bit of a roller coaster for Washington quarterback Sam Howell, but he’s been a QB1 in three consecutive contests. In fact, he’s been a borderline QB1 in all but one game this season. His weekly finishes: QB13, QB13, QB34, QB12, QB7 and the current QB4.
Howell mustered only 151 passing yards in Week 6, but his rushing ability gives him a higher floor than most fringe QB1s. Washington’s upcoming schedule – Giants, Commanders, Eagles, Patriots and Seahawks – sets Howell up as a solid low-end QB1 option over the next month.
Heat Index: ??
Running Back
Stats: 19 att, 88 rushing yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 2 receiving yards, 1 target
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB8 (15.5 points)
Analysis: While starting running back Miles Sanders was sidelined with a shoulder injury, running back Chuba Hubbard took over RB1 duties in Carolina. He responded with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown in Carolina’s 42-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Hubbard did most of his damage in the opening frame as Carolina raced out to a shocking 14-0 first-quarter lead. Carolina’s offense would quickly run out of steam, though, and the backup running back was held to 30 scoreless yards in the second half.
Even with those second-half struggles, Hubbard’s 15.5 fantasy points is more than Sanders has scored in all but one game this season. The matchup against Miami’s league-average defense certainly boosted Hubbard in Week 6, but he also looked more explosive and decisive than Sanders has all season.
The contract given to Sanders this offseason will likely keep him in the starting role when healthy, but Hubbard has seen his role increase weekly. Don’t be surprised if Hubbard is heavily involved even when Sanders returns.
Heat Index: ???
Stats: 12 att, 58 rushing yards, 0 TD, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards, 2 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): RB31 (6.7 points)
Analysis: One week after receiving zero carries, Texans running back Devin Singletary saw an increased role in Houston’s 20-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Dameon Pierce started the game, but Singletary led the Texans backfield in snaps (34), routes run (18) and targets (two). Pierce had one more carry than Singletary but finished with 24 fewer rushing yards.
Pierce and Singletary split the backfield touches earlier this season, but Week 5 fooled us into thinking that Pierce was assuming a bell-cow role. Unfortunately, Pierce has been a below-average running back for fantasy managers all season.
Some of Pierce’s struggles can be blamed on a broken-down offensive line, but you can’t fault Houston for trying others at the position. I’m not sure I trust either running back when Houston returns from their bye week, but Singletary should be rostered where available.
Heat Index: ??
Wide Receiver
Stats: 9 receptions, 125 receiving yards, 0 TD, 12 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): WR6 (17 points)
Analysis: Quarterback play has hurt Falcons wide receiver Drake London all season, but he’s starting to produce despite Desmond Ridder’s best efforts. In Atlanta’s 24-16 loss to the Washington Commanders, London led the Falcons with nine receptions and 125 receiving yards thanks to a whopping 12 targets.
There will be down weeks anytime a quarterback like Ridder is involved, but Drake has scored 10+ fantasy points in three consecutive contests. In fact, Drake has double-digits in four of five games since his Week 1 goose egg. Considering the situation around him, that’s a pretty impressive feat.
Atlanta’s offense isn’t going to support WR6 finishes every week, but Drake should be considered a locked-in starter moving forward. Tight end Kyle Pitts is also starting to flash, but Drake has been a target hog and the most consistent pass-catcher in this offense since Week 1.
Heat Index: ????
Tight End
Stats: 5 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 0 TD, 6 targets
Position Rank (pre-MNF): TE5 (10 points)
Analysis: After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Las Vegas tight end Michael Mayer has been increasingly targeted over the past two weeks. After hauling in one reception for two yards in the first four games of the season, Mayer jumped up to 39 receiving yards in the Week 5 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
That number jumped significantly this week as Mayer led the Raiders with five receptions and 75 receiving yards in Sunday’s 19-10 victory over the New England Patriots. Mayer’s 19% target share in Week 6 probably isn’t sustainable long-term, but his increased usage over Austin Hooper puts him firmly in the TE1 conversation.
After trailing Hooper in playing time earlier this season, Mayer has taken over the TE1 role in Las Vegas. On Sunday, Mayer set career-highs in snap share (82%), route participation (70%) and the previously mentioned target share. Mayer has finally been unleashed.
Heat Index: ???
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