Only the Monday Night Football remains before the book is closed on Week 6. In the ever-changing NFL landscape, there were pleasant surprises, disappointments and other happenings that warrant further investigation for their fantasy football implications as we advance.

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Surprises

Atlanta’s Passing Attack Might Have Life
It wasn’t a good real-life showing for Desmond Ridder in Week 6. Nevertheless, he exceeded 300 passing yards for the second consecutive week after failing to reach even 250 passing yards in his first eight games as a pro.

As a result, Drake London had nine receptions for 125 receiving yards, Kyle Pitts secured four for 43 and a touchdown and Jonnu Smith had four for 36 and a touchdown. Arthur Smith could pull the rug out from under fantasy gamers and revert to a run-heavy approach, but Ridder has shown signs of life for supporting multiple fantasy options.

In addition, Taylor Heinicke is waiting in the wings if Ridder’s real-life play doesn’t improve. Thus, the stock is up for London, Pitts, Smith and even Bijan Robinson since a functioning passing game would enhance his touchdown and receiving ceiling.

Kansas City Has Two Ascending Talents
The Isiah Pacheco backfield takeover continued on Thursday night. First, he handled 88.9% of Kansas City’s backfield rush share, toting the rock 16 times for 62 rushing yards. Second, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Pacheco’s 18 routes were tied with Jerick McKinnon‘s 18 for the backfield lead. The second-year running back parlayed his routes into six targets, six receptions and 36 receiving yards. Pacheco is an upside RB2 and either a hold or buy-high player.

Rashee Rice also had a career day. The rookie ran the second-most routes (23) among Kansas City’s wideouts and had four targets, four receptions and 72 receiving yards. The second-round pick’s routes and receiving yards were professional highs. With an extended break before the Chiefs take the field on Sunday due to playing on Thursday in Week 6, Rice could enjoy a fake-bye rookie bump in playing time and usage.

Disappointments

Arizona’s Backfield is a Mess
James Conner is on the Injured Reserve (IR). Sadly, it’s a running-back-by-committee (RBBC) situation in his absence. Keaontay Ingram had 10 rushes, 40 rushing yards, two targets, two receptions and 11 receiving yards. Yet, Damien Williams was called up from the practice squad and had eight rushes and one target. Furthermore, Emari Demercado had two rushes and one target. However, per PFF, Demercado ran 27 routes, Ingram ran 11 and Williams ran three.

Ingram isn’t explosive or efficient enough to help fantasy squads as an early-down running back in a three-RB RBBC. Gamers in 14-team point per reception (PPR) or half-PPR or larger leagues could hold Demercado, hoping he can steal Williams’s portion of the rush share and retain the passing-down gig.

So Much For Chicago’s Cured Offense
Justin Fields hurt his thumb and was lifted in the middle of the third quarter. The early absence doesn’t absolve him of producing only six points and reverting to the sack-taking and below-average quarterback he’d been before a two-game outburst in Week 4 and Week 5. Fields isn’t the only problem with the Bears, and his thumb could keep him out of action. DJ Moore has overcome Chicago’s offensive issues through six weeks, but things are dire enough that he’s a WR3.

Tennessee’s Offense is in Trouble
The Titans cleared 20 points only twice through six weeks. Remarkably, it could be getting worse for the offense.

Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill was on crutches following Tennessee’s 24-16 loss to Baltimore in London and said he would undergo an MRI when the Titans return home.

More from @TDavenport_NFL:https://t.co/A9JSQPy77I

– Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2023

If Ryan Tannehill’s ankle injury is significant, Derrick Henry‘s and DeAndre Hopkins‘ fantasy value will crater. However, the injury could motivate the Titans to trade King Henry, salvaging his value. Regardless, Hopkins would be a bye-week-fueled flex, and Henry would be a low-end RB2 with Malik Willis as the starting quarterback.

Miscellaneous Notes

Don’t Start Non-Studs Against Cleveland’s Defense
It was already apparent before Week 6 that Cleveland’s defense was elite. Yet, they made a statement against San Francisco’s well-oiled-machine of an offense. Deebo Samuel was injured early, Christian McCaffrey left with an oblique injury late in the third quarter, Trent Williams had his ankle taped after leaving for a short period of time and the weather was rainy. Nevertheless, the Browns’ defense was amazing, even with the qualifiers, and they’ll make life hell for any opposing offense. Gamers must sit any non-studs against the Browns.

The Dolphins are a Fantasy Funland
Miami’s offense is justifiably getting unanimously praised. However, their defense is a plus matchup for the opponent. The following table illustrates the total yards, via Yahoo! Sports, and points against the Dolphins compared to the total yards per game and points per game for Miami’s opponents in their other contests.

Five of Miami's opponents scored more points against the Dolphins than they averaged in their other contests, and four had more total yards. The Dolphins are ideal for shootouts and fantasy points, posting fantasy goodness themselves and enhancing the outlook for their opponents.

Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.