This weekend’s college slate is loaded with top-15 showdowns, and the NFL’s Week 6 Sunday is defined by who isn’t playing. Jalen Hurts is out with a blood clot, Lamar Jackson hadn’t practiced through Thursday, and the most interesting debut of the week happens at 9:30 a.m. ET in London. Here’s what fantasy managers need to know before lineups lock.
Saturday: The College Slate
No. 4 Ohio State at No. 5 Indiana (noon ET, FOX)
The game of the day is a rematch of last December’s Big Ten title game, which Indiana won 13-10. Ohio State arrives 5-1 and Indiana is 6-0. The Hoosiers lost Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and barely blinked: TCU transfer Josh Hoover has thrown 17 touchdown passes without an interception, with Nick Marsh as his go-to receiver. Indiana also showed some fight last week, erasing a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to beat Nebraska 20-17.
On the other side, Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are the most dangerous pitch-and-catch pair Indiana will see all year. For college fantasy and DFS players, the key question is whether Ohio State’s pass rush can finally make Hoover uncomfortable. If it can’t, Marsh is a strong play in an offense that has put almost nothing in the other team’s hands.
No. 6 Alabama at No. 14 Tennessee (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Both teams are 5-1 in the Third Saturday in October, and Alabama is coming off a loss to Georgia. The Crimson Tide will be without top receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, who has been ruled out with a head injury. That puts more of the load on quarterback Keelon Russell and a thinner receiver group. Tennessee’s quarterback situation is murkier: freshman Faizon Brandon is dealing with a right shoulder injury, and Josh Heupel hadn’t named a starter by midweek. George MacIntyre made his first career start last week at Arkansas. Whoever starts, Tennessee’s offense will lean on running back DeSean Bishop, so treat him as the safest Volunteer for fantasy purposes.
No. 2 Notre Dame at No. 8 BYU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Two unbeaten teams meet in Provo: Notre Dame is 6-0 and BYU is 5-0. BYU is expected to be without starting running back LJ Martin for a second straight game, which leaves a committee of Preston Rex, Journee Tonga and DeVaughn Eka. That pushes even more of the offense onto dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier, against a Notre Dame defense that has been among the stingiest in the country. CJ Carr runs the Irish offense, and BYU’s own defensive coordinator called him the best quarterback in college football this week.
Also on the board
- No. 13 Missouri at No. 9 Ole Miss (3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
- Auburn at No. 1 Georgia (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Florida State at No. 3 Miami (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- Florida at No. 7 Texas (noon ET, ABC), with Texas coming off its Red River loss
Sunday: NFL Week 6
Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami and Minnesota are on bye, so check your rosters for empty slots before you start worrying about matchups.
Panthers at Eagles: The Tanner McKee Game
The Eagles ruled Jalen Hurts out after a follow-up ultrasound showed movement in a superficial blood clot in his calf. No return timeline has been set, so Hurts managers should plan beyond this week. Tanner McKee gets the start. His most notable start came in the 2024 regular-season finale, when he went 27-of-41 for 269 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants. Still, he steps into a 2-3 offense that ran for 22 yards on 18 carries in last week’s 19-17 loss to Jacksonville in London.
The backfield is just as thin. Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Will Shipley (foot) didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, which leaves Dameon Pierce as the likely lead back. He’s a volume-only RB3 behind a banged-up line. DeVonta Smith (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday, so watch the final report. If Smith sits, Dontayvion Wicks is the receiver to own. Dallas Goedert stays in lineups as a short-area safety valve for a backup quarterback.
The more appealing fantasy side is Carolina. Bryce Young leads the NFL at 317 passing yards per game (1,268 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions in four games) and comes off a bye. Fire up Young, Tetairoa McMillan and Chuba Hubbard with confidence.
Texans vs. Jaguars in London: Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Houston Debut
Houston sent 2027 second- and seventh-round picks to Arizona for Marvin Harrison Jr., and DeMeco Ryans says the receiver will play Sunday. Harrison had just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets with the Cardinals this season. Now he reunites with his Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud on a 1-4 team that badly needs a second receiver next to Nico Collins. A week into a new playbook, Harrison is a WR4 this week and a buy for the rest of the season. In the backfield, David Montgomery (groin) is out, so Woody Marks is the lead back and an RB2 with PPR appeal. Remember that this game kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Pacific, so set those lineups Saturday night.
Ravens at Browns: Waiting on Lamar
Lamar Jackson (ankle) missed Wednesday and Thursday practice, and Jesse Minter is calling him day-to-day. Minter has said Jackson could start without practicing, but if he can’t go, Tyler Huntley starts again. Either way, Derrick Henry is a locked-in RB1. Zay Flowers (limited Thursday, expected to play) stays a WR2 with a lower ceiling if Huntley starts.
Bears at Falcons: Caleb Williams’ Stress Test
Caleb Williams practiced fully Thursday after missing three games with a hamstring tear. He still has to pass a stress test at the end of the week and said himself he doesn’t know whether he’s playing. If he’s cleared, he’s a QB1 again, and Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III get a real boost from the downfield passing game returning. Bijan Robinson is an every-week RB1 regardless.
Steelers at Buccaneers: Jalon Daniels Again
Baker Mayfield (right thumb) sat out Wednesday and Thursday, and undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is expected to start. That caps the ceiling for Emeka Egbuka and the rest of Tampa’s passing game. For Pittsburgh, Rico Dowdle (toe) practiced fully Thursday and returns, but Jaylen Warren remains the lead back. Treat Dowdle as a flex dart and keep Warren in lineups.
Bills at Raiders: James Cook on Notice
James Cook has 532 rushing yards on 95 carries (5.6 per carry) and five touchdowns, third in the league in rushing yards. He has also fumbled four times, losing two, including an overtime giveaway against the Rams. Bills coach Joe Brady has publicly warned that his carries will shrink if it continues. Cook is still a start, but downgrade him slightly from the elite tier and handcuff with Ty Johnson where you can. On the other side, Ashton Jeanty says his foot feels great and he’s ready to go. Between Jeanty and Brock Bowers, who lines up all over the formation, the Raiders’ two stars are both in play.
Jets at Patriots: Backfield Shuffle
Breece Hall (quad) is week-to-week, which makes Braelon Allen a volume-driven RB2. In New England, TreVeyon Henderson (high ankle sprain) was limited Wednesday and Thursday. Even if he’s active, Rhamondre Stevenson is the back to start. A.J. Brown has had his practice window opened, but he called his status up in the air, so don’t count on him.
Chargers at Chiefs: Rashee Rice Trending Out
The winless Chargers (0-5) visit 4-0 Kansas City with a long injury report on both lines. Rashee Rice (hamstring/knee) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday. If he sits, Xavier Worthy moves into WR2 range and Travis Kelce picks up targets. The Chiefs’ defense is one of the best streaming plays of the week against a Chargers offensive line that may again be without tackle Joe Alt (neck).
Sunday Night: Cowboys at Packers
Last season’s meeting ended in a 40-40 tie, and nothing about these defenses suggests a low-scoring rematch. CeeDee Lamb practiced fully Wednesday after avoiding structural damage, so start him as a WR1. George Pickens, Javonte Williams and the Green Bay passing game led by Jordan Love all belong in lineups.
The Bottom Line
The biggest Week 6 decisions come down to Friday’s final injury reports and Sunday’s inactives: Jackson, Williams, Rice, Smith and Henderson. Make your London calls Saturday night, keep a pivot ready for the 1 p.m. ET window, and remember that the Eagles’ offense without Hurts is a downgrade across the board.
See today's NCAA FB lines on DFS Lines, each one set against the player's last ten games.