Week 6 brought another slate of chaos, comebacks and fantasy heartbreaks across the league. From Rico Dowdle's shocking encore to De'Von Achane's continued dominance, this week's NFL recap reminded fantasy managers how quickly momentum can swing. As always, our NFL game recaps focus on what matters most — player trends, role clarity and actionable takeaways to guide you.
For updated player usage and positional shifts, check the latest Rotowire Depth Charts.
Broncos 13 Jets 11
The Broncos continue to be one of the league's most unpredictable teams, with Bo Nix again showing his volatility as a fantasy quarterback. Against what had been an ordinary Jets defense, Nix managed just 174 yards and one touchdown, keeping him on the fringe of starting lineups in most leagues. Evan Engram (5-42) has quietly become a consistent option and should now be viewed as a reliable top-12 tight end in PPR formats. Both J.K. Dobbins (14-40) and Courtland Sutton (1-17) struggled but remain steady weekly starters capable of bounce-back performances.
Justin Fields' roller-coaster season continued as he again faltered under heavy pressure. The Jets' offensive line struggled to protect him, resulting in only 45 passing yards and an anemic overall performance. Breece Hall handled a strong rushing workload but wasn't utilized as a receiver, limiting his fantasy ceiling, but he will remain in the RB2 tier. Garrett Wilson's down week was tied to the passing game's collapse, but he remains a must-start WR2. Mason Taylor, meanwhile, is only a desperation streaming option in fantasy formats.
Colts 31 Cardinals 27
Daniel Jones finally mixed efficiency with rushing upside, scoring on the ground and producing a strong fantasy line. He remains a borderline QB1 who needs rushing production to stay viable. Jonathan Taylor again dominated with 123 yards and a touchdown, locked in as a top-3 weekly RB. Rookie Tyler Warren has become a featured target and should be treated as a top-5 tight end. Michael Pittman remains a trustworthy WR3 despite a down game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. exited early with a concussion, paving the way for Zay Jones (5-79) to lead the team, though that's unlikely to repeat. Trey McBride broke through with eight catches, 72 yards and a score, signaling TE1 value. Bam Knight edged Michael Carter with a short touchdown, and while neither is efficient, both remain volume-based flex options as long as they split work.
Chargers 29 Dolphins 27
Kimani Vidal stunned fantasy managers with 138 yards and a touchdown while Hassan Haskins flopped. It's hard to trust either, but Vidal becomes a speculative flex in deeper leagues. Ladd McConkey (100 yards, TD) broke out in the short passing game and could move into WR3 territory if he stays involved. Oronde Gadsden's steady targets keep him in the deep-league flex mix.
De'Von Achane erupted for 150 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, reaffirming him as an weekly RB1. Jaylen Waddle thrived again (6-95) as Miami's top receiver and should remain a top-15 WR the rest of season. Darren Waller's third consecutive score locks him in as a top-12 tight end, though he'll remain touchdown-dependent unless his target volume stabilizes.
Patriots 25 Saints 16
Drake Maye tossed three first-half touchdowns, confirming his spot among weekly top-8 quarterbacks. Kayshon Boutte flashed early-season form with 93 yards and two scores but remains too inconsistent for regular use. Stefon Diggs' quiet game doesn't change his WR2 outlook, and the backfield committee of TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson keeps both as desperation flex options.
Taysom Hill scored again, showing he's always a streaming TE option when desperate. Chris Olave's 10 targets (6-98) reaffirm his WR3 floor with occasional WR2 upside. Juwan Johnson's fumble and minimal production make him droppable. Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed maintain usable flex value but remain matchup-dependent plays.
Steelers 23 Browns 9
Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdowns in a brutal matchup, keeping him viable in superflex formats. DK Metcalf stayed hot with 95 yards and a score, solidifying his WR2 floor. Jaylen Warren's 63 total yards were respectable against a top defense, and his every-down usage keeps him a steady RB2.
Rookie Dillon Gabriel struggled without a touchdown, but his volume gives him superflex upside in softer matchups. Harold Fannin capitalized on David Njoku's knee injury (10-81) and becomes a top-10 TE if Njoku misses time. Jerry Jeudy's inefficiency continues, and he's better left on benches. Quinshon Judkins had his first quiet game but remains a weekly top-20 running back.
Panthers 30 Cowboys 27
Rico Dowdle followed up last week's explosion with another 200-yard day, establishing himself as a borderline RB1 until Chuba Hubbard returns. Dowdle may have forced a timeshare when Hubbard is healthy. Bryce Young threw three touchdowns but again failed to reach 200 yards, keeping him a matchup-based QB2. Tetairoa McMillan caught two scores on just five targets and remains a WR3 with a steady floor but limited ceiling.
Dak Prescott's three-touchdown outing extended his QB1 streak, and with CeeDee Lamb nearing a return, his outlook only improves. George Pickens dominated (9-168-TD) for the fourth consecutive week and remains a locked-in top-20 WR. Javonte Williams was quiet but retains strong value due to workload and previous production, while Jake Ferguson's touchdown, despite three targets, cements his place as a top-10 tight end.
Seahawks 20 Jaguars 12
Sam Darnold continued his strong play with 295 yards and two scores, keeping him in the streaming QB mix. Jaxon Smith-Njigba erupted for 162 yards and a touchdown, and he's a top-3 WR each week. Cooper Kupp saved his day with a score, while Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet split evenly and remain low-end RB2s in tougher matchups.
Brian Thomas took advantage of an injury-depleted secondary and a busted coverage for a touchdown, but he's more sell-high than breakout. Trevor Lawrence posted two scores but remains capped as a superflex QB. Travis Etienne's back-to-back down games shouldn't worry managers; he's still a solid volume-based RB2. Travis Hunter continues to be a risky flex play with a limited ceiling.
Rams 17 Ravens 3
The Rams struggled after Puka Nacua left with an ankle injury, and his status for next week is uncertain. Matthew Stafford threw for only 181 yards but remains a top-10 QB when both top receivers play. Kyren Williams totaled 87 yards and a score, continuing to perform as a dependable volume-based RB1 each week.
Derrick Henry broke out with 122 rushing yards, reestablishing himself as a strong RB2 with RB1 upside once Lamar Jackson returns after the Week 7 bye. Zay Flowers posted a solid six catches for 46 yards and should stay in lineups as a high-floor WR3 with spike-week upside. Baltimore's offense should get back on track once fully healthy.
Raiders 20 Titans 10
Ashton Jeanty stayed hot with another productive outing, finishing just shy of 100 scrimmage yards. His efficiency wasn't spectacular, but his consistent volume and three-down role keep him locked in as a dependable weekly top-15 RB with upside. Geno Smith continued his cold streak with a third consecutive poor game, while Tre Tucker (70 yards) and Michael Mayer (TD) offered only temporary fantasy value. Until Brock Bowers returns from his knee injury, this passing attack will remain frustrating.
Van Jefferson led the Titans with just 52 total yards, which says everything about the state of this offense. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears split work, making both low-ceiling flex options at best. Calvin Ridley exited early with an injury, further limiting an already struggling unit. With poor line play and minimal upside, Tennessee players should be started only in desperation.
Packers 27 Bengals 18
Coming off a bye, the Packers did just enough to beat the Bengals but still looked inconsistent. Matthew Golden made big plays with 86 receiving yards, aided by two long catches, while Tucker Kraft scored on one of his two targets. Green Bay's wideouts remain matchup-dependent flex options with spike-week potential, and Kraft's limited volume keeps him from being a steady starter. Josh Jacobs carried the offense again, racking up 93 rushing yards, two touchdowns and 55 receiving yards. He's back to his 2024 form as a weekly RB1 and potential league-winner.
Despite joining the team only days before, Joe Flacco kept Cincinnati competitive, throwing for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He's now on the superflex radar given the Bengals' offensive talent. Ja'Marr Chase continued his resurgence with 10 catches for 94 yards and a score, firmly reestablishing high-end WR1 status. Tee Higgins added five receptions for 62 yards and remains a volatile WR3. Chase Brown looked sharp on limited touches, but his 49 total yards on 11 opportunities keep him a low-end PPR flex with minimal upside.
Buccaneers 30 49ers 19
Baker Mayfield continued his improbable run, delivering clutch plays despite missing Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and later Emeka Egbuka, who left with a hamstring injury. Already down Bucky Irving, Mayfield escaped a near sack on a critical third down to pick up 15 yards to move the chains before connecting with Tez Johnson for a 45-yard touchdown to seal the win. Kameron Johnson also impressed on limited targets, and both Johnsons could have streaming, especially value if Evans sits another week. Mayfield remains a must-start fantasy quarterback regardless of matchup, and whoever leads the Tampa Bay backfield continues to hold automatic RB1 value.
The 49ers stayed competitive behind Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey, but puzzling play-calling derailed them in the second half. McCaffrey dominated early before the team inexplicably went away from him, instead funneling targets to tight end Jake Tonges, who delivered strong fantasy stats but hurt the team's rhythm. Kendrick Bourne's second straight 140-yard outing was the bright spot, though he could slide back into a rotation once George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall return. For now, Bourne remains a high-upside player when seeing full-time snaps with Jones under center.
Injuries
The following players left Sunday's action with injuries and did not return:
• Puka Nacua - ankle. Returned briefly, but status for next week remains uncertain (per coach Sean McVay)
• Emeka Egbuka – hamstring
• Marvin Harrison Jr. – concussion
• David Njoku – knee
• Calvin Ridley – hamstring
• Blake Corum – ankle
• Emari Demercado – ankle
• Mike Gesicki – chest
For full details and updates on player availability ahead of Week 7, check the RotoWire Injury Report.
Conclusion
From dominant fantasy outings to sudden injuries, Week 6 delivered another roller coaster of NFL reactions and fantasy fallout. Several new names are emerging as reliable starters, while others are slipping into matchup-only status. Keep an eye on usage trends, target shares and backfield splits before locking in your Week 7 lineups. For updated rest-of-season forecasts, consult the Rotowire Weekly Projections — your best edge for navigating the next wave of NFL game recaps and fantasy surprises.
