Michael Chen

Fantasy Sports

Week 6: Stroud, Bernard and a Win

By Michael ChenPublished

Week 5 was a 133.34–170.60 loss. In Week 6, I changed five starters and won 156.08–129.58, moving to 4–2. Two new pickups, C.J. Stroud and Germie Bernard, finished as my highest scorers.

What changed and why

Detroit and Cincinnati were on bye, so Jared Goff and Chase Brown weren't playing.[1] I first dropped T.J. Hockenson for Cam Ward, then switched Ward for Stroud. Ward felt too inconsistent. I liked Stroud's recent form, and adding Marvin Harrison Jr. made me feel better about Houston's receivers.[3]

I spent $28 FAAB on Bernard, dropping Seth McGowan. With Michael Pittman out and Roman Wilson also sidelined, I liked the opportunity.[4] Bernard's snap share had jumped,[4] and Rodgers seemed to trust him. He went into flex alongside Dallas Goedert, with Brock Bowers staying at tight end instead of another three-tight-end lineup.

I also dropped Keenan Allen for Omar Cooper. Cooper was a first-round pick[5] returning from IR,[6] so I wanted to stash him rather than start him right away.

Woody Marks joined Tony Pollard at running back. With David Montgomery injured,[7] I expected Marks to get the bulk of Houston's backfield work. I was also hoping the improved passing game would help. Pollard was still a starter getting carries, even if his production hadn't been great.

At receiver, I put Rome Odunze back in over KC Concepcion. Concepcion had cleared concussion protocol,[8] but I was wary of starting him right after the concussion.

After Cleveland, I cycled through Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Philadelphia before settling on New Orleans. I liked the Giants matchup for sack and interception chances.

My Week 6 lineup

  • QB: C.J. Stroud, 28.98
  • RB: Tony Pollard, 7.6; Woody Marks, 10.1
  • WR: Carnell Tate, 19; Zay Flowers, 12.7; Rome Odunze, 6.9
  • TE: Brock Bowers, 11
  • Flex: Dallas Goedert, 12.1; Germie Bernard, 25.7
  • K: Spencer Shrader, 9
  • Defense: New Orleans, 13

Outside the starting lineup were Adonai Mitchell, Cooper, Concepcion, Mike Washington, Goff, Breece Hall and Brown.

How it went

Stroud threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville.[2] His 28.98 points and Bernard's 25.7 gave me 54.68 from the two pickups I started.

Tate went from 1.6 points in Week 5 to 19, with six catches for 70 yards and his first NFL touchdown.[2] Marks gave me 10.1 and Pollard 7.6. The running backs weren't the biggest scorers, but Stroud, Bernard and Tate gave the lineup a lot more than the week before. New Orleans added 13.

Cooper scored 22.3 outside my lineup. Those points didn't count toward the win, but it was a good first week for the stash.

I finished 26.50 points ahead and got back in the win column, even with Goff and Brown off.

Lineups, transactions and fantasy scores are from my Sleeper league records. The decision-making is my recollection of what I was thinking before the games. The sources below cover the NFL schedule and game results.

Sources