Week 5 featured six double-digit comeback wins for the first time in over a decade. It also saw numerous upsets, including a once-in-a-lifetime sequence of events leading to an Arizona loss, knocking yours truly out of Circa survivor. At least it was memorable.

Depth is being tested on fantasy rosters with injuries and byes, especially at running back. Fantasy managers lost Omarion Hampton last week, creating a cloudy situation in Los Angeles. But a different rookie running back emerged in Washington’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt, assuming he’s not this week’s Woody Marks. Here are the biggest questions entering Week 6.

Can Joe Flacco save the Bengals’ offense?

Ja’Marr Chase ended up with a big fantasy game last week, but both of his touchdowns came during fourth-quarter garbage time of another blowout. Jake Browning played himself out of a job, leading to a trade for Joe Flacco. While it’s an upgrade, it may only be marginal, as the Bengals went from a QB with the worst EPA/dropback to the second-worst. Flacco’s average depth of target is way down this season compared to 2023, and it’s worth noting that Daniel Jones has been a huge upgrade in Indianapolis. Flacco will be throwing to better receivers in an offense with a high pass rate, but he’s 40 years old and will play behind a terrible Cincinnati offensive line. Still, the Bengals’ receivers should see more catchable air yards moving forward, when their schedule becomes incredibly favorable after this week.

Bengals remaining opponents and current rank in fantasy pts allowed to QBs

@ GB (18th)
vs PIT (4)
vs NYJ (6)
vs CHI (8)
BYE
@ PIT (4)
vs NE (13)
@ BAL (2)
@ BUF (19)
*Fantasy Playoffs*
vs BAL (2)
@ MIA (3)
vs ARI (28)

Joe Flacco trade to Cincy is positive news for all Bengals

— Colin McTamany (@Colin_McT) October 7, 2025

Chase might be the toughest player in the league to rank rest-of-season, as there are arguments anywhere in the WR4-to-WR16 range. Tee Higgins remains a low-end WR3, while Chase Brown remains an RB3. Sunday’s point spread moved only half a point after the Flacco trade, and the Bengals still own a league-low 15.5-point implied team total this week. The trade helped fantasy managers, but a move for Jameis Winston or Russell Wilson would’ve been far better.

Will Jacory Croskey-Merritt take over?

Croskey-Merritt was fantasy’s RB5 last week against a Chargers defense that entered allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The rookie got his first start and posted career highs in snap and route share. Meanwhile, Chris Rodriguez didn’t see a carry until Washington’s final drive with less than five minutes remaining. Fantasy managers were burned assuming Woody Marks’ breakout would lead to an increased role that never materialized last week, but “Bill” has less competition and is in a better situation.

Croskey-Merritt is among the league leaders in many RB stats, including ranking first in fantasy points per touch. It remains to be seen how Croskey-Merritt is used during negative game scripts, unlike last week, but Monday night’s should be favorable as the Commanders are home favorites against the Bears. JCM should be considered a top-15 fantasy back this week, given his juicy matchup and the rest of the RB landscape.

What does the Chargers’ backfield look like?

Fantasy managers lost a top-eight fantasy back when Hampton went on IR this week, as the rookie was even seeing targets in a Greg Roman offense. Hassan Haskins is “next man up” in Los Angeles’ backfield, and Jim Harbaugh figures to give the Michigan back first crack at carries. However, Kimani Vidal and newly signed Nyheim Hines will also be involved as the Chargers go running back-by-committee. Haskins played more before Hampton went down last week, while Vidal saw more snaps afterward, although that included garbage time with Trey Lance.

Moreover, Los Angeles is second in the league in pass rate over expected and is dealing with a devastated offensive line that’s led to Justin Herbert being the most pressured QB over the past three weeks. The Chargers have a highly favorable matchup against possibly the league’s worst run defense this week in Miami, so a Los Angeles RB will likely provide nice short-term fantasy value. Haskins is the leader in the clubhouse, but the timeshare will limit fantasy production in more difficult matchups until Hampton returns.

Is Darren Waller a top-10 fantasy tight end?

Waller is 33 years old and carries unquestionable heightened injury risk. He’s also quickly gone from off his couch to a top-10 fantasy tight end. Waller has been fantasy’s TE2 over two weeks despite seeing just 48 snaps and not having played since 2023. Waller has a 24% target per route run rate without Tyreek Hill, as he’s been lining up a ton at wide receiver. Waller leads all tight ends in yards per route run over his small sample.

Waller had five catches on five targets for 78 yards and a touchdown with 10:53 still left in the second quarter last week, but oddly, he didn’t see another target all game. His route participation and role will continue to grow as Waller gets back into game shape. Imagine Waller’s targets if the often banged-up Jaylen Waddle misses time. Waller is an easy TE1 for fantasy if health cooperates. He’s my TE6 this week.

Jake Ciely’s take on WallerCan Derrick Henry bounce back?

Henry had 169 rushing yards in Week 1, but he’s totaled 148 over four games since. His short TD came when Baltimore was down 34-3 last week. Fumbles aside, Henry hasn’t looked washed, but a collapsing Ravens team has torpedoed his fantasy production. Henry has always been extra game-script sensitive given his lack of targets, and Baltimore has been trailing at one of the league’s highest rates this season. The Ravens are on pace to become the first team in NFL history to allow 600 points, and Lamar Jackson missed practice again Wednesday, so it looks like another week of Cooper Rush.

Henry has dealt with the third-hardest RB fantasy schedule so far, but gets the ninth easiest moving forward, so there’s some optimism. The Ravens could come out of their bye with Jackson back at QB and an improved defense, but that would require two more weeks of patience. Baltimore owns a lowly 18.5-point team total and is more than a touchdown underdogs this week against a Los Angeles Rams defense allowing the second-fewest RB fantasy points. Henry is still the RB15 in expert consensus ranks, but he’s my RB20 this week.

Who’s healthy in San Francisco?

Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle will all likely remain sidelined in Week 6, with Jauan Jennings also a big question mark. Christian McCaffrey is on pace for 133 catches and will remain San Francisco’s focal point on offense, but the 49ers’ pass catchers have upside. Tampa Bay has a pass-funnel defense with a secondary currently decimated by injuries. Running backs have averaged just 67.6 rushing yards versus the Buccaneers this season.

Mac Jones has averaged 301.7 passing yards and 2.0 touchdowns over three games with Kyle Shanahan despite playing through a sprained PCL. Moreover, the 49ers’ pass rate over expected (+7.7%) ranks second in the NFL during Jones’ starts this season. Tight end Jake Tonges saw 11 targets last week and is a fringe TE1 with Kittle likely to miss one more game.

Jennings led San Francisco in targets (10), catches (five), receiving yards (89) and TDs (one) during his lone game with Jones this season, and that was with a healthy Pearsall. Meanwhile, Bourne was Jones’ clear WR1 last week, when he finished as a top 10 fantasy WR and looked the part. A San Francisco wide receiver is in a good spot to post big fantasy stats this week, with Bourne the favorite thanks to current health reports.

Can Rico Dowdle do it again?

Dowdle erupted for an NFL-season high 234 yards from scrimmage last week despite missing time throughout the second half with cramping. It was a favorable matchup, but Dowdle’s performance will go down as one of the best by a running back all season. It was enough to warrant a change in touch distribution when Chuba Hubbard returns, and he missed practice again on Wednesday.

Early charting on Rico Dowdle in Week 5:

+ Career-high NINE avoided tackles
+ 169 yards after initial contact

This is more yards after contact than any RB in 2025. It’s more than any RB in 2024! In fact, it’s more than any RB not named Derrick Henry during the 2020’s https://t.co/zeQSk41bEC

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) October 6, 2025

Dowdle might be the leader of a committee rest-of-season, but he could be a borderline RB1 again in Week 6 should Hubbard sit. The Cowboys have allowed the most schedule-adjusted fantasy points to running backs this season, and Dowdle is looking forward to facing his old team. The game script could become a problem, and Bryce Young remains an issue for the offense, but Dowdle gets another great matchup for his encore.

Will TreVeyon Henderson’s role finally expand?

Rhamondre Stevenson has suffered the most fumbles (10) and fumbles lost (6) since last season, and Antonio Gibson (ACL) is out for the year. Henderson only saw a modest increase in usage after Gibson went down and Stevenson fumbled again last week, as New England simply doesn’t trust the rookie in pass protection. Henderson leads the league in positive run rate, but he’s toward the bottom in rush yards over expected. Henderson’s performance has hardly demanded more playing time, and the “HIMderson” moniker has been put to rest for now. He’ll see more work with Gibson out, although Mike Vrabel mentioned that included getting the rookie going on kickoff returns.

Henderson remains nothing more than an RB3 moving forward, although another Stevenson fumble could theoretically force Vrabel’s hand. Drake Maye looks fantastic, and New England has a highly favorable schedule for the rest of the season, so it’s unfortunate that the rookie has disappointed.

Was Javonte Williams this year’s best fantasy pick?

Williams was drafted as the RB37, but he’s been fantasy’s RB3 over the first five weeks. He’s looked better further removed from multi-ligament surgery, and OC Klayton Adams’ scheme has once again been brilliant (whereas Arizona’s rushing attack fell off a cliff after Adams’ departure). Williams entered the league young and is still just 25 years old.

Williams has the most fantasy points per snap while leading by a mile this season, but the Cowboys have led for only 19.9% of their offensive plays. In other words, Williams has even more upside should future game scripts be more positive (and CeeDee Lamb will return soon). Jaydon Blue wasn’t a factor during his debut, and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has declared Williams the team’s “bell cow.” He’s an obvious RB1 rest-of-season and was clearly this year’s best fantasy pick.

Is Stefon Diggs now a WR2?

Diggs had a monster revenge game in Week 5, and he’s racked up 19 targets over the past two weeks. He’s been fantasy’s WR9 over that span despite not scoring. Diggs’ slow start to the season can be at least partially explained by returning from ACL surgery, but it’s worth noting he’s still maintained just a 71% route rate over the past two weeks, as the Patriots are slowly ramping him back up. Still, Diggs ranks fourth in the league in targets per route run rate (28%), so he’s seeing the ball when on the field.

Drake Maye looks like a budding star, and Diggs’ emergence as his clear WR1 will only increase the further he’s removed from surgery. Diggs’ floor will be lower until his route participation increases, but he’s quickly become a top-20 fantasy WR for Week 6.