Sean Tucker seemed to come out of nowhere and post an epic fantasy football performance in Week 6. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Before you dive into the Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans box score, take note. I know it’s fun. The total was 78 points! We had 897 yards of offense! Both teams have some must-have fantasy options, right?
Of course, the phantom superstar of this game was the Buccaneers’ unheralded running back, Sean Tucker. Because sometimes that’s what fantasy is about.
Let’s start with the players Tampa Bay likely used in fantasy. Baker Mayfield does carnivals from time to time, but most weeks he also produces. Mayfield threw for 325 yards, four passing touchdowns, offsetting three interceptions and scored 28.8 fantasy points. It was his third straight game to surpass the 20-point mark, and he was sitting at QB2 with only SNF and MNF remaining in the slot. The Buccaneers have scored over 30 points in four games this year, and their offense has been mostly reliable.
Chris Godwin played against the Saints secondary and rocked a line of 11-125-2 on 13 targets. He has at least five receptions in every game, and the shift to a more slot-heavy role seems to agree with him. Godwin needed a bigger role as Mike Evans suffered most of the day with an undisclosed injury, limping through the first half and briefly visiting the locker room. They had just one target in the second half and finished 2-34-0 with six targets. Differences can hurt us all from time to time. Cade Otton only had two catches on six targets, but one of them scored a short touchdown. You’ll get it during the 2024 tight end blackout.
Bucky Irving got a good start in the backfield in Rashard White’s absence and did well, but wasn’t the smash he was hoping for (14-81-1 rushing, 2-24-0 receiving). seconds). That equates to 17.5 fantasy points and puts him in the top 10 with two games left. But Irving had more guys in the backfield than we expected, and second-year back Sean Tucker crashed the party.
Tucker had a 36-yard touchdown reception early on, ran over gassed defenders in the fourth quarter and looked tireless in a come-from-behind victory late in the game. He finished with 136 yards on the ground, 56 yards through the air, and 17 touchdowns with two touchdowns. Introducing 32.7 fantasy points, which is largely ignored in Yahoo leagues. Even after White was officially scratched, Tucker’s roster tag only increased to 1% on Sunday morning.
Tucker’s soccer career has been a winding one. He had a breakout year in 2021 as a sophomore at Syracuse University, recording 1,496 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns, earning first-team All-ACC honors. He was on his way to stardom, averaging 6.1 yards per rush and 12.8 yards per catch.
Tucker’s performance took a step back during his junior year, due in part to the collapse of Syracuse’s offensive line. He went undrafted in the spring of 2023, largely because a previously undiagnosed heart condition prevented him from training at the combine.
The Buccaneers added Tucker as a free agent and he was on the roster last season, but he had limited and mediocre production (15 carries for 23 yards). He had just three touches through the first five weeks of the year before assuming a key role Sunday.
This is a reminder that there are several potential NFL stars out there waiting to be discovered, given the opportunity. It probably takes an injury to White or Irving for Tucker to have any fantasy relevance right now, but maybe there’s something in this performance that the Buccaneers can’t overlook.
As for Spencer Rattler’s starting debut with the Saints, he’s willing to miss a huge part. He threw a few picks, had a fumble, and had five sacks. Losing Chris Olave (concussion) for the first series of the game didn’t help, but Rattler showed no chemistry with WR Rashid Shahid (1-11-0, 7 targets). As is often the case with backup quarterbacks, the featured receiver was a surprising player who was not seen as a primary starter. Bab Means posted a 5-45-1 line on eight targets.
Volume and touchdown deodorant saved Alvin Kamara’s day. He totaled just 64 yards, but had five catches and one score. Nine different players drew targets, but none went beyond 54 yards. Rattler is clearly a work in progress while Derek Carr is away.
Get your popcorn ready because the thrilling Buccaneers take on Baltimore and Atlanta over the next two weeks. The Saints could have trouble running the ball the rest of the month as they face the Broncos and Chargers.
Other Week 6 booms and busts
Cole Kmet’s value is on the rise
Not only did Kmet score 2 goals down the stretch for 21.5 fantasy points in London’s win over Jacksonville, but he also played on the field while Gerald Everett (18 snaps, 9 routes) had no impact. I saw enough of him in action (57 snaps, 27 routes). Bears OC Shane Waldron, who can be difficult to trust at times, seems to accept that Kmet deserves to be a full-time player while Everett is just a support member. Kmet was a TE7 and TE8 the past two seasons and is on pace to surpass that in 2024.
jaguars mixed bag
It’s strange that the Jaguars didn’t target Brian Thomas Jr. off the bus — six looks simply aren’t enough for their most dynamic player — but at least Evan Engram is fully committed and He caught all 10 looks and earned 10 points. 102-0 day. Engram lost one fumble, but it was still PPR gold for the struggling Jags. Chicago’s defense is formidable, but Tank Bigsby was still held to 24 yards on seven carries.
Drake Maye gives Patriots a much-needed boost
That’s the thing about the Patriots offense, at least they cut ties with Maye. Sure, the offensive line is a mess and the skill talent could be better, but Maye was still held back 37 times (versus 26 team runs) for 243 yards and three touchdowns. , and caught up in the game against Houston. Two picks, four sacks. That’s the life of a rookie quarterback. But Demario Douglas (6-91-2) and Hunter Henry (3-41-1) both return for fantasy. It’s nice to have another offensive line that is at least worth considering as they get through the bye week schedule. The Patriots head to London for the Jacksonville Breakfast Game next week.
Zai is entitled to receive flowers.
Baltimore is so star-studded that a game without a touchdown could get lost in the shuffle. But Zay Flowers looked shifty against Washington, going 9-132-0 in the first half and hitting every target. Unfortunately, the Ravens were playing clock ball in the second half and Flowers couldn’t find targets in the final 30 minutes. But for all the time we spend understanding Baltimore’s tight end room (hey, Mark Andrews scored!), don’t lose sight of the budding superstars on the outside.
McLaughlin, Daniels still have losses.
The Commanders were unable to establish Terry McLaurin on deep routes, but the two short touchdowns were well spent for illusions. It’s refreshing to see McLaurin finally playing with an above-average quarterback in the NFL. Jaden Daniels had some issues in Baltimore, but even if he plays a less than stellar game, he can still give you over 20 fantasy points. Sledding will be a lot easier next week against Carolina.
Same old story for Watson of the Browns.
If you’ve seen one Deshaun Watson game, you’ve seen them all. In Philadelphia, he was held to 168 passing yards, had five sacks and was unable to culminate in a touchdown drive. Of course, there are many parents who fail. There were dropped passes and procedural penalties. I’m worried about Nick Chubb trying to get behind this shaky offensive line. But even if the Browns continue to stick with a sunk-cost quarterback, Watson looks like he’s going to be beat up physically and mentally every week.
Note: Additional analysis from Sunday’s slate will follow up later in the day.
