Week 6 Standouts and Setbacks: Dowdle Shines as a Starter; Is It Time to Cut Ties with Fields
In Week 6 of the 2025 fantasy football season, standout performances and notable setbacks caught the attention of fans. The analysis highlights key performances and questions the future of certain players in their current roles.
Week 6 Standouts
- Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina Panthers: Dowdle impressed with over 32 PPR fantasy points in consecutive weeks, asserting his position in the Panthers’ backfield despite Chuba Hubbard’s potential return. He achieved 66.3 points, ten explosive runs, and outperformed expectations by 140 rushing yards in his starting role.
- De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins: Achane earned 31.0 PPR fantasy points thanks to his exceptional speed, clocking an average of 13.8 mph. Despite challenges within his team, his individual talents position him as a significant fantasy option.
- Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants: Skattebo secured three goal-to-go touchdowns, and commanded 72% of offensive snaps, suggesting his ascending status within the team’s offense.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks: With 30.2 fantasy points, Smith-Njigba delivered a strong performance with eight receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown. His recent form makes him a solid WR1.
- Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs: Mahomes had another stellar outing, scoring 31.48 fantasy points in the victory over the Detroit Lions. His consistent performance solidifies his upper-tier QB1 status.
The list also features players like Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers and George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys, who both excelled, leading their teams in fantasy points.
Week 6 Setbacks
- Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets: Fields struggled significantly in the loss to the Denver Broncos, accumulating just 4.9 points. His inconsistent passing and pressure-handling raise questions about his role as a starter moving forward.
- Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley’s performance was underwhelming, with only 8.7 fantasy points. Challenges with offensive execution limited his contributions.
- Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions: Gibbs faced a tough matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a disappointing 7.5 fantasy points.
Other notable declines included Javonte Williams with the Dallas Cowboys and Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns, both facing setbacks in their respective roles.
Injury Impact
Several players faced injuries that may affect future matchups:
| Player | Team | Injury Status |
|---|---|---|
| Emeka Egbuka | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Hamstring injury, status uncertain for Week 7 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. | Arizona Cardinals | Concussion, could miss Week 7 |
| Puka Nacua | Los Angeles Rams | Ankle injury, status doubtful for Week 7 |
| David Njoku | Cleveland Browns | Knee injury, pending further updates |
These injuries could shift strategies for managers, with potential opportunities for backups like Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones to rise in importance.
