Thursday Night Football Matchups Analysis - Week 6

Russell Wilson is making a strong case for MVP.

The Seattle Seahawks signal-caller threw for 268 passing yards and four touchdowns en route to beating the visiting Los Angeles Rams last Thursday night. He currently ranks first in touchdowns, first in pass rating, and second in completion percentage with zero interceptions on the year. On the other side of the football, Todd Gurley's fantasy owners finally say a return on their investment with 18 total touches for 57 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, while Cooper Kupp eclipsed the 100 receiving yard mark for the fourth consecutive game and found the end zone once.

The New York Giants and New England Patriots have both been struck with noteworthy injuries early in the season. The Giants in particular are going to be absent there top options at running back, wide receiver, and tight end when they head to Foxborough. With limited options on the table, let's dive in to Thursday Night Football Matchups Analysis for Week 6!

New York Giants @ New England Patriots

Date and Start Time: October 10 at 8:20 PM ET

Notable Injuries and Status:

• Saquon Barkley (RB, NYG) - Ankle - Out
• Wayne Gallman (RB, NYG) - Concussion - Out
• Sterling Shepard (WR, NYG) - Concussion - Out
• Evan Engram (TE, NYG) - Knee - Out
• Rex Burkhead (RB, NE) - Foot - Questionable
• Julian Edelman (WR, NE) - Chest - Questionable
• Josh Gordon (WR, NE) - Knee - Questionable
• Phillip Dorsett (WR,  NE) - Hamstring - Out

Offensive and Defensive Rankings in 2019:

Must Starts

Top Performers That Have To Be In Your Lineups

Julian Edelman (WR, NE)

As the lone must-start for this Thursday, Edelman's volume has been safe despite New England dominating their opponents. Although the Patriots have won all five of their games this year with the margin of victory being at least 16 points in four of them, Edelman has been targeted 47 times on the season. Against a vulnerable secondary that will likely spend more time on the field due to a limping Giants' offense, Edelman's workload isn't likely to be cut down.

Solid Options and Sleepers

Which Players Will Have Solid Games and Which Could Surprise?

Solid Option: Golden Tate (WR, NYG)

Tate's debut fir the Giants in Week 5 was immensely disappointing (three catches, 13 yards on six targets). The bust performance is partially attributable to him playing on only 66.2 percent of snaps, but expect that number to skyrocket with the top passing options on the Giants sidelined. What's more, Tate ran 90.6 percent of his routes from the slot last week, meaning he should avoid stud corner Stephon Gilmore on the boundary.

Solid Option: Tom Brady (QB, NE)

The Patriots offense has a habit of keeping their foot on the gas despite sizeable leads, with some of Brady's best fantasy days coming against the Pittsburgh Steelers (QB-7 finish in 33-3 win) and Washington Redskins (QB-7 finish in a 33-7 win). New England is likely to dominate the time of possession and Brady should produce another top-10 finish.

Solid Options: Sony Michel / James White (RBs, NE)

Projecting this New England backfield has been a huge pain through five weeks in 2019. Depending on whether Rex Burkhead plays, a committee approach may very well be what plays out on Thursday night. However, a projected favorable game script is enough reason to consider Michel and White as options in your lineups.

Solid Option: Josh Gordon (WR, NE)

Target volume has been there for Gordon, who has had at least seven targets in his last three games. As a flex option in PPR formats, Gordon could return some value given the lack of talent in the Giants secondary to shade him. Unfortunately, he hasn't proven to be as matchup-proof as fellow wideout Julian Edelman.

Consider Sitting

Players To Avoid Putting In Your Lineup If Possible

Daniel Jones (QB, NYG)

I won't rule out the possibility of garbage time points leading to Jones producing QB2 numbers, but New England's pass defense ranks as the league's best. Since Jones' exceptional performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he has two touchdowns, three interceptions, and 452 total yards over his last two games. While he is shaking off the draft bust label many assigned in the wake of the Giants seventh overall selection, fantasy owners need to temper their expectations.

Jonathan Hilliman (RB, NYG)

For now, Hilliman is the last man standing in the Giants backfield and the presumptive lead dog heading into Thursday night. Sadly, the starting running back in a hobbled Giants offense facing off against a top-three defense isn't an attractive fantasy matchup.

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