Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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DEF to Start
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an easy start this week thanks to an elite matchup against the struggling Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been a goldmine for opposing defenses, allowing at least 10 fantasy points in three straight games and leading the NFL with 11 turnovers. They’ve also given up the most fantasy points per game to defenses and surrendered 30 to the Vikings just two weeks ago. Even with the recent addition of Joe Flacco, this offense remains in disarray behind a shaky offensive line that’s given up relentless pressure. Green Bay’s defense, which has shown flashes of dominance but lacked consistency, now has the perfect opportunity to deliver a season-best performance. Expect a heavy dose of sacks and potential turnovers as the Packers look to capitalize on a mistake-prone Bengals offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the best defenses for Week 6 as they face rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel and a struggling Cleveland Browns offense. Pittsburgh’s defense has been red-hot lately, totaling 11 sacks and nine takeaways in its last three games while averaging 13 fantasy points per game in that span. Coming off a bye, they’ll be well-rested and playing at home against a divisional opponent that’s looked lost offensively. Cleveland’s offense ranks among the worst in the league with just 14.6 points per game and eight total giveaways through five weeks. With an elite pass rush and opportunistic secondary, the Steelers should feast on turnovers and are an easy start in all formats.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are another smart option this week as they take on a New Orleans offense that’s been inconsistent at best. The Saints have struggled to protect Spencer Rattler, allowing eight sacks in the three games before Week 5, and have scored fewer than 20 points in three of their first four contests. New England has quietly become one of the most reliable fantasy defenses, recording an interception in four of five games this season and holding both Carolina and Buffalo to just 33 combined points over the past two weeks. The Patriots are a strong streaming option in Week 6
DEF to Sit
Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy football managers should sit both the Lions and Chiefs defenses this week in what projects to be a high-scoring shootout. Detroit’s defense has been impressive lately, with five sacks and five interceptions over the past two games, but that success came against weak offenses in Cleveland and Cincinnati. This week, they’ll face Patrick Mahomes and a Kansas City offense that’s among the league’s most disciplined, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing defenses with just seven sacks and two turnovers all season.
On the other side, the Chiefs’ defense has been strong overall, but the Lions’ explosive offense makes them nearly matchup-proof. They’ve surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing defenses at just one point per game. Expect plenty of offense and few defensive opportunities for fantasy production. Both defenses should be avoided in Week 6.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are an easy sit this week as they face a surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense that’s been firing on all cylinders. Tampa Bay has scored 25 or more points in three straight games and is averaging 27 points per contest through five weeks. Baker Mayfield has been sharp, and the offensive line has limited sacks to just nine on the season. Even worse, only two teams have turned the ball over less than the Bucs, which drastically limits the 49ers’ fantasy upside. San Francisco’s defense has failed to score more than 10 fantasy points in any game this year and hasn’t topped five in its last four outings. Facing an efficient offense with few mistakes, the 49ers are best left on your bench in Week 6.
Kickers to Start
Joshua Karty LAR
Joshua Karty remains a strong start in Week 6 despite a down performance last week against the 49ers. Before that game, Karty had scored double-digit fantasy points in back-to-back outings, showing excellent consistency. The matchup this week against the Ravens is a favorable one. Baltimore has allowed at least 11 fantasy points to three different kickers this season. Expect a bounce-back performance on the road, with multiple field goal attempts likely in a competitive game script. Karty should be locked in as a top-12 option in Week 6.
Cameron Dicker LAC
Cameron Dicker is a quality start this week as he faces a Miami Dolphins defense that has consistently allowed production to opposing kickers. The Dolphins have given up at least nine fantasy points to four different kickers this season, with two scoring 11 or more. Dicker has averaged eight fantasy points per game this year, and this matchup gives him an excellent chance to exceed that mark. In a game with high scoring potential, Dicker has a strong floor and should easily finish among the top fantasy kickers in Week 6.
Kickers to Sit
Chad Ryland ARI
Chad Ryland is an easy sit this week due to his tough matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Ryland disappointed in Week 5 with just three points and zero field goal attempts, marking his lowest fantasy output of the season. The Colts have been one of the most restrictive defenses against kickers, allowing the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Ryland should be avoided in all formats for Week 6.
Harrison Butker KC
Harrison Butker is typically a set-and-forget kicker, but it is becoming hard to trust him. The Chiefs’ matchup against the Lions is projected to be high-scoring, but Detroit’s defense has quietly been one of the best at limiting kicker production. The Lions have allowed just five total field goals through five games, and only one opposing kicker has managed more than eight fantasy points. Butker has also been inconsistent this year, missing multiple kicks and PATs, further lowering his floor. In a week full of better streaming options, Butker is not worth the risk.
