The Thursday Night Football showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants brings plenty of intrigue for fantasy managers in Week 6. Both teams are on opposite paths as the Eagles are working towards a Super Bowl repeat and the Giants are seeing what they have in rookie QB Jaxson Dart. Below, I’ll explain who you can trust in your lineups, who should stay on the bench, and which players fall into that tricky gray area for Thursday night.
Lock Them into Your Lineup
- Jalen Hurts QB (PHI)
- Saquon Barkley RB (PHI)
Strong Starts
AJ Brown WR (PHI)
A.J. Brown remains a must-start fantasy football option this week despite a rocky start to the 2025 season. The Giants are the third-best matchup for opposing wide receivers, allowing 33.8 fantasy points per game, giving Brown an excellent bounce-back opportunity. Through five games, Brown has hauled in 19 receptions on 36 targets for 194 yards (10.2 YPC) and one touchdown, ranking 70th in YPRR and 89th in target separation. Even more concerning is AJ Brown is sitting at 8.9 PPG, and Jalen Hurts only has a 77 passer rating when targeting him this season.
Brown’s Week 6 matchup against New York’s 24th-ranked pass defense (237.2 YPG allowed) provides ideal conditions for a return to WR1 form. Historically dominant against man coverage (97.7 PFF grade since 2022 against man coverage), Brown’s physicality and red-zone presence make him a strong fantasy football start. With Philadelphia’s offense likely to exploit mismatches against New York’s secondary, Brown projects for 85+ yards and a touchdown. Even with competition from DeVonta Smith on a run-first team, Brown’s matchup alone locks him into fantasy lineups as a high-end WR2 to start for Week 6.
DeVonta Smith WR (PHI)
DeVonta Smith is another strong fantasy football start this week as the Eagles face a favorable matchup against the Giants’ 24th-ranked pass defense, which has allowed an opposing wideout to top 90 yards in four of five games. Smith is heating up at the right time, coming off a breakout Week 5 performance with eight receptions on 10 targets for 114 yards against Denver. Through five weeks, he leads the Eagles in receptions (25) and yards (272), adding one touchdown while maintaining an impressive 83.3% catch rate.
While A.J. Brown has battled inefficiency and frustration, Smith has emerged as Philadelphia’s most reliable receiver in fantasy. He’s averaging 54.4 receiving yards per game and has been targeted 30 times, including at least five in every matchup. Facing a Giants defense allowing 237.2 passing yards per game, Smith should continue seeing heavy volume, especially if the game remains competitive. If the Eagles control the tempo with their run game, Smith’s ceiling could be capped slightly, but his consistency and strong matchup make him a dependable WR2 fantasy football start in Week 6 lineups.
Players to Sit
Dallas Goedert TE (PHI)
Dallas Goedert is a risky fantasy football start this week despite his touchdown surge over the last three games. The Giants’ defense ranks among the league’s toughest against tight ends, allowing just 7.6 fantasy points per game to the position. Through four games, Goedert has caught 15 of 22 targets for 133 yards (8.9 YPC) and four touchdowns, but his production has been almost entirely touchdown-dependent. He ranks just 17th among tight ends in overall PFF grade (64.0) and 12th in receiving grade (67.6), illustrating solid play but limited yardage upside. After returning from a hamstring injury, he logged 63% of snaps and only 25 receiving yards in Week 5.
Philadelphia’s offensive balance further limits Goedert’s opportunities, with Jalen Hurts distributing red-zone targets across multiple receivers. Against a tough Giants defense, Goedert’s touchdown reliance makes him a volatile option. His historical averages of 3.7–4.6 receptions per game provide stability, but without a touchdown, his floor is dangerously low. Fantasy football managers should treat him as a touchdown-or-bust TE2 this week and look to stream safer options given the difficult matchup and his recent inefficiency in the passing game.
Wan’Dale Robinson WR (NYG)
Wan’Dale Robinson is better left on fantasy football benches this week despite his growing role in the Giants’ offense. Facing the Eagles’ defense, which ranks as the 19th toughest matchup for wide receivers, allowing 26.2 fantasy points per game. Robinson’s short-area usage limits his upside. Through five games, Robinson leads New York in targets (34) and receptions (23) for 267 yards and one touchdown, averaging under 50 yards per contest. His 78.3% snap rate and 22.7% target share showcase solid involvement, but low depth of target and minimal red-zone work (only 3 end-zone looks) restrict his fantasy ceiling.
Recent injuries to Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton should funnel more opportunities his way, but Philadelphia’s secondary is one of the better units in football and ranks third in red-zone defense (42.9% TD rate). Even with volume, Robinson’s lack of explosive plays makes him a low-upside WR3/FLEX in PPR leagues. Expect 5–6 catches with limited yardage unless the Giants fall behind early. While his usage is promising for future matchups, Robinson should be considered a sit in Week 6 given the Eagles’ defensive strength and New York’s low implied team total.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB (NYG)
Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a clear fantasy football sit for Week 6 as he returns from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury. Although Philadelphia’s defense allows the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs (21.2 PPG), Tracy’s limited role and inefficiency make him a poor start. In three games this season, Tracy has rushed 22 times for just 68 yards (3.1 YPC), failing to carve out a consistent role before his injury. Rookie Cam Skattebo has since emerged as the Giants’ lead back, handling 75% of the snaps in Tracy’s absence and proving more effective as both a rusher and receiver.
Even if Tracy sees rotational work on Thursday night, his workload will likely be capped at single-digit touches. The Eagles’ defensive front ranks top 16 in run defense (123 yards per game allowed) and excels in red-zone containment. Tracy’s return is a positive for New York’s depth, but not for fantasy football managers. With limited efficiency, uncertain volume, and strong competition from Skattebo, he belongs on the bench in all formats.
Theo Johnson TE (NYG)
Theo Johnson has been a pleasant surprise in recent weeks, but managers should sit him in Week 6 against Philadelphia. The Eagles rank as the fourth-toughest defense against tight ends, allowing just 5.9 fantasy points per game, and boast the league’s third-best red-zone touchdown rate (42.9%). Johnson has been a red-zone favorite for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, catching 15 passes on 22 targets for 82 yards and three touchdowns through five games. However, his production has been extremely touchdown-dependent, with minimal yardage and a 2.3 yards-after-catch rate that limits big-play potential.
Johnson’s snap share (75.4%) and 20% target rate have trended upward, but the matchup poses major challenges. While Nabers’ absence boosts Johnson’s usage, his fantasy outlook remains capped without another trip to the end zone. As a touchdown-or-bust TE2 and a tough matchup against Philadelphia, he’s best avoided in Week 6 fantasy lineups.
On the Fence
Jaxson Dart QB (NYG)
Jaxson Dart enters Week 6 as a fringe start, but he’s best viewed as a risky QB2 or superflex option. Through two starts, the rookie has thrown for 313 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions, adding 109 rushing yards and a rushing score. His Week 5 outing included three turnovers, showing the volatility typical of a first-year quarterback. Facing the Eagles’ 15th-ranked pass defense, which allows 16.7 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, Dart’s ceiling depends heavily on rushing production. His mobility gives him fantasy upside, as he has already generated 16.9 points on the ground through two games.
The Giants’ injuries, including Malik Nabers’ absence, further limit his passing efficiency. Philadelphia’s front seven pressures opposing quarterbacks at one of the league’s highest rates, and their 42.9% red-zone TD prevention further complicates scoring chances. Projections hover around 200 passing yards, 40 rushing yards, and one to two total touchdowns. While his dual-threat skill set keeps him relevant in deeper leagues, Dart remains a fantasy football sit in standard formats. Expect growing pains against a veteran defense that’s eager to rebound after its first loss of the season.
Cam Skattebo RB (NYG)
Cam Skattebo is on the fantasy football start/sit bubble for Week 6, but he leans more toward a risky flex option than a strong start. The Eagles allow the eighth-most fantasy points to running backs (21.2 PPG), but Skattebo’s usage volatility and Tracy’s return complicate things. Through five games, he’s logged 63 carries for 240 yards (3.8 YPC) and two touchdowns, adding 18 receptions for 143 yards. He has surpassed 100 scrimmage yards twice, playing as much as 75% of offensive snaps in recent weeks. His strong receiving role keeps him relevant in PPR formats.
However, the Eagles’ defense stiffens near the goal line, ranking third in red-zone touchdown prevention. Skattebo’s Week 5 fumble inside the 10-yard line could impact future red-zone trust, especially if Tracy reclaims short-yardage snaps. The matchup is favorable for yardage but not touchdowns, projecting around 80 total yards with limited scoring potential. Fantasy football managers should consider Skattebo a touchdown-dependent RB2 or flex this week. His potentially risky workload mixed with a tougher goal-line defense makes him a questionable option this week.
