NFL Reactions: Week 6

In a week that saw a surplus of blowout statement wins around the NFL, one game stood out in a big way. Football is all about overcoming adversity, rallying around teammates and finding your way to victory. As fans, we allow the sport to become a part of our everyday lives, in the clothes we wear, the conversations we have and the time and energy we put into managing our fantasy teams.

I knew I loved football, but one game Sunday reminded me just how much: Cowboys vs. Patriots.

Last week, I wrote about these same Cowboys after they beat the division rival Giants. I reflected on the idea that those two teams are heading in completely different directions. I mentioned that the Cowboys are true Super Bowl contenders in 2021. I still feel that way, but now I feel it even more strongly. Consider this "Reactions" article to be the "part two" of last week's edition.

The Cowboys turned the ball over. They fumbled at the goal line, giving up a sure touchdown late in the first half while down on the scoreboard. They gave up a 75-yard touchdown pass and trailed with little more than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. They gave up 29 points. They went into overtime and lost the coin toss. Even with all of that, the Cowboys won, 35-29, bringing them to 5-1 this season.

Beyond this being the most exciting game of the Sunday slate, it showed me something. The Cowboys are even more "for real" than I said last week. This was the type of game the Cowboys probably would have lost in seasons past.

Dak Prescott is one of the elite quarterbacks in the game, the same holds true in the fantasy game. He is every bit the Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Every bit of Prescott's 445 yards and three scores were needed to lead his team to a win. CeeDee Lamb's nine catches for 149 yards and two scores weren't that bad either — especially Lamb's walk-off touchdown to secure the win in overtime. The defense continues to be opportunistic, as Trevon Diggs had yet another pick-six, giving him seven interceptions on the year with two returned for a score. For a defense that was historically bad last season, it is making big plays in 2021.

For fantasy, Dallas is a gold mine for points: Prescott, Lamb, Amari Cooper, Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz. Watching them is fun, and it's even more exciting when you're rostering one or more of these guys.

I said it once, and I'll say it again — this time with more conviction: This team is different. These Cowboys can win it all this year …

… and something tells me they just might.

Sunday Takeaways

• Dalvin Cook returned Week 6 and rewarded fantasy managers with a whopping 29 attempts for 140 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win over the Panthers. It looks like the star running back is back to himself and feeling good after the Vikings allowed him to rest his ankle in Week 5. Alexander Mattison, who showed out in Cook's absence last week, rushed three times for 10 yards. It's the Dalvin show again, but unfortunately, the Vikings have a bye in Week 7.
• Kirk Cousins was absolutely surgical Sunday, completing 33 of 48 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns to lead Minnesota to a win. The oft-inconsistent quarterback was anything but, spreading the ball to seven pass-catchers. Cousins' connected with Adam Thielen 11 times for 126 yards and a touchdown, giving the wideout an impressive bounce-back performance after two down weeks. After a Week 7 bye, Cousins and the Vikings will play host to the Cowboys, a game that likely will project to be a shootout.
• Jaylen Waddle caught 10 of his 13 targets for 70 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Jaguars. The Dolphins may have lost the game, but they regained their starting quarterback. Waddle found the end zone for the first time since Week 1, the last full game Tua Tagovailoa played. Waddle could become a favorite target of Tagovailoa, as the No. 6 overall pick was drafted to be a major part of the Dolphins' offensive attack. Waddle has a good chance to build off this performance when Miami takes on Atlanta in Week 7.
• Darrell Henderson rushed 21 times for 78 yards and a score, while also adding two catches for 29 yards and a touchdown through the air. When you're on an offense as powerful as the Rams, the opportunities for scoring are plentiful. Henderson is making the most of his chances this season, and he has the potential to keep it going with a handful of favorable upcoming matchups. The Rams take on the Lions in Week 7. Detroit struggles to stop the run one would assume the Rams will hold a lead for most of the game. Fire up Henderson with supreme confidence in Week 7.
• It's no secret: The Rams' aerial attack is one of the best in the league. Matthew Stafford was electric Sunday, throwing for 251 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout victory over the Giants. Cooper Kupp had another massive fantasy day, racking up nine grabs on 12 targets for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Kupp had sort of a down week in Week 5, so it was a great sign to see the connection between him and his quarterback alive and well. For those who love storylines, Stafford and the Rams will play host to the Lions in Week 7. Who doesn't love a revenge game? An offensive explosion awaits …
• Jonathan Taylor is a beast. He rushed 14 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns, adding one catch for 13 yards in a 31-3 win over the Texans. The Colts have been getting the running back going lately, and it has been a huge help to quarterback Carson Wentz. The coaching staff seems intent on establishing the ground game, and Taylor's outstanding ability make him a threat on the ground and through the air. Fantasy managers have to be pleased with Taylor's performances, and he should keep this up with some favorable matchups  the next month. Hopefully, his rushing attempts (hovering in the mid-teens) will see a bump as the season progresses.
• T.Y. Hilton made his 2021 season debut Sunday, and he immediately slotted in as the Colts' top receiver. The veteran wideout caught all four of his targets for 80 yards. This was a promising sign until Hilton eventually exited the game with a quad injury. If Hilton is fine, he can be a key piece to boosting the passing game alongside Michael Pittman.
• Khalil Herbert carried 19 times for 97 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Packers. With Damien Williams sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19, Herbert showed that he could be relied upon on the ground. While David Montgomery is out, it would make sense for the Bears to use both Herbert and Williams often to help rookie signal-caller Justin Fields, especially since both backs have now shown they can be effective in the offense.
• While Chicago's Fields had a nice fantasy day, Justin Herbert had a day to forget. The Chargers quarterback is one of the best young quarterbacks in the game, but Sunday's performance was one to throw away. Herbert completed 22 of 39 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also threw one interception. The offense struggled to get things going against a stout Ravens defense, and despite being behind throughout, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were both underwhelming. Los Angeles has a Week 7 bye, but it will see a Patriots defense in Week 8 that just gave up 35 points to the Cowboys.
• Darrel Williams, the Chiefs' new starting running back following Clyde Edwards-Helaire's knee injury, began his tenure as the lead rusher with a bang. The veteran rushed 21 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns, adding three catches for 46 yards.  Jerick McKinnon was the only other Chiefs running back to be involved on the ground, recording just 10 yards on three attempts. The Chiefs square off against the Titans in Week 7, and Williams likely will have ample opportunities to put up another solid stat line in the Kansas City offense.
• Damien Harris rushed 18 times for 101 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's overtime loss to the Cowboys. Fantasy managers had to hold their breaths for myriad reasons throughout the contest. Harris entered the week after dealing with a rib injury suffered in Week 5, and he finished the game without re-injury. Harris' fumbling issues had many wondering if he'd see the proverbial doghouse, but he ran hard and protected the ball. The running back limped off the field late, but he eventually came back in to finish the game. If he can stay healthy and keep the fumbling problem at bay, Harris can be a great asset to a Patriots offense led by rookie Mac Jones. New England plays host to the Jets in Week 7, and Harris could be in for a monster fantasy day.
• Kenyan Drake rushed four times for 34 yards and a touchdown, while also adding two catches for 39 yards and a score. With the Raiders' coaching staff shuffle, it seems like Drake's value has a chance to increase. The veteran has not been used much in the team's offensive scheme leading up to Week 6, but it's possible the Raiders could get him more involved. Drake can produce for fantasy purposes if given the opportunity. With such a big contract for a backup running back, it would make sense for the team to get him going and take some of the load off Josh Jacobs.

Injury Notes

• Kadarius Toney was ruled out in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Rams with an ankle injury. This injury marks yet another massive blow to the Giants' offense. Toney originally suffered the ankle injury Week 5, but it seems he aggravated it Sunday. We likely will learn more about the severity of the injury in the coming days, though it may make the most sense to not rush the first-round pick back too quickly, even in a plus-matchup in Week 7 against a porous Kansas City secondary.
• Latavius Murray exited the Raven's blowout win over the Chargers with an ankle injury. This backfield may be cursed. After leaving, Murray ceded carries to both Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell. If he is forced to miss time, the two veterans have a good shot at leading the backfield. Ty'Son Williams, who was inactive Sunday, also likely would find himself active again.
• T.Y. Hilton injured his quad in the Colts' win over the Texans on Sunday. Fellow wide receiver Parris Campbell injured his foot as well. If the two wideouts miss time, Michael Pittman and Zach Pascal likely will see a bump in their respective target shares.
• Kareem Hunt suffered a calf injury in the Browns' loss to the Cardinals. The severity of the injury is unknown, but the running back was carted to the locker room. The Browns were already without starter Nick Chubb with his own calf injury. Cleveland has a short turnaround this week as they play host to the Broncos on Thursday night. If Hunt and Chubb can't go, Demetric Felton and D'Ernest Johnson would be thrust into the spotlight as the only remaining healthy running backs on the roster.
• Baker Mayfield dislocated his non-throwing shoulder Sunday. The young quarterback has been playing through this shoulder ailment already, so his status for Thursday's game against the Broncos isn't exactly a lost cause. However, if Mayfield can't go, Case Keenum would be the next man up.