Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and he is also a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott finished as a top 15 player ranker in Fantasy Football Week 5 and as a top 10 ranker in Week 2 on FantasyPros.com. He was the No. 1 tight end ranker for Week 5.

The challenges keep coming for fantasy football players. Everyone, not just you, is dealing with significant injury losses and bye weeks. This week, players from the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans are unavailable, leaving fantasy leaguers without the production of guys like Justin Jefferson and Nico Collins.

We go deeper this week and feature the best players to start when faced with close lineup calls. Our analysis leans to PPR formats and players are listed in order of starting preference at their respective positions.

If you are depending on Seahawks players in Week 6, you can get good fantasy returns against a Jacksonville defense that ranks 23rd in yards per game allowed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is producing like an elite fantasy WR so far this season, and Sam Darnold is functioning as a fine streaming QB. Let's not forget the breakout tight end, AJ Barner, either, as he is covered in this article. Don't let him sit on the free agent list any longer.

NFL Week 6: Running Backs To Start

START Rico Dowdle: Chuba Hubbard is out for Carolina again this week, and Dowdle stepped in as a terrific replacement last week. The former Cowboy blazed for a career-best 206 yards and a TD in a win over the Miami Dolphins. Dowdle proved to be a winning pickup off the waiver wire last week, and in NFL Week 6, he will face his former team as Dallas visits Carolina. The Cowboys rank 28th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs.

START Tony Pollard: The Tennessee offense should start improving at some point soon, and it could be this week against the Raiders. Las Vegas has allowed the second-most rushing TDs to RBs (seven). The Titans have actually allowed the most rushing TDs to RBs (eight) so we should see good play from both Ashton Jeanty and Pollard in this game. Pollard has rushed for two TDs in his last three games.

START Rhamondre Stevenson: The Patriots lost Antonio Gibson for the season and rookie TreVeyon Henderson should start to make his presence known more soon. Stevenson will still have a role in the New England offense, though, especially as the ideal guy to get the tough yards. Stevenson rushed for two TDs last week, and the Patriots should move the ball into scoring position at least a few times vs. New Orleans. He's a viable plug-in play for Week 6.

START Kareem Hunt: The RBs I am listing here this week are mostly replacement types and streamers. That's because many fantasy players need injury or bye week replacements in their RB2 or flex spots, even with just two teams on a bye. You're not going to sit RBs who get regular work, such as Javonte Williams or Breece Hall, or quality temporary starters such as Dowdle or Rachaad White. Hunt, however, is a good lineup fill-in for TD potential.

Last week, Hunt rushed for two TDs and he has rushed for three TDs in his last three. The Chiefs are actually at 2-3 heading into Week 6 and will likely get involved in a shootout with the Lions in a strong effort to get back to .500. Hunt should get some chances to punch in TDs from close scoring range.

NFL Week 6: Wide Receivers To Start

START Tetairoa McMillan: Don't miss out on what could be a true breakout week for the Carolina rookie. Facing the Dallas Cowboys, who field the worst pass defense in the NFL, points to much statistical potential for McMillan this week. If you have any close lineup decisions involving McMillan, give him the nod. The Cowboys have allowed the most FFPG and TDs (10) to opposing WRs.

START Tre Tucker: When the matchup is right, Tucker is an upside play. The matchup is definitely right for quality production from him this week. Tennessee ranks 25th in FFPG allowed to WRs. Seahawks fans well know that Geno Smith is not afraid to gun downfield when he faces a vulnerable passing defense. Tucker has big-play promise for Week 6.

START Troy Franklin: I very much like Franklin as a one-week play against the Jets in London. Courtland Sutton will command significant defensive attention and could see a lot of New York cornerback Sauce Gardner. Franklin should see some room to make plays against the rest of the Jets' pass defense, which ranks 21st in receiving yards allowed to opposing WRs.

START Isaiah Bond: Get on board with this downfield threat before he becomes a hot fantasy football free agent add. The rookie was targeted seven times last week and might firmly put himself on the fantasy map this week against the Steelers. The Browns are turning over the key playmaking spots to young players, and now it will be Bond's turn.

The Steelers rank 27th in FFPG allowed to WRs, Bond is a clever and deeper flex play or Week 6 lineup plugger.

NFL Week 6: Quarterbacks To Start

START Matthew Stafford: You may not recognize these Baltimore Ravens that the Rams are facing this week. They have one win and Lamar Jackson is sidelined. The Ravens' pass defense was a consistent issue even before Jackson was injured. Baltimore has allowed the most passing yards among AFC teams and an NFL-high 13 TD passes to opposing QBs. Stafford is a very good Week 6 streamer.

START Jordan Love: Green Bay is well-rested coming off a bye week, and before the time off, the Packers dropped 40 points on the Packers. The matchup is very inviting for more Packers fantasy production this week. Cincinnati ranks 29th in passing yards allowed to QBs and has also surrendered 11 TDs to opposing passers so far this season.

NFL Week 6: Tight Ends To Start

START Darren Waller: The TE position is so thin, that when you apparently find a player who can consistently produce quality numbers, he should be started regularly. No matter the matchup, Waller should be locked into lineups right now.

With Tyreek Hill out, the former Raiders star has revived his career in his first two games with Miami, catching three TD passes. The Dolphins needed another prime target when Hill went down, and Waller is stepping forward.

START AJ Barner: In our Week 6 Fantasy Football roster report, we urged fantasy players to not overlook Barner as a starting option who was widely available on the waiver wire. Somehow, the guy who finished Week 5 as the No. 1 TE in fantasy football is still only rostered in 33 percent of leagues on the Sleeper app. Add Barner now if he is available, and you can start him right away if needed.

NFL Week 6: Defenses to Stream

New England (vs. New Orleans), Indianapolis (vs. Arizona), Las Vegas (vs. Tennessee), Buffalo (vs. Atlanta), Cleveland (vs. Pittsburgh).