Week 6 Game-By-Game Recap: Is Rico Dowdle the New RB1 in Carolina?

Week 6 is in the books and the storylines coming out of the week are going to be something ...

It’s easy to dismiss Rico Dowdle’s performances over the last two weeks because of the opponents. If that’s the case, why doesn’t everyone pile up 200-plus scrimmage yards against the Dolphins and Cowboys? Dowdle rushed for 183 yards on 30 carries and caught four passes for 56 yards against his former team on Sunday in a 30-27 win over the Cowboys.

The Panthers running back had 32.4 PPR points last week and 33.9 this week. Last week against the Dolphins, he rushed for 206 yards on 23 carries with a TD and caught three passes for 28 yards.

The games came with starter Chuba Hubbard sidelined due to a calf injury. While Dowdle can’t sustain this efficiency, the two-week performance puts him in elite company. Keep in mind, Dowdle was good with Dallas last season once he took over as the starter last season. In his last nine starts, Dowdle has rushed for at least 72 yards in seven games and has six 100-yard games.

It’s easy to say it will be a split with Hubbard when he returns, but how can that happen? In the last two games, 52% of his carries went for at least five yards and the Panthers have several injuries on the offensive line. Dowdle has started two games and is third in the NFL in rushing. Dowdle should be an RB2 the rest of the way. Hubbard is averaging 4.1 yards per carry and didn’t show anything close to what we saw from Dowdle. If it’s about winning games, Dowdle is the guy until he slows down.

Who else stole the spotlight in Week 6? Let's go game by game.

Game-by-Game Recap Of Week 6 For Fantasy Football

Chiefs 30, Lions 17

The lack of a potent running game for the Chiefs has led to Patrick Mahomes running more than usual. Mahomes rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries with a TD and has rushed for at least 31 yards in four of six games. Mahomes has rushed for 221 yards on 38 carries with four TDs. He passed for 257 yards with three TDs and with Rashee Rice coming off suspension next week, Mahomes is going to be one of the best fantasy QBs the rest of the season.

Colts 31, Cardinals 27

A report before the game said Bam Knight was the starting running back. It turned out to be wrong as Michael Carter was the first running back on the field. Knight played 49% of the snaps and Carter played 46%. Knight had 11 carries for 34 yards with a TD and caught a 20-yard pass, while Carter had nine carries for 34 yards with two catches for 30 yards. This split isn’t ideal for either back and makes them desperate starts.

Chargers 29, Dolphins 27

Another report on a backfield that was wrong. Hassan Haskins was reported to be the lead back and it was Kimani Vidal that led the Chargers backfield. Vidal had 18 carries for 124 yards and caught three of four targets for 14 yards with a TD. Haskins had six carries for 14 yards and caught a nine-yard pass. Vidal played 70% of the snaps and Haskins 28%.

Seahawks 20, Jaguars 12

Brian Thomas Jr. finally scored his first receiving TD of the season. He led the team with 10 targets, which is a great sign, and the absence of Brenton Strange helps. Thomas had eight catches for 90 yards, and it could have been an even better game if Travis Hunter hadn’t lined up offside to take away a 54-yard TD.

Patriots 25, Saints 19

It’s not happening for TreVeyon Henderson. With Antonio Gibson out for the season, the backfield was down to Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. Henderson’s role didn’t increase. Stevenson played 71% of the snaps and Henderson 29%. Stevenson hasn’t done much, leaving the door open for Henderson, but he hasn’t done anything special when touching the ball. Stevenson had 18 yards on 11 carries and didn’t have a catch on one target. Henderson rushed for 27 yards on nine carries and caught one of two passes for nine yards.

Steelers 23, Browns 9

This was the first bad game for Quinshon Judkins. This was a bad spot for the Browns, who played in London last week, while the Steelers were at home and off a bye. It didn’t help that Dillon Gabriel attempted 52 passes. Judkins had 12 carries for 36 yards. Judkins will bounce back next week in a great matchup against the Dolphins.

Rams 17, Ravens 3

The Ravens offense was awful again and Cooper Rush was replaced by Tyler Huntley. At least Derrick Henry finally had a good game with 122 yards on 24 carries. Unfortunately, he didn’t score. Mark Andrews was stuffed on two consecutive tush pushes, and Henry was given the carry on fourth down and lost yards. The good news is the Ravens are on bye next week and Lamar Jackson is expected to return in Week 8. Buy low on the Ravens.

Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19

Baker Mayfield has a strong case for MVP. He keeps losing wide receivers and it doesn’t matter. Emeka Egbuka left this game with a hamstring injury, so he was without his top four wide receivers, and Mayfield passed for 256 yards, two TDs and rushed for 14 yards to lead the Buccaneers to a 5-1 record.

Raiders 20, Titans 10

There was talk that Tyjae Spears would get more work, and he did. Spears played 59% of the snaps compared to 42% for Tony Pollard. The Titans trailed most of the way and Spears ran 22 routes to 12 for Pollard. Spears rushed for 31 yards on five carries and caught all four targets for 19 yards. Pollard had 10 carries for 34 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. If this continues, it hurts both, considering this offense barely scores.

Packers 27, Bengals 18

Joe Flacco made his first start for the Bengals and did what we wanted. He attempted 45 passes and 20 went in the direction of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase had 12 targets and caught 10 passes for 94 yards with a TD and Higgins caught five of eight targets for 62 yards. That’s all we want.

Broncos 13, Jets 11

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The best play the Jets ran was when Justin Fields dropped the snap, Breece Hall picked it up and gained seven yards. It was the best offensive play the Jets ran and should be put in the playbook. Sums up the Jets offense. The Broncos weren’t much better. The defense was the highest scorer from the game as they had nine sacks.

RONIS BONUS

Dak Prescott continues to play at a high level. He’s set up to be a top-seven QB the rest of the way with the defense being awful. There will be a lot of high-scoring games with many pass attempts.
The move to the Cowboys was the best thing for George Pickens. He’s playing for a contract and has benefited from CeeDee Lamb being out with a high ankle sprain. Lamb could return next week and Pickens will take a hit, but still be a WR2. Pickens has scored six TDs in six games and caught nine passes for 168 yards with a TD.
Kyler Murray was out with a foot injury and Jacoby Brissett had the best passing game for the Cardinals this season. Murray had 220 passing yards or fewer in all five games and Brissett had 320 passing yards with two TDs and one INT, and played a good part of the game without Marvin Harrison Jr. due to a concussion. Trey McBride scored his first TD of the season and had eight catches for 72 yards on 11 targets. Zay Jones benefited from Harrison being out, catching five passes for 79 yards.
Quentin Johnston was out with a hamstring injury and Ladd McConkey had his best game of the season. McConkey led the team with nine targets and caught seven passes for 100 yards with a TD. McConkey has looked good all season and there’s no need to panic.
Chris Olave has at least 10 targets in five of six games. Olave had a season-high 98 yards on six catches. Olave has at least 11 PPR points in every game this season.
After two straight 100-yard games, Stefon Diggs had three catches for 28 yards on three targets. Diggs was called for offensive pass interference, taking away a 51-yard play.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is money in the bank every week. He had a season-high 162 yards and tied a season-high with 13 targets and caught eight. The worst game he’s had is 79 yards. He has at least 103 yards in four of six games.
The Packers continue to spread the ball around to several receivers, and it’s unlikely to change. Matthew Golden was more involved following the bye with three catches for 86 yards on five targets and rushed twice for 16 yards.
I would never throw my co-workers under the bus like Tua Tagovailoa did. By the way, Kendall Valenzuela is never late for work or meetings. Go Mariners!