Fantasy Football: 5 bold predictions for Week 6

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 celebrates his two point conversion attempt with James Washington #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 11: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Colts 32-23. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 11: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 11, 2020, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Colts 32-23. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Taylor has a big RB1 day versus the Bengals

Taylor hasn’t notched over 100 rushing yards since Week 2. That’s a wee bit concerning for your fantasy life, but the man is finding a way to score touchdowns. In Week 5 versus the Browns, Taylor found paydirt once on 12 carries for 57 yards, a decent day for your squad.

The Cincinnati Bengals, though, are a different animal — a weakened one. The Bengals are allowing 159 rushing yards per game, which is the fourth-worst in the NFL. Taylor is a talented young halfback, and there is no reason to believe Cincinnatti will magically slow him down. This game has a feel to it where the Colts hop out to an early lead, force a couple of Joe Burrow turnovers, and give Taylor the ball profusely to ice it.

We cannot be entirely sure when Taylor would have been folded into the Colts offensive mix with Marlon Mack designated as the team’s RB1 to start the season. Mack is a solid running back, so Indianapolis likely would have employed a salt-and-pepper approach with Mack’s pass-catching and Taylor’s downhill tendencies.

That’s moot now because Mack is gone for the season. It’s quite sad that Mack will miss all this playing time, but fantasy owners that drafted Taylor are reaping the benefits. And, they will continue to do so in Week 6.