Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 15th, 2023, 4:25 pm EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Betting Odds: NYJ +6.5, 42.5 o/u total via oddshark.com
Network: FOX
Writer: Dustin Ludke (@TheDunit13 on Twitter)
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterbacks
Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)
I don’t even know what to write here. Who isn’t starting Jalen Hurts every week? Yes, the New York Jets have a good defense but Hurts has shown the ability to be consistent regardless of the defense he’s playing. He has been in the QB1 range for four out of the five games so far this season, and in 14 of his last 16 games dating back to Week 4 in 2022. He has two of the best wide receivers in the game and a solid tight end, and then you add on his rushing ability which goes beyond the tush push. He has scored multiple touchdowns in every game except Week 1 and has a rushing touchdown in three games. If Hurts isn’t in your lineup and inside the QB1 range I will be surprised.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, RB2), Kenneth Gainwell (Sit, Flex)
While the Jets have a very solid defense, they have given up 17.80 points per game to running backs, which is the 11th most. Enter D’Andre Swift and the Philadelphia Eagles for Week 6. Swift has been able to handle bell cow work so far, with over 14 carries in each of the past four games. He is being very efficient with those carries averaging 5.71 yards per carry. Swift is also moderately involved in the passing game with 10 targets over the past two games. In a game that projects to be on the lower-scoring side the Eagles might utilize the running backs more to eat up the clock. Swift should be locked in as a solid RB2 this week.
Kenneth Gainwell back in Week 1 looked like the guy to roster in Philadelphia but since then, he has been relegated to just a change of pace back. I do think this week he could see increased work as the Eagles get an early lead and want to save some wear and tear on Swift’s body, but ultimately Gainwell is nothing more than a desperation flex play. You probably have better options.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
A.J. Brown (Start, WR2), DeVonta Smith (Start, Flex) Dallas Goedert (Start, TE1)
This week’s matchup between the Eagles receivers and the Jets corners will be a fascinating one. First off, you have Sauce Gardner who rates as the 10th-best cover corner, per Pro Football Focus. He will probably see A.J. Brown for most of the game. So can Brown still have a successful game? In Week 1, Stefon Diggs had three receptions for 33 yards, then in Week 2 CeeDee Lamb had 2 receptions for 16 yards. Week 5 both Jerry Juedy and Courtland Sutton each only had 1 reception. That seems to indicate the potential for a down week for Brown, but it’s hard to imagine getting away from him in your lineup, and his potential for a highlight-reel play is always there, so I’m still recommending him as a startable WR.
If Sauce is on Brown, DeVonta Smith would see D.J. Reed who rates as the 21st-best cover corner. It’s a slightly better coverage but still a tough matchup. He has taken a back seat to Brown in terms of targets but this week could be the time for him to shine, with Brown potentially in for a tough time against Gardner. I’m still starting him but only as a flex play. Neither Brown nor Smith really play in the slot and that role isn’t highly used in the Eagles offense, so it’s not like they can try to get away from the Jets elite corners. This means the floor is very low for these two, but they are too talented to ignore the high ceiling.
Dallas Goedert had a great Week 5 and looks to continue that this week. For as good as the defense is, they are giving up the most points to tight ends. With the wide receivers getting locked down I expect a big game for Goedert. He should easily be a TE1 and could contend for the top tight end spot on the week.
New York Jets
Quarterback
Zach Wilson (Sit)
Look I know there is a ton of talk that the Jets should trade for Kirk Cousins, but Zach Wilson has been serviceable for the Jets. He beat the Buffalo Bills and almost beat the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles have a good defense but are giving up the 5th most points to quarterbacks. Even with that, I don’t expect Wilson to have a great game. One of his weaknesses is facing pass rush which is an area the Eagles excel in. Wilson has only been in the QB2 range once this season. Sit him this week.
Running Backs
Breece Hall (Start, RB2), Dalvin Cook (Sit)
For the 3rd straight week Breece Hall had more carries than Dalvin Cook. Hall looks like the running back we all expected him to be when he was drafted, and he looks fully recovered from the knee injury that cost him last season. The issue is the Eagles are giving up the least amount of fantasy points to the running back position. It’s a tough matchup in terms of rushing for Hall but I think he can be useful in the pass-catching game. He has seen a handful of targets the past few games and with the added pressure this week Hall could be the hot read, safety valve for Wilson. I’m willing to start him as a RB2 this week.
Dalvin Cook looks to be nothing more than a veteran presence in the locker room and a breather back for Hall. Cook hasn’t seen double-digit opportunities since Week 1 and in the past three weeks has only played in 25% or less of the total snaps. You can’t trust him in your lineup.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Garrett Wilson (Start, WR3), Allen Lazard (Sit, Flex), Randall Cobb (Sit), Tyler Conklin (Start, TE2), C.J. Uzomah (Sit)
Is Garrett Wilson a stud wide receiver in the NFL? Yes. Has he performed like that for fantasy football managers? No. Wilson has had up-and-down weeks and that’s to be expected with an up-and-down quarterback play. The Eagles secondary hasn’t played up to their potential either this season. Wilson will probably see James Bradberry across from him, who ranks as the 50th-best cover corner by PFF. It’s a decent matchup, but even if they move Wilson around in the formation he would still have to contend with Darius Slay, who has historically been better than the 91st rank he’s garnered so far this year. You still start Wilson but I expect him to be in the WR3 range.
Allen Lazard has been the second man out there for almost all of the team’s snaps but has failed to see the targets. He has only 5 targets or more in one game. He has only once gone over 50 yards. With the tough coverage and the lack of total opportunities, I’m sitting him this week. There’s a world where he gets into the flex range, but I’m not seeing a pathway to a high upside. The same can be said for Randall Cobb or any other wide receiver for the Jets.
Tight end Tyler Conklin is second on the team in targets. The Eagles are surrendering the 8th most points to tight ends. I like Conklin as a sneaky TE2 play this week. The fact that he is playing 48% of his passing snaps in the slot shows me they are trying to use him as a pass catcher and less of the blocking role.