RandBall's Week 6 Fantasy Football challenge

October 15, 2015 at 12:43AM

Week 6 of the Page 2 Fantasy Football Challenge is upon us. Each week, a guest picker chooses a QB, RB and WR. The only players off-limits are those selected by the previous week's guest picker. The guest — Will Ragatz, a freshman journalism student and aspiring sportswriter at Northwestern, who was born and raised in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood — will go head-to-head against Star Tribune writer Michael Rand, who is not allowed to pick anyone projected to score in the top 10 by NFL.com at their respective positions:

WILL RAGATZ'S WEEK 6 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Tom Brady, Patriots

New England Patriots' Tom Brady celebrates after he scored on a 1-yard run against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com QB projection: No. 2

Matchup: Colts

Brady is averaging 26 fantasy points per game this season and is facing a Colts defense that is 28th in passing yards allowed per game. Plus, Brady will be motivated by the Deflategate scandal that began in last year's AFC Championship against Indy.

RB: Devonta Freeman, Falcons

Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 3

Matchup: Saints

Freeman has scored a ridiculous 94 fantasy points over his past three games and should have no problem scoring a couple more touchdowns against the Saints on Thursday Night Football.

WR: DeAndre Hopkins, Texans

Houston's DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass for a touchdown in front of Tampa Bay's Johnthan Banks (27) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 5

Matchup: Jaguars

Hopkins has been a monster this season, leading the NFL in receiving yards despite having Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer as his QBs. He should reach 100 yards and a touchdown against the Jags.

MICHAEL RAND's WEEK 6 FANTASY PICKS

QB: Joe Flacco, Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco warms up before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com QB projection: No. 12

Matchup: 49ers

"Is Joe Flacco elite?" is an amusing NFL question that has approached inside joke status. For my fantasy purposes here, I never get to pick guys who are elite because I'm limited to players outside the top 10. That said, I think Flacco will have an elite day against the porous 49ers pass defense.

RB: DeMarco Murray, Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles' DeMarco Murray rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com RB projection: No. 11

Matchup: Giants

Murray had easily his most productive game in an Eagles uniform last week, going for 120 combined rushing/receiving yards with a TD against the Saints. Maybe the Eagles are figuring it out?

WR: A.J. Green, Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, left, makes a catch in the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

NFL.com WR projection: No. 13

Matchup: Bills

Green has been feast or famine this season, putting up a huge game a few weeks back at Baltimore but otherwise being just average in fantasy. I say he goes big against the Bills.

SCOREBOARD WEEK 5 FANTASY RECAP (USING NFL.COM DEFAULT SCORING METHOD)

Winner: Kyle Ratke — Sam Bradford (17.6), Frank Gore (15.8), Julian Edelman (18.0). Total: 51.4.

Loser: Michael Rand — Nick Foles (1.8), Justin Forsett (23.0), Odell Beckham Jr. (18.4). Total: 43.2.

Overall standings: Guest pickers 4-1.


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