Welcome to week 6! Even if you are win-less, you’re still in it. Just don’t lose again!

If you are undefeated, it may be time to start thinking long-term and less week-to-week. Maybe pick up the good players on bye-week that your league-mates dropped and stash them on your bench. Maybe pick up a defense or kicker that has good match-ups during your league’s playoffs. Work the desperation differential -those league-mates who need wins now will trade for players with a good matchup this week, even if it weakens their team in the long run. As Daryl Morey (I know, wrong sport) put it, “You’re either in the weapons race or on the sidelines!”

Custom gold-mining charts (that are specific to your league settings) are now available in our app. They are calculated slightly differently -using the top and bottom deciles for the error bars instead of the pseudomedian confidence interval. Visit our app and set up an account to input your league settings.

The graphs below summarize the projections from a variety of sources. This week’s summary includes projections from: CBS: CBS Average, NFL, FantasyPros, ESPN and FFToday. The data for this article was collected on 10/11/17. For more details on WR gold mining and how to interpret the graphs above, see Chad’s post explaining gold mining .

Projection Table

Projection Graphs Standard Leagues

RB

Standard Scoring League Running Backs

From the graph below notice that:

Javorius Allen, DeMarco Murray, Mike Gillislee, Aaron Jones and Frank Gore are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Leonard Fournette, Jerick McKinnon, Duke Johnson, Matt Breida and Wayne Gallman are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Melvin Gordon, Rob Kelley, Aaron Jones, Bilal Powell and Wendell Smallwood are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Standard Scoring League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

DeSean Jackson, Randall Cobb, Jermaine Kearse, Marqise Lee and Cooper Kupp are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Michael Thomas, Keenan Allen, Emmanuel Sanders, Randall Cobb and Mike Wallace are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, Willie Snead, Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Standard Scoring League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

Aaron Rodgers, Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Trevor Siemian and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer and Brian Hoyer are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Ben Roethlisberger, Kevin Hogan and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Standard Scoring League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

Zach Ertz, Cameron Brate, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Evan Engram and Coby Fleener are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Coby Fleener, Zach Miller, George Kittle, Jesse James and Seth DeValve are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Delanie Walker, Antonio Gates and A.J. Derby are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Point-per-Reception Leagues

RB

Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

Melvin Gordon, Javorius Allen, DeMarco Murray, Frank Gore and Aaron Jones are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette, Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Melvin Gordon, Doug Martin, Rob Kelley, Aaron Jones and Bilal Powell are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

DeSean Jackson, Jermaine Kearse, Tyrell Williams, Cooper Kupp and Kendall Wright are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Michael Thomas, Keenan Allen, Golden Tate, Danny Amendola and Marqise Lee are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, DeAndre Hopkins, Willie Snead, Sammy Watkins, Donte Moncrief and Ricardo Louis are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

Aaron Rodgers, Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Trevor Siemian and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer and Brian Hoyer are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Ben Roethlisberger, Kevin Hogan and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

Zach Ertz, Evan Engram, Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph and Coby Fleener are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
George Kittle, Julius Thomas, Seth DeValve, Nick Boyle and Dion Sims are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Delanie Walker, Antonio Gates and Tyler Higbee are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Half-Point-per-Reception Leagues

RB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Running Back Roundup

From the graph below notice that:

Melvin Gordon, Javorius Allen, DeMarco Murray, Frank Gore and Aaron Jones are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette, Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Melvin Gordon, Doug Martin, Rob Kelley, Aaron Jones and Bilal Powell are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

WR

Half-Point-per-Reception League Wide Receiver

From the graph below notice that:

DeSean Jackson, Jermaine Kearse, Tyrell Williams, Cooper Kupp and Kendall Wright are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Michael Thomas, Keenan Allen, Golden Tate, Danny Amendola and Marqise Lee are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, DeAndre Hopkins, Willie Snead, Sammy Watkins, Donte Moncrief and Ricardo Louis are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

QB

Half-Point-per-Reception League Quarterback

From the graph below notice that:

Aaron Rodgers, Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Trevor Siemian and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Tom Brady, Matthew Stafford, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer and Brian Hoyer are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Ben Roethlisberger, Kevin Hogan and Matt Cassel are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

TE

Half-Point-per-Reception League Tight-End

From the graph below notice that:

Zach Ertz, Evan Engram, Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph and Coby Fleener are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
George Kittle, Julius Thomas, Seth DeValve, Nick Boyle and Dion Sims are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Delanie Walker, Antonio Gates and Tyler Higbee are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

Projection Graphs Defense/Special Teams and Kickers

DST

Standard Scoring DST

From the graph below notice that:

Patriots, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Falcons and Packers are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Broncos, Cardinals, Bears, Dolphins and Jets are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Patriots, Buccaneers, Chiefs, Falcons and Packers are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.

K

Standard Scoring K

From the graph below notice that:

Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker, Brandon McManus, Patrick Murray and Chandler Catanzaro are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
Justin Tucker, Harrison Butker, Brandon McManus, Robbie Gould and Phil Dawson are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
On the other hand, Stephen Gostkowski, Ryan Succop, Matt Prater, Jason Myers and Zane Gonzalez are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.