Justin Herbert’s struggles have dragged him to the bottom of fantasy football rankings, with an average of just 10.7 points per game this season. His projected interception rate for Week 6 is 0.9, tied for the highest among quarterbacks, and his key metrics signal no improvement. Fantasy managers would be better off starting alternatives like Cam Ward, according to analysis on www.si.com.
Herbert’s latest performance came at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where he faced the Denver Broncos. Despite the home advantage, Herbert’s play remains underwhelming, reflected by his absence from the early top-25 quarterback projections for the week. This has put him on a must-sit list alongside three other quarterbacks who face difficult matchups.
Deshaun Watson is among those also advised against starting this week. After allowing eight sacks in Week 5 against the New York Jets—a team ranked 28th in pass rush power—Watson’s prospects appear limited. The Cleveland Browns quarterback faces the Baltimore Ravens, who rank 11th on the list of defenses toughest on fantasy quarterbacks. Watson’s success likely depends on throwing at least two touchdowns, a challenging feat against a Ravens team known for controlling the clock with a run-heavy approach. Complicating matters, Watson may be without key targets if KC Concepcion remains sidelined and Jerry Jeudy is traded.
Sam Darnold ranks 30th in fantasy points per game and struggles with accuracy and efficiency, sitting 22nd in Adjusted Completion Percentage and 27th in Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback. Seattle’s conservative passing approach, ranking 21st in pass rate, does not help. Darnold’s matchup against the Broncos’ secondary, which averages one interception per game, makes him a risky option. Despite being started in about 25% of leagues, experts warn he should be benched.
Bo Nix’s fantasy outlook is grim as well. Ranking 28th in points per game with just 13.0, Nix’s rushing yards are also falling short—averaging 7.0 yards per game, more than 20 yards below expectations. His performance grade from Pro Football Focus places him 34th out of 36 quarterbacks. The Broncos face the Seahawks this weekend, a defense that ranks seventh-best against quarterbacks in fantasy and averages 1.4 interceptions per game. This matchup further dims Nix’s fantasy prospects.
The Broncos’ defense appears formidable against opposing quarterbacks. They are averaging one interception per game and rank among the top defenses to face Seattle and other quarterbacks struggling to gain yardage and points.
The combination of challenging opponents and individual struggles puts these four quarterbacks in difficult positions for Week 6 of fantasy football. Herbert’s continued decline, Watson’s vulnerable offensive line, Darnold’s inaccuracy against a strong secondary, and Nix’s disappointing season suggest fantasy owners should seek alternatives elsewhere.
This assessment is based on data and projections published by SI Fantasy Football, reflecting performances up to October 11, 2026. No confirmed injury updates or roster changes were reported that would improve the outlook for these quarterbacks ahead of their upcoming games.
According to Yahoo Sports.