Week 6 highs and lows: Chris Godwin continues to produce

1:51 PM ET

Week 6 of the fantasy football season featured plenty of notable performances. What should we make of them? Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft are here with analysis on the biggest performers — and duds — of the week.

Chris Godwin continues his tear

Fantasy football’s No. 1 wide receiver in PPR scoring entering the week, Godwin’s 25.1 PPR fantasy points on Sunday gave him 145.2 for the season, which for the time being gives him a 27.9 point lead over the rest of the position (Michael Thomas is second, entering the 1 p.m. ET games). As had been hinted in the preseason, Godwin has enjoyed quite a bit of volume: He’s fifth among wide receivers in percentage of his team’s offensive snaps played (95%), and has averaged 38.3 routes run, 9.2 targets and 1.3 red-zone targets per game. — Cockcroft

After four touchdowns over the last two games, Godwin (10 receptions, 150 yards) didn’t find the end zone in London. However, he has now topped the 125-yard receiving mark in three straight games, and he’s caught 29-of-35 targets during that stretch. Consistent volume (and production) here for a wide receiver with the ideal route running traits for Tampa’s system. He should be in that WR1 mix again when the Bucs return from the bye in Week 8 versus the Titans. — Bowen

New England Patriots defense/special teams continues historic pace

With their 28 fantasy points on Thursday night — tied for the third-best single-game score by a team defense/special teams in 2019 — the Patriots D/ST now has 122 points through their first six games of the season. That is the most by any team D/ST through its first six games of a season since the 1987 Chicago Bears (123 points), and the seventh-most by any team D/ST through its first six games since at least 1950.

Yes, the schedule has had a lot to say about the Patriots’ statistical prowess — they have faced all five of the offenses responsible for the top five scores afforded to opposing D/STs (Dolphins, Jets, Redskins, Giants and Bills) — but their talent on paper rivals any they’ve sported during Tom Brady‘s career (if it isn’t the best). They draw two more of the most favorable matchups in the next two weeks — Jets and Browns — and are among the only D/STs you should carry through their Week 10 bye. — Cockcroft

The New England defense can create pressure with its multiple fronts, and that secondary — led by the lights-out coverage of cornerback Stephon Gilmore — consistently forces opposing QBs to make tight window throws. You gotta work here to make plays down the field against this unit. And, as Tristan noted, the upcoming matchups cater to New England. Expect more of the same here from Bill Belichick’s defense. — Bowen

Quick hitters

Christian McCaffrey: With his 21.7 PPR fantasy points on Sunday, Christian McCaffrey pushed his seasonal total to 181.3. That’s the sixth-most by any player at any position through his team’s first six games of a season since at least 1950. — Cockcroft