Joe Flacco Fantasy Football Surge: Week 6 Breakout Sets Up TNF Value

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Source: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Joe Flacco's tumultuous 2025 season took another dramatic turn in Week 6, as the veteran quarterback showed flashes of competence in his Cincinnati debut despite a 27-18 loss to Green Bay. After being traded from Cleveland just days earlier, Flacco demonstrated why the Bengals made the desperate move to salvage their playoff hopes.

The 40-year-old quarterback's performance against the Packers was a tale of two halves. Flacco started dreadfully, completing just 4 of 9 passes for 13 yards in the first half as Cincinnati managed only one total yard in the opening quarter. However, he found his rhythm after halftime, completing 70% of his passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns over the final two quarters.

Fantasy Impact

Flacco's 18.76 fantasy points against Green Bay marked his best output since Week 1, when he scored 12.2 points in Cleveland's season opener. The performance was particularly encouraging given his season-long struggles that led to his benching in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel. Through five games played, Flacco has averaged just 8.93 fantasy points per game with a concerning 67.0 passer rating.

The immediate chemistry displayed with Ja'Marr Chase proves most significant for fantasy managers. Chase caught 10 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, including a spectacular back-shoulder grab in double coverage on fourth down. This connection occurred despite limited practice time, as Chase was dealing with illness leading up to the game. Based on current PPR rankings, both players could see significant value increases if this rapport continues.

Fantasy managers should monitor Flacco's Thursday Night Football matchup against Pittsburgh as a potential breakout spot. The veteran has 11 career wins against the Steelers, including a victory last season while playing for Indianapolis. His FanDuel salary of $6,600 for Week 7 presents intriguing tournament value given the short turnaround.

The risk assessment remains concerning despite the encouraging debut. Flacco's eight turnovers in five games this season reflect declining physical skills, and the quick preparation time for a divisional rival creates additional uncertainty. Cincinnati's 2-4 record means they likely need to win at least eight of their final ten games to reach the playoffs, putting enormous pressure on every performance.

Next Steps

Thursday's game against Pittsburgh represents a critical juncture for both Flacco and Cincinnati's season. A loss would drop the Bengals to 2-5 and essentially eliminate their playoff chances. Fantasy managers should closely monitor injury reports for Chase and Tee Higgins, as both receivers showed immediate chemistry with their new quarterback.

The upcoming Week 10 bye provides Cincinnati additional time to integrate Flacco into their offensive system. If he can maintain his second-half performance level from the Green Bay game, both Flacco and his receiving corps could provide significant fantasy value down the stretch. However, another poor showing against the Steelers could trigger questions about whether the Bengals might turn to backup Jake Browning or explore other options as their season slips away.


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