Week Six Highlights
Sorry for the hiatus but I am back and better and ready for week 6 of fantasy football!
Game 1- Colts-Jets
Fantasy wise, the only player I really like in this game is Reggie Wayne. Andrew Luck has been impressive but I don’t think he’s a reliable starter every week. Donald Brown has been solid but will be missing this game sadly (the Jets have been pretty horrible against the run). That said, it may be worth taking a flyer on Vick Ballard (starting in Brown’s place) if you are desperate at RB because of injuries or the bye week,
Game 2- Falcons-Raiders
All the skills position players for the Falcons are worth a play in this game. Matt Ryan has been solid. Roddy White and Julio Jones are great and capable of huge fantasy games. Atlanta is using Michael Turner just like they always have and he has delivered (so far) and Tony Gonzalez is having a fantastic year. I don’t see the Raiders as a huge threat to slow the rolling Falcons, especially with a beat up and depleted secondary. I like Darren McFadden (RB Raiders) coming off a bye. He looked like an elite runner against Pittsburgh but has been utterly pedestrian in Oakland’s three losses. Maybe I am biased (I just like the dood), but I think McFadden will show his elite talent in this game.
*Darrius Heyward-Bey is returning this week. I don’t think he’s worth the start but I’d keep an eye on him. He has improved and is kind of looking like a legitimate WR and could be worth a pick up on the waiver wire if available.
Game 3- Bengals-Browns
The battle for Ohio and no one could less. AJ Green (WR Bengals) and Trent Richardson ( RB Browns) are must starts. Green will face off against the returning Joe Haden, an elite corner, but I don’t think it will hurt his numbers. Richardson has shown why he was such a high draft pick. He’s a hard runner who can make people miss, he is also a big threat as a receiver (huge in PPR leagues). BenJarvus Green-Ellis should have a better game than last week also but it still may not be worth starting him if you have any other options.
Game 4 – Rams-Dolphins
A somewhat meaningful game in Miami as the Rams (3-2) visit the Dolphins (2-3). This match up doesn’t offer much glitz or glamour. Reggie Bush (if playing), and Brian Hartline are both starter caliber. Bush is hampered by some knee issues but has been a must start so far this season. Brian Hartline offers major upside but has been fairly inconsistent (maybe not worth the gamble if you want to stay on the safer side). Steven Jackson finally gained some momentum against the Cardinals but the Dolphins have been great against the run and his owners may want to consider benching him.
Game 5 – Lions-Eagles
The Lions are looking up at everyone in the NFC North and could be in desperation mode. The Eagles have been pretty horrible but have found ways to eek out 3 wins. I love LeSean McCoy (RB Eagles) and Calvin Johnson (WR Lions) but everyone else is a crapshoot. Michael Vick can’t not turn the ball over. Matthew Stafford has looked mediocre, hopefully his bye week will help him get on the same page as his receivers and improve his decision making. Brandon Pettigrew and Brent Celek are both solid TEs but don’t offer any pizazz. DeSean Jackson is always a home run threat but hasn’t been consistently good and Jeremy Maclin isn’t back to his old self yet after a nagging hip injury.
Game 6 – Chiefs-Bucs
Another pretty crappy match-up for week six. Jamal Charles (RB Chiefs) and Dwayne Bowe (RB Chiefs) are the biggest bright spots in this game and both are must starts in my book. Matt Cassel’s decisions have been bad and it may be good that he is out. I wouldn’t trust Brady Quinn or Josh Freeman as my QB. Vincent Jackson has not lived up to his contract but has definitely been improving as he gets more comfortable with Freeman and is worth starting in most leagues.
Game 7 – Cowboys-Ravens
This is a pretty interesting game. The Cowboys have underachieved and looked pretty terrible so far this season while the Ravens have looked like a top 3 team in the NFL. Dallas will try to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bears. Ray Rice (RB Ravens), Torrey Smith (WR Ravens) and Miles Austin (WR Cowboys) are all no-brainer starts. Anquan Boldin (WR Ravens) deserves consideration as a 3rd WR , he has looked great the past two weeks. Dez Bryant (WR Cowboys) and Tony Romo (QB Cowboys) have failed to get on the same page this year, hopefully the bye week will remedy that for their owners. Jason Witten (TE Cowboys) is always a decent play. Also, Joe Flacco should be able to put last week behind him and put up the numbers his owners are used to.
Game 8- Bills-Cardinals
Larry Fitzgerald (WR Cardinals) is the only must start I see in the game. The Cardinals are magically off to a 4-1 start with a horrible O-Line and no running game. Kevin Kolb (QB Cardinals) has been decent and may warrant a start if your starter is out or you have Michael Vick. Fred Jackson (RB Bills) and CJ Spiller (RB Bills) are splitting carries and that’s never a good thing for fantasy. Stevie Johnson (WR Bills) and Scott Chandler (TE Bills) are good players but have Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB Bills) throwing to them.
Game 9- Patriots-Seahawks
Tom Brady (QB Patriots), Steven Ridley (RB Patriots), Marshawn Lynch (RB Seahawks) and Wes Welker *if healthy*(WR Patriots) are all great to go. The Patriots are clicking on offense and Brady’s no-huddle have defenses reeling. The Seahawks’ solid defense will provide a test for the Pats but I don’t foresee a huge drop for any of these players. Other potentially good starts are Sidney Rice (WR Seahawks), Brandon Lloyd (WR Patriots), Rob Gronkowski *if healthy* (TE Patriots) and Aaron Hernandez *if healthy* (TE Patriots).
Game 10 – Giants-49ers
A great football match-up, not too exciting fantasy wise. Eli Manning (QB Giants), Ahmad Bradshaw (RB Giants), Victor Cruz (WR Giants), Frank Gore (RB 49ers), Vernon Davis (TE 49ers) and Michael Crabtree (WR 49ers) are all must plays in my eyes. Martellus Bennett (TE Giants) and Hakeem Nicks (WR Giants) may not be worth a start but keep your eye on them and see if they can be picked up cheap while injured. Bennett has been a surprise for the Giants and is playing great when healthy. Nicks is on his way back from a knee injury and is a playmaker when at 100%.
Game 11- Vikings-Redskins
How about them Vikings? Who would have thought?? I never thought they were as horrible as people were predicting but 4-1? Nice. Let’s hope they can get over the hump that is Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins. Alfred Morris (RB Redskins), Adrian Peterson (RB Vikings), Percy Harvin (WR Vikings) are the top 3 players in this game. I like Percy and All Day to have decent games while Morris may struggle against the Vikings front 7/8. Robert Griffin III (QB Redskins) *concussion* should be starting but I don’t know if I trust him enough to start him. He has been great for Washington but I may consider benching your rookie QB if you have any other options.
Game 12- Packers-Texans
The Packers run into a very hot Texans team that looks like it could easily be Super Bowl bound. JJ Watt is a stud and Aaron Rodgers should watch out. Green Bay will be helped by Houston’s loss of Brian Cushing but I still like the Texans. Arian Foster (RB Texans) is amazing and should never be benched, Matt Schaub (QB Texans) has been finding open receivers, especially Owen Daniels (TE Texans). Don’t expect Andre Johnson (WR Texans) to stay quiet much longer either, he is ready to burst back onto the scene. Aaron Rodgers (QB Packers) is the only Packer I feel is a must play this week but I am not even too sure about him…
Game 13- Broncos-Chargers
Peyton Manning (QB Broncos) has been a good fantasy play this year and should be again this week. I’d also be starting Ryan Matthews (RB Chargers), and Demaryius Thomas (WR Broncos). Willis McGahee (RB Broncos) has looked great in 2 of their 5 games so it may not be worth trusting him just yet. Jacob Tamme (TE Broncos) offers consistency from the TE position. Malcolm Floyd (WR Chargers) has been Phillip Rivers (QB Chargers) most consistent receiver and would be a solid WR3 start.
Don’t forget to set your line-ups. Best of luck in week 6 and enjoy the games.
RB Rankings
Please note: these rankings are indicative of how I believe these players will finish the following season. In some cases, a player ranked higher than another should not necessarily be drafted ahead of that player. For more on this subject, read the draft plan. Specifically amongst RBs, you can more than likely get Kevin Smith and Ryan Williams later than their position in these rankings would indicate. Keep an eye on the ADP information from the website you think most people in your league will use.
S = Safety
U = Upside
+ = Injury Concerns
! = Other Concerns
- Arian Foster S U HC
- Ray Rice S
- LeSean McCoy U
- Darren McFadden + U
- Chris Johnson U
- Trent Richardson + U
- Maurice Jones-Drew !
- Matt Forte HC
- Jamaal Charles + U HC
- Adrian Peterson + U HC
- DeMarco Murray
- Ryan Mathews + U
- Fred Jackson HC
- Doug Martin U
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis S
- Marshawn Lynch
- Michael Turner
- Steven Jackson HC
- Willis McGahee S
- Frank Gore
- Darren Sproles
- Reggie Bush + U
- Ahmad Bradshaw +
- Kevin Smith + U
- Donald Brown U
- Peyton Hillis S
- Shonn Green S
- Toby Gerhart S
- CJ Spiller U
- Isaac Redman +
- Ben Tate
- Ryan Williams U
- David Wilson U
- Shane Vereen U
- Beanie Wells +
- DeAngelo Williams
- Jonathan Stewart +
- Stevan Ridley
- Michael Bush
- Mark Ingram
- Roy Helu
- Evan Royster
- Cedric Benson
- Daniel Thomas
- LeGarrette Blount
- Jacquizz Rodgers
- Mikel LeShoure
- Isaiah Pead
- Kendall Hunter U
- Ronnie Hillman
- Pierre Thomas
- Delone Carter
- Felix Jones
- Alex Green
- Rashad Jennings U
- Jonathan Dwyer
- Robert Turbin
- Mike Goodson
- Bernard Scott
- Rashard Mendenhall
- Tim Hightower
- James Starks
- Joe McKnight