2011 Fantasy Football–Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 6

QBs: Start 'Em

Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns @ Oakland

Good spot to start McCoy here. First, Browns are coming of a bye week, they will be fresh and healthy and they have will have a nice gameplan consisting of two weeks preparation. Second, the Raiders are third worst in points allowed to quartberacks, letting up a average of 25 points per game. The Browns have talked about getting TE Evan Moore and WR Greg Little more involved in the offense and I expect them to do that this week with success. Look for McCoy to finish with fairly good numbers with around 275-325 total yards and two TDs. 

Eli Manning, New York Giants vs Buffalo 

Eli has been erratic, per the usual, but from a fantasy standpoint he's been very solid with nine TDs in his last three games. With Victor Cruz emerging, Manning is starting to get a little more comfortable and has been putting up big numbers despite the picks. Buffalo has allowed 10 TDs through five games and they are also 6th worst in points allowed to QBs. Buffalo has been creating a lot of turnovers and probably will intercept Eli a couple times, but even with the turnovers look for Eli to still produce around 25 fantasy points for your team this week.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins

I was going to put Cam Newton in this spot, but at this point, I think most Cam owners are starting him on a weekly basis, unless of course they own Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady etc. So I'm going with Sanchez. This is a must win game for the Jets, and I think these are the type of games where Sanchez plays his best. Miami's secondary should also help Sanchez out, allowing 24 points a game to QBs. I think Sanchez, Santonio, Keller, and Plaxico all get back on track on Monday Night at the Meadowlands. Expect two-three TD's from Sanchez and around 250 yards.

Obvious Start- Tony Romo @ New England

Sit 'Em

Curtis Painter, Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati

There is no doubt that Painter is the better option than Kerry Collins, we kind of saw that right away in that Monday Night game against Pittsburgh. Painter then followed that up with two solid back to back weeks where he threw for over 275 yards with four TDs with no interceptions. He has solid weapons between Wayne, Garcon, Collie, and Clark and Painter has looked pretty solid thus far. That said, this is a bad week to use him against an extremely stingy Cincy secondary. The Bengals D is only allowing 15 points a game to QBs and this is a game where you can expect the Colts and their offense to struggle. If you are a Peyton Manning owner who has been relying on Painter, look for other options this week.

Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina

Owners who drafted Ryan to be their starting QB, kind of expected him to take that next step. They added Julio Jones, Ryan was another year matured going into his fourth season and they expected more of a passing offense this year. But as of now, Ryan still appears to be what he has been throughout his career fantasy wise, up and down. One week he gives you three TDs, the next one TD and 220 yards. In four out of Ryan's five games this year he has failed to throw for more than two TDs. He is not really a guy you can rely on every week. This week I am avoiding him, Julio Jones will be out  and I don't think Harry Douglaswho will step in Jones' place is really anything more than a slot receiver. Ryan might have a decent game, but don't expect anything more than 250 yards and two TDs. I think a one TD game could be coming again this week.

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans @ Baltimore

This one is kinda easy, Texans on the road, without Andre Johnson, facing one of the best defenses in the league. Stay away from Schaub and his impressive 416 yards throwing last week, he's in for a rough game in Week 6.

Don't touch with a 400 foot pole, Matt Moore @ New York Jets

RBs: Start 'Em

Ryan Torain, Washington Redskins vs. Philly

Torain was a hot pickup last week after he ran for 135 yards against St. Louis. Torain was hardly drafted because Hightower looked great in the preseason and Roy Helu was also in the mix as well. But Shanahan has always liked Torain and he is the best back for his system. Similar to Houston with their zone blocking scheme, Torain also reminds me of Arian Foster a bit. Both backs aren't overly talented, but they run with power, have decent speed and can break tackles. Look for Torain to have a nice game this week against Philly and their terrible Run D which is giving up the most points to RBs. As long as Torain stays healthy, he should be the leader in this Washington backfield and is a good trade target right now.

Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys @ New England

The bye week came at a good time for Jones and the Cowboys. Jones got to rest his shoulder, Miles Austin and Tony Romo also had time to heal their injuries. Dallas will be ready to go in this matchup with their full arsenal and Jones is going to play a big part. Not only should Jones fare well in the passing game, but he should find some running room as well against New England's run D which is ranked 29th in points allowed to RB's. Look for Jones to finish with over 100 total yards and have four-six catches with a possible score.

Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants vs Buffalo

Bradshaw has been kind of quiet this year with Brandon Jacobs seeing more of a role. And last week even if Jacobs out, Bradshaw only receiving 17 carries, after the game voicing his displeasure to Tom Coughlin. It appears Jacobs will be out again this week and I expect Bradshaw to get around 20 carries in a good matchup against the Buffalo Run D allowing 140 yards per game. I think goes over the 100 total yard mark and has a great chance of finding the end zone.

Other quality Options- DeAngelo Williams @ Atlanta (starting to flow), James Starks vs St. Louis (should get a couple chances to score)

Sit 'Em

Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions vs San Fran

I loved Best going into his rookie year, but a turf toe injury and a concussion held him back. Coming into this year I questioned his durability, but so far he has held up fine and been a great asset to fantasy teams, especially in PPR leagues. Last week Best exploded for 163 yards on just 12 carries against a good Bears Defense. However, don't expect that this week, don't bank on Best running like that again. The 49ers bring their emerging top defense to Detroit and Best will find little running room. I expect the 49ers to give this Detroit offense problems as a whole. So keep Best on your bench.

Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams @ Green Bay

Jackson seems like a guy that is overvalued every year and some owner either drafts him too high or spends too much money on him in auction leagues. Jackson is aging and isn't as explosive as he used to be, he has taken a lot of hits in his career. This is just a bad matchup all around as the Packers will dictate this game and the Rams will be forced to pass a ton. Just stay away from Jackson at all costs.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Jones-Drew is the Jaguars offense so it's hard to sit him down, but this is just truly a bad matchup. Pittsburgh is still extremely mad because of their rough start and they will abuse the Jaguars offense led by rookie QB Blaine Gabbert. Expect the Steelers to force a lot of three and outs, dominate possession and leave little room for Jones-Drew to succeed. He may finish with around 80 total yards, but he won't find the end zone. If you have better options, steer clear of Jones-Drew.

WR's Start Em

Dez Byrant/Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ New England

Both of these guys have to be in lineups. Like we mentioned with Felix Jones, the Cowboys have had a week to rest and are ready for a shootout in Foxboro. One of these guys is going to have a very big game with the other following close behind. Belicheck won't be able to stop both of these guys. Pats letting up most points to fantasy wideouts, get em in your lineup.

Steve Johnson, Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants

Johnson has been kind of quiet the last two weeks after scoring in three straight games to open the season. But this week with Donald Jones out, Fitzpatrick will look Johnson's way more often and find him open against this Giants secondary allowing the 27th most points to wideouts. Unlike the Bengals and Eagles who the Bills faced the past two weeks, The Giants corners don't have the cover skills to stay with Johnson consistently. 

AJ Green, Cincinnati Bengals vs Indianapolis Colts

In his rookie year, Green is proving to be an every week starter. Julio Jones was supposed to have more success due to his surroundings, but it's been Green who's been the best rookie wideout. Andy Dalton and Green have a nice chemistry going and expect that to continue this week against the weak Colts secondary. Wideouts have totaled 7 TD's in 5 games against Indy, so look for Green to find the end zone.

Obvious Start- Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta (Steve Smith has always been very good, just needed a QB to get him the ball)

Other quality options- Victor Cruz vs. Buffalo Bills, Santonio Holmes vs Miami Dolphins

Sit 'Em

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals

Garcon has been red hot the last two weeks ever since Curtis Painter took the reins at QB. But I think you have to temper your expectations against the Bengals who are tops in defending wideouts. If you picked up Garcon, expect him to have a pretty good year with Painter, but keep him on the pine this week.

Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets

Two words: Revis Island.

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders vs Cleveland

Follow the injury status of Cleveland CB Joe Haden, who is emerging as one of the best D-backs in the league. If Haden plays then that really doesn't bode well for Bey. The Cleveland secondary has been stingy not allowing a 100-yard game to a receiver and only two TDs. Heyward-Bey is improving, but this is a week to reserve him and look for other options. 

TEs: Start Em

Dustin Keller, New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins

Keller has been brutal the last two weeks with just three catches for 19 yards, but that was against Baltimore and then New England who took him completely out of the game. The Dolphins will not be able to do what the Pats and Ravens did as they are dead last in defending the Tight End. The Jets need to get this offense back into a flow and that has a lot to do with getting Keller involved. Look for Keller to have a nice game on Monday night, with around four-six catches for 60-80 yards. 

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville

Miller is not the receiver he used to be, but he can still be relied on as the "'Ol Reliable" from time to time. I think this is the perfect week to use him. Pittsburgh will have plenty of opportunities to score as they will dominate possession and Miller is still a somewhat viable redzone target for the Steelers. Jacksonville is also 3rd worst when it comes to defending the Tight End. Miller may not finish with many yards, but I think he's a good bet to score.

Fred Davis, Washington Redskins vs. Philly

Davis slowed down the last two weeks after going over 80 yards in Weeks 1 and 2, but nonetheless he still is the Redskins second best target behind Santana Moss. Coming off the bye week, the Skins will look to get one of their better playmakers the ball and Davis should rebound with a nice game with over 50 yards receiving and a possible score.

Sit 'Em

Joel Dreesen, Houston Texans @ Baltimore 

Andre Johnson out, Dreesen becomes bigger part of passing game and finishes with 112 yards and a score. That makes Dreesen a hot pickup for owners who need Tight End help, but this is not the week to use Dreesen. Baltimore is No. 1 when it comes to points allowed to Tight Ends. If you picked up Dreesen, hold onto him while Johnson continues to be out, just sit him down this week.

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs Cincy

Clark has been a huge disappointment this season in the absence of Peyton Manning. Clark is talented, but Manning was a huge reason why he succeeded. Manning had the ability to throw Clark open over and over again and right now Painter simply does not have that timing down with Clark. I would continue to hold on to Clark and possibly even trade for him as he should improve, but this is another week to sit him down.

Ed Dickson, Baltimore Ravens vs Houston

Dickson is another talented Tight End, but despite Flacco targeting him often, he's having a tough time getting him the ball. With A lot of missed throws to Dickson and his wideouts, Flacco just hasn't been good this season. That won't help Dickson's cause this week against Houston who is third best in points allowed to TEs.