Fantasy Football Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Lineup Advice and Projections

Week 5 was one of those strange weeks during which things just seemed to come out of nowhere.

For instance, who had Jeremy Maclin or Miles Austin starting? If you did, you were in a hell of a lot better shape than people like me who felt good running Mike Sims-Walker out there.

And how many people thought Cedric Benson would get shut down by the normally stout Ravens’ D? Obviously I did, since I told everyone who would listen that he was a solid sit ‘em candidate. What does Benson do? He turns in a great performance and now leads the NFL in rushing.

Yes, ladies and gentleman, we are currently living in a world in which Cedric Benson is the NFL’s leading rusher.

If you’re thinking “WTF?” you are not alone.

I took it on the chin in a lot of my leagues last weekend. As many of you know, I am built around Saints players in many leagues. This is typically a very good strategy…in all weeks other than their bye week.

With my Saints back in action this week, hopefully I can get back to two or three-games over .500 in most of my leagues. 

For the rest of this post and on into the comments section, I’ll do my best to help you get a win in Week 6 as well.

Fantasy Flash Podcast – Week 6

Fantasy Football Lineup Advice with Jerod and Kurt

One more quick bit of looking back before we look forward. Here is how my Week 5 start ‘em, sit ‘em picks shook out:

• Start ‘em hits: Ben Roethlisberger (277 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT); Rashard Mendenhall (77 rushing yards, 1 TD, 2 rec, 16 yards)
• Start ‘em misses: Mike Sims-Walker (damn you M S-W, damn you!); Vernon Davis (5 rec, 51 yards); Dallas D/ST (20 pts given up, 4 sacks, 0 TO forced)
• Sit ‘em hits: Steven Jackson (84 yards rushing, 2 rec, 25 yards); Mercedes Lewis (3 rec, 13 yards)
• Sit ‘em misses: Eli Manning (173 yards passing, 2 TDs, 0 INT); Ted Ginn Jr. (2 rec, 57 yards, 1 TD); Buffalo Bills D/ST (6 pts given up, 1 INT, 1 sack)

Not really the kind of week I was looking for.

But I’m a fighter, and I’m ready to bounce back. The Saints being on a bye just throws everything in the fantasy universe off kilter this season (or, at least, that’s what I’m telling myself). This week will go much more according to script. 

For instance…

Fantasy Football

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Lineup Advice

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Quarterbacks

Start ‘Em: Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks (vs Arizona)

I told you all last week to wait at least a week and see how Hasselbeck would play as he returned from, but still dealt with, injured ribs. Four touchdowns later, I think it’s safe to say that Hasselbeck is healthy enough to be a fantasy factor again.

And while you can certainly chalk up his Week 5 performance to Jacksonville and its 30th ranked pass defense being on the other side of the field, how about this week’s matchup? It’s the 32nd ranked Arizona Cardinals (303 passing yards per game, 9 TDs). Looks pretty enticing to me.

Keep in mind, Arizona has played Indy and Houston, two of the league’s most prolific passing offenses, but Seattle’s been pretty damn adept at throwing the ball with Hasselbeck healthy. And I think they’ll be set again this Sunday.

For what it’s worth, start Kurt Warner too. I think this will be a very good and quarterback-friendly game.

Matt Hasselbeck Week 6 projection: 280 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Other QBs I’d be especially confident starting in Week 6: Kurt Warner, ARI (at Seattle); Aaron Rodgers, GB (vs Detroit); Carson Palmer, CIN (vs Cincinnati); Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (vs Cleveland); and, for the record, I will be starting Philip Rivers against Denver on Monday night as he always has performed very well against the Broncos.

Sit ‘Em: Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns (at Pittsburgh)

Look, I know that this one is just ridiculously obvious. If you are considering starting Anderson against Pittsburgh after his 2-19 performance last Sunday, you are either in a VERY deep league, in dire straits, or just crazy.

Either way, your odds of winning suck (or, are about as good as the Browns’ odds of winning in Week 6).

I pick Anderson here to highlight the fact that there are no guys who jump out at me as sit ‘ems, although obviously there are guys I like more than others.

So after I give you Anderson’s pathetic Week 6 projection, take a look at the guys I don’t like as much heading into Week 6. I’m not telling you to sit them per se, just make sure you’ve investigated their matchup against your other options if they are your “go-to” starter.

Derek Anderson Week 6 projection: 14-32, 161 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT

Other QBs I’m a little wary about heading into Week 6: Jay Cutler, CHI (at Atlanta); Eli Manning, NYG (at New Orleans); Joe Flacco, BAL (at Minnesota); and, of course, Trent Edwards aka Captain Checkdown against the Jets

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Running Backs

Start ‘Em: Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

What? Start a guy who has been dinged up all season and currently sports a 34.5 yard per game average?

Yes, I would. At least for this week.

Few positions on a single team have been as frustrating this year as the Panthers’ running backs, a year after many fantasy owners rode strong finishes by DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to 2008 titles. I don’t know if the Panthers’ run game gets itself turned around for good this week, but I do know this: the team they are facing, the Buccaneers, is currently giving up 152.6 yards per game on the ground.

I think Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith have some fun early in this game to give Carolina a lead, and then Williams and Stewart salt it away late.

Stewart is still averaging 4.2 yards a carry this season, and has actually been more effective than Williams (3.7). Stewart also was the man down the stretch last week, and we could start to see a more even split between these two guys.

If you’re looking for the unsung guy heading into Week 6 who could do what Ahmad Bradshaw did in Week 5, Jonathan Stewart is a great prospect.

Jonathan Stewart Week 6 projection: 16 carries, 89 yards, 1 TD

Other RBs I’d be especially confident starting in Week 6: Matt Forte, CHI (at Atlatna); DeAngelo Williams, CAR (at TB); Ryan Grant, GB (vs Detroit); Rashard Mendenhall, PIT (vs Cleveland); Cedric Benson, CIN (vs Houston); LeSean McCoy, PHI (at Oakland…as a bye week flex filler, mainly because Philly should blow this one wide open and rest Brian Westbrook)

Sit ‘Em: Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison, Cleveland Browns (at Pittsburgh Steelers)

My apologies to everyone for misreading the Cleveland Browns backfield situation heading into last week. It did not look like Jamal Lewis would play, and I certainly expected Jerome Harrison to be the lead back even if Lewis could go; obviously neither of those assumptions proved correct.

Lewis had a nice day, going over 100 yards against Buffalo, but I still think Harrison is the player you’d rather own moving forward.

This week, however, I wouldn’t want either of them anywhere near my lineup. Not only does Cleveland never play Pittsburgh all that well, the Steelers are currently #2 in the league against the run, giving up 71.2 yards per game on the ground and only one TD. As much trouble as Cleveland has had scoring TDs, especially on the ground, there is no reason to think that gets turned around this weekend.

Jamal Lewis Week 6 projection: 18 carries, 43 yards

Jerome Harrison Week 6 projectio: 9 carries, 37 yards, 4 rec, 32 yards

Other RBs I’m wary of heading into Week 6: Julius Jones, SEA (vs Arizona); Steve Slaton, HOU (at Cincinnati); Larry Johnson, KC (at Washhington); Willis McGahee, BAL (at Minnesota); 

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Wide Receivers

Start ‘Em: Santana Moss, Washington Redskins (vs Kansas City Chiefs)

Did you see what Miles Austin did to the Chiefs last week? 10 catches, 250 yards? Santana Moss is a very similar player — undersized, but very fast and quick — and could be in for one or two long touchdowns on Sunday.

I think Washington struggles to beat Kansas City, but like Dallas, I think they can get some big plays in the passing game. Kansas City is giving up 270 passing yards per game and has yielded 10 TDs while nabbing only two interceptions.

You know Moss is hit or miss, and that to get value from having him on your team, you have to take advantage of the 6-7 games per season when he is startable. This is one of those games, and I consider Moss to be a top 10 receiver this week.

Santana Moss Week 6 projection: 5 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TDs

Other WRs that I’d start confidently in Week 6: Hines Ward, PIT (vs Cleveland); Randy Moss, NE (vs Tennessee); Steve Smith, CAR (at Tampa Bay); Bernard Berrian, MIN (vs Baltimore); Donald Driver, GB (vs Detroit); Steve Breaston, ARI (at Seattle); Muhsin Muhammad, CAR (at Tampa Bay)

Sit ‘Em: Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)

There are so many reasons why I wouldn’t start either of these guys in Week 6. Among them:

• I watched Buffalo play Cleveland on Sunday. They are awful.
• The nickname “Captain Checkdown” is perfectly apt for Bills QB Trent Edwards, and obviously it hurts his WRs’ value.
• The Jets are going to be very salty after their Monday night loss to the Dolphins. Trent Edwards is not going to enjoy himself.
• Both T.O. and Lee Evans were probably overrated heading into the season. Both are getting older and their stats have been declining, which has continued in 2009.

I could go on. There isn’t really one of these guys I like more than the other either. I hate ‘em both and hope you’re not forced into starting either one this weekend because of byes and/or injuries.

Terrell Owens Week 6 proejction: 4 receptions, 49 yards

Lee Evans Week 6 projection: 2 receptions, 39 yards

Other WRs I’m not so fond of for Week 6: Derrick Mason, BAL (at Minnesota); Devery Henderson, NO (vs New York Giants); Johnny Knox, CHI (at Atlanta); Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie, IND (Bye…it’s the only time you’ll see Colts WRs in this section ever again, I figured I’d take it)

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Tight Ends

Start ‘Em: Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers (vs Detroit)

Sometimes fantasy players have a big week, then go on their bye, and prove true the old adage out of sight, out of mind. Packers TE Jermichael Finley is certainly a prime example. (Note: be wary of this happening to Miles Austin, and pick him up now so you don’t forget!)

Over the past two games, Finley has caught 10 passes for 184 yards and a TD. That is stellar production from the TE position, and this week Finley and his Packers teammates have a plum matchup against Detroit. I like Finley this week and I think he has value moving foward. Remember, the production over the previous two games has come against two solid defenses: Cincinnati and Minnesota.

Jermichael Finley Week 6 projection: 5 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD

Other TEs I like in Week 6: Kellen Winslow, TB (vs Carolina); Health Miller, PIT (vs Cleveland); Brent Celek, PHI (at Oakland)

Sit ‘Em: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins (vs Kansas City Chiefs)

Proving just how inept they are, the Washington Redskins could not find a way to get their stud TE Chris Cooley any catches last week. Cooley was forced to stay and block with Chris Samuels injured. Unfortunately for Cooley owners and Redskins fans, Samuels has already been ruled out for this Sunday’s game.

I do believe that the Redskins will find a way to get Cooley some touches, but I’m not liking his chances of finding the end zone on Sunday. If you have better options at TE, take them this week and wait until the Redskins’ O-line is back at full strength, or until there is a competent coach at the helm in Washington.

Chris Cooley Week 6 projection: 4 receptions, 39 yards

Other TEs I’m not so fond of for Week 6: Kevin Boss, NYG (at New Orleans); Greg Olsen, CHI (at Atlanta), John Carlson, SEA (vs Arizona, and may have to stay in and block more to protect Matt Hasselbeck); Zach Miller, OAK (vs Philadelphia)

Week 6 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Defense/Special Teams

Start ‘Em: New York Jets D/ST (vs Buffalo)

If you watched the Monday night game, and watched the Jets get torched by Miami’s running game and by second-time starter Chad Henne, you might be a little worried about the Jets’ D.

Don’t be. Certainly not this weekend.

The Jets play the hapless Bills on Sunday, and it could get ugly. I think the Jets will attack Trent Edwards mercilessly, and he will struggle to even glance downfield, let alone throw it downfield. They call him Captain Checkdown for a reason, and he won’t be able to reverse that this weekend.

New York Jets D/ST Week 6 projection: 13 pts or less, 5 sacks, 3 TOs

Other D/ST units I like in Week 6: Pittsburgh D/ST (vs Cleveland); New England D/ST (vs Tennessee); Carolina D/ST (at Tampa Bay); Washington D/ST (vs Kansas City)

Sit ‘Em: New York Giants D/ST (at New Orleans)

The Giants have one of the top fantasy defenses out there, but this a week to sit them. Here’s why:

• The Giants have racked up 14 sacks so far this season, but New Orleans and Drew Brees do not get sacked very often.
• The Giants also have five INTs through five games, but this also is something the Saints do not do often.
• The Giants have played Washington, Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Kansas City during the first five weeks of the season. They could be punched in the mouth early in this game by the speed and efficiency of the New Orleans offense on the turf of the Superdome.

I think this game ends up being a shootout on both sides. I doubt the Giants will be able to hold the Saints’ O down, and they won’t get many sacks or turnovers to compensate.

New York Giants D/ST Week 6 projection: 24+ pts given up, 1 sack, 1 TO

Other D/ST units I don’t like in Week 6: Baltimore D/ST (at Minnesota); New Orleans D/ST (vs New York Giants)

And that wraps up this week’s start ‘em, sit ‘em post. I give you my word, my solemn guarantee, that these picks will work out better than last week’s.

Okay…so maybe “solemn guarantee” is a little strong. But I do feel good about these choices.

As always, use the comment section liberally and I will answer as many questions as I can, as quickly as I can. Be on the lookout for the Fantasy Flash with me and Fraschetti later this week, and best of luck in Week 6!

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* – Matt Hasselbeck photo credit: Toni L. Sandys – The Washington Post

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