Play Action - Week 6
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by Fantola
Week 6 is arguably the most significant bye week of this season. It is one of two weeks with 6 teams on bye, and this week sees a more substantial impact on Fantasy than Week 8 does. It's once again time to break down this week's action game-by-game and look at who should help your team, and who to keep on your bench...assuming that you can tear yourself away from The King's excellent video for a moment.
Byes: 49ers, Bills, Broncos, Colts, Lions, Steelers
1:00pm EST Games
Eagle Offense - Receiving: 235.8 (11), Rushing: 126 (11)
Jet Defense - Receiving: 244 (24), Rushing: 127.6 (25)
Jet Offense - Receiving: 221.2 (19), Rushing: 77 (29)
Eagle Defense - Receiving: 249 (25), Rushing: 74.5 (6)
START: Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook (check), Kevin Curtis, Eagle Defense, Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery
CONSIDER: Thomas Jones
BENCH: Correll Buckhalter (check Westbrook), Reggie Brown, Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, Chris Baker, Jet Defense
McNabb showed that he can carve up a bad pass defense against the Lions...he'll do it again this week. Andy Reid has never lost coming off a bye. Brian Westbrook is virtually a lock to be active, he should be in line for a huge game as well. Curtis should be the biggest beneficiary of the passing game, while Reggie Brown should remain on your bench until he shows anything. Coles and Cotchery are still every-week starters. Pennington will be yanked in this game if he cashes in another lackluster performance against the weak Eagle pass D. Thomas Jones has been screaming for the ball more often, but he's going against a stout rush D here, plus the terrible Jets should be playing from behind.
Ram Offense - Receiving: 211.2 (23), Rushing: 91.6 (21)
Raven Defense - Receiving: 219 (12), Rushing: 66.6 (2)
Raven Offense - Receiving: 241.8 (10), Rushing: 113.2 (14)
Ram Defense - Receiving: 221.4 (14), Rushing: 146 (28)
START: Torry Holt, Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap (check), Raven Defense
CONSIDER: Nobody, these offense stink.
BENCH: Gus Frerotte, Brian Leonard, Isaac Bruce (out), Drew Bennett, Randy McMichael, Steve McNair, Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams
Derrick Mason missed practice this week with diarrhea...ahhhh hahahahaha, I'm sure he's glad the Ravens reported that. Expect the Ravens to keep Frerotte under pressure and for the Ram offense to continue to flounder. This is a far cry from "The Greatest Show On Turf". You should see a whole lot of Willis McGahee. Todd Heap is almost certain to play, and the Rams have struggled with TEs. Assuming that Mason can control his bowels, he also makes for an excellent play. On a side note, word on the street is that there is a very good chance that Steven Jackson will not return from his torn groin until Week 10, after the Rams' bye.
Bengal Offense - Receiving: 292.8 (4), Rushing: 83.2 (26)
Chief Defense - Receiving: 196.6 (6), Rushing: 125.6 (24)
Chief Offense - Receiving: 233.4 (13), Rushing: 65.6 (32)
Bengal Defense - Receiving: 257.2 (26), Rushing: 152 (29)
START: Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Larry Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez
CONSIDER: Rudi Johnson (check), Kenny Watson (check Johnson), Bengal Defense, Damon Huard
BENCH: Samie Parker
There's a decent chance that Rudi Johnson is inactive, despite being labeled "probable". Of course, there's just as good of a chance that he is active and serves as goal-line back...or possibly splits carries with Watson. Make sure you check the game day inactives before even considering either of them. The Chiefs have a highly ranked defense against WRs, but that should change after this game, given the previously discussed uncertainty of the Bengal ground game. The Bengals don't defend the pass, so Damon Huard is a solid option if you have Peyton Manning or Kitna on a bye and need a cheap fill-in. He should look to Bowe and Gonzo early and often. This is the week that many are anticipating Larry Johnson's breakout performance. Many of you likely "bought low" this week and are hoping for an immediate return. Those that didn't, are hoping for yet another lackluster game. I'm expecting solid numbers.
Viking Offense - Receiving: 195.5 (27), Rushing: 135 (8)
Bear Defense - Receiving: 267 (28), Rushing: 98.8 (12)
Bear Offense - Receiving: 200 (25), Rushing: 82.6 (27)
Viking Defense - Receiving: 285.5 (31), Rushing: 62 (1)
START: Adrian Peterson, Viking Defense, Greg Olsen, Bear Defense
CONSIDER: Bernard Berrian, Desmond Clark
BENCH: Tarvaris Jackson, Chester Taylor, Brian Griese, Cedric Benson, Muhsin Muhammad
Two terrible offenses collide. This won't be the week for Cedric Benson to suddenly start playing like he deserves a starting NFL gig. Peterson faces a similarly tough match up, but still deserves to be started. Neither team has been defending the pass particularly well, but neither team throws the ball worth a damn either. Greg Olsen deserves a start after his breakout performance in Week 5, it is tough to call who gets more looks between him and Clark, though. Make sure that you have both defenses active.
Dolphin Offense - Receiving: 227.6 (17), Rushing: 103.4 (19)
Brown Defense - Receiving: 272 (29), Rushing: 157.4 (30)
Brown Offense - Receiving: 257 (8), Rushing: 110.2 (16)
Dolphin Defense - Receiving: 180.2 (2), Rushing: 174.2 (31)
START: Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis (check), Kellen Winslow
CONSIDER: Cleo Lemon, Marty Booker, Derek Anderson, Jason Wright (check Lewis)
BENCH: Both defenses
How does this game not get more attention than Dallas/New England? Just kidding. Neither team plays rush defense, and only the Dolphins play against the pass. Despite that, with Jamal Lewis likely out, the Browns will probably be slinging it...so expect big days out of Edwards and Winslow. Wright is a decent option if you're really hurting at RB, but hopefully you've got better choices. Expect the Dolphins to run left, right, and up the gut as much as they can with Ronnie Brown. If Chambers can't cash in a decent performance, it's officially time to call his early season numbers a fluke.
Titan Offense - Receiving: 151.2 (31), Rushing: 153.2 (4)
Buc Defense - Receiving: 201.2 (9), Rushing: 124 (22)
Buc Offense - Receiving: 189 (28), Rushing: 113 (15)
Titan Defense - Receiving: 214 (10), Rushing: 72.2 (3)
START: LenDale White, Titan Defense, Buc Defense
CONSIDER: Vince Young, Joey Galloway
BENCH: Chris Brown, Bo Scaife, Jeff Garcia, Earnest Graham, Zack Crockett
There should be very limited offensive output in this game. 2 above average defenses. The Bucs are pretty tough against the pass, the Titan WRs are terrible, but Vince could still do damage with his legs. The Bucs are fairly soft against the run, so LenDale Whale could potentially be in store for a big game. Galloway is always a home run threat, but he's not reliable enough for consideration as a WR2.
Redskin Offense - Receiving: 217.2 (21), Rushing: 130.2 (10)
Packer Defense - Receiving: 241.2 (23), Rushing: 101.4 (14)
Packer Offense - Receiving: 305.4 (1), Rushing: 67.6 (31)
Redskin Defense - Receiving: 199.2 (7), Rushing: 85.5 (8)
START: Santana Moss (check), Chris Cooley, Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings
CONSIDER: Jason Campbell, Clinton Portis
BENCH: Ladell Betts, Antwaan Randle El (out), Redskin Defense, DeShawn Wynn, Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, James Jones, Packer Defense
The Packer Defense is overrated. Need proof? Which of these 2 units do you think gets more attention? Look at the numbers and see which has performed better. There you go. The 'Skins will be tough, but you can't get off the Favre express now, they're the #1 passing game in the business. Therefore, you need to leave Driver and Jennings in as well. You want no part of the Packer run game, though. Campbell will look to continue the momentum he built against the Lions in Week 5, but this is a much better pass defense. Randle El is out, but Moss is back, so look for him to see a ton of targets. Chris Cooley remains one of the best TE red zone options in the game. Portis will find some tough sledding against the Pack, but he's not a bad option either.
Texan Offense - Receiving: 259.8 (7), Rushing: 85.8 (25)
Jaguar Defense - Receiving: 194.8 (5), Rushing: 105.2 (15)
Jaguar Offense - Receiving: 212 (22), Rushing: 132.5 (9)
Texan Defense - Receiving: 227.2 (17), Rushing: 91.4 (9)
START: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguar Defense
CONSIDER: Ahman Green, Owen Daniels, Texan Defense, David Garrard, Dennis Northcutt
BENCH: Matt Schaub, Andre Davis, Kevin Walter, Fred Taylor (check), Marcedes Lewis, Reggie Williams
Should be yet another low-scoring affair. MJD returned with a vengeance in Week 5 and will look to keep rolling this week. Ahman Green returns to action, but faces a tough match up. Even tougher is the Jags pass defense, making the banged up Texan passing game looking unattractive. Side Note: Things are shaping up for Andre Johnson to be ready to play in Week 7.
Check out Fantola - The People's Premier Fantasy Blog - For all of your Fantasy Football needs, and for a game-by-game breakdown of the late Week 6 games.
