Fantasy Football Week 6 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em

Injuries are decimating fantasy football rosters, even if the bye weeks are not.

Just the Falcons and Dolphins are on bye, so you might only need to replace Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez and Mike Wallace in fantasy lineups. You already should have been prepared to do without Julio Jones (foot), Roddy White (ankle/hamstring) and Steven Jackson (hamstring).

There are a number of game-time decisions looming on premium fantasy options like Calvin Johnson (knee) and Rob Gronkowski (arm/back). Since yours truly is not a doctor, we will point you to Sports Injuries Lead Writer Will Carroll. Let the big man keep you updated there.

Otherwise, your Week 6 fantasy football starts, sits and position-by-position rankings are right here in this perfectly packaged, six-part slideshow.

Quarterbacks: Keep the Faith on the Next-Generation Quarterbacks

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Griffin III had a huge game at Dallas a year ago, so you will want to keep him active amid his struggles.

Start 'Em

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins

Despite ranking just 18th among quarterbacks in scoring, RG3 should be labeled a must-start option in most weeks. This is especially true against the worst team in fantasy versus quarterbacks. The Cowboys have allowed a league-high 145 completions and 14 touchdown passes.

RGIII also has the healthiest set of receivers he has had since he has been in the NFL, and Alfred Morris (ribs) still feels some effects of his pre-bye rib injury. Less Morris should mean more RGIII, as he tells the Washington Post's Mike Jones:

"

It's not frustrating. Even if it's not running the ball, maybe I can get in on the passing game, or keep blitzes off of Robert so he can have time to make his reads and make the throws. Whatever I can do to help my team win—even if they want me to run down on special teams, I’m fine with that.

"

RG3 was a monster at Dallas on Thanksgiving a year ago. Expect another classic shootout here.

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Speaking of struggling signal-callers, Newton is just 22nd in scoring per game to date. The good news is he faces a Vikings defense that is seventh worst in fantasy against quarterbacks and has made Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Ben Roethlisberger into productive fantasy starts in their past three games. Newton is clearly better than any of them and should be kept active amid his struggles.

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

He hasn't gotten going yet, but he has played some fairly tough defenses in his team's first five games. Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New England can be considered tough defensive opponents, and the Packers aren't as bad defensively as you might think.

Dalton gets it going against the suspect Bills to the tune of 280 yards and three touchdowns. Consider him the best bye-week replacement option for Matt Ryan, unless you already started Jay Cutler or snagged Philip Rivers off waivers.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

Yes, we just got done saying Green Bay is not that bad defensively, but it does allow for some wide-open games—something the Bengals game was not. Flacco has a red-hot Torrey Smith and might be getting his No. 2 receiver, Jacoby Jones, (knee) back from injury. It won't necessarily mean 300 yards and four touchdowns, but Flacco still rates as one of our top-15 players at the position.

Note: Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick have been disappointing to date too, but you need to stick with these mobile, young quarterbacks you drafted to be your starter, particularly through the bye season.

Sit 'Em

Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

He has had some moments this season, and he has a pretty diverse set of weapons, but a matchup at Houston against a Texans team coming off a bad loss looks too dangerous to trust him. The Texans are the third-best team in fantasy against quarterbacks, even amid their slow start, so you should consider the likes of Dalton and Flacco over Bradford in one-quarterback formats this week.

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers needed to play some wide-open games before their bye, but the return of Le'Veon Bell should help them slow the pace back down, play conservatively and rely on what still can be a good defense. The Jets want to do the same, so consider this a bad week for Big Ben owners. There were 20 options on the board more promising than him here.

Terrelle Pryor, Oakland Raiders

His surprising play is justifiably raising some eyebrows, but a matchup at red-hot Kansas City is not one you should mess with right now. The Chiefs have allowed just four touchdown passes through five games. Only the Browns (two) and Panthers (three) have allowed fewer, but the Panthers have only played four games. As much as Pryor has excited us for his future prospects, this might be the week the Raiders get shut out.

Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Yeah, right. He is a bad play even in two-quarterback leagues now. Schaub is closer to the bench for the Texans in lieu of T.J. Yates than anyone's fantasy lineup.

Week 6 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Tony Romo	Dal	vs. Was	2	+1
2	Peyton Manning	Den	vs. Jac	1	-1
3	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at Bal	3	0
4	Drew Brees	NO	at NE	4	0
5	Tom Brady	NE	vs. NO	9	+4
6	Robert Griffin	Was	at Dal	5	-1
7	Colin Kaepernick	SF	vs. Ari	13	+6
8	Philip Rivers	SD	vs. Ind	8	0
9	Matthew Stafford	Det	at Cle	11	+2
10	Cam Newton	Car	at Min	7	-3
11	Andrew Luck	Ind	at SD	6	-5
12	Russell Wilson	Sea	vs. Ten	12	0
13	Jay Cutler	Chi	vs. NYG	10	-3
14	Andy Dalton	Cin	at Buf	20	+6
15	Joe Flacco	Bal	vs. GB	15	0
16	Alex Smith	KC	vs. Oak	14	-2
17	Terrelle Pryor	Oak	at KC	17	0
18	Brandon Weeden	Cle	vs. Det	25	+7
19	Sam Bradford	StL	at Hou	23	+4
20	Eli Manning	NYG	at Chi	16	-4
21	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	at NYJ	19	-2
22	Geno Smith	NYJ	vs. Pit	24	+2
23	Chad Henne	Jac	at Den	21	-2
24	Matt Schaub	Hou	vs. StL	18	-6
25	Carson Palmer	Ari	at SF	27	+2
26	Nick Foles	Phi	at TB	22	-4
27	Mike Glennon	TB	vs. Phi	26	-1
28	Ryan Fitzpatrick	Ten	at Sea	32	+4
29	Matt Cassel	Min	vs. Car	29	0
30	Thaddeus Lewis	Buf	vs. Cin	28	-2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Running Backs: Preseason Fringe Backs Becoming a Lot More Important in Fantasy

Start 'Em

Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

There is some danger with starting Moreno against the worst rushing defense in the NFL, believe it or not. The Broncos figure to blow this one out early and might turn to the likes of Ronnie Hillman and rookie Montee Ball in garbage time. After all, the Broncos need to establish their power-running game, and there is no better time to do it than here.

Here is a vote of confidence Moreno picks up 60 yards and a touchdown before he gives way to the younger backups, though. Start Hillman and even Ball in leagues too. Each of the three might be good for 50-plus yards and a touchdown apiece.

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart (ankle) might be nearly ready to practice off the PUP list, but Williams is the Panthers' feature back for at least a couple more weeks. This one figures to be bountiful against a Vikings defense that has allowed the second-most points to fantasy running backs thus far. Williams can rack up a high-carry total for a 30-year-old back, especially if the Panthers are confident Stewart will be a second-half reinforcement.

Danny Woodhead, San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews (concussion) returned to practice Friday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee, but that doesn't mean he will be cleared for Monday night's game against the Colts. If Mathews is held out, Woodhead becomes a top-10 fantasy back. Heck, because of his receiving numbers of late, he might be that already regardless in PPR formats.

Ben Tate, Houston Texans

We didn't expect to be this excited about the prospects of a backup running back, but Arian Foster (thumb and chest) has been limited in practice this week.

Foster is going to play and star against a Rams defense that has been a sieve against running backs (third worst), but there should be ample time for Tate to rack up 60 yards and a touchdown spelling the feature back. It certainly helps that the Texans' Matt Schaub is struggling in the passing game. It should be a lot of handoffs Sunday in Houston.

Bilal Powell, New York Jets

No, the Steelers are not as bad against the run as their dead-last standing against fantasy running backs suggests, but you cannot ignore the feature back in a run-heavy scheme against Pittsburgh at this point.

Powell will have to contend with Chris Ivory and even Mike Goodson for carries, but 20 touches for 100 yards and a touchdown is a reasonable expectation for Powell this week in a game that should be a slobberknocker.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals

We have to admit the Bills are better against the run this year (seventh best against fantasy running backs), but the Bengals should have control of this game throughout, especially with Thad Lewis starting at quarterback off the practice squad. There should be ample touches for both of the Bengals' time-share backs, even if Bernard has had issues with fumbling of late. Both are top-25 options this week.

Sit 'Em

Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams

When you have three running backs (or four), you really have none. The Rams are going to a power back in Stacy, but a matchup against the Texans run defense is not a great one for Stacy's fantasy owners, despite what the numbers suggest.

The Texans are a lot more stout than their fourth-worst rush defense (tied) suggests. Stacy also has to deal with the rib issue that knocked him out last week and the rotation that will still include former starter Daryl Richardson, former back-of-the-future Isaiah Pead and even Benny Cunningham.

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers

Like we said above, Mathews is at risk of missing Monday night or at least being limited. Heck, he has been limited all season, if not for his injury-plagued career. The Colts have been surprisingly good against fantasy backs despite allowing the third-most rushing yards per game to date. A lot of that damage has come against quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Russell Wilson, who both went over 100 yards against them.

Rashard Mendenhall, Arizona Cardinals

He has held up fairly well as Bruce Arians' feature back despite some hiccups, but this is a bad week to trust him. The 49ers are a lot better against the run than they have shown, so consider their seventh-worst standing against running backs fantasy fool's gold right now. Mendenhall is a bad play, especially at San Francisco.

LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots

The Pats tried to make do with this combo in place of Stevan Ridley (knee) last week, but it didn't go well. Ridley is expected to play Sunday against the Saints, according to NFL insider Albert Breer.

We cannot be sure of how the rotation's touches will be distributed, but we are pretty sure you should have better options than the plodding Blount or Bolden this week. The Saints defense has been much better under Rob Ryan, and it is in the top 10 of fantasy against running backs.

Joique Bell, Detroit Lions

Granted, Bell is more pass receiver than running back, but the Browns have one of the top-10 rush defenses in the NFL, and they figure to take the backs away, especially with Calvin Johnson (knee) at less than 100 percent. Bell hasn't been starter-quality the past two weeks, and this is the toughest matchup he has faced yet. Look elsewhere.

Week 6 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Adrian Peterson	Min	vs. Car	1	0
2	Arian Foster	Hou	vs. StL	3	+1
3	Jamaal Charles	KC	vs. Oak	2	-1
4	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. Was	7	+3
5	LeSean McCoy	Phi	at TB	4	-1
6	Matt Forte	Chi	vs. NYG	6	0
7	Doug Martin	TB	vs. Phi	8	+1
8	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	vs. Ten	5	-3
9	Ray Rice	Bal	vs. GB	9	0
10	Trent Richardson	Ind	at SD	13	+3
11	Alfred Morris	Was	at Dal	10	-1
12	Frank Gore	SF	vs. Ari	14	+2
13	Reggie Bush	Det	at Cle	11	-2
14	Knowshon Moreno	Den	vs. Jac	12	-2
15	DeAngelo Williams	Car	at Min	15	0
16	Danny Woodhead	SD	vs. Ind	21	+5
17	Darren Sproles	NO	at NE	18	+1
18	C.J. Spiller	Buf	vs. Cin	16	-2
19	Chris Johnson	Ten	at Sea	23	+4
20	Le'Veon Bell	Pit	at NYJ	20	0
21	Bilal Powell	NYJ	vs. Pit	26	+5
22	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	at Den	25	+3
23	Eddie Lacy	GB	at Bal	17	-6
24	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	at Buf	30	+6
25	Giovani Bernard	Cin	at Buf	19	-6
26	Willis McGahee	Cle	vs. Det	24	-2
27	Fred Jackson	Buf	vs. Cin	22	-5
28	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. NO	28	0
29	Ben Tate	Hou	vs. StL	33	+4
30	Darren McFadden	Oak	at KC	37	+7
31	Zac Stacy	StL	at Hou	31	0
32	Ryan Mathews	SD	vs. Ind	35	+3
33	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	at Chi	40	+7
34	Pierre Thomas	NO	at NE	27	-7
35	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	at SF	32	-3
36	Joique Bell	Det	at Cle	29	-7
37	Ronnie Hillman	Den	vs. Jac	34	-3
38	Montee Ball	Den	vs. Jac	46	+8
39	Brandon Bolden	NE	vs. NO	38	-1
40	Daryl Richardson	StL	at Hou	47	+7
41	Bernard Pierce	Bal	vs. GB	45	+4
42	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. NO	41	-1
43	Kendall Hunter	SF	vs. Ari	56	+13
44	Michael Bush	Chi	vs. NYG	53	+9
45	Andre Ellington	Ari	at SF	36	-9
46	Donald Brown	Ind	at SD	48	+2
47	Da'Rel Scott	NYG	at Chi	43	-4
48	Mike Goodson	NYJ	vs. Pit	58	+10
49	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	vs. Det	55	+6
50	Robert Turbin	Sea	vs. Ten	68	+18
51	Bryce Brown	Phi	at TB	54	+3
52	Ronnie Brown	SD	vs. Ind	50	-2
53	Roy Helu	Was	at Dal	49	-4
54	Rashad Jennings	Oak	at KC	39	-15
55	Anthony Dixon	SF	vs. Ari	82	+27
56	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. Pit	44	-12
57	Knile Davis	KC	vs. Oak	72	+15
58	Jordan Todman	Jac	at Den	84	+26
59	Mark Ingram	NO	at NE	66	+7
60	Lance Dunbar	Dal	vs. Was	78	+18

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Wide Receivers: You Don't Know Diddly About Bowe; Keep Him Active

Start 'Em

Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs

This one is either a function of stubborn genius or pure stupidity, but the bet here is Bowe gets more involved against a Raiders secondary that was ripped by the San Diego Chargers last time out. No one likes Bowe right now—except this guy. MMQB's Greg Bedard even goes so far to suggest this without any tangible support:

"

The Chiefs have a big problem with receiver Dwayne Bowe. Not sure what has happened to him, but he lacks explosion and can’t beat man coverage anymore. Defenses don't fear him at all.

"

Go ahead and ignore him. Head coach Andy Reid will find a way to get the ball to his biggest threat.

It is far too easy to look at the stats and suggest Bowe cannot get open, or Alex Smith cannot get him the ball. We are closer to what the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger believes is reality with the struggling Bowe after re-watching the Titans game:

"

All this talk about Dwayne Bowe being off, remember he stepped, maybe, an inch out of bounds on what would've been an extra 30 or 40 yards on that sideline catch in the fourth quarter. He was also a foot away from a touchdown on a play near the goal line.

"

Bowe puts up five catches for 90 yards and a touchdown this week. Sit him, cut him or trade him if you think you're a football genius and know what is wrong with Bowe and Smith. You don't.

Danny Amendola, New England Patriots

He wasn't great in his return, but he should still rate among the fantasy starters because of his high volume of targets from Tom Brady, particularly if Rob Gronkowski (arm/back) doesn't play. With Drew Brees expected to push the pace, expect Amendola to be good for 10 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rookie Mike Glennon is a shaky proposition at quarterback, but Mike Williams (hamstring) did not practice Friday, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud.

That should leave a big part of the game plan in Jackson's hands against an Eagles defense that has given up the most points in fantasy to wide receivers. You probably cannot expect a touchdown, but a busy day of seven catches for 100-plus yards keeps Jackson among the fantasy starters this week.

Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars

You have to expect a lot of garbage time for the Jags in Denver, and the fact that Chad Henne is starting over Blaine Gabbert (hamstring) helps too. Henne is far more capable of getting the ball downfield and posting a 300-yard, three-touchdown day against a Broncos defense that has been ripped for four 100-yard receiving games in five weeks.

Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have been more of a running team than anyone might have expected this season, but expect fireworks between Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers on Monday night. The Chargers have surrendered the fifth-most points to fantasy wide receivers to date, and only the aforementioned Eagles have allowed more receptions to wideouts. Both Wayne and Hilton are set for 100-yard nights.

Sit 'Em

Tavon Austin, Austin Pettis, Chris Givens, fill in the blank, St. Louis Rams

Not only can you not be sure where the fantasy points are going to come from with the Rams receivers, you also are facing a Texans defense that has been No. 1 in fantasy against wideouts. There are just too many reasons to avoid these guys, mostly because they are interchangeable on offense. 

Andre Roberts and Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals

You shouldn't sit Larry Fitzgerald in any league, in any matchup, but the 49ers are tough on receivers, not allowing either a 100-yard performance or a touchdown since their Week 1 shootout against the Packers. Neither of these fringe options is viable in this matchup.

Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse or any non-Golden Tate receiver, Seattle Seahawks

Tate is the only Seahawks receiver who can be trusted against a surprising Titans secondary that has allowed the fourth-fewest points to wide receivers through five games. Tate is merely a low-end flex play because someone needs to pick up the yards off play action for a quarterback we consider a starter in Russell Wilson.

Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt, Damian Williams and Justin Hunter, Tennessee Titans

This group has had its moments in the early part of the season, but not only does Seattle have arguably the best secondary in football (third against the pass), the Titans will also be relying on Ryan Fitzpatrick to try and get the job done on the road. One of these guys will wind up with five catches for 65 yards, but good luck guessing which one.

Steve Johnson and Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills

The Bengals secondary is getting healthier, and the Bills are starting Thad Lewis. That latter point should be enough to sit either Bills starting wideout.

Week 6 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. Was	1	0
2	Brandon Marshall	Chi	vs. NYG	4	+2
3	A.J. Green	Cin	at Buf	3	0
4	Demaryius Thomas	Den	vs. Jac	2	-2
5	Calvin Johnson	Det	at Cle	5	0
6	Andre Johnson	Hou	vs. StL	12	+6
7	Jordy Nelson	GB	at Bal	11	+4
8	Torrey Smith	Bal	vs. GB	7	-1
9	Randall Cobb	GB	at Bal	8	-1
10	Wes Welker	Den	vs. Jac	6	-4
11	Danny Amendola	NE	vs. NO	20	+9
12	Eric Decker	Den	vs. Jac	15	+3
13	Vincent Jackson	TB	vs. Phi	16	+3
14	Victor Cruz	NYG	at Chi	10	-4
15	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	at SF	24	+9
16	Josh Gordon	Cle	vs. Det	13	-3
17	Anquan Boldin	SF	vs. Ari	29	+12
18	Pierre Garcon	Was	at Dal	9	-9
19	Justin Blackmon	Jac	at Den	19	0
20	Reggie Wayne	Ind	at SD	14	-6
21	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at SD	25	+4
22	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	vs. NYG	22	0
23	Dwayne Bowe	KC	vs. Oak	30	+7
24	Antonio Brown	Pit	at NYJ	18	-6
25	DeSean Jackson	Phi	at TB	17	-8
26	Marques Colston	NO	at NE	21	-5
27	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	at Chi	28	+1
28	James Jones	GB	at Bal	27	-1
29	Cecil Shorts	Jac	at Den	23	-6
30	Steve Johnson	Buf	vs. Cin	35	+5
31	Greg Jennings	Min	vs. Car	37	+6
32	Steve Smith	Car	at Min	26	-6
33	Miles Austin	Dal	vs. Was	46	+13
34	Vincent Brown	SD	vs. Ind	33	-1
35	Tavon Austin	StL	at Hou	52	+17
36	Golden Tate	Sea	vs. Ten	42	+6
37	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	vs. StL	32	-5
38	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. NO	39	+1
39	Eddie Royal	SD	vs. Ind	57	+18
40	Mike Williams	TB	vs. Phi	31	-9
41	Brandon LaFell	Car	at Min	60	+19
42	Denarius Moore	Oak	at KC	34	-8
43	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	at NYJ	43	0
44	Michael Floyd	Ari	at SF	38	-6
45	Robert Woods	Buf	vs. Cin	47	+2
46	Keenan Allen	SD	vs. Ind	36	-10
47	Rueben Randle	NYG	at Chi	44	-3
48	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	vs. NO	41	-7
49	Andre Roberts	Ari	at SF	65	+16
50	Stephen Hill	NYJ	vs. Pit	48	-2
51	Chris Givens	StL	at Hou	58	+7
52	Jeremy Kerley	NYJ	vs. Pit	51	-1
53	Rod Streater	Oak	at KC	66	+13
54	Santana Moss	Was	at Dal	62	+8
55	Ryan Broyles	Det	at Cle	67	+12
56	Kendall Wright	Ten	at Sea	56	0
57	Austin Pettis	StL	at Hou	49	-8
58	Terrance Williams	Dal	vs. Was	40	-18
59	Donnie Avery	KC	vs. Oak	50	-9
60	Marlon Brown	Bal	vs. GB	53	-7
61	Lance Moore	NO	at NE	76	+15
62	Sidney Rice	Sea	vs. Ten	55	-7
63	Nate Washington	Ten	at Sea	45	-18
64	Riley Cooper	Phi	at TB	82	+18
65	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	at Buf	63	-2
66	Davone Bess	Cle	vs. Det	78	+12
67	Jerome Simpson	Min	vs. Car	54	-13
68	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at SD	70	+2
69	Jason Avant	Phi	at TB	68	-1
70	Kenny Britt	Ten	at Sea	77	+7
71	Doug Baldwin	Sea	vs. Ten	64	-7
72	Ted Ginn	Car	at Min	61	-11
73	Jerricho Cotchery	Pit	at NYJ	75	+2
74	Dexter McCluster	KC	vs. Oak	86	+12
75	Marvin Jones	Cin	at Buf	88	+13
76	Kenny Stills	NO	at NE	89	+13
77	Earl Bennett	Chi	vs. NYG	90	+13
78	Leonard Hankerson	Was	at Dal	59	-19
79	Greg Little	Cle	vs. Det	71	-8
80	Kyle Williams	SF	vs. Ari	93	+13

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Tight Ends: Coby Fleener and Garrett Graham Are Going to Rise the Charts

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Coby Fleener stands to be an important red-zone target for the Colts, so keep him active for Monday night.

Start 'Em

Coby Fleener, Indianapolis Colts

He has run hot and cold for fantasy owners, but count this as a great week to use him. The Chargers have the NFL's sixth-worst pass defense, and Fleener's bad weeks have come against the likes of San Francisco and Seattle, two of the best pass defenses in football. Fleener goes off for 60 yards and a score here.

Garrett Graham, Houston Texans

The extended loss of Owen Daniels (foot) opens the door for Graham to be a solid starter in fantasy every week. The Rams are more susceptible to the run than the pass, but the Texans' use of the tight end comes heavily off play action. It should work brilliantly with the safeties trying to support in the run game against Arian Foster and Ben Tate this week. Graham finds the end zone.

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton has struggled, but it hasn’t been because of Olsen. The Vikings have given up an NFL-high six touchdowns to tight ends (in just four games) and the second-most points to the position in fantasy. This might be Olsen's best week of the season.

Sit 'Em

Jeff Cumberland, New York Jets

He was one of the most-added tight ends off waivers this week and has been hot with rookie quarterback Geno Smith. Also, Kellen Winslow is now out of the way due to a four-game suspension. Now, sit Cumberland. The Steelers are the third-best team in fantasy against the position and have been traditionally tough against tight ends when Troy Polamalu has been healthy, as he is right now.

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings

We labeled Rudolph a bust this preseason at his draft position because you cannot count on short touchdowns. They are mostly a function of game circumstances.

You especially cannot count on short touchdowns coming from a quarterback in Matt Cassel, who hasn't thrown a touchdown to Rudolph before. The Panthers also happen to be the second-best team in fantasy against tight ends to date. This is a bad week to pray for a Rudolph turnaround.

Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions

Joseph Fauria's red-zone targets have scared fantasy owners off Pettigrew in the early going, but don't jump back on him after the performance a week ago. That was a function of the Lions being without Calvin Johnson (knee). Regardless of Johnson's status, the Browns have a top-10 secondary in the NFL, and they have been fourth best in fantasy against tight ends.

Week 6 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	at NE	1	0
2	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. Was	2	0
3	Jordan Cameron	Cle	vs. Det	4	+1
4	Julius Thomas	Den	vs. Jac	3	-1
5	Antonio Gates	SD	vs. Ind	5	0
6	Vernon Davis	SF	vs. Ari	6	0
7	Garrett Graham	Hou	vs. StL	11	+4
8	Greg Olsen	Car	at Min	8	0
9	Jermichael Finley	GB	at Bal	10	+1
10	Heath Miller	Pit	at NYJ	12	+2
11	Martellus Bennett	Chi	vs. NYG	9	-2
12	Coby Fleener	Ind	at SD	13	+1
13	Jared Cook	StL	at Hou	14	+1
14	Kyle Rudolph	Min	vs. Car	18	+4
15	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. NO	7	-8
16	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	at Cle	19	+3
17	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	at Buf	20	+3
18	Sean McGrath	KC	vs. Oak	22	+4
19	Brandon Myers	NYG	at Chi	15	-4
20	Jeff Cumberland	NYJ	vs. Pit	23	+3
21	Dallas Clark	Bal	vs. GB	24	+3
22	Rob Housler	Ari	at SF	36	+14
23	Tyler Eifert	Cin	at Buf	21	-2
24	Scott Chandler	Buf	vs. Cin	26	+2
25	Zach Miller	Sea	vs. Ten	27	+2
26	Jordan Reed	Was	at Dal	16	-10
27	Brent Celek	Phi	at TB	17	-10
28	Kellen Winslow	NYJ	vs. Pit	25	-3
29	Delanie Walker	Ten	at Sea	28	-1
30	Tony Scheffler	Det	at Cle	44	+14

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Defense/Special Teams: We Make Sense of a Slew of Streaming Options This Week

Start 'Em

San Francisco 49ers

They are starting to pay you back for making them one of the first units off the board in drafts. Against the error-prone Carson Palmer, playing at home, the 49ers should pay you back in droves this week. This is the No. 1 unit on the board, despite failing to score like a starting fantasy unit to date—just 15th in a standard league.

New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers

Two proud defensive teams haven't been great the past couple of seasons, but they are facing each other this week, and that should be a cure for what ails them.

The Steelers are fourth worst in fantasy against opposing defenses, and the Jets are just two notches better at six. This should be a defensive struggle, and perhaps the points will only come off offensive mistakes. We rate both fringe fantasy units as top-10 options this week.

Cincinnati Bengals

There are a lot of bad quarterbacks to take advantage of among the defensive streaming options this week, and Thad Lewis might be the best/worst of them. The Bengals are a must-start option after being dropped in many leagues last week because they were facing the Patriots.

Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles

Speaking of taking advantage of quarterbacks, the Panthers face Matt Cassel, the Lions face Brandon Weeden and the Eagles face rookie Mike Glennon. You probably don't need to dip this low into the D/ST waiver pool, but if you do, the Panthers are the stoutest of these defensive options.

Sit 'Em

New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints

The Saints haven't been as stingy against opposing defenses as the Pats (11th best), but you shouldn't consider either of these units good plays against those two quarterbacks. The Pats haven't gotten out of their own way offensively, but you have to figure this game will wind up as a shootout someway, somehow.

San Diego Chargers

One of the surprising fantasy units from a year ago has gotten off to a slow start, and it won't turn around Monday night against the Colts. Not only are the Colts potent offensively with Andrew Luck and a rediscovered running game, but they have been tough against opposing defenses to date (third best). Send the Chargers to the waiver wire for one of the options above.

Baltimore Ravens

The defense has played well since that opening-day thrashing in Denver, but this game against the Packers figures to be one of the few weeks to sit the Ravens before the fantasy postseason. A stretch of suspect opponents and quarterbacks loom all the way up until Week 16 versus New England.

Week 6 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	San Francisco 49ers	SF	vs. Ari	3	+2
2	Chicago Bears	Chi	vs. NYG	5	+3
3	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	vs. Ten	2	-1
4	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	at Buf	4	0
5	Kansas City Chiefs	KC	vs. Oak	6	+1
6	Denver Broncos	Den	vs. Jac	1	-5
7	New York Jets	NYJ	vs. Pit	8	+1
8	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	at NYJ	11	+3
9	Carolina Panthers	Car	at Min	10	+1
10	Detroit Lions	Det	at Cle	9	-1
11	Philadelphia Eagles	Phi	at TB	14	+3
12	Houston Texans	Hou	vs. StL	7	-5
13	Indianapolis Colts	Ind	at SD	21	+8
14	St. Louis Rams	StL	at Hou	23	+9
15	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	TB	vs. Phi	13	-2
16	New England Patriots	NE	vs. NO	19	+3
17	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	vs. GB	17	0
18	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	vs. Was	20	+2
19	Minnesota Vikings	Min	vs. Car	15	-4
20	Arizona Cardinals	Ari	at SF	12	-8

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Kickers: Consider Mike Nugent Among Sleeper Options If You Need One

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Mike Nugent has yet to even be a fringe fantasy kicker, but things are looking up with the Bills up this week.

Start 'Em

Garrett Hartley, New Orleans Saints

The Pats have been sixth best in fantasy against kickers, but Hartley is second in kicker scoring and too good to sit in any matchup right now. The Pats are going to do a better job than most teams against Drew Brees in the red zone, especially at home, so expect a few field goals to go with the extra points this week for Hartley.

Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals

He is not a kicker at the top of most minds in fantasy circles, especially since he is currently out of the top 25 in scoring, but the Bills have been the fourth-worst team in fantasy against kickers, and their starting of a practice-squad quarterback should leave plenty of favorable field positions. Nugent is going to have a double-digit week despite being owned in just 17 percent of CBS Sports leagues.

Alex Henery, Philadelphia Eagles

As wary of the Bucs defense as you might have been thus far this season, Tampa Bay has still been eighth worst in fantasy against kickers. Henery is hot, and the Eagles should put up points even with Nick Foles at quarterback. Consider Henery a solid start in all leagues.

Sit 'Em

Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland Raiders

He is just 23rd among kickers in scoring, and this might be a week the Chiefs shut the Raiders out in Kansas City. Only the Saints and Packers have allowed fewer made field goals (three) than the Chiefs (five). And only the Panthers have allowed fewer extra points (three)—albeit in four games instead of five. Sea Bass is not worth owning in fantasy, despite being a name-brand among kickers.

David Akers, Detroit Lions

The Browns have a solid defense, and the Lions offensive success might hinge on the health of Calvin Johnson (knee). Akers is a fringe fantasy kicker in most weeks, and this figures to be one of the worst times to trust him for anything more than a few extra points.

Nick Novak, San Diego Chargers

He has had his moments this season among starter-worthy fantasy kickers, but that Colts defense has performed better than expected and has allowed just nine field-goal attempts through five games. Only six teams who haven't yet had their bye have allowed fewer. It is a bad week to play Novak off waivers, outside of the Hail Mary play for some Monday night magic. 

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.

Week 6 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. NO	3	+2
2	Matt Prater	Den	vs. Jac	1	-1
3	Justin Tucker	Bal	vs. GB	4	+1
4	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. Was	2	-2
5	Ryan Succop	KC	vs. Oak	14	+9
6	Mason Crosby	GB	at Bal	11	+5
7	Robbie Gould	Chi	vs. NYG	5	-2
8	Nick Novak	SD	vs. Ind	13	+5
9	Phil Dawson	SF	vs. Ari	15	+6
10	Garrett Hartley	NO	at NE	7	-3
11	Blair Walsh	Min	vs. Car	10	-1
12	Alex Henery	Phi	at TB	9	-3
13	Greg Zuerlein	StL	at Hou	18	+5
14	Steven Hauschka	Sea	vs. Ten	6	-8
15	Mike Nugent	Cin	at Buf	21	+6
16	Adam Vinatieri	Ind	at SD	12	-4
17	Shaun Suisham	Pit	at NYJ	27	+10
18	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	at KC	19	+1
19	Kai Forbath	Was	at Dal	16	-3
20	Randy Bullock	Hou	vs. StL	8	-12

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.