Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 6: Final Review Before Thursday Night Football

Deciding to advise fantasy players to either start or sit players without knowing what their roster looks like or how their league format works can be a tricky exercise. After all, it's an unwise person who makes a decision or judgement without the proper context. 

So when you read on, keep in mind that I'm deciding on whether or not a player should be started or sat in a vacuum. You might not have a choice but to start these players. Your league format might favor them more than a standard league would. 

OK, that's the caveat. As always, this edition of the "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em" will have a bit of a Thursday Night Football spin. Spoiler alert: You should start Andrew Luck and Arian Foster.

Duh. 

Start 'Em: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

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In real football, I don't trust Jay Cutler. He makes big mistakes at the wrong time and he's just erratic enough to lose you as many games as he wins you. He's a grumpier Tony Romo with a bigger arm but less poise in the pocket.  

Generally, I feel the same about him in fantasy football. But this year, Cutler has actually been surprisingly consistent for fantasy owners, averaging 19 points per week and currently sitting at No. 3 in total points scored behind Andrew Luck and Philip Rivers. He has yet to score less than 16 fantasy points in a week this year.

The Falcons have been decent against quarterbacks this season, giving up 15.2 fantasy points to the position per week, 19th in the NFL, but other than Drew Brees they haven't exactly played many elite quarterbacks or renowned passing games. 

With Brandon Marshall appearing healthy last week, Alshon Jeffery continuing to develop, Martellus Bennett becoming an excellent option in the red zone and that Matt Forte guy being as steady and awesome as ever, Cutler has the weapons at his disposal to have another big week. Expect nothing less.

Sit 'Em: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

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If you are thinking about starting Tom Brady this week, you have a choice to make. Do you trust more in the 20 fantasy points he posted last week or the 35 total points he posted in the first four weeks?

I'm still leaning toward the latter.  

I'm doing so because I still don't see a vertical threat on the roster and I don't think defenses will ever be stretched by this passing game. I'm doing so because I think the Patriots are still a better offense when they are able to run the ball. I'm doing so because one good week hasn't exactly made me forget four bad ones.

Yes, I know Rob Gronkowski finally appears completely healthy. Yes, I know it appeared they found a way to properly utilize Timothy Wright in the passing game, even if he barely played. But no, I don't trust Brady yet.

Especially in a week when they face a Buffalo Bills team giving up just 13.8 fantasy points per week to quarterbacks, seventh in the NFL, and one that has 17 sacks. You probably don't need to start Brady this week. Do yourself a favor and sit him.

Start 'Em: Branden Oliver, RB, San Diego Chargers

Branden Oliver was fantasy's darling in Week 5, turning 23 touches into 182 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in relief duty for Donald Brown. Suffice to say, he was the most added player in ESPN leagues this week, as he was added in 54.6 percent of leagues, easily more than any other player. 

While Brown hasn't been ruled out for Week 6 at this point, Oliver likely earned himself a bigger workload with his performance last week. While Oliver was explosive and productive, Brown has averaged 2.1 yards per carry. You don't need to be an NFL head coach to see that Oliver is the more dynamic runner. 

In other words, expect Oliver to get at least 15 touches this week and to make the most of them against an Oakland Raiders defense giving up 21.3 fantasy points to opposing backs per week, 28th in the NFL. If you added Oliver to your roster this week, consider him an RB2.

Sit 'Em: Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts

While I think you absolutely should be starting Ahmad Bradshaw just about every week, I'm not sold on Trent Richardson. The former Alabama star has reached double-digit fantasy points just once this season and has just one touchdown on the year. 

Worse, he's averaging a pretty plodding 3.4 yards per carry. If Richardson wasn't getting the majority of the touches in the run game, you wouldn't be considering him.

But that's the one redeeming quality for Richardson this year—he has 70 carries, whereas Bradshaw has just 49. Sure, Bradshaw has 10 more rushing yards (250 to 240) despite having 21 less carries. And sure, he's been way more effective in the passing game, catching 18 passes for 151 yards and four scores on 22 targets.

But Richardson keeps getting those touches, so he has to stay on the fantasy radar. Until he starts producing with as much regularity as Bradshaw, however—Bradshaw is averaging 11.6 fantasy points per week, whereas Richardson is offering up just 7.6—the Colts runner is nothing more than a low-end flex consideration and, this week, best left on your bench.

Start 'Em: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

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The days of Reggie Wayne being a weekly WR1 or WR2 regardless of the matchup are over. Wayne has lost a step, sure, but he's also on an offense with a ton of weapons and one where Bradshaw and Dwayne Allen have emerged as Andrew Luck's preferred targets in the red zone.

Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton has more targets (50 to 45) and receptions (31 to 30), though Wayne has trumped him in the yards department (384 to 381) and has the only touchdown between the pair.

Still, Wayne is putting up a solid 8.2 fantasy points per week and has notched at least six fantasy points in four of five games, making him a relatively smart start. And against a Houston Texans defense giving up 22.2 fantasy points per week, 20th in the NFL, there's nothing stopping him from being a solid WR2 once again. 

Really, if you have either Wayne or Hilton you can feel pretty safe flexing them. With Luck tearing opposing defenses to shreds this season, both of the wideouts should continue to produce.

Sit 'Em: DeAndre Hopkins and Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

It's hard to trust Andre Johnson right now. For starters, he's still battling an ankle injury, per the team's website. He's also averaging just 5.6 fantasy points per week while DeAndre Hopkins is giving owners 10.2 points per contest.

Look, I know that Johnson torched the Colts in Week 9 last year to the tune of nine receptions, 229 yards and three touchdowns. I know he's had plenty of success in this matchup in the past. But I also know that right now Ryan Fitzpatrick is his quarterback and the two haven't exactly formed the most dynamic of duos for fantasy owners. 

Yes, there might be an uptick in Johnson's production. After all, he's been targeted 42 times. But I don't think that uptick will be this week. 

The Colts don't have a great defense, no, but they've allowed just 12.4 fantasy points to opposing wideouts per week, second in the NFL. On a short week with minor injury concerns facing a defense that has been stingy to his position and coming off a disappointing opening five weeks, I'm not starting Johnson. 

I think Hopkins has more upside in this matchup, but there are better options than him as well. Expect the Texans to lean on Arian Foster in this contest rather than their pair of talented wide receivers.

All point totals and points-against statistics via ESPN standard-scoring leagues. 

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