Week Six Fantasy Football Player Breakdown

As usual, be on top of your bye weeks and player movement due to injuries and role changes.

Note: I promoted an inactive Kevin Curtis last week and Jeremy Maclin went off in his place, so I apologize for that. Hopefully you did the right thing and ignore a Curtis promotion, and instead listened to my Miles Austin pitch. That would have ended well.

Sunday Games


Houston Texans @ Cincinnati Bengals

QB Matt Schaub: Cincy can be a bit stingy through the air, but Schaub should be fine.
RB Steve Slaton: Only good game was against Raiders, and not a great match-up this week.
WR Andre Johnson: Bengals pass defense is decent, but they can't stop AJ.
WR Kevin Walter: Has been quiet, but could be due for another solid game.
Owen Daniels: Always a decent play, and Cincy is only average against tight ends.

QB Carson Palmer: Could be solid, but may take a back-seat to Benson again.
RB Cedric Benson: Possible big day ahead of him against weak Houston run defense.
WR Chad Ochocinco: Has been playing well, so can't sit him.
WR Chris Henry: Was solid last week, and Coles is not a factor, so not a terrible WR3.

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

QB Jake Delhomme: Desperate play, but could have success against horrible pass defense.
RB DeAngelo Williams: This could be his huge break-out game you've been waiting for.
RB Jonathan Stewart: Ditto. If Williams does well, pressure could be off Stewart.
WR Steve Smith: Gotta like his chances to burn this secondary deep.
WR Muhsin Muhammad: It depends on what the offense does, but could be a low-end WR3.

QB Josh Johnson: Has been getting better, and Carolina pass defense can be had.
RB Carnell Williams: If the carries are there, he has a chance.
WR Antonio Bryant: Still only a WR3, but he should get plenty of targets.
TE Kellen Winslow: He's bound to cool off, but is way too hot to sit right now.

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

QB Derek Anderson: Was atrocious against Buffalo. Can't hope for too much better.
RB Jamal Lewis: Could have average success if he gets the majority of the carries again.
RB Jerome Harrison: Was a non-factor last week. Have his 15 minutes run out?
WR Mohamed Massaquoi: Is the only deep-threat they have, but it all hangs on DA. Not a great bet.

QB Ben Roethlisberger: Browns defense is playing hard, but Big Ben should be fine.
RB Rashard Mendenhall: No reason to think his success stops against Cleveland, unless Parker plays.
WR Santonio Holmes: Hasn't scored since week one, so he's due.
WR Hines Ward: Has been consistent, so a solid WR2.
WR Mike Wallace: Scored again last week, but weak WR3.
TE Heath Miller: Three scores in the past two weeks say you can't sit this guy.


New York Giants @ New Orleans Saints

QB Eli Manning: This won't be a blow-out, so count on him to finish the game.
RB Brandon Jacobs: Saints have a solid run defense, but he's still a quality RB2.
RB Ahmad Bradshaw: Downgrade him a bit this week, but can still help as a Flex.
WR Steve Smith: Has been having too much success to sit him in a big game.
WR Mario Manningham: Low-end WR3, still sharing time with Nicks.
WR Hakeem Nicks: Ditto. See above.
TE Kevin Boss: Hasn't done anything all season, can't expect much.

QB Drew Brees: Hasn't scored in two games, and is majorly due.
RB Pierre Thomas: Is their top back, but will be splitting carries and facing tough defense.
RB Mike Bell: Is expected back and could be stealing some carries from Thomas.
RB Reggie Bush: Does a little bit of everything, but is nothing more than a mediocre Flex.
WR Marques Colston: Has been solid but is cooling off. Should be very active this week.
WR Devery Henderson: Not a great play as Brees will not have a ton of time to look down the field.
TE Jeremy Shockey: Solid play as he has revenge working in his favor and knows the Giants.


Baltimore Ravens @ Minnesota Vikings

QB Joe Flacco: With run game likely contained, should have solid day.
RB Ray Rice: He doesn't score much, and Vikes have yet to allow 100-yard rusher in 2009.
RB Willis McGahee: All he does is score, and Vikes haven't allowed a back to score.
WR Derrick Mason: Zero catches last week. Should be very active as Ravens should  be throwing a lot.
WR Mark Clayton: Not very reliable, but could see a few deep targets.
TE Todd Heap: Minnesota not very good at covering tight ends, and he's been decent.

QB Brett Favre: Has been solid the past three weeks, and Baltimore pass defense is suspect.
RB Adrian Peterson: Cedric Benson ran all over them last week, so he has a chance.
WR Bernard Berrian: Could finally get a long ball his way, but is only a low-end WR3.
WR Sidney Rice: Has been getting 50+ yards per game, but can't expect the world.
WR Percy Harvin: Has been quiet, and could be needed in big game.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Developing solid chemistry with Favre, but mostly just touchdowns.


St. Louis Rams @ Jacksonville Jaguars

QB Marc Bulger: Is ready to start again, and Jags' pass defense one of the worst in the league.
RB Steven Jackson: If Bulger can open things up, he should be fine.
WR Donnie Avery: Scored last week and is facing awful pass defense.
TE Randy McMichael: Is the starter, but not much better than a TE2.

QB David Garrard: Big disappointment last week, but you can't miss against the Rams.
RB Maurice Jones-Drew: Always a must-start.
WR Mike Sims-Walker: Was a surprise inactive for team reasons last week, so monitor him.
WR Torry Holt: Has been doing okay with yardage, and could score against former team.
TE Marcedes Lewis: Has been solid and is facing the Rams, so there's upside.

Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers

QB Daunte Culpepper: Is likely to start with Lions playing it safe with Stafford. Has had tons of success against Green Bay in his career, so some upside here.
RB Kevin Smith: Green Bay only so-so against run, so he could be a decent RB2.
WR Calvin Johnson: May not play, so keep a close eye on him. If healthy, could have a huge day against a slow Al Harris.
WR Bryant Johnson: Should be active underneath, but is very inconsistent.
TE Brandon Pettigrew: Has been getting decent amount of targets, so not a bad TE2.

QB Aaron Rodgers: He's at home against the Lions. He should be fine.
RB Ryan Grant: Lions have been getting better against run, but he'll get plenty of carries.
WR Greg Jennings: Hasn't done a whole lot since week one, so he should be active this week.
WR Donald Driver: Always a safe bet against division foes, so play him as a strong WR3.
TE Jermichael Finley: Not sure what his exact role is, but his potential is too good to pass-up.


Kansas City Chiefs @ Washington Redskins

QB Matt Cassel: Has thrown two scores in three straight games, so he's hot enough to take a chance on.
RB Larry Johnson: Has been borderline awful, but still gets tons of carries.
WR Dwayne Bowe: Scored twice last week and Redskins are only "okay" against pass.
WR Mark Bradley: Very inconsistent and not offering much.
WR Bobby Wade: Looks better than Bradley, but still splitting time with him.

QB Jason Campbell: Not a terrible option, especially against Chiefs' slow corners.
RB Clinton Portis: Got it going a bit last week, so could get on a roll.
WR Santana Moss: Should have some success this week against weak secondary.
TE Chris Cooley: Has been a bit inconsistent, but should get back to normal this week.


Arizona Cardinals @ Seattle Seahawks

QB Kurt Warner: Seattle won't shut-out AZ, so don't worry about Warner.
RB Tim Hightower: Run offense has been awful, and it's not about to get better.
WR Larry Fitzgerald: Is starting to get hot, so look for some deep balls finally.
WR Anquan Boldin: Should be extremely active, as he has been last three weeks.
WR Steve Breaston:

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Can't sit the baldly when he just tossed four touchdowns.
RB Julius Jones: Should have better success than last week, but is in a funk.
WR Nate Burleson: Hasselbeck loves him, but AZ corners are tough.
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Great hands and routes guarantee solid numbers in PPR leagues.
TE John Carlson: Look for Carlson and Hasselbeck to find their connection again.


Philadelphia Eagles @ Oakland Raiders

QB Donovan McNabb: Oakland pass defense is stingy, but McNabb has so many weapons it may not matter.
RB Brian Westbrook: Splitting carries, but facing a awful run defense.
RB LeSean McCoy: Not a bad Flex as he'll get carries and faces Oakland.
WR DeSean Jackson: Only caught one ball last week, so that raises an eyebrow.
WR Jeremy Maclin: Was huge last week, but he's a rookie and facing solid secondary.
TE Brent Celek: Didn't do much last week with big lead, could be more active over the middle.

QB Jamarcus Russell: Doesn't stand a chance against solid Philly defense.
RB Michael Bush: Running is Oakland's only hope, so the carries should be there.
RB Justin Fargas: Will bite into Bush's carries, but probably not a good Flex option.
TE Zach Miller: Better than any other Oakland receiver, but that's not saying much.

Buffalo Bills @ New York Jets

QB Trent Edwards: Has been horrible and Jets defense is no push-over.
RB Fred Jackson: Splitting carries but still not a horrible Flex play.
RB Marshawn Lynch: Worked the rust off and put up solid yardage last week, not a bad Flex play.
WR Terrell Owens: Hasn't done anything since week two, and should face Darrelle Revis. Not a great match-up at all.
WR Lee Evans: Can't trust him until you trust Edwards.

QB Mark Sanchez: Bills overall defense is pretty bad, so he has a chance.
RB Thomas Jones: Jones should be used early against Bills horrible run defense.
RB Leon Washington: Ditto. Look for Washington to get his first score of the season.
WR Braylon Edwards: Was very active and scored in Jets debut, so a lot of optimism.
WR Jerricho Cotchery: Dealing with hamstring issues and may sit out. Monitor status.
TE Dustin Keller: Hasn't caught more than four passes all season, so dropping to a TE2 status.


Tennessee Titans @ New England Patriots

QB Kerry Collins: Patriots can be passed on, but Titans should try to run.
RB Chris Johnson: He's their only chance to winning, but Patriots stop the run fairly well.
RB Lendale White: Led the team in rushing last week, so climbing back up to a possible Flex play.
WR Justin Gage: Hasn't done anything all season.
WR Nate Washington: Scoring streak ended, but chemistry with Collins gives him a chance.
WR Kenny Britt: Could find some open spaces, but is merely a sleeper right now.

QB Tom Brady: Tennessee pass defense is awful, so hope for best game of season.
RB Sammy Morris: Titans stop the run pretty well, but he'll get plenty of touches.
WR Randy Moss: Had one catch last week, so should be busy against weak secondary.
WR Wes Welker: Was very active and scored last week, so you have to like his match-up this week.


Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons

QB Jay Cutler: Falcons put a defensive display on 49ers, but Cutler is red-hot.
RB Matt Forte: Forte looked good in week four, and Atlanta can be run on, so solid play.
WR Devin Hester: Check his status, but if he plays, should continue elite WR3 numbers.
WR Earl Bennett: Hasn't been overly active, so it him if you can.
WR Johnny Knox: Is a sensation in leagues that award return points, and could get past Atlanta's secondary.
TE Greg Olsen: Not a yardage beast this year, so only a TE2 right now.

QB Matt Ryan: Ryan looks good, but Bears defense could make things tough.
RB Michael Turner: Destroyed the 49ers, so doesn't look very stoppable this week.
WR Roddy White: Won't get 200+ yards against Chicago, but is a must-start, regardless.
TE Tony Gonzalez: Has been very active, so you can't sit him, even though the Bears are solid against tight ends.


Monday Night Football


Denver Broncos @ San Diego Chargers

QB Kyle Orton: Has been solid all season long, and Chargers aren't good against the pass.
RB Knowshon Moreno: Should continue to get the bulk of the carries, but has lost two fumbles in the past two weeks.
WR Brandon Marshall: Is on fire and shows no signs of slowing down.
WR Eddie Royal: Be careful of the hype. Had a good game last week, but still a very weak WR3.

QB Philip Rivers: Denver defense is good, but it's a home game on Monday night. Rivers will show-up.
RB LaDainan Tomlinson: LT didn't do much against Pittsburgh, and Denver isn't any easier. Can't vouch for him as anything more than a Flex until he regains form.
RB Darren Sproles: Had one carry in last game, so not a ton of optimism here.
WR Vincent Jackson: Way too good lately to consider sitting, and Denver has allowed some passing yardage here and there.
TE Antonio Gates: Broncos contain tight ends well, but Gates is coming off a huge prime-time game.