Fantasy Football Start 'em Sit 'em Week 6: 10 Can’t-Go-Wrong Picks
We're back at it again with the start 'em, sit 'ems and it's the Week 6 edition. Once again, we have to work around the bye weeks and I've given you 10 people that you need to have in your lineup this week, and as an added bonus, there are 10 guys that you need to avoid at all costs.
If there's any player that you'd like to know about that I didn't mention, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll try and get back to it.
No. 10 Start: Matt Ryan
1 of 20
Matt Ryan has had a very consistent year and is going up against a roughly middle-of-the-road pass defense in Philadelphia.
There's reason to worry about Ryan facing Philly's pass rush, but Ryan has faced that in the past and come out okay. This isn't Pittsburgh, feel good about starting him this week. Ryan has made a resurgence since a down year last year and was a steal if you got him in your fantasy draft.
No. 10 Sit: Brett Favre
2 of 20
Despite having his best game of the season, I'd sit Brett Favre against Dallas.
Favre has complained of elbow tendinitis and spent most of Monday night's game walking around holding his elbow. Not only that, but Favre has been brutal this year throwing the ball and has turned the ball over repeatedly. He's just not a safe start. He's got weapons, but you can't trust him.
Sadly, I think I'm going to have to start him on my team. Not a good look.
No. 9 Start: Ahmad Bradshaw
3 of 20
Ahmad Bradshaw has become the starter in New York and he's taken advantage of it, running for almost five yards a carry this season.
He's going up against a defense in Detroit that's 27th against the run and should give up some big holes for Bradshaw to run through. It's going to be a big day for the Giants on offense, and expect Bradshaw to become a big part of that.
Start him and only worry about Brandon Jacobs stealing goal line touches.
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No. 9 Sit: Matt Schaub
4 of 20
Matt Schaub struggled last week and put up his worst performance of the year. His offensive line isn't holding up right now, and he's going up against a Kansas City defense that gave Peyton Manning trouble last week.
If Peyton Manning couldn't get it going against this defense, I'm not sure how much hope Schaub has for success this weekend. Not only that, but Andre Johnson is still dinged up, and when your best, biggest target isn't at 100 percent, it's a recipe for disaster.
No. 8 Start: LaDainian Tomlinson
5 of 20
If LaDainian Tomlinson can run for 94 yards against Minnesota's front four, which was in the top 10 against the run coming into the game, what do you think he's going to do against Denver, who was ripped apart by Ray Rice last week?
Denver is 26th against the run, and Tomlinson is going to have a lot of success early and often against the Broncos defense. This is Tomlinson's bounce-back season, and we're getting to the point where he's a must-start in all matchups.
No. 8 Sit: Jay Cutler
6 of 20
Jay Cutler will be back under center for Chicago this week after sitting out against Carolina with a concussion.
Cutler has been struggling in recent weeks and if he takes another big hit against Seattle, he could find himself right back on the bench again. You never know what's going to happen with Cutler, and I'd have him on my bench until I got a better read on him after the concussion.
Then again, it is Seattle hitting the road, so I can see why you'd want to start him.
No. 7 Start: Ryan Torain
7 of 20
Clinton Portis is out and the Redskins are taking on the Colts, who aren't exactly what you'd call the best team in stopping the run.
With Mike Shanahan's scheme in full effect, Torain should have a productive day against Indianapolis, who has been torched all year in the run game. He's normally a pretty risky play, but if you have him on your roster, this might be the week to use him if you're deciding what to do with some bye weeks.
No. 7 Sit: Shonn Greene
8 of 20
While I told you to start LaDainian Tomlinson, stay away from Shonn Greene. Before that long touchdown run at the end of the game, Greene had done very little on the ground and at this point, the Jets aren't using him enough to consider him worth a start.
Greene has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments this year, and the Jets are lucky that Tomlinson had the resurgence that he did, because if not, New York might be in the market for a running back.
No. 6 Start: Roddy White
9 of 20
Roddy White is Matt Ryan's favorite target and has put up double digit points every week this season and has caught a touchdown in three of five games this year.
White has turned into a great target for Ryan to throw to, and they'll throw his way a lot against Philadelphia this week. If Alex Smith can throw three touchdowns, what do you think Ryan can do? White should produce if you put him in your lineup.
No. 6 Sit: Peyton Hillis
10 of 20
Peyton Hillis has been productive for Cleveland so far and even produced against a tough defense in Baltimore earlier this year.
However, all defenses are not created equal and starting Hillis against Pittsburgh would be a colossal mistake. The Steelers shut down offenses, and with Cleveland starting Colt McCoy, you know they're going to force him to throw and they'll do that by shutting down Hillis.
No. 5 Start: Joe Flacco
11 of 20
Joe Flacco has turned his season around after a slow start and is now rolling under center for Baltimore.
Flacco goes up against the Patriots, who have a very young, inexperienced defense. With the wide range of weapons at his disposal, Flacco is poised to have a big day in the passing game, especially out of the backfield to Ray Rice.
Look for Flacco to keep it going this week.
No. 5 Sit: Felix Jones
12 of 20
Despite getting plenty of touches last week against Tennessee, I wouldn't count on Felix Jones to produce for you this week.
Dallas goes so far away from the run during the course of a game and you can't rely on any running back to get you fantasy points. I'd bench Jones and if he produces this week, I'd consider moving him into the lineup for next week.
I wouldn't count on it though.
No. 4 Start: BenJarvus Green-Ellis
13 of 20
Green-Ellis is facing Baltimore and while it may seem like blasphemy to start a running back—let alone a New England running back—against the Ravens, I'm giving it the go-ahead for this week.
Green-Ellis is producing for the Patriots and is getting regular touches with Fred Taylor being dinged up. With Randy Moss gone, New England will have to open up the passing game and will use Green-Ellis to do so.
If Peyton Hillis can produce, so can Green-Willis.
No. 4 Sit: Thomas Jones
14 of 20
After recommending a start for TJ last week, I'm telling you to put him on the bench this week.
Jones barely got any touches last week against Indianapolis and it looks like Jamaal Charles is starting to emerge as the primary back in Kansas City. If he only got one fantasy point against a run defense like Indianapolis's, I don't see much hope for him against the Texans.
I'd be getting ready to cut Jones if I'm his owner, which I am.
No. 3 Start: Miles Austin
15 of 20
If there's one thing the Cowboys do well, it's throw the ball, and the biggest beneficiaries of that are the owners of Miles Austin.
Other than Jason Witten, Austin is Tony Romo's favorite target and made big plays against Tennessee last week. While the Titans do allow a lot of passing yards, Romo is going to throw the ball a lot against the Vikings and he's going to go Austin's way.
I'd have no problem putting Austin in the lineup.
No. 3: Sit: Derrick Mason
16 of 20
Unless your league gives you points for catches, I'd leave Derrick Mason on the bench.
Mason has become somewhat of a forgotten man in the Baltimore offense with Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice in the lineup. Joe Flacco has had issues giving each player the touches he wants and Mason will make grabs, but I'm not sure he'll be finding the endzone this week.
You can do better than Mason, but if you can't, he'd make a decent flex play.
No. 2 Start: David Garrard
17 of 20
David Garrard has been wildly inconsistent this year, but I think this is a week where Garrard will put up good numbers for your team.
Tennessee gives up a lot of passing yards to opposing quarterbacks, but be wary, the Titans get after the quarterback and force timely turnovers. Tennessee will make plays, but Garrard should put up a good amount of yardage.
I'd start Garrard and hold my breath on Monday night if the fantasy matchup is close.
No. 2 Sit: Brandon Jackson
18 of 20
Brandon Jackson had his first big game of the season, breaking 100 yards on the ground. However, don't get excited about that performance.
Jackson broke off a few big runs, but I don't see that happening this week against Miami. Also keep an eye on Aaron Rodgers' status for Sunday because if he can't go, Matt Flynn will be in and the Packers may run the ball more.
Even if that's the case, I'd stay away from Jackson.
No. 1 Start: Matt Cassel
19 of 20
After the way Cassel's season has gone, this may seem a little bit crazy, but you need to remember he's going against Houston's secondary, which just gave up another touchdown to Hakeem Nicks.
Houston has the worst pass defense in the league, and Cassel should make plays against the weak secondary. It's a risky play, but it's high reward as well. If you're looking for a big win, Cassel could give you it this week.
No. 1 Sit: Matt Hasselbeck
20 of 20
Remember the days when Matt Hasselbeck was a valuable fantasy player? Those were good times.
Now, Hasselbeck is a shell of himself and isn't worth starting this week or anytime soon. He's going against a tough Chicago defense, and I'd avoid him at all cost. If you have no other options on your roster, I'd look at the waiver wire for any help at all.
There has to be something out there to help you out, because Hasselbeck won't.
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