Fantasy Week 6: The Clock is Ticking Again in Pittsburgh

It's obvious that each week you are going to start the likes of Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning.  Here is a look at some of the players you might be torn over...

All stats re-guarding percent owned, started and points are for ESPN standard 10-team-scoring leagues. (OPP, ST%, Owned%)

Start’em

QB Joe Flacco, BAL (@NE, 54, 95)

The Patriots are currently ranked No. 28 in pass coverage at 272 yards a game.  I can see running back Ray Rice and Flacco hooking up on a screen pass or two.  Also, with the Patriots pass-happy offense, Baltimore may be forced to pass more than usual.

QB Eli Manning, NYG (DET, 47, 87)

The Lions secondary is very questionable, ranking at No. 24 in the league.  Detroit currently allow the seventh-most points weekly in fantasy against quarterbacks. 

Eli is clearly locked in with wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (81, 100), who converted 17 targets for 12 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns last week.  I like the Lions as a whole moving forward, but still see holes in the defense week to week.

P.S. Nicks is ranked number one in points per position with 75.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (CLE, 24, 95)  

People thought time was going to stall in Pittsburgh while ‘Big Ben’ wasn’t playing. They have managed to go on a respectable 3-1 start out of the gates.  Why he is even available in five percent of all leagues boggles my mind. 

He was a top 10 fantasy quarterback last season.  It isn’t like was out with an injury for four weeks, people; he is healthy, so expect him to do well this week.  Along with the combination of a great running attack, I see the Steelers balancing calls well this week and adapting best to Big Ben.

RB Jahvid Best, DET (@NYG, 67, 100)

Best's 73 fantasy points are currently ranked sixth overall at his position.  He was injured with a tough injury in turf toe and has looked better each of the past two weeks while battling through it.  He can score from anywhere on the field and should find the end zone at least once this weekend.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson, NYJ (@DEN, 83,100)   

He looks scary running the ball right now and is running with the force we saw in the old ‘LT.’  Better yet, he is running behind the top offensive line this year, averaging 165 yards a game. 

He is in the Top 10 in points right now for running backs with 67; he is also averaging 60 yards a game.  Keep in mind the Broncos are giving up 127 yards on the ground, good enough for No. 25 in the league.

Santonio Holmes, NYJ (@DEN 31, 94)     

Why isn’t he 100 percent owned?  People that own Braylon Edwards are going to be scratching their head the rest of the season.  Holmes had three opportunities down the field last week; Sanchez just couldn’t convert the long ball.  With two weeks under practice, I see some chemistry producing between the young quarterback and stud of a player.

Hakeem Nicks, NYG (DET 81, 100)

He is clearly quarterback Eli Manning’s favorite target for the time being.  He is the number one fantasy receiver at 75 points, and leads the Giants in targets (50).  Both of his touchdowns last week came from six and 12 yards out, so expect him to be a lock in the red zone.

Hines Ward, PIT (CLE, 49, 98)

If you know the NFL, you know that Hines Ward and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are one of the best quarterback-to-receiver combinations in the league.  People forget the 13-year receiver was among the Top 10 in receptions last year with 95.  Ward's clock should start ticking again this week, as ‘Big Ben’ has just been wound up.

Steve Smith, NYG (DET 83, 100)

Smith, currently in the Top 10 of all receivers in targets with 45, is clearly getting enough chances; this week, he will get out there and get a score.  A great fit for a wide receiver two or three this week.

Malcolm Floyd, SD (@STL 62, 100)   

This kid is really coming into his own—eight receptions 213 yards and one touchdown—last week.  He is fourth of all receivers in points, at 65; utilize this kid while you still can.  With the announcement of wide receiver returning on October 31, Floyd's stock could start to fall as a number one.

TE Aaron Hernandez, NE (BAL, 20, 46)

With Randy Moss gone, somebody needs to step up.  This kid’s athleticism amazes me.  With Welker taking on the assuming role as number one, this is Hernandez’s chance to run with his team-leading 240 receiving yards and make name for himself.

Sit’em

QB Brett Favre, MIN (DAL, 48, 94)

First things first, this arthritis situation is real either because: A) he is 41 or B) he is trying to hush ESPN on the whole Jets scandal. 

I think the future Hall of Famer is truly getting older and his arm really is bugging him.  He has looked slower with his release more often than not this whole season, and that’s not good if you’re Brett Favre. 

Since Favre relies on his strong arm, how else he would get so many tight passes into small areas? I don't know.  Even if he keeps playing, I think his arm is done by Week 12 at the latest.

RB Peyton Hillis, CLE (@PIT, 67, 100) 

Hillis is currently listed as questionable, so watch the injury reports around 11:45 on Sunday morning.  He is a little banged up with a quad and thigh injury he re-aggravated last week against the Falcons. 

Unless you have no other choice, sit him even if he plays.  Going up against the Steelers isn’t easy when healthy, why would it be easier when he is banged up?

Tampa Bay Running Backs (NO) 

The Bucs average only 103 yards on the ground per game.  They’re starting to look a lot better passing than running as of late, and will certainly have to throw it to keep up this week.  With tight end Kellen Winslow (43, 82) starting to get healthier, there could be more packages containing him and rookie wideout Mike Williams (18, 50).

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC (TEN, 97, 100)

MJD had X-rays earlier this week on his injured wrist and hand that returned negative.    He is questionable as of today and did not practice on Thursday.  Going up against an underrated Tennessee run defense (No. 11 in the league) it will be a long day, even if he does play. 

Jags quarterback David Garrard played well the past two weeks, throwing at least two touchdowns each game.  I see head coach Jack Del Rio taking it easy this week on the MOJO.

All Green Bay Packers Wide Receivers (MIA)  

With quarterback Aaron Rodgers most likely out (concussion)—the Packers passing offense will die this week—much like the Bears last week without quarterback Jay Cutler.

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