NFL Fantasy Football Week 6: Sleeper, Creeper, Stud and Dud

A highly-touted waiver-wire pickup this week has been Jackie Battle. The fourth-year runner had 19 carries for 119 yards and added 21 yards on two catches against a weak Colts defense. 

If he carries the load for the rest of the season, which is likely because Thomas Jones is just not effective as an every-down back anymore, then Battle will have some value. But that value could still be low, as the Chiefs have a tough schedule and will play from behind often because of their poor defense without star SS Eric Berry, who has been sitting on IR since the season-opener. 

If you have the room, then grab him, but he is on a bye this week, so don't forget to bench him in favor of last week's favorite waiver-wire addition.

Last week, the Washington Redskins were on a bye, so those who picked up Ryan Torain after his great Week 4 performance didn't get a chance to play him just yet.  With Tim Hightower still questionable, Torain could get a nice workload this week hosting the Eagles, who are mediocre against the run. 

The only problem is Roy Helu, who is healthy and has proven explosive in the little playing time he has had.  Which of them starts isn't going to make a fantasy owner's decision easier, because Mike Shanahan likes to split carries early in the game and grind it out with the "hot hand" late in the game. 

Both are worthy bye week replacements at a minimum, but if you are putting them in your starting rotation, just remember you are playing with fire any time you put a Shanahan-coached running back in your lineup.

Outside of finding the hot waiver-wire ticket to fantasy glory, it is important to analyze your players' match-ups and figure out who your must-starts are and who might need to sit the week out.

Stud:  High draft pick with a favorable matchup this week.

Dud:  High or moderate draft pick with an unfavorable matchup this week.

Sleeper:  Unknown who has a favorable matchup this week.

Creeper:  Known player who has been average recently, but has a favorable matchup this week.

On to the Sleeper, Creeper, Stud and Dud!

Week 6 Sleeper: Anthony Fasano

The Miami Dolphins will travel to New Jersey for a Monday Night game against the New York Jets, whose defense has been pitiful against the run and terrible at covering tight ends. 

The Dolphins will look to use their strong offensive line to move the chains on the ground, then go to play-action for big gains. When using play-action against the Jets, the best place to attack is the man-to-man matchup on your tight end. 

Jets safety Eric Smith is likely to draw most of those assignments. He will be too aggressive against the run and too slow to get back into coverage.

I like Anthony Fasano to capitalize on this coverage mismatch for a big gain and a red zone touchdown. If you need a cheap waiver-wire claim to replace a bye week tight end, then Fasano is likely your best option. 

From the looks of the bye week teams, though, Anthony Gates' owners would be the only players who need to do this, and they have been scrambling for a replacement for Gates due to his injury, anyway.

Week 6 Creeper: Josh Freeman

Josh Freeman has been up and down this season, so I hope you didn't commit to him as a full-time starter. 

When facing a good run defense and pass rush, the Tampa Buccaneers have struggled to find the end zone. Freeman himself has only three touchdown passes in five games. 

With LeGarrette Blount missing from the lineup when the Bucs host the New Orleans Saints, Freeman could have to double his season touchdown pass output to come away with a win. 

The Saints have been lighting up the scoreboard, and against the Tampa Bay defense it will be no different. Playing from behind against a bend-but-don't-break defense, Freeman could hook up for more than 300 yards and a couple touchdown passes. 

Let's just hope he doesn't negate such fantasy stats with interceptions, as New Orleans tends to be opportunistic on defense.

Week 6 Stud: Fred Jackson

I like to avoid picking fantasy breakout numbers from players in away matches, but Fred Jackson has just been amazing this season. 

The high-powered Buffalo Bills' offense is pounding opponents on the ground, and Jackson is also very involved in taking screens and splitting wide to create mismatches. 

This week, the Bills will travel not too far from home to face the New York Giants, an up-and-down team that could easily fall behind early to Buffalo. Fred Jackson should be heavily involved in torching a suspect Giants defense that is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Seattle.

Week 6 Dud: Matt Schaub

The Houston Texans have back-to-back nightmares lined up for Week 5 and Week 6. 

Coming off a rough road loss to a stingy Oakland Raider defense, the Texans will travel to Baltimore to face an aggressive, smash-mouth Ravens defense. 

Without Andre Johnson to make big plays downfield, Houston's offense will rely on Arian Foster and their stout offensive line to carry the team.  If they can't carry the rock for first downs, then Schaub will have to drop back and try to get the ball to less-talented targets. 

He does have Owen Daniels, but the Ravens are great at covering tight ends in the seam and knocking their socks off if a quarterback chooses to squeeze a ball in the middle of the field. 

Don't expect fireworks on the scoreboard or on Schaub's stat line.