Week 6

• Tweet

• Tweet

Week 5 had its share of good games, including a shocking last-minute comeback by the Cowboys on Monday Night. Now, Week 6 is on the horizon, and with it come a host of lineup dilemmas. Six teams are off this week; up to this point only four teams have been off each week. Any Colts, Broncos, Bills, Lions, Steelers, or 49ers in your lineup are going to have to be replaced. Don’t know who to bring up off the bench? The Cafe’s Week 6 Start & Sit is here to help!

Our system is based on two separate rankings: Risk and Reward. Each player or defense was given a statistical ranking for each of the two categories.

Risk is determined by anything that could negatively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as matchup, situation, and injuries.

Reward is determined by anything that could positively affect the player in question’s performance. This includes such things as talent, matchup, and situation.

The Ranking for the two categories is as follows:

Risk: Score of 0 being the lowest risk, 10 being the highest risk.
Reward: Score of 0 being lowest reward, 10 being the highest reward.

 

Quarterbacks	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Tom Brady – NE	at DAL	16.1	3.0	9.1
Carson Palmer – CIN	at KC	15.6	2.9	8.5
Donovan McNabb – PHI	at NYJ	13.5	4.1	7.6
Matt Hasselbeck – SEA	vs NO	13.5	3.5	7.0
Eli Manning – NYG	at ATL	13.5	4.0	7.5
Brett Favre – GB	vs WAS	13.1	4.5	7.6
Philip Rivers – SD	vs OAK	13.0	3.7	6.8
Kurt Warner – ARI	vs CAR	12.9	3.7	6.6
Derek Anderson – CLE	vs MIA	12.6	4.2	6.8
Tony Romo – DAL	vs NE	12.6	5.0	7.6
Jason Campbell – WAS	at GB	12.5	3.9	6.4
David Garrard – JAC	vs HOU	12.0	4.1	6.1
Vince Young – TEN	at TB	11.9	4.5	6.3
Matt Schaub – HOU	at JAC	11.7	4.8	6.5
Brian Griese – CHI	vs MIN	11.6	4.4	6.0
Daunte Culpepper – OAK	at SD	11.2	4.6	5.8
Drew Brees – NO	at SEA	11.2	4.6	5.8
Steve McNair – BAL	vs STL	11.1	4.8	5.9
Jeff Garcia – TB	vs TEN	10.8	5.0	5.8
Cleo Lemon – MIA	at CLE	10.3	4.9	5.3
Chad Pennington – NYJ	vs PHI	10.3	5.2	5.5
David Carr – CAR	at ARI	9.9	5.4	5.3
Joey Harrington – ATL	vs NYG	9.7	5.5	5.3
Brodie Croyle – KC	vs CIN	9.6	4.5	4.1
Damon Huard – KC	vs CIN	9.6	5.4	5.0
Gus Frerotte – STL	at BAL	9.2	6.0	5.3
Tarvaris Jackson – MIN	at CHI	8.4	5.8	4.1
Byron Leftwich – ATL	vs NYG	8.0	5.5	3.6
Kelly Holcomb – MIN	at CHI	8.0	5.4	3.4
Josh McCown – OAK	at SD	7.2	5.3	2.5
Marc Bulger – STL	at BAL	2.5	8.4	0.9

 
Start:
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA (13.5 rating): Seattle’s offense as a whole was not able to get anything going against the Steelers. But up to that point Hass had been having a nice season, with seven touchdown passes in four games. One bad game against a good Pittsburgh defense is understandable. I expect a nice bounce-back game against the struggling Saints.

Sit:
Jeff Garcia, TB (10.8 rating): Garcia has been efficient for the Buccaneers this season. He’s only thrown four TDs but he has yet to throw an interception. I would expect a very pedestrian showing this week though, as the Bucs face off against Tennessee. The Titans’ pass defense has been strong, allowing only two touchdowns all year, while pulling down seven interceptions.
 

Running Backs	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Ronnie Brown – MIA	at CLE	16.6	2.1	8.7
LaDainian Tomlinson – SD	vs OAK	16.4	2.6	9.0
Willis McGahee – BAL	vs STL	15.2	3.1	8.3
Shaun Alexander – SEA	vs NO	14.4	3.5	7.9
Edgerrin James – ARI	vs CAR	14.1	3.6	7.7
Reggie Bush – NO	at SEA	13.8	3.7	7.5
Larry Johnson – KC	vs CIN	13.8	3.9	7.6
Brandon Jacobs – NYG	at ATL	13.4	3.9	7.3
Clinton Portis – WAS	at GB	13.4	4.2	7.5
Adrian Peterson – MIN	at CHI	13.2	4.3	7.5
Brian Westbrook – PHI	at NYJ	13.0	4.7	7.7
DeShaun Foster – CAR	at ARI	12.2	4.5	6.7
Marion Barber – DAL	vs NE	12.0	5.1	7.1
Sammy Morris – NE	at DAL	11.8	4.7	6.5
LenDale White – TEN	at TB	11.3	4.8	6.1
Derrick Ward – NYG	at ATL	11.2	5.0	6.1
Jamal Lewis – CLE	vs MIA	10.9	5.3	6.1
Earnest Graham – TB	vs TEN	10.7	5.2	5.9
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC	vs HOU	10.6	5.3	5.9
Thomas Jones – NYJ	vs PHI	10.6	5.2	5.8
Fred Taylor – JAC	vs HOU	10.1	5.2	5.3
Rudi Johnson – CIN	at KC	10.0	5.5	5.6
Warrick Dunn – ATL	vs NYG	10.0	5.1	5.1
Brian Leonard – STL	at BAL	9.8	6.0	5.8
Justin Fargas – OAK	at SD	9.8	5.3	5.1
Cedric Benson – CHI	vs MIN	9.8	5.6	5.4
DeAngelo Williams – CAR	at ARI	9.8	5.1	4.9
LaMont Jordan – OAK	at SD	9.7	5.7	5.4
Michael Turner – SD	vs OAK	9.6	5.4	5.0
DeShawn Wynn – GB	vs WAS	9.6	5.6	5.2
Kenny Watson – CIN	at KC	9.5	5.3	4.8
Chris Brown – TEN	at TB	9.5	5.4	4.9
Julius Jones – DAL	vs NE	9.4	5.7	5.1
Jerious Norwood – ATL	vs NYG	9.2	5.4	4.6
Jason Wright – CLE	vs MIA	9.0	5.3	4.3
Ahman Green – HOU	at JAC	8.8	5.9	4.7
Laurence Maroney – NE	at DAL	8.5	5.8	4.3
Chester Taylor – MIN	at CHI	8.4	5.7	4.1
Ron Dayne – HOU	at JAC	8.4	6.1	4.5
Ladell Betts – WAS	at GB	8.4	5.8	4.2
Correll Buckhalter – PHI	at NYJ	8.0	5.9	3.9
Leon Washington – NYJ	vs PHI	8.0	6.3	4.3
Vernand Morency – GB	vs WAS	7.6	6.4	4.0
Aaron Stecker – NO	at SEA	7.3	6.1	3.4
Maurice Morris – SEA	vs NO	7.0	6.6	3.6
Michael Bennett – KC	vs CIN	6.8	6.4	3.2
Jesse Chatman – MIA	at CLE	6.7	6.4	3.1
Brandon Jackson – GB	vs WAS	6.5	6.7	3.2
Adrian Peterson – CHI	vs MIN	6.5	6.8	3.3
Marcel Shipp – ARI	vs CAR	6.4	6.7	3.0
Reuben Droughns – NYG	at ATL	6.4	6.7	3.1
Musa Smith – BAL	vs STL	6.3	6.5	2.8
Greg Jones – JAC	vs HOU	6.2	6.8	3.0
Tony Hunt – PHI	at NYJ	6.0	6.7	2.7
Ken Darby – TB	vs TEN	6.0	7.1	3.1
Kevin Faulk – NE	at DAL	5.9	7.0	2.8
Mike Anderson – BAL	vs STL	5.8	6.8	2.6
Chris Henry – TEN	at TB	5.4	7.1	2.5
Samkon Gado – HOU	at JAC	5.3	7.5	2.8
Jerome Harrison – CLE	vs MIA	5.2	7.2	2.4

 
Start:
Willis McGahee, BAL (15.2 rating): McGahee has quietly had a very good start to the season for Baltimore. He has recorded over 100 total yards in each game this season. If he could only find the endzone more often he would be an elite fantasy RB. He has a great shot to do that this week against St. Louis. The Rams are 28th in the NFL against the run, and have given up a league-high eight rushing touchdowns this year.

Sit:
Cedric Benson, CHI (9.8 rating): Benson is not having the season many had hoped for when they drafted the former Longhorn. The 220 pounder has only managed 3.0 yards per carry, with two touchdowns. In Week 6, he’s got as tough a matchup as you can get in the Minnesota Vikings. Led by defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, the Vikes are allowing a league-best 62 yards per game on the ground. They have not given up a single rushing touchdown to date.
 

Wide Receivers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Randy Moss – NE	at DAL	16.2	2.7	8.9
Chad Johnson – CIN	at KC	16.0	2.7	8.8
Larry Fitzgerald – ARI	vs CAR	15.0	3.0	8.0
Plaxico Burress – NYG	at ATL	14.9	3.2	8.1
TJ Houshmandzadeh – CIN	at KC	14.4	3.4	7.8
Braylon Edwards – CLE	vs MIA	14.4	3.3	7.7
Donald Driver – GB	vs WAS	13.7	3.7	7.4
Steve Smith – CAR	at ARI	13.7	3.7	7.4
Terrell Owens – DAL	vs NE	13.7	3.9	7.5
Dwayne Bowe – KC	vs CIN	12.9	3.9	6.8
Laveranues Coles – NYJ	vs PHI	12.9	3.6	6.5
Chris Chambers – MIA	at CLE	12.8	3.4	6.3
Torry Holt – STL	at BAL	12.4	4.6	7.0
Vincent Jackson – SD	vs OAK	12.3	4.0	6.3
Bobby Engram – SEA	vs NO	12.2	4.2	6.4
Kevin Curtis – PHI	at NYJ	12.1	4.3	6.4
Derrick Mason – BAL	vs STL	12.0	4.3	6.3
Greg Jennings – GB	vs WAS	12.0	4.5	6.5
Jerricho Cotchery – NYJ	vs PHI	11.9	4.1	6.0
Joey Galloway – TB	vs TEN	11.6	4.6	6.2
Donte Stallworth – NE	at DAL	11.5	4.7	6.2
Wes Welker – NE	at DAL	11.3	4.5	5.9
Ronald Curry – OAK	at SD	11.3	4.5	5.8
Antwaan Randle El – WAS	at GB	11.3	4.7	6.0
Patrick Crayton – DAL	vs NE	11.2	4.8	6.0
Marques Colston – NO	at SEA	11.1	4.9	6.1
Anquan Boldin – ARI	vs CAR	11.1	5.2	6.3
Nate Burleson – SEA	vs NO	11.0	4.8	5.8
Dennis Northcutt – JAC	vs HOU	11.0	4.8	5.8
Andre Davis – HOU	at JAC	10.9	5.0	5.9
Bernard Berrian – CHI	vs MIN	10.7	4.5	5.2
Marty Booker – MIA	at CLE	10.6	4.6	5.2
Muhsin Muhammad – CHI	vs MIN	10.3	4.6	4.9
James Jones – GB	vs WAS	10.3	5.0	5.3
Reggie Brown – PHI	at NYJ	10.2	4.9	5.1
Jerry Porter – OAK	at SD	10.1	5.1	5.3
Roddy White – ATL	vs NYG	10.1	5.2	5.3
Brandon Jones – TEN	at TB	9.8	5.1	4.9
Amani Toomer – NYG	at ATL	9.8	5.3	5.1
Michael Jenkins – ATL	vs NYG	9.5	5.2	4.6
Devery Henderson – NO	at SEA	9.4	5.6	5.0
Roydell Williams – TEN	at TB	9.3	5.4	4.7
Joe Jurevicius – CLE	vs MIA	9.2	5.7	4.9
Santana Moss – WAS	at GB	9.2	5.9	5.1
Sidney Rice – MIN	at CHI	9.0	5.1	4.0
Troy Williamson – MIN	at CHI	8.6	5.9	4.5
Sammie Parker – KC	vs CIN	8.6	5.6	4.2
Andre Johnson – HOU	at JAC	8.6	6.1	4.7
Bryant Johnson – ARI	vs CAR	8.5	5.7	4.2
Bobby Wade – MIN	at CHI	8.3	5.6	3.9
Drew Bennett – STL	at BAL	8.3	5.9	4.2
Kevin Walter – HOU	at JAC	8.2	6.1	4.3
Reggie Williams – JAC	vs HOU	8.2	5.8	4.0
Eric Moulds – TEN	at TB	8.1	6.0	4.1
Mark Clayton – BAL	vs STL	8.1	5.8	3.9
Drew Carter – CAR	at ARI	8.0	6.0	4.0
Rashied Davis – CHI	vs MIN	7.9	5.6	3.5
Derek Hagan – MIA	at CLE	7.8	5.8	3.5
Ernest Wilford – JAC	vs HOU	7.8	6.0	3.8
Buster Davis – SD	vs OAK	7.8	6.0	3.8
Demetrius Williams – BAL	vs STL	7.6	6.2	3.8
Matt Jones – JAC	vs HOU	7.5	6.3	3.8
Brandon Lloyd – WAS	at GB	7.4	6.0	3.4
Antonio Chatman – CIN	at KC	7.3	6.3	3.7
Ike Hilliard – TB	vs TEN	7.3	6.5	3.7
DJ Hackett – SEA	vs NO	7.2	6.5	3.7
Jacoby Jones – HOU	at JAC	7.0	7.0	4.0
Terrance Copper – NO	at SEA	6.5	6.9	3.4
Dwayne Jarrett – CAR	at ARI	6.3	6.6	3.0
Jabar Gaffney – NE	at DAL	6.2	6.8	3.0
Isaac Bruce – STL	at BAL	6.1	7.5	3.6
Joe Horn – ATL	vs NYG	5.8	7.0	2.8
Michael Clayton – TB	vs TEN	5.8	7.2	2.9
Robert Meachum – NO	at SEA	5.4	7.2	2.6
Steve Smith – NYG	at ATL	4.5	7.8	2.2

 
Start:
Dwayne Bowe, KC (12.9 rating): I generally do not trust rookie wide receivers, but Bowe is certainly hot right now. The rookie has three touchdowns in five games, and has gone over 70 yards in each of his past three contests. And this week he plays a Cincinnati team that is the perfect matchup for a WR. A weak secondary means a good chance of putting up big numbers through the air, and a great offense means that Kansas City will likely have to throw the ball a lot to keep up. I see no reason for Bowe not to continue his hot start this week.

Sit:
Antwaan Randle El, WAS (11.3 rating): Randle El is starting to look like the receiver Washington paid all that money for last off-season. But this is not a good week to start him. He pulled his hamstring last week, and while he says he will be ready to play, I think there’s a good chance he is a late scratch this week. Even if he does suit up, he will likely to be limited, and he will be lining up against either Charles Woodson or Al Harris – two very good corners.
 

Tight Ends	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Antonio Gates – SD	vs OAK	16.4	2.6	9.0
Tony Gonzalez – KC	vs CIN	15.2	2.9	8.1
Jason Witten – DAL	vs NE	14.2	4.1	8.3
Kellen Winslow – CLE	vs MIA	13.8	3.9	7.7
Ben Watson – NE	at DAL	13.8	4.0	7.7
Jeremy Shockey – NYG	at ATL	13.6	4.4	8.0
Desmond Clark – CHI	vs MIN	12.9	3.8	6.7
Todd Heap – BAL	vs STL	11.8	5.3	7.0
Alge Crumpler – ATL	vs NYG	11.8	4.3	6.1
Greg Olsen – CHI	vs MIN	11.7	4.3	6.0
Chris Baker – NYJ	vs PHI	10.7	5.1	5.8
Owen Daniels – HOU	at JAC	10.6	5.3	5.9
Marcus Pollard – SEA	vs NO	10.3	5.0	5.3
Jeff King – CAR	at ARI	10.3	5.1	5.5
Chris Cooley – WAS	at GB	9.9	5.2	5.1
Donald Lee – GB	vs WAS	9.9	5.3	5.2
Bubba Franks – GB	vs WAS	9.8	5.6	5.4
Alex Smith – TB	vs TEN	9.8	5.8	5.6
Randy McMichael – STL	at BAL	9.1	5.7	4.8
Leonard Pope – ARI	vs CAR	9.0	5.3	4.3
Justin Peelle – MIA	at CLE	8.9	5.5	4.3
Eric Johnson – NO	at SEA	8.8	5.8	4.5
David Martin – MIA	at CLE	8.4	5.3	3.7
Marcedes Lewis – JAC	vs HOU	8.3	5.6	3.9
Bo Scaife – TEN	at TB	8.3	5.7	4.0
LJ Smith – PHI	at NYJ	8.1	6.0	4.1
Zach Miller – OAK	at SD	8.1	5.3	3.5
Visanthe Shiancoe – MIN	at CHI	7.9	5.5	3.4
Matt Schobel – PHI	at NYJ	7.9	5.6	3.5
Ben Troupe – TEN	at TB	7.4	6.2	3.5
George Wrighster – JAC	vs HOU	7.3	6.0	3.4
Reggie Kelly – CIN	at KC	6.8	6.5	3.3
Anthony Fasano – DAL	vs NE	6.0	6.6	2.6
Kyle Brady – NE	at DAL	5.9	7.0	3.0
Itula Mili – SEA	vs NO	5.5	7.1	2.6
Anthony Becht – TB	vs TEN	5.3	7.3	2.6
Jeb Putzier – HOU	at JAC	5.1	7.4	2.5

 
Start:
Desmond Clark, CHI (12.9 rating): In the two games since Brian Griese has taken over as the Bears’ starting quarterback, Clark has caught ten passes for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Coincidence? Possibly. But with all the players off this week, Clark is looking like a very viable option.

Sit:
Donald Lee, GB (9.9 rating): Lee has some potential, but as long as he shares the job with Bubba Franks he is going to be hit or miss each week. I think a miss is more likely this week against a Washington defense that is firing on all cylinders right now. The Skins are only allowing 13 points per game, tied for third in the NFL.
 

Kickers	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Matt Stover – BAL	vs STL	14.7	2.9	7.6
Stephen Gostkowski – NE	at DAL	14.2	3.5	7.7
Nate Kaeding – SD	vs OAK	14.1	3.3	7.4
Neil Rackers – ARI	vs CAR	14.0	3.2	7.2
Shayne Graham – CIN	at KC	13.9	3.2	7.1
Mason Crosby – GB	vs WAS	13.3	4.1	7.4
Josh Brown – SEA	vs NO	13.2	3.5	6.7
Lawrence Tynes – NYG	at ATL	13.0	3.7	6.7
Kris Brown – HOU	at JAC	13.0	4.1	7.0
Robbie Gould – CHI	vs MIN	13.0	3.8	6.8
Nick Folk – DAL	vs NE	12.8	4.4	7.3
Jay Feely – MIA	at CLE	12.7	3.7	6.4
David Akers – PHI	at NYJ	12.6	3.7	6.3
Phil Dawson – CLE	vs MIA	12.5	3.8	6.4
Shaun Suisham – WAS	at GB	12.0	4.0	6.1
Dave Rayner – KC	vs CIN	11.9	3.9	5.8
John Kasay – CAR	at ARI	11.9	4.1	6.0
Rob Bironas – TEN	at TB	11.4	4.7	6.1
John Carney – JAC	vs HOU	11.4	4.1	5.6
Jeff Wilkins – STL	at BAL	11.3	4.2	5.6
Olindo Mare – NO	at SEA	11.3	4.7	6.0
Morten Andersen – ATL	vs NYG	11.2	4.7	5.9
Matt Bryant – TB	vs TEN	11.0	4.7	5.7
Ryan Longwell – MIN	at CHI	10.9	4.6	5.5
Sebastian Janikowski – OAK	at SD	10.5	4.6	5.1
Mike Nugent – NYJ	vs PHI	10.5	5.0	5.5

 
Start:
Nate Kaeding, SD (14.1 rating): The disappointing Chargers finally got it together last week, as they pounded the Broncos 41-3. If they can sustain this kind of offensive production (or something close to it) Kaeding should be able to be put up great numbers from week to week.

Sit:
Jeff Wilkins, STL (11.3 rating): The Rams are bad right now. Really bad. Jeff Wilkins is a good kicker, but I just don’t see him getting very many opportunities with that banged up St. Louis offense. Especially not this week in Baltimore.
 

Team Defense	Opponent	Rating	Risk	Reward
Baltimore	vs STL	15.5	2.5	7.9
Chicago	vs MIN	15.3	3.2	8.5
Seattle	vs NO	14.9	3.1	8.0
Minnesota	at CHI	14.3	3.4	7.7
New York Giants	at ATL	14.0	3.5	7.5
San Diego	vs OAK	13.5	3.7	7.3
Philadelphia	at NYJ	13.3	3.5	6.9
New England	at DAL	12.6	4.8	7.3
Jacksonville	vs HOU	12.5	4.2	6.6
Arizona	vs CAR	12.1	4.2	6.3
Washington	at GB	11.8	4.6	6.4
Houston	at JAC	11.5	4.3	5.8
Green Bay	vs WAS	11.5	4.6	6.1
Tennessee	at TB	11.0	4.7	5.7
Tampa Bay	vs TEN	10.9	4.8	5.7
Cincinnati	at KC	10.3	4.4	4.7
Kansas City	vs CIN	9.8	5.9	5.7
Carolina	at ARI	9.7	5.3	5.0
New York Jets	vs PHI	9.3	5.4	4.7
Oakland	at SD	9.3	5.9	5.2
Dallas	vs NE	8.9	6.3	5.2
Cleveland	vs MIA	8.9	5.1	4.0
Miami	at CLE	8.5	6.1	4.6
Atlanta	vs NYG	8.5	5.9	4.4
New Orleans	at SEA	7.9	5.8	3.6
St. Louis	at BAL	7.6	5.6	3.2

 
Start:
New York Giants (14.0 rating): The Giants’ defense was pasted in the first two weeks of the season, but they have won three straight games since then, and we now know that the two teams they lost to (Dallas and Green Bay) have pretty good offenses. New York’s D showed what they were capable of when the shut down the Eagles in Week 4, thanks to an amazing 6-sack performance by Osi Umenyiora. Atlanta comes to town this week, with a struggling offense that the Giants should be able to capitalize on.

Sit:
Dallas (8.9 rating): The Patriots-Cowboys game this weekend is certainly one of the more intriguing matchups, but not for defensive reasons. The Pats and the Boys are #1 and #2 in the NFL in scoring, respectively. You aren’t going to want to have the Cowboys’ defense in your starting lineup against Tom Brady and Randy Moss.

 
Special thanks to SwiperNoSwiping, knapplc, treat24, dream_017, latraffic, PMoneyTKE, WaCougMBS, Jimboozie, Fatfoot, madaslives911, and SJNez46 for their rankings and involvement with this week's article. For more insights and additional fine-tuning, visit our Who to Start/Bench forum section or listen to The Coach's Voice on Fantasy Cafe Radio.
 

Rate this article: (26 votes, average: 4.27 out of 5)  Loading ... Questions or comments for Nick? Post them in the Cafe Forums! Want to write for the Cafe? Check out the Cafe's Pencil & Paper section!