I will not be adding or removing anyone from 'Studs' list this week. There are players on the verge of being added and being removed, but I'd like to see a little bit more either way before I make a move. But the season continues to march on, so let's take a look at Week 6's Start/Bench.
QUARTERBACKS
STUDS
Tom Brady
Drew Brees *Bye*
Robert Griffin III *Concussion - Should play*
Eli Manning
Peyton Manning
Cam Newton *Bye*
Aaron Rodgers
Ben Roethlisberger
Matt Ryan
Matthew Stafford
START
Kevin Kolb, Arizona vs. Buffalo: If you've got Kevin Kolb on your roster this is the game you've been waiting for as Buffalo is the most generous team in fantasy versus quarterbacks having given up 1,454 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, while only collecting four interceptions. And if that's not enough to convince you to put Kolb into your starting lineup, keep in mind that the Bills have allowed both Mark Sanchez, yes, the Mark Sanchez about to be replaced by Tim Tebow, and Alex Smith, yes, the Alex Smith who loses snaps to the Tebow-like Colin Kaepernick, to both throw for three touchdowns in a game this year. I think that's what my high school English teacher used to refer to as a run-on sentence. Whatever that means.
Matt Schaub, Houston vs. Green Bay: From game-manager one week to game-changer the next. That's the new version of Matt Schaub. He won't be asked to carry the offense like he used to in years past but when the matchup is right, like in Week 3 when he passed for four touchdowns versus the Broncos, he can be elite. This week he'll be facing a Packers defense that has allowed a combined 808 yards passing and five touchdown passes over the last two weeks. Look for Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson to get back on track after a subpar Week 5 versus the Jets.
Michael Vick, Philadelphia vs. Detroit: What do you get the quarterback who just can't seem to hang on to the football? How about a date with the Detroit Lions! The Lions have been very respectable versus opposing quarterbacks having only allowed 913 passing yards and five touchdowns in four games. But while they've held opposing QBs in check, they've only forced one turnover from the quarterback position, a Week 3 fumble by Jake Locker. Should the stars align and the Lions defense not harass Vick into any turnovers, this could be the breakout game of 2012 for the man with Teflon hands.
BENCH
Russell Wilson, Seattle vs. New England: Wilson is here just in case you were thinking about getting cute and starting him versus a Patriots defense that has allowed 1,077 passing yards and 10 touchdowns via the air over the last three weeks. Jake Locker and Kevin Kolb combined for only 412 passing yards and two touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2. Wilson has thrown five of his six interceptions in the last two weeks so look for New England to bring heavy pressure early and often.
Tony Romo, Dallas at Baltimore: The Ravens are giving up an average of 274 passing yards per game but have only allowed two touchdown passes while picking off six passes. Romo has been averaging 287 passing yards per game while throwing five touchdown passes and eight interceptions. So this is a game where we can expect Romo to throw for decent yardage but to have a 2:1 interception to touchdown ratio. And if you're OK with that, go ahead and start him.
Ryan Tannehill, Miami vs. St. Louis: I shouldn't have to tell you not to start Tannehill but there still seems to be a lot of buzz over his 431 passing yard performance back in Week 4 versus Arizona. The same 'glow' seems to be following Brian Hartline. But this week, the Dolphins will be facing a Rams defense that has only allowed two passing touchdowns this season, none since Week 2, while picking off eight passes. Tannehill will throw out the occasional big game but don't spend your fantasy season trying to figure out in which games those rare performances will occur.
RUNNING BACKS
STUDS
Reggie Bush
Jamaal Charles
Arian Foster
Frank Gore
Maurice Jones-Drew *Bye*
Marshawn Lynch
LeSean McCoy
Darren McFadden
Alfred Morris
Ray Rice
START
Donald Brown, Indianapolis at New York Jets: Brown has had a very quiet season thus far, having rushed for only 239 yards and one touchdown. But expect that all to change this weekend as Christmas comes early in the form of the New York Jets. The Jets have given up 723 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in five games to open the season. After throwing 55 passes last week versus the Packers, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will more than happily hand the ball off to Brown and allow him to do the heavy lifting this week.
Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh at Tennessee: Well, that didn't take long. Even though the carries for Week 5 were split relatively even between Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, 14 to 13, respectively, it was Mendenhall who proved to be the better back averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Mendenhall also scored the Steelers' lone rushing touchdown. There appears to have not been any setbacks from his first game back, so look for his workload to increase as the weeks go on.
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City: Martin has gotten off to a disappointing start but a date with the Chiefs defense is just what's needed to get Martin off and running, literally. Bucs coach Greg Schiano knows that Martin is struggling and will do everything he can to get him on track as they face a Kansas City defense that has allowed three of the last four teams they've played to rush for over 100 yards. The Bucs had a bye week to get everything in order and it should show this week.
BENCH
Arizona Backfield, Arizona vs. Buffalo: Who is the starter? William Powell? La'Rod Stephens-Howling? Alfonso Smith? Powell would have been the logical choice but he appears to have suffered a concussion. And even if we did know who the starter is, would it matter? The Cardinals offensive line has been brutal, rarely opening up any holes for Cardinal runners. If you're in need of help at running back it makes good sense to pick up one, or two, of these guys, but you may want to wait and see how things shake out before inserting them into your lineup.
Steven Jackson, St. Louis at Miami: Jackson has gotten off to a brutal start as he's rushed for only 271 yards and has failed to find the end zone. Meanwhile, rookie Daryl Richardson has looked good in spot duty and has even overtaken more publicized rookie, Isaiah Pead, for the right to backup Jackson. The Dolphins have allowed only 267 yards rushing in five games and haven't allowed a touchdown since Week 1. Given where you drafted Jackson it hurts to sit him, but you and I both know it's the right thing to do.
Green Bay Backfield, Green Bay at Houston: Much like Arizona, the Packers are dealing with a backfield in flux after learning that Cedric Benson will be sidelined for at least eight weeks with a Lisfranc injury. Although second year back, Alex Green, is atop the depth chart there doesn't appear to be much faith in him at this time. There is talk of making James Starks active this week as well as the presence of Brandon Saine. Green is the back to own, but you'd be taking a huge risk by starting him this week.
WIDE RECEIVERS
STUDS
Marques Colston *Bye*
Victor Cruz
Larry Fitzgerald
AJ Green
Percy Harvin
Vincent Jackson
Andre Johnson
Calvin Johnson
Brandon Marshall *Bye*
Jordy Nelson
Hakeem Nicks
Steve Smith(CAR )*Bye*
Mike Wallace
Wes Welker
Roddy White
START
Andrew Hawkins, Cincinnati at Cleveland: While Hawkins will always play second fiddle to AJ Green, there should be plenty to go around this week as the Browns have allowed 1,065 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers. Hawkins has reeled in 20-of-32 targets and is on pace for 941 yards and six touchdowns. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis struggling on the ground look for the Bengals to go up top in order to win this game. I know Ahmad Bradshaw had a big week versus the Browns last week, but BJGE ain't Bradshaw.
Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City at Tampa Bay: While the Buccaneers have only allowed three receiving touchdowns to opposing wide receivers they have allowed the second most receiving yards at 1,076. The Bucs are stout versus the run having only allowed 251 rushing yards on the season. It appears that Brady Quinn will get the start over an injured Matt Cassel thus making this a risky play, not that Cassel was lighting it up. But regardless of who was under center for the Chiefs, this game is going to be won via the air.
Torrey Smith, Baltimore vs. Dallas: This is a gut-call as Dallas is the stingiest fantasy defense versus wide receivers in the league having allowed only 515 receiving yards and two touchdowns. But stats will show that Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco performs better at home. Flacco has thrown six of his seven touchdown passes at home (3 games) while only throwing one touchdown pass in two road games. The Cowboys defense should be able to handle Anquan Boldin as the Ravens look to get the ball into the hands of their big-play receiver, Torrey Smith.
BENCH
Any Colts' Wide Receiver not named Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis at New York Jets: As was mentioned up above under the Donald Brown analysis, the Colts will not need to throw the ball in order to win this game and will rely on Brown and the rest of the Colts running backs to bring home the victory.
Domenik Hixon, New York Giants at San Francisco: The Giants will be facing a San Francisco defense that is the fifth toughest versus opposing wide receivers in fantasy. While the 49ers have given up 660 receiving yards they have only allowed one touchdown to opposing wide receivers. And with Hakeem Nicks due back this week, exactly how much production can we expect to trickle down to the Giants' No. 3 wide receiver?
Mike Williams, Tampa Bay vs. Kansas City: There are three reasons for benching Williams this week. 1) The Chiefs defense is one of the ten best in fantasy versus wide receivers. 2) The Chiefs have...
Start/Bench - Week 6 fantasysharks.comWed 10/10/12 9:06 AM