Fantasy Football Week 6: New Faces Emerging
By Tim Bearden in News on Oct 15, 2011 8:00PM
You did it. You survived your first NFL bye week. Now that you’ve successfully navigated around the minefield that is the “bye,” it’s time to do it again. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though, assuming you made the right moves to beef up your roster.
Last week some new faces came across the big stage and owners should be monitoring their stats and availability. Unfortunately some of them are on a bye this week, such as the Broncos newly named starting quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow came in the second half of last week’s game against the Chargers and nearly helped his team get the win. He only completed 4 of his 10 pass attempts, but one was for a touchdown and Tebow ran one into the endzone himself. If he’s not on your radar, he should be, but not quite acquirable yet. Another up and comer would be the Seattle Seahawks undrafted rookie leading receiver Doug Baldwin, who is one reception ahead of Sidney Rice so far this season. Baldwin may be good for the Seahawks, but he might not be good for Rice owners. Not that I expect Rice to disappear altogether, but Baldwin is proving himself as a talented receiver who owners should be trying to get.
But we always have the advantages of bye weeks too, such as giving players like Miles Austin of the Cowboys an extra week to rest their injuries. Austin hasn’t played much yet this season due to his hamstring, but his injury didn’t deter fantasy owners from keeping him on their rosters. He’s looking probable against the Patriots this week. And that’s good news for many fantasy owners because the Patriots are ranked 32nd against the pass. Austin and Dez Bryant should be able to put up some nice numbers again this week.
On byes this week: Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans.
Now let’s see who should be starting for your team this week:
Starts:
1. Tom Brady (QB) - At the risk of sounding redundant Brady should always be starting. He can make plays other quarterbacks could only dream of. Despite not being able to solely rely on Welker last week against the Jets, Brady was able to spread the field and keep his team on top.
2. Cam Newton (QB) - Newton still hasn’t folded under the pressure, in fact he’s thrived. He looks cool and poised in the pocket, which is saying something for a rookie starting quarterback. Newton just recently set the record for being the first NFL quarterback to run and throw for five touchdowns in his first five games. His match up against a floundering Falcons defense is favorable this week.
3. [HIGH-RISK] Arian Foster (RB) - While it’s hard to tell fans to sit a guy like Foster, it’s also hard to tell them to start him against a tough Ravens defense. He generally should always be a fantasy starter and this game should be no different, but just realize he may not put up the points you’re expecting. He didn't last week after all.
4. Wes Welker (WR) - Welker didn’t have a big week last week when you compare his stats to the previous weeks, but he was still productive. He had his fourth 100-yard game in five games and is leading the NFL with 45 receptions for 740 yards and five touchdowns. This is his best season yet with New England.
5. Miles Austin (WR) - Yes, he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but he’s self-declared 100 percent and ready to go against the Patriots this week. His official status is probable, but do expect him to play on Sunday.
6. Aaron Rogers (QB) - Rogers is looking unflappable this season and is going against a Rams defense that has been less than impressive. He currently is tied with Brady for touchdowns with 14 a piece and has the highest passer ranking in the league at 122.9.
7. Jimmy Graham (TE) - Greg Olsen is usually on the tight end list to start, but Graham is the leading receiver on the Saints with 48 targets in five games, the most of any receiver in Brees’ six-year stint with the Saints. He has 32 receptions for 496 yards.
8. [ALT] Daniel Thomas (RB) - At first, Reggie Bush seemed to be the star running back of the team, but he’s been a disappointment. Daniel Thomas though should get some good looks on Monday against the Jets, who are struggling against strong rushing offenses. He’s officially questionable for Monday’s game, but all signs point to him playing.
9. [ALT] Dustin Keller (TE) - The Dolphins v. tight ends numbers favor the tight end giving up the second most fantasy points to the position. If Sanchez connects with Keller he could have a big game. Keller hasn’t seen much work and only had one reception for seven yards last week, but this is a good match up for him to be in this week. He should fill the gap Antonio Gates has left this bye week.
10. Calvin Johnson (WR) - Megatron put up some big numbers against the Bears and continues to be one of Matt Stafford’s favorite receivers. Once he gets into the open field, there’s almost no stopping him. He is a gem for fantasy owners this season.
Sits:
1. Brandon Marshall (WR) - The former Broncos star has fallen between the cracks in the Dolphins offense. They haven’t figured out a way to utilize him and they’re going up against a tough Jets secondary starring Darelle Revis, who will be covering Marshall. Don’t waste the space on your roster.
2. Kendall Hunter (RB) - If last week didn’t wake you up and show that Frank Gore is determined to be the permanent starter, then maybe you should this week. Hunter’s fantasy value is on the downswing now that Gore is putting up the numbers he should be. Keep him in case the injury prone Gore goes down again, but right now he’s just a roster filler.
3. Ben Tate (RB) - He’s in the same boat as Hunter. The leading running back for the Texans is and will always be Foster, unless he for some reason leaves the team. But don’t expect that this season. Foster will get the majority of carries and Tate will stay in the back-up role. He may not be worth a roster spot anymore this season.
4. Jay Cutler (QB) - Cutler and the Vikings have a sorted history together and while the Vikings aren’t looking good, they’re at least moderate against the pass. Plus Cutler’s offensive line seems to dissolve more and more each week. He may still have a good game, but his erratic throwing doesn’t make him worth the risk.
5. Santana Moss (WR) - Yes, Moss is a great receiver. Yes, he can usually put up a
decent amount of points for your team. But this week he’s going against Philadelphia who is stingy to passers and receivers. While I like him and think he’s usually a starter, someone else may be more advantageous for you this week.
6. DeAngelo Williams (RB) - Williams defied his stats so far this season with a big game last week against the Saints, but I don’t expect too much else out of him. That may be his best game of the season. Don’t waste a roster spot on him this week. Wait until his numbers are on a definite upswing.
7. Hines Ward (WR) - You may be ready to put him back in your line-up, but don’t just yet. He had a big week last week, but I’m hesitant to think a repeat performance against the Jaguars is an option. Give him another week to prove his fantasy worth again.
8. Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB) - The Buffalo Bills quarterback has had a couple of setbacks in the last couple of games not putting up the numbers he had been. I don’t see much of a change this week as the Bills take on the Giants, who are among the best of the league against quarterbacks. Fitzpatrick still has some maturing to do and he’s shown that in last two games. Don’t expect Sunday to be any different.
9. Vikings (D/ST) - I know I said not to start Cutler, but it’s not the quarterback the Vikings are mediocre against. It’s the run and after the past two weeks with running success, don’t expect the Bears to change their offense that much.
10. LeGarrette Blount (RB) - He’s listed as doubtful to play this week with a knee injury. He has put up great fantasy numbers and his match up this week is quite favorable, but they’re reporting he may be out for 1-2 weeks with this injury. Don’t expect him to play on Sunday.
Those are your top 10 starts and sits for week 6. Check back here next Saturday for week 7’s list.
Follow me on Twitter (@tdbearden) to get fantasy sports updates on Sundays from 10 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. I will also be live tweeting and welcome your last minute sit/start questions! Also follow hashtag #CFF.