Who to start? Week 6
by Josh Gaier
What players should you start for your fantasy team this week? Josh Gaier has the answers.
Week 6 of the fantasy football season has arrived, and teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Regardless of your current position, you’re still able to recover and have a shot for the playoffs; but, if you don’t start winning soon, you’ll quickly see your season vanish.
Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Despite the loss and playing with an injury, Rodgers put up a huge game Sunday against the Falcons. This weekend, Rodgers faces a woeful Seattle Seahawks defense that was torn apart by Eli Manning – even without his favorite target Plaxico Burress. With the Packers in desperate need of win, expect Rodgers to be on his “A” game. Ryan Grant has also been struggling this season, so expect Rodgers to air it out early and often. Add in the fact the ‘Hawks are a dreadful against the pass (25th in the league), and you should expect a big game from Rodgers and the Packers receivers.
Runner-Up: Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
Running Back: Thomas Jones, New York Jets
Jones started off the season with a boom against the Dolphins, but he has been mediocre ever since. Nevertheless, Jones is coming off a bye week for a Jets offense that can potentially be scary now that Favre knows the playbook. To make matters even better for the Jets offense and specifically Jones, he faces the Cincinnati Bengals rush defense that ranks 29th against the run. The Jets invested a ton of money into their offensive line this season, and coming off a bye week you should see that money put into full effect. Jones should be a must go this week in your No. 2 running back spot.
Runner-Up: Steve Slaton, Houston Texans
Wide Receiver: DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
Sunday, Jackson fell to reality after his stellar start to his young career. Although Jackson still doesn’t have the touchdown numbers you’d like to see as a fantasy owner, his numbers are still very impressive for a receiver with little expectations going into the season. This week, Jackson faces the 49ers, who haven’t been strong against the pass this season — they rank 19th. McNabb and the Eagles desperately need to get on track before they fall too far behind in an extremely tough NFC East. Knowing this is a must-win game, expect McNabb to sling the ball around, targeting Jackson repeatedly on Sunday.
Runner-Up: Jericho Cotchery, New York Jets
Tight End: Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Daniels hasn’t gotten off to the start that he and the Texans were hoping for, but a large part of that is because of the Texans’ brutal opening schedule. Although Miami isn’t quite the push over many expected heading into the season, they are still a match better match-up for the Texans offense than the teams they played the previous weeks. Daniels should be able to celebrate his first touchdown of the season Sunday, as the Texans play host to the Miami Dolphins.
Runner-Up: Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders
Defense: Washington Redskins
The Redskins have been on a roll since their opening weekend loss to the Giants and go up against arguably the worst teams in the league this week — the St. Louis Rams. Riding high on momentum after their surging victories over the Cowboys and the Eagles, expect the Redskins to have relative ease against the inept Rams offense. Although the Rams have weapons, it doesn’t seem like they are going to get back on track anytime soon. Expect the Redskins defense to continue their domination against a Rams team that starts the Jim Haslett era on Sunday.
Runner-Up: Chicago Bears
Top Five Fantasy Players at Each Position:
Quarterback
1. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
3. Brett Favre, New York Jets
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants
5. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
Running Backs
1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
2. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
3. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
5. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins
Wide Receivers
1. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
3. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
4. Brandon Marhshall, Denver Broncos
5. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
Tight Ends
1. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
4. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
5. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
Defenses
1. Minnesota Vikings
2. New York Giants
3. Washington Redskins
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. Green Bay Packers