Fantasy Football 415: Week 6 Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em

A post by "Cousin Dave " To see more posts click here

All right people – we’re officially a 1/3 of the way through the fantasy football season now. We’ve played 5 games, going on Week 6, and if you’re sitting above .500 then you’re probably ahead of the curve. If you’re below .500, then you need to start considering your options or find a lucky horseshoe or two. I wouldn’t really panic either way right now until after this week. I’ve witnessed a team go 0-7 and then win the next 8 games to make the playoffs with the last playoff berth and win out. That’s rare form, but it happens. Use your better judgement and make sure that you do not put yourself in that position or you may want to just start thinking about next year.

As I am sure many of you have noticed, there have been many many injuries this year on both sides of the ball. What’s that mean to you? Well, unless your stud has been placed on IR, then hold on to him until he returns. You want to make your big push for the playoffs late in the season when injured players start to return and usually their teams are out of the playoffs; which means your starters won’t be sitting the bench waiting for their real playoff games to begin at the end of the season. This also means you may need to “handcuff” a player. What’s a “handcuff”? It’s basically holding on to the starter and his back up. Generally you do not want to do this in deeper leagues (12+ teams), but if we’re talking about players where their offense revolves around their position, which is usually the running back position (i.e.: Brian Westbrook or Frank Gore), then you definitely want to make sure you invest wisely in LeSean McCoy and Glenn Coffee. All of this is determined on a player case-by-case basis. However, if I were you, I would even consider grabbing a starter’s backup that could give you the edge to pull off some wins during these Bye weeks where you may not be able to fill a complete lineup.

Also consider the “buy-low” option. Buying low simply means that obviously a player is not performing up to their standard, and so you propose to trade for that player in hopes that they will eventually step their game up.

Think about it…It could help you in the long run… Let’s get to it…

RUNNING BACKS

START Cedric Benson (RB, CIN) – Benson is having himself one hell of a year. He leads all running backs (yes, even Adrian Peterson) in yards from scrimmage and absolutely dominated against the Ravens DEF last week running for over 100 yards and a score. This guy isn’t going to slow down – without a doubt, he’s going to have the best year of his career; trade for him if you can.. He plays HOU this week at home and you can expect that his effort thus far will be rewarded with another healthy dose of touches against the 28th worst rushing defense in the league.

START Matt Forte (RB, CHI) – Forte turned it on in Week 4 before his Bye week last week for 121 yards and a score on the ground. Of course he was playing against the Lions, but that could be just the confidence-builder he needed to get himself back on track for fantasy purposes. Chicago plays Atlanta this Sunday night and even though they are on the road, Cutler will need to make great use of Forte on the ground this weekend in order to avoid a top 10 pass rushing defense in the ATL.

SIT Willis McGahee (RB, BAL) – McGahee hasn’t exactly produced since week 3 as many were hoping he would keep that consistency all year. If you thought he would become a TD vulture, aka LenDale White of 2008, then you are sadly mistaken. Ray Rice has emerged as the powerfully, speedy, receiving 3rd-down useful running back that everyone who drafted him hoped he would become (that includes me). It’s too big of a gamble to assume that McGahee will be used as a goal line back this week v. MINN. The Ravens will want to make use of their aerial attack with their more versatile running back in Rice to keep Minnesota on their heels.

SIT Jamal Lewis/Jerome Harrison (RB, CLE) – It really doesn’t matter who starts in this match up. Both of these running backs will not prove to be useful this weekend v. PITT. What you saw from Lewis last week may be useful later on this season if you need a flex spot play or a Bye week fill in, but don’t expect much this week.

Other notable RB’s to START: Ryan Grant v. DET, Brian Westbrook/LeSean McCoy v. OAK, Clinton Portis v. KC, Ladainian Tomlinson v. DEN, Julius Jones v. ARI, Kevin Smith v. GB

Other notable RB’s to SIT: Sammy Morris v. TENN (unless PPR), Marshawn Lynch v. NYJ, Pierre Thomas v. NYG, Larry Johnson v. WAS

WIDE RECEIVERS

START Santana Moss (WR, WAS) – I know it’s a gamble to start a Redskin player with how their team has performed a Dr. Jeckyl/Mr. Hyde act week to week.  However, I am hopeful that they have figured out that Jason Campbell can throw the ball to this guy this week against the 30th ranked pass rushing/receiving defense in the league. Moss has great speed and can make plays after the catch – I expect to see all of that this weekend.

START Hines Ward (WR, PITT) - You can count on Ward, Big Ben’s #1 target, and the Steelers offense putting up more than 3 points against Cleveland this week. Very, very friendly match up against the Browns.

SIT Devin Hester (WR, CHI) – While Hester is known as their deep threat, Cutler has not recognized any one receiver on his team yet as his “go-to-guy.” Do not expect much else other than a lot of check downs from Cutler against ATL and their top 10 pass rushing/receiving defensive scheme.

SIT Vincent Jackson (WR, SD) – Did anyone catch my article last week about sitting Randy Moss versus DEN’s receiving/pass rush defense? Anyone? If you didn’t, I told you to sit Randy Moss against Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. I was right and you probably suffered the consequences of going against my better judgement. This week, it’s quite the same story for Jackson. Now, I do expect Jackson to get his looks of course and San Diego must get their playmakers involved, but I advise caution once more. Just expect a big risk/hopeful reward if you do play him.

Other notable WR’s to START: Burleson/Houshmandzadeh v. ARI, Donnie Avery v. JAX, Fitzgerald/Boldin v. SEA, Greg Jennings v. DET, Antonio Bryant v. CAR

Other notable WR’s to SIT: Dwayne Bowe v. WAS, Mohamed Massaquoi v. PITT, Derrick Mason v. MINN, Terrell Owens v. NYJ

As usual – feel free to share your START ‘Em/ SIT ‘Em match ups… Good luck in Week 6!…udothedishes…