Week 6 is here and brings a bunch of potentially lopsided match ups. Boy there are some bad NFL teams. Well, this is the week to exploit some of these matchups. Here's this week's list.
Lock In QB:
Note: There are a lot of good QB matchups this week and you almost can't go wrong. Here's a couple that fall outside the usual starting group that you should consider.
Matt Hasselbeck vs. Arizona - Hasselbeck returned last week to the tune of three TDs. It's time to consider him again this week with another great match up.
Eli Manning @ New Orleans - His injury is nothing to be worried about. He only played a limited amount last week, but didn't need to versus an inferior opponent. This week, in the battle of NFC elites, he'll play the whole game and will be asked to win it. The running game will be a big part of the Giants success, but Manning will eventually need to throw the ball to win.
Ben Roethlisberger vs. Cleveland - The Steelers will dominate the Browns and Big Ben will get the bulk of his scoring in early. Expect a nice day from Big Ben, like in the neighborhood of 200+ yards and 2-3 TDs.
Lock Out QB:
David Garrard vs. St. Louis - Be careful here, yes the match up is enticing. Last week Garrard had a good match up and made my Lock In list and proceeded to lay a goose egg. I want to see more consistent production in the Jags passing game in back-to-back weeks before I'll endorse Garrard again.
Mark Sanchez vs. Buffalo - Just like Garrard, this match up is enticing. However, Sanchez has regressed somewhat and is having some growing pains. Until he produces at a more consistent level, I'm going to find other options.
Kerry Collins @ New England - Collins was named the starting quarterback still. However, his performance and the entire performance of the Titans has been awful. Therefore, keep Collins out of your lineup altogether.
Lock In RB:
Cedric Benson vs. Houston - Benson has been on my list in both a lock in and lock out capacity a lot. But, after his 100+ yard performance against a stout Ravens defense last week, he's earned his lock in spot versus a much weaker Texans squad. Benson has been the key to the Bengals new found success. Count on him for 100 yard this week.
Clinton Portis vs. Kansas City - I have bashed Portis multiple times (and rightfully so) and I still say Portis is someone you should shop if you own him. But, this week, he gets the Chiefs who are yielding 130+ yards per game. Plus, Portis OWNS the Chiefs. In 2003, he scored five TDs against them. Don't expect that, but do count on his first 100 yard game of the year and a score. That's good enough for me.
Kevin Smith @ Green Bay - Smith has been a nice, consistent player for most teams. While he has ebbs and flows, he is still worthy of a start most weeks. This week, he could amass 100 total yards and play a role in the receiving game which makes him especially good for PPR leagues.
Lock Out RB:
Jamal Lewis @ Pittsburgh - Lewis returned to action last week. This is no reason to celebrate. Lewis plays for an awful team who can't score and plays a familiar, yet fantastic defense.
Reggie Bush vs. New York Giants - I've heard some experts say Bush could be the key to the Saints victory. That might be true but I'd rather him potentially go off (likely in the passing game) than risk putting him in the lineup and getting nothing. To me, the reward does not outweigh the risk on Bush this week.
Michael Bush vs. Philadelphia - He was one of the most added players in fantasy and yes he's a starter. His value stops there however as he plays for the worst team in the NFL and has a terrible match up in the Eagles defense.
Lock In WR:
Eddie Royal @ San Diego - Here's my surprise player of the week. He's likely been on your bench. This would be a great week to play him. Royal is coming off a 10-catch performance and gets a Charger defense that is quite pedestrian.
Santana Moss vs. Kansas City - Moss is a receiver who is just outside of the WR2-level but this week he falls squarely in the solid WR2 arena with a nice match up versus the Chiefs.
Greg Jennings vs. Detroit - Jennings owners have been quite frustrated. He was drafted as a WR1 and has not lived up to that. This week he gets back on track with an elite performance.
Lock Out WR:
Terrell Owens @ New York Jets - The TO experiment in Buffalo has not worked. I've actually seen TO dropped in some fantasy leagues. There's good reason for that. I wouldn't drop him, but I certainly wouldn't start him at this point.
Bernard Berrian vs. Baltimore - Minnesota battles the Ravens in a game that should be a low scoring, run-first game. Berrian will see a lot of Ed Reed and therefore, I think Favre will be savvy enough to look elsewhere.
Mohammad Massaquoi @ Pittsburgh - Massaquoi was started in 44% of leagues last week after his coming out game two weeks versus the Bengals. The friendly match up of the Bills last week yielded no points for the Browns #1 WR. Being the Browns #1 WR is enough reason to not start him again.
Lock In TE:
Owen Daniels @ Cincinnati - Despite a resurgent defense, the Bengals always seem to struggle with tight ends. Last week, the Bengals yielded 7 catches to Todd Heap. Daniels is a better receiver than Heap, so expect lots of looks and catches for the Texans' tight end.
Jermichael Finley vs. Detroit - A sneaky start this week for Finley as he has a friendly match up against the Lions who's linebackers don't scare anyone.
Kellen Winslow vs. Carolina - Winslow proved that he can still be a starting TE for fantasy squads with his performance last week. He has a friendly match up this week and I think he'll be an intregral part of the offense.
Lock Out TE:
Todd Heap @ Minnesota - He had an average day last week (better in PPR formats) and this week, I think he'll put up worse numbers. If your league is not PPR, then Heap is definitely a lock out.
Zach Miller vs. Philadelphia - Here's what I said last week, and it's perfect again this: Two words is all I need to say to get you to move Miller to your bench: Jamarcus Russell.
44bf64a5-0286-4c9f-a034-a7966aad71e2|2|5.0
Fantasy Football
fantasy advice, lineup locks, week 6