Fantasy Football Matchups

Fantasy Football Matchups - Week 6

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In our weekly Fantasy Football Matchups series, Dan Croop will analyze all of the NFL games on the slate that week and rate the fantasy players in each matchup. Look for this series Friday of every week, with the Thursday night game getting its own analysis every Wednesday.

 

Byes: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville

 

 

 

Steelers: It does get easier, Pittsburgh passing game fans and fantasy owners. While the Eagles shut down the Steelers’ passing game for the most part in week five, the matchup gets easier this week against a Tennessee defense that let the Vikings both pass and run all over them last week. Play all of your Steelers! Yes, that includes Rashard Mendenhall, who looked good in his first action of the season in week five. I have Mendenhall as a low-end number two back this week. All the regulars are must-starts, and even Heath Miller is a good bye week replacement in some Thursday night action.

 

Ben Roethlisberger ****

Rashard Mendenhall ***

Mike Wallace ****

Antonio Brown ****

Heath Miller ***

Shaun Suisham ***

Pittsburgh DEF ****

 

Titans: And for the Titans, the matchup gets worse. While some thought the return of Matt Hasselbeck to the offense would be good news for the Titans, it was actually quite the opposite. Chris Johnson continues to disappoint and would be nowhere near my starting lineup this week unless I absolutely need him. It’s hard to trust any of the receivers right now. They’re all probably equal shots in the dark. The only person on this squad that I look at and say I might start would be tight end Jared Cook, who is quietly having a decent season. With a couple fantasy relevant tight ends on a bye this week (Jimmy Graham and Greg Olsen), I have no problem going with Cook as a fill-in.

 

Matt Hasselbeck *

Chris Johnson **

Kenny Britt **

Nate Washington **

Kendall Wright **

Jared Cook ***

Rob Bironas ***

Tennessee DEF *

 

 

Raiders: Coming off a bye, the Raiders have to re-establish the DMac Attack for their offensive to be effective. I’d assume that will happen considering how well the Redskins ran against the Falcons last week. Carson Palmer is a desperation play this week, but he should at least get plenty of reps trying to play catch up against the Falcons. I have Darrius Heyward-Bey as a low-end number three this week, which should be good enough to be a bye week fill-in.

 

Carson Palmer **

Darren McFadden ****

Darrius Heyward-Bey **

Denarius Moore *

Brandon Myers *

Sebastian Janikowski ***

Oakland DEF *

 

Falcons: So it continues. Start them all until they cool off, which frankly, they might not. Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez are all firmly in must-start territory. It’s not complicated. Take into account the matchup, as well. Oakland hasn’t been able to stop any aspect of any offense. This could be the biggest blowout this season.

 

Matt Ryan *****

Michael Turner ***

Roddy White *****

Julio Jones *****

Tony Gonzalez *****

Matt Bryant ****

Atlanta DEF ***

 

Cincinnati at Cleveland

 

Bengals: So was it more Miami’s defense or Cincinnati’s own offensive implosion that doomed them in week five? No, seriously, I’m asking you. Regardless of the answer, we know this matchup dictates some must-starts. Andy Dalton is a great option to replace a quarterback with a bye this week. BenJarvus Green-Ellis needs to at least be a flex for you, unless your running back depth is ridiculous. A.J. Green are definitely must-starts, and it’s not just because of the matchup. This should be another high-scoring affair, as most games against the Browns are.

 

Andy Dalton ***

BenJarvus Green-Ellis ***

A.J. Green *****

Andrew Hawkins **

Jermaine Gresham ****

Mike Nugent ****

Cincinnati DEF ***

 

Browns: Well, at least the offense looked good last week. That being said, we’ve learned enough about the Browns through the first five weeks of the season. There’s only one guy from this bunch that you want to play, and his name is Trent Richardson. He looked great against the Giants, but he was limited later in the game due to Cleveland playing from behind and passing almost every play. Richardson is already a stud and should be started every week.

 

Brandon Weeden **

Trent Richardson *****

Josh Gordon *

Greg Little *

Benjamin Watson *

Phil Dawson ***

Cleveland DEF *

 

St. Louis at Miami

 

Rams: The good news for the Rams is that they dominated a previously undefeated team. The bad news for fantasy owners is that it was mostly due to their defense. And, of course, they lost Danny Amendola to a broken clavicle. Steer clear of the entire Rams passing game until the situation resolves itself a little bit. The good news is that the little bit that Cincinnati ran on Miami last week was somewhat successful. And since Steven Jackson is far superior to any Bengals running back, he is at least a low-end number two option this week.

 

Sam Bradford **

Steven Jackson ***

Brandon Gibson *

Chris Givens *

Lance Kendricks *

Greg Zuerlein ****

St. Louis DEF ****

 

Dolphins: Even though Reggie Bush wasn’t as much of a threat as usual, he still had even touches to provide fantasy owners with a productive day. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, he’s just about the only one worth a definite start, especially this week against a very good St. Louis defense. Brian Hartline is worth starting at a number three receiving spot, but don’t rely on him for anything near what he did in week four. I’d even be happy if he put up his numbers from week five (4-59-0).

 

Ryan Tannehill *

Reggie Bush ****

Brian Hartline ***

Davone Bess **

Anthony Fasano *

Dan Carpenter ***

Miami DEF ***

 

 

 

Colts: Vick Ballard’s first start finally arrives! Just kidding, but not because of him. I have high hopes for Ballard, who is a far superior talent to Donald Brown. He just doesn’t have a good matchup this week against the Jets. Andrew Luck has become a borderline, every week starter. Reggie Wayne is a definite must-start. Coby Fleener is also in that borderline range. I’d consider him more of a high-end number two in standard leagues.

 

Andrew Luck ***

Vick Ballard **

Reggie Wayne ****

Donnie Avery **

Coby Fleener ***

Adam Vinatieri ****

Indianapolis DEF ***

 

Jets: Yikes. I don’t think I hate another offense more than that of the Jets. Who can I honestly suggest as a starter for people? Run through that list of names. It’s not going to happen. This team needs to rebuild in a serious manner. For fantasy purposes, stay very far away.

 

Mark Sanchez *

Shonn Greene *

Bilal Powell *

Jeremy Kerley *

Chaz Schilens *

Dustin Keller **

Nick Folk **

New York DEF **

 

 

 

Lions: This is a team that definitely needed a bye week. This isn’t the best matchup to finally get the passing game going, but it’s definitely one that dictates strong running opportunities. Pittsburgh ran very well against the Eagles last week. But by the same token, you’re still starting the regulars: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Brandon Pettigrew. Just don’t be surprised if Mikel LeShoure ends up being the best option for this offense on Sunday.

 

Matthew Stafford ****

Mikel LeShoure ****

Calvin Johnson *****

Titus Young *

Brandon Pettigrew ****

Jason Hanson ***

Detroit DEF *

 

Eagles: I don’t think I’ve ever been higher on the Eagles as a whole (for fantasy purposes) than I am right now. The Lions have yet to produce any sort of respectable defense this season, and I don’t think it starts this week. I’d start everyone on offense aside from Brent Celek, who is also a good backup option if you have Jimmy Graham or Greg Olsen on a bye. Perhaps no one in this offense has as much upside as DeSean Jackson does, as he is most capable of stretching Detroit’s secondary in ways that have been all too common this season.

 

Michael Vick ****

LeSean McCoy *****

DeSean Jackson ****

Jeremy Maclin ***

Brent Celek ***

Alex Henery ****

Philadelphia DEF ***

 

 

 

Chiefs: You must start Brady Quinn! Just kidding, guys. If it was at all possible for Jamaal Charles’ value to rise, it has happened because he’ll be leaned upon heavily with Quinn behind center. He’ll have plenty of success, too, considering in the Bucs’ last game in week four, Alfred Morris ran all over them. Dwayne Bowe takes a bit of a hit because of Quinn, but you should still start him. Why? Who else is Quinn going to throw to?

 

Brady Quinn *

Jamaal Charles *****

Shaun Draughn *

Dwayne Bowe ***

Jon Baldwin *

Tony Moeaki **

Ryan Succop **

Kansas City DEF ***

 

Bucs: Fizzling doesn’t begin to describe what is happening right now with Doug Martin. What started off as a promising rookie year has dropped with each game since week one. It’s not entirely his fault, though. Martin hasn’t really played poorly. He’s just being given less opportunities with the Bucs having to air it out while playing from behind. I still like him as a low-end number two option this week, which is also exactly where I have Vincent Jackson. They’re still both starters, but nobody else on this team is.

 

Josh Freeman **

Doug Martin ***

Vincent Jackson ***

Mike Williams *

Dallas Clark *

Connor Barth ***

Tampa Bay DEF **

 

 

 

Cowboys: Jason Witten is definitely back. After a dominant week four performance (Dallas had a week five bye), Witten has emerged as the best receiving option in this offense and a must-start fantasy tight end for the rest of the season. The matchup this week isn’t good for anyone, but you’re definitely starting Witten and DeMarco Murray. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are both somewhere around low-end number twos, so they’re worth starting, too. Where it gets interesting is Tony Romo. Baltimore allowed 124 passing yards to the Chiefs last week. If you have an Andy Dalton or even Joe Flacco, I’d look to them over Romo this week.

 

Tony Romo ***

DeMarco Murray ****

Dez Bryant ***

Miles Austin ***

Jason Witten *****

Dan Bailey ***

Dallas DEF ***

 

Ravens: Ouch. What happened to this offense last week? The Chiefs did. I still have Flacco as a high-end number two quarterback, so he’d be a good bye week fill-in, especially with a good matchup. Torrey Smith is a number three receiver this week, and Anquan Boldin is just outside that. I’d have no reservations about using Boldin as a number three, though, considering how many targets he got last week. I’d stay away from Dennis Pitta until he can be a little more consistent.

 

Joe Flacco ***

Ray Rice *****

Torrey Smith ***

Anquan Boldin **

Dennis Pitta **

Justin Tucker ***

Baltimore DEF ****

 

 

 

Bills: I can’t get back on my boy Ryan Fitzpatrick this week. Not against Arizona. Wait until next week when the Bills take on the Titans. Then I’ll be fully behind him. I have C.J. Spiller as a low-end number two this week, and Fred Jackson is a number three running back. Because really, Arizona’s defense is dangerous. It’s also why I have Stevie Johnson as a number three receiver. Scott Chandler, though, is a high-end number two. The Bills showed last week that even in a tough matchup, they try to get him involved. He’ll get enough targets to have a mediocre day at the bare minimum.

 

Ryan Fitzpatrick *

C.J. Spiller ***

Fred Jackson **

Stevie Johnson ***

Donald Jones *

Scott Chandler ***

Rian Lindell ***

Buffalo DEF **

 

Cardinals: I love me some Andre Roberts. Larry Fitzgerald is obviously the only stud in this offense, but Kevin Kolb looks for Roberts enough to make him relevant in all fantasy formats. He may have struggled a bit against St. Louis, but he was still targeted 10 times. I have him as a number three this week. I’d wait on William Powell before plugging him into your starting lineup, but I can see him as a low-end number three or flex this week, especially considering the matchup.

 

Kevin Kolb **

William Powell **

Larry Fitzgerald *****

Andre Roberts ***

Todd Heap *

Jay Feely ***

Arizona DEF *****

 

 

 

Patriots: The matchup looks bad. You know how offenses perform in Seattle. But by the same token, you have to start your studs. Don’t get too cute and bench any of these guys outside of Aaron Hernandez. I understand waiting on Hernandez because it’s his first game back, but for what it’s worth, I’m starting him in a deep league this week because Hernandez at 70-80% is better than anything else available to me (like Dallas Clark or Craig Stevens).

 

Tom Brady ****

Stevan Ridley ****

Wes Welker ****

Brandon Lloyd ***

Rob Gronkowski ****

Aaron Hernandez ***

Stephen Gostkowski ****

New England DEF ***

 

Seahawks: The only difference between this offense and that of the Jets is Marshawn Lynch. He is a must-start every week. Outside of that, you shouldn’t touch any of the rest of these guys. Russell Wilson is still developing, and, unfortunately for him, the receiving corps he has isn’t going to help his cause. Unless these guys start to gel a bit, leave them on your bench or the waiver wire.

 

Russell Wilson *

Marshawn Lynch *****

Sidney Rice *

Golden Tate *

Zach Miller **

Steven Hauschka **

Seattle DEF ***

 

 

 

Giants: Ugh. I am torn. I will practice what I preach and say, “Start your studs.” That doesn’t mean I feel good about it. San Francisco’s defense is one of the best in the NFL. Out of those listed below, I’m staying away from David Wilson and Martellus Bennett, but the rest are still worth starts. If it makes you feel any better, Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw and Victor Cruz all had great fantasy days against the Niners in last season’s NFC Championship game. But, if it makes you feel worse, the Niners are definitely looking for revenge on their home turf. Keep your expections guarded.

 

Eli Manning *****

Ahmad Bradshaw ***

David Wilson *

Victor Cruz ****

Hakeem Nicks ***

Martellus Bennett **

Lawrence Tynes ***

New York DEF ***

 

Niners: Here comes the pain train. You know the bad tastes from the loss of the NFC Championship game are still in the mouths of all the Niners. I think, though, that will pertain more to the defense than the offense. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis are the only ones worth playing here. Considering how well Trent Richardson ran against the Giants last week, I’d definitely expect a big game from Gore. The rest of the crew shouldn’t be near a lineup. Alex Smith had a big game last week, but the Bills defense is not anywhere near the talent of the Giants defense.

 

Alex Smith **

Frank Gore ****

Brandon Jacobs *

Michael Crabtree **

Randy Moss *

Mario Manningham *

Vernon Davis *****

David Akers ***

San Francisco DEF ****

 

 

 

Vikings: This is probably my favorite story so far in 2012. What a turnaround for this team from last season. And guess what, folks? They face on of the worst defenses so far this season. Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin are must-starts this week. Christian Ponder is a low-end number one for me this week, and Kyle Rudolph is a high-end number two. He’d be a great option for those in need of bye week help.

 

Christian Ponder ****

Adrian Peterson ****

Percy Harvin *****

Jerome Simpson *

Kyle Rudolph ***

Blair Walsh ****

Minnesota DEF ***

 

Redskins: Your prayers for RG3 have been answered! Wow. After seeing that hit last week, there was no way I thought he’d be back this soon. And here he is. And here he is back in your lineup. He’s too dynamic and valuable to sit until he cools down, which he has shown no signs of doing yet. Alfred Morris is a high-end number two for me this week, and Pierre Garcon got targeted enough in week five to be considered a number three for me. I have Fred Davis as a low-end number one, but I could see you starting someone like Rudolph over him.

 

Robert Griffin III ****

Alfred Morris ****

Pierre Garcon ***

Leonard Hankerson *

Fred Davis ***

Billy Cundiff ***

Washington DEF *

 

 

 

Packers: They have something to prove, and I have a sneaking suspicion they’ll do just that in Houston. Let’s get down to the facts. The running back situation is too dicey right now to take a chance on unless you’re absolutely desperate. Alex Green may get more work, but James Starks might get the start. Avoid if you can afford to. You’re obviously starting Aaron Rodgers and Jordy Nelson. James Jones and Randall Cobb are both low-end number two options to me, but I don’t think they both put up number two production this week. If I had to choose, I’d go with Cobb because he’s the more versatile of the two. Jermichael Finley needs to be benched until he starts getting more looks. He’s only a number two tight end to me right now.

 

Aaron Rodgers *****

Alex Green **

James Starks **

Jordy Nelson ****

James Jones ***

Randall Cobb ***

Jermichael Finley **

Mason Crosby ***

Green Bay DEF **

 

Texans: You know I’m going to keep saying I told you so. Owen Daniels is a stud. I mean, must-start number one tight end stud. These guys are a little more clear cut than the Packers. You’re starting Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and Daniels. Matt Schaub is an average backup for me despite his intriguing matchup. I expect to see a ton of Foster on Sunday night.

 

Matt Schaub ***

Arian Foster *****

Andre Johnson ****

Kevin Walter *

Owen Daniels *****

Shayne Graham ***

Houston DEF *****

 

 

 

Broncos: He’s baaaaaaack. Peyton Manning looked to be in fine form against the Patriots in week five, and I bet he starts to take off right about now. Consider him a must-start indefinitely. Willis McGahee and Demaryius Thomas are also must-starts this week. Eric Decker is a solid number three receiver for me this week, but the matchup against the Chargers dictates more field stretching, which means Thomas has the advantage. Jacob Tamme is a low-end number one this week, as well.

 

Peyton Manning *****

Willis McGahee ****

Demaryius Thomas ****

Eric Decker ***

Jacob Tamme ****

Matt Prater ***

Denver DEF **

 

Chargers: This team may be in some trouble, but the offense certainly isn’t. Philip Rivers, Ryan Mathews and Antonio Gates are all low-end number ones at their respected positions to me. Malcom Floyd is between a low-end number two and a high-end number three, which means you’re probably starting him unless you have good receiver depth. I’m actually a little higher on Floyd this week than most because of the matchup. Check out how Marques Colston and Devery Henderson tore up this San Diego secondary last week, and try not to get too excited about the passing game this week.

 

Philip Rivers ****

Ryan Mathews ****

Malcom Floyd ***

Robert Meachem **

Antonio Gates ****

Nick Novak ***

San Diego DEF *

 

 

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