FANTASY FOOTBALL: WEEK 6 TIPS

    Week 5 is in the books, and injuries are starting to mount. Mark Clayton is done for the year, Calvin Johnson looks to have suffered a serious

    Week 5 is in the books, and injuries are starting to mount. Mark Clayton is done for the year, Calvin Johnson looks to have suffered a serious shoulder injury, and Aaron Rodgers may miss next week with a concussion. The plus side about the Clayton and Johnson is that each has a capable backup, Danny Amendola and Nate Burleson respectively, who may still be available on your fantasy waiver wire. However, if you have Rodgers, you’re just plain in trouble for week 6 if he sits, and hopefully you had a solid backup already on your roster. Now for the week 6 tips:

Quarterback

BEST:   Eli Manning, NYG

It wasn’t too long ago that Eli was looking so bad he found his way onto my worst list. However, it looks like he’s found a nice rhythm with his new favorite target Hakeem Nicks. If Eli keeps from throwing the ball to the opposing defense he looks like a solid option. Considering he’s playing against the Lions secondary, who has looked poor against every team but the Rams this season, I think Eli is in line for a very good game this week. Look for him to end the game with at least 2 touchdowns and a healthy amount of passing yardage. But as usual, the same warning as always applies with Eli, if he goes back to his turnover prone ways you could be in trouble.

WORST:Â Alex Smith, SF

Smith has been insanely schizophrenic this year, and I’m not just talking from game to game. In one half he’ll throw 3 picks, and then come back in the second half and throw 3 scores. Also, he’s apparently not in the best mental state at the moment, getting into a shouting match on the sideline with coaches last Sunday. It sounds like he’ll still be the starter for the Niners this week, but he shouldn’t be your starter, even as a bye week replacement. Unless of course you like developing ulcers, then go ahead and insert him into your lineup.

Running Back

BEST:   Jamaal Charles, KC

Charles looks to have secured the vast majority of the carries in the Chiefs’ backfield, and that’s not only a good thing for Kansas City fans, but also for fantasy owners who were banking on him beating out Thomas Jones. This week the explosive Charles faces off against the Texans, who looked like they couldn’t stop a high school team last week. Look for Charles to top 100 yards this week and possibly break a long score.

WORST:Â Knowshon Moreno, DEN

I’m putting this hear essentially as a warning. I’m hearing lots of excited chatter from fantasy owners about Moreno’s possible return this week. Don’t buy into the hype! Even if Moreno does come back, which I’m not sold he’ll be ready to do, he has quite a few factors weighing against starting him. First, he plays for the Broncos, who love to use multiple backs throughout a game. Secondly, he’s going up against the Jets who are coming off a game where they held the most complete back in the league, Adrian Peterson, in check for most of the game. If you have another option, make sure Moreno isn’t in your lineup.

Wide Receiver

BEST:   Miles Austin, DAL

Austin is immensely talented, but of course his value always depends on what to team Tony Romo is throwing the ball. If Romo is avoiding turnovers Austin becomes a better play instantly. This week Austin is facing the Minnesota Vikings who just lost starting corner Cedric Griffin. I think the Vikings will have trouble stopping the Cowboys without one of their most talented defenders, and that will translate into a great game for Miles Austin.

WORST:Â Michael Crabree, SF

Crabtree had a breakout game last week, and it isn’t out of the realm of possibilities that he repeats that performance this week against the Oakland Raiders. However, I have a feeling that he’ll be matched up against who I consider to be the best lockdown corner in the league, Nnamdi Asmugha (sorry Revis Island, but he’s better). I think Alex Smith doesn’t have the ability to slip the ball into the tight spaces that Asmugha will allow Crabtree this week. Expect only a couple catches from Crabtree and probably fewer than 60 yards receiving.

Tight End

BEST:   Antonio Gates, SD

The league leader in yardage for tight ends gets a fantastic match-up this week against the St. Louis Rams. The Rams gave up 8 total catches to tight ends against the Lions less talented group of tight ends last week. I fully expect Gates to put up as good or better numbers than the Lions did last week. Gates is always a great play but this week he’s an exceptional one.

WORST:Â Aaron Hernandez, NE

Hernandez has been a solid option so far this season, catching at least 5 balls in each of his last 3 games. However, this week he has a few factors weighing against him. The biggest being the lack of Randy Moss. Many teams devote a lot of help to stopping Randy Moss on the deep route, and this week teams will be free to devote that help to other parts of the field. Also, Hernandez has a rough match-up against the Ravens this week. He probably won’t be terrible this week, as Tom Brady is good enough to move the ball against anybody, but I wouldn’t expect too much from him. If you have another option I would seriously consider benching Hernandez for this week.

Defense

BEST:   New York Giants

The Giants’ pass rush has come to life in the last few weeks and this week they face the Detroit Lions. The Lions may be coming off of a huge offensive week, but I think the Giants’ defensive line will have a field day against the Lions offensive line. Look for the Giants to get a bunch of sacks this week, and possibly create a few turnovers because of that pressure.

WORST:Â Green Bay Packers

One word is going to keep the Packers here for a while: Injuries. So far the Packers have lost starting safety Morgan Burnett, starting middle linebacker Nick Barnett, and an important contributor in Brandon Chillar. They may also be without starting defensive end Ryan Pickett and their best pass rusher, Clay Matthews, may be slowed with a hamstring injury. Until this team gets healthy I can’t recommend starting them until the backups prove they can perform.

SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

-Danny Amendola, STL

If this guy hasn’t been picked up in your league yet, do it now! With Mark Clayton out Amendola has become the top WR in St. Louis, and with what Sam Bradford has shown so far, I think he’ll see plenty of targets. I expect Amendola to be a sort of “poor man’s Wes Welker” going forward, grabbing a bunch of balls. He’ll be a great add in PPR leagues especially.

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