Play Action - Week 6

Week 6 is arguably the most significant bye week of this season. It is one of two weeks with 6 teams on bye, and this week sees a more substantial impact on Fantasy than Week 8 does.
It's once again time to break down this week's action game-by-game and look at who should help your team, and who to keep on your bench...assuming that you can tear yourself away from The King's excellent video for a moment.

Byes: 49ers, Bills, Broncos, Colts, Lions, Steelers

1:00pm EST Games

Eagles @ Jets
Eagle Offense - Receiving: 235.8 (11), Rushing: 126 (11)
Jet Defense - Receiving: 244 (24), Rushing: 127.6 (25)

Jet Offense - Receiving: 221.2 (19), Rushing: 77 (29)
Eagle Defense - Receiving: 249 (25), Rushing: 74.5 (6)

START: Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook (check), Kevin Curtis, Eagle Defense, Laveranues Coles (check), Jerricho Cotchery
CONSIDER: Thomas Jones
BENCH: Correll Buckhalter (check Westbrook), Reggie Brown, Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, Chris Baker, Jet Defense

McNabb showed that he can carve up a bad pass defense against the Lions...he'll do it again this week. Andy Reid has never lost coming off a bye. Brian Westbrook is virtually a lock to be active, he should be in line for a huge game as well. Curtis should be the biggest beneficiary of the passing game, while Reggie Brown should remain on your bench until he shows anything. Coles and Cotchery are still every-week starters, Coles wil llikely be active, but check to make certain. Pennington will be yanked in this game if he cashes in another lackluster performance against the weak Eagle pass D. Thomas Jones has been screaming for the ball more often, but he's going against a stout rush D here, plus the terrible Jets should be playing from behind.

Rams @ Ravens
Ram Offense - Receiving: 211.2 (23), Rushing: 91.6 (21)
Raven Defense - Receiving: 219 (12), Rushing: 66.6 (2)

Raven Offense - Receiving: 241.8 (10), Rushing: 113.2 (14)
Ram Defense - Receiving: 221.4 (14), Rushing: 146 (28)

START: Torry Holt, Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap (check), Raven Defense
CONSIDER: Nobody, these offense stink.
BENCH: Gus Frerotte, Brian Leonard, Isaac Bruce (out), Drew Bennett, Randy McMichael, Steve McNair, Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams

Derrick Mason missed practice this week with diarrhea...ahhhh hahahahaha, I'm sure he's glad the Ravens reported that. Expect the Ravens to keep Frerotte under pressure and for the Ram offense to continue to flounder. This is a far cry from "The Greatest Show On Turf". You should see a whole lot of Willis McGahee. Todd Heap is almost certain to play, and the Rams have struggled with TEs. Assuming that Mason can control his bowels, he also makes for an excellent play.
On a side note, word on the street is that there is a very good chance that Steven Jackson will not return from his torn groin until Week 10, after the Rams' bye.

Bengals @ Chiefs
Bengal Offense - Receiving: 292.8 (4), Rushing: 83.2 (26)
Chief Defense - Receiving: 196.6 (6), Rushing: 125.6 (24)

Chief Offense - Receiving: 233.4 (13), Rushing: 65.6 (32)
Bengal Defense - Receiving: 257.2 (26), Rushing: 152 (29)

START: Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Larry Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, Tony Gonzalez
CONSIDER: Rudi Johnson (check), Kenny Watson (check Johnson), Bengal Defense, Damon Huard
BENCH: Samie Parker

There's a decent chance that Rudi Johnson is inactive, despite being labeled "probable". Of course, there's just as good of a chance that he is active and serves as goal-line back...or possibly splits carries with Watson. Make sure you check the game day inactives before even considering either of them. The Chiefs have a highly ranked defense against WRs, but that should change after this game, given the previously discussed uncertainty of the Bengal ground game. The Bengals don't defend the pass, so Damon Huard is a solid option if you have Peyton Manning or Kitna on a bye and need a cheap fill-in. He should look to Bowe and Gonzo early and often. This is the week that many are anticipating Larry Johnson's breakout performance. Many of you likely "bought low" this week and are hoping for an immediate return. Those that didn't, are hoping for yet another lackluster game. I'm expecting solid numbers.

Vikings @ Bears
Viking Offense - Receiving: 195.5 (27), Rushing: 135 (8)
Bear Defense - Receiving: 267 (28), Rushing: 98.8 (12)

Bear Offense - Receiving: 200 (25), Rushing: 82.6 (27)
Viking Defense - Receiving: 285.5 (31), Rushing: 62 (1)

START: Adrian Peterson, Viking Defense, Greg Olsen, Bear Defense
CONSIDER: Bernard Berrian, Desmond Clark
BENCH: Tarvaris Jackson, Chester Taylor, Brian Griese, Cedric Benson, Muhsin Muhammad

Two terrible offenses collide. This won't be the week for Cedric Benson to suddenly start playing like he deserves a starting NFL gig. Peterson faces a similarly tough match up, but still deserves to be started. Neither team has been defending the pass particularly well, but neither team throws the ball worth a damn either. Greg Olsen deserves a start after his breakout performance in Week 5, it is tough to call who gets more looks between him and Clark, though. Make sure that you have both defenses active.

Dolphins @ Browns
Dolphin Offense - Receiving: 227.6 (17), Rushing: 103.4 (19)
Brown Defense - Receiving: 272 (29), Rushing: 157.4 (30)

Brown Offense - Receiving: 257 (8), Rushing: 110.2 (16)
Dolphin Defense - Receiving: 180.2 (2), Rushing: 174.2 (31)

START: Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, Braylon Edwards, Jamal Lewis (check), Kellen Winslow
CONSIDER: Cleo Lemon, Marty Booker, Derek Anderson, Jason Wright (check Lewis)
BENCH: Both defenses

How does this game not get more attention than Dallas/New England? Just kidding. Neither team plays rush defense, and only the Dolphins play against the pass. Despite that, with Jamal Lewis likely out, the Browns will probably be slinging it...so expect big days out of Edwards and Winslow. Wright is a decent option if you're really hurting at RB, but hopefully you've got better choices. Expect the Dolphins to run left, right, and up the gut as much as they can with Ronnie Brown. If Chambers can't cash in a decent performance, it's officially time to call his early season numbers a fluke.

Titans @ Buccaneers
Titan Offense - Receiving: 151.2 (31), Rushing: 153.2 (4)
Buc Defense - Receiving: 201.2 (9), Rushing: 124 (22)

Buc Offense - Receiving: 189 (28), Rushing: 113 (15)
Titan Defense - Receiving: 214 (10), Rushing: 72.2 (3)

START: LenDale White, Titan Defense, Buc Defense
CONSIDER: Vince Young, Joey Galloway
BENCH: Chris Brown, Bo Scaife, Jeff Garcia, Earnest Graham, Zack Crockett

There should be very limited offensive output in this game. 2 above average defenses. The Bucs are pretty tough against the pass, the Titan WRs are terrible, but Vince could still do damage with his legs. The Bucs are fairly soft against the run, so LenDale Whale could potentially be in store for a big game. Galloway is always a home run threat, but he's not reliable enough for consideration as a WR2.

Redskins @ Packers
Redskin Offense - Receiving: 217.2 (21), Rushing: 130.2 (10)
Packer Defense - Receiving: 241.2 (23), Rushing: 101.4 (14)

Packer Offense - Receiving: 305.4 (1), Rushing: 67.6 (31)
Redskin Defense - Receiving: 199.2 (7), Rushing: 85.5 (8)

START: Santana Moss (check), Chris Cooley, Brett Favre, Donald Driver, Greg Jennings
CONSIDER: Jason Campbell, Clinton Portis
BENCH: Ladell Betts, Antwaan Randle El (out), Redskin Defense, DeShawn Wynn, Vernand Morency, Brandon Jackson, James Jones, Packer Defense


The Packer Defense is overrated. Need proof? Which of these 2 units do you think gets more attention? Look at the numbers and see which has performed better. There you go.
The 'Skins will be tough, but you can't get off the Favre express now, they're the #1 passing game in the business. Therefore, you need to leave Driver and Jennings in as well. You want no part of the Packer run game, though. Campbell will look to continue the momentum he built against the Lions in Week 5, but this is a much better pass defense. Randle El is out, but Moss is back, so look for him to see a ton of targets. Chris Cooley remains one of the best TE red zone options in the game. Portis will find some tough sledding against the Pack, but he's not a bad option either.

Texans @ Jaguars
Texan Offense - Receiving: 259.8 (7), Rushing: 85.8 (25)
Jaguar Defense - Receiving: 194.8 (5), Rushing: 105.2 (15)

Jaguar Offense - Receiving: 212 (22), Rushing: 132.5 (9)
Texan Defense - Receiving: 227.2 (17), Rushing: 91.4 (9)

START: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguar Defense
CONSIDER: Ahman Green, Owen Daniels, Texan Defense, David Garrard, Dennis Northcutt
BENCH: Matt Schaub, Andre Davis, Kevin Walter, Fred Taylor (check), Marcedes Lewis, Reggie Williams

Should be yet another low-scoring affair. MJD returned with a vengeance in Week 5 and will look to keep rolling this week. Ahman Green returns to action, but faces a tough match up. Even tougher is the Jags pass defense, making the banged up Texan passing game looking unattractive.
Side Note: Things are shaping up for Andre Johnson to be ready to play in Week 7.

4:00pm EST Games

Panthers @ Cardinals - Dome
Panther Offense - Receiving: 199.8 (26), Rushing: 122.8 (12)
Cardinal Defense - Receiving: 238.8 (21), Rushing: 101 (13)

Cardinal Offense - Receiving: 245.4 (9), Rushing: 108.4 (18)
Panther Defense - Receiving: 236.6 (18), Rushing: 112.8 (18)

START: Steve Smith, Kurt Warner, Edgerrin James, Larry Fitzgerald
CONSIDER: DeShaun Foster, Bryant Johnson (check Boldin), Cardinal Defense
BENCH: David Carr (check), Vinny Testaverde (check Carr), DeAngelo Williams, Jeff King, Panther Defense, Anquan Boldin (check)

The Panthers are an unabashed mess right now, and not likely to get much better. David Carr is slowing their offense down, hindering Steve Smith. The Cardinals have looked good thus far with Warner under center. Look for them to continue rolling this week, although, disappointingly, it looks like Boldin will once again be inactive. Double-check to make sure at game time, but play it safe if your other options play earlier in the day. Coach Whisenhunt has stated that there are no plans to lessen Edge's workload.

Raiders @ Chargers
Raider Offense - Receiving: 171.8 (29), Rushing: 194.2 (1)
Charger Defense - Receiving: 261.8 (27), Rushing: 92.8 (10)

Charger Offense - Receiving: 234.6 (12), Rushing: 109.8 (17)
Raider Defense - Receiving: 241 (22), Rushing: 129.5 (26)

START: Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Charger Defense
CONSIDER: Daunte Culpepper, Ronald Curry
BENCH: LaMont Jordan (out), Dominic Rhodes, Justin Fargas, Jerry Porter, Michael Turner

Remember when the Raiders were being touted as a "good" defense in the preseason? Funny stuff. Looks for the Chargers to continue their offensive explosion from Week 5, hopefully with more LT for his frustrated owners. Unleash all of your Chargers. Don't expect another 5 TDs out of Culpepper or the Raiders like they had in Week 4...you can, however, probably expect the same actual limited offensive production. Ronald Curry had 10 receptions for 133 yards in Week 1. He has 6 receptions for 90 yards in the 3 games since. Hopefully the Raiders re-worked their game plan to get him more touches during their bye week. That said, he's a risky play against a shaky Charger pass defense.

Patriots @ Cowboys
Patriot Offense - Receiving: 276.6 (5), Rushing: 155 (3)
Cowboy Defense - Receiving: 224 (15), Rushing: 80.6 (7)

Cowboy Offense - Receiving: 301.6 (2), Rushing: 137.2 (7)
Patriot Defense - Receiving: 200.6 (8), Rushing: 74.2 (5)

START: Tom Brady, Sammy Morris (check Maroney), Randy Moss, Ben Watson, Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten
CONSIDER: Donte Stallworth, Wes Welker, Julius Jones, Patrick Crayton
BENCH: Laurence Maroney (out), Patriot Defense, Marion Barber III, Dallas Defense

The official marquee match up so far in the 2007 season. This game should be slugfest, there's absolutely no chance the Cowboys could survive 6 turnovers in this one. Look for Romo to bounce back as he's learned that forcing passes won't get you anywhere but further in the hole. The Boston Herald reports that Maroney will be out, check to make sure, but if he's inactive, make sure Morris is in your lineup. MB3 has been mostly invisible the past couple of weeks, this isn't likely the week for him to get right. Unleash all of the usual suspects and enjoy the fireworks.

Raiders @ Chargers
Raider Offense - Receiving: 171.8 (29), Rushing: 194.2 (1)
Charger Defense - Receiving: 261.8 (27), Rushing: 92.8 (10)

Charger Offense - Receiving: 234.6 (12), Rushing: 109.8 (17)
Raider Defense - Receiving: 241 (22), Rushing: 129.5 (26)

START: Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, Charger Defense
CONSIDER: Ronald Curry
BENCH: Daunte Culpepper, LaMont Jordan (out), Dominic Rhodes, Justin Fargas, Jerry Porter, Raider Defense, Michael Turner

The Chargers will look to resume their offensive explosion from Week 5. Frustrated LT owners watched Rivers call his own number near the goal line, and then Michael Turner light up the weak Bronco rush defense during garbage time in Week 5. Tomlinson should have a nice day against another bad Raider defense this week, but we've been saying that for weeks. Who really knows what the hell Norv Turner is thinking at any given time? Ronald Curry had 10 receptions for 133 yards and a TD in Week 1, he's had a combined total of 6 receptions for 90 yards and a TD in his 3 games since. The Raiders should have made plans for him to get more touches during their bye week. LaMont Jordan is an extreme longshot to play with his back injury. The last time we saw Culpepper, he was busy scoring 5 TDs. That won't happen here, especially with his otherwise limited offensive output.

Sunday Night Football

Saints @ Seahawks
Saint Offense - Receiving: 232.2 (14), Rushing: 82 (28)
Seahawk Defense - Receiving: 237 (19), Rushing: 115.6 (20)

Seahawk Offense - Receiving: 230.8 (16), Rushing: 91.2 (23)
Saint Defense - Receiving: 219.8 (13), Rushing: 109.2 (17)

START: Reggie Bush, Shaun Alexander, Bobby Engram, Seahawk Defense
CONSIDER: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Matt Hasselbeck, Nate Burleson
BENCH: Mike Karney, Devery Henderson, Deion Branch (out)

The most disappointing team, possibly ever, the New Orleans Saints take the field once again in prime time. They came off a Week 4 bye and were still terrible in Week 5 at home, so there's really no reason to expect sudden dramatic improvement now. Therefore, if you have better options, you should play them over your Saints. Although, Reggie Bush is really too involved in the passing game to sit...plus perhaps he stumbles into the end zone, just by accident. Matt Hasselbeck is missing Deion Branch this (and next) week, so his value takes a dip. Bobby Engram will be the #1 option, and his value gets a slight bump. Burleson starts opposite Engram and is a decent option if you're in a crunch.

Monday Night Football

Giants @ Falcons - Dome
Giant Offense - Receiving: 223.2 (18), Rushing: 117 (13)
Falcon Defense - Receiving: 214.8 (11), Rushing: 121.2 (21)

Falcon Offense - Receiving: 219.6 (20), Rushing: 91.6 (21)
Giant Defense - Receiving: 237.6 (20), Rushing: 95.2 (11)

START: Eli Manning, Brandon Jacobs, Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey, Giant Defense
CONSIDER: Derrick Ward, Roddy White
BENCH: Amani Toomer, Joey Harrington, Byron Leftwich, Warrick Dunn, Jerious Norwood, Michael Jenkins, Alge Crumpler

Yes, you should start the Giant Defense against the lowly Falcons. The Falcons are a mess, and they made things worse by putting Leftwich in for Harrington in Week 5. The Giant offense shouldn't have too much trouble putting up points again. It's unclear how much Derrick Ward will really be playing, other than on 3rd downs...so only play him if you're really in a pinch.