5th Down: Week 7

[Colby]

The 5th Down Blog is designed to help you, the fantasy owner, on whom to start, sit, and who we pick as a sleeper for the week. Each week, we will take turns doing a position for the week. Feedback is always welcome as we love to discuss football!

Start Carson Palmer and the Raiders' passing attack? / Courtesy of USA Today

Check out past postings of the 5th Down for each week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Quarterback - JMACisBACK

Must Start: Andrew Luck vs.
Cleveland is anemic vs the pass this season, and Luck is coming off a horrible game. Look for Luck to bounce back with a 300 yard game and a couple scores.

Must Sit: Russell Wilson vs.
Look for the Niners to get back to the basics on defense at home in a division game and really put pressure on young Wilson.  This will be a good game but one that will rely heavy on the running game and defense.

Sleeper: Carson Palmer :OAK-NFL: vs.
He looks like a nice bye week fill in this week. I can see him flirting with 300 yards and a couple scores vs the lowly Jags defense.

Running Back - Mike

Must Start: Chris Johnson vs
He's no longer an elite back, but he should be able to run wild this week, the Bills are dead last against the run, and if Johnson doesn't go for 125 and at least 1 TD.. it's time to cut him loose.
(other must starts: Steven Ridley, Trent Richardson)

Must Sit: Frank Gore vs.
Gore has been great this year, but the Seahawks are killing the run this year, he might do some damage catching passes, but look to play someone else if you can.
(other must sits: Shonn Greene, Pierre Thomas)

Sleeper: Doug Martin :TAM: vs
This is two weeks in a row that Martin is listed as a sleeper.  He hasn't really lived up to the hype as of yet, but look for him to get right against the Saints, who can't stop anyone.
(other sleepers: Felix Jones, William Powell)

Wide Receivers - ProFSL

Must Start: Mike Williams :TAM: vs.
Mike is the big target in Tampa and the Saints have allowed the third most fantasy points to WR this year.  Williams is likely a fringe starter for you but you should plug him into your lineup this week.

Must Sit: Michael Crabtree vs.
You may have some bye week blues, but if you are thinking about Crabtree versus a similar receiver then go with the other guy.  This Mike hasn't exactly lit it up this year and the Seahawks play the tightest coverage on wideouts in the NFL.

Sleeper: Donnie Avery vs.
The Browns have been mentioned as anemic.  Their secondary has been a letdown since Haden got hurt.  Avery caught four passes for 60 yards last week.  Look for him to get 75-100 yards and perhaps a TD this week.  He could be a great bye week fill-in for PPR leagues.

Tight Ends - Philly Girl

Must Start: Heath Miller vs.
Most of you are probably starting Miller by now.  If you have lineups like mine then you may be deciding between him and Aaron Hernandez whose game day health appears to be back.  Heath is having a great year.  Keep plugging him in your lineup.

Must Sit: Brandon Pettigrew vs.
You may not have a better option in free agency or on your bench, but the matchup doesn't look good for Lions' TEs this week.  This will be a tough divisional game and Pettigrew's opportunities will be limited against the stingy Bears-D.

Sleeper: Scott Chandler vs.
2012 rule of thumb: Always play a team's starting tight end against the Titans.  Tight ends score 80% more fantasy points when they are playing the Titans compared to any other team.

Defense - ProFSL

Must Start: Seattle vs.
We have a big-time NFC West matchup this week which should be a juicy low-scoring affair for both defenses.  Don't be afraid of the 49ers and start the Seahawks.

Must Sit: Indianapolis vs.
Just because the Colts are playing the Brownies doesn't mean you should start their defense.  In a basic format like The Gridiron, Indy is ranked 30th across fantasy defenses.  Don't be fooled by the matchup.

Sleeper: Cincinnati vs. :PIT-NFL
The Bengals-D, believe it or not, leads the league in sacks with 21.  The broken offensive line of the Steelers comes to town.  Pittsburgh isn't look good lately which should mean opportunities for Cincy regardless of the outcome of the game.