5th Down - Week 6

[Colby]

One extra look, one extra play, one extra down... Welcome back to the 5th Down where you have one last chance to start, bench, or take an extra look at a player.

Previous 5th Downs - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Quarterbacks - By:fantasyguru

MUST START: QB Eli Manning, New York Giants  
I have just acquired Eli in one of my leagues to help turn around a flailing 1-4 team.  Manning can start doing that this week as the Giants host the Bills who have allowed the third most yards and sixth most passing yards.  Some picks are expected to go along with Manning's performances (especially against that opportunistic Buffalo-D).  I wouldn't be surprised by a 300-yard game with a handful of TDs (and a pick or two).

MUST BENCH: QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Schaub's inconsistencies are nothing new.  He has been fair this year throwing for 9 TD and 5 picks.  The Texans are without star wideout Andre Johnson and have just acquired Derrick Mason. If you put your faith into Schaub during the draft then you may not have a qualified backup option.  Perhaps you have Manning, Campbell, Roethlisberger, or a sleeper on hand...

SLEEPER: QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
I traded for Eli this week to lead me to victory.  My opponent in that league has taken his 49ers bias to a whole new level and is starting Alex Smith.  Perhaps he isn't that insane.  While his 3-TD performance should not be expected every week, Smith has been surprisingly efficient this year throwing for only one pick allowing the 49ers to start 4-1.  Perhaps he gives you 200 yards and 2 TDs... I am hoping he doesn't do that for the sake of my Kitna Allstars, but this is why he is a sleeper QB this week.

Running backs - By: zadelstein

MUST START: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants
Ahmad Bradshaw is in a split back system, but that never seems to keep him from having solid fantasy outings.  Bradshaw is averaging almost 12 points a week with just under 15 carries and over 4 receptions a game.  This week, the Giants face the Bills at home.  The key for the Giants offense is to keep the ball and the best way to do that is to run it with their explosive back.  This year, the Bills are in the bottom half against the run allowing elite explosive runners such as LeSean McCoy and Darren McFadden to run all over them.  I expect similar results for Bradshaw in a game that gets pretty high scoring.

MUST BENCH: RB Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions
Jahvid Best had a breakout game against the bears with over 150 yards and a touchdown.  This week, he will come back to reality as he is only carrying the ball 12 times at most the past 3 games and only has 1 touchdown.  Pile on top of that the fact that San Fransico is giving up the fewest amount of fantasy points to opposing Running Backs and have yet to give up a rushing TD.  With a superstar such as Calvin Johnson and an arm like Staffords, dont expect Best to get many more carries any time soon.

SLEEPER: RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers :TAM:
With LeGarrette Blount out against the Saints, Earnest Graham steps up into the starting roll for a Tampa Bay team desperately seeking some offense.  This season Graham is averaging over 4.5 yards per carry and has 23 catches out of the backfield.  Expect Graham to get 15-20 carries and 5 catches with a possible 100 yard game all around and a touchdown to go with it.  The Saints have had some good games against running backs but have given up at least 18 points to them 3 different times.  If you are looking for a running back, Graham might be your guy.

Wide receivers - By: Corey

MUST START: WR Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills
The Bills offense has been lights out. This is a big instate game between the Bills and Giants. The way Fred Jackson has been running teams must focus on stopping the run. This should open up things for Johnson, Fitzpatrick and the rest of the passing offense. In all leagues and all styles Johnson is a must play this week.

MUST BENCH: WR Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
The Bears offense has been dismal. The passing offense has been terrible. Devin Hester is a sit against the Vikings on Sunday Night. For Chicago to be effective the offensive line must be top shape and Hester has to bring his hands. Those combinations are a long shot.

SLEEPER: WR Nate Burleson, Detroit Lions
San Francisco's defense has done a great job focusing on what teams do best and then taking that away. Much like the Patriots have done in the past. No I am not saying Calvin Johnson will be non-existent. I'm simply saying that Burleson should be an easy target to hit if Stafford is patient and will find the open receiver. Don't be afraid to play Nate this week.

Tight ends - By: JMACisBACK

MUST START: TE Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
This has become a no brainer, he is seeing the most targets weekly on a pass happy team and is a red zone beast to boot. He is clearly the next Gates type impact TE and seems to be on par with top tier WR's moving forward not just TE's. Look for him to exploit Tampa this week to the tune of 6-8 catches, 90 plus yards and at least one trip to the end zone. I know this is a Captain Obvious choice as a must start, but that is what must starts are supposed to be, right?? 

MUST BENCH: TE Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
With no Peyton Manning around to look his way 8-10 times a game , he has become one of the overhyped flops of this early season at the Tight End position. Collins, Painter, etc just dont bring enough to the table for anyone to consistently start Clark on a weekly basis and this week is no different as he goes up against one of th emore underrated defenses in the league in the Bengals this week. Sit him and find a better option this week!

SLEEPER: TE Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions
Look for SF to try to minimize the damage that Calvin Johnson will do (though they wont be able to), and that will open up even more room underneath for this future stud TE. I can see Pettigrew putting up another big week in the neighborhood of 6-7 catches, 75 plus yards and one score. He is rising up the ranks weekly, just as this high power offense is with Stafford, Calvin, Best and now Pettigrew all as forces for the still undefeated Lions.  That sounds odd doesn't it?  Five weeks later and Pettigrew finds himself in the 'Sleeper' category again.  Perhaps it is time to remove the 'Sleeper' tag?

Defenses - By: Philly Girl

MUST START: DEF San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers-D has put up 79 fantasy points this year - good for 2nd best in The Gridiron.  Their defense, led by Patrick Willis, shouldn't be much of a surprise to you, but what's keeping them ahead in most rankings this year is the offense.  The 49ers offense, still led by QB Alex Smith, is much more productive this year keeping the Niners IDPs off the field.  Regardless of the undefeated Lions and their weapons on offense this week, start the 49ers-D against Detroit.

MUST BENCH: DEF Houston Texans
The Texans have been one of the better defenses this year.  In Week 6, they run into a solid Ravens offense in Baltimore.  With Mario Williams now out, it seems like the smart play is to bench the Texans in favor of another defense such as this week's sleeper...

SLEEPER: DEF Washington Redskins
Washington has put up fantasy figures just like Houston this year, but it is a young team that is only getting better.  They are fairly healthy and face rival Philadelphia in Week 6.  The Eagles have coughed up the ball a league leading 15 times.  Need I say more?