Bye weeks are here, so be sure to adjust your lineup to remove all Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins players from your lineup. Don’t be that guy who doesn’t adjust his lineup.
The following is a Start ‘em-Sit ‘em list for Week 6. This is just a guide and shouldn’t be taken as gospel. Trust yourself and don’t be a rankings slave.
These rankings assume a standard ESPN 10-team fantasy league; 1 quarterback, 2 running backs, 2 wide receivers, 1 tight end, 1 Flex, 1 Defense. If I missed a player, sound off in the comments.
Giants at Bears
Start ‘em:
Giants: Hakeem Nicks, WR; Victor Cruz, WR;
Bears: Matt Forte, RB; Brandon Marshall, WR; Alshon Jeffery, WR; Bears D
After Jeffery’s most recent performance, these are all obvious starts. The Bears D is usually worth a start in fantasy, and going up against the now-turnover-prone Eli Manning makes the Bears D a clear start.
Sit ‘em:
Giants: Eli Manning, QB; David Wilson, RB; Brandon Jacobs, RB; Brandon Myers, TE; Giants D
Bears: Jay Cutler, QB, Martellus Bennett, TE
Cutler and Manning aren’t worth starts as there are better options this week. The same goes for the tight ends. The Giants have struggled running the ball and Wilson and Jacobs shouldn’t be started, unless you’re desperate.
Bengals at Bills
Start ‘em:
Bengals: Giovanni Bernard, RB; AJ Green, WR; Bengals D
Bills: CJ Spiller, RB; Fred Jackson, RB; Bills D
Even against the Bengals D, both Bills backs should be started. They should run the ball heavily, now that Thad Lewis is the quarterback. Speaking of Lewis, the Bengals D is must-start with him at quarterback. Bernard and Green as going to continue to be worth starts, baring injury. You can start the Bills D, since Dalton and the offense continue to struggle.
Sit ‘em:
Bengals: Andy Dalton, QB; BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB
Bills: Stevie Johnson, WR; Robert Woods, WR;
With Thad Lewis at quarterback, it’s tough to justify starting any of the Bills wide receivers. Green-Ellis keeps losing touches to Bernard and is quickly becoming a “vulture.” As I’ve said before, never start Dalton.
Lions at Browns
Start ‘em
Lions: Matt Stafford, QB; Reggie Bush, RB; Calvin Johnson, WR
Browns: Willis McGahee, RB; Josh Gordon, WR; Jordan Cameron; TE
Bush, Gordon and Cameron are always quality starts. McGahee appears to have seized the running back role, so you can start him. Stafford struggled without Johnson, but assuming Johnson plays, they can both be started.
Sit ‘em:
Lions: Joquie Bell, RB; Kris Durham, WR; Brandon Pettigrew, TE; Lions D
Browns: Browns D
You can probably get away with starting Bell or both defenses, but there are better options. Durham and Pettigrew aren’t reliable enough to earn starts.
Raiders at Chiefs
Start ‘em:
Raiders: NONE
Chiefs: Jamaal Charles, RB; Chiefs D
Charles is an obvious start every week and the Chiefs D has looked great all year.
Sit ‘em:
Raiders: Everyone
Chiefs: Alex Smith, QB; Dwayne Bowe, WR, Donnie Avery, WR;
Not a single Raider is worth starting. That sounds crazy, but with Darren McFadden out, there aren’t any Raiders backs worth a start, especially against the talented Chiefs D. You might get away with starting Terrelle Pryor because of his rushing totals, but there are better guys. Smith is rarely worth a start and Bowe and Avery are too inconsistent to start.
Panthers at Vikings
Start ‘em:
Panthers: Cam Newton, QB; DeAngelo Williams, RB; Steve Smith, WR; Greg Olsen, TE; Panthers D
Vikings: Adrian Peterson, RB
Like you should even consider benching Peterson. Newton, Williams, Smith and Olsen can be started, but they are lower-tier starters. The Panthers D is a borderline play, but can be started since the Vikings offense struggles aside from Peterson.
Sit ‘em:
Panthers: Ted Ginn, WR
Vikings: Everyone not named Peterson
As mentioned above, the Vikings offense has struggled in fantasy aside from Peterson. Ginn isn’t reliable enough to get a start.
Steelers at Jets
Start ‘em:
Steelers: Le’Veon Bell, RB; Antonio Brown, WR; Steelers D
Jets: Bilal Powell, RB; Jets D
The Steelers D is a risky play, but it is move I think is worth the risk. Pittsburgh doesn’t have a forced turnover yet, but that has to change at some point and I still don’t buy into Geno Smith. Brown can usually be started and I think Bell is worthy of starts now. Powell is getting most of the touches and the Jets D has a great chance to capitalize on the struggling Steelers’ offense.
Sit ‘em:
Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, QB; Emmanuel Sanders, WR; Heath Miller; TE
Jets: Geno Smith, QB; Chris Ivory, RB; Jeremy Kerley, WR; Kellen Winslow, TE
Both QBs and TEs aren’t really worth a roster spot, let along a start. Ivory appears to have lost his job, while Kerley and Sanders have shown enough consistency to warrant anything more than the occasional desperation play.
Eagles at Bucs
Start ‘em:
Eagles: LeSean McCoy, RB; DeSean Jackson, WR
Bucs: Doug Martin, RB; Vincent Jackson, WR
These are all obvious starts. If you have any of these guys, you’re likely going to play them.
Sit ‘em:
Eagles: Nick Foles, QB; Bryce Brown, RB; Eagles D
Bucs: Mike Glennon, QB; Bucs D
These should be obvious sits. If you’re relying on any of these guys, you’re fantasy team is likely in trouble.
Packers at Ravens:
Start ‘em:
Packers: Aaron Rodgers, QB; Eddie Lacy, RB; Randall Cobb, WR; Jordy Nelson, WR; James Jones, WR
Ravens: Ray Rice, RB; Torrey Smith, WR
These are all guys you can feel confident in starting. There is some risk, especially if the Ravens keep forgetting they have Rice in the backfield and let Joe Flacco throw it all day.
Sit ‘em:
Packers: Jermichael Finley, TE; Packers D
Ravens: Joe Flacco, QB; Bernard Pierce, RB; Marlon Brown, WR; Ravens D
Flacco isn’t a starting quality fantasy quarterback and Pierce isn’t getting enough carries to start. He’s just a handcuff to Rice right now. Finley and Brown aren’t reliable enough to be starters, although Finley can function as a bye-week fill-in.
Rams at Texans
Start ‘em:
Rams: Zac Stacy, RB
Texans: Arian Foster, RB; Andre Johnson, WR; Garrett Graham, TE
Stacy appears to have won the starting job, but he’s only a low-end play. Foster and Johnson are obvious starts and Graham is worth a start, especially if you had Owen Daniels, who is now out for at least eight weeks. (LINK)
Sit ‘em:
Rams: Sam Bradford, QB; Daryl Richardson, RB; Austin Pettis, WR; Jared Cook, TE; Rams D
Texans: Matt Schaub, QB; Ben Tate, RB; DeAndre Hopkins, WR; Texans D
Bradford and Schaub should never start in fantasy. Hopkins and Cook shouldn’t be played until they get more consistent play from their quarterbacks. Pettis isn’t ready for starter duties, but he is worth a pick-up from the waiver wire. Tate is a handcuff and Richardson appears to have lost his job.
Jaguars at Broncos
Start ‘em:
Jags: Justin Blackmon, WR; Cecil Shorts, WR
Broncos: Peyton Manning, QB; Knowshon Moreno, RB; Eric Decker, WR; Demaryious Thomas, WR; Wes Welker, WR; Julius Thomas, TE; Denver D
This is a very tricky game to project for fantasy. The Broncos could easily be up huge early, and pull their starters. I also expect the Jaguars to have to throw the ball a lot, so you can start Shorts and Blackmon, even if Blaine Gabbert plays. You have to start the Broncos D if you have them. If you have any of the Broncos, you can’t risk not playing them.
Sit ‘em:
Jags: Everyone not named Blackmon or Shorts
Broncos: Denver back-ups
The Jaguars are awful, so avoid most of the players. Don’t try to get cute and start Bronco back-ups like Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman. The risks outweigh the rewards.
Titans at Seahawks
Start ‘em:
Titans: NONE
Seahawks: Russell Wilson, QB; Marshawn Lynch, RB; Seahawks D
On the road against the Seahawks with your quarterback hurt? Yeah, avoid the Titans if possible. The Seahawks D and Lynch are always worth a start. Wilson hasn’t looked great as a passer, but has looked great as a runner and is worth a start because he has had a combined 179 yards in his last two games.
Sit ‘em:
Titans: Everyone
Seahawks: Golden Tate, WR
As I mentioned above, avoid the Titans. If you have Chris Johnson, you might have to start him if you have no one else. The Seahawks really won’t have a starting caliber wide receiver until Percy Harvin is full healthy.
Cardinals at 49ers
Start ‘em:
Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald, WR
49ers: Frank Gore, RB; Anquan Boldin, WR; Vernon Davis, TE; 49ers D
Fitzgerald’s production has dropped, but you can still start him. Gore, Davis and Boldin have proven to be worth starts all season. I’d still be wary of Boldin though. The 49ers D is almost always worth a start.
Sit ‘em:
Cardinals: Carson Palmer, QB; Andre Ellington, RB; Rashard Mendenhall, RB; Cardinals D
49ers: Colin Kaepernick, QB
I’m still waiting for Ellington to take over full-time for Mendenhall. Until that happens, avoid both. Palmer is almost never startable, just like the Cardinals D. Kaepernick has struggled throwing the ball and has not been able to run as much as last year. Keep him on the bench until he proves himself.
Saints at Patriots
Start ‘em:
Saints: Drew Brees, QB; Darren Sproles, RB; Marques Colston, WR; Jimmy Graham, TE
Patriots: Tom Brady, QB; Danny Amendola, WR; Rob Gronkowski, TE
These are all obvious starts, even though Brady has struggled. IF Gronk and Amendola are able to go, you pretty much have to play them. Colston, Graham and Brees should always start. Sproles has regained his previous form with the return of Sean Payton.
Sit ‘em:
Saints: Pierre Thomas, RB; Saints D
Patriots: All RBs; Kenbrell Thompkins, WR; Julian Edleman, WR; Patriots D
Thomas isn’t quite worthy of fantasy start. You might be able to play the Saints D, but it’s always risk to bet against Brady. Thompkins and Edleman are going to see fewer targets with the likely return of Gronk and a full-healthy Amendola. Avoid Patriots running backs until Shane Veeren returns.
Redskins at Cowboys
Start ‘em:
Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB; Alfred Morris, RB; Pierre Garcon, WR
Cowboys: Tony Romo, QB; DeMarco Murray, RB; Dez Bryant, WR; Jason Witten, TE
These should all be obvious starts, especially with the way both defenses have proven their inability to stop the pass. Romo is having a great fantasy season and can be started with confidence, assuming the matchup is not terrible.
Sit ‘em:
Redskins: Redskins D
Cowboys: Terrance Williams, WR; Miles Austin, WR; Dallas D
As hinted at above, avoid the defenses until they stop the pass. Dallas may force a few turnovers, but they just gave up 51 points, albeit to the Broncos. Austin isn’t 100% and Williams isn’t ready to start yet.
Colts at Chargers
Start ‘em:
Colts: Andrew Luck, QB; Trent Richardson, RB; Reggie Wayne, WR; T.Y. Hilton, WR
Chargers: Phillip Rivers, QB; Danny Woodhead, RB; Antonio Gates, TE
Everybody on this list is worth a start. As an owner of Woodhead, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity since I drafted him. I expect him to be used just like Darren Sproles.
Sit ‘em:
Colts: Colts D
Chargers: Keenan Allen, WR; Chargers D
Fairly obvious here, as I think this game will be a shootout. I like Allen, but I don’t think he’s ready to be a starter.
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