As injuries continue to wreak havoc on fantasy rosters, here are a few starts and sits for the upcoming week six action. But first:
High Scoring Games:
Detroit @ New Orleans
Philadelphia @ Carolina
Green Bay @ Minnesota
Low Scoring Games:
Indianapolis @ Tennessee
Chicago @ Baltimore
New York Giants @ Denver
Big Day Predictions:
Tampa Bay Receivers
Ravens Defense
Broncos Defense
Wayne Gallman- Sit
Let me start by saying that you should seriously avoid any Giants player this weekend. Injuries to Beckham, Shepard, and Williams have decimated this team's wide receiver depth chart. Their run game hasn’t been effective all season, and even though it appears that Gallman has claimed the top spot on the depth chart the Giants are really going to have to get creative with their personnel moving forward.
That means that the committee approach we have seen out of the Giants backfield for the last five weeks will likely continue as the running backs on the roster will be asked to do more to pick up the slack. If you picked up Gallman on the waiver wire this week, you should let him sit against Denver.
Elijah Mcguire – Meh
If Bilal Powell and Matt Forte are both out, starting the Jet’s rookie against a terrible Patriots defense that has given up an average of 5.0 yards per attempt to opposing backs is a no-brainer.
However, If Tom Brady can outpace the Jet’s offense (let’s face it he can) then the Jet’s may have to abandon the run game early. I say start him if the aforementioned running backs are a healthy scratch, but temper your expectations as game flow might make touches hard to come by.
Ben Roethlisberger – Sit
Roethlisberger threw five interceptions against a Jaguars ball-hawking secondary that boasts ten on the year; so cut him a little slack. That being said his touchdown to interception ratio (6:7) stinks, and he’s facing an undefeated Chiefs team on the road. I don’t see him throwing five interceptions again, but I also don’t see him improving his touchdown numbers anytime soon.
Colby Fleener – Start
Charles Clay joined the illustrious list of injured tight ends over the weekend. Reports are that he underwent surgery for a torn right meniscus on Monday, so it’s looking like he will be out for the next few weeks.
For those looking for a replacement, Fleener started the season with similar usage to that of Clay. With 87 yards and two touchdowns over the first two games it certainly seemed like Fleener was heading toward a great year statistically speaking, but over the past two games, he only managed 42 yards combined before the Saints week five bye.
Here’s hoping he can recapture some of that attention from Drew Brees this Sunday when the Saints face off against a Detroit secondary that just made Ed Dickson look like Greg Olsen.
CJ Anderson – Start
Anderson is coming off a bye week to face a pitiful Giants squad that likely won’t have enough firepower to outmatch Denver. The Giants have been among the leagues worst in stopping the run. They’re allowing an average of 139 rushing yards per game to opposing teams. In the weeks leading up to Denver’s bye, Anderson wasn’t looking great. But I can’t help but feel that this is the perfect game to get back on track.
Adrian Peterson – Sit
I know, every time Peterson moves to a new team you get excited. But if Adrian Peterson were the same player from years past would the Saint have traded him? On top of that, Tampa Bay is tough against the run. It’s best to leave Adrian Peterson on the bench for a friendlier matchup.
Mark Ingram – Start
With that being said Mark Ingram’s situations in New Orleans just got a little less congested. Ingram had already been posting respectable flex numbers with Peterson eating into his carries. With Peterson gone, I’m sure all Ingram owners are hoping to see a resurgence of last year’s weekly stat lines.
Stefon Diggs – Sit
Diggs was limited by a groin injury last week, so his status will be important to monitor. But even if he suits up expect his usage to be limited because groin injuries are easily re-aggravated. The Packers have also been extremely susceptible to strong slot receivers this season, so I would start Adam Thielen in this matchup regardless.
Marvin Jones – Start
I’ve had this week’s game between the Saints and the Lions marked on my calendar since the schedule was released this year. Why? Two not so great defenses matched up against two of the most clutch quarterbacks in the game. That’s why! It’s going to be a shootout in New Orleans! This, of course, is all assuming that Matthew Stafford suits up as he is currently dealing with some soreness. But Stafford hasn’t missed a game since 2010, so we should be all set.
Golden Tate has led the team in receptions and yardage over the first five games of the season so he is a safe bet to see some great production against a Saints defense as well, but the Saints have been among the worst in the league in giving up big yardage plays all season and Matthew Stafford has a 108 passer rating on the deep ball so far this year. Marvin Jones is averaging 13.1 yards per reception.
Devin Funchess – Start
Funchess has really come into his own this season in the absence of Greg Olsen. He’s led the Panthers wide receiver group in targets and receptions over the past three weeks. He’s scored three touchdowns in the past two weeks. There is a lot to like here when facing an Eagles secondary that ranks 29th in the league.
Both him and Kelvin Benjamin have benefited from Cam Newton’s improved performance, and if the passing game continues to click like it has recently then Funchess will be an every week starter in PPR.