Sunday’s finally here! To start things off we have our “Matchup Savers,” players that you can start today if you’re in a pinch due to the bye week, injuries, etc.
Week 6 Matchup Savers
Quarterback:
Jason Campbell- It’s his turn to face the hapless Chiefs. Campbell could conceivably have a big day.
Jake Delhomme- You have to love that the Panthers are up against the Bucs. This is a soft defense and you know Jake will be looking to pad the stats so that his miserable season doesn’t look as bad as it’s been.
Mark Bulger- All reports are that he’s going to play. No one is worse than Jacksonville against the pass so don’t be surprised if you Bulger’s line is impressive at the end of the day.
Running Back:
Bernard Scott- He has run the ball well when he’s gotten opportunities. The Bengals are matched up against Houston, the JV version of New Orleans. Look for Marvin Lewis to pound the ground game and exploit the Texans weak defense while burning clock. Scott could see 10+ carries.
Brandon Jackson- Green Bay might steamroll the Lions this week. If they get out to a big lead expect a heavy dose of the run game. Jackson could have an enormous 4th quarter if this likely scenario unfolds.
Mewelde Moore- I don’t love this start against the Browns for him because he is a pass-oriented back but against such a soft defense you could do worse.
Derrick Ward- He is on waivers in a lot of leagues because of his very slow start. Look for him to possibly break out against the Panthers.
Ladell Betts- It’s unclear how healthy Clinton Portis is right now. I can see Betts getting 10+ carries against the Chiefs. You have to like that.
Kevin Faulk- (for PPR) The Patriots are up against the deplorable Titans pass defense this week. Faulk could get some receptions in this game and be viable.
Wide Receiver
Donnie Avery- I doubt he’s available in your league but if he is this should be an obvious choice.
Bryant Johnson- He’s the only Wide Receiver they have.
Chansi Stuckey- As the default #2 in Cleveland there’s an outside chance he’ll get significant targets. It’s a lot more likely that Anderson will have another horrible game.
David Clowney- Cotchery’s almost definitely going to be out of Monday’s game so Clowney slides in the #2 spot. If the defense keys in on Edwards (which they should if they are smart) Clowney might get some really nice looks.
Tight End
Brandon Pettigrew- Megatron’s not playing and I like his upside.
Dante Rosario- You have to love that they’re facing the Buccaneers. But make sure he plays.
D/ST
Washington- The pickings are slim for spot starting defenses this week. The Redskins have one of the best matchups out there.
New England- Still an underrated defense somehow. I see no reason why the Titans offense will be able to have a big day against them.
Atlanta- They put the wood to the 49’ers last week. Chicago has about an average offense so there’s a chance they’ll shut them down.
Carolina- Are the pickings really this slim? Yes, they are. Look, they’re playing the Bucs.
Alright so now it’s time for our watch list of players to either trade and get or look to unload from our teams depending on what happens this weekend.
Buy High
Rashard Mendenhall- Parker coming back might be enough of a bogeyman to get your opponent to consider trading Mendenhall. The Steelers passing game is very formidable and it will keep teams from packing the box and loading up on the run.
Ronnie Brown- The Dolphins are on a bye this week so Brown’s rankings will decrease slightly. You are going to have to give up serious value to get him but he’s worth it. It wouldn’t surprise me if he finishes in the top 5 in Fantasy this season.
Sell High
Braylon Edwards- Everyone is freaking out and expecting a repeat of his ridiculous ’07 numbers. The strategy a lot of defenses are employing now is to swarm the #1 receiver and make someone else beat you. I obviously like Edwards going forward but feel like some owners might be willing to give up too much for him and I would take advantage of that if I were you.
Matt Ryan- Doc had a really good post this week about the matchups Quarterbacks are facing for the rest of the season/playoffs. Basically Matt Ryan is getting hosed. Trading QB’s is always tricky but if possible I would look to deal him now in case he struggles against the gauntlet of tough defenses he’s about to encounter.
Ben Roethlisburger- Quietly having a huge year. That might make it tougher to get enough to make it worth trading away Big Ben. When you look at his stats he has been so other-worldly so more astute owners might be the ones I’d actually try to trade with.
Chad Ochocinco- He was ranked relatively high this season considering how bad he was last year and he’s played really well so far. If I owned him I would be looking to trade him and another player to get a stud WR like Andre Johnson.
Buy Low
Darren Sproles- His value has plummeted after his terrific first two weeks. The Chargers face the stout Broncos defense this week so I don’t see Sproles doing anything spectacular. A lot of his owners are looking to sell and cash in on what’s left of his value and you might be able to steal him.
Anquan Boldin- He had a ton of targets last week, including ones in the Red Zone. Defenses can’t key in on Boldin because of Fitzgerald and the Cardinals throw the football a ton. I think from here on out he’ll deliver on his preseason value which is 2nd tier (just below elite) level.
DeSean Jackson-He is a lot like Sproles in terms of the fast start and sluggish pace since. It is such a great time to buy on him as a lot of owners are really worried about the Eagles spreading the ball around too much in their offense.
Derrick Ward- He has been a huge disappointment and is waiver wire fodder in a lot of leagues. I don’t like what he’s done so far by any means but he could be serviceable in the second half of the season, especially if Cadillac goes down.
Jerome Harrison- It is only a matter of time before Jamal Lewis gets hurt again or is completely useless. Harrison is the guy in Cleveland; maybe I’ll turn out to be wrong on this one but I’m taking a stand.
Calvin Johnson- Not playing this week due to the injury and his production wasn’t that great this season to begin with. There are a lot of impatient owners out there secretly praying for respectable trade offers. This is a great opportunity.
Jerricho Cotchery- He’s hurt and also not playing this week. The “Braylon Edwards Effect” has helped to plummet his value even further. Here is how I envision this playing out- NFL defenses are going to provide over the top help on Edwards all game long. This is going to free up Cotchery and put him in a lot of 1 on 1 situations. His price is so low right now that you have to try and get him.
Sell Low
Larry Johnson- Too many miles on him. Unfortunately it’s not much of a secret but look at the bright side- he hasn’t gotten hurt yet.
Willis McGahee- At the end of the day he is a poor man’s LenDale White and that is not a good thing. You can still get something for McGahee but that window of opportunity is going to close soon.
Terrell Owens- I may just have him in this category until the trade deadline!
