FANTASY FOOTBALL: Week Six Starters

Week # 6 is here, and the season is almost halfway over. Can you believe it? This is the start of a stretch of games that make or break a fantasy football team. Here is a look at some of the top players this weekend.

QUARTERBACKS-

1. Peyton Manning- Last weekend, Peyton Manning spread the ball around to all of his wide receivers. Manning was playing a tough defense last week, and it looks like he is going to have a much better game this weekend. This weekend, Manning and the Colts play the New England Patriots. The Colts’ receivers should get the better of the Patriots cornerbacks this week, as Manning throws for two to three scores and over 275 yards passing.

2. Brian Griese- For a quarterback that was questionable going into last weekend’s game, he sure didn’t look like it. Griese threw 50 passes, completing 31 of them. Even though he only threw for one score, there was one bright spot. There was no real pain in his Griese’s throwing shoulder and he might not need shoulder surgery until the offseason. Griese and the Broncos go up against the Chargers this weekend in San Diego. Look for another good game from Griese this weekend. The Chargers have a weak set of cornerbacks and no pass rush. Look for Griese to finish with close to 300 yards passing and two to three scores.

3. Daunte Culpepper- This Monday night, Culpepper will get his first real test of the season, when the Minnesota Vikings host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is no doubt that Culpepper will have problems in this game, but he should also make a lot of big plays. Culpepper should account for three TDs and have around 250 yards passing.

4. Rich Gannon- Last week, Gannon and the Oakland Raiders had their bye week. This weekend, Gannon and the Raiders should be well rested when they meet the San Francisco 49ers. Look for a good game from Gannon this week, as the 49ers secondary is very beatable. Gannon should finish the game with two scores and around 250 yards passing.

5. Steve Beuerlein- This weekend, Beuerlein and the Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks. This looks like a good game for Beuerlein and all of the Panthers receivers. The Seahawks have no pass rush and a weak run defense. Look for Beuerlein to throw a lot in this game, as he should be close to 250 yards passing and two scores.

Sleeper of the Week-

Charlie Batch- A decent start this weekend at quarterback could be Charlie Batch. Batch and the Lions host the Green Bay Packers. Last season in two games against the Panthers, Batch averaged 200 yards passing and two TDs. Look for the same this weekend, as Batch and his receivers will have a decent game.

RUNNING BACKS-

1. Edgerrin James- The best starting running back this weekend looks to be Edgerrin James. James and the Colts go to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots. The Patriots have a decent run defense, but James should still find a way to get it done. Look for James to be around the 100 yards rushing mark and possibly two scores.

2. Eddie George- With all of the injuries to the Titans receivers, Eddie George will be relied on heavily this weekend. That shouldn’t be a problem, as the Titans go to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. In the last game against the Bengals, George ran for almost 125 yards and had two TDs. Look for similar numbers this week from George, as he should still top the 100-yard rushing mark and possibly two scores.

3. Mike Anderson- About five weeks ago, nobody in the fantasy football world knew who Mike Anderson was. Now, you would be lucky to have him on your fantasy football team. With the injury to Terrell Davis, Anderson will start once again this weekend. Anderson and the Denver Broncos visit San Diego to play the Chargers. This looks like a great start this week for Anderson, as he should top the 100-yard rushing mark and have at least one score.

4. Curtis Martin- This weekend, Martin and the NY Jets play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This should be a good game for Martin, as the Steelers will try to play catch up all game. The Jets should get out to an early lead, in which Martin should get a lot of carries during the game. Martin should finish the game with around 100 yards rushing and one score.

5. James Stewart- So far this season, Stewart really hasn’t done much of anything. Stewart has had one good game all season, but you really can’t blame Stewart. Batch hasn’t been on target with his receivers and the offensive line has not been getting the job done. Although this weekend, Stewart should have a good game. Stewart and the Detroit Lions play host to the Green Bay Packers. If the offensive line can open some holes up for Stewart, he could be in for a good game. Look for Stewart to have close to 100 yards rushing and one TD.

Sleeper of the Week-

Brian Mitchell- With the loss of Duce Staley this week, and possibly for the entire season, Brian Mitchell will face his former team that cut him in the offseason. This weekend, Mitchell and the Philadelphia Eagles play host to the rival Washington Redskins. Look for Mitchell to get revenge on his former team, as he could be close to 80 yards rushing and one TD.

WIDE RECEIVERS-

1. Marvin Harrison- The best starting wide receiver this weekend looks to be Marvin Harrison. Harrison has not been getting the huge numbers that he has been accustomed too. The one big reason for that is the emergence of Terrence Wilkens. Wilkens has finally stepped up and is taking some passes away from Harrison. Don’t look for this to continue, as Harrison will soon be back to his normal numbers. Look for a good game this week from Harrison, as he should have over 100 yards receiving and at least one score.

2. Randy Moss- One of the most exciting games this season looks to be this Monday night, when the Minnesota Vikings play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The undeafted Vikings will try to stay unbeaten, as they play their toughest opponent yet. Moss should be in for a very good game. Moss usually saves his best games for national TV. Look for Moss to catch a lot of passes in this game, catching at least one TD and having over 100 yards receiving.

3. Tim Brown- After having a bye week last weekend, Brown and the Raiders play the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers have a weak secondary, so Brown will take full advantage of it. Look for Brown to have close to 100 yards receiving and one score.

4. Jimmy Smith- After last week’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith and the Jaguars look to bounce back this weekend. Well, maybe not this weekend. This weekend, the Jaguars play a much better team in the Baltimore Ravens. Smith will have a tough game this weekend, but he should still hit the endzone. Look for only 80 yards receiving and one score from Smith.

5. Marcus Robinson- Last weekend, Robinson finally got back on track. He scored twice and had well over 100 yards receiving. But, Thursday of this week, Robinson sprained his ankle in practice. He is listed as questionable and he has vowed that he his going to play this weekend. Check the injury report before game time. If he does start, he should be in for a good game. Look for one score and close to 80 yards receiving this weekend.

Sleeper of the Week-

Jacquez Green- A possible sleeper this weekend is, Jacquez Green going against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will definitely try to stop the run, which could leave Green one on one with a very beatable Minnesota cornerback. Look for around 60 yards receiving from Green and a possible score.

TIGHT ENDS-

1. Frank Wycheck- With all the injuries to the Titans receivers, Wycheck will definitely be relied on more. Last week, Wycheck had one of the best games he has had in his career. He had almost 50 yards receiving and two scores. This weekend, Wycheck and the Titans go up against the Cincinnati Bengals. Look for another great game from Wycheck, as he should again be close to 50 yards receiving and at least one TD.

2. Rickey Dudley- After the bye week last weekend, Dudley will try to get things going. It has not been a good season so far for Dudley. He really needs to step it up a notch and play like he is capable of playing. This could be that week, because the Raiders play the San Francisco 49ers. Dudley should be in for a good game, catching one TD and having 50 yards receiving.

3. Wesley Walls- Once again, Walls has been a solid TE this season. This weekend, Walls goes up against the Seattle Seahawks. Walls should have many passes thrown his way, one possibly for a TD. Also, Walls should finish with close to 50 yards receiving.

4. Shannon Sharpe- This weekend, Sharpe and the Baltimore Ravens go to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. This will probably be a low scoring defensive game. But, the Ravens could throw a lot of short passes to Sharpe. Look for Sharpe to end up with 40 yards receiving and one score.

5. Freddie Jones- One TE who’s stock is on the rise is Freddie Jones of the San Diego Chargers. Jones gets a ton of passes thrown his way, making him a decent start just about every week. Look for Jones to have another decent game this weekend, finishing with 40 yards receiving and one TD.

Sleeper of the Week-

Chad Lewis- With the loss of Duce Staley, due to a foot injury, Lewis could be a player that steps up for the Philadelphia Eagles. This weekend, Lewis and the Eagles host the Washington Redskins. Lewis should get involved early and often in this game. Lewis will finish the game with 35 yards receiving and one score.

DEFENSES AND SPECIAL TEAMS-

1. Tennessee- This weekend the Titans play the Cincinnati Bengals. This game will get ugly.

2. Baltimore- This weekend, it looks like another good game from the Ravens defense. They go up against a Jacksonville offense that has had trouble running the ball this year. With Brunell still banged up and Taylor not looking 100 %, this defense looks to be a must start this weekend.

3. Miami- Another low scoring game this weekend looks to be between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills. Both teams have great defenses, so it will be hard for each other’s offense to put points on the board. Also, look for a lot of turnovers in this game.

4. Buffalo- See above.

5. Oakland- Coming off a bye week last weekend, the Raiders defense will be well rested. This weekend they go to San Francisco to play the 49ers. Jeff Garcia has played well lately for the 49ers, but he hasn’t faced a defense like the Raiders.

Sleeper of the Week-

New Orleans- This could be a good start this weekend if somehow Marcus Robinson doesn’t play. The Bears have no running game and without their best WR, it could get ugly. This is only if Robinson sits this weekend.