Week 6 of the 2014 National Football League regular season brings with it multiple dilemmas for fantasy football owners. A plethora of first-choice running backs will be sidelined because of injuries. You could also find yourself without your WR1 or your TE1 because of injuries or Bye weeks.
Even casual fantasy football owners don’t need to be told to start the likes of Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers or DeMarco Murray. Finding value plays over the next couple of months is what separates fantasy football playoff teams from those on the outside looking in come December.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Start QB Brian Hoyer, Cleveland Browns
You’re looking for somebody to fill in for Drew Brees, who is off this week. You go to the waiver wire only to find that somebody scooped Eli Manning up a few weeks back. You feel out of options.
Enter the Cleveland hometown hero.
The defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers is not what it has been in previous years. While Hoyer won’t get you 30+ fantasy football points, he has been good for a couple of touchdowns per game. He has also limited his mistakes, making him a serviceable replacement for your standard QB1.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Sit QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
This is not at all a dig at the much-maligned Dallas QB. The truth of the matter is that Romo has been a solid fantasy football quarterback over the past month.
Here’s the problem. Romo and the Cowboys will be playing the Legion of Boom of the Seattle Seahawks IN Seattle. You’re taking an unnecessary risk if you start Romo this week.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Start RB Andre Williams, New York Giants
Fantasy football owners paying attention to trends have likely already grabbed Branden Oliver of the San Diego Chargers. Williams could prove to be a better value get for Week 6.
Rashad Jennings will be sidelined because of a knee sprain. While the offense of the Philadelphia Eagles has been spectacular, its defense has surrendered six touchdowns to opposition running backs. Go pick Williams up right now if he is somehow available in your league.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Sit RB Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams
Stacy will enter the weekend as questionable (calf), meaning fantasy football owners may have to wait until Monday evening to learn if he will feature against the San Francisco 49ers. Doing so could cost you a win, especially if you only need a few points on the last night of the football week.
A healthy Stacy would likely be a sit regardless of his status. San Fran has the second-best run defense in the NFL as it pertains to fantasy football numbers. You should have a better option either on your bench or on the waiver wire.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Start WR Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins
Green Bay Packers quarterback told fans to R-E-L-A-X before having stellar back-to-back performances. The Super Bowl MVP alone cannot, however, fix his pass defense, a unit that has been a fantasy football liability against wide receivers when on the road.
Wallace is rested and coming off a Bye week. He has found the end zone in three of four games. Owners can feel safe about starting Wallace this week.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Sit WR Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
WARNING: This goes against conventional wisdom and logic, and only fantasy football owners who have depth at the wide receiver position should sit Tate.
So why sit Tate? Calvin Johnson is likely to be held out of the game against the Minnesota Vikings, and Tate will miss Megatron taking top-tier coverage schemes. The match-up against the Vikes is favorable for Tate owners, and this could prove to be a trap. Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Start TE Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
The highly-rated rookie tight end has largely looked lost. Ebron has reeled in only 8 of 16 targets, and he has given fantasy football owners a single touchdown.
Here’s the reason for hope: With Megatron sidelined, Tate should receive less favorable match-ups in scoring scenarios. This could open things up for Ebron.
The reality of the situation is that it’s slim pickings at the tight end position for fantasy football owners. Ebron is a touchdown-or-bust play for those of you stuck with a TE1 on a Bye.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Sit TE Tim Wright, New England Patriots
Are you seeing a value get in Wright, who went for five catches and a touchdown in that rout against the Cincinnati Bengals? You could be right!
Or you could be very, very wrong.
Wright had 4 receptions total in the first four games of the regular season. He didn’t play all that many snaps last week despite his production. As much as doing so may irk fantasy football risk-takers, you have to sit Wright until you have a better idea of how he will be used in the New England offense moving forward.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Start Cincinnati Bengals defense
Don’t be scared off by how the New England offense had its way with the Cincy defense last Sunday night. The Panthers won’t be starting an angry and motivated Tom Brady this coming Sunday. Remember, also, that the defense of the Bengals performs much better at home than when away.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton hasn’t been his old self all season (ankle and rib knocks). He may mix in a good half with a bad one, but it’s that bad half that should make starting the Cincinnati defense worth it.
Week 6 Fantasy Football Start or Sit: Sit New York Jets
This doesn’t just have to do with the Jets facing off with Peyton Manning and a high-power Denver defense. Gang Green is a mess all over, and the perception is that at least some players can read the writing on the wall regarding Rex Ryan being a lame-duck head coach. Bench the NYJ defense until further notice.
Realted
