Fantasy football: Week six

By Ryan Kerr, staff writer
Posted on October 25, 2007

Welcome back fantasy owners. We’re at the halfway point of the season and Week 7 provided us with some insight to keep in mind the rest of the way. First, if you are playing a team with Tom Brady as the quarterback, just sit back, relax and take the L. With five touchdowns alone in the first half, Mr. Boston can’t be stopped. 

The Bills, Jets and Raiders are all bad. Really  bad. The Bills have already made a QB change, going with rook Trent Edwards. I expect the same to happen for the Jets and Raiders. Chad Pennington played fairly well, allowing him to keep his job for another week or two. The Raiders have the first overall pick and 64 million-dollar man JaMarcus Russel on the bench. It’s only a matter of time. 

Lastly, look out for the G-Men. Eli Manning has finally hit his stride after years of underachieving. He and Plaxico have quietly formed the second best combo in the league behind Brady/Moss (Sorry Peyton). Continue to start Eli, even if he was your second QB to start the season. Here are my studs to start, duds to sit, and sleeper picks for Week 6.  

STUDS

Derek Anderson, Cleveland

The former Oregon State Beaver has solidified himself as a legitimate fantasy passer since being promoted in Week 2. Anderson faces a horrible St. Louis defense that made Kyle Boller look good two weeks ago. The Browns QB will light up the scoreboard like it’s the 4th of July. 

Line: 300 yds, 2 TDs

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh

The Bengals D has yet to put up a solid performance all year. With the NFL’s fifth-leading rusher coming to town, don’t look for one now.

Line: 170 yds, 1 TD

DUDS

Clinton Portis, Washington

The depleted Redskin O-line has yet to open holes big enough to Portis’ liking. The Redskins play against New England’s fourth-ranked NFL defense Sunday, so don’t expect Portis to have a breakout performance. It also seems as if the knee tendonitis that slowed him this summer is lingering. If you can start someone else, do so.

Jay Cutler, Denver

The Broncos have been the biggest disappointment of the 2007 NFL season. The bar was raised in the mile high city after trading for Dre Bly and signing Travis Henry away from Tennessee in the off-season. Needless to say, expectations have not been met. Inevitably the blame always falls on the QB. Cutler needs to put this team on his back and show Denver fans why he replaced Jake Plummer midway through last season.

SLEEPERS

Mike Furrey, Detroit

With all of the attention being focused on Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson, and Kevin Jones, look for Furrey to quietly put up solid numbers against a leaky Bears D.

Chris Chambers, San Diego

The newly-acquired deep threat is the perfect fit for San Diego’s offense. Don’t be surprised if Phillip Rivers throws a few deep balls his way.

WHO TO START

Jeff Garcia vs. Jacksonville or Brian Griese vs. Detroit?

In this week’s favorable matchups we have a QB controversy. Reader John Hodges wants to know who to start with his #1 QB on the bench for a bye week:

Garcia is averaging a modest 14.7 points per week, but has been limited by a mediocre receiving core and a poor ground game. Griese, in only three starts, is averaging 21.2 points and has posted back-to-back 300 yard games. Mushin Mohammed and Bernard Berrian have re-emerged as serious receiving threats, with Devin Hester getting in the mix as well. 

Pick: With Garcia facing a tough Jacksonville D, take Griese and the Bears against a soft Detroit secondary.