Week 6 – Start, Bench, Waiver

Start
JP Losman, QB, Bills – If you’ve been watching any Lions games over the season, you’d know that Losman, though the model of inconsistency, is a must start this week. QBs have been able to torch the Lions pass defense for over 265 yards per game. Detroit’s allowed more passing TDs than any team in the league (11).
Drew Bledsoe, QB, Cowboys – Bledsoe has had a few rough weeks, but this week, against the worst pass defense in the league (Houston – 295 yards per game and 8 total TDs), expect big things from a reeling Bledsoe. Those “Romo” chants have to be quieted, right?
Rex Grossman, QB, Bears – Arizona has a solid defense, but Chicago has a better offensive line that won’t allow many sacks, if any at all. Grossman will have longer to throw the ball, he’ll commit less mistakes, and he’ll connect with Bernard Berrian on a few long bombs. 230 yards and 2 TDs.
Jake Plummer, QB, Broncos – Jake has an ideal match up this week against Oakland. Oakland is allowing 144 yards per game through the air, good for second in the league, but they’ve give up 8 TDs. Plummer should only throw for around 185 yards, but he should get 2 TDs.
Tatum Bell, RB, Broncos – Oakland has given up over 150 yards per game and Tatum Bell is sitting at 5.0 yard per carry. That alone doesn’t look good for Oakland. Bell doesn’t have TD on the season, but as big play back, I am sure he’ll find the end zone this week.
Julius Jones, RB, Cowboys – Jones has been hot lately, averaging 105 yard per game over the last three games. The Texans have been torched this season for 140 yard per game and 5 TDs over 4 games, giving up 4.7 yards per carry. Jones goes for 120 yards and 1 TD. Barber scores the other rushing TD.
Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins – Ronnie Brown is getting more touches, but needs around 22-25 to be effective. He hasn’t seen anywhere close to those numbers so far this season. I think against a Jets run defense that has given up 11 TDs on the season and an average of 148 yards per game, Brown will break loose for his first huge day of the season.
Warrick Dunn, RB, Falcons – I don’t like the Giants chances here. Despite the fact that the Giants are giving up only 86 yards per game on the ground and 3 TDs in 4 games, I think Dunn has a big week and scores his first TD of the season. He’s the star of the game as the Giants try too hard to contain Vick and fail.
Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks – Holmgren announced that Branch would be starting in place of Nate Burelson this week. Branch has a ton of talent and has been used sparingly while getting the playbook down. It was just a matter of time before he got the starting nod. With Alexander out, Seattle should be throwing the ball a little more than they like, meaning Branch will getmore looks.
Lee Evans, WR, Bills – This is a no brainer. The Lions have been absolutely picked apart by opposing QBs this season and only have 1 INT on the season. Evans is the only solid and consistent WR in Buffalo. I expect he’ll see about 15 looks.
Reggie Brown, WR, Eagles – With Donte Stallworth out, Brown’s looks have increased. Despite Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis making some big plays the last two weeks, it’s been Brown who’s been the key of consistency. With the way McNabb is playing, Brown is a solid start.
Bernard Berrian, WR, Bears – Are you one of those people saying, “Man, I’m sure glad I snagged Berrian off the waiver after week 2”? Berrian is more than a big play, deep ball WR, showing last week that he can catch passes over the middle in goal line situations. Berrian is a must start every week until he falters.
Alge Crumpler, TE, Falcons – Crumpler is the main pass catcher in Atlanta and he’s going to count for a large chunk of the pass catching offense every week. New York’s LBers (Arrington, Pierce, and Emmons) have been awful against TEs and have given up an average of 5 catches and 64 yards per game. I highly doubt their ability to cover Crumpler.
Randy McMichael, TE, Dolphins – McMichael is a must start with Joey Harrington at QB. Harrington has loved checking down to TEs (see Marcus Pollard leading the Lions last season with 45 catches). McMichael had many more looks last week and had season highs in catches and yards.
Rian Lindell, K, Bills – I think the Lions defense will have an extremely difficult time stopping Evans and McGahee. Against the Lions: Longwell - 8 points, Wilkins – 15 points, Rayner – 7 points, Gould – 10 points, Brown – 9. Lindell’s missed 1 kick this season out of 16.
Atlanta Falcons, DEF – Shockey is injured and Atlanta has one of the league’s top defenses (2^nd in rush, 14^th against the pass). Despite being 14^th against the pass, Atlanta has allowed zero passing TDs this season and only one on the ground. Atlanta is a nice play against the streaky Giants.

Bench
Jake Delhomme, QB, Panthers – I don’t like Delhomme’s chances against Baltimore. The Ravens are coming off a tough loss to Denver and their defense will be giving it their all. Delhomme has an average week, throwing for 180 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT. Just for kicks, Baltimore has allowed 3 TDs through the air this season…with 9 INTs (tied for tops in the league).
Steve McNair, QB, Ravens – The only team I would start “Air McNair” against would be Detroit. I haven’t seen anything so far this season that makes me believe that he’ll help get the Ravens over the better teams in the league. Last week, when the Ravens played their first good pass defense of the season (Broncos), McNair was lit up.
Marc Bulger, QB, Rams – Bulger has been consistent this season, but the Seahawks are fresh off of a bye week and are hungry to win. Seattle’s pass defense has allowed 220 yards per game and 6 TDs on the season with only 4 INTs. Those are numbers to bet Bulger on, but I wouldn’t do it simply because Seattle has a fresh defense with few injuries.
Eli Manning, QB, Giants – Atlanta has been awesome against the pass this season, allowing no TDs through the air and only an average of 200 yards per game. Given that this game is in Atlanta and Atlanta has picked off 6 passes in 4 games, Eli rides the pine this week.
Frank Gore, RB, 49ers – The Niners play the Chargers, who have stellar this season. Last week, the Chargers defense kept Willie Parker at 57 rushing yards and controlled the clock very well. The Niners should be throwing a lot, so Gore would be a solid flex back start as he’ll likely see 6-8 catches.
Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals – Surely we’ve learned that you bench all RBs who face Chicago! James hasn’t been doing much against week defense, so starting him against Chicago is basically cocking the shotgun and pointing it at your foot.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens – So Jamal Lewis is saying he needs more touches to be effective, who didn’t see that one coming? Lewis seems like he’s been getting worse ever since his 2066 yard season. At 3.5 ypc and only 1 TD through 5 games, I wouldn’t start Lewis unless you have to. Carolina has been decent against the run.
Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh – The way KC has been playing, I wouldn’t take the chance. KC hasn’t allowed a 100 yard rushing game yet and has given up only 2 TDs in 4 games on the ground. Start Parker if you are out of options.
Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks – Burleson hasn’t been worth his $49 Million contract he signed. In fact, newly-acquired Deion Branch is starting in his place. Sure, with Alexander out, Seattle is more likely to run 3 WR sets (especially since Engram is questionable). However, I still don’t like his 7 catches on the season.
Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants – The only thing I like about the Burress/Hall match up is that Plax has the size to see a fade pass in the endzone. Other than that, I don’t like the matchup at all. Hall has been one of the best shut down corners in the league and will shut down Burress’ hot streak.
Joey Galloway, WR, Buccaneers – I didn’t like him last week and he tore it up, proving me wrong with 110 yards and a TD. However, the Bengals will prove me right this week, as they’re coming off a bye and they know that Galloway is the ideal inconsistent WR in the league and he is a big play guy.
Jeremy Shockey, TE, Giants – Atlanta has been possibly the best team in the league against TEs in the past three games, limiting TEs to less than 2 catches and 15 yards per game. In addition, Shockey has a foot injury, which only further limits his effectiveness.
Neil Rackers, K, Cardinals – I was one of those who were duped into drafting Rackers. I highly doubt the Cardinals’ ability to move the ball against Chicago, but I do like their defenses’ ability to takeaway the ball from Chicago’s offense in good field position. Either way, Rackers should ride the pine.
Washington Redskins, DEF – Washington getting torched by the Titans? No…but the Titans will make this game interesting. I love what Vince Young and Travis Henry bring. I don’t expect a win, but I expect the Titans to put up a nice number of points (Washington is allowing 236 passing yards per game and has allowed 9 TDs through the air).

Waiver
Maurice Morris, RB, Seahawks – Seattle will run the ball against the Bears. Seattle has a plethora of good WRs, but their OL has to fend off the best front 7 in the league. I think Holmgren will be running the ball and Morris will get good numbers for a backup.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars -- I see Jones-Drew unseating Taylor for the starting spot in Jacksonville very soon. Jones-Drew is a good RB and he could be a good #2 RB in a couple weeks.
Mercedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars – Lewis will see an increased role this week in the offense, as Matt Jones still has some lingering effects from his groin injury. Lewis was drafted to be a nice safety valve for Leftwich, like Gates is in San Deigo. Lewis should evolve into a nice waiver pickup in the next few weeks.
Deion Branch, WR, Seahawks – It’s possible he’s lingering around the waiver someplace. Branch is starting now and is sure to put up decent numbers.
Bryant Johnson, WR, Cardinals – With Fitzgerald out, Johnson has a chance to step up. Leinart has shown that he looks for Johnson as much as Boldin or Fitzgerald. Johnson is currently the best waiver wire pickup, in my opinion.