"Football is like life and I know life." - Rush Limbaugh
No, there will be not talk about Rush this week, well, at least not the Rush you're thinking of. However, there will be talk about 100-yard rushers, a rush to Giant judgment and who will be rushing the quarterback.
The Packers are back, and RapidDraft.com is rockin' through Week 6. Don't forget to visit the site and play our RapidDraft Weekly $50K Contest. Before you go, make sure you get yourself updated with the Week 6 Forecast. Good luck.
Week 6 Player Watch
Donovan McNabb, Eagles -- Were you amazed with the numbers McNabb was able to produce last week? Yes, I know, the Buccaneers aren't exactly a dominant defense this season, but keep in mind that McNabb threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns on the road with a rookie leading the charge catching passes. This is nothing new, though. Over the years McNabb has had to throw to a handful of different receivers, including rookies, and has still produced at a high level on a regular basis. This week, the Eagles are on the road against a horrid Raiders team that McNabb should have no problem dissecting, especially if Eli Manning can do it with a bum foot.
Cedric Benson, Bengals -- Benson and the Bengals are coming off a huge victory against the Ravens, one for which the surprise runner surprisingly ran for over 100 yards against a stingy Baltimore defense that usually stands its ground against opposing ground attacks. This week, the Bengals will host a Texans defense that is allowing 140.8 rushing yards per game; an average that fell a little compared to this time last week. But that was because Houston faced a dominant passing offense in Arizona. Benson is the key for the Bengals slowing down the Texans offense. The more he carries the rock while gaining big chunks of yardage and taking time off the play clock, the less time the Texans passing attack will have to roar back.
Roddy White, Falcons -- The sleeping Falcon finally woke up this past week as he recorded eight receptions for 210 yards and scored two 30-plus yard touchdowns. This week, White and the Falcons will host the Bears on Sunday night. Chicago, much like the Falcons last week, is coming off a bye week. And while most fantasy owners may second-guess White's potential this week, his past success against the Bears tells a different tale. Last season, the Falcons' high-flying receiver recorded nine receptions for 112 yards and caught a 3-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter as the Falcons won, 22-20, on a late Jason Elam field goal. The bottom line here is that White is red hot and history is in his favor.
Obvious, Dubious, and Hideous Starts
St Louis vs. Jacksonville
Obvious - Maurice Jones-Drew, David Garrard, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt
Dubious - Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars DST, Donnie Avery
Hideous - Rams QB, Rams DST, Keenan Burton
New York Giants vs. New Orleans
Obvious - Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Ahmad Bradshaw, Marques Colston, Steve Smith
Dubious - Mario Manningham, Brandon Jacobs, Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans DST
Hideous - Kevin Boss,
Baltimore vs. Minnesota
Obvious -- Joe Flacco, Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Baltimore DST
Dubious -- Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian, Minnesota DST, Brett Favre
Hideous -- Willis McGahee, Mark Clayton, Visanthe Shiancoe
Detroit vs. Green Bay
Obvious - Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jermichael Finley
Dubious - Ryan Grant, Lions QB, Kevin Smith, Packers DST
Hideous - Lions DST, Bryant Johnson, Calvin Johnson
Houston vs. Cincinnati
Obvious - Carson Palmer, Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Cedric Benson, Chad Ochocinco
Dubious - Steve Slaton, Owen Daniels, Chris Henry, Kevin Walter
Hideous - Texans DST, Bengals DST, Chris Brown
Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh
Obvious -- Rashard Mendenhall, Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh DST
Dubious -- Heath Miller, Derek Anderson
Hideous -- Willie Parker, Jamal Lewis, Mohamed Massaquoi
Kansas City vs. Washington
Obvious - Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley
Dubious - Jason Campbell, Dwayne Bowe, Matt Cassel, Antwan Randle El
Hideous - Mark Bradley, Washington DST, Larry Johnson
Carolina vs. Tampa Bay
Obvious -- Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Carolina DST, Kellen Winslow Jr
Dubious -- Cadillac Williams, Jake Delhomme, Jonathan Stewart
Hideous -- Tampa Bay DST, Antonio Bryant
Arizona vs. Seattle
Obvious - Larry Fitzgerald, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Kurt Warner
Dubious - Nate Burleson, Anquan Boldin, Tim Hightower, John Carlson
Hideous - Julius Jones, Seattle DST, Arizona DST
Philadelphia vs. Oakland
Obvious -- Brian Westbrook, Donovan McNabb, Brent Celek, Philadelphia DST, Zach Miller
Dubious -- Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, Justin Fargas, Michael Bush
Hideous -- Jamarcus Russell, Oakland DST, Louis Murphy
Buffalo vs. New York Jets
Obvious -- Braylon Edwards, Thomas Jones, NY Jets DST
Dubious -- Marshawn Lynch, Mark Sanchez, Dustin Keller, Lee Evans
Hideous -- Terrell Owens, Trent Edwards, Jerricho Cotchery
Tennessee vs. New England
Obvious -- Tom Brady, Randy Moss
Dubious -- Chris Johnson, Kerry Collins, New England DST, Wes Welker
Hideous -- Ben Watson, Justin Gage, Tennessee DST
Chicago vs. Atlanta
Obvious -- Matt Forte, Michael Turner, Roddy White, Greg Olsen
Dubious -- Tony Gonzalez, Matt Ryan, Earl Bennett
Hideous -- Chicago DST, Atlanta DST, Johnny Knox, Jay Cutler
Denver vs. San Diego
Obvious -- Knowshon Moreno, Antonio Gates, Philip Rivers
Dubious -- Kyle Orton, Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, Vincent Jackson
Hideous -- Tony Scheffler, San Diego DST, Denver DST
RapidDraft.com writers Eric Huber, Matt Schauf and Frank Mazzola answer a few burning questions heading in to Week 6.
Is Ahmad Bradshaw a better fit in the Giants offense than starter Brandon Jacobs?
Huber: Yes. However, I do believe that Bradshaw benefits a great deal from Jacobs‘ presence. I think opposing teams for the most part game-plan to slow down Jacobs, but may not do so when it comes to Bradshaw. Ahmad definitely has the better all-around skills, and as a whole seems to fit what the Giants are trying to accomplish on offense this season a little bit better, but don't count Jacobs out.
Schauf: Bradshaw is a more dynamic runner than most other backs in the league, but Brandon Jacobs has proved over five years what he can do. That includes going for 5 yards per carry each of the past two seasons behind that line. Jacobs and Bradshaw both deserve to keep getting ample carries, and they will. Jacobs is too good a runner for his low touchdown output to continue.
Mazzola: He just might be. This team isn't your father's Giants. They throw the ball plenty and Bradshaw's receiving skills mesh nicely with what they like to do.
Is this the week Vikings running back Adrian Peterson finally rushes his way to triple digits for just the second time this season?
Huber: Yes. Why? In his career in the Metrodome, Peterson is averaging 113.6 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. Yes, the Ravens aren't typically a defense that allow a lot of yardage on the ground, but Peterson plays way too good at home to bet against him no matter what kind of defense takes the field.
Schauf: Peterson's capable of a big game against anyone, but don't bet on him following Cedric Benson's lead. The Ravens have only allowed 3.1 yards per carry all year, including Benson's 120-yard effort a week ago. Baltimore hasn't exactly played a murderer's row of rushers, but a franchise that has never allowed 4 yards per carry in a season since moving to Baltimore deserves benefit of the doubt. Peterson is a must-start every week that he's healthy, and a touchdown or two shouldn't surprise. Tallying 100 yards against the Ravens doesn't seem likely, though.
Mazzola: He probably won't do it against an angry Baltimore team who just surrendered 120 yards to Cedric Benson. They will be extra motivated and, while you always start "All Day," of course, this should not be one of his better outings.
Has Jeremy Maclin solidified himself as a starter in the Eagles offense? What should fantasy owners expect out of him this week?
Huber: His latest performance indicates so, but the Eagles carousel of receivers seems to never stop. As for this week: I wouldn't expect nearly as much out of Maclin this week as fantasy owners saw against Tampa Bay, but his big play ability makes him hard to bench, especially if you're covering a bye-week player.
Schauf: Maclin should remain a starter ahead of Kevin Curtis, and even if he doesn't right away, he will soon. His numbers will most likely be volatile all year, though, for several reasons: Maclin is a rookie, he's a big-play type who figures to do his primary work downfield rather than on shorter routes and the Eagles love to spread the ball around. DeSean Jackson led all receivers in RapidDraft fantasy scoring heading into last week, and then he caught just one ball against Tampa. Opposing defenses won't be surprised by Maclin going forward, and although he's good enough to make plays throughout, he'll probably have about as many bad fantasy outings as good. This week, he figures to face Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha, which should turn Donovan McNabb's attention more often to his other options.
Mazzola: He has jumped over Kevin Curtis for sure. However, the Eagles spread the ball around quite a bit so it's hard to predict how well he'll do week to week. This week against Oakland, though, he is a strong play.
Name your best and bust players (QB, RB, WR, TE) for Week 6.
Huber: QB -- Best: Carson Palmer, Bust: Jay Cutler RB -- Best: Maurice Jones-Drew, Bust: Kevin Smith WR -- Best: Greg Jennings, Bust: Brandon Marshall TE -- Best: Antonio Gates, Bust: Visanthe Shiancoe
Schauf: QB -- Best: Aaron Rodgers, Bust: Brett Favre RB -- Best: Maurice Jones-Drew, Bust: Willis McGahee WR -- Best: Larry Fitzgerald, Bust: Andre Johnson TE -- Best: Tony Gonzalez, Bust: Chris Cooley
Mazzola: QB -- Best: Aaron Rodgers, Bust: Brett Favre RB -- Best: Cedric Benson, Bust: Kevin Smith WR -- Best: Randy Moss, Bust: Andre Johnson TE -- Best: John Carlson, Bust: Antonio Gates
Individual Defensive Player Insight
One of the hardest positions to get any consistency from on a weekly basis is defensive end. Dwight Freeney is the only pass rusher who has recorded at least one sack in every game, and the Vikings' Jared Allen has scored major points in the last four games. Other than that, you have two-week wonder Antwan Odom and on-again-off-again Elvis Dumervil leading the way with eight sacks apiece.
Insert Buccaneers defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson, who is halfway between being consistent and IDP dominant. Wilkerson has recorded five sacks, 19 total tackles and has forced two fumbles in the last four weeks. The best part is that it hasn't been all in one or two games.
In most leagues, Wilkerson may be gone off the waiver wire by now, but if you're lucky you may be able to snatch him up and start him this week against Carolina. The Buccaneers defense has allowed 12 touchdowns through the air, Jake Delhomme has been sacked 10 times and has fumbled three times in four games. Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart is hobbling on a bad Achilles once again. You do the math.
Fantasy Breakdown: Detroit vs. Green Bay
I need to steal a word from the "start" portion of the column, and say that this week's green and blue matchup is definitely a dubious one.
What kind of pressure will Aaron Rodgers see from the talent-starved Lions defensive front? Will Greg Jennings get more passes thrown his way, and will he hold on? And how good will the Lions passing attack be with so much uncertainty lingering at quarterback and wide receiver? Here's a quick breakdown of who has the upper hand from a fantasy standpoint.
Quarterback -- Stafford/Culpepper vs. Aaron Rodgers
I'm not sure there is any doubt who the better fantasy option in this quarterback matchup is. Uncertainty lingers in Detroit as to whether or not the rookie, Stafford, will start this week as he continues to recover from a dislocated kneecap, and Daunte Culpepper isn't exactly in his prime. The Packers are coming off a bye week and veteran tackle Mark Tauscher will re-join the team, so Rodgers is the easy choice here. Let's just hope he doesn't get sacked five times in this one; nobody should start the Lions defense. Advantage: Rodgers.
Running back -- Kevin Smith vs. Ryan Grant
Both running backs have good matchups, but the one factor that separates one from the other is surrounding talent. The Packers have so many offensive options healthy and ready to be used and abused, while the Lions, due to injuries, basically have just Smith and a bunch of average receivers. Smith should see plenty of touches both in the ground game and catching the ball out of the backfield. And while Grant could have a good showing, I see Smith being a bigger fantasy contributor. Advantage: Smith.
Wide Receiver -- Bryant Johnson & Dennis Northcutt vs. Greg Jennings and Donald Driver
This matchup is like the Giants rushing attack last week against the Raiders run defense. Detroit's average receivers don't stand a chance against the talented bunch in Green Bay. I don't know if there is much more to say here. Advantage: Driver, Jennings and even Jordy Nelson.
Tight End -- Brandon Pettrigrew vs. Jermichael Finley
Ah yes, the matchup I'll be closely monitoring. Both tight ends have shown glimpses at times, but have yet to show consistency. With Calvin Johnson likely not playing, Pettigrew will be heavily utilized in the passing game, especially on third down. As for Finley, well, let's just wait and see before jumping to conclusions, for fantasy owners have already been burned by the second year potential star in this young season. As for me, well I'm going with the more experienced, once again, rising star. Advantage: Finley.
Enjoy the (less intense) rivalry game.
