Watchlist – Week 6
Welcome to another edition of the Watchlist Q and A. Like last week, there are a number of teams returning from bye weeks, some BAD teams that need to right the ship – PRONTO, and injuries to key players. All of these topics will affect your lineup decisions for the upcoming week.
After all of the weekly games are finished be sure to check our waiver wire column, studs and duds, a who’s hot, and who’s not report plus more in our fantasy football guide.
Here is what I will be watching for in Week 6.
HEY FANTASY FOOTBALLERS!!!! EVER BET ON AN NFL GAME???? TRY OUR EXPERT PICKS!! —–>
1. What will the teams returning from byes have in store for their competition this week?
Chicago Bears – The Bears didn’t have much to fix during their time off. The passing game is fine, and the running game seems to be improving. The Bears face an uber-hot Falcons team that destroyed San Francisco this past weekend. I hope that the Bears coaches watched some tape – Atlanta on the road is no easy task.
Green Bay Packers – The recipe for post bye week success?? Dates against Detroit and Cleveland. The Packers really needed the time off the address their O-Line issues. Having given up 20 sacks already, this unit HAS to be better so Ryan Grant, Aaron Rogers and the rest of their Offense can reach their potential. I think they will.
New Orleans Saints – Not much to work on here either. Big game against the Giants should be a barn burner. Some banged up players should have healed – leaving an already cloudy backfield situation cloudier. Going to be a high scoring game for sure.
San Diego Chargers – Let’s hope for Norv Turner’s sake that he was able to spark the running game that has been a disaster this year. It is crucial for success going forward. Let’s see what Norv cooked up on his week off for this important game.
2. How will the over achieving teams fare in Week 6?
Cincinnati Bengals – Coach Marvin Lewis could only dream of a season like the one the Bengals are having right now. With a record of 4-1, Cincinnati leads their division, and with a game against the Houston Texans, chances are that they will be 5-1. Carson Palmer is on fire, Cedric Benson is defying the odds, Ochicinco is returning to Pro Bowl form, and secondary receivers are stepping up every week. Most, if not all Bengals should be in your Fantasy lineup this week!
Denver Broncos – Monday Night against the Chargers in San Diego should be fun. Kyle Orton is silencing his critics, Knowshon Moreno is on the verge of Fantasy stardom, Brandon Marshall is a Stud, and there has even been an Eddie Royal sighting. The stars are aligning for the Broncos – enjoy the ride!
NY Jets – You think New York sports fans aren’t fired up? The Yankees, the Giants and now even the Jets are legit. Coach Rex Ryan has instilled a brand new attitude for this team, and believe me, it’s no fun to play against them. Oh ya – Braylon Edwards looks huge.
3. Injuries?
There are a number of key injuries around the NFL that could affect not only their respective NFL team’s game plans, but also the lineup decision that the Fantasy World faces every week.
Matthew Stafford – Detroit – Bad knee – doesn’t look to good for Week 6
Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle – Rib injury shouldn’t be a problem. Great week ahead
Eli Manning – NY Giants – Sore foot – no problem. Get him in your lineup this week!
Marc Bulger – St. Louis – Ready to go – might be a decent bye week fill in – MIGHT!!!
Clinton Portis – Washington – Should play but be limited.
Willie Parker – Pittsburgh – Practicing but wearing a splint – figure on 1/3 of the carries.
New Orleans RB’s – likely to split carries. Too cloudy to predict. Pierre Thomas is the safest bet.
Correll Buckhalter – Denver – Should be back but Moreno is now THE MAN in Denver.
Calvin Johnson – Detroit – Missed practice all week – risky play – keep tabs.
Jerricho Cotchery – NY Jets – Not looking good for this week. Hamstring was aggravated Monday night.
Percy Harvin – Minnesota – Freak injury to his shoulder might keep him out Sunday.
4. Coaches on the Hot Seat ?
It will be interesting to see how teams with potential lame duck coaches perform in Week 6.
Dick Jauron – Buffalo – Can’t believe he still has a job. Trent Edwards is a pooch, Terrell Owens is a cancer, and Lee Evans is invisible. The running game is all that you can count on in Buffalo, and as history has shown, they can only be inserted into Fantasy lineups when matchups dictate so. Stay away from the Bills!
Gary Kubiak – Houston – Matt Schuab and the rest of the passing game are doing their best to keep Kubiak’s job. Keep them in your lineups. The running game and the Defense is another story. They are totally underwhelming – the main reason for the losses, and the main reason that Kubiak is in Danger.
Jeff Fisher – Tennessee – Maybe not in a lot of danger because he’s a hell of a coach. Not unlike the Texans, the passing game is getting it done and the running game and Defense are faltering. Let’s hop for Fisher – he’s one on the truly good guys in the game.
Jack Del Rio – Jacksonville – Middle of the road team with a middle of the road record – still a good coach is on the hot seat. Jones-Drew has to stop whining, the passing game has to get on track and the Defense has to stop someone. All are not happening and with dysfunction come the finger pointing – Del Rio is the target.
John Fox – Carolina – Incredible failure in Carolina – who’s to blame? I say fire the front office for resigning Jake Delhomme. He’s killing Steve Smith and because nobody is scared of Delhomme, the running game is being keyed upon, and therefore is struggling.
Tom Cable – Oakland – Total train wreck in Oakland, but Al Davis risks a broken jaw if he fires Cable. Nobody on this team is worth starting in any Fantasy World.
Jim Zorn – Washington – Probably the biggest Lame Duck in the league right now. You just know that owner Dan Snyder has been in touch with Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, and Bill Cowher about coaching the team next year. Apparently the players like Zorn, but I don’t think that will help. 
5. Marquee Matchups?
There are some quality games in Week 6 of the NFL both from a league standings perceptive, and from a Fantasy perspective. These games are ones I will be watching for the Fantasy Bonanzas that promise to be.
Chicago vs. Atlanta – Offensive Explosion time!! Chicago is coming off a bye and Atlanta is coming off a total destruction of the 49ers. Both teams can and WILL put up some points. Get all your Bears and Falcons in your lineups – it going to be fun to watch.
NY Giants vs. New Orleans – Another shootout that will undoubtedly make the Fantasy world salivate. With and undefeated record on the line, both teams will bring their A games. Prepare for fireworks and play all Giants and Saints with utmost confidence.
Arizona vs. Seattle – Matt Hasselbeck is back and TJ Houshmenzadeh and Nate Burleson couldn’t be happier. Arizona – we know what they can do. Going to be an Offensive game Sunday- Fantasy Bonanza.
Denver vs. San Diego – Lot on the line in this game. The AFC West is up for grabs. Both teams are clicking on all Offensive cylinders – both playing well and that doesn’t figure to change Sunday.
Tennessee vs. New England – Pride Time!!! Cmon Tom Brady – do something!! He will and Wes Welker and Randy Moss will benefit. Tennessee HAS to be better!! I think the ground game gets it going this week.
6. Is The writing on the wall ?
The writing on the wall – What is going to happen to the aging Fantasy superstars and their heirs apparent?
LaDainian Tomlinson – NEEDS to have a good game like nobody on the planet.
Willie Parker – Going to play but also watch a lot of Mendenhall’s magic.
Jamal Lewis – Great week last week might have fended off the wolves. It will be interesting to see what Jamal can do this week.
Larry Johnson – Ugh. The only person that seems to have confidence in you is your coach – not so bad I guess!
Clinton Portis – Banged up already, but if he gets hot, he could be a Stud. Your guess is as good as mine.
Brian Westbrook – One more week removed from his injury – he should have a good game.
There ya go folks – lots of information there – hope it helps. Enjoy what should be a great week in the NFL.
