STUDS & DUDS: week 6...

   Week 6 of the NFL season is upon us. So much has gone down so far, from the upstart undefeated Lions and Nightmare Eagles, to the Colts minus Manning, we've seen it all. Fantasy Football has been kind to many (where you at Calvin Johnson owners?) and far less to others (I know somebody out the spent their first pick on Payton). We are now in the heart of the season, time to grind it out... to hit the waiver wire harder than a Mike Tyson hook to plug those bye week holes. It won't be easy, but this is where your leagues are won and lost... make or break, win or lose. So, here you go.

STUDS:

Donovan McNabb: Your QB on a bye? This guy is a viable option this week (really). He's coming off the Vikings first win of the season and he gets to face the NFL's 27th ranked pass defense. I don't know how much McNabb has left in the tank but I have to think there's enough in there for at least a decent fantasy day.
PREDICTION: 16 points

Miles Austin: Heee's back. Fresh off of the Cowboy's bye week and healthy once again. All you need to do is check the numbers. The icing on the Austin cake is the match-up. The Patriots are horrible against the pass and I'm sure Tony Romo will relish having his number one target back on the field.
PREDICTION: 18 points

Mark Sanchez: If he can't get the job done against the 31st worst pass defense in the league, the Jets really are doomed. Luckily for the NY, I don't think this is the case. Mark isn't a prolific passer (and never has been) but I think facing the Dolphins will make him look more like Tom Brady than Kyle Orton.
PREDICTION: 21 points

DeAngelo Williams: Williams has been quiet this year, too quiet. I'm not sure if it stems from Cam Newton stealing some would-be RB carries or if he just hasn't been performing. I think it changes this week and here's why... Carolina wants to build a rushing attack to help Cam Newton manage the game. Right now it's pass, pass, pass and they have one win to show for it. On top of that, the pass game has been money in between the 20's but stalls badly in the redzone. A solid run game would help to balance the redzone attack. I'm looking for DeAngello to be the guy to get that done this week.
PREDICTION: 16 points

Ryan Torain: So I missed the boat week 4 with my Tim Hightower pick (my bad) but It wasn't a miss on the position, just the player. After a monster week against the Rams and a bye to get plenty of rest and reps, he's ready to face an Eagles team that can stop the run about as well as I can stop watching if Eva Mendes is getting naked (uuuuuum...). While I think Vick is going to have a HUGE game (above), I also believe it's going to be a shootout going both ways. If you own Hightower, all might not be lost (he has played a large role in the receiving game at home) but I think he will be more of a passing down back instead a traditional RB... I guess we'll see.
PREDICTION: 15 points

DUDS:

Arian Foster: Since making his return from injury, Foster has been outstanding. That ride comes to and end this week. The Texans are coming into Baltimore for an afternoon game. M&T Bank will be going nuts and the Ravens will be ready to play. They rank 2nd in the NFL against the run and it hasn't been because of weak competition (Titans, Steelers, Jets all LOVE to run the football). Teams with arguably more talented front lines have managed a pitiful 72 yards per game on the ground and, even with Foster firing on all cylinders, I don't think he will fare any better.
PREDICTION: 11 points

Redskins Defense/ST: The skins are a surprise this year ranking in the top 10 in both passing and rushing defense. That's where the praise stops. Remember last time Vick played the Skins? I'm sure they wish they could forget. Vick and the Eagles are under a ton of pressure to win this week (it could mean the season for them) and I think that will be more than enough motivation for Vick to do what Vick does (and no, I don't mean dog fighting...)
PREDICTION: 2 points

Steve Smith: I just don't know how Atlanta will have any strategy to win the game that doesn't include shutting Super Steve down. I'm not sure if they will succeed of not, but it's enough to make me double think starting him if I have other solid options. ESPN has him projected in the 18 point range. These numbers look great but I expect much, much less.
PREDICTION: 9 points

Eli Manning: On paper, this match-up might not look too bad. The Giants are 9th in the league in passing yards and the Bills are in the bottom 3rd in pass defense. Here's where it starts to get tricky. In the last 3 games, the Bills have been interception machines and are currently leading the league with 12 picks so far this season. Eli has served up 5 picks so far and with the G-men near the bottom of the league in rushing yards, Eli will have no choice but to throw, throw, throw in order to keep up with the Bills potent offensive attack. Not a good recipe for little brother now, is it?
PREDICTION: 13 points

Sam Bradford: Were you actually thinking of starting this guy? I'll be honest, I liked the potential for Bradford to have a breakout year (and for St. Louis for that matter) but sadly, it hasn't happened. With several decent QB's on a bye this week, please don't look to Bradford to fill in for you. The Packers are going to pee in this guy's fruit loops.
PREDICTION: 7

   There it is. As always, if you have some different opinions be sure to let me and everybody else hear them via the comment box or FB. Good luck this week boys and girls.