Start or Sit? Complex Sports Fantasy Football Tips (Week 6)

After last week, you guys probably lost a bit of trust in us. Rightfully so, as we told you to bench Big Ben Roethlisberger, and he proceeded to bomb five touchdowns. We’re going to have that guilt on our minds for weeks, but we believe that we can get back on track. Read on to see why you have to put Miles Austin back in your roster and why you should probably stay away from Brandon Marshall and Reggie Wayne this week in Start or Sit? Complex Sports Fantasy Football Tips (Week 6).  

Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons (1:00 ET)
START: TE Tony Gonzalez
SIT: RB Jonathan Stewart

In this NFC South matchup, both teams need a W real badly. After an embarrassing loss to the Packers, the Atlanta Falcons will look to tack one in the win column against an unlucky Panthers squad. But in order for Atlanta to be efficient on the offensive end, they need to pass. Without a doubt, Roddy White will get his many targets but with Julio Jones out, who else will get Matt Ryan's attention? In his last two games, this guy has had 13 receptions which is one more than Roddy White. That person is Tony Gonzalez. Start him if you have him.

After weeks of being off his game, it looks as though DeAngelo Williams is back to his old self. As a result, Jonathan Stewart's role on the team will decrease to the point that he won't be worth starting. So, let's play a song to commemorate those good times.

Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 ET)
START: CIN Defense
SIT: WR Reggie Wayne

Yup, we're telling you to bench Reggie Wayne. But hear us out. Since taking the starting QB job, Curtis Painter has developed some great chemistry with Pierre Garçon. This has left Wayne yearning for more passes and that same Garcon-Painter love that was once shared between him and Peyton Manning.

The Bengals defense has been a surprise this season. Ranking in the top ten in passing and rushing should only prove their ability on the defensive end. But do we think this may be a fluke? While that remains to be seen, the Cincy D is still worth a look given their favorable matchup.

San Francisco 49ers @ Detroit Lions (1:00 ET)
START: WR Michael Crabtree
SIT: RB Jahvid Best

We'll be the first to admit that Michael Crabtree isn't one of the most popular start options for this week, but Alex Smith has to pass to somebody other than Gore and Vernon Davis, right? With Braylon Edwards and Josh Morgan out, you would figure that the Niners would try to get Crabtree more involved. And if that's the case, then he should post some good numbers. Jahvid Best's performance against the Bears was an impressive one. But going against a much tougher 49ers defense will be a bigger test that Best isn't ready for. Keep him on your bench for this week.

St. Louis Rams @ Green Bay Packers (1:00 ET)
START: WR James Jones
SIT: Any Rams player

This game won't be pretty. Aaron Rodgers is unstoppable and the Rams don't look all that good. Right now, James Jones looks like the guy receiving much of Rodgers' attention and weel-thrown passes. There will always be the concern over Jones' hands but all it takes is one long play to make fantasy owners happy and this guy is very capable of breaking a big one.

Buffalo Bills @ New York Giants (1:00 ET)
START: NYG Defense
SIT: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick

Many people have this game pegged to be a shootout, but not us. In fact, we feel that Ryan Fitzpatrick will struggle to complete passes all day in the MetLife Stadium. After all, it is well-known fact that Fitzpatrick doesn't have the strongest arm and in a stadium where wind can play a huge factor, Buffalo's QB will have trouble getting the ball where he wants. Meanwhile, the Giants main focus should be on stopping Fred Jackson. If they can do that, the New York defense should do well in today's game.  

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 ET)
START: RB Maurice Jones-Drew
SIT: RB Rashard Mendenhall  

That Steelers D just ain't what it used to be. Back in the day, they were a feared bunch who put fear into the opposing running back's heart. But now, it seems as though every RB is having a field day against Pittsburgh. Just ask Arian Foster. So Maurice Jones-Drew shouldn't have too much trouble finding the holes and further expose this lacking Pittsburgh defense. 

Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Redskins (1:00 ET)
START: WR DeSean Jackson
SIT: RB Ryan Torain 

Last season in Washington, Michael Vick single-handedly destroyed the Redskins. Will there be an encore? While he probably won't have as dominant of a performace, Vick will still put up some great fantasy numbers. If Washington's DeAngelo Hall is covering the better Eagles WR, then that will leave DeSean Jackson open for at least one big score.

Now, there's such a thing as a timeshare but then there's whatever the Redskins are trying to pull. With three running backs at their disposal (Hightower, Torain and Helu), you never know which one will have the big game. That is why we cannot put Ryan Torian in the start column.  
 

Cleveland Browns @ Oakland Raiders (4:05 ET)
START: OAK Defense, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey
SIT: CLE Defense, WR Denarius Moore

The Brown are traveling into Oakland for the Raiders first home game since Al Davis passed. Despite having an extra week to prepare, that doesn’t bode well for the Brownies. After rushing for a season-low 51 yards last week, Darren McFadden should have a field day against a Browns D that is amongst the worst in the league against the run. Heyward-Bay should continue his strong play as well now that he seems to have taken somewhat of a leadership role in a young receiving corps.

Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens (4:05 ET)
START: TE Owen Daniels
SIT: WR Andre Johnson

The Texans suffered a brutal loss last week as Matt Schaub was intercepted in the endzone to end the game. Playing against a Ravens team that is coming off a bye isn’t going to erase that memory. To help their pass game, the Texans went and picked up veteran Derrick Mason from the Jets. He’ll probably be a good leader, but we don't see him becoming fantasy relevant. The Texans also lost star Mario Williams for the season, a big hit to the defense.

Dallas Cowboys @ New England Patriots (4:15 ET)
START: WR Miles Austin, WR Dez Bryant
SIT: NE Defense, DAL Defense

The Patriots are going for their twentieth straight home win and thirteenth consecutive game of at least 30 points. Both might actually be difficult as the Cowboys are coming off a week of rest and will likely have both Austin and Bryant back on the field. According to ESPN, Austin declared himself 100 healthy, which Romo must be ecstatic about. Everybody seems to be counting the Cowboys out already, but at 2-2, this is still a very dangerous team.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:15 ET)
START: Anybody on the Saints, RB Earnest Graham
SIT: WR Devery Henderson, RB LeGarrette Blount

The Bucs got absolutely destroyed last week against the 49ers, and it is very possible the exact same thing could happen this week. Tampa will be without one of its best offensive weapons in LeGarrette Blount due to a knee injury, and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is out as well. Blount’s injury makes RB Earnest Graham a decent flex option. The Saints however should be in for another big day as they look for their fifth consecutive victory.

Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears (8:20 ET)
START: QB Jay Cutler
SIT: MIN Defense

Here we have a battle of depressed NFC North teams. Vikings fans probably expected this not to be a great season, but did anybody expect McNabb to be this bad? The vet hasn’t thrown for more than 228 yards this year, and his receivers have suffered because of it. The Bears gave up monster plays to Detroit’s Jahvid Best last week, so expect this to be another Adrian Peterson show. Cutler will probably be chased around again this week, but the Vikings are giving up 272 yards passing, so he should be have a solid performance.

Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets (MON, 8:30 ET)
START: QB Mark Sanchez
SIT: WR Brandon Marshall

The Jets have lost three straight, all against teams that look to be playoff bound. Playing against the weak dolphins might be exactly what they need to gain a little confidence. They’ll also be facing Matt Moore, who is making his first start of the season after Henne went down with a shoulder injury. Moore’s top receiver Brandon Marshall has had enough of sitting in the corner being quiet. He openly stated this week that he’s trying to get thrown out in the second quarter. Marshall has three drops in the endzone this year and only has one game of 100+ yards, which was the game Henne threw for over 400 yards. All of this is setting up for a poor outing from Marshall.