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Week 6 was a weekend for big plays.   Several players hauled in or broke the big play for TDs.   If you weren’t lucky enough to own Culpepper this week, hopefully you listened to some of our good calls.   Some of our top performers included: Byron Leftwich, Fred Taylor, and Mewelde Moore.   On top of those good calls, we predicted a running back’s first TD of the season for the second week in a row.   Join us for the bench / start wrap up as we take credit for our good calls and own up to our mistakes.

Nostradamus (a.k.a. psychic)
Start:
Byron Leftwich – Leftwich was on fire this past week with 298 yards passing, 2 passing TDs, one rushing TD, and a 2 point conversion.   If you are in leagues that give bonus points for the big play, Leftwich gave you some points there as well with his 64 yard TD strike to Fred Taylor.   If you started Leftwich in your league this week, you have nothing to complain about from your QB.

Fred Taylor – We doubled down on the Jags offense this weekend and it paid off.   Taylor was the recipient of that long TD pass from Leftwich.   With 137 total yards and a TD, Taylor was a very good start this week.

Brian Westbrook – In week 5 we told you to start Duce Staley.   Staley hadn’t scored all year up to that point; however, we thought that week 5 would be his week to break out.   What happened?   Staley scored his first TD of the year right on queue.   Last week, in preparation for week 6, we told you to start Westbrook.   Westbrook hadn’t scored a TD through the first 5 weeks, but here is what we wrote:   “We’ve been warning you about the week where Westbrook punches it in for a TD or two to pile huge fantasy numbers on top of an already steady yardage base…that week looks to have arrived with the rushing TD friendly Panthers coming to town.”   Westbrook came through with a 42 yard TD run and was a good start in week 6.

New York Jets Defense – The Jets had a solid week as expected:   1 sack, 3 fumble recoveries, and only 14 points allowed.   The 49ers thrashed their opponent’s fantasy D week 5, but we felt like the Jets would succeed … and they did.

Mewelde Moore – We told you that IF Williams looked like he would be hobbled for week 6, you should start Moore.   Williams did look only partially healthy, so Moore was a solid start choice.   Moore racked up nearly 200 total yards for the second week in a row.   If we could only get Culpepper to share some of his TDs with Moore, we could have a fantasy mega stud on our hands in Moore (well at least until some of the other Minnesota RBs return).

Buffalo Bills Defense – If your league gives out big points for sacks (5), Ints (1), defensive TDs (1), and points allowed (13), the Bills were a super D this past weekend.   Until further notice, all Ds playing against the Dolphins should be expected to post a solid fantasy game.   If you started the Bills, you were right on the money.

Bench:
Shaun McDonald – 3 receptions for 30 yards is just the type of performance you would like to leave on the bench.   McDonald was coming off of a 76 yard performance with a touchdown, but we warned you to stay away from this WR.

Lee Evans – Evans had 46 yards and a TD week 5, but we told you to hold off of this young WR as well.   If you did, you were rewarded.   Evans only had 2 catches for 32 yards.

Brock Forsey – We warned even desperate teams to stay away from Forsey week 6.   5 carries for 7 yards … yuck.   Be glad you didn’t look Forsey’s way.   On the other hand Morris ran pretty well against his old team.   It might be time to show Forsey the door in all but the deepest of leagues.

New Orleans Saints Defense – If your league penalizes for points allowed, you can rest assured that you are glad you didn’t lay a finger on the Saints.   With 38 points alloed, the Saints were a pretty nasty start.   Three turnovers helped them not become a complete bust, but in most leagues, you were pleased to start someone else.


Farmer's Almanac (a.k.a. not so bad/not so good)
Start:
Joey Harrington – The Packers woke up and only allowed Harrington 101 yards and 1 TD.   Harring had a few rushing yards to make sure his week wasn’t a complete bust, but he wasn’t anything to write home about if you started him.   We feel like it was the unexpected absence of Roy Williams that was Harrington’s major downfall.   If you need good numbers from Harrington week in and week out, hope for the quick return of his big receiving threat.

Bench:
Mark Brunell – Brunell’s numbers were almost identical to Harrington’s.   While he wasn’t a great start, he wouldn’t have completely killed you either.

Jerome Bettis – The Bus rammed one in again.   With only 8 yards rushing and a TD, Bettis is the classical definition of a TD vulture.   If you own Bettis, hope that you don’t have to start him every week and hope that he scores a TD when you are forced to start him.

Thomas Jones – We told you Jones wouldn’t come close to his first few week’s output.   He didn’t.   While you are glad that you started people like Westbrook and Moore over him, you could have gotten by on Jones’ yardage.


Weather Forecast (a.k.a. oops better luck next time)
Start:
Chad Johnson – Johnson’s big talking and pregame package were all talk and no show.   Johnson dropped a few balls and managed only 3 receptions for 37 yards.   A pretty ugly start to the season.   Johnson let all of his owners down this week.

David Givens – Spin the wheel … you never know where the passes will go in New England.   This week it was Patten who had the big game.   Givens had a terrible game.   Even though a few pieces are missing in the passing game, it is business as usual.   None of the New England WRs can really be counted on.

Warrick Dunn – Dunn was another big time player who disappointed this past week.   His team won, but he was a huge bust.   With only 5 carries, you have to wonder about Dunn’s health (or Mora’s mental health).

Bench:
Koren Robinson – Robinson is a complete disaster.   He dropped several balls once again, and is now facing a possible suspension for violating the leagues substance abuse policy.   However, he did have a very good game this week.   No TDs, but great yardage.   Robinson busted up our bench call, but we still wouldn’t want to own the guy.

Corey Dillon – Dillon looked like he might be too banged up to go this week … and then he ripped our bench call with the whole package:   Yardage AND TDs.   Dillon would have been a good start week 6.