Who to start...who to sit. Week 6's winners and losers.

As we head into week 6, lets take a look into the crystal ball and see if we can help some of you out there turn your fantasy season around.

Winners...who to start.

QB Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle - Wow! Talking about coming back from an injury with a bang. Hasselbeck simply beat Jacksonville silly, passing for 241yds/4TD's. Things look bright for Hasselbeck again this week as Arizona comes to Seattle. The Cardinals rank dead last in the NFL in pass defense. They give up on average over 300 ypg through the air. And although they've already had their bye week, they've still given up 9 passing TD's. One more thing, Hasselbeck won't have to worry too much about being sacked, Arizona has just 8 on the year.

QB David Garrard, Jacksonville - Yeah, I realize he stunk the joint up last week against an inspired Seattle team. You have to realize, the Jags...and Garrard, don't travel particularly well. BUT, this week they get that team from St. Louis pretending to be a NFL team...at home (start licking chops now). Garrard has averaged over 300 yds passing his last 2 home games with 5 TD's. Even better, Michael Sims-Walker at WR after being a baaad boy last week and having to sit out the game.

Also...Brady breaks out vs Tennessee. Rodgers tames the Lions.

RB Cedric Benson, Cincinnati - It's time for yours truly to eat crow. I've done nothing but rag on Benson since he entered the league with the Bears in '07. The guy I screamed at for 2-plus years now leads the NFL in rushing with 487 yds. He shredded what I thought was a stout Raven defense for 120 in week 5. It's time I hop on the Benson train. This week he goes up against a Houston defense ranked 26th in the league giving up 140ypg. The Texans have also allowed 9 rushing TD's. ALL ABOARD!!

RB Clinton Portis, Washington - I'm not the biggest Portis fan, he takes waaay too many hits to suit me. But there are certain weeks that you just can't pass playing him. This is one of those weeks. The Chiefs come to town with a run defense that doesn't scare anybody (132.8 ypg). If Portis can keep from getting hurt, he should have a big day.

Also...MJD runs wild vs the Rams. Mendenhall rolls for a 3rd straight week against Cleveland.

WR Greg Jennings, Green Bay - Jennings has been a disappointment for fantasy owners so far this season. This week, at home vs the Lions, he'll redeem himself. Jennings has averaged just 60 ypg this season. But he gets to face a Lion team that gives up 244 ypg passing, as well as a league-leading 15 passing TD's. This could be tough for Lion fans to watch.

WR Steve Smith, Carolina - Poor Steve Smith. A top talent at his position, someone who should easily be giving fantasy owners double-digit scoring every week...but he can't. Why? His QB, Jake Delhomme continues his free-fall into QB hell. But this is a week where Smith may get lucky and get the GOOD Delhomme. The Panthers go to Tampa Bay and plays a Buc squad that has surrendered 12 TD passes this season.

Also...Michael Sims-Walker redeems himself vs the Rams. Santonio Holmes spanks Cleveland.

Losers...who to sit.

QB Matt Cassel, Kansas City - Cassel actually didn't look too bad last week vs Dallas...but that's not saying much these days. This week he faces a Redskin team that doesn't do much well except defend the pass (171.2 ypg 5 TD's). With bye weeks I know some are considering starting Cassel. I'd look hard elsewhere first.

QB Phillip Rivers, San Diego - I know, it's tough NOT to start Rivers, but I think he'll struggle a little. Denver's pass defense is about as good as it gets in the NFL so far this season (171 ypg and just 2 TD passes). The Broncos get after the QB as well. They've sacked opposition QB's 16 times, only the Vikings have more. Rivers isn't a horrible play, but temper expectations.

Also...Shaub struggles vs Cincy. No big #'s for Cutler vs Atlanta.

RB...? - Interesting situation this week. I don't see any sure fire flops from one RB. There are a couple tandem RB's that might get shut down:

Julius Jones/Edgerrin James, Seattle against Arizona (71 ppg...2 TD's).
Jamal Lewis/Jerome Harrison, Cleveland vs Pittsburgh (71.2 ypg...1 TD).
Sammy Morris/Lawrence Maroney, NE vs Tennessee.

One name player who I believe will struggle a bit is Adrian Peterson. After allowing C. Benson 120 yds last week, I think Ray Lewis and crew will tighten up the run defense.

WR Marques Colston, NO - Don't misunderstand me. This should be a great game. And there will be scoring...I just don't think Colston will be a big part of it. The Giants are fantastic against the pass, barely giving up over 100 yards per game. I think the Giants will try to take Colston out of the equation and force Brees to go other WR's.

WR Steve Smith, NYG - Lets stay with the same game. The Saints have one of the better defenses that people are just now finding out about. Against the pass, they give up some yardage (212), buy also have allowed just 3 TD's and also have 10 INT's. This week, the Giants S. Smith may go back to being known as the other Steve Smith.

Also...A. Bryant does nothing special vs Carolina. Boldin quiet against the Seahawks.

You know, there are some real good games this weekend. But a week without P. Manning just makes the week lack a little something. Watching him direct a team on a drive is a thing of beauty.

Oh well, enough of my man-crush on Peyton. Good luck everyone.

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