Fantasy Football Week 6: Start Em & Sit Em Wide Receivers

Jaguars receivers Allen Robinson (15) and Allen Hurns are making an impact on the fantasy football world. (Getty)

Jaguars receivers Allen Robinson (15) and Allen Hurns are making an impact on the fantasy football world. (Getty)

O Big Ben, where art thou?

Steelers fans want you back. Fantasy owners want you back. Antonio Brown wants you back. Actually it’s safe to say Antonio Brown needs you back.

Ben Roethlisberger (knee) has been out for two full games and Brown has had a forgettable and unproductive time with backup Mike Vick. Eight catches for 87 yards and no touchdowns — total. Brown and Big Ben went for at least 8 and 87 in each of the first three games of 2015. Two TDs, too.

While Roethlisberger was able to throw a bit this week, he’s not playing in Week 6. It’ll be Vick again. And the Cardinals play a pretty stout pass defense.

But can you really sit Brown vs. Arizona? If you have a player with a better matchup, you probably can. It would take some guts to do it, though. I don’t have Brown in any leagues, but if I did, I would.

So before we get to the rest of this week’s start and sit recommendations, bookmark our fantasy football rankings 2015 page to keep up-to-date on the latest projections and rankings for each NFL week throughout the season. All of my Week 6 rankings are up.

Here’s our version of start and sit: “He Will Shine” and “Show Him the Pine.”


He Will Shine

Allen Robinson, Jaguars, vs. Texans

I really like Robinson (and his wideout teammate Allen Hurns — start him, too). With those two and Blake Bortles, the Jags are building something pretty intriguing. Robinson’s 50 targets rank in the league’s top 10, though he’s only caught 22. But as long as Bortles keeps throwing to him (which he will), lots of production is on the horizon.

Kendall Wright, Titans, vs. Dolphins

Wright has been hit-or-miss thus far, but his hits have been big hits. Last week was a miss. So he whined a little bit. I bet Wright gets the ball now. And it should pay off against a beatable Miami defense.

John Brown, Cardinals, at Steelers

Larry Fitzgerald is enjoying a renaissance year, but Brown is still getting a healthy 6+ targets per game. With Carson Palmer playing Pro Bowl-caliber ball and a juicy matchup vs. a vulnerable Steelers secondary, you just can’t take Brown out of the lineup. Michael Floyd, though? Yeah, you can take him out.

Also start:

Kamar Aiken, Ravens, at 49ers
Eric Decker, Jets, vs. Redskins
Stefon Diggs, Vikings, vs. Chiefs
Marvin Jones, Bengals, at Bills



Show Him the Pine

Pierre Garcon, Redskins, at Jets

The Jets’ defense has been as stingy as any, allowing a league-low 51.1 percent of passes to be completed. It’s pretty much a rule of thumb now — when playing the Jets, sit the components of the opposing passing game.

Sammy Watkins, Bills, vs. Bengals

Watkins is expected to play Sunday after missing the past 2 games (calf). He had just 7 catches for 99 yards in the first 3 games, and that was with Tyrod Taylor. But there’s a chance bust-so-far EJ Manuel will be throwing the passes Sunday as Taylor is nursing knee injury. Not an enticing fantasy situation … or real life.

Travis Benjamin, Browns, vs. Broncos

Benjamin has come out of nowhere to make big play after big play this season. But the Broncos’ MO in the secondary has been not allowing big plays. They’ve allowed a long pass of 33 yards and only 3 TD passes — both league bests. Tread carefully with Benjamin.

Also sit:

Ted Ginn Jr., Panthers, at Seahawks