#ThumbsUp!
Colt McCoy (QB, Cleveland Browns) – He keeps finding his way onto this list, and that’s due to the high volume of pass attempts. McCoy and the Browns were on a bye in week five, but he threw the ball 61 times in week four against the Titans. His stats are never all that pretty, but he has yet to score less than 13 fantasy points in a game this year. The Browns take on the Raiders this week, which has a subpar secondary without Nnamdi Asomugha. McCoy will definitely be worthy of a start if you need a bye-week replacement.
Tony Romo (QB, Dallas Cowboys) – Sure, it’s a very obvious name. Chances are if you drafted Romo you don’t have any other great quarterback options anyway. But I think he goes off this week in what’s shaping up to be a shootout against New England. I’m thinking over 350 yards and three touchdown passes, so make sure he’s in your lineup.
Ryan Torain (RB, Washington Redskins) – I’m not confident that head coach Mike Shanahan will give Torain all of the carries for the Redskins, but I think he will get the most of the three-headed monster in that backfield. Washington’s opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, have been run over all year, allowing the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. That means someone will have a big day for the Skins, and that player is Torain.
Earnest Graham (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Graham’s first game as LaGarette Blount’s replacement is a perfect matchup, as the Bucs do battle with the Saints. In limited time as mainly a third down back, Graham has managed the fifth most receiving targets of all running backs. When the Bucs get down early in this game they’ll be forced to throw, which benefits Graham.
A.J. Green (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) – He’s climbing up the wide receiver ranks with the 13th most receiving yards this season, and he’ll look to add to that against Indianapolis. The Colts are terrible against the pass, in particular against opposing teams’ number one wide receivers. Green gets a lot of looks because there aren’t many other good options in Cincy, and he’ll find the end zone again on Sunday.
James Jones (WR, Green Bay Packers) – As everyone knows, the Packers have an explosive offense. The problem for fantasy owners is Aaron Rodgers likes to spread the love, completing passes to 12 different players last week alone. Jones has a score in two straight weeks, and he has a very good chance to make it three against the Rams putrid secondary in week six. If you’re struggling to find a decent wide receiver due to the bye weeks, look no further than #89 for the Packers.
Heath Miller (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers) – Last week I picked on the Jaguars in the #ThumbsUp! tight end section, and I’m doing it again here. Jermaine Gresham scored the fourth tight end touchdown in five weeks against the Jags, and Miller should add to that number as the Steelers continue to find their groove.
Cincinnati Bengals defense – They consistently feast on bad teams, and the Curtis Painter-led Colts fit that description. Painter has shown so far that he doesn’t handle pressure very well, and the Bengals defense is eighth in the league in sacks. They’ll bring the heat on Sunday and cause a few errant throws in the process.
#ThumbsDown
Matt Schaub (QB, Houston Texans) – Schaub has been battling a shoulder injury all week, even missing practice on Wednesday. The Ravens defense is just about the worst remedy for that sore shoulder, but that’s what Schaub gets on Sunday. With no Andre Johnson to throw to for the second straight week, Schaub will put up some very pedestrian numbers.
Jahvid Best (RB, Detroit Lions) – He had a great week six from a fantasy perspective, but a lot of his yardage came on an 88-yard touchdown run. He hasn’t consistently shown the ability to have good fantasy games; his point totals by game this year are 11, 23, 8, 6, and 22. This week the undefeated Lions play the equally surprising 49ers, who allow the fourth fewest rushing yards per game in the league. Look for another single-digit fantasy performance by Best.
Reggie Wayne (WR, Indianapolis Colts) – Bengals cornerback Leon Hall will likely match up with Wayne on Sunday, and Hall tends to shut down opposing receivers. Though he doesn’t get as much attention as Darrelle Revis or Asomugha, Hall has a similar effect on elite players. Curtis Painter has now targeted Pierre Garcon more than Wayne in three straight weeks, and I anticipate that trend to continuing in week six.