Week 6 Predictions

Game to Watch: Saints @ Patriots: After starting the 2013 regular season at 4-0, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were handed their first loss of the season by the Cincinnati Bengals. Brady had one of the worst games of his career, where his touchdown streak was napped at 52, two shy of the record held by Drew Brees. Rob Gronkowski was expected to play in tomorrow's game against New Orleans, but his most recent status is marked as 'doubtful'. Brady's wide receivers are constantly dropping balls, and if Gronk does not return in time for tomorrow's game, the Patriots' offense will be in  serious trouble. The New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, are 5-0, where the return of head coach Sean Payton has had a positive impact on this offense. Sunday's key player for the Saints will be tight end Jimmy Graham, who is off to an extraordinary start in 2013. The Patriots defense has struggled so far in defending big, physical tight ends, so Jimmy Graham will likely have a field day with the patriots' defenders. We predict the Saints to win with ease.
Saints over Patriots 35-23

Stand Out Performance: TE Jimmy Graham: Obviously, Peyton Manning against the Jacksonville Jaguars is the default pick for stand out performance in Week 6; however, the player to have the best week aside from Manning will be Jimmy Graham. Tight end Jimmy Graham of the New Orleans Saints is unquestionably the greatest tight in the league. Graham is tall, strong, and has hands that allow him to catch any ball, no matter what the placement might be. The New England Patriots struggled against Tony Gonzalez, whose style of play is very similar to that of Jimmy Graham. Considering how well Graham has been doing in 2013, there is no way the Patriots will find a way to contain this incredibly talented offensive weapon.
TE Jimmy Graham: 150 receiving yards, 2 TD's

Player to Watch: RB Adrian Peterson: This past week, Adrian Peterson experienced an emotional roller coaster that resulted in the death of his two-year old son. Despite the many emotions Peterson is likely feeling, he insists that he will be playing this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. In the words of Peterson, "I am able to release a lot of stress through sports." If Peterson sees the same amount of carries as a regular game, we expect him to have an incredible performance against the Panthers. Thoughts and prayers are with the Peterson family.
RB Adrian Peterson: 145 rushing yards, 2 TD's

Week 6 Predictions:

Bears over Giants (Correct)

Packers over Ravens

Bengals over Bills

Lions over Browns (OT)

Texans over Rams

Chiefs over Raiders

Vikings over Panthers

Steelers over Jets

Eagles over Buccaneers

Broncos over Jaguars

Seahawks over Titans

Saints over Patriots

49ers over Cardinals

Cowboys over Redskins

Colts over Chargers

Last Week: 9-5

2013 Season: 51-25 (67.1%)

Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (Week 6)

Hello readers, I'm Gabe Schmittlein, The NFL Report's new fantasy football blogger, and I have one goal in my blogs: to guide you to fantasy football success.  Success in fantasy football is as fulfilling as a cold sprite on a hot day.  On the other had, failure in fantasy football to is as disappointing as when you order a sprite at a restaurant and the give you seltzer water instead.  I intend to ensure that all you readers are drinking sprite at the end of your fantasy football season as opposed to the impostor that is seltzer water.  Thus, here are the players that should be inserted into your lineup or warming your bench come Sunday.

Start 'Em:

Willis McGahee, RB, Cleveland Browns

McGahee had an impressive fantasy week against a much-improved Buffalo Bill's defense last week, and should be able to put up some big numbers against the Lion's weak run defense.  Despite managing just 2.6 YPC in his first three weeks as a Brown, McGahee is getting a lot of valuable carries inside the red zone, and just one touchdown could turn his week from mediocre to good.  Additionally, the Browns will likely lean heavily on McGhee this week, as their quarterback situation is not favorable.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins

Redskins QB Robert Griffin is poised for a big week against the Cowboys pass defense that has been dissected by the likes of Eli Manning, Alex Smith, Phillip Rivers, and most recently Peyton Manning.  Griffin's poor start certainly shouldn't continue in a shootout against the Cowboys.

Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

It has been an abysmal start to the season for the Steelers, however, the season has been much kinder to Antonio Brown.  Coming into the season, there were question surrounding Brown about whether Brown could be a legitimate number one receiver for the steelers, and he hasn't disappointed.  Having been Ben Roethlisberger's clear favorite target so far, Brown should get his fair share of targets this week against the lousy Jet's pass defense.

Danny Woodhead, RB, San Diego Chargers

Danny Woodhead puts a base on his fantasy output through his contributions to the Charger's pass game, already with 31 receptions this year.  However, this week, with Ryan Mathews sitting out again, Woodhead should also make a solid contribution in the running game.  Despite going up against the stingy Colt's defense, Woodhead should get enough touches to make a difference.

Sit 'Em:

Trent Richardson, RB, Indianapolis Colts

Yet to reach 60 rushing yards in a game this year, Richardson has only provided fantasy merit in his two touchdowns.  However, as Donald Brown continues to prove himself as a solid running back for the Colts, Richardson may begin to lose his valuable red zone carries.  If he isn't getting you touchdowns, than what else does he provide?  At least for now, Richardson should remain on your bench, especially when playing a Charger's defense that has questions in the secondary but has been solid up front.

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

It is unclear whether Johnson will play this week against the browns, but even if he does, he should remain on your bench.  If Johnson is active, he will likely be a decoy more than anything else.  Additionally, he will be blanketed by one of the top corners of the game, Joe Haden.  I know it is difficult to bench your first round pick, but he simply shouldn't have a very large effect on this week's game against the Browns.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson has played pretty well this year, but so has the sneaky-good Titan's defense.  Russell Wilson's season could be quite accurately described as up-and-down, and it makes sense that a "down" will come against a good defense.  The Titans defense has performed admirable against Matt Schaub, Ben Roethlisberger, Phillip Rivers, and Alex Smith.  Wilson may be better than these quarterbacks, but not by much, and simply put, there are better options out there for this week.

Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
The Philadelphia Eagles pass defense is certainly not good, but they may just be better than the Buc's horrid pass game.  Despite having Jackson and Mike Williams, quarterback Mike Glennon and former quarterback Josh Freeman have severely under-impressed this year.  Moreover, Vincent Jackson is one week out of an injury and has yet to play a game with Glennon.  It would be wise to let Jackson warm your bench for now.

Best Pictures (Week 6)

Week 6 Predictions

     Entering Week 6, Green Bay finds themselves with a losing record, a rare occurrence since Aaron Rodgers took the reigns as head quarterback. However, Rodgers has been sub-par throughout the 2012 season ( 4 interceptions compared to his 6 in 2011). Their 2-3 record will be put to the test when they face Houston on the road, a highly talented team who has yet to lose this season. Surprisingly, this game has not been named game of the week, which is awarded to the NFC Championship rematch; New York at San Francisco. Both teams have changed since their famous match-up last January. There is a lot in store for Sunday's action, and The NFL Report has got you covered.

JJ Watt (Tony Gutierrez/AP PHoto)

Game to Watch: Giants @ 49ers: After an upsetting loss to Minnesota on the road, San Francisco has been mowing through defenses as well as restricting opposing offenses to few points on the scoreboard. Before the loss to Minnesota, the 49ers defeated two other playoff contenders in the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. As they face off against the New York Giants in Week 6, San Francisco enters the game with a chip on their shoulder. Last year's NFC Championship game ended in the most dramatic fashion; a game winning kick. As we all know, New York went on to win the Super Bowl, and some of their luck has rubbed off into the 2012 season. They have not played like champions since their win on the grand stage. Two losses, one to Dallas, the other to Philadelphia, create a record of 3-2, a mark that still keeps them in contention for the NFC North title. The offense has thrived so far, ranking third in passing yards and second in total offense. However, the momentum of San Francisco should make it a decisive win at home against the new found rivals.
49ers over Giants 27-10


Stand Out Performance: WR AJ Green: Sophomore wide receiver AJ Green proved his rookie season was not a fluke, surviving the 2nd year curse. Green and Dalton have a tangible chemistry on the field, which is why this star wide receiver is succeeding in 2012. In each of his last four games, Green has scored one touchdown, two of games in which he surpassed the 100 yard receiving mark. His Week 6 matchup is against the Cleveland Browns, a team who ranked 26th in receiving yards allowed and 28th in receiving touchdowns. Green is bound to be successful in handing his fantasy owners large portions of fantasy points in Week 6. Be sure to start this up and coming star.
AJ Green: 130 receiving yards, 2 TDs


Player to Watch: QB Alex Smith: Who would have thought Alex Smith would be the most well rounded passer in the league after five weeks of football. Smith has a league leading passer rating of 108.7, and though he has not thrown the same number of passes as Drew Brees or Tom Brady, Smith's numbers have improved substantially. The success of Alex Smith has led to a greater success from his team overall. Since 2009, Smith's interception number has gradually decreased, reaching five by 2011. As of today, that number stands at 1, and the New York's pass rush might prove as a challenge for this former first round pick.
Alex Smith: 180 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD


Week 6 Predictions:

Falcons over Raiders

Ravens over Cowboys

Bengals over Browns (OT)

Rams over Dolphins

Jets over Colts

Eagles over Lions

Buccaneers over Chiefs

Cardinals over Bills

Seahawks over Patriots

49ers over Giants

Vikings over Redskins

Texans over Packers

Broncos over Chargers

Last Week: 10-3

2012 Season: 44-32 (58%)