For fantasy owners, week six is about careful choices and big decisions. The first round of upsets, letdowns and firings is out of the way, and this week - a third of the way through the season - is a litmus test for players who have been either exceptional or disappointing. Who has the most to prove? Here's a game-by-game breakdown:
Both Matt Ryan and Kyle Orton will be on fantasy trial at Soldier Field. While Orton has been surprisingly consistent, emerging as a legitimate second quarterback, Matt Ryan's numbers have failed to match his potential. Chicago's 28th-ranked pass defense could be a chance to turn things around. Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington has thrown for only two touchdowns through four games, but Ronnie Brown has looked impressive, averaging 4.7 yards per carry average with five touchdowns on the season. Both will have to show their mettle as the Fins travel to Houston.
At the RCA dome in Indianapolis, the suspect is Peyton Manning and the Baltimore defense. Manning hasn't been himself yet this season, and Ray Lewis and company come in ranked first against the past. History would say that the elder Mr. Manning can't struggle forever, but Ed Reed can be convincing. Adrian Peterson is your only good start in the Detroit-at-Minnesota match-up, and the verdict on him has been out for a while now. Jon Kitna against Gus Ferotte isn't worth anyone's time.
The entire Oakland squad has much to prove in their second game under interim coach Tom Cable, but Michael Bush will have prove that he deserves to be a fantasy starter when Darren McFadden is healthy. Playing at the SuperDome won't help either of their chances. Cincinatti, one of the other NFL teams slowly destroying itself, will travel to Jersey to take on the Jets. Chad Johnson is hovering around 15th in fantasy position polls, and uncertainty at both quarterback and head coach don't bode well. Unless the numbers are unreal this week, say buenas noches to Ocho Cinco. Brett Favre and Jerricho Cotchery are likely to put up great numbers for the home crowd.
Carolina at Tampa Bay will be a showcase for both Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. If they continue to be used in tandem, neither warrants a fantasy start, but if one of them gets significantly more carries, he might become an every-week second back. The so-far impressive Washington Redskins play host to an 0-4 St. Louis team. Marc Bulger must make his case strongly if he is to get any place in the fantasy ranks, but it's a Redskin - Chris Cooley - who has the most on the line in week six. It remains to be seen whether or not the tight end's performance is a matter of Chris Cooley, or of structure of the Redskins offense. If the Cooley doesn't get his touches against St. Louis, ranked 27th against the pass, his fantasy capital will drop faster than AIG shares.
Jacksonville travels to the Rockies, and it's the quarterbacks again fighting for fantasy makes or breaks. Jay Cutler looked like a hungover hunchback against Kansas City, and David Garrard is on the cusp of being a great No. 1 fantasy option. Whoever throws fewer picks in this game will emerge victorious on the field and see their fantasy stock rise. A few states south at Texas Stadium, Tony Romo and Terrell Owens should be a good chance to gauge a sneaky Arizona secondary who could make make for a great start against a weaker throwing team.
Philly brings its defense to San Francisco, and it's Isaac Bruce and the receiving corps on the hotseat. While Frank Gore remains freakishly productive, a visit from the Eagles' secondary might mean curtains for the 49ers passing game in week six. Meanwhile, Matt Hasselbeck's borderline status as a fantasy starter could be cemented or crumble when the Pack comes to town, sans Al Harris. A healthy stable of backs could give Hasselbeck time to unleash his strong arm - or put limits on his stats. Either way, the Seahawks' QB will be under the microscope this weekend.
And finally, the decapitated Patriots take the show to San Diego for a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game. Expect good offensive numbers for both teams, but it's Matt Cassel who will be the target of scorn or praise when the smoke clears in SoCal. Tom Brady he is not, but the Chargers are dead last against the pass. A stellar week could bump Cassel into the fantasy starting ranks faster than a disgruntled Cincinatti pass rusher.
Get out your bifocals this week and take a close look at those bubble players - week six might be the last chance you get to discern the imitators from the real thing.
