Fantasy Notes: Week 6

After a dry week of football without our hometown Patriots playing (and I guess it might have had to do with my excruciating 3-point fantasy loss thanks to 2 Frank Gore fumbles and an egg by the Chargers), we're ready to jump back into the action for Week 6 of the NFL season. Shamefully, I even forgot to make my NFL winners picks this past week, so I'm going to make them right now at the end of my fantasy advice. Get your popcorn ready.

Patriot Football is Back in Foxboro.
Okay, we all know this. So what's the fantasy impact? Start with the bad news and work our way up. Randy Moss is gone and Tom Brady is no longer poised to be the statistical golden boy he once was. Having said that, there are a few guys who are now prominent options as flex and fill-in players on your fantasy squads. I told you to grab Brandon Tate over a week ago, and I still stand by that advice. Tate is, for what it's worth, the "replacement" for Randy Moss. He's the primary deep threat, he's a kick return threat, and he's an explosive young talent in an aerial Tom Brady offense. That's worth something. Additionally, Deion Branch might be worth a pick-up in deeper leagues. Don't start him this week, but if his chemistry with Brady pays off the way it used to, he'll become a big factor. Perhaps the most exciting side of the story, though, comes from the "tight end" position. Aaron Hernandez is quite the hybrid of a wide receiver and a tight end, and he will look to have an increasingly expanded role in this new-look Patriots offense. Grab him if your tight end isn't Antonio Gates.


If You Didn't Listen Before... Get Amendola.
Danny Amendola. Rams wide receiver. Guess how many times he was targeted by Sam Bradford last week? 19. 19 times, catching 12 for 95 yards. Once this guy starts getting touchdowns, he's going to be an impact fantasy player. With Mark Clayton down for the season, Bradford may not have many more options other than to throw the ball to Amendola.

Grab BJGE and Torain If They're Out There.
In my league, both are taken. But BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Ryan Torain are still available in about 20% of fantasy leagues. Grab one if you can. With the status of Clinton Portis uncertain and Torain running the ball well, he has become a legitimate option. As for Green-Ellis -- he just might continue to thrive in what is a developing transition back to hard-nosed Patriot football.

Mike Williams. For the Future.
Williams is legit. He's freakily athletic and he's showing his stuff this season. Double-digit performances in 3 out of 4 weeks this season has earned him ... a 43% owning rate in fantasy leagues? 10% starting rate? Those will improve once people catch on. I'm telling you to catch on now. Grab Williams, even if he won't be productive this week against the best fantasy pass defense in the league in New Orleans.

So.. Brandon Lloyd's a Monster, Huh?
Brandon Lloyd has emerged in a big way this year, suddenly owned in 94% of fantasy leagues. If your league is among that minority and he's available, I'll politely ask you to wake up and smell the roses. Lloyd is legit, and his quarterback is leading the NFL in passing yardage. No fluke, people. But even Lloyd owners are shying away from giving him the start this week against that killer Jets defense. Let's have a news flash here. The Jets rank 29th out of 32 NFL teams in stopping opposing fantasy wide receivers. After getting completely toasted by the wide outs of Miami and Minnesota, what makes you think Lloyd can't come up big once again?

Get Off The Hill Wagon Before It Throws You Down.
Shaun Hill registered a huge week against the Rams. I get that. But Calvin Johnson is injured, and they're going up against the Giants this week -- ranked 2nd in the NFL against opposing fantasy QBs. Also, don't forget that Matthew Stafford is going to come back eventually. Hill's own-percentage rose nearly 10% since last week, and nearly that same percentage is actually starting him this week. Hey, it's your death bed. Not mine.


Okay, that's it for fantasy. Ask me questions if you wish. Need to know who to start? Ask. Visit the Beantown Breakdown page listed up top, too. You can submit your questions there, as well. Without further delay, though, here are your Week 6 Winners.

Bears 20, Seahawks 10.
Dolphins 24, Packers 21.
Chargers 30, Rams 23
Patriots 24, Ravens 20.
Giants 21, Lions 17.
Falcons 28, Eagles 26.
Steelers 23, Browns 3.
Saints 34, Buccaneers 13.
Chiefs 29, Texans 22.
Broncos 20, Jets 17.
49ers 27, Raiders 14.
Vikings 30, Cowboys 27.
Redskins 23, Colts 17.
Titans 30, Jaguars 29.


Tune in to the Beantown Breakdown on Thursday at 9 PM to hear more, as usual.