Welcome to week six. This is the week that you begin your journey into what is the meat of the fantasy football season. The next 3-5 weeks will go a long way in determining whether you will be pondering your starting line-up for your leagues play-offs or swallowing your fantasy pride for the next six months.

With so much at stake there is no time to waste. Let’s get right to it.

Start em if you got em

Washington D - With the Bills, Steelers and Titans defenses on a bye this week, I know some of you are looking for a solid replacement. Look no further than red hot Washington. According to NFL.com the Skins have held five of the leagues top offenses below their season averages and this week they get a struggling Rams team at home.

The Rams have allowed 13 sacks and are averaging just over 10 points a game in just four games. I don’t think a new head coach is going to make that big of a difference this week. Look for Washington to get 3 sacks, allow less than 13 points, force 3 turnovers and score a touchdown this week.

Kyle Orton QB (CHI) - If you’ve been reading my blog the last few weeks you know I’ve been reluctantly touting the Ex-Boilermaker. This week - after a reassuring 334 yard, 2 TD performance last week in Detroit - Kyle takes on an young Atlanta secondary that struggled to stop quarterback with a bum arm last week in Green Bay. He may not get the yardage Rodgers did but when the Falcons are giving up touchdowns through the air like they are (9 in five games) and Ortons scoring them like he has (7 in last three games), he should be able to post respectable fantasy numbers. Look for 250+ and 2+ touchdowns.

Sit em if you got em

Calvin Johnson WR (DET) - From stud to dud in a matter of weeks. If I were you I would look elsewhere until the Lions show some signs of life on offense. Minnesota isn’t very good against the pass but the offensive situation in Detroit is… offensive. Find someone else (psst…down below) or you will be stuck with a 3-4 catches for 50-60 yards and zero touchdowns performance.

Jeff Garcia/Brian Griese QB (TB) - Right now it looks like Garcia will get the start but it won’t matter who gets it. The Panthers are only allowing 156 yards per game through the air and the Bucs are struggling to find consistency. I don’t see either of these guys getting over 200 yards or scoring more than one touchdown in what should be a defensive battle with most of the scoring coming out of the kicking game.

Sleepers: Don’t be surprised if…

…Steve Breaston WR (ARI) steps in this week and puts up WR1 type numbers in a game that could turn into a shootout. He has posted some very respectable numbers over the past two weeks - 16 catches for 199 yards on 18 targets - and is due for a touchdown. If you are without Boldin or are looking for a bye week replacement, you may not find a safer bet. Look for 7 catches for 100+ yards and touchdown.

…JaMarcus Russell QB (OAK) eclipses 225 yards and throws a few touchdowns against New Orleans. Look for the Saints to play the Raiders similar to the way they played the Vikes on Monday. They will attempt to shut down the run and make JaMarcus beat them and I’m betting that he does. The Saints secondary is 27th in the league, banged up and just lost a starter for the season Monday night. And finally, a stat that probably has nothing to do with anything, JaMarcus returns to Louisiana where he was 24-5 as the starting QB for LSU.

More for you

Don’t forget to check this post again after the games. Every Monday or so I go through and grade my performance based on the final stats so that you know how much stock you can put into my picks the following week.

Also, be sure to stop by and check out the Fantasy Football Librarians blog for her extremely thorough listing of start em, sit ems from around the web. I may have a few more for you too so check back later in the week.

Listen to this

Do you like to do more than just read? Grab your iPod or mp3 player and check out my start em sit em podcast. Each Thursday morning I put my start and sit ideas out in audio format. Not only do I offer up more insight on the picks above BUT I add a few more players and discuss some injuries for you to keep an eye on.

Also, check out my Waiver Wire Live radio show over on Blog Talk Radio’s Fantasy Sports Network.  I give you a ton of players that may be available to help your team out as well as give you an early bird preview of next weeks games.

Stick around

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