Top 10 QB: Carson Palmer has thrown at
least two touchdowns in all but one game this season.
Grab a Helmet
Carson
Palmer @ PIT: Quietly tied for the NFL lead in touchdown
passes with 13, Palmer had an easy day at the office in Week 5 vs.
Detroit, as he only needed to throw 14 passes in the 42-17 blowout.
Luckily for fantasy owners, three of those completions went for
touchdowns. This week the Cardinals travel to Pittsburgh to take
on a Steeler defense that was picked apart by Philip Rivers on Monday
Night Football. Pittsburgh’s defense has been better than anticipated,
especially against the big play, but they will be tested by Palmer’s
trio of receivers. Look for Palmer to get a few extra possessions
thanks to an opportunistic defense, and have another multi-touchdown
day. Fire up Palmer as a sure-fire QB1.
Ryan
Fitzpatrick v. WAS: He still throws to the wrong team
too often (6 INTs in 4 games) but Fitzpatrick (AKA The Ivy League
Grizzly Adams – seriously, Google the reference) has possibly the
best offensive weaponry he’s had in his career. He has a running
game defenses have to take seriously, and two outside receivers
that can get open, and make plays with the ball in their hands.
Fitzmagic gets a banged up, but decent Redskin defense in Week 6.
Yielding only the 24th most fantasy points to quarterbacks, Washington
has played solid, but unspectacular pass defense. They have the
2nd fewest interceptions in the league with two, so they aren’t
exactly a ball hawking unit. Look for Fitz to find a few big plays
to Marshall, especially in the redzone. A backend QB1 kind of day
could be on tap, so take advantage.
Colin
Kaepernick v. BAL: After back to back cringe worthy games
against Arizona and Green Bay, Kaepernick went on the road and played
extremely well in the Niners loss to the Giants Sunday night. He
was efficient (66% completion percentage) and effective in probably
his best game of the year. In Week 6 he gets to face a reeling Baltimore
defense that is coming off a torching by JOSH McCOWN!. Playing probably
their worst defense in franchise history, Baltimore is ripe, especially
in the secondary. If he can avoid turnovers, make calculated plays
with his legs, and be accurate, he just might slide into the QB1
conversation this week.
Grab a Headset
Cam
Newton @ SEA: I find it extremely interesting that
Newton isn’t getting more credit for his team’s undefeated start.
With a thoroughly ineffective running game, and receiving options
that don’t scare anyone, Newton and Greg Olsen have carried this
offense over the first quarter of the season. But a closer inspection
of Newton’s numbers reveal that most of the damage has been done
against some the league’s worst defenses in New Orleans, Jacksonville,
and Tampa Bay. Newton and the Panthers travel to Seattle to take
on a Seahawks team on life support. Another loss and missing the
playoffs becomes a stark reality. Look for Seattle to come out
fired up in only their second home game of the year, and for Newton’s
lack of weapons to be apparent. Other than being abused by Tyler
Eifert last week, the Seahawks are strong vs. tight ends. It could
be a long day for Newton Sunday, so take advantage of other options
if you have them.
Tyrod
Taylor or EJ
Manuel v. CIN: It’s time for the Tyrod Taylor hype
train to derail. The last time I featured Taylor in the SCR, I
had him as a recommended start, but said a few rocky games could
be on the horizon. Well this could certainly be the week. Early
reports have Taylor nursing a sprained knee, and sore back (from
carrying this offense). There is talk he might sit, but the fact
he played and finished the game last week leads me to believe
he’ll be a go this week. This Bills offense is one big walking
injury report. With a bum wheel Taylor’s multi-dimensional game
is diminished. Look for the surging Bengal defense to make life
difficult for Taylor, and his fantasy owners.
Josh
McCown vs DEN: I’ll be honest, I have no idea how McCown
is doing it. When your biggest receiving threats are a journeyman
tight end name Barnidge, and a one dimensional speed receiver,
in Travis Benjamin, not much is expected of you. But quietly McCown
has three straight 340-plus, 2 touchdown games! He’s completed
70% or better of his passes in two straight games, and hasn’t
turned the ball over since Week 3. So why no love for the Dawg
Pound Dolph Lungren? After years of playing fantasy football,
I’ve learned that it’s often a mistake to chase points.
His best games this season have come against poor secondaries,
and the Broncos are playing elite pass defense, yielding the 5th
fewest yards in the league and a scary 3-7 touchdown to interception
ratio. Barnidge can be taken out by a defense that hasn’t
allowed more than 61 yards to a tight end, and Benjamin is too
inconsistent to count on. If McCown goes out and continues his
passing barrage, then consider me a believer.
