Sunday Six Pack: Week Six

We’re with you every Sunday to provide the Sunday Six Pack, an article featuring six of the biggest storylines heading into each and every week of the season. Keeping tabs on these events will keep you prepared and informed throughout the season – just don’t drive within six hours of reading this. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s Sunday Six Pack:

Can #1) Toe the Line

The Broncos tied a historical record by being installed as a 27 1/2 point favorite against the Jaguars this weekend.  So other than not starting the Jaguars D/ST, what does that mean for your fantasy team?  Essentially all Broncos become startable — the usual suspects, Peyton Manning, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, Julius Thomas and Knowshon Moreno — and also second and third string RBs Ronnie Hillman and to-date rookie bust Montee Ball could see action in the second half.  Even if this predicted blow up does develop, Manning and company have been able to put up a full game’s worth of fantasy points in a half before.  On the flip side, Chad Henne, Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmun could all see some garbage time value and Eagles-castaway Clay Harbor is an interesting desperation tight end play.  Maybe we’ll even get to see a little Denard Robinson this week.

Can #2) Stump the Schaub

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub may be making his last start if he can’t pull himself together against the struggling Rams.  St. Louis will be without overpaid cornerback Cortland Finnegan this weekend, which could actually hurting the matchup for Andre Johnson who will see more of Janoris Jenkins as a result.  Garrett Graham steps in for Owen Daniels and could end up monopolizing the tight end targets he was splitting with OD.  Graham  should be a mid-to-back end TE1 for the rest of the year.  I’ll be looking to see if DeAndre Hopkins also steps in to pick up some of the OD slack and, if Schaub struggles, whether we see T.J. Yates, who would like be a downgrade even compared to a struggling Schaub.

Can #3) For Whom the Bell Doesn’t Toll

Steelers rookie running back Le’Veon Bell finally made his debut against the Vikings in London and although his 3.6 yards per carry average wasn’t all that impressive, he did score two touchdowns, including an impressive 11 yard touchdown run.  Now Bell and the Steelers banged up offensive line travel to New York to face the 3-2 Jets and their second ranked defense against the run, which to date is giving up only 76.2 yards per game.  I look for Bell to struggle in this game and his best hope for value in PPR leagues may end up being a few checkdowns (he had four receptions for 26 yards last week).

Can #4) Gronksgiving Is Cancelled

I thought this Sunday was finally going to be the chance to celebrate the return of Rob Gronkowski, but it looks like he may end up back on the shelf again this week.  Tom Brady  has really struggled while Gronk and then Danny Amendola was injured to make things even worse. If Amendola is closer to full strength this week, Brady can return to set it and forget status, but that may need to wait until we finally see Gronk back on the field.  In the meantime, Gronk owners will be forced to watch Jimmy Graham continue his record setting campaign.  He’s on pace for almost 1,900 yards and 19 touchdowns.  At just 26 years old, I wouldn’t have a problem selecting him fourth overall in a PPR dynasty startup at this point (assuming you were worried about Julio Jones).

Can #5) CenturyLink Sacrifice

The Seahawks suffered their first defeat of the year, predictably occurring on the road where they are just not the same dominant team they are at home.  Now they get to return to the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field, the 12th man and a Tennessee Titans team led by weak-armed Ryan Fitzpatrick.  He may have to rely on every ounce of veteran savvy that he’s saved up to come out of this one alive.  Chris Johnson, save one long touchdown reception last week, looks like he’s on pace for another lost season, and Kenny Britt is right there next to him (and is likely on his way out of Tennessee).  I think the Seahawks are going to be mad, aggressive and on the hunt – that does not bode well for any Titans skill position players.

Can #6)  Miles Austin and the Hamstring of Doom

Miles Austin finally returned to Cowboys practice and his “probable” designation has taken some of the luster of Terrence Williams, the PPR WR6 over the last two weeks.  Austin is a notoriously slow healer, however, and even if he manages to finish the game without injuring himself, Williams still figures to get plenty of run in the Cowboys high-flying passing game ranked seventh in the NFL in average passing yards per game at 285.  Factor in a Washington Redskins pass defense giving up the fifth most passing yards per game at 298.2 and I’m still starting Williams as a high upside WR3.