Hot or Not - Week 6 (Start Kenny Britt over DeSean Jackson)

HOT


QBs

Jay Cutler (CHI QB) vs. SEA 5
You may hesitate to start Cutler. He started out strong but then posted -3 points in week four, and 0 points in last week's game that he missed due to a concussion. I'm often weary of players in their first game back after an injury, but in this case, Cutler probably could have played last week. The league is just extra-sensitive to concussions, and the Bears likely figured that they could beat Carolina with or without Cutler. In this easy matchup, I expect Mike Martz's offense to produce another solid day for Cutler.

Joe Flacco (BAL QB) vs. NE 3
After a slow start, Flacco is now bordering on every-week starter status. Until then, he's worth mentioning in this column. Last year, Flacco posted 264 yards, 2 TDs, and a pick against New England. The Pats secondary is even weaker this year.


Ben Roethlisberger (PIT QB) vs. CLE 15
Like Cutler, you may be thinking that you should wait until Big Ben gets back in the flow of the game before starting him. On the contrary, all systems are go for Ben and he should have no problem picking apart Cleveland if that's what he's called upon to do. And that's my one concern: the Steelers are 3-1 but rank dead last in the league in passing. Roethlisberger commented this week that he doesn't want to mess with a good thing. If the Steelers can beat the Browns with their defense and Mendenhal alone, then Ben simply won't have the opportunities. Still, I expect Ben to post some solid numbers, at least in the first half - maybe a deep TD to Mike Wallace.


Vince Young (TEN QB) vs. JAC 1
Young has been decent lately. But this pick is due to little more than the fact that Young is competent, and facing the Jaguars. That's all you need for success. Plus, with Kenny Britt's emergence, Young has a solid developing target.


RBs

Thomas Jones (KC RB) vs. HOU 10
You're probably starting Jamaal Charles every week, and he makes for an excellent start this week. You may be hesitant to start Jones, especially coming off a two point game. In this game against Houston however, there should be enough production to go around. Jones is a solid flex start this week.

Brandon Jacobs (NYG RB) vs. DET 2
Jacobs is Bradshaw's backup, nothing more. New York has been playing so well lately that in this blowout against Detroit, I expect Jacobs to get double digit carries in the second half and stumble his way into the endzone.

Marshawn Lynch (SEA RB) vs. CHI 20
It's not a great matchup, so I'm placing Lynch here more because of the role I expect him to play on this offense. He should start the game and get 15-20 carries as Justin Forsett plays a third down / change of pace role. That should be enough for 7 or 8 points from Lynch, making him flex-worthy.

Ryan Torain (WAS RB) vs. IND 8
Torain did not have a good day against Green Bay last week, but the more important takeaway was that Torain is the man in Washington. If he gets 20 touches again in this easier matchup, Torain should be a solid RB2. 


WRs

Johnny Knox (CHI WR) vs. SEA 5
Knox had just 1 catch in each of his last 2 games. But in games with Jay Cutler (when he's not concussed for half the game), Knox is averaging almost 80 yards per game. In this easy matchup, Cutler and Knox's chemistry should continue improving. I expect Knox to put up a good game.


Pierre Garcon (IND WR) vs. WAS 6
Garcon had more than twice as many targets as Austin Collie last week. A lot of this rotation depends on health: both Collie and Garcon returned to a limited practice yesterday. We'll see how much they do today, but their rotation could be equal meaning both are decent flex options against Washington.


Kenny Britt (TEN WR) vs. JAC 1
Britt will be Vince Young's number one target on Monday Night Football. And Jacksonville is the easiest matchup for WRs.

TEs

Tony Moeaki (KC TE) vs. HOU 2
Moeaki has been Cassel's most sure-handed receiver. In this easy matchup, Moeaki should have a big game.


Kellen Winslow (TB TE) vs. NO 5
Winslow is yet to find the endzone, but he is Josh Freeman's 2nd favorite target behind Mike Williams. The Saints have been killers against WRs and weak against TEs, so Winslow should be the Bucs leading receiver this weekend.




NOT


QBs


Tom Brady v BAL 32
Brady's coming off his worst game of the season, lost his best weapon in Randy Moss, faces the hardest secondary in the league, and now Justin Bieber is ragging on him. Tom Brady is an elite QB, so I don't foresee a bad game, but it won't be a great game either.

RBs


Peyton Hillis (CLE RB) vs. PIT 31
Hillis has been incredible with a TD in every game this season. I expect him to come back down to earth for three reasons: 1) He's dealing with a mild injury, 2) Colt McCoy is his starting QB, and 3) Pittsburgh presents a very difficult matchup. Hillis will get tons of carries, but if you have any better options, bench Hillis because I doubt he can do much with those carries.


Marion Barber (DAL RB) vs. MIN 24
Coach Phillips has said that Barber is still his starter. But last week, Barber played the first snap of the game before Felix Jones immediately took over and played the majority of the game. That trend should continue. I don't expect Barber to get double digit carries, which won't be enough for flex numbers against the Williams Wall. 

WRs

DeSean Jackson (PHI WR) vs. ATL 24
DeSean has done nothing with Kevin Kolb at the helm. Kolb will get another start this week against Atlanta's tough secondary. I hesitate to put him here, because all Jackson needs is one play - one 60 yard TD bomb. But I'm not counting on it if I have any other options.


Mike Williams (TB WR) vs. NO 32
I'm very excited about Williams' development, as he busted out for 99 yards and a TD last week. But this week he faces the toughest matchup for WRs in the league. Bench him if you have any serviceable options.


TEs


Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN TE) vs. DAL 23
The forecast for Moss's impact on Shiancoe's value proved correct on Monday night. If Brett Favre is going deep or looking for a redzone target, Moss is now the guy, not Shiancoe.

Chris Cooley (WAS TE) vs. IND 32
Cooley has been playing very well and McNabb looks to him a lot. It would have to be the worst matchup in the league for me to recommend benching him - which is exactly what Indy's defense presents. They've been TE-killers, so if you have a backup TE (Aaron Hernandez or Marcedes Lewis for example), bench Cooley this week.