Fantasy Football: Zac Stacy, Andre Ellington Among Week 6 Sits, Starts

As the NFL settles into its 2014 campaign, you’re settling in for another successful year on the fantasy circuit.

That, or you’re freaking out that Calvin Johnson is screwing your team over.

If you’re in the latter category, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time left in the fantasy season to make up ground, and there are “Golden” opportunities to find reliable sources of points elsewhere (more on that later). Week 6 is another mild one on the bye week front — only the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs get the weekend off — which means some of Week 5’s stars could stay hot this Sunday.

Yet all is not peachy in the fantasy world. Several big names have seen significant drops in production that might be more than just blips on the radar. Let’s take a look at those big names, as well as those “Golden” opportunities that could help you strike it rich in Week 6.

START
Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons: Ryan has played two games at home this season, and he’s thrown for three touchdowns and no interceptions in both of them. Now, Ryan gets to face a Chicago Bears team that’s allowed more than 30 points in back-to-back games. Even if Ryan is your backup to an elite QB1, it’s worth considering him for a spot start here.

Andre Ellington, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals: The Redskins usually are very difficult to run on, but they’ve allowed nearly 400 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in their last two games. Ellington proved last week that he’s far from a one-dimensional back, and he should receive plenty of touches at home against a team that struggles to deal with pass-catching running backs.

Branden Oliver, Running Back, San Diego Chargers: Under normal circumstances, we’d tell you not to read too much into Oliver’s big day last weekend. But the Chargers are playing the Oakland Raiders, who have given up tons of fantasy points to running backs this year. Oliver might not be around much longer, so use him while you can.

Golden Tate, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions. 15 receptions, 250 yards, one touchdown. That’s what Tate has produced over the last two weeks with Calvin Johnson hobbled by an ankle injury. Lions coach Jim Caldwell is “strongly” considering benching Johnson for Week 6, and if he does, Tate should reap the benefits for a third straight week against the lowly Minnesota Vikings.

Denver Broncos defense: The highly talented Broncos D has underperformed so far this season. But guess what? They’re playing the New York Jets! The Jets couldn’t score against a high school team at this point, and Denver’s defense actually is available in a decent amount of leagues due to the team’s Week 4 bye. If that’s the case, snatch up the Broncos and thank us later.

SIT
Cam Newton, Quarterback, Carolina Panthers: Fun fact: Newton has yet to score 20 or more fantasy points in standard leagues this season. That’s not likely to change against a Cincinnati Bengals team that’s allowed a grand total of 17 points in two home games. If you have another serviceable QB on your bench, use him.

Zac Stacy, Running Back, St. Louis Rams: Stacy is coming off a calf injury suffered in Week 5, and he’s entering a brutal matchup against the stingy San Francisco 49ers run defense. The Rams would be wise to limit Stacy’s carries to make sure the Niners don’t tear him apart, which spells bad news for fantasy owners.

Pierre Garcon, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins: If you watched any of the Redskins’ Monday night game, you might have noticed that Garcon was a virtual non-factor. That’s been a disturbingly growing trend for a player who led the NFL in receptions just one season ago, and it won’t get any easier for Garcon and quarterback Kirk Cousins, who have the Arizona Cardinals on the road this weekend.

Zach Ertz, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles: Another guy projected for big things in 2014, Ertz just hasn’t seen the targets from quarterback Nick Foles. He has just 96 yards in his last three games combined, and Philly’s Week 6 opponent, the New York Giants, hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a tight end all season. You can do better here.

Have a fantasy question for Darren? Send it to him via Twitter at @darren_hartwell.

Photo via Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports Images