Welcome to Week 6 of the NFL. We're officially past the 1/3 mark, and it's been quite a ride thus far. Some studs have already fallen and continue to fall, but with each star going down, the opportunity arises for a new star to rise.

Seedog isn't available, so you're stuck with me this week. I'll try to make it worth your while. And with that, here are my Week 6 Sleepers, Studs & Duds..

Doot

Sleepers:

QB E. Manning: I'm generally not big on Eli; I think he's been in the right place at the right time for much of his career, and his rings are a product of solid teams getting hot at the right time. With that said, one of the golden rules of fantasy football is to never be a homer. The same also can apply to being an anti-homer. If the matchup and circumstances makes for a solid play for a player you don't necessarily like, bite the bullet and go with it.
Jennings is doubtful, Beckham is in and showed signs of talent in his debut last week, and this game looks to be a potential shootout. Eli's got the targets: Cruz, Randle, Beckham, Donnell, and I think that' makes for a potential big day for the lesser of the two Mannings.
Backup Plan: M. Ryan, N. Foles

RB B. Oliver: I don't know if he's considered a sleeper (I guess with his price he is), but Oliver CRUSHED an allegedly top defense vs the run in the Jets, and this week he has a favorable matchup against the Raiders. He does come with a caveat though: I'd play him in 50/50 as I'm pretty sure he'll be worth his cost, but he will likely be in damn near a majority of GPP leagues, so he might not be a great play there (unless you're targeting a lot of different, true "sleepers" in a low % of lineups.) He's a solid play here, and is VERY valuable for the price.
Backup Plan: A. Williams, B. Sankey

WR G. Tate: Megatron broke a wheel and looks to be in the shop for awhile, which means Golden Tate becomes a veeeeery good play in both 50/50s and GPPs (although he will be on a decent % of GPP teams).
Backup Plan: J. Maclin, M. Sanu

TE J. Witten: Wait, you're probably thinking, wtf am I thinking? Yes Dallas is playing Seattle, in Seattle, and Yes Witten has yet to score a TD this year. But, did you know, Seattle has the worst defense in the league vs. TEs? Tis true. So as a true sleeper, I think Witten could be a nice sneaky play this week. We shall see...
Backup Plan: O. Daniels

DEF Tenn: Jacksonville is pretty bad, and I think they can make any defense look good. Hence, they're a decent play here.
Backup Plan: Denver

Studs:

QB P. Manning: Things will be all sorts of bass ackwards at the Meadowlands on Sunday as the Jets remain grounded trying go with a ground attack while the Broncos take the air with a deadly aerial assault, George Carlin style!. And leading the charge will be the legendary Peyton Manning. I expect Peyton to go nucking futs this week with 3-4 TDs and easily over 300 yards (possibly in the first half, DOH!) The downside to this, is he might be benched by the 4th quarter. If you're ever going to overpay for a QB, this is the week to do it.
Backup Plan: M. Ryan

RB M. Forte: Not only is a top 5 weekly stud regardless who he's playing, this week he's going against a defense who's been pretty bad against the run. He is almost as sure a bet as Peyton this week, me thinks.
Backup Plan: M. Lynch, L. Bell

WR Jordy Nelson: I saw a funny shirt worn by a hot blonde Packers fan while on my trip up to Lambeau a few weeks ago. "I love it when Jordy goes deep". Yep, folks...it's good to be Jordy. Aaron to Jordy has become one of the deadliest combos over the last half a decade, and I expect this trend to continue versus a mediocre Dolphins secondary.
Backup Plan: Anyone on Denver

TE S. Gronkowski: The Gronk is from the Buffalo area, and always seems to do well there. With Graham on bye, I think Gronk is the #1 TE play this week.
Backup Plan: J. Thomas

DEF San Diego: Oakland is pretty bad, and San Diego has been really damn good. If you're going to pay for a Defense, this is who you pay for.

Duds:

QB C. Newton: Cinny's gotta be pissed after getting whooped in New England last week, and I think they've got a big chip on their shoulder trying to prove that this year they're for real. That could spell bad news for Cam. Sooooo many better options out there; I'm staying away.

RB D. Murray: I'm making this call with extreme hesitance, as I think Murray is a decent play every week. I do think that Dallas will have to take to the air though, which means that Murray may be limited. Or. I could totally be proven wrong. Either way, at his price, I think it's too much of a risk. Proceed with caution.

WR M. Crabtree: I think he's fighting an injury, although SF hasnt officially said as such. I'm gonna stay away from him for now.

TE L. Green: Also nursing an injury, and with Gates getting the looks and catches week after week, Green hasnt emerged as many expected he would. Even though they're playing Oakland, I think he's too much of a reach.

DEF Chicago: Chi has a history of strong defensive play, and might be in many's subconscious as a good-by-default safe pick. Dont trust your gut here. Although Atlanta's been hit or miss, they're at home, and simply put, Chi isnt that great defensively. You can do better. A lot better.

And thus concludes our Sleepers Studs n Duds for Week 6. Good luck folks!

As always, feel free to chime in with your comments and questions.

And follow us on Twitter: @jerseydudes

The Jersey Dudes's

Week 5 Sleepers Studs & Duds are Here!

Boy the weeks go fast. MNF is over and poof Thursday is upon us.

We nailed a good number of picks last week. Let's continue the trend with our SS&Ds for Week 5.

Good luck!

- Seedog & doot

doot

Sleepers:

QB Glennon: He's uber cheap and a decent play if you want to punt QB or a good second pick in a two QB league. Plus, you can match him up with L. Murphy or V. Jackson for a tasty tandem in DDPs.

Backup Plan: K. Orton (in for Manuel)

RB R. Jennings: Is a sleeper a sleeper if everyone knows he's a sleeper? Probably not, but  probable Top 5 scoring at the position at a mid-tier price makes him a sleeper IMHO. I predict he'll probably be in 20% (give or take 5%) in GPP leagues, but he is a solid option in 50/50s. 

I'm also going to throw in L. McCoy. Yes he's expensive, and yes with a swiss cheese O-line in Phi he has severely underperformed, but he's a cocky SOB (in a good way) so I'm guessing he's not taking this lack of success lightly; he will likely be playing with a Chip on his shoulder, and I'm thinking he'll be under-owned in DPPs.

Backup Plan: D. Reaves, B. Sankey

WR  A. Hawkins: Who? Yeah, that's what I thought until I looked at the numbers. He is #1 in targets with a Browns team playing a very mediocre Tenn. team. He is very cheap and a solid play in GPPs. 

Backup Plan: B. Quick, A. Hurns, Malc. Floyd, L. Murphy

TE C. Harbor: You may not know who he is, but Bortles does. Last week he was 8/8 in Targets/Receptions last week for 69 yards. A Tight End can be a rookie QB's best friend, so if you're not going with Graham, throw this kid a bone, and you might have a friend for life (or at least this season, or this week..)

Backup Plan: H. Miller

DEF Green Bay: Let me give you something to Ponder...he's gonna need a bigger boat at Lambeau tonight, as heavy rains are expected. I predict GB to stuff the box and force Ponder to throw, which could lead to defensive points for a very cheap GB.

Backup Plan: Car., Clev.

 Studs:

QB D. Brees: He's dat. Brees at home is scary, add to it TB's 28th ranking in yards allowed per game in the air, and you're onto a sure thing big thing.

Backup Plan: A. Luck, P. Rivers

RB L. Bell: Again, it's all about the matchups. Jacksonville is ranked 25th in yards given up on runs. Add to it the fact that Pitt is favored by 7 (even away), and Pitt. will be likely playing ahead and may run the ball heavily to run down the clock, even better for Bell.

Backup Plan: D. Murray

WR A. Jeffrey: Marshall is still a bit gimpy, and Carolina's defense arent as good as last year. This could be a sneaky stud pick, considering all the other stud options at WR this week.

Backup Plan: A. Brown, J. Jones, J. Nelson, K. Allen

TE J. Graham: He's an elite receiver with a TE tag with an elite QB throwing to him in a home dome. He's expensive, but damn near always worth the price. 

Backup Plan: J. Thomas

Duds:

QB K. Cousins: Even though he's playing at home, he is still playing Seattle, and I think they'll keep him and Washington in check.

RB D. Brown: He burned a lot of people last week (including us, grumble grumble), and he plays the league's best Defense against the run. Stay away, far far away...

WR B. Marshall, C. Johnson: They're both nursing injuries, and considering their cost, they're just too risky for me to consider. But, yes there's a but, if you check on Sunday morning and know they're definitely active, they could be a very high risk, costly, high reward pick in DPPs. Even with that slight chance, I'm not buying.

TE N. Paul: This is a bit of a reach, as I think most decent TEs will have decent games, so I'm going with him as a bust for the week. Add to it that J. Reed is back in practice, they may start to share time.

DEF New England: Ahhh, it's fun to poop on the Patriots.

  

Seedog

Sleepers:

Wilson is a sneaky play I like this week vs. the Skins, he should give you some points and have a solid game this week.

Eli should be a nice play in a game that may have a lot of points, and a lot of passing, I like him this week.

Khiry Robinson is my sleeper RB of the week, since they are playing RB roulette in New Orleans, I think this week is his turn.

Zac Stacy has been quiet, I think he has a big day against the Eagles this week.

VJax should put up some solid garbage time numbers this week, nice play this week.

Quick is a nice start this week, like him as my sleeper WR this week, I project a solid day from him.

Heath Miller is back, has put together a few good weeks, and I see him keeping it going this week vs. the Jags.

Studs:

Payton-Drew-Arod: All are a must start.  Clear cut top 3, you can put them in any order, all a solid play this week.

Andrew Luck: He is knocking on the door, he is making the stud cut just about every week, start him with no worries vs. the Ravens.

Gio: My top play of the day, the Pats are in trouble, Gio has a big day.

Rashad Jennings: Big day for him, ATL can’t stop anyone, big day for him and the Gmen.

A Brown/Edelman are PPR Gold, must starts in a PPR format unless they are banged up. These 2 are on a roll, it isn’t stopping this week.

J Jones is going to be big this week, lots of points in this game.  Start him with confidence.

Graham/Gronk: They play, they are in your lineup, must starts that play like a top WR.

Bennett will have another solid day for the Bears.  With the Bears WR’s banged up, it means another big day for him.

Duds:

Romo might take a step back this week, he will play ok this week, just see a lot of rushing in this game against HOU.

Foles may have another tuff start this week, STL defense will give him some trouble, I personally will stay away from him this week.

Sproles, off day for Foles will mean an off day for Sproles, sorry PHI, stay in away from the Eagles this week.

Spiller/FJax will have a long day vs. the Lions front, not a fan of either Bills RB this week.

DJax will have a quiet day, Seattle’s D will keep the Skins off the score board.

Crabtree is interesting, I just don’t like him this week, I see the Chiefs giving him trouble.

Ertz is in for a long day also, see a theme, stay away from the Eagles this week.