You don't need me advising you to start Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, or to steer clear of Joe Flacco and Mike Furrey. So I'll spare you the obvious recommendations, focusing instead on the players typically on the bubble of most fantasy rosters. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 6.
Jason Campbell, QB, Redskins vs. Rams. Campbell proved against the Eagles that he is not yet ready to be an every-week fantasy starter. But when facing the right opposition -- and the Rams are the definition of the phrase -- he can be golden. Look for his best outing to date against a defense that has given up a league-worst 147 points in just four games.
Correll Buckhalter, RB, Eagles at 49ers. Andy Reid did us a solid by announcing early that Brian Westbrook will be held out of Sunday's game due to his two cracked ribs. Buckhalter should get a hefty workload against the 49ers' below-average run defense, and is a terrific start in Westbrook's absence.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars at Broncos. Though Pocket Hercules has reached the end zone in three of five games this season, only his Week 3 effort against the Colts could be considered a strong fantasy performance. I love his chances to exploit Denver's porous run defense, though, and will be shocked if he doesn't have his best all-around performance of the season this weekend.
Bernard Berrian, WR, Vikings vs. Lions. He has quickly become Gus Frerotte's favorite, and most reliable, target. Though Adrian Peterson should rebound nicely against the Lions, there will be plenty of opportunities for Berrian to exploit the league's worst secondary as well, provided he shakes off his minor knee injury as expected.
Bobby Engram, WR, Seahawks vs. Packers. It didn't take long for Deion Branch to re-injure himself. And it didn't take long for Engram to re-establish his status as Matt Hasselbeck's favorite target. He reeled in eight of the 12 passes thrown his way last week, and should follow that up with his first 100-yard game and end-zone visit Sunday, even if it does come in garbage time.
Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers vs. Patriots. After starting the season on fire, Rivers has been limited to 180 passing yards or fewer in his last two games, with just one touchdown apiece. With Chris Chambers likely to miss the much-anticipated (though somewhat anticlimactic) rematch of AFC Championship Game combatants, it's best to let Rivers sit this one out.
Michael Turner, RB, Falcons vs. Bears. It's no coincidence that Turner has failed to string together strong back-to-back performances. Atlanta's schedule has rotated from weak opposition in the odd weeks (Lions, Chiefs, Packers) to strong opposition in even weeks (Bucs, Panthers). The Bears continue the trend in Week 6, so keep that in mind as you set your starting lineup.
Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns vs. Giants. Lewis had been held in check by formidable opposition prior to Cleveland's victory over the Bengals in Week 4. So much for the respite, as yet another stingy defense stands in his way on Monday night. The Browns will struggle to score throughout this contest, and will likely have to abandon the run early to keep pace.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts vs. Ravens. I resisted the urge to recommend benching Peyton Manning only because he torched the Ravens with four touchdown passes in their 2007 meeting. I have no such qualms about Harrison, who has clearly lost the magic he once shared with his quarterback. Reserve him against a Baltimore unit that has rebounded to elite status, sporting the league's top run and pass defense.
Owen Daniels, TE, Texans vs. Dolphins. Is Miami for real? I wish I knew. What I do know is they have been one of the stingiest defenses against opposing tight ends in the league (surrendering just 30 yards per game), most recently adding Antonio Gates to their list of victims. You can bet they'll be brimming with confidence as they head to Houston.
Michael Pittman, RB, Broncos vs. Jaguars. With several strong rushers on their bye week, and Selvin Young sitting out with an injured groin, Pittman should be an excellent short-term starter. He has a nose for the end zone (four TDs in his first four games) and has contributed significantly as a runner and receiver over the past two contests. Though Andre Hall will get a share of the carries, Pittman is the one to bank on.
... benches Santana Moss following his goose egg in Week 5. The Rams are a very giving team, and won't offer much resistance to the receiver whose string of seven consecutive excellent games was so rudely interrupted last week.