Week 6 Start/Sit: Cedric Benson? He’s Still In the League?

Matt Hasselbeck, QB SEA - Did you see him last week against the Jaguars? He looked every bit the part of the elite, top-tier quarterback you think he is capable of being--when he stays upright and healthy. This week he plays Arizona and the league’s worst pass defense. Nate Burleson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and John Carlson are all quality targets worth using this week--Hasselbeck will get them the ball and blow up in all fantasy formats.

Cedric Benson, RB CIN - I can honestly say I never thought I would be writing his name in this column. But after he became the first 100-yard rusher against the Ravens defense in 40 games, he is a must-start in every fantasy format. The Houston Texans have allowed the most touchdowns to opposing running backs in the league this year. The Bengals are going to feed him the ball and I would expect him to rack up huge numbers.

Santana Moss, WR WAS - Mr. Streaky draws the passing defense that gave up a 250 yard day to Miles Austin. I do relish picking a Redskin here but this week is a good week to go with Moss as he only had 4 catches for 44 yards last week against the Panthers. He tends to follow bad weeks with big weeks.

Jermichael Finley, TE GB - I watched this guy during the preseason do some things that blew me away. Then when week 1 hit, he kind of disappeared. That all changed in the last game as he went for 128 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. This week he faces the Lions, who have had trouble keeping tight ends out of the end zone all year.

Green Bay Packers, DEF - The bye week allows a fully rested unit to face off against the Detroit Lions. Dom Capers has now had two weeks to prepare his defense for a shaky Detroit offense. In addition to an excellent pass rush, the Packers’ secondary figures to shine this week. Look for this defense to get off the field on 3rd downs and to rack up sack and turnover points.

Matt Cassel, QB KC - Am I just saying this because he is playing the Redskins? Well, yeah. The Skins are the #3 pass defense this year with 10 sacks and 3 interceptions. Kansas City is getting better, but this is not the week to bet they will start pumping on all cylinders. If you have another option on your bench, use it.

Brandon Jacobs, RB NYG - In addition to mediocre performances against both the Chiefs and the Raiders, Jacobs is now sharing the backfield with a guy who is starting to make a case to be the Giants’ feature back. Ahmad Bradshaw is eating into Jacobs’ workload and rightfully so. This week the Giants take on the Saints. That defense has been impressive thus far this season, but even more detrimental to Jacobs is Drew Brees’ ability to keep the Giants’ offense on the sidelines.

Antonio Bryant, WR TB - Bryant has developed something with new QB Josh Johnson, but the Carolina pass defense enters week 6 as the #2 pass defense. They held Santana Moss to the aforementioned 44 yards, and I would not expect Bryant to do any better than that.

Chris Cooley, TE WAS - See? I can sit a Redskin. He went without a catch for the first time since 2004 last week and that was mostly because the offensive line for the Redskins was hurting so bad he had to stay in and block. That offensive line is still hurting so if you have another tight end to trot out there this week, you should consider going in that direction.

Houston Texans, DEF - I doubt many teams are depending on this defense to anchor their team this week but in case you are one of those teams, my gut tells me you should change your mind. I love what the Bengals are doing on offense. Carson Palmer is really starting to look like the Pro Bowler he is, and that running game is thriving with Cedric Benson. Palmer missed most of the preseason, so the first 4-5 weeks were pretty much like his preseason games. He is going to unload on a team very soon, and I think that team is the Houston Texans.