Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots

While it’s painfully difficult to consider not starting Brady, his owners have to admit he has been a fantasy downer this season. Week 6 the Patriots host the New Orleans Saints who have been unstoppable so far. Brady, currently ranked 20th for quarterbacks, has been struggling and for the first time in 52 games, he didn’t pass for a touchdown last week. He has Danny Amendola back, which obviously didn’t create miraculous results, and if Rob Gronkowski returns this week, he will be dusting off some cobwebs. Brady’s other young receivers are hit and miss, leading to the endless faces of frustration Brady is not shy of displaying. If you have any better option at quarterback, consider sitting Brady this week against a revamped Saints defense.

Projected Statistics: 16/26, 234 yards, one touchdown, one interception

Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson and the Seahawks travel to Tennessee to play the Titans in Week 6. If you own Wilson, and continue playing him each week, you know he is prone to have his up weeks and down weeks and coincidently enough, the even weeks are his down weeks. With a receiving crew that is less than elite to say the least, the Seahawks rely on their dominate run game to win. In Week 6, the much improved Titans defense, who has so far allowed the third least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks will continue to cause the Seahawks run, which means less passing and touchdowns coming from Wilson. Benching Wilson for a heavier passing quarterback this week is advised.

Projected Statistics: 14/21, 190 yards, one touchdown, one interception, 67 rush yards

Hakeem Nicks, Wide Receiver, New York Giants

Nicks and the Giants face the Chicago Bears in Week 6 for Thursday Night Football. I hate to say that the Giants could be facing doom once again bringing them their sixth loss, but the Chicago Bears are going to be a huge challenge to the struggling Giants’ offense. Nicks will not earn the generous numbers he did when he faced a soft Eagles’ defense last week, and fantasy owners will not see huge points from him either. The Saints wide receivers were leveled last week against the Bears, so you can imagine the consequences that await Nicks and the Giants. Let Nicks sit out this week.

Projected Statistics: Five receptions, 52 yards, zero touchdowns

Marques Colston, Wide Receiver, New Orleans Saints

In Week 6, Colston and the Saints play the Patriots who will be hungry to redeem themselves after an ugly loss last week and will want to halt the Saints winning streak. New England proposes a stingy defense against opposing wide receivers and Colton is likely to be allowed little breathing room from corner, Aqib Talib. With Drew Brees typically having eyes only for tight end Jimmy Graham, coupled with a sizeable dose of run game, Coltson’s fantasy numbers will once again take a hit. He is low-end WR2 this week facing the Patriots and finding another option is advised.

Projected Statistics: Six receptions, 64 yards, zero touchdowns

Kenbrell Thompkins, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots

After a big Week 4, the young Patriots receiver Thompkins was probably on everyone’s lineup last week, as the Patriots suffered a horrific loss to the Bengals and Thompkins disappointed fantasy owners with miniscule fantasy points. No touchdowns were caught and Thompkins, who is prone to the dropsies, once again let Tom Brady down. Now that Danny Amendola has returned, and all signs lean towards Rob Gronkowski debuting in Week 6, Thompkins will see less red-zone targets as Brady attempts to bring back his “A” game against the Saints. Thompkins may be spending more time on the Patriots’ bench and he should be sitting on your bench also this week.

Projected Statistics: Three receptions, 38 yards, zero touchdowns

Greg Jennings, Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings welcome the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 where it appears to be quarterback chaos when it comes to exactly who will be throwing the ball to Jennings. Will it be Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, or newly signed Josh Freeman? Whoever it will be may not bode well for Jennings who isn’t the most consistent wide receiver to begin with. The Panthers defense will make things difficult for the mystery quarterback, just as they did for Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald last week. Jennings isn’t an ideal start some of the time, and this week is one of those times to look for a better choice for your flex position.

Projected Statistics: Six receptions, 62 yards, zero touchdowns

Maurice Jones-Drew, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars

Fantasy owners who continue to hold on to Jones-Drew, brew in frustration each week as their higher round draft pick continues to flounder. To make things worse, the Jaguars have been removing him from the goal line carries. In Week 6 Jones-Drew, who only has one touchdown for the season, faces the challenge of playing the Denver Broncos. This game will not mirror last week’s close game when the Broncos played the Cowboys. The 0-5 Jaguars will have to throw the ball tons to attempt to score touchdowns and Jones-Drew’s game will be severely limited along with his fantasy points. He should be benched unless you are in desperate need.

Projected Statistics: 12 attempts, 24 yards, one reception, 13 yards, zero touchdowns

Joique Bell, Running Back, Detroit Lions

Bell started off the 2013 fantastically and was immediately snatched from waiver wires everywhere, and he did an outstanding job filling in for Reggie Bush while he was sidelined a few weeks ago. People who own Bell continue to play him with the hope that they will see the awesome points he put up in Week 1. Enough hoping, as Week 6 should be the week you bench Bell and accept that as long as Bush is healthy, he will get the “Lion’s” share of the rushing carries. The Detroit Lions play at Cleveland this week, and the Browns defense will challenge for the whole team. Reserve Bell from now on as a “handcuff” to Bush.

Projected Statistics: 7 attempts, 16 yards, three receptions, 18 yards, zero touchdowns

Chris Johnson, Running Back, Tennessee Titans

Johnson finally showed up last week and scored his first touchdown of the season, however it was not a rushing touchdown but a passing touchdown. With the exception of last week, Johnson’s fantasy owners continue to be distraught about his overall sub-par running back performance. Week 6 offers Johnson the nightmare of playing the Seattle Seahawks defense. Between this scary defense and his goal line carries being stolen by Jackie Battle, Johnson will struggle just the same as Trent Richardson did last week against Seattle. Johnson makes a lower end flex option this week so if you have a running back with more upside, plan to use him instead.

Projected Statistics: 16 attempts, 42 yards, one reception, 9 yards, zero touchdowns

Antonio Gates, Tight End, San Diego Chargers

It’s a hardly advisable to bench the fourth-ranked tight end, Antonio Gates if you own him, however, the Chargers face the Indianapolis Colts Week 6 in Monday Night Football which could spell trouble for the whole team. The Colts pass rush defense has stepped into first gear, successfully causing turnovers and turmoil as of late. Philip Rivers has been more focused this season, but the Colts could force errors upon him and anyone in the receiving lineup. Gates could suffer from the side effects, so if you have to play him, expect his fantasy numbers to be limited.

Projected Statistics: Seven receptions, 83 yards and zero touchdowns