Weekly Matchups: Strong Plays, Weak Plays Week 6

STRONG PLAYS

Mark Sanchez vs. DEN

Sanchez has been great in three games and struggled in two. In his three great games he has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions. In the two games that Sanchez struggled he faced the fourth- (Ravens) and seventh-ranked (Vikings) fantasy pass defenses and didn't throw a touchdown or break 200 yards in either game. This week Sanchez faces a Broncos pass defenses ranked 30th in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. Look for Sanchez to bounce back from a subpar fantasy performance against the Vikings to put up solid starter numbers in this matchup.

Michael Turner vs. PHI

Turner is coming off a solid outing against the Browns, rushing for 140 yards. However, Turner has been somewhat of a fantasy disappointment to this point, as he has rushed for just one touchdown in 93 attempts this season. Turner is just the 22nd-rated running back in average points per game in standard scoring leagues. This week Turner could put it all together against an Eagles defense that has given up the seventh most rushing touchdowns and the sixth most rushing points to running backs. Look for Turner to have a big outing in this very favorable matchup.

Johnny Knox vs. SEA

Knox has yet to live up to his preseason hype, as he has not found the endzone this season and has just 13 catches in five games. However, Knox has Jay Cutler returning and faces a Seahawks pass defense that have given up the fifth most points in fantasy to wide receivers and is ranked ninth in most passing yards given up per attempt at 7.3. Knox has demonstrated an ability to get deep, averaging almost 21 yards per catch, and should get some looks down the field. The Seahawks are a bad road team, giving up more than 280 yards through the air, and we see this as a great opportunity for Knox to have his first big fantasy day of the year.

Eddie Royal vs. NYJ

While everyone knows about Brandon Lloyd's sizzling start, Royal has also been solid in the high-powered Broncos passing game. Royal has at least four catches in every game this season and ranks 22nd among wide receivers in average points scored per game in standard leagues. Royal should have another solid outing against a Jets pass defense that may be without Darrelle Revis and that is coming off a big Monday night win. For all the hype surrounding the Jets defense, it is ranked 29th in fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. Look for Royal and the Broncos passing game to have another good outing in what has been a very productive year for that unit.

Tony Moeaki vs. HOU

Moeaki has come out of nowhere to lead the Chiefs in catches, yards and touchdowns and ranks eighth in average points scored at his position in standard scoring leagues. These numbers should increase this week against a Texans pass defense that has allowed the second most fantasy points to tight ends and by far the most catches and yardage to the position. Look for the rookie to continue his outstanding start in his most favorable matchup of the season.

WEAK PLAYS

Kevin Kolb vs. ATL

Kolb looked like the quarterback fantasy owners pegged as a solid sleeper pick last week throwing for 253 yards and a touchdown against the 49ers. His success could regress this week against a Falcons pass defense that has allowed the sixth fewest points to quarterbacks in fantasy this season and has a league-high 10 interceptions. Kolb has faced two poor fantasy pass defenses in the Redskins and 49ers the last two week, and while he should be better than he was against the Packers, this should be an underwhelming performance.

Shaun Hill vs. NYG

Hill has been a nice pickup for fantasy owners in the absence of Matthew Stafford. Hill ranks 10th in average fantasy points per game for quarterbacks despite not starting in Week 1 and has thrown eight touchdowns in his four starts. This week Hill faces a big test in the resurgent Giants, who have surrendered the second fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The Giants also have the highest sack percentage against quarterbacks in the NFL at 12.8 percent. Hill has thrown seven interceptions this season, and he could throw a few more while trying to escape from this defense.

Peyton Hillis vs. PIT

At press time Hillis said he is likely to play this week but is battling a quad injury. Hillis has been another under-the-radar player who has paid off big time for fantasy owners. Hillis has scored a touchdown in every game this season and ranks as the 11th highest scoring back in fantasy. Those numbers should take a hit this week against a Steelers defense ranked second in fewest fantasy points allowed to running backs. With rookie Colt McCoy likely to start, look for the Steelers to take away the run and take their chances against the Browns passing game.

Mike Williams vs. NO

Williams ranks an outstanding 19th in average points scored at the wide receiver position and is coming off a career-high 99-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Bengals. Williams has quickly become the No. 1 target in Tampa, as he has been targeted 33 times in the first four games. Production should be limited this week for the promising rookie, though, against a Saints pass defense that is not only giving up the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season but is leading in all three major categories (catches, yards, touchdowns). Look for Williams to struggle this week against the strength of the Saints defense.

Chris Cooley vs. IND

Cooley is back to fantasy relevance with Donovan McNabb at the helm. Cooley is ranked seventh in fantasy tight end scoring per game this season and has already been targeted 37 times. Look for Cooley to be challenged this week against a Colts defense that is ranked first in fewest points allowed to the tight end position at just 2.8 per game. The Redskins should have a much easier time finding wide receivers against the banged up Colts secondary, so don't be surprised if Cooley struggles this week.