Bye Weeks: Broncos, Cardinals, Chargers, Chiefs, Seahawks, Titans

Start 'Em

Felix Jones @ NE
In what should be a high scoring affair, two of the NFL’s top three passing offenses will be showcased as the Cowboys travel to Gillette Stadium this week to face the Patriots. It is no secret that the Patriots have had major issues defending the pass, but I still find it hard to believe that Dallas will try to go blow-for-blow through the air with Tom Brady & Co. Enter Felix Jones, who must have appreciated the timing of the bye week to further heal his previously dislocated shoulder. It is vital for the Cowboys to get their running game going to keep the Patriots off the field as much as possible. Jones is coming off a season-high 21 touches and is line for a similar load in Week 6. Despite just 116 rush attempts against, New England has allowed 4.6 yards per carry, tied for 21st in NFL.

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Buf
With backfield mate Brandon Jacobs on the shelf, Bradshaw’s 17 carries last week were his largest workload of the season. The Giants offensive line has had some difficulty creating holes this year, but Bradshaw is in line for upwards of twenty touches yet again should Jacobs remain sidelined in Week 6. Even if Jacobs plays, Bradshaw should be able to capitalize against one of the weaker run defenses in the league. Along with 5 rushing touchdowns, Buffalo has allowed 8 runs of 20 or more yards to opposing RBs and an obscene average of 5.5 yards per carry.

Cedric Benson vs. Ind
In Week 4, Benson produced his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, 104 yards on 19 carries versus Buffalo. Last week he was not as fortunate; although he received 24 carries, he was only able to manage 53 yards, a rough 2.2 yards per carry average against an underrated Jaguars run defense. A week after RB LeGarrette Blount racked up 127 yards against Indy in Week 4, Chiefs backup RB Jackie Battle totaled 119 yards on 19 carries against them last week. Teams are averaging 145.2 rushing yards versus the Colts, and even though backup RB Bernard Scott vultured a TD last week, Benson remains the Bengals primary ball carrier and should be started in plus matchups like this one.

Daniel Thomas @ NYJ
Thomas was slowed by a hamstring issue in the preseason which forced him to miss the ‘Fins Week 1 game; he also missed Week 4 due to re-aggravation of the same injury, but managed 41 carries for 202 yards (and 1 TD catch) combined in Weeks 2 & 3. Thomas returned to practice this week and all indications are that he will ready to face the Jets. This could present a dilemma for ill-prepared owners as the Dolphins do not play until Monday night, so it is vital to continue to monitor his progress into the weekend. He is worth consideration against a team that just allowed 136 yards and 2 TDs to BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He figures to return to a feature back role against the Jets, who have allowed 8 TDs on the ground, which is tied for the highest total in the league.

Michael Turner vs. Car
Some owners may be dismayed by less than stellar production (72 rushing yards per game) from Turner, but his 4.3 yards per carry average is not too far off his career average (4.6) and his 4 TDs rank him 7th among ball carriers in 2011. He has a great matchup this week in the Georgia Dome versus the Panthers. Carolina has had much difficulty stopping the run, allowing 5 TDs to opposing RBs and an average of 135.2 rushing yards per game, including 3 runs of 40 or more yards. Historically speaking, Turner has big numbers in his career against the Panthers: 6 games, 568 rushing yards (94.7 yards per game) and 9 TDs.

Bench 'Em

BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs. Dal
Just when it appeared that RB Stevan Ridley’s role was going to increase substantially in the Patriot offense, Green-Ellis dumped 136 yards (most by a Patriots RB in 3 years) and 2 TDs on the Jets. His performance further cemented his role as the primary ball carrier and goal line back for the best offense in the NFL. This week, however, will be tough sledding against the top-ranked run defense of the Cowboys. Dallas has allowed an average of just 61.8 rushing yards per game and 3.1 yards per carry, both of which are the best marks in the NFL. You still may have to roll with BJGE and hope for a TD, but just know the yards may not be there. The fact that he missed practice Thursday is another yellow flag.

Facing the 49ers, Best might be best on your bench this week.

Jahvid Best vs. SF
Best was awesome on Monday night against the Bears, notching his first career 100-yard game (163), including an 88-yard score. He remains difficult to bench, especially in PPR-leagues (5th among NFL RBs with 21 receptions) but make no mistake - his Week 6 matchup is tough. Over their last four games, the 49ers have kept quality RBs LeGarrette Blount (34 yards), LeSean McCoy (18 yards), Cedric Benson (64 yards) and Felix Jones (25 yards) well in check, so Best has his work cut out for him. San Francisco is the only team in the NFL that has not allowed a ground TD in 2011.

Rashard Mendenhall vs. Jax
Mendenhall is averaging a career-worst 2.98 yards per carry, but if Week 5 was any sort of an indicator, he does not have to worry about RB Isaac Redman threatening his role as primary ball carrier for the Steelers. Although he has a nose for the endzone (13 TDs in 2010; 2 thus far in 2011) and always a threat for a goal line plunge, Mendenhall has just one 100-yard game in his last 17 regular season starts. The Jaguars have been surprisingly tough against the run, allowing opposing RBs an average of 3.7 yards per carry (8th in the NFL).

Wide Receivers