Bye Weeks: Bengals, Eagles, 49ers, Giants, Patriots

Start 'Em

Dallas Clark @ NO
Although Clark lost a fumble last week, he was targeted 7 times and had 6 receptions for 53 yards and a highlight-reel-worthy TD. Clark’s numbers won’t get back to where they were with Peyton Manning behind center, but should get better as QB Curtis Painter and the offensive line continue to improve. The Saints have been vulnerable to the Tight End position as Zach Miller, Greg Olsen, Owen Daniels have all found the endzone against them; Kellen Winslow had 5 catches last week. New Orleans is tied for the league-high (Chiefs, Raiders) with 12 passing TDs allowed.

Steve Breaston @ Oak
After a very slow start to the season (3 catches, 33 yards in first two) Breaston has found some consistency in his last three games, totaling 11 catches for 196 yards, including 2 TDs. The Chiefs are coming off their Week 6 bye and I like Breaston’s chances to have a solid game against a subpar Raiders defense. Oakland has given up 12 aerial TDs and 1,701 passing yards in six games. QB Matt Cassel and the Chiefs seem to have adjusted to life without Jamaal Charles. Breaston’s last game against the Raiders (September, 2010 with Arizona) produced 4 catches, 41 yards and a TD.

Nate Washington vs. Hou
Washington surprisingly burst onto the fantasy scene as PPR-machine in the Titans first three games, averaging 7 catches and 86 yards with 1 TD in that span. With just 7 catches in his last two games (both without WR Kenny Britt), some of his owners may have started losing faith, but Cleveland and Pittsburgh both presented difficult matchups. Now, after a bye and more practice time to develop rapport with QB Matt Hasselbeck, Washington is set to return to good numbers versus the Texans this week. Houston has given up big stats to WRs Anquan Boldin (8 catches, 132 yards in Week 6) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (7 catches, 99 yards, TD in Week 5) in recent games.

James Jones @ Min
Jones is tough to trust on a weekly basis – three games with just 1 catch – due to QB Aaron Rodgers penchant for hitting the open receiver, but he makes for a worthy bye week plug due to his big-play ability (70-yard TD in Week 5; 35-yard TD in Week 6) and the offense he plays in. He has scored TDs in three straight and, dating to last season, in five of his last nine games. In his last two games combined against the Vikings, he has 7 catches for 158 yards and a TD. Minnesota has been susceptible to WRs, allowing 269.5 passing yards per game and 6 passing plays of 40 or more yards. You could do a lot worse this week.

Brandon Marshall vs. Den
Jets CB Darrelle Revis had a 100-yard INT return for a TD, but Marshall managed 6 catches for 109 yards on Monday night. Owners need not fear the loss of Chad Henne for the season as QB Matt Moore looked Marshall’s way early and often (13 targets) and should continue to do so. Not that he needs it, but the extra motivation of playing against a former team shouldn’t be disregarded. The Broncos have served up 10 TDs and juicy 8.4 average yards per catch (tied for 4th highest in NFL), including 6 passing plays of 40 or more yards. Marshall missed practice Wednesday, but practiced Thursday; he is expected to play, but be sure to monitor his participation level on Friday.

Bench 'Em

Vincent Jackson @ NYJ
Based on the “solid in every other game” trend, Jackson is due for a good week but there are other factors at play, namely CB Darrelle Revis and the Jets top-notch pass defense. Jackson is on schedule to play despite being limited at practice this week with a hamstring strain; it is somewhat disconcerting that the Chargers Week 6 bye wasn’t enough time for the hamstring to heal. Between being covered by Revis, the Jets pass defense (9 INTS, 3 TDs allowed) and potential hamstring flare up, V-Jax should be treated like a WR3/Flex this week

Holmes is averaging 3.3 catches and 47.8 yards per game.

Santonio Holmes vs. SD
I suppose Holmes griping in the media against his offensive line somehow served him well? He is, in fact, coming off back-to-back 60-yard, 1 TD games…so that must have been it. In reality, QB Mark Sanchez does not seem to look his way very often and I would not trust him this week versus San Diego. The Jets pass attack ranks in the middle to bottom of the league. Holmes is averaging 3.3 catches and 47.8 yards per game, numbers that do not figure to rise against the Chargers, who have allowed just 179.6 passing yards per game.

Early Doucet vs. Pit
Doucet’s has 21 receptions, which ranks 2nd on the Cardinals behind Larry Fitzgerald (27). In his last game (Week 5 @ Min), he had an eye-popping 8 receptions for 92 yards, but has not found the endzone since Week 1. The Cardinals have one of the weaker passing “attacks” in the league; during the bye week blues I’m more comfortable recommending the plug and play of the 3rd or 4th receiving option on a prolific offense than the 2nd option on a bad one. Doucet just hasn’t shown enough to be trusted yet. Consider the Steelers pass defense has smothered opposing WRs to the tune of 157.7 passing yards per game.

Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem & Lance Moore vs. Ind
Now six games into the season and with all receiving options back to full health, the pecking order has been clearly established in New Orleans. Unfortunately for Henderson, Meachem and Moore owners, their names are not Jimmy Graham, Marcus Colston or Darren Sproles, as the former group is now on the outside looking in. The latter group will continue to get most of the targets and do most of the damage for the Saints. If you have to fill a bye week hole, Moore and Meachem are mediocre options. Forget about Henderson, like Drew Brees has.

Good luck in Week 7!

Quarterbacks