There are a number of big-name quarterbacks on byes, with Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert all off this week. In addition, an injury to Robert Griffin III and the general badness of Tony Romo means quarterbacks are at a premium in Week 6.
There are a number of great options this week with the usual suspects of Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder and Alex Smith. But it seems like we talk about these guys all of the time. So let's try to reach out for the true sleeper.
Kevin Kolb has a great matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed 23 passing touchdowns in their last eight road games. The Bills also have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season and have no interceptions in six of their last seven games.
Kolb has scored more fantasy points this season than Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Matthew Stafford (who had a bye) and Carson Palmer. He's available in a pinch for you.
Before you we look at the rest of Rank's 11, big ups to our esteemed stats guru, Bill "Sudsy" Sudell.
Billy Powell, RB, Arizona Cardinals: Somebody has to pick up the slack at running back for the Birds. La'Rod Stephens-Howling is going to be in the mix, but the highest upside guy is Powell, who again, has a great matchup against the Bills. Buffalo has had trouble stopping people and has allowed the third-most points to fantasy running backs. Seriously, what else is out there?
Vick Ballard, RB, Indianapolis Colts: Now, in the interest of full disclosure, Donald Brown previously occupied this spot but it's time for the next guy up. Ballard is worthy of consideration for the same reason we liked Brown -- the Jets are lousy against the run. Ballard isn't a burner, and he isn't going to bust long runs. He should, however, get most of the attempts for the Colts and should be in consideration at a flex spot if the bye weeks and injuries are getting you down.
LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rookie Doug Martin clearly is falling out of favor, and if Blount does get into the mix this season, he's somebody to have on your roster. If you're in a serious pinch, the Buccaneers' matchup with the Chiefs is a pretty good one. Kansas City has allowed the 10th-most points to fantasy running backs this season.
T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Everybody is going to celebrate Reggie Wayne this week, and deservedly so. Wayne is going to be a great option going forward. But he's going to be presumably matched up with Jets CB Antonio Cromartie this week. Cromartie did a great job against Andre Johnson in Week 5, so temper your expectations for Wayne. Hilton had nine targets against the Packers, however, and he tied with Coby Fleener for second-most on the team. So if Wayne is locked up, Hilton's going to get his chances.
Andre Roberts, WR, Arizona Cardinals: All right, you are starting Larry Fitzgerald this week, for that, I have no doubts. But Roberts is a great pickup against the Bills, who, if you read the above about Kolb, are not very adept at stopping people in the air.
Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: This is going to be a bounce-back game for the Bengals' passing offense, and Hawkins should get into the mix against the Browns, who have allowed the second-most points to fantasy receivers this year. Joe Haden is back for Cleveland, but Hawkins should get a chance to make some plays.
Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns: All right, this is going to be a tough matchup. The Bengals are pretty tough on fantasy receivers. But Greg Little clearly drops too many passes for the Browns. It only was a matter of time before Gordon was going to get into the mix. I wouldn't expect a huge touchdown bomb again, but he's definitely worth saving on your roster.
Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks: We can debate if Tate should or shouldn't have three touchdowns this season, but there's no doubt he has a great matchup against the Patriots. New England has allowed at least 345 passing yards in three consecutive games and the seventh-most fantasy points to receivers this season. The Patriots are also prone to the big play, too, having allowed 27 completions of at least 20 yards this year (most in the NFL).
Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings: What you want from your tight ends are touchdowns. Rudolph has four in his last four games. He's second on the team with 30 targets. And (this is just gravy), the Redskins have allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this year. Mark it down, Rudolph will have a touchdown this week.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense: The Buccaneers are an interesting defense to play this week, possibly going up against Brady Quinn. Seriously, though, does the quarterback even matter? The Buccaneers have had at least two takeaways in three of their last four games, and the Chiefs have turned the ball over 19 times -- most in the NFL. Yes, even more than the Eagles. The Chiefs also allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing defenses this season. And again, Brady Quinn. With the Jags on a bye this week, you want to look for who is playing the Chiefs.
