NFL Player News

With EJ Manuel sidelined due a knee injury, Bills quarterback Thad Lewis has been promoted off the practice squad to make his second career start Week 6 vs. Cincinnati. Lewis' only other start came for the Browns last year in a 24-10 loss at Pittsburgh, as he completed 22 of 32 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Bengals will be a tough challenge for Lewis. Cincinnati held future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady to 197 passing yards and no touchdowns Week 5. Through five games against the Bengals, quarterbacks are averaging 240.6 passing yards and 15.2 Fantasy points per week, which is the 13th-lowest average in the NFL. Only Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer have thrown multiple touchdowns against Cincinnati.

Bills coach Doug Marrone said he chose Lewis to start Sunday because he feels Lewis "can extend plays" and "run the read option." Well, Lewis will have to be on top of his game Sunday if he wants to upset the Bengals. Cincinnati will likely load the box to stop the run game, giving Lewis the opportunity to beat them through the air. However, unless you need a desperation bye-week Fantasy replacement in deeper formats, Lewis is not a recommended Fantasy option Week 6.

After failing to throw a touchdown pass Week 5, it was the first time in Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton's career he failed to record a touchdown in two straight games. He will look to end his touchdown slump Week 6 at Buffalo.

Dalton has struggled on the road this season. The Bengals are 0-2 in road games, with Dalton throwing for just 488 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

Quarterbacks have had mixed results against Buffalo this season. Quarterbacks are averaging 283.4 passing yards and 19 Fantasy points per week, but they have thrown as many touchdowns (nine) as interceptions. Though, it's probably encouraging for Dalton that four quarterbacks -- Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Geno Smith and Joe Flacco -- have thrown multiple touchdowns against Buffalo.

There's no denying Dalton has been a pretty disappointing Fantasy option in 2013. He is completing a career-high 65.1 percent of his passes through five games, but he has as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns and is averaging a career-low 10.7 yards per completion.

Fantasy owners in need of a bye-week replacement could look to Dalton as a potential option Week 6, but he's hardly a must-start player.

Matthew Stafford is normally an automatic Fantasy play. But there is nothing normal about the health of his receiving corps these days. And for that reason, owners should monitor that situation before sticking him in their Week 6 lineups.

Stafford played his first game this season without Calvin Johnson (knee) on Sunday and it showed. He passed for just 242 yards and one touchdown. The availability of Johnson must determine whether Stafford should be included in Fantasy lineups when the Lions play in Cleveland. After all, second receiver Nate Burleson (broken arm) is also out.

The blossoming Browns defense is emerging as a force. They rank first in the NFL in passing touchdowns allowed with two and ninth in points surrendered with 94. They boast a strong pass rush, though Stafford is fairly mobile. He might be forced to run if Johnson is out because his other receivers have not proven they can get open.

Stafford is having a decent start to his season. He ranks fifth in the NFL with 1,524 yards passing and his 63.8 percent accuracy is a career-best. But the possible absence of Johnson again is huge. It's one reason Stafford is ranked between ninth and 17th by the three CBSSports.com senior Fantasy writers this week.

If Johnson plays, play Stafford. If not, it's likely best to find another viable option.

As expected, the Vikings waived quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson so they could sign former Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman. Freeman will not start Week 6 against Carolina. 

In Week 5, Jets quarterback Geno Smith showed just how productive he can be when he protects the football, throwing three touchdown passes and leading his team to a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. It was the first time all year that he didn't commit a turnover.

In Week 6, he'll be facing a defense that has struggled to create turnovers. The Steelers haven't had an interception or fumble recovery all season. Every other team has had at least one of each.

Statistically, the Steelers rank fifth against the pass, allowing 199.0 yards per game, but they haven't exactly presented a challenge for opposing quarterbacks, ranking dead last with four sacks. The truth is teams just haven't needed to pass against them. They rank 25th against the run, allowing 122.8 yards per game.

If running back Bilal Powell gets off to a quick start and the Jets defense holds up its end of the bargain, Smith may not be asked to do much in Week 6, which is why he's not an advisable option in standard one-quarterback leagues. But if you play in a two-quarterback league, this looks like one of those matchups he could potentially exploit, depending on how the game unfolds.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is in need of a multi-touchdown game after being held the last two games to one passing touchdown. He will aim to end his multi-touchdown slump during a Week 6 matchup at Baltimore.

The Packers have lost both of their road games this season, with Rodgers completing 58.8 percent of his passes (47 of 80) for 577 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. He's been much better at Lambeau Field this season, completing 75 percent of his passes (54 of 72) for 754 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

The bad news for Rodgers is that only one quarterback -- Peyton Manning -- has thrown multiple touchdowns against Baltimore and that came back in Week 1. Since Manning's seven-touchdown performance, quarterbacks have totaled two passing touchdowns and three interceptions in the last four games against Baltimore. They are also averaging 225.3 passing yards per game in that span.

Rodgers has certainly had easier matchups than the one he's facing Week 6. However, you didn't draft Rodgers to sit him, so this is one of those situations that despite a less-than-stellar matchup, keep Rodgers active in all Fantasy formats.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 24 times through five games. Despite the high number of takedowns, offensive coordinator Mike Sherman doesn't feel it's affecting the second-year quarterback.

"He’s been able to handle that," Sherman said, per The Palm Beach Post. "The guy is as resilient a person, a competitor as I’ve been around. And I’ve been around some very good ones."

Sherman added he doesn't pay attention to the fact Tannehill is on pace to be sacked an NFL record 77 times. The current record is 76, which is held by quarterback David Carr (2002 with Houston).

"It’s like a golf score. The first nine you get all excited about, and then you eventually hit your golf score," Sherman said. "I think as I said, (the line is) a work in progress. I think it’ll all work itself out."

Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith said the team's focus on eliminating turnovers paid off against the Falcons. Smith hit 16 of 20 throws for 199 yards and three touchdowns without an interception or fumble.

“It was a big emphasis for us," said Smith, who led his third game-winning drive. "We’ve been moving the ball pretty well and we’ve been in situations where we just kill ourselves, but we just tried to eliminate that and I think we did a pretty good job tonight."

Smith, who's accounted for eight touchdowns and 11 turnovers this season, plays the Steelers in Week 6.

Rookie Geno Smith did something Monday that no Jets quarterback had done in 27 years: complete 80 percent of his passes with at least three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was that kind of night for the much-maligned Smith, who had committed 11 turnovers in his first four games.

Smith hit 16 of 20 throws (80 percent) for 199 yards and three scores without a pick or a fumble in the dramatic win in Atlanta. He had a 147.7 passer rating. With his team trailing 28-27 and under two minutes left, Smith drove the Jets 55 yards to set up Nick Folk's winning field goal. 

Smith threw a beautiful 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland and a 16-yard scoring strike to Jeremy Kerley in the second quarter. In the fourth, Smith rolled out and showed nice touch on a 1-yard scoring throw to tight end Kellen Winslow.

Smith hit eight different receivers and ran three times for 21 yards. Now bursting with confidence, Smith plays the Steelers in Week 6.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who committed four turnovers in Week 4, posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the first half against Atlanta. Smith hit 8 of 9 throws for 134 yards and two touchdowns without an interception as New York built a 17-7 lead.

The rookie is making his first start on Monday Night Football.