These aren’t the good old days of Rex Ryan’s Jets defense.
It wasn’t long ago when you had to put a top fantasy receiver on your bench if he was facing the Jets. Now — with no Darrelle Revis, and despite Antonio Cromartie’s impressive showing against Andre Johnson on Monday night, you don’t have to live by that rule any longer.
But that’s understandable. You can explain that away with the loss of the defense’s best cornerback.
How do you explain the sudden, steep decline of the Jets run defense? It can’t be because they are supplementing pass coverage in the wake of the Revis injury, because the run defense was horrible even before he went down. Did they just get old? Is it that they are getting tired, because the offense can’t stay on the field?
If you picked up Colts running back Vick Ballard this week, you don’t care about the why. You’re just happy you have a back you can start.
Ballard takes over for injured starter Donald Brown, who will be out up to three weeks. Though Ballard hasn’t been impressive in limited duty thus far (a paltry 2-yard average on 21 carries with no touchdowns), he hasn’t faced a run defense as generous as the Jets, and he hasn’t had a steady dose of opportunities.
Ballard could be Week 6’s version of Andre Brown in Week 3 — when the Giants backup torched the Panthers. The difference — with Brown possibly out for a stretch that includes ensuing matchups with the Browns and Titans, both in the bottom seven in run defense — is that Ballard may be more than a one-week wonder.
BIG WEEKS
Christian Ponder, QB, Vikings, at Redskins
Washington has given up at least 299 passing yards in every game and multiple TDs through the air in four of five — including three in each of the first three. If the Rams’ Sam Bradford can throw for 310 yards and three scores, Ponder should do fine.
LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Cardinals, vs. Bills
Should be a decent fill-in if you are plugging a bye week or subbing for injured Cedric Benson, Ryan Williams, Beanie Wells or Donald Brown. Monitor sore hip and sub William Powell if needed.
Andrew Hawkins, WR, Bengals, at Browns
Cleveland pass defense is in bottom five. The 12 passing TDs allowed are one less than league-worst Washington, including three in first meeting with Cincinnati in Week 2.
Brent Celek, TE, Eagles, vs. Lions
The Lions have yielded three TDs in four games to TEs, including 140 yards and a score to the combo of Jared Cook and Craig Stevens in Week 3 vs. the Titans.
SMALL WEAKS
Tom Brady, QB, Patriots, at Seahawks
Seattle has been rough, giving up single-digit-scoring to opposing fantasy QBs. This may be the rare occasion when you start Matt Schaub or Andy Dalton instead.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants, at 49ers
His monster Week 5 vs. the Browns was not a fluke, but neither is the Niners defense. San Francisco has yet to allow a rushing TD this season and gave up just three all of last season (all on the road in the final two weeks after clinching a playoff spot). Last rushing TD allowed at home was in Week 11 of 2010.
Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens, vs. Cowboys
Dallas defense was awful against the pass in Week 4 against the Bears. But with a week to prepare, expect revamped Cowboys secondary to focus on stopping Smith.
Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers, vs. Giants
Had just six catches total in two games vs. Big Blue last season (though three of them were TDs). A 50-percent TD rate is too high to maintain.