Rolling along path to Week 6 success

Wondering whether to start Aaron Rodgers and Ray Rice, or to bench Donovan McNabb and Donald Driver? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you're looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 6 of the 2011 season.

Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets vs. Dolphins. He has taken a lot of heat for the Jets' slow start, but Sanchez has thrown a pair of touchdowns in four of five games this season. On Monday night, a sievelike Dolphins secondary and nonexistent pass rush should let Sanchez pick his targets with ease. Three-hundred-plus yards and three TDs are well within reach.

Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys at Patriots. While I don't expect him to surpass 100 rushing yards, Jones is a big part of the Cowboys passing game as well. The combination makes him a quality start against a Patriots defense that is vulnerable to dual-threat backs.

Ryan Torain, RB, Redskins vs. Eagles. You can never be sure with Mike Shanahan, but Torain appears to be the feature back du jour in Washington. What we do know is that the Eagles are giving up 140 yards per game on the ground (third worst in the NFL). Whichever Redskin gets the start is a great bet.

Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers vs. Saints. Though it's not official yet, LeGarrette Blount is almost surely not playing this week with a knee injury. Graham is the next man up, and he has a track record of performing well when given the opportunity. He's a great flex starter this week against a suspect Saints run defense.

Victor Cruz, WR, Giants vs. Bills. Not convinced about Cruz yet? He's caught 17 passes for 369 yards and three TDs over the last three weeks. Sure, some have been a bit fluky, but the second-year sensation has overtaken Mario Manningham as the Giants' No. 2 wideout. He should keep up the good work against Buffalo's shaky secondary.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Eli Manning, Tony Romo, and Cam Newton; RBs Peyton Hillis, Ahmad Bradshaw, Cedric Benson, James Starks, and Darren Sproles; WRs Stevie Johnson, A.J. Green, Pierre Garcon, Jordy Nelson, Dez Bryant, Santonio Holmes, and Santana Moss.

Matt Schaub, QB, Texans at Ravens. Schaub was limited to 138 yards and one TD against the stout Pittsburgh pass defense two weeks ago, when Andre Johnson was hurt. He should have another rough go against a Ravens secondary that has surrendered just three passing scores to date.

Jahvid Best, RB, Lions vs. 49ers. It's tough to sit someone with the hot hand. But in the two games before last weekend's explosion, Best was just OK. Consider giving him a rest if you have other viable options Sunday, as he'll be facing a defense that has yet to allow a rushing score all year.

Delone Carter, RB, Colts at Bengals. Though the rookie is expected to get his chance to shine in Joseph Addai's absence because of a hamstring injury, it won't be smooth sailing. He'll have to share carries with Donald Brown, and Cincinnati's run defense is pretty tough.

Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins at Jets. With six teams on a bye, you may have little choice but to take your chances with Marshall. But you will probably be disappointed with his performance on (Darrelle) Revis Island. Miami's offense, with Matt Moore under center, will be woefully overmatched on Monday night.

Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers vs. Saints. Is he in the midst of a dreaded sophomore slump? Or is his struggling quarterback to blame? Either way, at this point you'd be starting Williams on reputation alone. There's no evidence to suggest the Josh Freeman-Williams connection will get back in sync this weekend.

More thumbs down: QBs Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Rex Grossman, Sam Bradford, Freeman, and Jason Campbell; RBs Jonathan Stewart, Blount, and Reggie Bush; WRs Denarius Moore, Manningham, Austin Collie, Jacoby Jones, and all Jaguars.

Greg Little, WR, Browns at Raiders. Coming out of their bye week, the Browns have declared their rookie wideout a starter, which is surprising only in that it took this long. Little is, by far, the most physically gifted receiver on the team. He should be Colt McCoy's favorite target, especially against a Raiders pass defense that has surrendered a league-high 10 passing scores. Little could come up big if you have bye-week issues.

. . . waits until Tuesday to address your Week 7 lineup. This will be the Mother of All Bye Weeks, with the Patriots, Eagles, Bills, Giants, 49ers, and Bengals all taking breathers. Planning now by making a strategic free-agent pickup or two could save you from hitting the waiver wire in a panic later.