We see the Falcons for the first time this year.  Other than that…more of the same.  After six weeks we’ve seen the Chargers and Eagles four times each, while there are five teams we haven’t seen at all.  (Full stats at the bottom of the post.)

All is not lost, however.  Things have changed.  The Eagles are injured, the Raiders have a new coach and the Chargers are getting desperate.  Let’s see how it breaks down.

10 a.m. Oct. 12: Bears at Falcons, Fox
10 a.m. Oct. 12: Saints at Raiders, CBS
1 p.m. Oct. 12: Eagles at 49ers, Fox
5:15 p.m. Oct. 12: Patriots at Chargers, NBC
5:30 p.m. Oct. 13: Giants at Browns, ESPN

Fox, 10 a.m.

Chicago Bears

Fantasy Star

RB Matt Forte: While he’s not a top-ten back in fantasy terms he’s a top-ten back in rushing yards, and he’s staked his claim as an every-week starter.  Against a middle-of-the-pack Falcons rush defense he could have a solid game.

Player to Watch

QB Kyle Orton: That’s right, the Neckbeard is a player to watch.  He’s also top ten in the NFL in yards with more touchdowns than interceptions.  Believe it or not he’s a viable bye week replacement.

Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy Star

RB Michael Turner: How crazy do the Chargers look for letting him go?  Even considering how much money as he was demanding, with LT’s decline and Turner’s comfortable lead in the race for the rushing title San Diego could really use him right now.  But their loss is Atlanta’s gain as Turner is leading their shocking resurgence with his league-leading 543 yards and 5.3 yard average.

Player to Watch

QB Matt Ryan: Turns out, yeah, he was worth the third overall pick.  Ryan is playing far better than even his strongest supporters expected with a performance that’s leaving highly-drafted stalwarts like Matt Hasslebeck and Carson Palmer in the dust.

CBS, 10 a.m.

New Orleans Saints

Fantasy Stars

QB Drew Brees: Just a couple years ago the Dolphins, because of concerns about his shoulder, chose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees in free agency.  Now Brees leads the NFL in passing yards after five weeks.  Culpepper, meanwhile, is sitting at home after not catching on with two terrible teams.  He was last seen trying out to back up the Steelers and getting passed up for Byron Leftwich.  Miami has a new general manager now.

RB Reggie Bush: Finally, after the hype has died down, Bush starts to play like everyone expected before he was drafted.  Of course Mario Williams, the player chosen over him in the draft, is a potential Defensive Player of the Year and the 24th-ranked Saints defense could really use a guy like him.

Player to Watch

WR Lance Moore: Only the fourth-leading receiver on the team, the 5′9″ Moore is second on the team with 22 catches while the two wide receivers ahead in yards only have 10 and 7 (the top receiver in yards and catches is Reggie Bush).  While his production will drop off significantly when Colston returns he’s pretty much guaranteed himself a long-term role.

Oakland Raiders

Fantasy Star

RB Darren McFadden: McFadden, when healthy, was great.  But he’s not healthy and he only got 20 yards against the Chargers.  Plus part of the reason Lane Kiffin is no longer the coach is because Al Davis thought the team should pass more so his carries will drop.  In fact the only reason he’s on the fantasy stars list is because he’s the best the Raiders have.  Don’t play him.

Player to Watch

QB JaMarcus Russell: While most players to watch this week are borderline guys and bye week replacements, this is literally a player you should keep an eye on.  Odds are there’ll be a renewed focus on the passing game and Russell has a cannon of an arm, so either his yards or interceptions will spike.  Only time will tell, but if he starts looking good he’s worth consideration.

Fox, 1 p.m.

Philadelphia Eagles

Fantasy Stars

QB Donovan McNabb: While Hasslebeck and Palmer struggle with their team, McNabb never seems to disappoint regardless of the Eagles’ record or the receivers he’s given.  He gets injured, sure, but he’s remarkably steady.  And he should continue that trend this week against a Niners defense that can only stop intermediate passes while being vulnerable to both the run and the deep ball.

WR DeSean Jackson: What?  A rookie wide receiver is a fantasy star?  Believe it or not, yes, he’s in that category.  He has down weeks, and last week was one of them, but he’s usually good for at least one deep completion per game.

Player to Watch

RB Correll Buckhalter: The Niners can’t stop the run and the Eagles are missing Westbrook so Buckhalter is due for a great game.  Even if Westbrook comes back next week they’ll probably give him a light load until his ankle sprain and broken ribs heal meaning the stats for Buckhalter should continue.

San Francisco 49ers

Fantasy Star

RB Frank Gore: The only consistent player in the Niners offense, Gore gets solid yards even if Mike Martz doesn’t give him the ball against a team that struggled against the run in their previous game.  Gore does lead the league in total yards from scrimmage after all.

Player to Watch

QB JT O’Sullivan: He started hot but dropped off with a series of awful games.  Until he establishes himself as either good or bad don’t take a chance on him.

NBC, 5:15 p.m.

New England Patriots

Fantasy Star

WR Randy Moss: Moss was a massive disappointment until facing the Niners last week.  Was his breakout game due to improved chemistry or due to the sad state of San Francisco’s deep pass defense?

Players to Watch

The Entire Patriots Backfield: One of the RBs has to break out eventually, right?  Right now LaMont Jordan, Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris are splitting the carries almost exactly evenly but if one starts to get more of the load than the rest he may be worth a pickup.  But don’t hold your breath.

San Diego Chargers

Fantasy Stars

QB Phillip Rivers: With LT struggling Rivers has been asked to pick up a lot of the slack, and he’s done so admirably.  His stats may dip with Chris Chambers out but he’s still an every-week starter.

RB LaDanian Tomlinson: LT is starting to slowly get his groove back but he’s still a shadow of his former self.  Start him of course, but don’t expect 2006 or 2007 numbers out of him.

Player to Watch

WR Vincent Jackson: As I said before, Chambers is out.  That leaves the door open for Jackson to get increased numbers.  If you have an injury at WR, Chambers for example, he’s a decent play at the moment.

ESPN, 5:15 p.m. Oct. 13

New York Giants

Fantasy Stars

QB Eli Manning: There’s a Manning in the MVP race and it’s not Peyton.  Or Archie.  Or Cooper, the little-known third Manning brother (seriously).  It’s Eli of all people.  He’s good now.  I know, I was surprised too.

RB Brandon Jacobs: He proved he’s legit by beating down the Seahawks defense last week.  He was an every week starter before but now he’s a guy who can anchor your team.

Player to Watch

WR Domenik Hixon: While Amani Toomer is the team’s second-leading receiver Hixon broke out big in Plaxico Burress’ absense.  If he keeps up the pace he could be worth a spot on your bench or even a draft pick next year.

Cleveland Browns

You should not have any Cleveland Browns on your roster.

Televised Game Totals:

49ers	6
Raiders	5
Chargers	4
Eagles	4
Bears	3
Giants	3
Saints	3
Steelers	3
Browns	2
Cowboys	2
Dolphins	2
Jets	2
Packers	2
Patriots	2
Seahawks	2
Vikings	2
Bills	1
Broncos	1
Cardinals	1
Chiefs	1
Colts	1
Falcons	1
Jaguars	1
Lions	1
Rams	1
Ravens	1
Redskins	1
27 teams	58