by Roger Rotter

Fantasy Football

John Juhasz analyzes the fantasy impact of Ronnie Brown's season-ending foot injury and Larry Johnson's signing by Cincinnati. Who are this week's top 10 fantasy studs and duds? Who are the top 10 waiver claims or the top 10 sleepers? Or who are this week's top 300 fantasy players? Roger Rotter answers. Have a fantasy football question? Ask our experts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. ET! Roger Rotter also chats on Sundays from 11-1 p.m. ET!

Owners who picked up my past recommendations found the necessary upgrades to win close head-to-head contests and increase their teams' total points.

Recent suggested claims included quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Kyle Orton; running backs Ahmad Bradshaw, Correll Buckhalter, Tashard Choice, Glen Coffee and LeSean McCoy; wideouts Nate Burleson, Austin Collie, Ted Ginn, Jr., Jeremy Maclin and Kevin Walter; tight ends Vernon Davis, Todd Heap, Marcedes Lewis and Heath Miller; and defenses/special teams Green Bay and Cincinnati.

10. Mike Bell, RB, New Orleans

Both Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell split the carries, each receiving 15 handoffs. Bell also scored on a 2-yard run and remains a candidate to receive goal-line carries. Bell was less productive than Thomas by averaging just 2.3 yards to Thomas' 4.8 yards. But it appears that Bell will receive enough touches to warrant starting as a third fantasy back.

9. Tony Scheffler, TE, Denver

While the tight end may not be featured consistently every week in Josh McDaniels' offense, it has a chance to be showcased extensively when the situation warrants it. Scheffler had team highs of six receptions for 101 yards, including a 52-yard catch-and-run. He also scored his second touchdown of the season.

8. Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago

The rookie scored for the third time in the last four contests, making him a viable bye-week replacement. Top wideouts who have Week 7 byes include Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal from Denver, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Nate Burleson from Seattle, Mike Sims-Walker and Torry Holt from Jacksonville, and Derrick Mason from Baltimore. Additionally, Cincinnati allowed Matt Schaub to throw for 392 yards and four scores, and its next opposing quarterback Jay Cutler has the talent to post a significant fantasy day as well.

7. Laurence Maroney, RB, New England

Sammy Morris left in the first quarter with a leg injury, leaving Maroney as New England's featured back. He responded superbly in the snowstorm by rushing for his first 100-yard game (123) and scoring his first touchdown of the season. He's a solid start against Tampa Bay's second-worst rushing defense next contest. Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, Kevin Smith, Chris Johnson and Julius Jones have Week 7 byes, so their owners can look at claiming Maroney as one option.

6. Chad Henne, QB, Miami

He had his best performance of his career when he threw for 241 yards and two scores against a tough Jets' pass defense in Week 5. Now he'll face New Orleans and the Jets again for the next two upcoming weeks. Henne will need to throw frequently if the Saints jump to a big lead with their high-powered offense. Owners of Orton, Matt Hasselbeck, David Garrard and Flacco have Week 7 byes and may need a quarterback to start.

5. Ricky Williams, RB, Miami

Though he cedes most of the carries to Ronnie Brown, Williams has recorded three straight solid fantasy games. He totaled 84 yards and a score in Week 3; he collected 96 yards and a touchdown in Week 4; and he amassed 138 yards in Week 5. He's also averaged 16 touches during the past four contests. Williams will serve as a viable bye-week replacement with Miami already having a Week 6 bye.

4. Indianapolis D/ST

The Colts' next opponent, St. Louis, is the league's worst scoring offense (9.0) while Indianapolis is the NFL's second-best scoring defense (14.2). Additionally, the Colts are the league's fifth-best scoring offense (27.4), and the Rams are the third-worst scoring defense (28.2). St. Louis has already shown it is susceptible to allowing turnovers after yielding the NFL's fifth-most giveaways (13). If the Colts jump to a big lead, expect its talented pass rush to wreak havoc and produce many fantasy points via few points allowed, sacks and turnovers.

3. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants

Despite being only a rookie, Nicks has already shown he's ready to contribute significantly in the NFL. He led the Giants with five receptions for 114 yards against New Orleans. Emerging as the Giants' primary deep threat, Nicks recorded his first career 100-yard game. He also scored a touchdown for his third straight game, including registering big scoring plays of 54 and 37 yards. The Giants next meet Arizona's inconsistent pass defense that was ranked last entering Week 6.

2. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota

He recorded his first career 100-yard game by recording career highs of six catches for 176 yards. He's now posted solid games in three of Minnesota's last four contests. Rice has a chance to become Brett Favre's No. 1 wide receiver; he leads the team in receptions (23) and yards (409) by a large margin (166).

1. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo

Evans finally reached double-digit fantasy points for non-reception leagues by recording season highs of four catches for 68 yards. It was just the second game that he's reached 60 receiving yards. He also scored his second touchdown of the season. Of note, Buffalo's backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick targeted Evans heavily when starter Trent Edwards left with a concussion at the beginning of the second quarter. Fitzpatrick targeted Evans nine of the Buffalo's 11 passes, and accounted for 49 yards and a score of Evans' total.