The below list is not designed as a sit/start type article.  Rather, it is aimed at trying to refocus some of our expectations. These will be players that you may be relying on heavily for big points each week, but for some identified reason, the player may not be as productive as usual.  Here are the Top 5 players that could underperform in Week 6… manage your expectations accordingly.

1. Trent Richardson, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

Since acquiring Richardson via trade, the Colts are 3-0 and have taken down NFC powers like the 49ers and the Seahawks. Great move, right? Well, Richardson has not been all that impressive. Now, he does deserve a bit of a pass for having to learn a new system mid-season. The stats, however, have been mediocre at best, and that’s really our only concern as fantasy owners.  In his three games with the Colts, Richardson has managed 151 yards on 51 attempts, a very lackluster three yards per attempt. Furthermore, he has been non-existent in the passing game. After catching 51 passes last year for the Browns, Richardson has totaled one reception for the Colts. One! The match-up does not seem too daunting, but the Chargers are horrible against the pass and surprisingly good against the run. They allow the fifth least fantasy points by opposing running backs (12.68). Look for Andrew Luck and company to take advantage of a weak pass defense, leaving Richardson with yet another underperforming week.

Better play this week: Knowshon Moreno

2. Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals

After a promising start to the 2013 season, Fitzgerald and the Cardinals’ passing attack have cooled off considerably. The last four weeks Fitzgerald has only managed 43, 68, 64 and 33 receiving yards, respectively. The play of his quarterback, Carson Palmer, and a nagging hamstring injury are certainly part of the equation, neither of which is expected to change for this week. To make matters worse, he gets a horrendous match-up in Week 6. The San Francisco 49ers allow the second fewest passing yards per game in the league (188.8), the third fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks (11.91) and the third fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers (15.78). Fitzgerald is a tremendous talent and is always a threat to dominate on one play and find the end zone, but expect his numbers to be underwhelming once again.

Better play this week: T.Y. Hilton

3. Le'Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers

Before his pre-season injury, Bell was going as high as the third round in fantasy drafts everywhere. He was the rookie running back to own. In last week’s game, his first since that injury, Bell showed us all why. He totaled 57 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and even caught four passes for 27 yards. A very solid start to his season and career. This week, however, Bell faces a brutal match-up. The Jets rush defense is outstanding. They allow the third least amount of fantasy points to opposing running backs (12.4), the second least amount of rush yards per game (76.2) and the least amount of yards per carry (3.0). Yeah, they’re good. In the last four weeks, they have shut down first and second round fantasy running backs like Chris Johnson (21 yards), C.J. Spiller (9 yards), Stevan Ridley (40 yards) and Doug Martin (65 yards). I do like Bell going forward, but this is a really tough spot for the rookie.

Better play this week: Willis McGahee

4. Terrelle Pryor, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders

Pryor has probably been the biggest surprise at quarterback for the 2013 season. He has emerged as a low-end starting quarterback in the fantasy world. In three of his four starts this year, Pryor has scored more than 18 fantasy points and he is near the top of the league with a completion percentage of 68.3%. Pryor should be owned in every league, regardless of size, at this point. This week, however, he should be on your bench. The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the leagues best defenses. They lead the league in sacks (21) and points per game (11.6), and they allow less than one passing touchdown per week on average. This will be a tough week for the still maturing Pryor. There are better options out there.

Better play this week: Chad Henne

5. DeSean Jackson, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles

What are some of the ingredients of a wide receiver underperformance?
1. Facing an opponent coming off a bye
2. Facing one of the best cornerbacks in the game
3. A new quarterback

Check, check and check. While the Bucs may be one of the worst teams in the league, their pass defense in actually quite good. They allow the sixth fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers (16.98). It helps when you have Darrelle Revis in your secondary, who will most certainly cover Jackson this week.  Jackson is having a great season so far, but that has been with Vick under center. Nick Foles filled in admirably last week in Vick’s absence and the coaching staff appears to have the confidence in him to let him air it out, but will he and Jackson be on the same page? Look for Brent Celek and LeSean McCoy to be bigger factors in the passing game. **Author’s Note: At the time of this writing, Michael Vick’s status is still uncertain. Should Vick play, I still do not like Jackson a whole lot, but he would not be on this list. As always, be sure to check the actives/inactives Sunday morning.**

Better play this week: Marques Colston