This article takes a look at players from each of the positions in your starting lineup who have interesting matchups. Not all players covered are your classic sleepers who might outperform expectations. Some are nominal starters with tricky matchups or players who might be starters in smaller leagues, but deep sleepers in larger leagues. Realizing that leagues and roster sizes vary wildly; your mileage could vary, too.
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles, Phi vs. Was
Foles threw three or more touchdowns in three of his last four games and he still hasn’t thrown his first interception of the year. The more we see of Foles, the more his concussed washout against the Cowboys becomes the fluke as opposed to the 406 yards, 7 TD bonanza against the Raiders. All three big games for Foles came against teams that rank among the top 11 in points allowed. This week, Foles matchup gets even better against a Washington defense allowing the fifth most points - one that allowed Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel to beat them last week. Michael Vick ran for a touchdown and threw for two, finishing with nearly 30 points in the season opener against Washington. If Foles stays healthy, he could be a strong playoff performer and a solid QB1 the rest of the way with a schedule filled with good matchups.
Case Keenum, Hou vs. Oak
Keenum has a chance to finish out the season as a quasi-QB1 if he continues to play at the level he has in his first three starts. Like Nick Foles, Keenum hasn’t thrown an interception yet and the team has certainly responded to his on-the-field leadership. Since Keenum took over, the Texans have moved even further away from the running game, and Keenum is responding nicely. This week, he faces a Raiders defense still fresh off the Foles 7 TD breakout that has allowed the fifth most points over the last four weeks. Keenum might deliver low QB1 numbers for the third week in a row.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit vs. Det
Roethlisberger is coming off his worst game of the season since the opener, but he could turn things around against the Lions 27th ranked pass defense. The Lions have a disruptive front four, but they haven’t generated a lot of sacks. Allowing 287 yards per game and 15 TDs, they’ve also intercepted 11 passes. Jay Cutler and Josh McCown combined for 312 yards and 2 TDs against them on Sunday while Tony Romo, Andy Dalton and Brandon Weeden all threw 2 or more touchdowns in their last four games while all finishing with 21 points or more. Go ahead and pencil in Roethlisberger for the same.
Ryan Tannehill, Mia vs. SD
The Chargers have benched Derek Cox in each of their last two games. They’re allowing 298 yards per game and the fourth most points to opposing QBs. Tannehill continues to be as steady as they come, not good enough to be a QB1, but he’s a rock solid QB2 that has topped 17 points in every game this year. They Chargers have only four interceptions, but have allowed 14 TDs and they should score enough points to prop Tannehill up for another 40+ attempts this week - 220+ yards and a couple of touchdowns seems about right.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ten vs. Ind
Fitzpatrick is basically a boom/bust play this week, but there’s a pretty good chance that he’ll boom going against a Colts defense allowing the most points to QBs over the last four weeks. Kellen Clemens beat them on a couple busted coverage plays last week and finished with 247 yards and 2 TDs, good enough for 20 points. Case Keenum went for 350 yards and 3 TDs against them the week before. Fitzpatrick has a pair of 25+ point games and a pair of of sub-10 point games against Seattle and the Jets. I’m betting he goes for 20+ against the Colts.
Other quality starts this week from the QB2 ranks include Josh McCown against the Ravens, Carson Palmer on the road against a toothless Jaguar defense allowing the third most points to QBs and Jason Campbell against a Bengals defense without its top DL Geno Atkins and top corner Leon Hall. Alex Smith should also be productive against the Broncos in a game where he’ll almost certainly need to throw the ball more than usual.
Running Backs
Andre Brown, NYG vs. GB
Brown was activated for the Raiders game on Sunday and immediately inserted as the team’s featured runner. The Giants road his back to a 24-20 win as he carried the balls 30 times in his return. The Packers defense had been solid against the run this year, but maybe the injuries are catching up to them. Over the last three weeks, they’ve allowed the ninth most points to opposing RBs and back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to LeSean McCoy (161 total yards) and Matt Forte (179 yards, 1 TD). The Packers welcomed Clay Mathews back last week, but their linebacking corps remains decimated by injuries. Look for the Giants to keep feeding Brown as long as he holds up.
Andre Ellington & Rashard Mendenhall, Ari at Jax
If there is ever a game where owners might be enticed to start Mendenhall again this would be the game. Ellington remains the better start simply because of his ability to take it to the house on any given play and his usage in the passing game. For Mendenhall to have value as a starter, or flex, he needs to get enough volume to generate 80+ yards because he’s not used often as a receiver. Simply put, the Jaguars are the best matchup going for RBs, allowing the fourth most points. Running backs are averaging a league-high 27 carries and 121 yards per game against them. Jaguars MLB Paul Posluszny also suffered a concussion in Sunday’s win over the Titans putting his availability in doubt and making the matchup even more favorable. Both backs are worth a look here. Ellington has more upside and is a better choice in PPR leagues, but don’t sleep on Mendenhall either. Coach Bruce Arians continues to stick with him and he probably stands to gain the most in a downhill matchup like this one. Eighty yards and a touchdown are not unreasonable expectations for him providing the Cardinals take care of business on the road.
Ben Tate, Hou vs. Oak
Tate is still dealing with four broken ribs, although he claims that he’s increasingly getting more comfortable playing through the injury. "It's easier," he said. "I felt like I could move a little better, catch better and have a little more wiggle. Hopefully, it's getting better and better." In two starts during Foster’s absence, Tate totaled 79 and 64 yards without a score. He is also giving way to undrafted rookie Dennis Johnson, who lurks in the shadows as a potential deep sleeper in the event that Tate aggravates his ribs. The Raiders are a middle-of-the-road matchup. On one hand, they’ve allowed the seventh fewest rushing yards per game and just 3.7 YPC, but on the other, opposing RBs have put up double-digit fantasy points in seven straight games against them. Don’t expect a breakout game for Tate, but Andre Brown’s 115 yards and a TD on Sunday, along with Jamaal Charles’ 128 yards and two TDs, represent the high mark of running back performances against the Raiders this year. Go ahead and pencil in Tate as a strong RB2 with some low RB1 upside.
Ray Rice, Bal at Chi
The fall of Ray Rice has been well documented this year. The offensive line has been completely ineffective from the start and the hip flexor injury exacerbated the problem. Head Coach John Harbaugh even admitted this week that Rice isn’t fully healthy and that the hip injury continues to affect his play while mentioning that they might get Bernard Pierce more touches, or at least be willing to ride the hot hand. At this point, it’s hard to trust Rice (or Pierce) given the poor run blocking up front, but if there’s such a thing as a last stand for Rice, this game might be it. The Bears have allowed the second most points to RBs over the last four weeks and the seventh most for the season. Reggie Bush ran for 105 yards on just 14 carries on Sunday. Prior to that, the Bears allowed five straight back to go for 20+ fantasy points, including Brandon Jacobs, Roy Helu Jr. and Pierre Thomas. Rice hasn’t cracked 50 yards or scored since Week 5, his second game back from the hip injury, when he totaled 33 touches for 102 yards and 2 TDs.
Ryan Mathews, SD at Mia
Speaking of running backs that are hard to trust, it’s hard to find one with more trust issues than Mathews. Coming off back-to-back 100 yards games against the Colts and Jaguars, Mathews seemed to be turning the corner with a sweet matchup against Washington in Week 9, and a bye week to boot, but Mathews made like a turtle finishing with a meager 7-34-0. Mathews came out of his shell a little last week, even after he left the game briefly, as he found the end zone and finished with 61 yards. Up next is yet another good matchup against a Dolphins defense allowing the second most points to RBs. Make no mistake about it, Danny Woodhead remains the better start, especially since Miami allows 5-47-0.2 receiving per game to RBs, but Mathews could be useful as a flex or in deeper leagues, too.
Brian Leonard & Bobby Rainey, TB vs. Atl
If I were Leonard or Rainey, I’d be watching for black cats, walking under ladders or any other superstitious beliefs given how things have gone for the Bucs backfield this year. Mike James is the fourth running back to land on season-ending IR (James, Doug Martin, Michael Smith and Jeff Demps). James’ broken ankle leaves former Rutgers star Brian Leonard as the primary back and Bobby Rainey as the likely change-of-pace option. In reality, the two will likely rotate and share snaps. Rainey performed well on Monday night when he entered the game in the fourth quarter. He has more shake and burst to his game, but Leonard can also be productive as a runner and receiver behind their quality offensive line. They also have a favorable matchup against a Falcons defense allowing the eighth most points over the last four weeks, thanks to huge games from Marshawn Lynch (161 yards, 1 TD) and Andre Ellington (162 yards, 1 TD). These two teams met back in Week 7 and neither Martin nor James did much in that game and there probably isn’t much upside here, but with injuries and bye weeks exacting their toll on fantasy rosters, they might be worth a look for deeper league owners trying to plug holes.
Other backs worth a look include Chris Ivory (NYJ at Buf), Rashad Jennings (Oak at HOU) and Jonathan Stewart (Car vs. NE). None has particularly great matchups, but opportunity can be just as much a factor and all three backs have that going for them right now. Jennings’ strong play could earn him a bigger role even after Darren McFadden returns, and he’s getting a lot of touches as a runner and receiver. Ivory is running hard and he projects as the Jets’ primary runner against a Bills defense that has improved since their early season struggles against the run. Stewart is finally healthy again, but sharing the backfield with DeAngelo Williams and it’s next to impossible trying to count on either one for enough touches to be worthwhile as more than a deep league flex option, but the Patriots have given up enough production in recent weeks to give him consideration.
Wide Receivers
Riley Cooper, Phi vs. Was
After the last few weeks, I no longer view Cooper as a sleeper-type, but in the event that you’re still on the fence with him, I can only suggest that you just plug the guy into your lineup and roll with it as long as Nick Foles is playing the way he is playing. The Eagles have a great matchup against a Washington defense allowing the sixth most points to WRs. Sticking with Cooper is a no-brainer in a plus matchup situation like this.
Kendall Wright, Ten vs. Ind
Wright continues to be one of the bright spots for an otherwise underwhelming season for the Titans. He has emerged as the clear-cut No. 1 receiver for the team going forward with Nate Washington fading and Kenny Britt’s departure not coming fast enough. Wright has only caught one touchdown or his year-to-date ranking would easily be among the starter ranks. He consistently gets 5-to-10 targets per game and routinely finishes with 5-to-7 catches and about 70-to-90 yards whether Jake Locker or Ryan Fitzpatrick is the quarterback. This week, he faces a Colts pass defense that is struggling badly of late, allowing the eighth most points to opponent’s receivers and the most points over the last four weeks (Tavon Austin 2-138-2, Andre Johnson 9-229-3, Eric Decker 8-150-1 and Keenan Allen 9-107-1).
Harry Douglas, Atl at TB
If you’re starting to waver on Douglas, don’t. With Darrelle Revis probably shadowing Roddy White, there is no reason to go away from Douglas at this point, especially after he racked up 7-149-1 a month ago against the Bucs with Roddy White was inactive.
Emmanuel Sanders, Pit vs. Det
The biggest problem for Sanders this year has been his week-to-week inconsistency. Just when you feel comfortable with him as a reliable WR3, he lays an egg like last week (4-13-0) or in Week 7 (1-7-0). Otherwise, his other weeks have largely been above 50 yards with 8-to-12 targets. This week, he has a strong matchup in play against a Lions secondary allowing the third most points and the second most over the last four weeks. While 70-to-90 yards seems like a reasonable expectation, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sanders turn in something even better, like 90+ yards with a score.
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou vs. Oak
After a mid-season slump, Hopkins is back on the rise over the last three weeks with Case Keenum igniting the Texans passing attack. His targets are on the rise and his yardage total is the best in that stretch since the first three weeks of the season. Keenum is throwing the ball downfield, moving around the pocket to buy himself time and delivering strikes to Hopkins and Andre Johnson. This week they face a Raiders defense allowing the seventh most points to opposing receivers and the third most over the last four weeks.
Rishard Matthews, Mia vs. SD
Matthews had a coming out party on Monday night, but it shouldn’t have come as a major surprise necessarily either. Ryan Tannehill was targeting Brandon Gibson a ton in the slot before Gibson was lost for the year and with Darrelle Revis locking down Mike Wallace on the outside; it makes a lot of sense that Matthews got as many looks as he did. He won’t be that productive every week, but Tannehill clearly is comfortable throwing to his slot receivers and Matthews responded well to the increased targets. Look for that to continue against a struggling Charger secondary allowing the fourth most points to receivers and the fifth most over the last four weeks. For that matter, don’t lay off Brian Hartline either. He has developed into a rock solid WR3.
Marcus Goodwin, Buf vs. NYJ
With the status of both Stevie Johnson and Robert Woods in question this week, it would be worth your while to stash Goodwin on your roster for a potential emergency start, or even just to stash a young player who has some potential to emerge down the stretch as a boom-or-bust type. Goodwin has speed to burn and E.J. Manuel’s return, with his accuracy, could lead to some explosive plays. The Jets are strong and physical up front, but vulnerable in their secondary. They’ve allowed the sixth most points over the last four weeks and the 12th most on the season. If Johnson and Woods are both inactive, Goodwin is a great last-minute what-the-heck flex.
Santonio Holmes/Stephen Hill/David Nelson, NYJ at Buf
It’s too early to tell if Santonio Holmes will return to the lineup this week, but it certainly looks like a possibility. If so, he’s worth a look in deeper leagues or as a what-the-heck flex play against a Bills defense that has improved over the season, but still has allowed the 2nd most points to opposing receivers. Besides, if you recall, Holmes torched the Bills back in Week 3 for 5-154-1 and Stephen Hill also broke loose for 3-108-1. David Nelson has emerged as a solid PPR flex type over the last few weeks out of attrition. If Holmes remains inactive, put Nelson on the flex radar, but if Holmes plays, then you might consider doing the same in deeper leagues.
Leonard Hankerson, Was at Phi
Hankerson is hard to keep in the lineup, but he did have plenty of success against Washington back in the season opener when he dropped a 5-80-2 bomb on them. Of course, he is extremely inconsistent and the third target at best for Robert Griffin III III, but he has been more consistent of late with 5 catches and 60+ yards in back to back games and a TD catch three weeks ago. He’s a sleeper of the deeper league variety, so use him accordingly.
Tiquan Underwood, TB vs Atl
Underwood is firmly in the starting lineup opposite Vincent Jackson and he is getting his opportunities. He draws a Falcon defense allowing the fifth most points to opposing receivers this week and he has produced 15 fantasy points over the last two games. He’s definitely another deeper league sleeper, but one with big play ability should you be in desperation mode.
Other players worth considering this week are Brandon LaFell (Car vs. NE), Mike Brown (Jac vs. Ari), Kenny Stills (NO vs. SF), Jarrett Boykin (GB at NYG) and don’t forget that Percy Harvin might make his 2013 debut against his former teammates. Boykin earned his stripes last week with a great performance for the Packers despite having Seneca Wallace and Scott Tolzien throwing the ball. If anything, Tolzein solidifies Boykin as a solid flex play even with James Jones back in the lineup. Brown could see plenty of targets with Patrick Patterson likely keying on Cecil Shorts, LaFell has become a decent flex option but one that is hard to trust and Stills is about as good as flex plays go given his superb deep ball tracking skills.
Tight Ends
Coby Fleener, Ind at Ten
The Colts are starting to realize that, no matter what they do, they aren’t built to be the smash mouth, physical running team that owner Jim Irsay envisioned when they dealt for Trent Richardson. Over their last four games, Fleener has been targeted 26 times and his 11 red zone targets led the team. Fleener almost scored last week and the Titans are a tight end friendly defense allowing the 11th most points. Basically, the three teams that didn’t get much tight end production against them were the Steelers in Week 1 with no Heath Miller, the Seahawks minus Zach Miller and the Jaguars last week.
Rob Housler, Ari at Jac
The Jaguars have allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end in six of their last seven games and the 2nd most points overall for the season. Housler hasn’t been much of a fantasy option this year, despite finishing strongly last year and having some sleeper appeal in the preseason. It never materialized, but he has been a bit more productive of late with 4 or more catches in three of his last four games and 50+ yards in two of his last three.
John Carlson, Min at Sea
The Vikings will have a difficult time moving the ball through the air in Seattle even with Brandon Browner sidelined, but it could be a good spot for John Carlson. In recent weeks, they’ve allowed 7-53-0 to Rob Housler of the Cardinals and two touchdowns to the Buccaneers tandem of Tim Wright (4-58-1) and Tom Crabtree (1-2-1). With Kyle Rudolph sidelined, Carlson has done a solid job working as a starter with 13 targets for 11 catches, 121 yards and 1 touchdown the last two weeks.
Brandon Pettigrew, Det at Pit
The Steelers have become a tight end friendly opponent allowing the fourth most points in the last four games allowing rookie Chris Gragg to catch his first NFL touchdown on Sunday as he and Scott Chandler teamed up for 7-46-1. Rob Gronkowski tore them apart for 9-143-1 the week before. Pettigrew is hard to trust with his inconsistent hands and lack of any real speed or playmaking ability, but he’s a consistent target for a hot Matthew Stafford with at least 5 targets in five of his last six games.
Marcedes Lewis, Jac vs. Ari
Lewis is back to health after missing most of the year a calf strain. He caught three balls for 39 yards on six targets and this week he draws the Cardinals, who’ve easily been the friendliest opponent for tight ends in the league this year allowing an average of 6-85-1 per game. Despite the great matchup, Lewis is a hard sell and probably best left for deep league owners looking for a pick up and play option.
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona at Jacksonville
The Jaguars offense has been a hot mess all year. They’ve allowed the second most points to opposing defenses this year, have managed to score 20 or more points only twice and have allowed four defensive touchdown returns.
Buffalo vs. NY Jets
The Jets have allowed four or more sacks in six of their nine games this year while allowing defenses to score the fourth most points against them. On the other hand, they’re coming off their bye and, prior to that, their first turnover-free game of the season in Week 9. Even so, Geno Smith is likely to throw an interception or two against a Bills defense that is tied for the league lead with 13 of them.
Houston vs. Oakland
Terrelle Pryor isn’t healthy and it was evident on Sunday against the Giants. He isn’t moving like he did prior to his knee injury. If Pryor can’t run, then the Raiders offense becomes one-dimensional. They’ve allowed 30 sacks in their last six games and Pryor has thrown 8 interceptions in their last four.
Green Bay at NY Giants
No offense has been friendly for defenses than the Eli Manning-led NY Giants this year. Only the Vikings in Week 7 have failed to produce 9 or more fantasy points against them and their opponents have returned a turnover for a touchdown in three of their last four games.
Detroit at Pittsburgh
The Steelers have committed six turnovers and allowed 14 sacks in their last three games. They’ve allowed 3 or more sacks in their last seven games. The Lions defense remains vulnerable to big plays, but they’ve also picked off 11 passes and their burley front four should give the Steelers line fits.
