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.
Quarterbacks
Philip Rivers, SD at OAK
Rivers has been white hot through the first quarter of the season and the schedule looks favorable through week 9 with upcoming matchups against the Colts, Jaguars and Washington. Rivers’ long history against the Raiders suggests his floor is around 15 points to go along with an elite QB1 upside. You have to go back to 2008 for the last time that Rivers didn’t produce 15+ points against them. The quartet of Robert Griffin III III, Peyton Manning, Chad Henne and Andrew Luck averaged 22.6 points against them.
Terrelle Pryor, OAK vs. SD
All indications point towards Pryor’s return this Sunday against the Chargers 29th ranked pass defense that has allowed 329 yards, 8 TDs and only one interception. They’ve allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks - almost 30 points per game. Opponents have a passer rating of 109 and are completing 68.6% of their passes. Pryor is averaging 66 yards rushing per game and it wouldn’t be a shock if he produces his first 300-yard game considering he threw for 281-1-0 against the Broncos.
Eli Manning, NYG vs. Phi
It’s awfully hard to trust Eli Manning at the quarter turn of the season. The offensive line has been manhandled and Eli has thrown nine interceptions. He rebounded a little last week against a strong Chiefs defense by producing 15 points, but it wasn’t pretty as he completed less than 50% of his passes and he was sacked three more times. The Eagles are an enticing matchup, though, with Alex Smith’s 17 points in Week 3 the low water mark and Robert Griffin III III, Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning all producing 25+ points. The Eagles have the 31st ranked pass defense, allowing 340 yards per game with 9 TDs and only two interceptions and the third most points to QBs.
Sam Bradford, STL vs. Jax
The Jags have allowed the 8th most points to quarterbacks and recorded only 8 sacks with an expected margin for Bradford in the 19 (Alex Smith) to 26 (Russell Wilson) point range. Bradford’s main deterrent this week is the Jags falling behind big and early. As a potential QB1 option, Bradford relies on volume, about 45 throws a game. The Jaguars will be without top corner, rookie Dwayne Gratz but they could get Dwight Lowery (concussion) back.
Brian Hoyer, CLE vs. Buf
In his first two starts as a Brown, Hoyer has looked pretty solid, save for three interceptions against the Vikings, as Norv Turner opened up the offense throwing the ball 92 times. Hoyer will continue to start until he proves unworthy, starting with the a juicy matchup on Thursday against a Bills’ secondary that has been wiped out by injuries beginning with Stephon Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Jairus Byrd and now Aaron Williams. They’ve allowed the 12th most points to quarterbacks and four straight games with 2 TDs and 20+ fantasy points against.
Joe Flacco, Bal at MIA
Flacco faces the 24th ranked Miami Dolphins pass defense allowing the 10th most points after Monday’s night 36-point shellacking by Drew Brees. A better comparison for Flacco might be Matt Ryan’s 19 points and Andrew Luck’s 23 points against them. The Dolphins opponents are averaging well over 40 pass attempts per game and the Ravens apparently have forgotten how to run the ball. Look for Flacco to constantly be in harm’s way while throwing 40+ times for ~300 yards and a pair of touchdowns and/or interceptions.
Geno Smith, NYJ at ATL
For those of you in deeper leagues, this turnover-prone rookie is definitely worth a reach against the 26th ranked Falcons pass defense that has just 7 sacks and three interceptions thus far while allowing 315 passing yards per game and 9 TDs. All four quarterbacks (Brady, Tannehill, Bradford and Brees) threw 2 or more TDs against Atlanta and three of them topped 300 yards.
Running Backs
David Wilson, NYG vs. Phi
The Giants released Da’Rel Scott on Tuesday in a somewhat surprising roster move that could be a sign that Tom Coughlin plans to increase the workload for Wilson and put more trust in the fumble-prone but highly talented young back, or they could increase the role of elder statesman Brandon Jacob for this Sunday’s game against the 26th ranked Eagles run defense. I can’t imagine the latter reasoning, but I fully expect to see more of Wilson against the Eagles Swiss cheese defense.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac at STL
Like Eli Manning, it’s awfully difficult to trust Jones-Drew after averaging just 2.4 YPC and 34 yards per game through the first four weeks, but he faces the 30th ranked Rams run defense allowing 134 yards per game and the most fantasy points to opposing running backs. As unproductive as Jones-Drew has been, this is the game you stick with him. If he doesn’t deliver, bail. In their last two games alone, the Rams have allowed 153 yards and a TD to Frank Gore and 203 yards and a TD to DeMarco Murray. They’ve allowed 5 rushing TDs and five runs of 20+ yards.
Eddie Lacy, GB vs. Det
Lacy returns to the lineup this week to face a Lions run defense allowing the third most points to running backs through the first month of the season. Each of the four backs to start against the Lions yielded between 13 and 29 points. Alfred Morris’s 73 yards and a TD and Rashard Mendenhall’s 94 yards and a TD in Week 2 represent the low side for the expectations for Lacy in this matchup as long as he carries the ball 15 times and the Packers don’t decided to split his touches evenly with fellow rookie Jonathan Franklin, who broke loose for 126 yards and a TD in Week 3. The Packers just might decide to do that, but Lacy still seems like a good bet for at least 12 to 15 carries and perhaps a couple catches as well. Lions’ opponents are averaging a healthy 5.2 YPC so look for Lacy to still deliver 60+ yards and probably a touchdown.
Rashad Jennings, OAK vs. SD
It’s not a particularly great matchup for the Raiders running game, but with Darren McFadden (hamstring) and Marcel Reece (knee) sidelined this week, Jennings projects as an every-down back against the Chargers 25th ranked run defense. All four running backs that have started against the Chargers have totaled 90 or more yards. Jennings failed miserably last year after Maurice Jones-Drew suffered a foot injury, but he has a great opportunity to make amends for fantasy owners and he has looked more productive on his carries this year. With Reece out as well, Jennings could easily get 20 carries and a handful of catches making him a solid sleeper in all scoring formats.
Willis McGahee, CLE vs. Buf
McGahee has a couple of games under his belt now and a matchup against the 27th ranked Bills run defense that is allowing 116 rushing yards and 25 receiving yards per game but not a single TD to a running back yet. The numbers would be even worse had the Ravens not completely ignored their backfield and tried to run the ball. Bilal Powell rambled for 158 yards against them the prior week, DeAngelo Williams 85 yards in Week 2 and Shane Vereen 159 yards in Week 1. McGahee increased his workload to 15 carries in his second game and he should have his most productive game yet for the Browns.
Bilal Powell, NYJ at ATL
The Falcons run defense hasn’t been terribly impressive so far but they haven’t been bad either. The Patriots had some success running the ball against them Sunday as LaGarrette Blount, Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden combined for 26 carries for 134 yards, a TD and 3 catches for 21 yards. Not one single back has produced more than Blount’s 12 fantasy points against the Falcons so far, but the Falcons have faced four teams with committee backfield. Powell’s workload could be reduced a little with Mike Goodson coming off suspension, but he’s still a good bet to deliver low RB2 or quality flex production.
Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, Benny Cunningham, and Zach Stacy, STL vs. Jax
For the last sleeper consideration this week, I submit the Rams backfield. We have no idea who will start as of Wednesday, not after Jeff Fisher made the comment that he doesn’t know who will start yet and that he might use all four of them this week. That leaves Richardson’s owners in a precarious perch with a juicy matchup against the league’s 32nd ranked run defense on tap. It’s the type of matchup you circled on the schedule a month ago if you own Richardson. Now, it’s a waiting game and one can only hope that Fisher names a starter early enough for owners to capitalize on the matchup. Even then, Fisher could deploy three or four of this backs evenly rendering all of them useless.Monitor the situation, but use Richardson or whoever is named as a starter, but only if you’re desperate as it could easily be a full-fledged committee.
Wide Receivers
Justin Blackmon, Jac at STL
Blackmon isn’t really much of a sleeper in the classic sense. He’s been serving a four-game suspension and he rejoins the Jaguars lineup against a Rams defense allowing the seventh most points to WRs. You might give pause with Blackmon considering that Blaine Gabbert is at quarterback and the Jaguars haven’t been able to effectively move the chains this year. That said, Blackmon will help the entire offense and he has reportedly been working hard and he returns in excellent physical condition.
Denarius Moore and Rod Streator, OAK vs. SD
Moore seems to have re-emerged as the Raiders top receiver after solid efforts in their last two games, but Streator remains someone to monitor for deeper leagues. In two games against the Chargers last year, Streator produced 4-27-1 and 4-77-0. With Terrelle Pryor returning to the fold against an anemic Charger pass rush, Moore should have more time to get open downfield for some potentially big plays. The Chargers have the 29th ranked pass defense and they’ve allowed the fifth most points to opposing WRs. The opposing #1 receiver is averaging over 18 points per game against them while the #2 receiver is averaging about 8 points per game.
Jeremy Kerley, NYJ at ATL
It’s not going to be pretty for the Jets this week without Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill, but Jeremy Kerley has been a solid PPR flex option in the past when he’s been thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. This week, he faces a Falcons secondary allowing the fourth most points to WRs. On Sunday night, Julian Edelman and Kenbrell Thompkins both went over 100 yards and Thompkins found the end zone. Clyde Gates will also get the start, but he’s much less trustworthy even if he does have blazing speed. His own coaches don’t even trust him to run the right routes, but the Jets have no other choice but to trot him out there and hope for the best.
Brian Hartline, MIA vs. Bal
Hartline has been a solid receiver over the last year plus as he seems to float right around that distinction between a WR3 and a WR4 in standard leagues. This week, he faces a Ravens defense that has allowed 4 completions of 40+ yards – the second most in the league. Lardarius Webb left Sunday’s game with a “thigh strain” and soon afterward the Bills beat them deep for a 42-yard TD to Robert Woods. If Webb is unable to go this week, give Hartline a bump up in the weekly rankings and don’t be shy about using him as a pretty safe WR3/flex option.
Robert Woods, Buf at CLE
With shutdown corner Joe Haden likely locked onto Steve Johnson’s hip this week, Woods should enjoy more single coverage and more targets this week from E.J. Manuel. Woods has been getting open easily so far this year, showing off his route running and separate skills while almost catching two touchdowns against the Ravens.
Terrence Williams, DAL vs. Den
With Miles Austin’s hamstring still on the mend, Williams may draw another start. This week the Cowboys face a tougher Broncos defense, but knowing how well the Broncos offense is rolling and putting points on the board, Williams could benefit from some garbage time and plenty of targets. Last week, Williams had a successful debut in his first start with 8 targets and 7-71-0 against the Chargers.
Reuben Randle, NYG vs. Phi
Since the season opener, Randle hasn’t done anything noteworthy for fantasy owners, but the Giants offense has a shot this week to get back on track against an Eagles secondary allowing the most points to opposing WRs. It’s also worth noting that Randle torched the Eagles in Week 17 last year for 4-58-2. Randle can’t be started with any real confidence, but in deeper leagues he’s a solid reach as a flex/WR5 with upside.
Kris Durham, Det at GB
Last week was supposed to be the great unveiling of Ryan Broyles as the Lions No. 2 receiver with Nate Burleson sidelined with a broken arm, but it never happened. Instead, Durham, aka White Chocolate, drew the start and he went on to produce his best day as a pro with 3-58-0 on four targets. Durham presents a big target for Stafford in the red zone and he could make another start this Sunday against a Packers’ secondary allowing the third most points to receivers.
Travis Benjamin, CLE vs. Buf
It was Travis Benjamin that started for the Browns last week opposite Josh Gordon as Davone Bess kicked inside to the slot where he is most effective. Of course, the Bills secondary continues to be injury-depleted and they’ve allowed the second most points to opposing WRs. They’ve also allowed six 40+ yard receptions through four games, a league-high and an area where Benjamin might be able to do some damage. If you’re in a deeper league, Benjamin could be had on waivers as a plug-n-play, what-the-heck option.
Tight Ends
Charles Clay, MIA vs. Bal
Clay has played himself into a low TE1 trust level with consistent production through four games. He’s good in PPR leagues, has a high catch rate and he is getting some run in the red zone with a TD catch on Monday night and even a goal-line carry two weeks ago. The Ravens were torched by Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron the first two weeks, but they kept Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham in check along with Scott Chandler in their last game. Clay is an ideal backup tight end and a solid flex option this week that is universally scoring system friendly.
Dallas Clark, Bal at MIA
So there is nothing exciting about starting Dallas Clark, but he is second on the Ravens with 29 targets behind Torrey Smith and he’s tied with Smith for the team-lead with four red zone targets. Even better, the Dolphins have allowed the most points to tight ends so far. Five different tight ends have caught touchdowns against them. Granted, they’ve already faced Jimmy Graham and Jordan Cameron (both of which scored and topped 100 yards), but in this matchup, Clark should be a strong, high-floor sleeper.
Brent Celek, Phi at NYG
Celek is not a consistent performer from week to week because he’s probably just a two-or-three catch a game guy in Chip Kelly’s offense, but he’s facing a Giants defense allowing the fifth most points to tight ends. Sean McGrath even took advantage of them on Sunday with 5-64-1 and Kevin Brock tacked on 2-27-0 after that for the Chiefs. Celek’s targets increased with 6 and 5 in the last two games and he has produced 50+ yards in two of four games. In this matchup, let’s make it three of five and he could easily got a touchdown too.
Brandon Myers, NYG vs. Phi
An opposing tight end hasn’t caught a touchdown against the Eagles yet, but they are averaging a healthy six catches for 66 yards a week. Myers’ was shut out by the Chiefs on Sunday, but he’s bound to rebound at home this week against this Eagles defense and their susceptible safeties. Keep in mind that Myers was targeted 25 times through three games, but he’s had to block more in the last two games with the Panthers and Chiefs destroying the Giants offensive line.
Three other solid sleepers this week for deeper leagues include Brandon Pettigrew, Mychal Riveraand Sean McGrath. All three have good matchups against tight end friendly defenses, but all three of them are probably on your league’s waivers in 10 or 12 team leagues. Rivera is probably good for 4 or 5 targets against a Chargers defense allowing a consistent 40-to-60 yards to tight ends each week. Pettigrew might have the worst hands in the league, but he could see an unlikely resurgence with Nate Burleson out and the Packers allowing the sixth most points. McGrath is the last man standing in an Andy Reid offense against a Titans defense allowing the fourth most points.
Defense/Special Teams
ST. LOUIS vs. Jacksonville
There is no cure for a struggling defense like playing the Jaguars. Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert have been sacked 18 times and opponents have forced 9 turnovers returning two of them for touchdowns. The Jaguars have scored 31 total points in four games. Opponents have completed an absurd 80% of their passes against the Rams, yet somehow I still have no faith that Gabbert will be able to take advantage even with Justin Blackmon returning. It could be another ugly loss for the Jags.
CLEVELAND vs. Buffalo
The Browns front seven is as tough as they come. The Browns have 14 sacks and allowed only 2 passing TDs and only 212 yards per game. Joe Haden can lock down one side of the field. Making matters worse is the short week with a Thursday night start and both C.J. Spiller (ankle) and Fred Jackson (knee) will be playing through injuries. The Browns might be the top defensive play this week.
ATLANTA vs. NY Jets
Geno Smith has thrown 8 interceptions and been sacked 14 times. The Jets will likely be without both of their starting wide receivers, too. This one could get ugly unless Bilal Powell can put this offense on his shoulders. The Falcons lost a pair of key players to injury in Kroy Biermann and Sean Weatherspoon, but hopefully they’ll get Asante Samuel (thigh) back.
Philadelphia at NY GIANTS
The logical choice is to go with the home teambut the Giants have scored the third fewest points, allowed 14 sacks and Eli Manning has thrown a league-high 9 interceptions. They are the friendliest matchup going for defenses right now. I just don’t think Eli will keep throwing 3 interceptions every week and the Eagles have only intercepted two passes of their own. Both defenses make good streamer options that could deliver ten or more points.
I continue to like the New Orleans Saints this week. Jay Cutler should rebound at home this week, but Rob Ryan has their defense performing well and Cutler has already thrown six picks. Likewise, the Detroit Lions could easily give up 35 points to the Packers but give Aaron Rodgers fits along the way. Rodgers has been sacked 10 times in three games and the Packers have turned over the football six times, but the Lions have been pathetically bad on the road in division games.
