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 deep sleepers in smaller leagues, but starters in larger leagues. Realizing that leagues and roster sizes vary wildly; your mileage could vary, too.
Quarterbacks
Mark Sanchez, PHI vs. Car
In addition to being this week’s top priority on waivers, Sanchez takes over one of the league’s most prolific offenses with a good matchup against a Panther pass defense allowing the sixth most points to quarterbacks. Carolina’s opponents are completing 69.3% of their passes for 262 yards and just short of 2 touchdowns per game. Their best game recently was at home against Russell Wilson, limiting him to 199 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT for 16 fantasy points, while the other five in their last six games produced at least 24 points. He came out of the gate hot on Sunday and he has QB1 value and upside this week, too.
Carson Palmer, ARI vs. Stl
Palmer is undefeated since his return to the lineup in Week 6 having thrown 11 TDs to 2 interceptions with at least 249 yards in all four games. This week, Palmer has an enticing, but tricky matchup against a Ram defense that stifled the 49ers offense last week, but otherwise has been a top 10 matchup for opposing quarterbacks allowing 237 yards and 1.5 TDs per game. In two games against the Rams, Colin Kaepernick threw for 343 yards and 3 TDs in one for 33 points in Week 6, but on Sunday the Rams stole the ball from him on a potential game-winning goal-line keeper to cap his production with an underwhelming 17 points. Palmer and the Cardinals are clicking and it’s a nice matchup on paper as long as the Cardinals offensive line can protect Palmer after the Rams sacked Kaepernick 8 times last week.The Rams also have allowed opponents to complete a league worst 70% of their passes for 7.9 YPA and a passer rating of 104.8. It’s also noteworthy that they had only six sacks and three interceptions on the season prior to last week.
Cam Newton, Car at PHI
The Eagles’ corners have been picked on and giving up big plays all year long. They’ve allowed 10 completions of 40 yards or longer (2nd most) and 17 passing TDS with only four interceptions, which translates to 275 yards per game and the third most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Newton has regressed to the point where it’s hard to stomach putting him into your lineup with an interception in five straight games and 205 yards or less in four of his last six. He enters this week as QB18, far below his ADP of QB9 and back-to-back top 5 finishes in 2012 and 2013. The matchup is favorable, though. Outside of an Eli Manning drubbing in Week 6, all seven other quarterbacks that faced Philadelphia produced 22 or more fantasy points. With six teams on the bye, look for Newton to reprise his QB1 billing this week.
Michael Vick, NYJ vs. Pit
Vick’s first start for the Jets went about as well as one might have expected, particularly as a passer in an otherwise hostile environment at Kansas City. He completed 21-of-28 for 196 yards and a touchdown, and most importantly, he didn’t throw any picks. He still has the ability to make noise with his leg, too. The Steelers are limping into this matchup with Troy Polamalu and Ryan Shazier both sidelined due to injuries and corner Ike Taylor hoping to return to action now that he is getting limited practices in early this week. Regardless, the Steelers have been beaten for 965 yards and 8 TDs over their last three games by Joe Flacco, Andrew Luck and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Even Mike Glennon usurped them earlier in the year at home with 302 yards and 2 TDs in their comeback victory. Vick remains a risky play due to his ball security gaffes, but he made good decisions under duress last week and his legs and upside make him a worthy reach with as many as three top 10-fantasy quarterbacks on the bye (Brady, Rivers, Luck).
Zach Mettenberger, Ten at BAL
Mettenberger fared reasonably well in his first NFL start against a Texans defense that is known for generating turnovers and applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Mettenberger also had the benefit of an extra week to prepare for this Ravens pass defense that all of a sudden looks shaky. Before Ben Roethlisberger lit them up with 6 touchdowns they had allowed only 7 in their previous eight games, but Jimmy Smith is hurt and they’re down to just Lardarius Webb and Tramain Jacobs at corner after releasing Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks this week. Mettenberger has the size to stand in the pocket and the arm to make all the throws. Against a banged up Raven secondary, Mettenberger has a shot to produce 20+ fantasy points as four of the Ravens last five opponents have done.
Derek Carr, OAK vs. Den
If you’re reaching deep for a starter this week in larger or 2-quarterback leagues, then Carr has a puncher’s chance of producing at least 17 points with an outside shot of 25 points. Five of the Broncos eight opponents topped 25 points while the other three (Alex Smith, Geno Smith and Colin Kaepernick) averaged about 17 points against the Broncos, who’ve allowed the fourth most points to quarterbacks on the season with 8 interceptions compared to 16 passing touchdowns and 270 yards/game. There should be ample amounts of garbage time for Carr to pad his stats in the second half. He’s not a very good start in normal leagues, but in deeper formats, Carr will have some value.
Running Backs
Jeremy Hill, CIN vs. Cle
After his 154 yard, 2 TD effort against Jacksonville on Sunday, Hill isn’t taking anyone by surprise, but it looks like he’ll get his second start in a row with a short week and Gio Bernard still recovering from the hip injury suffered in Week 8. As fantasy matchups go, the Browns are tied with Cincinnati for the second most rushing yards per game allowed (139.6) and they’ve allowed the second most runs of 20 yards or longer (9) and an average of 4.8 YPA, too. Hill demonstrated power and speed against the Jaguars last week, particularly on his 60-yard TD run where he pulled away from the defense for the long TD. Hill has RB1 value in all formats this week so get him into your lineup.
Bobby Rainey, TB vs. Atl
Last week, Rainey combined for 121 yards against the Browns as he continued to do everything that Doug Martin has been unable to do this year. With Martin still recovering from an ankle injury, Charles Sims looms as the biggest threat for touches this week for Rainey against a Falcon defense allowing the most points to opposing RBs and the most rushing TDs (13) in the league. Sims could steal some of Rainey’s thunder on third downs and potentially at the goal line, but Rainey is well worth the gamble. Back in Week 3, Rainey also led the Bucs backfield against Atlanta with 105 total yards (not to mention 7 catches for PPR owners thinking about a what-the-heck play on Sims).
Denard Robinson, JAC vs. Dal (in London)
It’s great to see “Shoelace” Robinson finding success in the NFL after carrying the Wolverines on his back for four years in Ann Arbor. The Jaguars offense was sputtering of late and their ground game was among the worst in the league until Robinson got his first start. In three starts, Robinson is looking a lot like Jamaal Charles with 127, 118 and 104 yards to go with 2 TDs. His speed and decisiveness make him fun to watch and he faces a Cowboy defense in London this week that allowed 134 yards and a TD to Andre Ellington, and 85 yards and a TD to Alfred Morris in the previous week. Dallas has also allowed eight runs of 20 yards or longer. Keep on riding Denard as long as you can at this point.
Terrance West, Cle at CIN
The writing has been on the wall over the last few weeks with Ben Tate struggling (not to mention the loss of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack). On Sunday, Tate’s struggles continued and he was phased out in favor of rookie Terrance West in the second half. The Bengals have allowed 9 rushing TDs (3rd most) and almost 140 rushing yards per game (2nd most). Eight different backs have topped double-digit PPR points against them in their last five games. West remains a tricky play because of the Browns’ coaches willingness to go away from their RBs in any given game. Isaiah Crowell looms large on the bench but if you’re reaching for any of them this week it would have to be West.
Steven Jackson, Atl at TB
Back in Week 3, Jackson managed a modest 14-54-1 box score line against the Buccaneers, who continue to be a solid matchup allowing the ninth most points to RBs. It’s hard to get excited about Jackson or any of the Falcons backs for that matter. The team loves to get all four of their tailbacks involved in games limiting each one’s upside, but Jackson is worth a look in deeper leagues even if his ceiling isn’t very high.
Tre Mason, Stl at ARI
Mason actually has a really tough matchup this week against a Cardinal defense allowing the fewest points to opposing running backs. They broke Demarco Murray’s 100-yard rushing streak last Sunday, but Mason has at least seized the upper hand in the Rams backfield by dominating the touches last week against a tough 49er defense. Mason carried 19 times for just 65 yards. He’s not a good play overall, but with it being a difficult bye week; Mason is worth a look in deeper leagues as a desperation play.
Wide Receivers
Martavis Bryant, Pit at NYJ
We know that Bryant and Ben Roethlisberger won’t be able to sustain the pace they’ve established over the past few games, but with a matchup against an awful Jets secondary on tap this week you have to ride the wave. Bryant has caught five touchdowns in his first three games with significant playing time, even though he is still splitting snaps with Markus Wheaton opposite Antonio Brown. The truth is that Bryant’s presence makes the offense much more dangerous, and by extension, Wheaton more useful as well. The Jets have allowed 24 passing touchdowns this year – six more than the closest team. On a per game basis, Bryant is among the top 10 receivers in the league this year. Ride Bryant and Wheaton both this week because as good as they’ve been of late, this matchup is the best one yet.
Mike Evans, TB vs. Atl
The only reason Evans is even in this column at this point is the seemingly hair-brained decision made by Lovie Smith to reinsert 35-year old Josh McCown as the starting quarterback. Mike Glennon might not be the answer, but at least he made Evans a viable fantasy WR2/WR3 with four touchdowns in his last four games. With McCown under center, Evans caught no touchdowns and failed to reach double-digit points in three games. Let’s get that pessimism out of the way, because Evans has still caught at least four passes in every game this year and he has challenged Vincent Jackson (and possibly overtook him) as the team’s #1 receiver. Back in week 3, with both McCown and Glennon throwing passes, he caught four balls for 52 yards on seven targets. The Falcons have allowed the 12th most points and three different receivers have gone for 100 yards or more in their last three games.
Justin Hunter, Ten at BAL
Even though Hunter has been in the starting lineup for a while now, he still hasn’t broken out with an impact game or even broken the century mark, but he has produced double-digit points in three of his last four games and in Week 8 against the Texans he set a season high with 10 targets. Now that Zach Mettenberger has taken over the reins of the Titans offense there is even more optimism for Hunter going forward. That optimism begins this week against a Ravens defense that was shredded by Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday night, and is now allowing the most points to receivers. The Ravens are down to Lardarius Webb at corner along with Tramain Jacobs and Danny Gorrer. If you know who those two players are then you’re in the 99th percentile of NFL fans. Congratulations!Now, get Hunter in your lineup.
Kenny Britt, Stl at ARI
With Brian Quick out for the rest of the year Britt slides in as the Rams’ No. 1 receiver going forward. Britt hasn’t been very productive this year with season highs of seven targets for 5 catches and 69 yards back in Week 3, no 100-yard games and only 2 touchdowns. The Rams will probably get their tight ends more involved as targets, but Britt did catch a touchdown on Sunday against the 49ers and the Cardinals have allowed the fourth most points to WRs. Then again, tell that to Dez Bryant, who was shut down by Patrick Peterson on Sunday finishing with a line of 2-15-1. I wouldn’t recommend Britt in 10- or 12- team leagues unless you’re truly desperate, but he’s definitely worth a reach as a flex or in larger leagues.
Odell Beckham Jr NYG at SEA
Forget the matchup this week, even though Richard Marshall will probably spend more time covering Rueben Randle, because Beckham Jr. is a bona fide playmaker. If you look at the Top 200 forward (PPR) you’ll notice that Beckham is in the top 15 WRs – and that’s no mistake. Seattle’s defense has taken some hits, but they remain a tough matchup against receivers with the second fewest points allowed but I’d still recommend using Beckham Jr. this week and every week going forward. He’s already bypassed Randle as the Giants #1 receiver and he’s got some room to grow still.
Kenny Stills, NO vs. SF
The Saints receivers have largely cancelled out each other’s fantasy value this year, but with all three currently healthy (along with Jimmy Graham); it has been Stills that has emerged as the most consistent among the three. Stills has caught 14 passes over the last three games compared to 13 for Colston and 11 for rookie Brandin Cooks. He’s still a reach because there are so many mouths to feed in that offense and the 49ers aren’t a great matchup, but he remains a viable flex in most formats with his role becoming more consistent.
Jordan Matthews, PHI vs. Car
Matthews is playing predominantly in the slot, so his snaps are still limited a bit. On the other hand, he does have good rapport with Mark Sanchez having worked with him on the second team throughout training camp and the two did connect for a touchdown pass on Sunday against the Texans. This week I like his chances as a red zone threat going against a Carolina pass defense that has allowed 17 passing TDs (tied for fifth most) and the seventh most points to receivers.
Davante Adams, GB vs. Chi
The Bears have allowed only the 20th most points to receivers, but back in week 4 when these two teams last met, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb caught a combined 17 passes for 231 yards and 4 TDS. Since then, Adams role has grown considerably and the Bears lost their best corner (Peanut Tillman) to a season-ending injury. The needle is pointing up for Adams and the Packers seem to have the Bears’ number.
Harry Douglas, Atl at TB
Douglas is long shot for sure, but he’s going against a bad Buccaneers defense that’s allowed the second most points to receivers and Douglas caught a touchdown along with a pair of passes against them back in Week 3 before being forced from the game due to injury. He and Eric Weems combined for 6-83-1 and going back to last year (albeit under very different circumstances); Douglas roasted Tampa Bay for games of 7-148-1 and 6-134-1. On top of that, Tampa has allowed 18 touchdown passes (tied for 2nd most in the league.
Tight Ends
Heath Miller, Pit at NYJ
As mentioned above, the Jets have allowed a league-high 24 passing touchdowns. They’ve also allowed the fourth most points to tight ends with four touchdowns to four different tight ends in their last two games alone and eight touchdowns over their last five games. Miller might seem like he’s forty years old and on his last legs, but if there is ever a game to get him into your lineup this would be it.
Larry Donnell, NYG at SEA
After a torrid start, Donnell’s value has fallen back to normal levels. He hit a two week dip in production where he only caught one pass on three targets before bouncing back with games of 7-90-0 and 4-25-1 the last two weeks. The Seahawks defense is a good matchup for tight ends because they tend to funnel quarterbacks to target their tight ends and not challenge Richard Marshall on the outside. They’ve allowed the fifth most points to tight ends and they’ve allowed a touchdown catch to one in five of their last seven games.
Mychal Rivera, OAK vs. Den
Rivera’s role has grown over the last two games with 9 and 11 targets respectively after seeing a total of 24 targets in the prior six games. He turned those targets into quality TE1 games of 7-83-0 against Cleveland and 8-38-2 against the Seahawks. The Broncos have allowed the sixth most points to tight ends and 26 catches for 248 yards and four touchdowns over their last four games to the starting tight end. Consider Rivera a risky option but clearly, rookie QB Derek Carr is looking his way more often now. We just have to speculate and hope that he continues to do so.
Jared Cook, Stl at ARI
It’s hard to trust a player like Cook since he’s burned us so many times in the past, but he has legitimate upside going against a Cardinal defense allowing the 10th most points to tight ends. It also helps Cook slightly that Brian Quick is out for the year. Jeff Fisher’s just can’t seem to get enough of his former Titan players as Cook and Kenny Britt appear to be Davis’ top two targets going forward.
Clay Harbor, JAX vs. Dal
Harbor had a fantastic matchup last week and he laid a goose egg on the fantasy community. This week, he has another stellar matchup against a Cowboy defense allowing the second most points to tight ends. Harbor is athletic and a decent pass-catching option, but the Jaguars offense is mainly flowing through Denard Robinson, Allen Robinson and Cecil Shorts right now, but if John Carlson and Daniel Fells can get on the scoreboard against Dallas than why not Harbor? He’s admittedly a huge reach at this point, but one worth speculating on in larger leagues.
Defense/Special Teams
Arizona vs. St. Louis
The Cardinals defense sure looked like it was due for a big fall after a rash of injuries and free agent departures robbed them of some key playmakers from a year ago, but they haven’t fallen off much at all. This week, they face a Rams offense that is allowing the second most points to opposing defenses thanks to an average of 3 sacks, 1.6 turnovers and only 18.6 points scored per game. The Rams have allowed 17 sacks in their last five games and they haven’t scored more than 13 points in their last two.
Dallas at Jacksonville
The Cowboys don’t have a very good defense overall, but they are playing hard and they just happen to have the very best matchup one could ask for against a Jaguar offense allowing almost 4 sacks and 2.2 turnovers per game and they’re averaging only 15.7 points per game. Through nine games using standard fantasy scoring for defenses, the floor for their opponents is 8 points (established by Cleveland and Cincinnati in weeks 7 and 9) while every other week but one yielded 10+ points for the other team’s defense.
Green Bay vs. Chicago
The Bears have allowed three or more sacks in four straight games and 2 or more turnovers in four of their last five games. Back in week 4, in Chicago, the Packers managed only 5 fantasy points but still held the Bears to 17 points and intercepted Cutler twice. At home, the Packers are capable of double digits this week as the Bears opponents are averaging 10.8 points per game since the last time these two teams met.
Atlanta at Tampa Bay
I don’t like the Falcons defense much at all, but if Josh McCown is going to start for the Bucs then you have to keep them on speed dial as a streaming option in deeper leagues. Tampa has allowed the third most points and when these two teams last met in Atlanta (week 3), the Falcons rolled up 25 points on 3 sacks, 5 turnovers and a pair of touchdown returns in a blowout win.
Pittsburgh at NY Jets
Michael Vick performed well last week in Kansas City, but we’ll see how long the bloom lasts on his flower. The Steelers defense harassed Joe Flacco consistently on Sunday night and the Jets have allowed 14 sacks in their last four games.
Jacksonville vs. Dallas
If Tony Romo is unable to play, then you have to consider the Jaguars a legitimate start-able fantasy defense. Dallas is allowing the seventh most points to opposing defenses and that’s with Tony Romo.
