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 sleepers in smaller leagues, but starters in larger leagues. Realizing that leagues and roster sizes vary wildly; your mileage could vary, too.
Quarterbacks
Andy Dalton, CIN vs. Jac
Through six weeks the Jaguars ranked second in points allowed to QBs, but in the last couple of weeks Brian Hoyer turned in awful performance against them and then Blake Bortles threw a pair of pick-6s which took the sails out of Ryan Tannehill’s stats in the second half. The Jaguars now rank only 14th in points allowed, but don’t let that fool you. They remain a strong matchup. Opponents have a 13:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio against them while completing 63.3% of their passes for 287 passing yards per game (4th most) with the most completions (36) of 20 or more yards in the league. As for Dalton, A.J. Green’s potential return, pegged at about 70% early in the week, would be a huge boost for his outlook.
Eli Manning, NYG vs. Ind
Aside from Ben Roethlisberger going berserk for 522 yards and 6 TDs against the Colts on Sunday, Indianapolis lost their top corner Vontae Davis (knee) and OLB Erik Walden (hip) to injuries. The Colts will almost certainly be without both players in New York on Sunday with a bye week looming. Meanwhile, Manning and the Giants are coming off their bye week. In his last five starts, Eli has thrown 11 TDs with one interception while improving his completion percentage to 65% and finishing with a passer rating over 100 in four of those five games.
Ryan Tannehill, MIA vs. SD
San Diego’s defense has been riddled by injuries to corners Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett, OLBs Melvin Ingram and Jeremiah Attaochu and ILB Manti Te’o. Outside a 74 yard, 1 interception bomb laid by Geno Smith in Week 5, opposing quarterbacks have produced 18+ fantasy points in the other seven games against the Chargers with a 14:4 touchdown to interception ratio and a modest 233 yards/game. Just a few weeks ago, rookie Derek Carr turned in a 282 yard, 4 TD game against them for 29 points. Tannehill continues to struggle with deep ball accuracy (and OC Bill Lazor doesn’t dial up the deep balls often), but he has also ran for 180 yards over the last four games to pad his otherwise moderate passing stats.
Alex Smith, KC vs. NYJ
The Jets secondary has fallen on hard times allowing the 2nd most points to opposing quarterbacks with a passer rating of 113.5 and 22 TDs allowed (both tops in the league) and just one interception. They’ve allowed 2 or more passing touchdowns in every game this year and 237 or more yards or more in their last seven games translating to seven straight games of 20+ fantasy points and 25+ in five of their last seven. Of course, despite all of that, Smith still may not complete a single pass of more than 40 yards unless it involves a big chunk of yards after the catch. Even so, he’s an excellent high floor QB2 with upside in deeper leagues, or those that start two.
Teddy Bridgewater, MIN vs. Was
For those of you reaching even deeper, Bridgewater is a high risk play with an outstanding matchup. Washington has allowed 17 passing touchdowns, intercepted only three passes while allowing the fourth most points and a passer rating of 104 to opposing quarterbacks including six straight games with at least 2 touchdowns and 20+ fantasy points in five of their last six. The rub is that Minnesota has allowed 20 sacks in their last four games and Washington’s pass rush recorded five sacks on Monday night. Minnesota has to be careful that Bridgewater doesn’t become the next David Carr.
Brian Hoyer, CLE vs. TB
Similar to above, Hoyer is an awful option for most leagues, but he has an excellent home matchup against an awful Buccaneer pass defense allowing the 5th most points, a passer rating of 107, a 69% completion rate for 292 yards per game and 16 TDs with only 4 interceptions and 10 sacks. Hoyer has few qualities that endear him to fantasy value, but the matchup alone could be intriguing in large/2-QB leagues.
Running Backs
Mark Ingram, NO at CAR
Even though Ingram has been kicking around the league now for four years, he is only 24 years with only 414 career rushing attempts and free agency awaits him at the end of the season. With ample motivation, Ingram has been running angry for over a year now. Going back to the beginning of the 2013 season spanning 15 games played and 136 carries, Ingram is averaging 5.3 YPA and he has reached the end zone four times in as many games this season. Meanwhile, the Panthers defense isn’t what they used to be either allowing the fifth most rushing yards and the second most points to running backs – 117 yards and 0.9 TDs per game. The planets are aligned for Ingram this week with Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson both on the mend leaving the coaches with no good reason not to prominently feature Ingram in the backfield.
Ronnie Hillman, Den at NE
It’s a bit of a stretch to peg Hillman as a sleeper in normal-sized leagues since he is currently the starting running back in a Peyton Manning-led offense, but for those of you in smaller leagues he’s worth mentioning. Hillman enters this week as RB32 year-to-date in PPR leagues, but combined with Montee Ball the two stack up as RB12. They face a Patriot defense that is without two of their defensive stars - LB Jerod Mayo and DE Chandler Jones. They’ve allowed the fourth most points to RBs. Five different backs have topped 100 yards and found the end zone against them; eleven have reached double digit PPR points and three have topped 20 points over their last five games.
Denard Robinson, Jac at CIN
The Bengals defense continues to struggle allowing the fourth most rushing yards per game (141 YPG) and a friendly 4.8 yards per attempt and they’ll face a red-hot Denard Robinson who is coming off back-to-back 100 yard games in his first two NFL starts. The Ravens and Giants each had two backs produced 10 or more fantasy points against them the last two games. Meanwhile, LB Vontaze Burfict underwent a knee scope so he’ll be sidelined for the next two weeks. The Jaguars offensive line hasn’t been great this year but Robinson has been the only back in their stable who has looked good, compiling 235 yards and a TD on 40 carries in his two starts.
Charles Sims/Bobby Rainey, TB at CLE
Denard Robinson ran for 127 yards against them two weeks ago and eight different backs have finished with double digit points against them with Darren McFadden being the last one. Doug Martin won’t play this week due to a sprained ankle leaving the lead back duties to either Bobby Rainey or rookie Charles Sims, who is eligible to come off the short-term injured reserve list for this week’s game. The Browns are allowing an average of 118 yards rushing, 43 yards receiving and 1.6 TDs per game to opposing backs for the seventh most points allowed. The coaches might wait a week to activate Sims, but pay attention in case they activatehim as he could be a worthwhile pick-up-and-play option even behind the struggling Bucs offensive line.
Jeremy Hill, CIN vs. Jac
Gio Bernard didn’t practice on Wednesday after hurting his hip on Sunday, but the team isn’t saying much and Bernard himself downplayed after the game prompting those around the team to believe that it’s not serious. Regardless, the Bengals could lighten his workload a bit this week with the Jaguars coming to town to ensure his long-term health for the rest of the season. Hill certainly has the talent to take advantage of any extra touches against a Jaguars defense allowing the ninth most points to opposing backs.
Andre Williams, NYG vs. Ind
Rashad Jennings (knee) remains out this week giving Williams another week as the Giants lead back. The Colts have been solid against the run this year, but they’ve allowed 7 rushing touchdowns and 4.4 yards per attempt. Three of the last four backs have topped 20 points and six out of eight starting backs reached double digits against them.
Branden Oliver, SD at MIA
Ryan Mathews will remain sidelined through the Chargers bye week giving Oliver another week as the Chargers featured back. The Dolphins aren’t necessarily a great matchup for opposing runners, but Denard Robinson tallied 118 yards on them Sunday and Matt Forte totaled 109 yards and 2 TDs against them two weeks ago. Prior to that, other reasonable comparisons include Joe McKnight (6-64-2 receiving) and Knile Davis (32-132-1 rushing) in Week 3 and Darren McFadden’s 72 yards in Week 4. Oliver hasn’t been as productive the last two weeks, but he continues to boost his stats for PPR owners with a handful of catches each week.
Other deeper league consideration include DeAngelo Williams in his return to the starting lineup against a Saints defense allowing the 12th most points to RBs, including 182 yards to Eddie Lacy last week, and double digit points to a running back in all eight of their games.
Similarly, the Browns backs have an appealing matchup against a Bucs defense allowing the fifth most points to backs. Ben Tate has struggled a bit of late, but the coaches have gone back and forth in recent games between Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell as the backup. It’s a guessing game figuring out which one will get the nod this week unless you have any insider tips on which back is practicing better throughout the week. That said, Cleveland’s running game is worth a look if you’re in a pinch and you have either of the Browns backups available.
Wide Receivers
Terrance Williams, DAL vs. Ari
As the Cowboys have transitioned to a ground-based offense this year they’re averaging the fourth fewest pass attempts per game although their 8.3 YPA ranks third in the league. They’ve connected on 27 pass plays of 20 yards or more (tied for 9th most) and they go up against a Cardinal defense this week that is allowing the most points to receivers. Patrick Peterson suffered a concussion last week, but appears to be on track to play. Either way, Williams has a ton of upside this week as a touchdown-dependent WR3 from week to week who has legitimate high WR2 value this week. The Cardinals opposing receivers are averaging 1.3 TDs and a league-high 220 yards per game.
Brandin Cooks, NO at CAR
Cooks finally caught a deep ball from Drew Brees on Sunday night against the Packers. This week, Cooks will face a Panther secondary allowing the seventh most points and 1.5 TDs per game. They did hold the Seahawk receivers out of the end zone on Sunday, but in their previous five games they allowed 11 TDs to receivers, including five different receivers that went over 20 points. Cooks has elite quickness and his role still seems to be growing.
Mike Evans, TB at CLE
The Buccaneers coaching staff wants to get Evans more involved than they have in the first half of the season. Vincent Jackson was on the trading block and he could likely see more of Joe Haden than Evans this week. In the Browns last four games they’ve allowed the eight most points to WRs and seven of the last starting receivers reached double digit production.
Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN vs Was
Call it a hunch, or just consider that Washington has allowed 12 pass completions of 40 yards or more in eight games – 4 more than any other team in the league. We’re still waiting for that huge breakout out of Patterson this year. Both starting receivers in each of Washington’s last three games have reached double digits against them, so it wouldn’t be a bad week to take a flyer on Patterson or Greg Jennings as your WR3/flex with six different teams on the bye.
Andrew Hawkins, CLE vs. TB
The Bucs defense is a mess and they just dealt away safety Mark Barron to the Rams for a pair of mid-round picks. The Bucs have allowed 15 or more points to six different receivers in their last five games and 11 different receivers double digit points in that span (3 more just missed with 9 points). Hawkins has been a reliable PPR receiver with a consistent number of targets from week to week making him a bona fide WR3/flex with some upside in this matchup.
Dwayne Bowe, KC vs. NYJ
The Jets maligned secondary has struggled all year long, allowing the 10th most points to opposing receivers. Sammy Watkins is the latest to take advantage with 3-157-1 against them last week while Robert Woods also found the end zone along with a 3-50-1 line. Bowe is no longer a top fantasy receiver, but as a WR4/flex with a consistent number of targets week-to-week, he’s an upside play this week especially considering that the Jets are allowing almost 37 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers and Bowe is averaging about 50.1% of the Chiefs WR fantasy production and 40% of the targets.
Martavis Bryant, PIT vs. Bal
With Markus Wheaton struggling through the first half of the season, Bryant began seeing more playing time over the last two games and he has taken full advantage of it. Bryant caught a touchdown in each of his first two NFL games and his playing time is on the rise now that he seems to have established himself as the top red zone threat (not named Antonio Brown of course). The Ravens have allowed the sixth most points to opposing receivers. Greg Little’s 3-42-0 line represents the floor for receivers against the Ravens this year as every other starter outside of Mohamed Sanu’s 4-36-0 in Week 1 reached double digit points (PPR). Eleven different receivers topped 15 points. Bryant has the look of a player who could make an impact in the second half of the season especially this week with six teams on the bye.
Steve Johnson, SF vs. Stl
Johnson has been a target dependent player as the 49ers third receiver, but he is coming off back to back games with 5 catches or more, including a 5-53-0 effort on 6 targets three weeks ago against the Rams. In recent weeks, Johnson has been the 49ers most effective receiver and the Rams are allowing the 10th most points to opposing receivers. They had allowed 8 touchdowns in a four game span before the Chiefs broke their gratuitous streak last week.
Jordan Matthews, Phi at HOU
The Texans have allowed the third most points to opposing receivers and Mathews has been targeted a total of 24 times over his last three games, including 11 against Arizona on Sunday. The Texans have allowed 22 or more points to three receivers in their last four games, which probably bodes well for red-hot Jeremy Maclin, but Mathews deserves consideration as well since the #2 receiver for the Texans last five opponents is averaging 11.7 points.
Tight Ends
Jace Amaro, NYJ at KC
The Chiefs haveallowed a tight end to score a touchdown in five of their seven games, including a pair of them to Scott Chandler and Lee Smith of the Bills last week. In fact, both teams have allowed an average of a touchdown or more per game to opposing tight ends making Travis Kelce a fine play as well. Amaro is averaging 6 targets for 5.2 catches and 43.6 yards per game over his last five games with 1 TD. He’s a worthy bye week fill-in for Delanie Walker or Martellus Bennett, even though Michael Vick has looked awful this year. The Chiefs defense is an outstanding play this week, but Amaro should be safe.
Clay Harbor, Jac at CIN
The Bengals have allowed the second most points to tight ends including four touchdowns in their last four games. Three different teams produced 100+ yards with their tight ends against the Bengals. With Marcedes Lewis still on the mend, Harbor gets literally all the tight end snaps and he’s turned that into a couple nice box scores. Rookie Crockett Gillmore fanned last week with only 2-23-0, but seven different tight ends have gone more than 50 yards against them.
Coby Fleener, Ind at NYG
Fleener is essentially a touchdown or bust play each week with four or less catches in every game this year and two or less in five of them. On the other hand, the Giants have allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in their last two games (after not allowing a tight end to reach double digits in their first five. They’ve allowed the 12th most points but the most per game over the last three weeks. Dwayne Allen is an elite play while Fleener becomes more of a boom or bust pick with starter potential.
Tim Wright, NE vs. Den
Wright is a lot like Fleener in that it’s hard to predict if they’ll have much of a role from week to week and both are effective red zone targets. Wright caught TDs in three of his last four games but he’s just as likely to catch one or two balls as he is six or seven. In fact, he has three games without a catch and two others with only one, but the Broncos have allowed the 9th most points and in half of their games their opponents produced 20+ fantasy points with their TEs. Hopefully there’s something left over for Wright after Gronkowski does his thing.
Mychal Rivera, Oak at SEA
Rivera set career highs last week with 9 targets for 7 catches and 83 yards on 9 targets. It’s most likely a fluke. We shouldn’t expect him to do it two weeks in a row, but in deeper leagues he might be worth a reach against a Seahawks defense that has allowed a touchdown per game and the sixth most points to tight ends.
Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City vs. NY Jets
The Chiefs are my favorite play this week. It’s always a hornet’s nest for visitors coming into Arrowhead Stadium. The Jets are a hot mess and Michael Vick hasn’t look good at all when he’s been on the field. The Jets have been sacked 11 times in their last three games and turned over the football two or more times in six of their eight games. They’ve allowed the seventh most points to defenses and the Chiefs defense is rounding into shape with 15 sacks in their last four games.
Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville
The Bengals remain an excellent play this week despite their massive underachievement as a fantasy defense so far. They’ll be without Vontaze Burfict (knee) and they were just starting to get healthier, but Blake Bortles is throwing interceptions at a record pace as the Jaguars have allowed the most points to opposing defenses, including 8 turnovers and 12 sacks in their last three games. They’ve scored 17 points only once, had three kicks blocked, allowed five returns for touchdowns and two or more turnovers in six straight games. Start the Bengals. They’ll be fine.
Cleveland vs. Tampa Bay
The Browns have been productive the past two weeks taking advantage of good matchups against Jacksonville and Oakland. This week their good fortune continues against a Buccaneer offense allowing the fourth most points. They’ve been sacked 5 times in consecutive weeks, thrown an interception in all seven games and committed two turnovers a game while scoring 17 points or more twice. They’re beat up, but they’d get a big boost if Phil Taylor (knee) is able to return this week.
Washington at Minnesota
The Vikings continue to be a great target for defensive matchups allowing almost 5 sacks and just over 2 turnovers in their last four games. Washington’s pass rush isn’t hurt by the loss of Brian Orakpo for the season, but they put plenty of heat on Tony Romo Monday night. Teddy Bridgewater will see plenty of that this week.
