Each week of the season a few fantasy owners are in need of spot starters. These are the guys who are poised for a big game based on their matchup, players who have potential and should start when you’ve lost someone to injury or your starter has a bye week. Or a few of these guys might be on your roster, but you’re not sure whether you should start them. Either way, your answer may lie below.
1. Brian Griese (QB - Chicago) — There aren’t many times this season when a Chicago quarterback faces a favorable matchup. This, however, is one of those times. At home against the Vikings, Griese has potential. The Vikings have allowed 266.8 passing yards per game this season, enough to rank them 8th in the NFL, and Griese didn’t look bad against the Packers last week.
2. Damon Huard (QB - Kansas City) — He’s been named the starter, though proceed with caution: Huard and the Chiefs haven’t had a great aerial attack all season, perhaps because their running game has been pathetic. Fortunately, they play at home against the Bengals, a team that has allowed at least 20 points in each of their games this season, including a particularly bad performance against Cleveland. Their defense is their greatest weakness. It hasn’t stopped the run (150+ ypg allowed) or pass (250+ ypg allowed), a big reason the team has given up 32.2 points per game this year.
3. Ronnie Brown (RB - Miami) — He’s had a great season so far, and with Trent Green out this weekend Brown should get more touches than ever. And because they play the Browns — 30th ranked rush defense in the NFL — you can count on a good day.
4. Jamal Lewis (RB - Cleveland) — As bad as the Browns’ rush defense has been this season, Miami has been worse. They’ve allowed nearly 175 yards per game and 8 touchdowns on the ground (T-last). Lewis has been rolling all season long and you can expect him to gain some serious yardage against the hapless Dolphins.
5. DeShaun Foster (RB - Carolina) — The Cardinals haven’t been bad against the run this season, but they’ve haven’t been a lot better than average either. Meanwhile the Panthers are without Jake Delhomme, perhaps even David Carr, and they’re going to keep the ball on the ground if Vinny Testaverde ends up under center. Foster is the team’s top back and he’ll get the bulk of the carries.
6. James Jones (WR - Green Bay) — The Packers pass the ball. A lot. James Jones has been on the receiving end of at least 4 passes per game all season long. The Packers will struggle to run the ball against Washington, but Favre should find Jones enough to justify him as a WR3.
Eh…. Maybe
1. Vinny Testaverde (QB - Carolina) – Okay, this is a maybe. Vinny Testaverde could start this Sunday against the Cardinals. Arizona hasn’t been great stopping the pass this season and Vinny might have a decent showing. That said, you should probably keep him on the bench (or off your roster) unless you’re desperate.
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5 Comments
How is Ronnie Brown a sleeper, he is like the #1 fantasy player in the league or at least close to it. He is catching the ball almost better then he runs it, making him a great player in points per catch leagues. You can count on a good game, but he isn’t a sleeper.
How is this for a sleeper though, Cleo Lemon, I believed he should have been competing for the starting job all this year, he may earn it now. Breakout game for him
Fair enough. Speaking of this, why are the Dolphins even playing Cleo Lemon? Why not play Beck? He’s the future, not Lemon, and they’re out of the playoffs at this point.
Instead of injured Jamal Lewis for Cleveland, how about Jason Wright as the sleeper.
Houston’s TE Owen Daniels vs. the Jag’s. Daniels will become Shaub’s favorite target.
Back to that Cleo Lemon thing….
“Cleo Lemon completed 24-of-43 passes for 256 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in a Week 6 loss. He rushed for two touchdowns in a monster fantasy game.”
I called it, breakout game, he should be their starter.
Good call. My point was, Lemon probably isn’t the team’s future at quarterback. The Dolphins lost again and they’re now officially irrelevant at 0-6. Why not bring in the rookie to get 10 games experience this season? He’ll be that much better next season.
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