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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
Philip Rivers, SD vs. Dal
Rivers has vastly outperformed expectations as QB6 through three games with an 8:1 TD to interception ratio and a 70% completion rate. He faces a Cowboys team that has forced turnovers and sacked the quarterback well, but otherwise has allowed the fifth most points to the likes of Eli Manning, Alex Smith and Sam Bradford. Rivers is certainly due for one of those turnover laden affairs that we all too common the last two years, but this week and the road ahead look favorable. Rivers upcoming schedule includes several other nice matchups with Oakland (twice), Jacksonville and Washington.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pit at MIN
The return of Heath Miller this week followed by the return of Le’Veon Bell this week should help the Steelers offense and give Roethlisberger better balance. They probably still won’t be able to run the ball much against the Vikings, so he’llneed to throw a lot to move the ball against a Vikings defense that has struggled against the run, but has been a sieve against the pass. Brian Hoyer even looked pretty good this week, throwing for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns against them even if he threw three picks and it took 54 passes to get there. One can only hope the Steelers unveil Markus Wheaton, too. Roethlisberger will probably throw 40+ passes this week for around 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns and a pick or two.
Alex Smith, KC vs. NYG
Smith has been as steady as she goes through three games, which is about what you should expect for him this week, too. He’s a high floor QB2 in regular leagues with a plus matchup against a Giants defense that has been torched by Tony Romo, Peyton Manning and Cam Newton for the seventh most points allowed. The Giants lost SS Steve Brown for the season, top corner Corey Webster (hip) didn’t play last week and Antrel Rolle has played through a preseason ankle injury that he’s still dealing with. The Giants are also playing their third road game of the year after getting annihilated by the Panthers on Sunday. Andy Reid will have the Chiefs ready and Smith will have his customary 35 throws for about 250 to 275 yards with a couple of touchdowns and another 20 to 30 yards rushing. Where Roethlisberger is a riskier play and one who could get Jared Allen’d, Smith is much safer and he’s playing at home and not in a noisy dome.
Sam Bradford, STL vs. SF
In four career games against the 49ers, Bradford is averaging 260 yards a game with 4 touchdowns and only one interception - an average of 19 fantasy points. That’s solid QB2 range and in those games Bradford threw an average of 38 passes. This year, Bradford is chucking it 47 times a game. The volume is there and the 49ers will likely be without their top pass rusher (Aldon Smith), their top tackler and heart of their defense (Patrick Willis), their nickel corner (Nnamdi Asomugha) and free safety Eric Reid. Bradford should continue to produce low-QB1/high-QB2 numbers this week even if he’s still not fully taking advantage of all the new weapons around him yet.
Andy Dalton, Cin at CLE
Speaking of steady, Dalton checks in at QB19 after three games having already faced a pair of tough defenses in Chicago and Pittsburgh but he has produced 20, 19 and 19 points as if he’s ready for whatever the schedule has to offer, including the Cleveland Browns. Dalton also fared well in two games against the Browns last year. In week 2 without Joe Haden, Dalton threw for 318-3-1 and then in Week 6, with Haden, he threw for 381-3-3. His first career start came against the Browns. Since then he has three starts against the Browns averaging 25 points per game.
Terrelle Pryor, OAK vs. Was
If it weren’t for an untimely tackle near the end of Monday night’s game, Pryor would have top billing as this week’s featured quarterback. Instead, his availability looms large with a short week to roll out the welcome mat for the Redskins defense to make that cross country trek to the bay. The Redskins have been killed in their first three games, but they’ve also faced a medley of Pro Bowl caliber quarterbacks in Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. As QB22, Pryor doesn’t come with the same pedigree, but if he’s able to get through the mandated protocol in time to play on Sunday, then he’s a viable QB1 option.
Running Backs
DeMarco Murray, Dal at SD
After an inauspicious first two games, Murray broke loose last week against the Rams struggling defense. It was Murray’s fifth career 100-yard rushing effort and his second against the Rams. His only other start against the Rams was his first such effort that yielded a mammoth 253 yard, 1 TD game in Murray’s rookie season. Murray faces a Charger defense that hasn’t allowed a touchdown to a back through three games, although Arian Foster (90 yards), LeSean McCoy (167) and Chris Johnson (91) were all productive against them. Murray is a strong play again this week with a few more favorable matchups on the horizon against Washington, Philadelphia and Minnesota.
Le’Veon Bell, Pit at MIN
The Vikings run defense finally caught a break last week when the Browns dealt Trent Richardson before coming to town. They were shredded by Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Matt Forte in the first two weeks, so facing a trio of 32-year old Willis McGahee, with a couple of practices under his belt, Chris Ogbonnaya and Bobby Rainey was a welcome reprieve. Yet It’s hard to tell if the Steelers and Bell will be able to take advantage of this Vikings defense allowing the fourth most points to opposing RBs. For Bell, we hope his NFL regular season debut goes better than his preseason one where he sprained his foot. With a struggling offensive line and no Bell the Steelers running game is averaging just 52 yards per game, 31st in the league. On the upside, Bell could slide right into a featured role staying on the field for passing downs and likely getting any touches at the goal line.
Bernard Pierce, Bal at BUF
Ray Rice (hip) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday and he expects to play this week. He will probably come down to a game-time decision and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pierce split carries or even handle more of the workload depending on how well Rice progresses. It’s a key situation to monitor if you own Pierce, not only because of Rice’s potential to return, but because the Bills have allowed an average of 32-147-0 rushing and 4-31-0 receiving to opposing backs. Bilal Powell has a career-best game on Sunday against them with 27-149-0. The Bills defense is also littered with injuries along their defensive line and secondary. If Rice sits again, Pierce is a strong RB1 play who needs to be in your lineup.
Bilal Powell, NYJ at TEN
With Chris Ivory out for a while with a torn hamstring Powell is now the featured running back for the Jets by default. Alex Green will pick up carries as the primary backup, but Powell has earned a bigger role with a huge 158 yard effort against the Bills. Of course, the Titans are probably a tougher matchup than last week’s, but Powell should easily get enough touches to garner RB2 value.
Lamar Miller, Mia at NO
After a dreadful opener against the Browns, Miller has looked much better in the last two games. He’s up to a healthy 4.2 yards per carry and he faces a Saints 3-4 defense that has been disruptive but below average against the run allowing 5.3 YPC. Doug Martin, Steven Jackson and a committee of Arizona’s running backs have combined to average 19-98-0.3 and 5-46-0 against the Saints. The biggest concern for Miller is sharing the backfield with Daniel Thomas, who scored in two of three games. His 6 to 10 touches limit Miller’s upside and his likely workload to around 10 to 15 touches. Miller is a boom/bust flex option or RB2 in deeper leagues, but his speed and big play ability remain appealing.
Ahmad Bradshaw, Ind at JAX
The Jaguars enter this week allowing a league-worst 168 yards/game on the ground, 5.2 YPC and a league-high 8 runs of 20+ yards in only three games. It’s baffling how Marshawn Lynch came out of Sunday’s game with just 69 yards and no touchdowns against them. Of course, Bradshaw is ceding carries to Trent Richardson, but in the Colts new run-heavy attack it was Bradshaw who outperformed Richardson in his Colts’ debut by combining for 111 yards and a TD to Richardson’s 35 yards and a TD. Head Coach Chuck Pagano said he expects to use a similar rotation this week and it wouldn’t be a stretch for both backs to get 15+ carries, 60+ yards and a touchdown against this rudderless Jaguars team.
Daryl Richardson, STL vs. SF
Don’t look now but the 2013 version of the 49er defense looks like a polar opposite of the 2012 version. Of course, they’ll be without two of their best players (Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis) and the head into this week’s game allowing the most points to RBs. They’ve allowed 6 rushing TDs (most in the league) and an average of 140 rushing yards per game. Richardson appears to be over his foot injury that forced him out of Sunday’s game early but he remains a risky play as a RB2, but palatable as a flex option since he will probably split snaps with Isaiah Pead. The Rams played the 49ers extremely tough last year as Steven Jackson turned in a pair of productive efforts as the Rams’ backs combined for 317 yards and a TD against them in their two games.
Fred Jackson, BUF vs. Bal
Jackson should continue to see a healthy portion of snaps this week as C.J. Spiller (quad) should play, but he could be limited to some degree. Jackson is no spring chicken, but he continues to be an extremely productive back for the Bills. It’s not a particularly good matchup against another touch Ravens defense this year, but Jackson has done well in non-marquee matchups before and at this point I double dog dare you to defy the man. Despite a lofty RB15 ranking after three weeks, Jackson is best used as a solid flex option in standard leagues and perhaps a RB2 in deeper ones.
Brandon Bolden, NE at Atl
The Falcons are allowing an average of 6-62-0 receiving to opposing running backs as Darren Sproles (6-88-0), Pierre Thomas (4-16-0) and Daryl Richardson (5-45-0) had productive PPR games against them already. Bolden is doing his best Shane Vereen impersonation playing behind Stevan Ridley on passing downs and as he combined for 100 yards on just 8 touches last week. He’s best used as a flex option in deeper PPR leagues because his upside is tempered a bit by Ridley and the coach’s decision to ride LaGarrette Blount late in last week’s win.
Jacquizz Rodgers & Jason Snelling, ATL vs. NE
Another injury-replacement play is the Falcons split backfield of Rodgers and Snelling. If I were in a PPR league I’d prefer Snelling, but in standard leagues you might as well flip a coin. Both should see 10 or more touches making them solid flex options, but nothing to get overly excited about.
Wide Receivers
Julian Edelman, NE at ATL
Danny Amendola (hip) isn’t expected to return this week although he has returned to a limited practice and he’s probably not far away. The Falcons have been a strong matchup for opposing receivers which makes Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson also solid boom/bust options as well. Edelman is the one you want to play in PPR leagues simply because of the sheer volume of targets he’ll see. Edelman’s window is coming to a close, though, so be sure to extract every bit of usage that you can get out of him while Amendola is on the mend.
Ryan Broyles, DET vs. Chi
Nate Burleson will be out until November after breaking his arm in a one-car accident late Monday night, opening the door for Broyles to start opposite Calvin Johnson. Broyles has been brought along slowly after recovering from his second ACL tear in almost as many years. He performed well during the team’s offseason workouts and he is now rounding into shape at the right time. The Bears top corner, Charles Tillman (knee) is also day-to-day and could be somewhat limited against the Lions. It’s hard to know what we might expect from Broyles as the Lions No. 2 receiver is often a running back, and with Reggie Bush and Joique Bell back there it wouldn’t be surprising if they were No. 2 and No. 3. That said, Broyles is prime for a bigger workload and there’s no question that the Lions hope they can lean on him as their primary slot receiver with Burleson out of the picture.
Rod Streator & Denarius Moore, OAK vs. Was
The Raiders offense could look very different this week if Matt Flynn ends up starting in place of Terrelle Pryor (concussion). Either way, the Raiders passing attack is one to leverage against a Redskins pass defense allowing 356 passing yards per game and the most points to opposing receivers (17-267-1.7 per game). The caveat has been that these two have been alternating productive games. They’re both risky plays in that regard, but one of them is bound to break loose and put up WR2-like numbers against this leaky Redskin secondary.
Marlon Brown, Bal at BUF
Brown was unproductive last week as the Ravens went conservative and as they easily coasted to a 30-9 win over the Houston Texans. There is a decent chance that a similar game could unfold this week against an injury-riddled Bills defense. On the other hand, the Bills could be without as many as three starters in their secondary. Opposing receivers have been very productive against them, too. The Bills have allowed the fourth most points to WRs after playing the Jets, Panthers and Patriots. Brown is definitely a reach this week, but he could easily find the end zone for the third time in four games given the dearth of other quality targets Flacco has around him.
Dwayne Harris, Dal at SD
Miles Austin’s hamstring strikes again leaving Harris as the likely No. 3 receiver for the Cowboys if Austin is unable to go on Sunday. Rookie Terrence Williams will probably draw the start ahead of Harris and it was he who replaced Austin after he left last Sunday’s game. However, Harris outplayed the rookie and will probably continue to do so given his familiarity and understanding of the offense. Remember that Williams had a difficult time grasping the playbook and he’s still not performing at a consistently productive level. The Chargers have been a top 7 matchup for receivers so far with Nate Washington the latest to hang a 100-yard game on them after DeSean Jackson and Andre Johnson did previously.
Leonard Hankerson, Was at OAK
Hankerson continues to outplay Joshua Morgan and his snap count continues to grow on a weekly basis. He’s not the type to count on for week in and week out consistency, but he can be a productive receiver whose size makes him a solid red zone target and whose ability to make plays downfield makes him a viable boom/bust flex option against a Raiders defense that has allowed 90 or more yards to five different receivers in three games.
Emmanuel Sanders, PIT at MIN
Through three games, Sanders actually has one more target (30) than Antonio Brown has and the Vikings pass defense has been beaten soundly for big pass plays in all three games.
Mohamed Sanu, Cin at CLE
Sanu came close to breaking some big plays last week and he should benefit from Joe Haden shadowing A.J. Green this week. Other second receivers have been productive going against Buster Skrine and Chris Owens this year like Brian Hartline (9-114-1), Marlon Brown (4-45-1) and then they faced the Vikings who began working Cordarrelle Patterson (2-49-0) into the mix with Jerome Simpson (3-29-0). Sanu is more of a red zone, PPR style of play but for those of you in deeper leagues he’s worth a sniff as a flex option.
Tight Ends
Heath Miller, Pit at MIN
Miller returned to full practice a little over a week ago and he made his return to the field on Sunday against the Bears with three catches for 35 yards on four targets. He’s still a good week or two away, though, as he was on a snap count and he rotated in and out of the game. If you’re looking for a player with some upside who might even be available on waivers, Miller is your man. The Vikings have been the second friendliest matchup through three games having allowed 6 TDs to tight ends already and an average of six catches for 58 yards.
Coby Fleener, Ind at JAX
The Seahawks tight ends had a field day against the Jaguars this week as Russell Wilson connected with Zach Miller for two scores before Pete Carroll called off the dogs. Even the backups did well as rookie Luke Willson caught five balls for 76 yards and Kellen Davis produced two for 31 yards. Fleener only has two targets on Sunday after having eight in Week 2, but both came in the red zone. With Dwayne Allen out for the year, he’ll continue to be a top red zone target for Andrew Luck and he does lead the Colts for the season with 11 red zone targets.
Jordan Reed or Fred Davis, Was at OAK
The Redskins hope to have Reed and/or Davis healthy enough to play this week against a Raiders defense that has been beaten for a touchdown by a tight end in each of their first three games. Julius Thomas (3-37-1), Clay Harbor (3-34-1) and Dwayne Allen (1-20-1) all found the end zone against them. Reed was on the verge of supplanting Davis over the last two games until Davis rolled his ankle in last Friday’s practice and then Reed suffered a contusion to his quadriceps in Sunday’s game. It’s too early to tell if either player will be a go this Sunday. Davis obviously has talent, but hasn’t produced anything this year and he’s a free agent in waiting. Reed is not a top athlete, but he is capable of gobbling up targets like Brandon Myers or Aaron Hernandez did as a move tight end in this offense. Monitor their status. If either one plays, but the other doesn’t, then you might have something. Reed was on his way to a solid game on Sunday with 5-50-0 against the Lions in just over one half of action.
It’s not a great week for sleeper tight ends in shallow leagues with the bye taking Jermichael Finley and Greg Olsen out of the loop. Several others have tough matchups. For those of you in deeper leagues, take a look at Rob Housler, who is back in the lineup now that he’s healthy again. Housler was a popular sleeper during the summer, but his stock fell through the floor during the preseason. He faces a Bucs defense that allowed big numbers to Jimmy Graham and Kellen Winslow in the first two weeks. As a matter of fact, they’re the friendliest matchup for tight ends so far.
The Lions tight ends have fared well against the Bears in recent games between the two, but you can’t rely on Brandon Pettigrew at all. His hands can’t be trusted, but if you play in a basic scoring league then give Joseph Fauria a shot. Pettigrew probably won’t be back in a Lions uniform next year and Fauria has shown enough enough throughout the summer and early in the season for the coaches to trust him and begin playing him ahead of Pettigrew. He has two touchdowns in three games so far.
Defense/Special Teams
Kansas City vs. NY Giants
The Panthers pass rush overwhelmed the Giants on Sunday as Eli Manning was unable to set up in the pocket to take advantage of the Panthers decimated secondary. He was sacked seven times and the Giants committed three turnovers. Eli Manning’s protection concerns will continue this week playing in front of a noisy Kansas City crowd with Justin Houston, the league’s leader in sacks, Tamba Hali and Dontari Poe breathing down this neck. Eli also he leads the NFL with eight interceptions.
Tennessee vs. NY Jets
Geno Smith has thrown six picks and he has been sacked nine times with one lost fumble in his first three NFL games. By contracts, the Titans defense has three picks, nine sacks and they’ve allowed a total of 56 points in three games, two of which were on the road. The Titans defense is coordinated by Jerry Gray, but it’s ostensibly a defensive designed by Gregg Williams, which means an inordinate amount of blitzing.
Indianapolis at Jacksonville
The Jaguars have allowed a league-leading 15 sacks, have thrown four interceptions against only one touchdown and they remain without their top receiver Justin Blackmon for another week. Making matters worse is Blaine Gabbert’s expected return behind center. The Jaguars haven’t even been able to run the ball effectively either – averaging just 52 yards per game (third worst in the league). If only the Colts were healthier they’d be the streamer defense pick of the week, but even without Laron Landry and a few other banged up starters, the Colts should still have their way with this Jaguar team that hasn’t begun to find its offensive stride.
Tampa Bay vs. Arizona
The Bucs have recorded a ridiculous 12 sacks so far with four interceptions, while the Cardinals have allowed nine sacks and Carson Palmer has thrown four picks.Darrelle Revis will lockdown Larry Fitzgerald and his aching hamstring, leaving Palmer throwing to his favorite check down targets.
Another defense worth considering is New Orleans at home against the Miami Dolphins.Miami’s offensive line has allowed 14 sacks and they’ve turned over the football five times. As well as Ryan Tannehill has played, the Dolphins’ coaches want him to do a better job protecting the football and the noisy confines of the dome won’t help him any this week.
