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
Robert Griffin III III, Was vs. SD
After a disappointing week against the Broncos where, at worst, he was expected to clean up in garbage time, Griffin’s day was cut short with what appeared to be a knee injury. He appears to be ok, though, and this week he has another soft matchup against a Charger defense allowing the fifth most points to quarterbacks, a pass rating against of 102.5 and a pass completion rate of 67.8%. The Chargers have intercepted only three passes all season while allowing 10 TDs and 294 yards per game. Griffin has topped 20 points just three times in seven games, so look for number four to come in this spot.
Terrelle Pryor, OAK vs. Phi
If it weren’t for a concussion that forced Pryor to sit out week 4, he would likely rank around the top 10 or so year to date. His 11 points in week 2 are the low point of the season, while all other games he has finished with 18 to 24 points. This week, he faces an Eagles defense that has allowed the ninth most points, sacked the quarterback only 16 times and just traded their starting nose tackle at the deadline.
Alex Smith, KC at BUF
Smith isn’t much of an upside play, but he’s been consistently productive with five out of eight games over 19 fantasy points and an average of over 30 rushing yards per game as a bonus. This week, he draws a Bills defense allowing the fourth most points and the most plays of 40+ yards in the league (12). The long ball is obviously not Smith’s forte, but there’s a very good chance that he’ll top 240 yards and 2 TDs as the Bills have allowed the most TDs passes in the league (20).
Ryan Tannehill, Mia vs. Cin
Tannehill is getting sacked at an alarming rate, but he is one tough hombre. Tannehill has been as consistent as they come, scoring between 17 and 20 points every week with at least 192+ yards and 1 or more touchdowns in every single game. The Bengals lost their top corner Leon Hall to a season-ending Achilles injury and they’ve simply not played as well on the road as they have at home. In their four road games, they’ve allowed 9 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD, 1 interception and an average of 271 yards per game.
Case Keenum, Hou vs. Ind
Considering that Keenum faced the Chiefs in one of the most hostile road environments in the NFL, it can only get easier this week against a Colts defense allowing the fifth most points to quarterbacks over the last four weeks. The Colts have been tough against Colin Kaepernick and Philip Rivers, but Terrelle Pryor, Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson all fared well. Keenum threw for 271 yards and a TD in Kansas City, but with a wounded ground game Keenum might need to throw the ball more this week making him a decent reach in deeper leagues.
Running Backs
Ryan Mathews, SDat WAS
Mathews only took five weeks to warm up this year, but once he got rolling – wow. He has back to back 100-yard games while scoring his first TD of the year in their last game. They weren’t the toughest matchups, but neither is this week’s tilt against a Washington defense allowing third most points to RBs. They’ve allowed 123 YPG, 4.4 YPA and 10 rushing TDs – 2nd most in the league. Mathews has rebounded strongly at this point from a risky flex to a strong RB2 this week knowing that Danny Woodhead will also get 10 to 15 touches and carry RB2/flex appeal in PPR leagues averaging about 6 catches a game.
Giovani Bernard, Cin at MIA
The Dolphins have allowed five rushing touchdowns in their last four games and three of the last four also caught 4 or more passes against them. An opposing RB has scored at least 14 points against the Dolphins in every single game but the first one of the year. They’ve allowed the fourth most points to RBs this year and the second most in the last four weeks. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is worth a shot in TD-heavy leaguessince the chances of him crossing the goal line this week are much better, while Bernard is also just as likely to score, catch a half dozen passes and combine for even more yards.
Zac Stacy / Daryl Richardson, STL vs. Ten
Stacy is coming off a sprained ankle suffered in his Monday night thrashing of a very good Seahawks run defense. Stacy’s style was just what Jeff Fisher’s offense needed, but he has a short week to get ready and it’s quite possible that he won’t be ready, leaving Daryl Richardson potentially to start against the Titans 24th ranked run defense allowing the 7th most points to RBs and fourth most over the last four weeks. Three straight backs have topped 20 points and four straight have topped 100 yardsagainst them. Richardson doesn’t have nearly as much upside as Stacy does, but it’s a solid matchup and he’s still a worthy flex/low-RB2 if Stacy is inactive.
Shonn Greene, Ten at StL
Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak said that Greene could be in the 15 carry range “if all goes well”. Well, Greene and Chris Johnson have a good matchup against a Rams defense allowing the sixth most points – 26 carries, 109 yards and 0.9 TDs per game - to running backs. They turned in a solid performance against Marshawn Lynch on Monday night, but they’ve given up huge yards to other backs like Frank Gore, DeMarco Murray and Arian Foster and four different backups have found the end zone.
Joseph Randle, DAL vs. Min
According to the Cowboys, DeMarco Murray could’ve played last week. If, for some reason, he isn’t back in the fold on Sunday then keep Randle on speed dial as a fill-in with strong RB2 value/upside. The Vikings have allowed the fifth most points to RBs. Last week, fellow rookie Eddie Lacy banged out 112 yards and a TD. Even Peyton Hillis produced 81 yards, 5 catches and a TD against them fresh off the street as a free agent. If Murray goes, he’s obviously a strong RB2 option, but the same can be said for Randle in his stead.
Bilal Powell, NYJ vs. NO
Unless the Jets keep this game close, or play with a lead, Chris Ivory won’t have much of an impact against his former teammates. Ivory has no role in the passing game, so look for Powell to see more touches for the second week in a row since Ivory’s monster 33-carry game. Even so, Powell’s unlikely to be anything more than desperation flex in PPR leagues.
Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen, SD at Was
After catching just three balls in the first two games, Allen’s rookie season has taken off with an average of 8 catches for 92 yards with 2 TDs in his last four games. He comes into this week’s matchup against Washington defense allowing the fourth most points as WR39 year-to-date. Eleven different receivers have produced 75 yards or scored against Washington.With Philip Rivers rejuvenated and playing great football, Allen’s strong performances should continue this week and probably for the rest of the season as a WR2/WR3. At this point, Allen is undoubtedly the Chargers #1 receiver, so anything less than 6 catches, 80 yards and a touchdown would be a disappointment.
DeAndre Hopkins, Hou vs. Ind
Having just played the Broncos, it’s no surprise that the Colts have allowed the third most points to WRs over the last four weeks, but they have been a friendly matchup as seven different receivers in their last three games have produced eight or more points. Case Keenum proved to be competent in his debut and he even helped Hopkins rebound from his month-long slump with a 3-76-1 afternoon. As a solid WR4 and a big bye week upon us, Hopkins is nice to have as a WR3 for depth and upside.
Jarrett Boykin, GB vs. Chi
Boykin has thrived in his first two (plus) games since Randall Cobb succumbed to injury. He has been targeted 22 times in three games with 13 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown in the last two weeks. With James Jones and Jermichael Finley sidelined, Boykin is firmly on the WR2/WR3 radar working against a suddenly average Bears defense, thanks to several injuries, that has allowed 34 completions of 20 yards this year – 2nd most in the league. Even if Jones returns, Boykin remains a WR3 and a player that you’ll want to ride until Cobb returns to the lineup.
Kendall Wright, Ten at StL
Wright has been a target machine for the Titans and he consistently produces 50+ yards, but he lacks a 100-yard game and he has only 1 TD to his credit. He faces a Rams secondary that has surrendered double digit fantasy production to seven out of their eight opponents’ top receivers this year and the 11th most points to opposing WRs. Wright is that guy for the Titans and I think he’s good for 10 targets, 6+ catches, 75+ yards and a TD if you’re lucky. While we’re talking Wright, it’s also worth mentioning Nate Washington as a decent what the heck flex play.
Marvin Jones, Cin at Mia
Last week's breakout star for the Bengals has an opportunity to be an every-down player on Thusday night against the Dolphins with Mohamed Sanu likely inactive. ESPN's Bob Holtzman stated on NFL Insiders that his guess is that Sanu won't play. Andrew Hawkins was activated off injured reserve (short-term list) and he'll probably move right back into the slot where he has performed well in the past. The Dolphins are a tough matchup, allowing among the fewest points to opposing receivers, but we've seen Jones thrive on limited snaps this year so he is probably worth a reach as a flex / low WR3 option given the number of players injured or on the bye this week.
Rod Streater, Oak vs. Phi
For deeper league flyers, Streator’s worth a sniff as he has consistently caught 3-to-4 passes a game this year and he goes up against an Eagles defense allowing the second most points to receivers. Streator lacks a real breakout game – his best one in all categories was Week 1 with 5-70-0 on eight targets. It also doesn’t help that the Raiders don’t throw a lot, but nine different receivers have topped 100 yards or caught multiple touchdowns against them already this year. If nothing else, it’s a breakout week in the making for Denarius Moore.
Doug Baldwin / Golden Tate, Sea at TB
With Sidney Rice (torn ACL) landing on injured reserve and out for the year, it seem natural that Golden Tate would become the lucky one to draw coverage from Darrelle Revis in this week's game, but that might not necessarilybe the case. Rice lined up on the right side, where Revis typically does, and Doug Baldwin is the directly behind Rice on the depth chart. The Bucs have played more zone, leaving Revis on his side, and not having him shadow the opponent's best receiver, but Greg Schiano has made comments that their approach could change in that regard. Plus, Baldwin works best out of the slot and it's possible that we could see someone like Jermaine Kearse move into the lineup on the outside, keeping Baldwin where he's been most productive. If that's the case, whoever lines up against rookie Johnthan Banks could have a very productive game. Banks has been beaten several times over the last few games by the likes of Harry Douglas (7-149-1) and Riley Cooper (4-120-1), among others. I'd probably stick with Tate as a low WR3/flex and consider using Baldwin as a flex option with considerable upside this week.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Min at DAL
His speed and playmaking ability have been there since day one. We see it on his returns like the one he took from the back of the end zone on Sunday night. When you make plays like that, you tend to get the ball a little more going forward. There are signs that his role is growing, slowly if not surely, but he hasn’t produced beyond 2 or 3 catches a game yet. He along with teammatesGreg Jennings and Jerome Simpson are a prime candidates for big plays this week against a shell-shocked Cowboy secondary that has allowed the 9th most points to receivers, 34 pass plays of 20+ yards and well over 300 yards per game.
Ted Ginn Jr, CAR vs. Atl
Ginn hasn’t been targeted frequently this year, but as the Panthers third receiver, he is making the most of them averaging 17.8 yards per catch. He has four games of 8 points or more out of seven. If you’re looking for a deep league sleeper and don’t want to go for a boring option like Streator, then Ginn might be your Huckleberry. Six different receivers in the last four weeks have caught TDs or went over 100 yards against the Falcons, who have allowed the third most points to receivers this year. Ginn is more of a boom/bust play between him and teammate Brandon LaFell’s chances of doing something. Ginn seems to have good rapport with Cam Newton and when he gets the ball in the open field it’s usually good night.
Other what-the-heck plays out there for deeper leagues are Donnie Avery and Dexter McCluster, who face a Bills defense allowing the most points and big plays to opposing receivers. Kenny Stills broke loose twice last week and he stands to do the same thing on Sunday if he gets a chance to pair up with Jets struggling rookie corner Dee Milliner. Just ask Marvin Jones. Leonard Hankerson faces a Charger secondary allowing the fifth most points (Hello: Mike Brown!). Drew Davis and Tiquan Underwood are deep reaches this week as No. 2 receivers in their pass-happy offenses, but neither one have a good matchup against the Panthers and Seahawks respectively.
Tight Ends
Greg Olsen, Car vs. Atl
Olsen’s numbers are down a bit in the first half of the season and he has just four targets in each of the Panthers’ last three games, but he has been consistent with 50+ yards in each of the first four games and 5+ points in five of seven games. This week, he draws a battered Falcons defense that has had trouble against tight ends in the red zone. Kellen Winslow Jr, Matthew Mulligan and Dion Sims all have 1-yard touchdowns against them. With Cam Newton starting to roll, Olsen should rebound from his current spot at TE12 back into the mid-TE1 ranks starting this week.
Jared Cook, Stl vs. Ten
This week, Cook faces the team that drafted him, held him captive to fantasy owners and then ultimately let him walk as a free agent during the offseason. The Titans are allowing the 10th most points to tight ends as four of the last five starters topped 50 yards and eight different ones finished with 48 or more yards or scoredagainst them. Cook has checks in this week just outside the top 12fantasy tight ends but he hasn’t topped 45 yards since the season opener when he exploded for 7-141-2 against Arizona. Whether he’s in a Titans or Rams uniform, Cook remains a talented, but enigmatic fantasy tight end with loads of upside but far too little consistency.
Kyle Rudolph, Min at Dal
The Cowboys have allowed the fifth most points to tight ends and the 2nd most over the last five weeks. The baseline for tight end production against Dallas is about 35 yards (Sean McGrath, Zach Ertz and Brandon Pettigrew), while Jared Cook (5-44-0) and Jordan Reed (4-58-0) appear to be better comparisons. Rudolph is another disappointment from the preseason, and it’s anyone’s guess who will be their quarterback this week, but that hasn’t hurt Rudolphas his production climbed over the last three weeks with three different starting quarterbacks with 24 targets for 16 catches, 175 yards and 1 TD.
Tyler Eifert / Jermaine Gresham, Cin at Mia
If the Bengals only had one productive tight end then maybe he would be among the top 5 or 10 in the league, but Eifert and Gresham are both talented players that have so far split their production almost down the middle, checking in as TE23 and TE24 going into Week 9. This week, we don’t expect Marvin Jones to catch four touchdown passes again, although Gresham did manage to catch one of Andy Dalton’s five touchdowns against the Jets. They face a Dolphins defense that is having difficulty with tight ends allowing the second most points. They’ve held Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler in check the last two weeks, but four of the last five went for 50+ yards or scored, in fact, three of them did both. It’s hard to start either player outside of deep leagues, but with another big bye week upon, these two could be worth a flyer.
Andrew Quarless, GB vs. Chi
Quarless was never really expected to replace Jermichael Finley’s shoes for fantasy owners, but he remains an interesting play in a heavy bye week like this week. Quarless also faces a Bears defense decimated by injuries and struggling against tight ends. Save for the Giants in Week 6, the other six opposing tight ends all finished with 42 yards or more yards while averaging 6 catches per game. Quarless caught his only two targets in his debut as the Packers starting tight end, but look for him to see a few more targets this week to make a decent back-end sleeper for deep league owners.
Defense/Special Teams
New Orleans at NY Jets
The Jets continue to struggle protecting rookie quarterback Geno Smith as he has been sacked 20 times in the last five games and four or more times in six of their eight games. They’ve also been intercepted 13 times and have allowed four defensive touchdowns in their last five games. Under Rob Ryan the Saints defense has improved greatly since last year with 24 sacks and 15 turnovers forced. They should be among the top plays this week even if they are on the road.
Cincinnati at Miami
The Dolphins have allowed 32 sacks already this season and they’ve committed three or more turnover in three of their last four games. The Bengals are without top corner Leon Hall, but their front seven remains very physical and capable of bringing the heat to Ryan Tannehill. They haven’t played as well away from home, but they should be able to rack up enough sacks to be a solid fantasy play with potential for turnovers and big plays.
Tennessee at St. Louis
Kellen Clemens didn’t look very good on Monday night against the Seahawks. He was only sacked three times, but his throws were wild and inaccurate at times leading to a pair of interceptions. The Titans defense should generate enough pressure to force Clemens into some bad decisions, or at least some ill-advised throws. If Zac Stacy is unable to go, the Titans defense will be looking even better.
There are a several other defenses facing backup quarterbacks (and therefore better than average matchups) including Dallas (vs. Minnesota), Indianapolis (at Houston), Green Bay (vs. Chicago) andOakland (vs. Philadelphia). All four are worth a look as streamer options with upside.
