Fantasy Sports Shack

Sleepers of the Week: Week 5

Posted: October 9, 2009

I’m sitting on the coast of Spain, gazing out over the Mediterranean on a clear, gorgeous afternoon.  I can see the Rock of Gibraltar and the distant shore of Africa.  It’s serene.  I have no internet access, yet back home, it’s football season, and I still need to get my Sleepers in, so I’m working on Microsoft Word, and later I’ll find a little café that has wireless and go to work.  Forgive me for the lack of links this week.  I’m on vacation!  Here are the picks for Week 5:

QUARTERBACK

Matt Cassel vs. Dallas – Projection: 19-32, 265 yards, 3 TD, 20 rushing yards
The Chiefs average just 246 ypg of total offense, but the Cowboys give up 256 ypg through the air.  If the O-line can stop the thus far mediocre Cowboys’ pass rush (6 sacks), Cassel could return to the form that got him his big contract.

Mark Sanchez @ Miami – Projection 18-28, 215 yards, 2 TD
The Dolphins give up on 61 ypg on the ground, so the Jets will be forced to throw at a Dophins defense that ranks 24th in the league against the pass (239 ypg).

RUNNING BACK

Jerome Harrison @ Buffalo – Projection: 13-60 rushing, 4-22 receiving, 1 TD
It appears Jamal Lewis will play, but Harrison should split time (50/50 or even 60/40), and should find wiggle room against a defense that allows 150 rushing ypg.  If Lewis doesn’t play, Harrison’s output will go up significantly.

Jonathan Stewart vs. Washington – Projection: 12-55 rushing, 2-14 receiving, 1 TD
Coming off the bye week, Carolina is going to go back to what they do best: run the football.  Both Stewart and DeAngelo Williams will see plenty of action in this one.

Beanie Wells vs. Houston – Projection: 8-50 rushing, 1-8 receiving, 1 TD
We’re still waiting for his coming out party, and so is he, as he’s been quoted of saying this week.  Against a horrible Texans’ run D (165 ypg), it may not be a party, but he could be worth a flex start, even in a shootout.

WIDE RECEIVER

Andre Caldwell @ Baltimore – Projection: 6-65, 1 TD
The Ravens give up 232 passing ypg, so Carson Palmer could do some damage.  Caldwell, second most catches on his team (16), is starting to make his name known.

Bobby Wade vs. Dallas – Projection: 5-60, 1 TD
If Cassel is going to awaken, so must his receivers.  Most likely, Dwayne Bowe is the guy who benefits most, but this could be a big week for the #2 receiver on the Chiefs’ depth chart.

Austin Collie @ Tennessee – Projection: 5-55, 1 TD
The talk has been about Pierre Garcon, and there’s no doubt about his abilities, but Collie is coming off a 6 reception game against Seattle, has more catches (12) than Garcon (10), and the Colts are up against one of the worst pass D’s in football.

TIGHT END

Sean Ryan vs. Dallas – Projection: 4-42, 1 TD
Ryan had a good week last week, and may be building a rapport with his quarterback; a good thing for a young guy on a team who just spent $63 million on a slinger.

KICKER

Olindo Mare vs. Jacksonville – Projection: 3-3 FG, 2 PAT (1 FG 40+)
As mentioned last week, the Seahawks offense is weak without Matt Hasselbeck – which makes me a bit of a hypocrite for picking Wallace – but they could pass their way to field goal range a few times.

DEFENSE

Carolina Panthers vs. Washington – Projection: 13 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 Int, 2 fumble recoveries
The Redskins average 14 ppg, and managed just 2 touchdowns against Detroit and 3 field goals against St. Louis.  The Panthers give up a league-worst 182 yards rushing, but if their offense controls the clock, they should run away with this one.

October 9, 2009 Posted by joshf28 | Sleepers | andre caldwell, austin collie, Beanie Wells, bobby wade, carolina, Carolina Panthers, d sleeper, defense sleeper, defense week 5, Jerome Harrison, jonathan stewart, k sleeper, kicker sleeper, kickers week 5, Mark Sanchez, Matt Cassel, Olindo Mare, panthers, qb sleeper, quarterback sleeper, quarterbacks week 5, rb sleeper, running back sleeper, running backs week 5, sean ryan, Sleepers, te sleeper, tight end sleeper, tight ends week 5, week 5 sleeper, wide receiver sleeper, wide receivers week 5, wr sleeper | 2 Comments