Fantasy Sports Shack

Sleepers of the Week: Week 8

Posted: October 30, 2009

This week, 4 of the league’s worst pass defenses are going head-to-head.  Jacksonville (31st) is at Tennessee (32nd), and St. Louis (25th) is visiting Detroit (30th).  Thus, there are a bunch of Jags, Titans, Rams and Lions spotlighted.  Of the 4 teams mentioned, David Garrard is the best play, but he’s owned in too many leagues to be considered a sleeper.  And no, Vince Young is not on the list.  Without further ado, here are the Sleepers for Week 8:

QUARTERBACK

Matthew Stafford vs. St. Louis – Projection: 22-35, 235 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int
Stafford is coming back from a knee injury that has kept him out since Week 4, but he’s practiced 4 straight days and it appears Calvin Johnson may be back, too.  The Rams give up 30 points and 250 passing yards/game.

Marc Bulger @ Detroit – Projection: 21-32, 225 yards, 2 TD
Let’s stay in Detroit for QB2.  I’ve had Bulger on here before, and he’s come close to proving me right.  This week will be Steven Jackson week in Detroit, but against a pass D that’s surrendered 17 TD in just 6 games, Bulger should be a safe bye-week play.

RUNNING BACK

Beanie Wells vs. Carolina – Projection: 14-63 rushing, 2-9 receiving, 1 TD
Beanie broke out in Week 7 for 77 total yards and a TD.  He had 11 more touches than Tim Hightower, and though Ken Whisenhunt says Hightower is still his starter, Beanie is a better runner, and Carolina, 1st vs. the pass, is 26th against the run.

LeSean McCoy vs. New York Giants – Projection: 13-51 rushing, 4-22 receiving, 1 TD
It’s looking like there’s a good chance Brian Westbrook will still be concussed for Sunday’s game against the Giants.  If that’s the case, McCoy will be the man, and could put up bigger numbers than projected, as the Giants struggle against slashing backs.

Justin Fargas @ San Diego – Projection: 16-60 rushing, 2-14 receiving
It pains me to pick Fargas because I publicly dissed him in my Bruno Boys column last week, he’s never fared well against San Diego and every Raider I spotlight lets me down.  Still, he’s getting most of his team’s RB touches, and McFadden‘s out again.

WIDE RECEIVER

Donnie Avery @ Detroit – Projection: 6-81, 1 TD
However quick and sporadic they may be, Avery has shown flashes of brilliance for St. Louis.  He’s battling some injuries at the moment, but if he plays, which he should, he should be the focal point of the Rams’ pass attack.

Earl Bennett vs. Cleveland – Projection: 4-58, 1 TD
Hester is the clear-cut number one receiver, Olsen will get his looks and Knox has seen slightly more targets, but the Bears are up against a very poor Cleveland defense on Sunday, and Bennett is due.

Mike Thomas @ Tennessee – Projection: 5-67
Thomas didn’t even see the field until Week 3.  In Week 4, against the Titans, he hauled in 5 balls for 31 yards, and in Week 6 he pulled down 7-52.  Sims-Walker and Torry Holt are the Jags’ top receiver options, but Thomas can’t be overlooked.

TIGHT END

Bo Scaife vs. Jacksonville – Projection: 5-57, 1 TD
With Vince Young taking over at QB, the Titan receivers are sure to suffer.  As mentioned in the opening, Jacksonville is 31st against the pass, but Young has never been able to get the ball downfield.  When Young used to start, Scaife was his go-to guy.

KICKER

Matt Prater @ Baltimore – Projection: 2 FG, 3 PAT (1 FG 40+)
The Broncos have come around a bit on offense, and Baltimore, though stout against the run, are surprisingly susceptible to the pass.  Two tough defenses could mean a low scoring game, but I envision 20-something for both sides.

DEFENSE

Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina – Projection: 16 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 Int
The Cards have one of the worst pass defenses in football, but they’re playing against the inept Jake Delhomme.  The Panthers are a good running team, but Arizona ranks #1 in rush D, and have allowed just 3 rushing TD in 6 games.

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