Fantasy Sports Shack

Posted: November 12, 2009

Week 10.  The final bye week of the 2009 season.  Next week starts the stretch run toward the fantasy football playoffs.  Here are the Sleepers for Week 10 who could help keep you in contention:

QUARTERBACK

Mark Sanchez (New York Jets) vs. Jacksonville – Projection: 17-31, 210 yards, 2 TD
I’ve spotlighted Sanchez in the past, and he’s tended to let me down, but this week, against a 26th ranked Jags’ pass D, I have a hunch Mr. GQ is due.  He won’t singlehandedly win you the week, but he’s a viable fill-in for Schaub or Eli Manning.

Chad Henne (Miami) vs. Tampa Bay – Projection: 16-26, 195 yards, 2 TD, 1 Int
Henne has a good match-up against a Bucs‘ defense that has given up the 3rd most touchdowns in the league to opposing passers (18), but have also snatched 11 picks.

RUNNING BACK

Jamaal Charles (Kansas City) @ Oakland – Projection: 12-62 rushing, 4-22 receiving, 1 TD
The Raiders‘ 27th ranked Swiss cheese defense surrenders 161 ypg to opposing rushers, and has given up a league high 13 rushing touchdowns.  Charles could explode on any play, and should have a big day, despite sharing touches with Kolby Smith.

Mike Bell (New Orleans) @ St. Louis – Projection: 12-52 rushing, 1 TD
The Saints‘ RB1 is Pierre Thomas, and he’s a top-notch RB2 in the fantasy world.  It’s the match-up that dictates this pick, as the Saints will likely be up big early, and in second half garbage time, Bell could come in for clean-up duty.

Ladell Betts (Washington) vs. Denver – Projection: 17-59 rushing, 2-19 receiving
For the record, I hate this pick.  Betts is old, has a mild ankle sprain, averages 3.5 ypc over the past 3 years, has scored 1 TD in each of those seasons and already has his 1 for ‘09.  Still, he could see 20 touches against a tough Broncos defense.

WIDE RECEIVER

Earl Bennett (Chicago) @ San Francisco – Projection: 4-56 receiving, 1 TD
Coming off his best game of the year (11 targets, 7 catches, 93 yards), Bennett is finally showing signs of why he was considered a preseason sleeper darling.  He’s still looking for his first score, and I’m betting it’s in this week’s Thursday night special.

Andre Caldwell (Cincinnati) @ Pittsburgh – Projection: 4-45 receiving, 1 TD
With Chris Henry’s season-ending injury, Caldwell’s targets should increase slightly, and his reception totals should go up accordingly.  He has 3 scores on the season; 2 against Baltimore, the other against the Steelers.

Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) vs. Cincinnati – Projection: 3-55 receiving
I don’t know why Wallace is owned in less than 50% of Yahoo! Public Leagues and fewer than 20% of ESPN leagues, especially after his Monday night performance.  He’s a lock for at least 50 yards, and could score for the 3rd straight week.

TIGHT END

Brandon Pettigrew (Detroit) @ Minnesota – Projection: 6-72 receiving
The Vikings will be hanging all over whichever Lions QB starts (Matthew Stafford or Daunte Culpepper), and Pettigrew is sure to see several dump-offs.  One of those could result in a TD, if the Lions get that deep into Viking territory.

KICKER

Sebastian Janikowski (Oakland) vs. Kansas City – Projection: 2 FG, 2 PAT (1 FG 40+)
This is a battle of two terrible defenses and two lowly offenses.  The winner?  Both teams’ kickers, who could put up very similar lines.  I’ll take my chances on Janikowski (for leagues that give bonuses for long distance kicks).

DEFENSE

Tennessee Titans vs. Buffalo – Projection: 17 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 Int
The entire Tennessee team has newfound life since their bye and the insertion of Vince Young into the starting lineup.  Their defense isn’t as bad as the rankings would suggest (32nd pass, 18th rush), and Buffalo’s offense is plain dismal.