Sleepers of the Week: Week 15
Posted: December 17, 2009
It’s getting down to the wire in the fantasy football world, and this is the time when major questions arise. “Do I play LaDainian Tomlinson, or do I take a chance on Quinton Ganther?” That was one of the questions from Week 14, and if you were one of the brave who stuck Ganther in the lineup, you were rewarded. This week is no different. Match-ups will trump names in some cases, but one thing is for certain, always play your best guys. Sorry, Mr. Tomlinson, you are no longer consider one of the “best guys”. Here are some names who could help you survive to Week 16:
Chris Jennings, RB, Cleveland Browns
Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Projection: 22 touches, 104 yards, 1 TD
The Chiefs have been awful against the run all season, allowing 148.1 yards and 1 TD per game, and over the past two weeks (against Buffalo and Denver), they’ve been even more miserable, surrendering over 200 yards in each, including a 245-yard, 2 TD thrashing by the Broncos. Jennings accumulated 73 yards and a touchdown against the toughest run defense in the league in the Pittsburgh Steelers, so to think the Chiefs are going to bottle him up is a bit of a joke. Joshua Cribbs is going to get a few added carries this week, but with a feeble passing attack, the Browns will keep the ball on the ground throughout.
Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
Opponent: St. Louis Rams
Projection: 20 touches, 96 yards, 1 TD
When and if Foster is handed the starting job, as Quinton Ganther was last week, he will become an immediate great start. He’s an unknown commodity, but he has the size (6’1″, 216 lbs) and ability to put up big numbers against a Rams’ defense that surrenders 147.2 ypg to opposing backs, and has allowed 19 rushing touchdowns on the season. At the very least, if Ryan Moats is given one more chance to hold onto the ball (and not fumble), Foster could see the goal line carries.
Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Opponent: Cleveland Browns
Projection: 8 targets, 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD
Dwayne Bowe will return this weekend from his four-game suspension, and though it may take him a week or two to get back to game speed, coverage will roll to his side, leaving Chambers in man-to-man for most of the day. Against an already weak Cleveland secondary that surrenders 238 ypg through the air and has given up 18 passing scores against only 6 interceptions, the match-up bodes well for Chambers and the Chiefs. Also, the fact that Jamaal Charles will likely be reeling off big chunks of yardage on the ground will only mean the Browns will have to, at times, put eight men in the box to try and stop the run.
Jason Campbell, QB, Washington Redskins
Opponent: New York Giants
Projection: 22-34, 262 yards, 2 TD
Campbell has been rolling of late. Over the past four games, the Redskin slinger is averaging 269 ypg, and has thrown 7 touchdown to only 3 interceptions. The Giants’ secondary looked so bad against Philadelphia last week, they could have thrown a 12th man on the field and still gotten torched. Expect the trends on both sides to continue.
Houston Texans D/ST
Opponent: St. Louis Rams
Projection: 13 points allowed, 3 sacks, 1 Int, 1 fumble recovery
The Texans dominated the Seattle Seahawks in Week 14 to the tune of 7 points allowed, 3 sacks and an interception. This week, against an even more inept offense in the St. Louis Rams, the Texans D has a chance to once again play the bully. It’s extremely likely Houston gets up big early, thus eliminating much of the Steven Jackson threat — the only threat on the Rams’ offense.
Other Must Deploys for Week 15:
Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City vs. Cleveland Browns
Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders
Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals @ Detroit Lions
Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For more insight, check out brunoboys.net and Fasulo’s Forecaster: Week 15.
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