Week 5: Super Sleepers
There's a reason we call these guys super sleepers. Often times they are filling in for a starter or we believe they'll get enough touches in garbage time to make them fantasy worthy. These guys aren't going to carry your team to the playoffs, but they could come in handy during a bye week or to fill a gap due to injury. If you're looking for someone then check these guys out. A good number of these guys are still available in many leagues.
QB Andy Dalton, CIN
Through the first four weeks of the season, Dalton and the Bengals are averaging 28 points a week. Over the past three weeks Dalton has thrown 8 touchdown passes, accounting for nearly 75% of that average. When a guy is playing well you need to ride him until he breaks. Luckily for Dalton owners, that week will not be this Sunday when the Bengals host Miami. This is the same Dolphins secondary which just allowed Arizona's Kevin Kolb to throw for 324 yards and three touchdowns last weekend. On the other side of the ball, Miami has been solid and if Cincinnati has trouble running the ball that means plenty of opportunities for Dalton. I don't know if you'll find a better matchup than Andy against the Dolphins secondary this Sunday.
QB Christian Ponder, MIN
Don't look now, but Ponder and the Vikings are 3-1 on the season. One could argue the Vikings' loss week 2 to Indy was a bad loss, but Minnesota followed up in weeks 3 and 4 with wins over the 49ers and Lions -- two of the NFC's big dogs. A big reason the Vikings have been successful this season is Christian Ponder. Through four games he has just 4 touchdowns, but those came in weeks 2 and 3 giving him two multi touchdown games. This weekend the Vikings will host a Titans defense which just held Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to 202 yards last weekend, but he threw 2 touchdowns and at no point were the Texans trailing. The Titans secondary is one of three to allow double digit touchdowns through the first four games. In addition, opposing quarterbacks have a 118.3 passer rating against Tennessee this season. After not throwing a touchdown last weekend, Ponder is due for a couple this Sunday. If you're looking for a starting quarterback with a good matchup this weekend then look no further than Christian Ponder.
RB Jackie Battle, ---
RB Ben Tate, HOU
WR Domenik Hixon, CAR
There was a lot to like about Domenik Hixon last Sunday when the Giants faced off against the Eagles. Hixon stepped in for the injured Hakeem Nicks to lead Giants receivers with 6 receptions on 11 targets for 114 yards. Not only did Domenik's stat line look like Nicks', but Domenik himself looked like Nicks on the field as he made many of the back shoulder catches we see Hakeem making week in and week out. This Sunday the Giants head home to host the Browns and their 28th ranked pass defense. If Nicks continues to miss time, there is no reason fantasy owners shouldn't start Hixon.
