Week 5: Super Sleepers

We're not going to beat around the bush; the Jets offense has looked horrible this year and no more so than last weekend's game against the 49ers. Not only did they fail to score a point on offense, defense, nor special teams, but they lost their number one receiver --Santonio Holmes-- to a foot injury. Just how long they'll be without his services is still unknown, but it sounds like Holmes could miss a month or more. In addition to the loss of Holmes, rookie Stephen Hill is still recovering from a week one hamstring injury which could keep him out of the lineup for an additional week or two. This leaves the Jets receiving corp with Kerley and Chaz Schilens as the starters. With the Jets hosting Houston on Monday night, there's a good chance New York will be playing from behind for most (if not all) of the game. This means they'll have to air it out to catch up and someone has to be there to make the receptions. Even though the Jets offense has struggled, we have a hard time believing they will be shut out two weeks in a row. If you're looking to fill a bye week gap, a starting receiver on a struggling team is uaually a better option than a third receiver in a good offense.

With four teams on a bye, many fantasy owners will find themselves scouring the waiver wire looking for a quality one week stop gap. One such player who is available in nearly 80% of fantasy leagues is Marcedes Lewis. Sure the Jags offense is struggling and the passing game is ranked 31st, but we all know they'll have to throw the ball to keep up with the Bears this Sunday; if you're going to start a Jags receiver, it may as well be Lewis. Through the first 4 games of the season Lewis has caught all 9 balls thrown his direction, with two going for touchdowns. This doesn't sound all that great, but considering Lewis missed a week (and 8 of those 9 receptions came in the Jags' two losses he was on the field for), these numbers don't look so bad. In addition, the Bears' run defense has been solid this season allowing less than 68 yards per game on the ground this year, so one has to believe Jacksonville will need to air it out a little more than usual. Lewis may not be the greatest play of the week, but his availability in most leagues makes him a nice option for owners looking to fill a bye week gap.