Week 9: Sleepers of the Week

If one of your normal starters is injured or facing a tough match-up, here are some players you might consider starting in their place. While these players may not be every week starters, they are good bets to perform well this week. Most of the players that will be listed are on fantasy rosters, but not normally starters.

QB Matt Hasselbeck, SEA

Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle Seahawks return home to take on the Detroit Lions in week nine. Hasselbeck is coming off a good fantasy game against the Dallas Cowboys in which he completed 22 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. This was the bounce back performance that fantasy owners were looking for following a poor game against the Arizona Cardinals the previous game. Hasselbeck should continue his good play this week against the struggling Lions defense. The Lions held Marc Bulger in check last week, but will have trouble stopping Hasselbeck in Seattle this week. Hasselbeck has formed a good connection with Nate Burleson and even got Deion Branch involved in the offense in week eight. Fantasy owners should get Matt Hasselbeck into their lineups and can expect more than 200 passing yards and one touchdown from the Seahawks' quarterback.

QB Alex Smith, SF

Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers return home to take on the Tennessee Titans in week nine. Smith had a decent game in week eight, throwing for 198 yards and one touchdown in a close loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He will look to build on this performance this week as the 49ers need to get back on the winning track if they hope to make a strong playoff run. Smith has formed a strong connection with Vernon Davis, and with Michael Crabtree continuing to learn the offense, Smith has two legitimate targets to throw to in the coming weeks. The Titans' pass defense shut down David Garrard in week eight, but had been poor in the previous weeks. While the Titans have gotten a few secondary players back from injury, I need to see it for more than one game to be sold on them as a top pass defense. Desperate fantasy owners can start Alex Smith and can expect 200 passing yards and one touchdown from the 49ers' starting quarterback.

RB Jamaal Charles, KC

Jamaal Charles and the Kansas City Chiefs travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars in week nine. Charles will get the start in the Chiefs backfield this week with Larry Johnson suspended from the team. Charles has a great opportunity to win the starting job going forward if he can outperform what Johnson has done so far this season. I expect Charles to make the most of his opportunity and have a good game against the struggling Jaguars run defense. The Jaguars allowed more than 200 rushing yards to Chris Johnson in week eight, and while Jamaal Charles is not the player that Chris Johnson is, he can still exploit the Jaguars defense this week. Charles will also help the Chiefs in the passing game, making him an even better start in point per reception leagues. Fantasy owners can start Jamaal Charles and can expect 80 total yards and one touchdown in week nine.

RB Ryan Moats, HOU

Ryan Moats and the Houston Texans travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in week nine. Moats came out of nowhere and produced a tremendous game in week eight after being inserted into the game following a Steve Slaton fumble. Moats ran the ball 23 times for 126 yards and three touchdowns, and added two receptions for 25 yards through the air. It is unclear as to how the Texans will use their three running backs going forward, but it is clear that Moats has earned at least a share of the carries following his week eight performance. Moats should be claimed in all leagues, and has a chance to have some major value for the remainder of the season if the Texans choose to ride the hot hand. Fantasy owners in need of a flex play can start Moats and can expect 70 total yards and a touchdown in week nine.

RB Chris Wells, ARI

Beanie Wells and the Arizona Cardinals travel to Chicago to take on the Bears in week nine. Wells did not have an overwhelming performance in week eight against the Panthers, rushing for only 47 yards on eight carries. The Cardinals got down early and were forced to pass for most of the second half last week, taking Wells out of the game for a large portion of the second half. The Cardinals should look to establish the run to a greater degree this week, making Wells a stronger play as a flex option. The promising part of Wells' week eight performance was that he received the same amount of carries as Tim Hightower, and ran for a higher average on his eight carries. While the carries will likely be split, fantasy owners can start Beanie Wells as a flex option in week nine and can expect 70 total yards and one touchdown from the Cardinals' rookie running back.