Week 15: 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 Andy Dalton, PHI
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Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams in week 15. Dalton is enjoying an excellent rookie season, and is coming off a decent game against the Houston Texans. Dalton threw for 189 yards and a touchdown in a last second loss to the Texans last week, but should have more success against a weak Rams secondary this week. Dalton and AJ Green have formed a great connection in their rookie seasons, and they should be able to find the endzone again in St. Louis. Andy has thrown for at least one touchdown in all but one game this season, and has not thrown an interception over the last three games. Fantasy owners should view Dalton as a low end QB 1 or a high end QB 2 in two quarterback leagues; and you can expect him to throw for 200 yards and at least one touchdown this week.
QB Rex Grossman, ---
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Rex Grossman and the Washington Redskins travel to New York to take on the Giants in week 15. Grossman is coming off a good game against the New England Patriots in which he threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns. Grossman has now thrown for two touchdowns in three of his previous four games. He has another good match-up this week against a Giants secondary that was torched by the Cowboys' passing attack in week 14, and ranks 28th against the pass on the season. The Redskins have been giving Grossman every opportunity to put up good stats, as he has thrown the ball at least 32 times in each of the last five games. Grossman is currently owned in only 38 percent of fantasy leagues, but should be claimed in this good match-up. Fantasy owners can start Rex Grossman this week and can expect him to throw for 225 yards and at least one touchdown.
QB Carson Palmer, ---
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Carson Palmer and the Oakland Raiders return home to take on the Detroit Lions in week 15. Palmer is coming off an awful game against the Green Bay Packers in which he was intercepted four times and threw his only touchdown in garbage time of a 46-16 blowout loss. Palmer should bounce back this week in what could be another high scoring game against the Lions. The Lions offense should be able to put up points against the Raiders defense, making it necessary for the Raiders to put the ball in the air at least 35 times. Palmer is unlikely to get Darren McFadden back this week, but could get Denarius Moore and/or Jacoby Ford back, giving him at least one more playmaker in the passing game. With Palmer throwing the ball at least 37 times in each of the last three games, he is getting the opportunity to put up good number for fantasy owners; this week should be no different. Fantasy owners can expect Carson Palmer to throw for at least 225 yards and one touchdown this week.
RB Ryan Grant, ---
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Ryan Grant and the undefeated Green Bay Packers travel to Kansas City for a game against the Chiefs in week 15. Grant is coming off by far his best game of the season, in which he ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns on only eight carries. Grant also added one reception for 13 yards. With James Starks injured, Grant was given the majority of the carries early in the game, and showed that he still has some gas left in the tank. Starks is likely to be listed as questionable for this week's game, but even if he plays he will not be at full speed, making it likely that Grant will be the Packers' starter again this week. Grant has a good match-up this week against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that ranks 25th in the league against the run. If the first 13 games of the season are any indication of what is to come, the Packers could jump out to a big early lead, giving Grant the chance to run the ball late in the game. Fantasy owners can count on Grant being a RB 2 this week, especially if James Starks misses the game, and can expect 75 total yards and a touchdown.
RB Brandon Jacobs, ---
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Brandon Jacobs and the New York Giants return home to take on the Washington Redskins in week 15. Jacobs is coming off his first 100 yard rushing game of the season, and also added two touchdown scores against the Dallas Cowboys. Jacobs took advantage of Ahmad Bradshaw being sat out for the first half of the game, and continued his good play once Bradshaw returned in the second half. Jacobs has now scored a touchdown in three straight games, and should be able to find the endzone again this week. He should carry the ball at least ten times; and if he gets off to a hot start, the Giants could ride him throughout the game. The Redskins' run defense is a middle of the pack unit, allowing 113 yards per game this season. Fantasy owners can start Brandon Jacobs as a Flex play and can expect at least 60 yards and a touchdown.
RB Keiland Williams, ---
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Keiland Williams and the Detroit Lions travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders in week 15. Williams got an opportunity to play a major role for the Lions in week 14, rushing for 43 yards on 12 carries while also adding two receptions for 17 yards. With Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris both missing from the lineup, Williams showed that he can be an adequate fill-in for the Lions. Smith and Morris will likely both be listed as questionable for this week's game, making Williams a good pickup for teams desperate for a Flex option. Fantasy owners should watch the injury situations, and if Williams gets the start, he should be able to record at least 70 yards and a touchdown.
WR Donald Driver, ---
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Donald Driver and the Green Bay Packers travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in week 15. Driver has been fazed out as a major part of the Packers' offense this season, but could be given a bigger role for the remainder of the regular season following an injury to Greg Jennings. Jennings will miss the rest of the regular season, making Driver an interesting sleeper for the next three games. Driver caught a season high four passes for 75 yards in week 14, and should be able to at least match those number this week against Kansas City. The Packers will be able to throw the ball as usual, and with Aaron Rodgers spreading the ball around, there should be enough catches to go around for Driver to make a fantasy impact as a WR 3 or Flex play. Fantasy owners can expect 75 yards and a touchdown from the 36 year old wide receiver.