If you are still alive in week 14, chances are you made the playoffs. For those of you whose regular season ends this week, you may still need a win to make it. However risky it may be to start a sleeper, if you are in need of a weekly flier, one of these guys can surely help!
Quarterback
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks.
Now chances are after a great come from behind performance against the tough Bears D that Wilson is off the waiver wire. Well if you are the owner that got him, or he is still available you may consider starting the rookie this week. Wilson finished 23 of 37 for 293 yards and two passing touchdowns. His best value comes with his legs, as he added nine carries for 71 yards. This week he has a better match up going against the Cardinals. While the Cardinals defense has looked good all year, it is not as tough as the Bears. Wilson has been very impressive over the past 3 weeks, posting over 18 fantasy points in 6 point passing touchdown leagues. This week expect around 16-18 fantasy points.
Other Sleepers: Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Sam Bradford, Brandon Weeden.
Running Back
Vick Ballard, Indianapolis Colts.
Ballard is another one of these guys that is likely off the waiver wire, but has not found a home in fantasy owners starting lineups. This is a great week to start him. He goes against the Titans, who rank 27th against the run allowing 129 rushing yards per game. They have also allowed 11 rushing touchdowns so far this season. Ballard is coming off a game where he scored his first rushing touchdown of the season. He has played well as of late and his confidence has to be rising. That along with the fact that Donald Brown hurt his ankle last week all shape up to a good game for Ballard. Expect around 17-84 this week, with touchdown potential. Ballard should also add around 3-28 in the receiving game. Big game potential is written all over this match up.
Other Sleepers: Joique Bell, Bilal Powell, Mark Ingram.
Wide Receiver
Chris Givens, St. Louis Rams.
Givens has been playing his best football as of late. Fantasy owners still have to hope for the deep ball to get most of Givens points, but last week he was targeted 14 times for 11 receptions and 92 yards. He is putting together some consistent play as the week before that he posted 115 yards, on 5 catches and hauled in a touchdown. This week he goes against the Bills who rank 12th vs receivers, giving up 243 yards through the air per game. But they have been beat by the long ball giving up 36 passes of over 20 yards, and 3 over 40 yards. They have also surrendered 21 touchdowns through the air this season. Look for Givens, whose emerging as the number 1 WR, to have a tough match up with CB Stephon Gilmore guarding him. But he should be able to haul in a long ball or two and owners should expect around 5-82-1 this week.
Other Sleepers: Nate Washington, Riley Cooper, T.J. Graham.
Tight End
Jacob Tamme, Denver Broncos.
Tamme has been playing better of late. Last game Tamme was targeted 13 times, catching 9 of them for 89 yards. The week before that Tamme caught 4 balls on 7 targets, for 48 yards and a touchdown. This week Tamme goes up against the Raiders who have allowed a touchdown to an opposing tight end in 3 of the previous 4 games. In the game they didn’t allow the opposing tight end to find the end zone, they gave up 80 yards (CBS Sports). The Raiders cannot defend tight ends, and Tamme and Broncos should look to exploit that. Expect around 5-53-1 this week.
Other Sleepers: Martellus Bennett, Brandon Pettigrew, Brent Celek.
DST
Buccaneers
The Bucs go against Nick Foles and the Eagles this week. Foles has had trouble holding onto the ball in the past 3 games. In that stretch he has fumbled 5 times, as well as being sacked 6 times and throwing 2 interceptions. The Bucs defense has struggled as of late, but they flourished early on in the season. While Brown will be trouble for the Bucs, they have played well verse the run this season. Also Brown is another player who has been struggling with fumblitis. The Bucs definitely have a favorable match up this week, and can put points on the board for fantasy owners.
Other Sleepers: Browns, Jets, Bills.
Good luck this week and moving forward in the fantasy playoffs!