In most standard fantasy leagues the playoffs start within
the next 2 weeks, and when you're facing the best teams in your league every
point counts. To help you out I have selected a few sleepers that I think could
play out well late in the season, and in the coming weeks there are match ups
that can be taken advantage of, as well as some that could hurt some key
players.
Week 13
The Buccaneers are facing the Falcons at home and with the
way Jamies Winston has been playing, I like this matchup for him. Winston, also
one of my sleepers, is only owned in 36% of leagues. The Falcons have the best
rushing defense in the NFL, which leads me to think Doug Martin is not going to
be your man. Coleman, the Falcons backup running back, is a good start as long
as Freeman remains out, and he is owned in 64% of leagues.
The Cardinals have the 6th ranked rushing defense in the
NFL, setting up an unfavorable matchup for Todd Gurley. I am not telling you to
sit Gurley, however if you have Thomas Rawls or Shady McCoy you might consider
a more favorable matchup. Speaking of, McCoy seems to finally be healthy and
since week 8’s bye he has scored 19, 20, and 24 points.
Week 14
Week 15 brings the worries of players sitting out to rest
for the playoffs, so this is a good week to pick up a few extra players, mainly
if you have players on teams that are going to clench a playoff spot, i.e. the
Patriots and the Panthers. If someone in your playoff picture has Tom Brady or
Cam Newton, than it may be a good idea to pick up a QB like Winston, or
similar, to block them.
For the second week in a row Tampa Bay has been my favorite
match up, so much so that as of now I plan on starting Winston this week over
Rodgers. Winston is facing the Saints who just recently fired their defensive
coordinator, as they are currently the 31st ranked passing defense in the NFL.
The Saints defense allowed 6 TD's in week 8 to Eli Manning, 4 TD's in week 9 to
Marcus Mariota, and 4 TD's to Kirk Cousins in week 10, leading me to believe
that Jamies Winston is going to have much success exploiting this vulnerable
Saints secondary. I would also expect Doug Martin to establish the run game
early, and share in the spoils of this lopsided matchup.
Looking at the Patriots I know I have to choose them for a
win over the Texans, however expect them to have some success in slowing down
the Pats offense. The Patriots are running out of offensive weapons as Edelman
is still out, Deon Lewis is out, and Amendola is now injured. I would look for
options outside the Patriots offense, and again I really like Winston and he
remains a good option for people who own Brady or Newton.
Week 15
For week 15 I have 2 favorable match ups
If Carson Palmer is playing in this game, I like him and
Larry Fitzgerald to put up some serious points. It’s a road game
for the Cardinal but against an Eagles defense that gave up 45 points to the
Buccaneers and Lions. Weeks 11 and 12 brought back to back games where Jamies
Winston and Matthew Stafford both passed for 5 TD's respectively. If the
Cardinals still haven't clinched a playoff spot, Palmer and Fitzgerald could
have big games against a struggling Eagles defense.
The Packers play in Oakland and I like both QB's in a very
college-esque matchup between two passing offenses and two terrible passing
defenses, 25th and 30th respectively, and both teams
possibly fighting for a playoff spot making either quarterback a solid choice.
Though the matchups aren’t bad, I would avoid receivers from this
game as the Packers wide outs are too inconsistent and it is impossible to
predict whether Crabtree or Cooper will get the work load, considering
injuries.
Sleepers
1. Jamies Winston, 37% owned. Winston has good match ups in
the last half of the season.
2. Colby Fleener, 32.8% owned. I will like Fleener more when
Luck returns from injury because he is a good red zone threat.
3. Reuben Randle, 39.6% owned. Randal is more of a risky
pick up, but with how much the Giants pass Randle is poised to have a big game
at any time.
4. Doug Baldwin, 33.8% owned. Since Seattle has been passing
a lot more lately, I like Baldwin as a good sleeper flex play.
5. Kamar Aiken, 52.7% owned. The Ravens, having been cursed
with offensive injuries this season, are without Steve Smith, Joe Flacco and
two running backs. With newly signed QB Matt Schaub, Aiken should see a lot
more passes thrown his way as the ground game for Baltimore struggles.
By: JB La Cross
*Some stats
supplied by ESPN
