Help clinch the fantasy title by starting a rising star or an
overlooked veteran with a favorable matchup.
Review these top 10 sleepers who could provide an extra
scoring boost on the fantasy scoreboard.
Also check out the
top 10 waiver claims for other potential
starters like Detroit running back
Maurice Morris and Green Bay tight end
Jermichael Finley among others.
10. Cincinnati D/ST
The solid Bengals have a favorable matchup against Kansas
City’s questionable offense. Cincinnati has the potential to
put great pressure on the Chiefs and force them into frequent
turnovers.
Cincinnati ranks among the top 10 for acquiring interceptions
(17). The Bengals also rank 11th for acquiring sacks (33), while
Kansas City has yielded the second-most sacks (44). Cincinnati is
the NFL’s second-stingiest defense (16.7), while Kansas City
has scored the seventh-fewest points (17.1) this season.
9. Garrett Hartley, K, New Orleans
The Saints scored 38 points in Week 11’s first meeting,
and their former kicker
John Carney had one field goal and five extra
points.
Tampa Bay has allowed the fourth-most extra points (40) and
rates among the top 10 for allowing field goals (23).
8. Fred Davis, TE, Washington
He’s aiming to score in his fifth straight game after
totaling five touchdowns during the past four contests. This
includes five catches for 65 yards and a score against the New York
Giants last contest.
Tight ends have posted solid games during the last two games
against Dallas.
Antonio Gates caught four passes for 44 yards and
a score in Week 14, and
David Thomas had eight receptions for 77 yards
last contest.
7. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota
He produced his best career fantasy performance against
Chicago in Week 12’s meeting. He had personal bests of six
catches and 101 yards with a score. After enduring recent injuries,
he’s expected to be at full strength again.
Chicago has already allowed the NFL’s fifth-most
passing scores (25), including four touchdowns to
Joe Flacco last game.
6. Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans
He scored twice against Tampa Bay in the Week 11 meeting as
New Orleans scored 38 points. Though Meachem was scoreless during
the last two games, he rode a five-game scoring streak prior to
that.
Tampa Bay has already allowed the fifth-most passing scores
(25) this season, including three to New Orleans during the first
meeting.
5. Chris Wells, RB, Arizona
The rookie has totaled at least 100 yards and a score during
the past two contests. He clinched his first career 100-yard
rushing performance last game against Detroit’s worst-ranked
defense.
Significantly, Wells has received the majority of carries for
the past two contests. He’s totaled 32 handoffs (15 and 17),
while
Tim Hightower has eight carries (2 and 6).
He has a very favorable matchup next against the Rams. St.
Louis ranks as the league’s sixth-worst run defense (140) and
has allowed the second-most rushing scores (19).
4. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina
If
DeAngelo Williams misses Week 16 with an ankle
injury, his teammate Stewart will likely be Carolina’s
featured back. Stewart responded superbly last game when Williams
left in the first quarter with an ankle injury against Minnesota.
He totaled 123 yards and two scores.
Stewart will be aiming for his second straight 100-yard
rushing game and third one during the last four contests against
the New York Giants. Of note, New York has allowed the NFL’s
third-most rushing scores (18).
3. Green Bay D/ST
The Packers have forced the third-most turnovers (33) and
interceptions (23). Green Bay rates among the top quarter for
acquiring sacks (34), while Seattle ranks as the league’s
10th-worst for allowing sacks (35).
Seattle has struggled mightily during the past two games,
scoring only two touchdowns and allowing 58 points. It scored only
seven points, yielded three sacks, fumbled four times and had one
interception returned for a touchdown against Houston in Week 14.
The Seahawks scored only seven points, yielded one sack, had
five turnovers (four interceptions, one lost fumble) and fumbled
twice against Tampa Bay last contest.
2. Vince Young, QB, Tennessee
He posted his season’s best fantasy performance last
game by throwing for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Defenses are
focusing on stopping the NFL’s leading rusher
Chris Johnson, leaving Young with more
opportunities for the passing attack.
His next opponent, San Diego, has allowed the last three
quarterbacks (
Brady Quinn,
Tony Romo,
Carson Palmer) to each throw for at least two
scores. Of note, Quinn passed for 271 yards and three scores, and
Palmer passed for 314 yards last contest.
1. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco
Prior to Week 15, Smith threw for multiple scores for four
straight contests. He totaled nine touchdown passes during that
span and had one 300-yard game as well.
He next has a superb home matchup against Detroit’s
worst pass defense for yards (268) and touchdowns (30).
