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 due to strong match-ups or injury issues.
QB Shaun Hill, ---
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Shaun Hill and the San Francisco 49ers travel to Miami to face the Dolphins in week 15. Hill has been excellent since taking over as the 49ers quarterback. In his six games as quarterback Hill has totaled 11 touchdowns and has also put up good yardage numbers. Hill has another good match-up this week against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins' secondary was able to hold J.P. Losman and the Bills offense down in week 14, but should face a tougher test from the rejuvenated 49ers offense in week 15. Hill has been spreading the ball around well, completing passes to ten different receivers in a week 14 win over the Jets. The 49ers may have to rely heavily on the pass this week if Frank Gore is unable to play, making Hill a good play in fantasy leagues. Fantasy owners can expect more than 200 passing yards and at least one touchdown from the 49ers' starting quarterback.
QB Tyler Thigpen, CLE
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Tyler Thigpen and the Kansas City Chiefs return home to take on the San Diego Chargers in week 15. Thigpen has played well since regaining the starting quarterback job in week eight, and should continue his good season this week against the Chargers. In the week ten match-up between the Chargers and Chiefs, Thigpen threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns in a one point loss. Thigpen should find similar success this week against the Chargers. Thigpen and Tony Gonzalez have formed a great bond over the past few weeks and the two should continue to connect going forward. Fantasy owners can put Thigpen in their lineups and can expect more than 200 passing yards and one touchdown from the Chiefs' rookie quarterback.
RB Maurice Morris, ---
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Maurice Morris and the Seattle Seahawks travel to St. Louis to face the Rams in week 15. Morris was the Seahawks' featured back in week 14 against the Patriots, carrying the ball 14 times for a disappointing 39 yards. The positive sign for Morris was that he touched the ball 16 times while former starter Julius Jones did not touch the ball once for the Seahawks. If the Seahawks decide to ride Morris as their starting running back, he should be able to put up excellent numbers against the Rams this week. The Seahawks will have to run the ball if Matt Hasselbeck is forced to miss another game, making Morris a sneaky flex play in fantasy leagues. Fantasy owners can plug Morris into their lineups and can expect 80 total yards and one touchdown from the Seahawks' running back.
RB Pierre Thomas, ---
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Pierre Thomas and the New Orleans Saints travel to Chicago to face the Bears on Thursday night. Thomas has been extremely inconsistent this season, but is coming off his best game of the season in which he rushed 16 times for 102 yards, also finding the endzone twice against the Falcons. Thomas should continue to get between 15 and 20 touches per game, making him a solid flex play in fantasy leagues. Thomas and the Saints travel to Chicago where it should be cold and windy on Thursday night, making it imperative for both teams to establish the running game. Thomas is also getting the ball down by the goal-line, making him a strong bet to reach the endzone again this week. Fantasy owners can start Pierre Thomas this week and can expect 80 total yards and one touchdown from the Saints' running back.
RB LenDale White, ---
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LenDale White and the Tennessee Titans travel to Houston to take on the Texans in week 15. After receiving only one carry for negative one yard in the Titans' week 12 loss to the Jets, White has accumulated 47 carries for 205 yards and three touchdowns over the past two weeks. White and Chris Johnson have both been putting up excellent fantasy numbers, and should continue to find success this week against the Texans. There should be enough carries to go around for both Titans running backs going forward as they would like to keep both players fresh for the playoffs. The Texans will not be able to stop the Titans' running game and White should be able to put up at least 75 rushing yards and one touchdown, making him a good flex play in fantasy leagues.
