Week 16: 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 Matt Cassel, ---
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Matt Cassel and the New England Patriots return home to take on the Arizona Cardinals in week 16. Cassel is coming off an excellent game against the Oakland Raiders in which he threw for 218 yards and a career high four touchdowns. Cassel should have another big game this week against the Cardinals. The Cardinals' secondary gave up four touchdown passes -- including two long touchdowns -- to Tarvaris Jackson and the Minnesota Vikings last week. If the Cardinals have trouble stopping Jackson and the Vikings at home, they should struggle mightily against the stronger Patriots offense this week. Fantasy owners should get Matt Cassel into their starting lineups and can expect more than 200 passing yards and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals.
QB Shaun Hill, ---
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Shaun Hill and the San Francisco 49ers travel to St. Louis to face the Rams in week 16. Hill has been putting up excellent numbers since taking over as the 49ers' starting quarterback, and should have another good game this week against a poor Rams defense. Hill racked up 250 total yards in week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, but was unable to find the endzone. Hill should be able to find the endzone a couple of times this week against one of the league's worst defenses. With Frank Gore possibly out for the second straight game, Hill will have to carry the 49ers offense. Fantasy owners can start Shaun Hill and can expect more than 200 total yards and at least one touchdown from the 49ers' quarterback.
QB Matt Ryan, ---
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Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons travel to Minnesota for a key game this week against the Vikings. Ryan has been great this season, throwing for at least 200 yards in nine straight games. Matt Ryan kept this streak going against the Buccaneers in week 15 despite throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns in an overtime win. Ryan and the Falcons will need a better effort if they are to win this week against the Vikings. The Vikings will be without run stuffer Pat Williams, but it will still be difficult for Michael Turner to get going against the Vikings' front seven. The Falcons will need to rely on Matt Ryan and Roddy White connecting down the field if they hope to score on the Vikings. Fantasy owners can start Matt Ryan and expect 200 yards and at least one touchdown from the Falcons' rookie quarterback.
RB Steve Slaton, ---
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Steve Slaton and the Houston Texans travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders in week 16. Slaton has put together a great season since taking over as the Texans' starting running back following injuries to Chris Brown and Ahman Green. Slaton has run for more than 100 yards in four of his last five games, including a 100 yard effort against the Tennessee Titans in week 15. Slaton has a much better matchup this week against the Oakland Raiders. The Texans have been feeding the ball to Slaton on a consistent basis and that should continue this week in Oakland. Fantasy owners can start Steve Slaton this week and can expect more than 85 total yards and one touchdown from the rookie running back.
RB Kevin Smith, ---
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Kevin Smith and the Detroit Lions return home to face the New Orleans Saints in week 16. Smith is coming off one of the best games of his young career in which he ran for 88 yards and one touchdown while adding six catches for another 39 yards against the Indianapolis Colts. The Lions will have to rely on Smith opening up the running game if they are to win their first game of the season this week against the Saints. After sharing carries with Rudi Johnson earlier in the season, Kevin Smith has now taken over as the feature back in the Lions' offense. Smith should be able to build off last week's big game this week against a mediocre Saints defense. Fantasy owners can start Kevin Smith and can expect 85 total yards and one touchdown from the Lions' rookie running back.
