Week 8: 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. Most of the players that will be listed are on fantasy rosters, but not normally starters.
QB Marc Bulger, ---
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Marc Bulger and the St. Louis Rams travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in week eight. Bulger has been poor so far this season and is only owned in about a quarter of fantasy leagues going into the Rams' week eight match-up. If you own Marc Bulger then this is probably the week you were waiting to use him. The Lions have been giving up big passing games so far this season and Bulger has a good chance at success this week. Donnie Avery has been playing well as of late (when he can stay on the field), and should be ready to go against the Lions this week. The Rams will likely run to set up the pass this week, allowing Avery to get open down the field. Fantasy owners can expect Marc Bulger to throw for at least 200 yards and one touchdown in week eight.
QB Alex Smith, ---
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Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in week eight. Smith replaced the ineffective Shaun Hill at halftime of the 49ers' week seven loss to the Houston Texans and threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns. I am not a big fan of Smith going forward, however this week could be a big one for Smith. The Colts have been better against the pass this season, but they should have a big lead early in the game, forcing the 49ers to throw the ball more than they would normally like to. This could lead to Smith putting up big numbers in garbage time this week. As fantasy owners know, stats put up in garbage time count just as much as stats in close games. Fantasy owners in need of a bye week fill-in can start Alex Smith and expect at least 200 yards passing and one touchdown from the 49ers' new starting quarterback.
RB Justin Fargas, ---
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Justin Fargas and the Oakland Raiders travel to San Diego for a divisional match-up with the Chargers in week eight. I wrote about Fargas in last week's column, and will stay on the bandwagon this week against the Chargers. Fargas did not start the Raiders' week seven game with the New York Jets, but was the more effective runner, rushing for 67 yards on only eight carries. Fargas also chipped in with 23 receiving yards on three receptions, bringing his yards total to 90 for the day. Fargas now has 188 yards over the last two games, and should get the majority of the carries again this week with Darren McFadden likely to miss another game due to injury. Fantasy owners looking for a flex play can start Fargas and expect 80 total yards and one touchdown this week against San Diego.
RB LeSean McCoy, ---
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LeSean McCoy and the Philadelphia Eagles return home to face the New York Giants in week eight. Brian Westbrook is likely to miss the game this week after suffering a concussion in the Eagles' Monday night win over the Redskins, and McCoy will have to take over carrying the load. The Eagles are going to have to rely on McCoy heavily this week, and even though the Giants are a tough match-up for McCoy, he should receive enough carries to warrant a flex play. McCoy can also have success catching the ball out of the backfield, making him an even better start in point per reception leagues. The Eagles love to use screen passes, and McCoy should be able to gain yards receiving as well as on the ground. Fantasy owners can start McCoy and expect at least 75 total yards and one touchdown from the Eagles' rookie running back.
RB Beanie Wells, ---
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Beanie Wells and the Arizona Cardinals return home to take on the Carolina Panthers in week eight. Wells had the best game of his young career in week seven, rushing for 67 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries while adding three receptions for 10 yards through the air. While Tim Hightower may still be listed as the Cardinals' starting running back, Wells is a much more dynamic runner and should see a majority of the carries going forward. Hightower will still be involved in the offense, making Wells no more than a good flex play in most games. With six teams on bye weeks in week eight (and the Cardinals facing the Panthers), this would be a great time to get Wells into your lineups. Fantasy owners can expect Wells to total at least 70 yards and score a touchdown this week against the struggling Panthers.
