Week 13: 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 Josh Freeman, ---
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Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers in week 13. Freeman has been surprisingly good for the Buccaneers in his four starts, throwing for seven touchdowns, while averaging nearly 200 passing yards per game. Freeman had his best game as a pro in week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns without turning the ball over. If Freeman can cut down on the turnovers, he can be helpful to fantasy teams for the remainder of the season. He faces a tough Carolina secondary this week, but if your quarterback is injured, he is still a better option than most waiver wire quarterbacks. Fantasy owners who are in desperate need of a starting quarterback or QB 2 can start Josh Freeman this week and can expect 200 total yards and one touchdown from the impressive rookie quarterback.
QB Alex Smith, ---
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Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in week 13. Alex Smith is coming off back to back excellent games against the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars in which he threw for 459 yards and five touchdowns, with only one interception. Smith will keep his hot streak alive this week against the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers' coaches have realized that Smith works best out of the spread formation, and they should continue to pass out of this formation going forward. Fantasy owners should pick up Smith if he is available, as he has match-ups with the Seahawks, Cardinals, Eagles, Lions, and Rams the remainder of the season. Fantasy owners can exploit some of these match-ups if their normal starter is injured or facing a difficult match-up. Smith is an excellent play this week against the Seahawks, and fantasy owners can expect at least 225 yards and one touchdown from the 49ers' quarterback.
RB Fred Jackson, ---
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Fred Jackson and the Buffalo Bills face the New York Jets at home in week 13. After weeks of seeing little playing time behind Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson broke out in week 12, rushing for 73 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while also adding five receptions for 43 yards through the air. The Bills will have to ride the hot hand in Jackson this week against the Jets, as their offense seems to run better when Jackson is getting the ball. The Bills will want to get their running game going early in the game to keep the pressure off Ryan Fitzpatrick, making it likely that Jackson touches the ball between 15-20 times over the course of the game. Fantasy owners can start Fred Jackson this week and can expect 75 total yards and one touchdown from the Bills' running back.
RB Darren McFadden, ---
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Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in week 13. McFadden has been slowly worked back into the Raiders' offense since his return from injury, but should see more touches as the season progresses. McFadden had his best game since returning in week 12, with 66 total yards on ten touches. He was especially effective in the passing game, making it more likely that he will be on the field in passing situations going forward. If McFadden's touches increase to around 15 per game, he will be worth starting in the right match-ups. Fantasy owners in need of a flex play can start Darren McFadden and can expect 70 total yards and a touchdown from the Raiders' running back in week 13.
RB Jerious Norwood, ---
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Jerious Norwood and the Atlanta Falcons take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a key week 13 match-up. Norwood returned from a long term injury in week 12 and came through with 50 total yards and a receiving touchdown following an injury to Michael Turner. Turner was rushed back from a high ankle sprain, only to re-injure the ankle in week 12. Turner will likely be listed as questionable leading up to the Falcons' week 13 game, but I would not expect him to play as he is likely to do further damage to his ankle if he comes back before it is completely healed. If Turner is held out of the game, Norwood would likely split time with Jason Snelling. Norwood would probably get at least half the work out of the Falcons' backfield, as he is a more explosive runner than Snelling. Fantasy owners should watch this situation closely, and if Turner is ruled out, Norwood should be in fantasy lineups. If Turner is to miss the game, Norwood can be counted on for at least 65 total yards and one touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
