Week 10: 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 Ryan Fitzpatrick, ---
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Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buffalo Bills travel to New England to take on the Patriots in week ten. Fitzpatrick is coming off a disappointing game against the Houston Texans in week nine in which he totaled 257 yards, with zero touchdowns, and one turnover. The Bills quarterback should be able to bounce back this week against a Patriots defense that allowed him to throw for 350 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions in week four. While Fitzpatrick will not match those numbers, he could be in for a nice day on the road this week. One issue to watch this week is the health of wide receiver Stevie Johnson, but as of now it looks like the Bills' top wide receiver will be able to play on Sunday. Fantasy owners can get Ryan Fitzpatrick off their benches this week and can expect at least 250 passing yards and two touchdowns from the inconsistent Bills quarterback.
QB Ryan Tannehill, ---
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Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins return home to take on the Tennessee Titans in week ten. The rookie quarterback has been impressive this season, but has not made much of a fantasy impact in most games. Tannehill threw for 290 yards and one touchdown without a turnover in the Dolphins' week nine loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He should be able to match these numbers against a Titans defense that ranks 26th in the league against the pass. Tannehill has done an excellent job in making Brian Hartline and Davone Bess into fantasy relevant wide receivers so far this season, and they should all be able to continue their good work this week. Fantasy owners in 2 QB leagues (or who are desperate for a quarterback to start off the waiver wire) can pick up Ryan Tannehill this week and can expect at least 225 yards and one touchdown from the impressive rookie.
RB Vick Ballard, ---
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Vick Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts travel to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars on Thursday night in week ten. The rookie running back is likely to get the start and majority of the work out of the Colts backfield this week, with Donald Brown likely out of this division match-up. Ballard is coming off a decent game in week nine against the Dolphins in which he totaled 98 yards, but was unable to find the endzone. If Donald Brown does in fact miss this week's game, Ballard is likely to touch the ball more than 20 times, making him a good bet to top 100 total yards. The Jaguars defense has allowed more than 135 yards per game on the ground -- 26th in the league -- making Ballard a solid option as a RB 2 or Flex option this week. Fantasy owners should get Vick Ballard off their benches this week and can expect at least 90 total yards and a touchdown from the young running back.
RB Ronnie Brown, ---
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Ronnie Brown and the San Diego Chargers travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers in week ten. Brown has carved out a role with the Chargers over the past few games as a good receiver out of the backfield. The former Dolphins running back has caught 20 passes over the past four games, making him an interesting deep sleeper in point per reception leagues this week. Brown has only carried the ball 15 times over these four games, but if Ryan Mathews struggles against an excellent Buccaneers run defense this week, Brown could see more playing time than usual due to his receiving skills. Brown is owned in just 33 percent of fantasy leagues, but if you are looking for a deep sleeper in a PPR league this week, you could do worse than Brown. Fantasy owners in a bind this week can start Ronnie Brown and can expect at least five receptions for 65 yards.
RB Marcel Reece, ---
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Marcel Reece and the Oakland Raiders travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens in week ten. Reece is primarily a fullback, but should get the start in the backfield for the Raiders this week with both Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson dealing with high ankle sprains. Reece has just one carry this season, but has excelled in catching the ball out of the backfield, showcased during his eight catch, 95 yard, one touchdown performance against the Buccaneers in week nine. The only other option in the Raiders backfield is Taiwan Jones, and Oakland does not seem to trust him carrying the ball too much, making Reece the better of the two plays if McFadden is indeed ruled out of this week's game. Reece is owned in just under 20 percent of fantasy leagues, but should make for a good Flex option, especially in point per reception leagues. Owners desperate for a sleeper play at running back this week can start Marcel Reece and can expect at least 85 total yards and one touchdown.
WR Danny Amendola, ---
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Danny Amendola and the St. Louis Rams travel to San Francisco to face the 49ers in week ten. Amendola got off to an excellent start to the season over the first four weeks before suffering a collarbone injury in week five. Amendola is poised to make his return to the starting lineup this week against the 49ers and should be back in fantasy lineups, especially in point per reception leagues. Sam Bradford leans on Amendola in all passing situations, making him one of the most targetted wide receivers in the league. If Amendola is still available in your fantasy league, he should be picked up immediately and inserted into lineups as a WR 3 or Flex option this week. Fantasy owners who stuck it out with Amendola through his injury can expect at least five receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown in his return.
WR Nate Washington, ---
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Nate Washington and the Tennessee Titans travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in week ten. Washington has been a bit of a disappointment this season, not topping 70 receving yards since week three against the Lions. If Washington is going to get back on track this season, this could be the week it starts to happen. The Dolphins' pass defense is currently ranked 29th in the league, allowing just under 300 passing yards per game. Miami was torched for 433 yards through the air by Andrew Luck and the Colts in week nine, and could struggle to stop the pass again this week. Fantasy owners looking for a WR 3 can start Nate Washington and can expect at least 85 receiving yards and a touchdown.