Who to Start? Week 7
by Josh Gaier
What sleepers could help you start the mid-season game this week? Josh Gaier has the answer at each position.
The season has just hit about the half way point for most of us and many find themselves regretting their draft picks while others are stocking up for a playoff run. Although if you’re in the basement of your league, your season may be over, it’s always fun to be a spoiler. If you’re in the thick of things, it’s now or never as the postseason is quickly approaching. Below is a list of a sleeper at each position, with a runner-up, and the top five players for the week.
Quarterback: Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears
Orton has quietly been a fantasy surprise this season, as he has turned out to be much more than just a game manager for the Bears. He is a gutsy player that has the ability to fling the ball over the field and eventually find the end zone. Since Week 3, Orton has been on a roll in touchdowns and has even surpassed 250 passing yards three times. His opponent this week, the Minnesota Vikings, is shaky against the pass while stellar against the run. With the Bears struggling to find an identity through the run game this week, expect them to spread things out and have Orton find his targets. Devin Hester can also be a factor against the Vikings Cover Two scheme with his game-changing speed. Expect Orton to hit at least two touchdowns this weekend.
Runner-Up: Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Running Back: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans
Chris Johnson is slowing removing the sleeper tag off of him by playing excellent football. However, many people still aren’t sold on the rookie back from Eastern Carolina. Coming off a bye week, the Titans are the only undefeated team in the NFL, and, ironically, they are going up against one of the worst – the Kansas City Chiefs. To make this matchup even more appeasing to your taste buds, the Chiefs rank dead last in the NFL in stopping the run. The only true problem Johnson faces this week is his ability to get into the end zone. Racking up over 100 yards shouldn’t be a problem, but Johnson makes you weary because he’s only had one game this year when he reached the end zone. Nevertheless, the potential for Johnson to explode this week is too much to keep this speedster on your bench.
Runner-Up: Dominic Rhodes, Indianapolis Colts
Wide Receiver: Wes Welker, New England Patriots
Fantasy owners who drafted Welker are probably going crazy right about now. The biggest surprise of last season has failed to reach the end zone or have a 100-yard receiving game this year. However, this may be the week where things to start to shape up. Welker goes up against a Broncos defense that is horrendous. With the exception of Champ Bailey (who will have his hands full with Randy Moss), the secondary is one of the NFL’s worst. Welker should be able to regain his magic from last year, despite having a struggling Matt Cassel at quarterback. The Patriots finally return home after their two week excursion on the west coast and Welker should find his first touchdown of the season.
Runner-Up: Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
Tight End: Dustin Keller, New York Jets
Keller is a classic boom-or-bust player this week in the fantasy game. He can explode and give you a solid 50-yard game, one-touchdown performance, or he’ll come up disappointing you with only 20 receiving yards. Nevertheless, Keller is becoming a favorite of Favre already in the red zone. Keller is a big, athletic tight end that will create mismatches for the Raiders secondary. The true downside is both Chris Baker and Bubba Franks also see time, but in the red zone, Keller usually gets the nod over the two. As all tight ends are besides the elite, Keller’s a true wildcard, but the risk may be worth the reward.
Runner-Up: Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears
Defense: Houston Texans
This sleeper choice is based more on the Texans’ opponent than the play of their defense. The Texans face the woeful Detroit Lions’ offense, who have lost their quarterback and top receiver within a week. The Lions offense just isn’t clicking, and it seems like a high school defense might have a legitimate chance of stopping them. This defense has “proceed with caution” written all over them, but the Lions are just so bad it’s hard not to imagine the Texans surrounding a ton of yards and points to them.
Runner-Up: New York Jets
Below is a list of the top five players this week at each position:
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
3. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants
5. Brett Favre, New York Jets
Running Backs
1. Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
2. LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
3. Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
4. Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
5. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Wide Receivers
1. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
2. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants
3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
5. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
Tight Ends
1. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
2. Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins
3. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
4. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
5. Owen Daniels, Houston Texans
Defenses
1. Tennessee Titans
2. New York Giants
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Houston Texans