For most leagues, this is Championship Week, so, in an effort to help out, we made the ‘Sleepers’ list a little more robust this week. If you are in your league’s championship game, congrats, good luck, and heed our advice below!
Studs:
Joe Mixon, RB, Cin:
Through the Bengals first eight games, Mixon had a total 320 yards and zero touchdowns, including a game against the Jaguars where he totaled two yards on 10 rushes. In fact, Mixon didn’t score a rushing touchdown until Week 10. However, in the six games since the Bengals Week 9 bye, Mixon has 605 yards, three rushing touchdowns and has climbed to 12th in the NFL in rushing yards (925), and is coming off back-to-back 135+ yard days. His second half dominance should continue this week, as he gets the league’s second worst run defense.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, Car:
The Panthers will be starting rookie Will Grier this week in place of Kyle Allen, which means we should see a heavy reliance on the league’s yards from scrimmage leader. While the Colts will be keyed on McCaffrey, their defense is not stout enough to shut him down. If you are in your championship and have McCaffrey – which is likely – he should serve you well this week.
Deshaun Watson, QB, Hou:
The Texans play the Bucs this Saturday, and the Bucs have the third worst pass defense in the league, surrendering 276.8 passing yards per game and 29 passing touchdowns. The other reason I like Watson and the Texans passing attack this year? The Bucs can score and are going to put up points – meaning this is likely to be a high scoring shootout with lots of passing yards and lots of touchdowns. Players on both offenses should have a good week.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Hou:
If you have Hopkins and Watson, it could be a championship combo this week. To understand why, see above.
George Kittle, TE, SF:
Kittle is having a massive season, and over the past two weeks, has 25 targets, 19 catches, 201 yards and a touchdown. Last week, he saw a whopping 17 targets, pulling in 13 of them for 134 yards. Regardless of who the Niners play, Kittle should have a good day. Against an underwhelming Rams defense, he should have a good game.
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Duds:
Kenny Golladay, WR, Det:
Given the fact that Golladay has been catching passes from a backup (or 3rd string) quarterback for what seems like the whole season, it is a bit shocking to see sitting 10th in yards (1,052) and leading the league in touchdowns (10). That being said, he has surpassed 61 yards only once over the past six weeks and I don’t see him having a big week in Denver.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dal:
Speaking of great seasons, Dak ranks in the top five in yards, touchdowns and yards per attempt. However, word on the street he has an injured (possibly fractured) finger on his throwing hand and some sort of shoulder injury and will be playing in the cold. Translation, the Cowboys are likely to rely heavily on the run game this week in Philadelphia.
Aaron Jones, RB, GB:
I had Jones here last week because he was playing a good Bears defense and seems to score either 30+ points or less than ten. His production is extremely reliant upon touchdowns. In 14 games, he has nine where he has rushed for 51 yards or less and last week was one of those. Lucky for Jones owners, two of his 13 carries went for touchdowns. In Week 15, he had 51 yards rushing at 3.9 per carry. I see a similar rushing output this week on the road in Minnesota, but don’t see the touchdowns.
Odell Beckham, Jr./Jarvis Landry, WRs, Cle:
The Browns look to be in full blown meltdown and there is talk that many Browns players – including Beckham and Landry – have been verbal about their desire to get out of Cleveland. Unhappy receivers don’t bode well for fantasy owners. Neither receiver has a touchdown or 100+ yards in the past three weeks, despite playing two bad defenses.
Tom Brady, QB, NE:
Brady has thrown for less than 200 yards in three of his last four games, has broken 300 yards just once in his past eight game, and hasn’t completed 60% of his passes in five weeks. This week, he gets a tough Bills defense which held him to 150 yards passing, zero touchdowns and one interception, while allowing him to complete just 46% of his passes in Week 4. If you have Brady, I wouldn’t be starting him in my fantasy championship.
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Sleepers:
Le’Veon Bell, RB, NYJ:
The Bell signing has been a disaster for the Jets. 14 weeks into the 2019 season and Bell has just 676 rushing yards, is averaging a career low 3.3 yards per carry, is on pace for just 773 yards – his lowest output in a season (when healthy) – and has yet to surpass 87 yards rushing in a game. The last time he rushed for more than a hundred yards was October 1st…2017! That being said, I am sure he has had this game against the Steelers circled all year long. This is the week Bell finally breaks 100 yards rushing.
Breshad Perriman, WR, TB:
I’m not gonna lie, until last week, I didn’t realize Perriman was still in the league. Well, he is, and he had himself a day – 113 yards and three touchdowns on five catches. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out with hamstring injuries, Perriman will be the Bucs number one receiver and should see plenty of opportunities to put up another big day.
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chi:
It hasn’t always been pretty, but over the past three to four weeks, Trubisky has been playing pretty well in real football, but even better in fantasy. Over the last six weeks, he has 14 touchdowns (12 passing; 2 rushing) and has three games with three or more touchdowns. With a matchup this week against a porous Chiefs defense, he could have another starter worthy week.
Greg Ward, Jr., WR, Phi:
Who? Yep, I said the same thing. Apparently, he is a wide receiver for the Eagles, and due to injuries to Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, he should be their number one receiver this week. Over the last two weeks, he has 18 targets, pulling in 11 of those for 95 yards and a touchdown, including a career high seven catches last week. With Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert, he won’t be the Eagles top receiving option, but he should get plenty of opportunities.
Mike Boone, RB, Min:
With Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison likely out this week, Boone should be the Vikings lead back and he performed well in that role last week after Cook left. Boone had 13 carries for 56 yards, averaging 4.3 per carry and found the endzone twice. It is rare that you can find a back on the waiver wire in Week 16 who can help you in your championship game.
Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR:
The Niners may have a great defense, buy Higbee has been on a tear lately. Over his past three games, he has a whopping 33 targets, pulling in 26 of those for 334 yards and a touchdown. He has three straight weeks of 8+ targets, 7+ catches and 100+ yards receiving and has three straight 19+ point fantasy games.
A.J. Brown, WR, Ten:
I’m not sure Brown is much of a ‘Sleeper’ anymore, but I do feel like his season has flown under the radar. Over the last four weeks, Brown has 29 targets, 20 receptions, 447 yards and four touchdowns, putting up 26+ points in three of those four weeks. He is clearly Tannehill’s top target and is a clear WR2 at this point.
