Stompin' Tom Connors
Footballguy
In most leagues I play in, Week 15 and 16 are the main playoff leagues. In one of my main money leagues, we start in Week 14, but I'm fortunate enough to pull off a great winning streak over the last few weeks to secure a bye this week.
That said, I'm skipping ahead one week to look at great sleepers now before this week starts. This will enable me to get a jump on a great spot starter that could mean all the difference in the world over these next few weeks.
Looking at schedules, I see the following teams with some great Wk 15 and 16 matchups:
TB -- ATL, SF
Fantastic playoff schedule looms, and everyone who grabbed TB's D for this run, as suggested in a recent sleeper D thread, should be rewarded. On the offensive side of the ball, Ike Hilliard and Alex Smith might be some great spot starts if your other options are up against some tougher Ds.
CIN -- SF, CLE
Great matchups here, but doubtful that most leagues have guys like Chris Henry or Kenny Watson on the wire.
ARI -- NO, ATL
Bryant Johnson was probably snagged in the last week in your leagues, but if Boldin and Fitz continue to be limited by injuries, Sean Morey and Steve Breaston suddenly become intriguing pickups. Leonard Pope should be looked at closely if you have a second-tier TE with a tough matchup
GB -- STL, CHI
Driver, Jennings and Jones should all be rostered, as should Donald Lee. Not sure I see Koren Robinson as a worthy pickup at this point, even in leagues that reward for kick return yardage.
IND -- OAK, HOU
Oakland actually has an aggressive secondary, and Houston has shown they can play up to an opponent, but both these teams struggle mightily to get pressure on the QB, and for a guy like Mannning, the time he has in the pocket spells big trouble for these Ds. With Harrison out, Anthony Gonzalez becomes attractive. Even Kenton Keith might be valuable if IND decides to limit Addai's snaps leading into the NFL playoffs.
CLE -- BUF, CIN
Jurevicius might still be available in some leagues, and he's been fairly consistent and could be a great flex start against a BUF D that is ranked 29th overall against the pass and has looked very shaky at times (esp recently vs NE and JAX), and a CIN D that ranks 26th and surrenders boatloads of TDs.
SF -- CIN, TB
Arnaz Battle has really been steady lately, and in Week 15 against Cincy, Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie might be sneaky, if not fairly risky, plays. Vernon Davis is likely rostered, but I would start him without hesitation over this stretch if for some reason he is available on your wire.
TEN -- KC, NYJ
Justin Gage may have the a downside risk that he's inconsistent, but playing against a KC team that is middle of the road, and a lower-tiered NYJ team that have trouble getting to the quarterback. Bo Scaife, Roydell Williams and Eric Moulds might also be intriguing in deeper leagues or those that start 3 WRs, if your other options are shaky thanks to matchups.
TOP PICKS
Battle, Gage, and Jurevicius look to be guys I would seriously consider taking a gamble on, with Hilliard and Gonzalez in next tier of viable FF playoff sleepers.
Thoughts, additions, ctitiques? Let's hear whatcha got.
That said, I'm skipping ahead one week to look at great sleepers now before this week starts. This will enable me to get a jump on a great spot starter that could mean all the difference in the world over these next few weeks.
Looking at schedules, I see the following teams with some great Wk 15 and 16 matchups:
TB -- ATL, SF
Fantastic playoff schedule looms, and everyone who grabbed TB's D for this run, as suggested in a recent sleeper D thread, should be rewarded. On the offensive side of the ball, Ike Hilliard and Alex Smith might be some great spot starts if your other options are up against some tougher Ds.
CIN -- SF, CLE
Great matchups here, but doubtful that most leagues have guys like Chris Henry or Kenny Watson on the wire.
ARI -- NO, ATL
Bryant Johnson was probably snagged in the last week in your leagues, but if Boldin and Fitz continue to be limited by injuries, Sean Morey and Steve Breaston suddenly become intriguing pickups. Leonard Pope should be looked at closely if you have a second-tier TE with a tough matchup
GB -- STL, CHI
Driver, Jennings and Jones should all be rostered, as should Donald Lee. Not sure I see Koren Robinson as a worthy pickup at this point, even in leagues that reward for kick return yardage.
IND -- OAK, HOU
Oakland actually has an aggressive secondary, and Houston has shown they can play up to an opponent, but both these teams struggle mightily to get pressure on the QB, and for a guy like Mannning, the time he has in the pocket spells big trouble for these Ds. With Harrison out, Anthony Gonzalez becomes attractive. Even Kenton Keith might be valuable if IND decides to limit Addai's snaps leading into the NFL playoffs.
CLE -- BUF, CIN
Jurevicius might still be available in some leagues, and he's been fairly consistent and could be a great flex start against a BUF D that is ranked 29th overall against the pass and has looked very shaky at times (esp recently vs NE and JAX), and a CIN D that ranks 26th and surrenders boatloads of TDs.
SF -- CIN, TB
Arnaz Battle has really been steady lately, and in Week 15 against Cincy, Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie might be sneaky, if not fairly risky, plays. Vernon Davis is likely rostered, but I would start him without hesitation over this stretch if for some reason he is available on your wire.
TEN -- KC, NYJ
Justin Gage may have the a downside risk that he's inconsistent, but playing against a KC team that is middle of the road, and a lower-tiered NYJ team that have trouble getting to the quarterback. Bo Scaife, Roydell Williams and Eric Moulds might also be intriguing in deeper leagues or those that start 3 WRs, if your other options are shaky thanks to matchups.
TOP PICKS
Battle, Gage, and Jurevicius look to be guys I would seriously consider taking a gamble on, with Hilliard and Gonzalez in next tier of viable FF playoff sleepers.
Thoughts, additions, ctitiques? Let's hear whatcha got.
