Derrick Henry will look to have a solid game against the Ravens who allowed 132 rushing yards per game this season.
Credit:@AroundTheNFL
The NFL season is reaching its halfway point, and Fantasy Football playoffs are coming up quick. Now is the time in the season when the matchups are crucial to win since most fantasy leagues start playoffs during Week 14 of the season. There are six teams on a bye this weekend, and that will leave owners scrambling to find replacements to slot into lineups. Here is a list of some of the top sleeper picks for this weekend, many of which can be solid bye week fill-ins for star players.
Derrick Henry, RB Tennessee Titans:
It is only a matter of time before the sophomore running back takes over the starting role from the aging Demarco Murray. The two runners have split the carries pretty closely with Murray receiving 86 this season and Henry receiving 75. The former Heisman trophy winner is just one game removed from a 131-yard rushing performance against the Colts and can easily steal the lead role at any moment. Henry has produced 4.4 yards per carry which is only slightly better than Murray’s 4.3, but the former has a much higher upside and seems to be the Titans’ go-to option when they want to control the clock with the run game. This Sunday, Tennessee will face off against the Baltimore Ravens who have one of the worst run defenses in the league, currently allowing 132 rushing yards per game. The Ravens have an offense who will have a tough time putting up points allowing the Titans to run the ball for the majority of the game. With the expected game-flow, Henry could be called upon to touch the ball close to 20 times, making him a solid flex option with RB2 upside this weekend.
Sammy Watkins, WR Los Angeles Rams:
The former number four overall pick has fallen off of fantasy radars since his big Week 3 game against the 49ers. Since that game that Week 3 matchup, Watkins has only had five catches for 70 yards and no scores. Players like Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp have emerged as more reliable contributors in the Rams’ passing attack, but Watkins still has the best playmaking ability of the three. This week they play the Giants who have allowed 14 passing touchdowns this season compared to only two on the ground. Todd Gurley has been the center of the offense so far this season, but with New York’s ability to keep opposing running backs out of the end-zone, other players are going to be relied upon to score. Watkins represents the best touchdown threat for quarterback Jared Goff, and he may be given multiple looks in the end-zone this weekend. Put the talented wide receiver into lineups as a low-end flex option with the possibility of producing WR2 numbers.
Jacoby Brissett, QB Indianapolis Colts:
It is never easy finding a sleeper pick for quarterback; Jacoby Brissett has not been playing well this season, but he could possibly put up a decent performance on Sunday. The Colts have been nothing short of awful so far and as an offense have had a tough time moving the ball on a regular basis. Brissett is on pace for only 10 passing touchdowns this season which is a shockingly low amount for a starting quarterback in the NFL; finishing off drives has been one of the greatest problems for the team. This week, the sophomore quarterback will get to face off against a Texans defense that has allowed 14 passing touchdowns so far this season and just gave up over 400 passing yards to Russell Wilson. Not to say that Brissett is nearly as good as Wilson, but as a sleeper, all owners are asking for is a couple of passing touchdowns and around 250 yards through the air. The North Carolina State product is coming off a close game with the Bengals where he threw for two scores and 233 yards. Brissett is a long shot to put up a big game, but he has four straight performances with double-digit fantasy points and this week he’ll look to continue that.
Orleans Darkwa, RB New York Giants:
On the other side of the Rams’ and Giants’ matchup, Orleans Darkwa could have a nice game, playing for a team who has had a tough time throwing the ball. There never seems to be a clear-cut lead runner in the New York backfield, but the Tulane product has been seeing the majority of the work in recent weeks. Darkwa’s best game came a few weeks ago when he ran for 117 yards on 21 carries against a stellar Broncos rush defense. During the season he has run for 5.4 yards per carry and should have no problem producing against the Rams who have allowed 123 yards per game and eight touchdowns to opposing running backs. With all of the injuries on the offensive side, the Giants’ best bet to win would be to feed Darkwa the ball and hope he can have a great game. Darkwa should be a high-end flex option this week and can be an RB2 in deeper leagues.
Ted Ginn Jr, WR New Orleans Saints:
The Saints’ offense hasn’t been quite as powerful this season as in years past, but any game they play at home provides the opportunity for big fantasy performances. This week they play host to the Buccaneers who have allowed almost 300 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks. Drew Brees may feel the need to air it out to Ted Ginn who is his best deep target and who is averaging 17.5 yards per catch so far this year. Over of the course of his past three games, the veteran receiver has accumulated 275 yards through the air on 13 catches, and he has also scored once. Ginn will look to carry his momentum into a great matchup against Tampa Bay where the New Orleans’ offense will try to get back to their explosive passing attack that has been lacking up until this point. Slot Ted Ginn in as a high risk/high reward flex option with some serious WR2 upside.
