As fantasy football owners we must have short term memory.
2012 Fantasy Football: Week 2 Sleepers
As much as it hurt to sit and watch as Cam Newton or Matt Stafford let down your fantasy team last week, or as validating as it was to have C.J. Spiller in your lineup, the opening week is in the books, and it's a long season.
Each week I will lay down some sleepers for the week. Last week, I avoided putting out this feature because in most cases you should be starting the guys you drafted as starters. As the season drags on, though, it’s time to play match-ups.
These suggestions will be a bit bold. The only players I will designate as ‘Sleepers’ will be players started in fewer than 65-percent of leagues based on Yahoo! We’ll keep track of how I do with my picks based on a scoring system outlined after the jump. I’ll also have a column on fantasy busts later today.
Any specific lineup questions beyond this can be asked in the comments or on Twitter. Also, be sure to check out SB Nation’s Fantasy Football War Room from 4-8:30 p.m. eastern time on weekdays and 8 a.m until game time on Sundays.
Sleepers
Quarterback
(Scoring Criteria: Must score 20 or more fantasy points, 20 passing yards = 1 point, 10 rushing yards = 1 point, 4 points per passing TD, 6 points per rushing TD)
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, 11-percent started
Andrew Luck's regular season debut was uneventful. While Robert Griffin III made headlines, leading the Washington Redskins to a victory in New Orleans, Luck turned the ball over continuously against the Chicago Bears. Luck and the Colts will return home this week, though, to take on a much softer Minnesota Vikings defense. The Vikings figure to take away the Colts' rushing attack, leaving Luck ample passing attempts to pile up fantasy points.
Running Backs
(Scoring Criteria: Must 12 or more fantasy points, 10 yards rushing/receiving = 1 point, all touchdowns = 1 point)
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints, 13-percent started
Mark Ingram struggled in Week 1, but the Saints were playing from behind for most of the game against the Redskins. The opposite should be the case in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers run defense did not look stellar in attempting to slow down Doug Martin, so I expect Ingram to bounce back with a touchdown this week.
Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins, 14-percent started
Mike Shanahan’s backfield can be impossible to predict, but for now Alfred Morris is the lead dog. He faces a soft St. Louis run defense in Week 2 and should be able to approach his Week 1 numbers again.
Wide Receivers
(Scoring Criteria: Must 10 or more fantasy points, 10 yards rushing/receiving = 1 point, all touchdowns = 1 point)
Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers, 15-percent started
The Green Bay Packers have started to get Randall Cobb more involved in the game plan. He got a ton of touches against the 49ers on Sunday, and with Greg Jennings in danger of missing the team's Thursday night game, Cobb could be in line for an even bigger workload. He's definitely a viable wide receiver three option this week.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders, 23-percent started
Monday night's season debut was unceremonious for the Oakland Raiders passing attack. Carson Palmer didn't have a ton of time to throw, and the Chargers locked down the passing game all night long. The Miami Dolphins shouldn't have that type of success against Oakland, and Darrius Heyward-Bey should be able to get behind the defense a few times.
Tight End
(Scoring Criteria: Must 8 or more fantasy points, 10 yards rushing/receiving = 1 point, all touchdowns = 1 point)
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, 8-percent started, Matchup: at Indianapolis
Christian Ponder turned in a solid game on Sunday against the Jaguars, and Kyle Rudolph was one of his favorite targets. Percy Harvin will continue to be the focal point of Minnesota's passing attack, but Rudolph is a reliable option as well. He could break out this week against an underwhelming Indianapolis Colts defense.
Defense
(Scoring Criteria: Must score 10 or more fantasy points)
New England Patriots, 53-percent started, Matchup: vs. Arizona
The New England Patriots' defense looked improved against the Titans on Sunday. While the secondary could still use some work, the front seven will be able to make plays this season and cause some turnovers. Against a terrible Arizona offensive line with Kevin Kolb at quarterback, the Patriots will be an excellent fantasy play this week.
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