In this article KFFL breaks down the fantasy football sleepers of the week. We will avoid marquee names because players of that caliber are rarely benched, regardless of their matchup. Instead, we will focus on the players that make your fantasy lineup decisions stressful each week. Read on to learn which midrange to low-end players that you wouldn't necessarily consider that you need to get into your lineup.
Note: All statistics are from Week 7 to Week 10, unless otherwise noted.
Fantasy football sleepers: Quarterbacks
Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
- Despite the Giants' revitalized wideout corps, Manning has topped 300 aerial
yards just once this season. He has tossed five touchdowns and six picks in
his last four games.
- The Falcons have been torched by quarterbacks,
allowing 255.2 throwing yards and 2.00 touchdowns per outing, while also yielding
a 70.8 percent completion rate.
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Looks like the week to use Eli
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Atlanta's secondary still hasn't recovered from the season-long loss of cornerback
Brian Williams (knee) and have been a vulnerable
spot for the entire season.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
- Hass has regained some zest against two susceptible secondaries in the last two weeks, averaging 322.0 passing yards per game, but he has thrown two touchdowns and three picks in that time.
- The Vikings have been a friendly springboard for quarterback play: 229.7 passing yards and 1.67 touchdowns allowed to them per game.
- The injury to cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) has exacerbated the problem; Winfield may return this week, but the other members of the secondary haven't helped much anyway.
- The Seahawks are likely to be without running back Julius Jones (rib, lung) this week. Remaining backs Justin Forsett and Louis Rankin are useful in the passing game, and it's logical to expect Seattle to go through the air more overall.
NEW - Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
- We're sure you're hesitant to play him after his five-interception disaster in Week 10. His play in the four games before that resulted in strong per-game passing yardage (286.3 per game) but was otherwise erratic (seven interceptions, six touchdown throws).
- The Iggles have allowed 261.0 passing yards and 1.50 touchdowns per outing. More importantly, Philly's secondary might be undermanned; cornerback Sheldon Brown (hamstring) and safeties Quintin Demps (ankle) and Victor Harris (eye) are dinged up. The Eagles recently lost cornerback Ellis Hobbs (neck) for the season, and cornerback Joselio Hanson is on suspension for a positive drug test.
- Since the Eagles' run D has been solid, it's presumable that opponents will attack them through the air - it's a safer bet the Bears will rely on running back Matt Forte more as a pass receiver than a carrier.
About Tim Heaney

Tim's work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly, among numerous publications, and recognized as a finalist in FSWA's awards. The Boston University alum competes in Tout Wars and LABR and has won numerous industry leagues in both baseball and football.
During baseball and football season, he's on The Reality Check with Glenn Clark every Wednesday on 1570 AM WNST in Baltimore. He hits the airwaves every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio, where he often crashes other shows, as well.
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