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 5 to Week 8, unless otherwise noted.
Fantasy football sleepers: Quarterbacks
Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
- Campbell registered season highs in completions (29) and attempts (43) for
284 yards in Week 7. Campbell, however, has averaged just 172.7 passing yards
and 1.00 scoring tosses per game in three outings since Week 4. The 'Skins
would give Campbell a chance to post garbage-time numbers if they fall behind,
which they have been doing often this year.
- The Falcons secondary has been hurting since the
season-ending injury to cornerback Brian Williams
(knee). Quarterbacks have capitalized, posting 279.3 passing yards, 1.75 paydirt
passes and 30.3 ground yards per game against Atlanta in the last month.
David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
The matchup favors Garrard this week
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- Garrard has been kept out of the end zone while throwing four picks in his
last three contests. He has failed to break 200 aerial yards in two of those;
his other game, against the hapless St. Louis Rams,
was a 335-yard effort on a 30-for-43 performance.
- The Chiefs provide an equally desirable matchup:
They have allowed 261.0 passing yards and 1.67 throwing touchdowns per contest
in their last three games.
- Garrard's air show should involve frequent utilizations of multifaceted
back Maurice Jones-Drew, whose breakaway ability
could help gain Garrard some cheap yardage. Garrard's newfound friendship
with rookie wideout Mike Thomas also gives
him another avenue to expose a feeble Chiefs secondary,
which has been giving up the big play all season.
- The Chiefs might be without starting free safety
Jarrad Page (calf) this week and the rest
of the season. His absence would corrupt the continuity - if there was any
to being with - for the defensive backfield.
NEW - Alex D. Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
Fantasy value: No. 1 or bench
- Smith hasn't been overly outstanding stats-wise but has done just enough to get by since reclaiming the starting gig. Before reverting to his game-manager self in Week 8, he compiled 206 aerial yards and three touchdowns in a second-half comeback attempt in Week 7.
- The Titans have been feeble against the pass, giving up 293.3 yards and 3.00 touchdowns per game. Much of that came from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning beatdowns, but they haven't proven formidable against worse competition, either. Though they have recouped some key members of their secondary, they weren't that great against the pass with those players earlier this year.
- It's safe to say the Niners will continue to focus on running the ball, but against a solid Titans run D, they'll probably rely on passes to tailback Frank Gore. This should help open things up if they need to air it out. While he isn't the most attractive option, you shouldn't feel entirely hopeless if you have to rely on Smith this week.
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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