Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Luck and the Colts will be going up against the 27th ranked pass defense in the NFL when they take on the Tennessee Titans later today.
The rookie quarterback is currently 14th among fantasy players at that position, but has been a consistent performer throughout the last couple weeks. Outside of a disastrous loss to the New York Jets a couple weeks ago, Luck has averaged 23.3 fantasy points since the end of September. Not too shabby.
Carson Palmer, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
With four of the top 17 fantasy quarterbacks on a bye this week, fantasy owners are going to have to dig deep down their depth charts in order to find a one-week starter.
No better option this week than Palmer, who is eighth in the league in passing yards and has accumulated at least 17 fantasy points in four of his six starts.
Darren Sproles, Running Back, New Orleans Saints
Why not? Sproles will be going up against an 18th ranked rush defense when the Saints travel to Denver to take on the Broncos this evening. While the Saints do utilize a running back by committee set, it seems that Sproles is a perfect start against Denver.
Expect him to be a two-fold producer here both on the ground and through the air.
Rashad Jennings, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jennings isn’t a bad stopgap option in Jacksonville with Maurice Jones-Drew out for a few weeks. When on the field, Jennings does produce starting fantasy numbers. The issues with him has been staying on the field.
The Jaguars take on a Green Bay Packers defense that is 17th against the run. Look for Jennings to put up solid RB2 or FLEX numbers today.
Darren McFadden, Running Back, Oakland Raiders
We have all been waiting for RUN DMC to breakthrough this season, but it has yet to happen through the initial six games as it seems he is struggling in the Raiders’ new zone-blocking scheme.
Oakland is going up against a Kansas City Chiefs’ defense that has allowed at least 130 yards on the ground in half of its outings this season.
Malcom Floyd, Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers
Floyd has clearly taken over as San Diego’s No. 1 wide receiver following the departure of Vincent Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. After struggling against the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back weeks earlier this season, Floyd has stepped it up the last two game. He has compiled 10 receptions for 168 yards during that span.
San Diego’s opponent, the Cleveland Browns possess the third-worst fantasy performance against opposing wide receivers this season. That is clearly enough to believe that Floyd will be able to break loose against Joe Haden.
Randall Cobb, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
See my article from earlier this week.
James Jones, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers
See my article from earlier this week
Eric Decker, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
As I stated before, any viable fantasy performer should be a go against the worst defense in the NFL in the form of the New Orleans Saints. Look for Peyton Manning to target Decker early and often against that lackluster pass defense.
New Orleans is dead last against opposing fantasy wide receivers and quarterbacks this season. That should be enough.
Heath Miller, Tight End, Pittsburgh Steelers
It has been a while since Miller could be viewed as a top-tier fantasy tight end, but he should be able to give TE1 production this week against the Washington Redskins.
Miller has 31 receptions in six games and ranks No. 4 overall among fantasy tight ends this season. Equally as important, Pittsburgh is going up against the 32nd ranked pass defense in the NFL.