Fantasy Fix: Week 8 Deep Sleepers

Week 8 in the fake football world should be a fun one. About as fun as hand-gliding into a volcano. There’s six teams home on byes this week - the Bears, Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Texans, Titans – and 1792 players out with broken legs, torn groins, pulled hamstrings and busted bursa sacs. What’s a “bursa sac”? Look it up on WebMD like I did.

With so many guys out, the waiver wire has been busier than a tornado in a trailer park. We are going to have to go deep for this weeks sleepers. We are talking players that are currently owned in 10% or fewer leagues. These guys are from the land of misfit fantasy players.

 As you know my Fantasy Fixers, sleepers are a roll of the dice – you might hit it big or you may come up snake eyes.  What do you have to lose? The season’s half over.

Quarterback

Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars: Henne is currently owned in 4% of leagues. Why? Because he plays for the Jaguars. However, Henne has averaged 11 fantasy points the last two weeks. Henne could provide some points Sunday against the 49ers. The Jagoff’s will be down by about 30 points at halftime and Henne has Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts to throw to. If you’re in a deep league, a 2-QB league or have been using bath salts for the last three days give him go. Fantasy projection: 10.50 points

Running Back

Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots: You always run the risk of getting Belichick’d when you go with a Pats running back. Bolden, who’s owned in about 10% of leagues, is averaging about 9 touches a game and gets the Dolphins D this week. Miami has given up the most fantasy points to running backs this season. This seems like the perfect sleeper pick. My perfect sleeper last week was Nick Foles. He’s got a concussion. Someone light a candle for Bolden. Fantasy projection: 9 points

Wide Receiver

Leonard Hankerson, Washington Redskins: The ‘Skins are playing the Denver Mannings. In Denver. Coming off an embarrassing loss. Denver’s going to put up points. Someone has to catch garbage time passes. That’s you Leonard. How’s that for a ringing endorsement? Fantasy projection: 6 points

Tight End

Andrew Quarless, Green Bay Packers: With Jermichael Finely out this week and maybe the year with a head injury, Quarless gets the nod at tight end. The best thing that can be said is he has Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball and he is upright – unlike Jermichael Finely. I say the big Q triples his point total for the year Sunday night. He has 3 points this year. Where’s my abacus? Fantasy projection: 9 points

Defense/Special Teams

Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Raiders are currently owned in 9% of leagues and have scored under 9 fantasy points in 4-of-6 games this year. They face Ben Roethlisberger this week and Big Ben has been sacked 21 times and has tossed five interceptions this year. Smells like points to me. Or is that your feet? Fantasy projections: 10 points