The fantasy football quarterback pool is shallower than usual this week with Michael Vick resting an ailing hamstring and Matt Ryan on his bye week. If you’re in a bind at the QB position or just want to roll the dice with a new face, there are some options that aren’t usually starters that make nice sleeper picks based on their matchup and opportunity this week. Whether you’re looking for a weekly league bargain or a bye-week fill-in, there are some players ready to step up and contribute this week.
Here are the top 5 sleeper options in the order I would start them for week 6:
1. Ben Roethlisberger-Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben has been over 350 yards the last two weeks and this week is in a good matchup against the Jets. New York has allowed 591 yards and six TDs to opposing QB’s the last two weeks and are on a short week after their big Monday Night win. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is well rested coming off the bye and in search of their first win. Roethlisberger is a QB2, but one with lots of upside this week at MetLife Stadium against the Jets.
2. Andy Dalton-Cincinnati Bengals
Another QB2 with some nice upside is Andy Dalton who leads the Bengals into Buffalo where he’ll face a Bills defense that has allowed passing TD’s every week and double-digit fantasy points in ESPN standard scoring to every QB they’ve faced. Dalton didn’t look great against the Patriots even though Cincinnati won, but he’d been playing well before that and should be good for 250+ yards and a score or two this week.
3. Chad Henne-Jacksonville Jaguars
Henne gets the start in place of Blaine Gabber this week against the Broncos who were shredded last week by Tony Romo. Denver’s D actually allows the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing QB’s since teams have to get pass-happy to keep up with Peyton. Henne will probably have a few turnovers and ugly throws but will have the volume to overcome those negative plays. He actually has some nice weapons with Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts, so I think he’ll end up with a solid day in Denver.
4. Matt Cassel-Minnesota Vikings
Cassel gets the starting nod for the Vikings as they take on the Panthers despite Josh Freeman being brought in and Christian Ponder having a bye week to recover. Carolina’s defense has been good against the pass but they’ve been helped by a favorable schedule. The did allow 320 yards to Russell Wilson and 296 to EJ Manuel although they’ve done better in their two games since then. Cassel is a flier pick, but he could pay off with the Vikings at home in the dome coming off a bye.
5. Brandon Weeden-Cleveland Browns
Weeden gets his starting job back and a pretty good matchup against the Lions defense at home. If you’re desperate for a starter, Weeden has some weapons at his disposal with Josh Gordon back and Jordan Cameron emerging. He’s definitely not the worst option this Sunday, but he’s widely available since he did lose his job once already this season. He’s a QB2 flier that could pay off nicely.