If your QB is injured or on a bye this week, there is still hope that you can get that all-important W as we get ready for the stretch run to the playoffs. Most teams can’t afford to give away a week, so get your QB situtation straightened out for week 9. Here are my top five sleepers who can start if you need an emergency fill-in:
1. Jake Locker-Tennessee Titans
Locker returned before Tennessee’s bye week with a 326-yard, 2 TD performance against the stout San Francisco defense. This week he faces the Rams who showed they’re no pushovers on Monday Night Football against Seattle. However, on a short week they’ll have their hands full with Locker who brings a vertical passing game and increased mobility after the bye week. As long as Locker can avoid injury, he’s a QB2 with some serious upside who can be a QB1 if you’re desperate.
2. Terrelle Pryor-Oakland Raiders
Pryor’s passing numbers were atrocious last week against the Steelers, but he managed to get the win for the Raiders and please many of his fantasy owners thanks in large part to a 93-yard TD run on the first play from scrimmage. He finished with 106 yards rushingn and just 88 passing, but can still be solid since they’re facing an Eagles defense that has given up big days to opposing QBs this season.
3. Jason Campbell-Cleveland Browns
After the revolving door at the Browns QB spot finally gave him his chance, Campbell showed up last week and played well against the Chiefs throwing for a pair of touchdowns and 293 yards. The Ravens come calling this week in another tough matchup, but he showed he can get the ball to Jordan Cameron and Josh Gordon who can make plays for Cleveland and help Campbell to be a solid QB2 option for this week.
4. Christian Ponder-Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings QB situation may be the only one worse than Clevleand’s, but Ponder is expected to play this week in Dallas against a Cowboys defense that has given up more fantasy points to opposing QB’s than any other team in the league. Ponder probably won’t blow up, but he makes a solid QB2 option and will probably finish between 10-15 in the final fantasy point tally among QB’s this week.
5. Case Keenum-Houston Texans
If you’re really desperate, Keenum is expected to start for Houston after their bye week as they take on the Colts on Sunday Night Football. Keenum threw for 271 yards and a score in his only NFL start which came two weeks ago against the Chiefs. Last week, the Texans were on a bye which could help Keenum get even more in touch with both Andre Johnson and De’Andre Hopkins who give him some talent on the outside to work with if he can get the ball into their hands. He’s a low-end QB2 option even with all the bye-weeks, but there is also definitely some upside there in Keenum’s second NFL start.