Sleepers Of The Week: Kubiak's 2-Man WR2 Looks Viable This Week

by TexansDC on Dec 9, 2011 7:00 AM CST in Sponsored Posts

I told anyone who would listen that Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson would not disappoint for a second week in a row. Johnson finished the game with four receptions for 97 yards before leaving early with what is being described as a day-to-day hamstring injury that is not as serious as the one he suffered earlier this season.

Of course, my fantasy sleeper advice should not be ignored. After all, my three fantasy teams sit in the playoffs with two enjoying a bye week. Yes, I know Arian Foster does not care for such news, but this is what one has to do to grab some credibility.

Since I just mentioned it, it is that time of the year – fantasy football playoffs. This is where every little sleeper could make the difference…especially if you are crippled due to injuries. Using my fantastical playoff prowess, I have honed in on two Texans who could stand tall in Cincinnati on Sunday and help fill the void.

It's just a jump to the left…

…and a step to the right, and you will find my sleepers of the week in wide receivers Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones.

"What? TDC? Are you mad? Are you trying to get people to lose this week?"

Not at all. Now that we have seen young T.J. Yates in action, I feel more confident about these sleepers than ever.

For starters, T.J. Yates is not a checkdown champion. Rookie be damned, Yates put up a very nice 7.5 yards per attempt last week. Additionally, 15 of Yates’ 25 pass attempts went to his wide receivers. With Andre Johnson’s status uncertain, it is important to note that six of those 15 attempts did find their way to Walter and Jones.

The Bengals, according to those nice people at Football Outsiders, are middle of the pack for defensive DVOA (18th in pass defense, 19th in run defense). Breaking down the pass defense DVOA, Cincinnati is great at defending tight ends and running backs (7th and 1st, respectively), but struggle with receivers.

Cincinnati is 23rd (17.9% DVOA) against WR1s and 28th (39.8% DVOA) against WR2s. This deficiency is not helped with starting cornerback Leon Hall on injured reserve, other starting cornerback Nate Clements banged up, and starting strong safety Chris Crocker missing practice. Even if you are wary of Walter and Jones, you have to like them against the Bengals' third and fourth cornerbacks, with Reggie Nelson behind them at the free safety spot – and if Johnson does play then you’ll have a fifth cornerback on the field trying to cover one of these guys.

Let’s review that formula: Quarterback who targets WRs and has a willingness to push the ball downfield + Secondary hampered by injuries that already struggles in defending receivers = Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter as quality sleepers who could be the difference in a playoff win or loss.

Given all of this, I would not be surprised if both of them caught at least four or five passes – especially if Cincinnati tries to put this game on Yates’ young shoulder. That’s my take, what’s yours?

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Comments

So

TJ Yates could light it up this week?

If the Texans need it in the 2nd half, I can see it.

In the first half, I see them using the threat of TJ throwing it to loosen it up for the run. Just like last week, you know? A few key passes to OD cutting across. No AJ, so yes on WR2, take your pick. Perhaps with a healthy Thor, that is a safe toss. Yes, I think the Kubes will open up the playbook a little more, if for no other reason than to facilitate the run more. Score, then turn it over to the D to preserve the win and allow the firm of Foster and Tate lay down the law in the 2nd half.

"All our lives we're taught to get in line. The ones who conform never discover." - Undrafted Free Agent and NFL Rushing Leader Arian Foster

by Rip Jersey on Dec 9, 2011 7:12 AM CST reply actions

I need to know if TJ Yates should start over...

Matt Ryan or Ryan Fitzpatrick (note: Fitzpatrick has been benched with his lackluster performances of late)

-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog

by Fuzion on Dec 9, 2011 7:43 AM CST up reply actions

Who does atlanta play

And are they at home or away

Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?

by Rocket94 on Dec 9, 2011 7:44 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

ATL @ CAR, BUF @ SD

Carolina’s D is bad, but Matt would b playing away. If you think you need some chutzpah to beat your opponent, go with Yates, but I’d all you need is a solid performance, go with ryan

by splanket on Dec 9, 2011 8:09 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

I would go Fitzpatrick

Michael Turner should have a big day in Carolina….their run defense is near league worst so I can’t imagine they’d gameplan to throw the ball a lot.

Yates should put up 220 and 1 TD, but I’d start Fitzpatrick…..he should have a good game against San Diego. They’re not a tough defense or anything.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Dec 9, 2011 8:32 AM CST up reply actions

Yep.

That was my thinking when I decided to play Ryan over….Matt Ryan.

I had actually dropped Ryan Fitzpatrick for a couple of weeks but picked him up when Matt played us, because I knew he was going to be bad.

.................

by Schlauton on Dec 9, 2011 8:40 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks guys.

I just went and changed my lineup to reflect Ryan Fitzpatrick starting.

Here’s to hoping he proves you all right, and wins me another $10 this week. COME ON FITZY!

-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog

by Fuzion on Dec 9, 2011 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

Honestly, I'd start Matt Ryan.

Buffalo is not the same without Freddy J running, and Atlanta is a throwing team now. Sure they’ll run more than usual, but they’re still going to take their shots. I rode Fitz for awhile til he faded, and I don’t see any reason why he would turn it around on the road.

by TexansPride on Dec 9, 2011 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

I don't trust Matt Ryan on the road.

by jkcheng122 on Dec 9, 2011 2:49 PM CST up reply actions

Yea he had a horrible day...

by TexansPride on Dec 11, 2011 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

I hope yall played Matt Ryan with his 4 tds..

Just sayin!

by TexansPride on Dec 11, 2011 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

Haha, that is exactly my QB line-up.

.................

by Schlauton on Dec 9, 2011 8:31 AM CST up reply actions

I'm in the same situation

Except I have Carson Palmer on the bench. I’m rolling with Yates!

My thoughts are like Brian Cushing on the field: Everywhere.

by f22a4bandit on Dec 9, 2011 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

Owen and Joel

Are Cincy’s Lb’s that good that these two don’t get slept with?

by Fastalkerus_Prime on Dec 9, 2011 9:18 AM CST via mobile reply actions

It is more likely that the DB play is so bad

that everyone just throws down field on them.

No one has needed to throw to the TEs against them.

"The greatest danger in planning for tomorrow is using yesterdays logic."
Marc Kahlberg

"Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them." - George Orwell

I think we will learn that the Bo$$man was right

by Barryfromtexas on Dec 9, 2011 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

Gotcha

Just felt like od and joel are big endzone targets for our young qb. I have dreesen and gresham. I think i’ll just flip a coin between the two

by Fastalkerus_Prime on Dec 9, 2011 9:55 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Gresham has been consistent

I picked him up late in the draft, and he’s blown away every receiver in points per week. He’s consistent, and you can expect about 20-22 points in PPR leagues, and about 12-13 in regular leagues.

-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog

by Fuzion on Dec 9, 2011 1:08 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

Think I’m gonna go ahead and start him. I see Cincy tryin to play from behind the whole game anyway. So I guess Dalton’s gotta throw it to somebody.

by Fastalkerus_Prime on Dec 9, 2011 5:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I like Gary to continue his plan to ease the pressure on TJ as much as possible while he gets more and more comfortable.

But I also think he will have to pass to set up the run early, so I look for TJ to uncork a few in the first quarter to try and unstack the box a little. Hopefully he has gelled a bit with the other receivers during the week. You could tell he was unsettled last week after Andre went out. He needs a go-to guy he feels comfortable with.

"The best thing about being a cynic......is that you are never surprised." ~Anonymous
"Don't get yourself a bunch of tricky plays.......get yourself a bunch of tricky players." `Paul "Bear" Bryant
Eat me, David Stern.

by Christopher H on Dec 9, 2011 9:42 AM CST reply actions

Bengals CB's

Bengals have lost their top three cornerbacks. Jones and Walter should be open. Walter has better hands, Jones the ability to break it if he catches it.

by Gabmucs on Dec 9, 2011 10:08 AM CST reply actions

And their best CB

is on our team. All I want for Xmas is a JoJo jersey!

by HabitualHoustonFan on Dec 9, 2011 1:42 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

and a playoff win(s)

by HabitualHoustonFan on Dec 9, 2011 1:47 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

I feel like this is a more winnable game than ATL by far.

Only thing is its @cincy. But i would much rather play Cincy with a rookie QB (our front 7 are going to light him up like he has never seen) than Atlanta. We will see but i got us winning this one 24-10. They will ABSOLUTLEY not put more than 17 pts on us though.

by Texan5513 on Dec 9, 2011 10:14 AM CST reply actions

I think we still need to temper our expectations for Yates

One solid game does not a trend make.

I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.

by DaGoaT on Dec 9, 2011 11:08 AM CST reply actions

Not a trend...

but in 6 quarters, I’ve seen a quarterback who isn’t afraid to throw the ball….and maybe that’s got something to do with the fact that he was a 4 year college starter, much like his Sunday counterpart.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Dec 9, 2011 11:17 AM CST up reply actions

We can only base our expectations on what we've seen so far

If everybody was somebody, then nobody would be anybody - Gilbert and Sullivan

by professortex on Dec 9, 2011 11:17 AM CST up reply actions

I was happy with him too

but people are starting to get a little crazy calling him the future starter etc etc, its way too early to go there yet. I think a safe expectation is just not to turn the ball over. We don’t need him to throw multiple TDs and 250 yards, just don’t give up the ball.

I wish we could hire coaches without "having grown up in Houston" being a job requirement.

by DaGoaT on Dec 9, 2011 11:21 AM CST up reply actions

A TD or 2 and somewhere close 200yards a game and we are solid.

thats all I expect .

and the clouds opened up and God said "I Hate you Texans Fans."

Our Andre, who art from Heaven, hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Canton.

by Joe25 on Dec 9, 2011 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

I'd like for us to pass early to setup our dominant run game

Cinci’s D will be keyed up to stop the run and their secondary is kind of banged up. Then we get a lead and run the game out. Or maybe I should let Kubes do his job.

by HabitualHoustonFan on Dec 9, 2011 1:51 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Has Duane Brown still not given up a sack this season?

Dirt dog pimp

by jahunter221 on Dec 9, 2011 11:46 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Is it possible for every player on the team to have their hammies tweaked or a bone broken?

"All our lives we're taught to get in line. The ones who conform never discover." - Undrafted Free Agent and NFL Rushing Leader Arian Foster

by Rip Jersey on Dec 10, 2011 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

I was trying to decide between Santonio Holmes and Johnny Knox. When a friend jokingly mentioned "no Texans?", I immediately signed Jacoby and started him.

The reason she mentioned “no Texans?” was because in a previous year after I had missed the playoffs. I dumped my roster for as many Texans players as were available. I ended up winning the 2nd to last week and almost won the last week’s consolation games.

by jkcheng122 on Dec 9, 2011 11:58 AM CST reply actions

haters be damned!

We can win this game with Yates.

by LordGav1n on Dec 9, 2011 12:54 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

Of course! Haven't you head?

Yates just wins!

*Soon-to-be Packers shareholder*
With my last breath, I curse Zoidberg!

by RaY210 on Dec 9, 2011 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

rec'd...

for the Rocky Horror Picture Show reference, even more clever employing it over the break.

and BTW, damn you! i can’t get that sutpid f song out of my head now….

BU alum, BU dad.

by @BLMTTT on Dec 9, 2011 1:39 PM CST reply actions

Am I doing the right thing by sitting the Texans D this weekend?

I’m starting Seattle’s D against St. Louis instead. Should I change or keep?

My thoughts are like Brian Cushing on the field: Everywhere.

by f22a4bandit on Dec 9, 2011 4:52 PM CST reply actions

Hawks D vs Rams O should be a good bet

I’d probably do the same. Even though the Texans D have been a top 3 Fantasy D this year, I don’t see STL doing much on offense at Qwest Field.

by TexansPride on Dec 9, 2011 6:27 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Thanks for confirming.

It’s tough to sit one of the best units in football, but when Seattle’s up against one of the worst offensive teams this year, I figured it’d be worth it.

My thoughts are like Brian Cushing on the field: Everywhere.

by f22a4bandit on Dec 9, 2011 11:05 PM CST up reply actions