Sneaky Starts: Week 8

Oct 25, 2013

All but the luckiest fantasy owners at some point need to find the proverbial diamond in the rough -- a waiver wire or bench player who is capable of putting up some points in a pinch. This weekly feature is dedicated to that part of fantasy football. It's not pretty, but it's part of the game.

In Week 7 our Sneaky Starts included Geno Smith (QB10), Mike Glennon (QB12), Ryan Tannehill (QB13), Roy Helu (RB2), Ryan Mathews (RB7), Danny Woodhead (RB13), Joseph Randle (RB22), Donald Brown (RB28), Harry Douglas (WR5), Jarrett Boykin (WR6), Terrance Williams (WR12), Rueben Randle (WR22) and Jordan Reed (TE1).

At 4for4, we use Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed (aFPA) by position heavily in our rankings and analyses. For more detail, click here.

Note: These recommendations do not override our weekly rankings, which are updated throughout the week and weekend.

Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor (vs. PIT)
In five starts, Pryor has averaged 16.2 fantasy points thanks to his ability to run the ball (57 yards per game). The Steelers are not a good matchup, but Pryor is at home coming off his bye, so he should be well-rested and well-prepared.

Giants QB Eli Manning (@ PHI)
Manning threw for 334 yards and two TDs (and three picks--yikes) in his first meeting with the Eagles back in Week 5. This should be a high-scoring affair, and Eli should get his.

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer (vs. ATL)
Palmer has averaged 249 yards and 1.1 TDs through seven games, so the potential is there for a high-yardage gem against a very shaky Atlanta pass defense (#31 in QB aFPA). Unfortunately, Palmer has tossed 13 picks on the season, so a meltdown is possible as well.