Sleeper Watch

Quick! Get to the waiver wire. Don’t waste precious time reading this entire article. Stop now, go to your league, and log in.

Pick up Philip Rivers.

Now, come back and read what the heck all the hurry is about.

Amazingly, going into week 6, Rivers is available in nearly half the leagues throughout fantasy football. Aside from being this week’s “Sleeper of the Week”, Rivers has some definite long term potential. In case you didn’t see it, Rivers torched a pretty good Pittsburgh defense in the second half of Sunday night’s game. He turned in 242 yards and two touchdowns plus a few rushing yards. Not bad for a guy who’s in his first year as the starter and was facing the defending Superbowl champs in primetime.

This week Rivers and the San Diego Chargers march into Monster Park to play the San Francisco 49ers. This is an excellent match-up for Rivers to prove he is a fantasy stud in the making. The 49ers have given up 10 passing touchdowns already this season (second only to Detroit). Their defense has been very streaky with impressive plays followed by blown coverage and giving up big plays. Rivers will have multiple opportunities to throw the ball downfield. Back-to-back multiple touchdown games is not out of the question and, if the 49ers focus too much on stopping the San Diego running game, the passing touchdown and yardage totals will only go up.

Philip Rivers has extra sleeper potential because of the outstanding talent that surrounds him. #21 LaDainian Tomlinson is the best running back in football at the moment. His versatility as a runner, receiver, and pass blocker elevates the potential of any quarterback he lines up with, and Rivers is currently the guy reaping these benefits. Tight-end Antonio Gates, who’s been absolutely blanketed this season, keeps linebackers busy every time he steps off the line (and thereby off of Rivers’ back and out of his passing lanes). Veteran wide-out Keenan McCardell helps Rivers by finding seams in opponents’ pass defenses, pulling coverage, and giving Rivers an extra outlet target when being blitzed. However, the biggest weapon in Rivers’ pocket at the moment is the surprising San Diego defense.

Let’s face it, you score a lot more touchdowns when your team has the ball, and the San Diego defense has been stifling opposing offenses. So far this season, the Chargers D has only allowed eleven 3rd downs to be converted. Eleven! That translates into a lot of punts by the other team and plenty of opportunities to score points and put up stats for Rivers.

So… Peyton, Favre, Brady, Johnson, Frye, and Leftwich… all on bye weeks. Culpepper and Brooks are out with injuries(and their backups are garbage). No names behind center in Oakland and Tampa Bay… is this position looking a little thin this season or is that just my jaded view of things? See why I told you to hurry out to the waiver wire? Get Rivers. Start Rivers. Yes, he is a sleeper and a long shot, and you’re not allowed to cry if you start him and he tanks, but considering some of the other talent available (or lack thereof), this guy looks like a true diamond in the rough. Grab him and good luck.

 
KC is back on her home turf this week in Los Angeles, California, which she claims is the greatest city on earth with no professional football team. She sincerely hopes Roger Goodell, the new commish will soon get a clue! You can find her around the Cafe under the name of latraffic.
 

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