Fantasy Football Sleeper Of The Week

by Bruce Raffel on Dec 9, 2011 12:00 PM EST

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 4: Wide receiver Lee Evans #83 of the Baltimore Ravens fails to get both feet in bounds for a reception while under pressure from cornerback Joe Haden #23 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 4, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens debated the Browns 24-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

With the winless Indianapolis Colts next up on the Baltimore Ravens schedule, one look at this game makes one think it should be a blowout, with a shutout even possible. But this is the National Football League where things seldom go as planned. Make no bones about it, the Ravens should win this game, but it might not go as easily as one might like, as least in the beginning. Remember the game against the one-win (at the time) Arizona Cardinals that took up until the game's final play for the Ravens to pull out the victory?

Most likely the Ravens have turned that page and will be able to score early and often, while making the Colts pay for every yard as revenge for all the butt-whippings Baltimore received over the years from Indianapolis. So which Ravens offensive player will prove to be offensive to the Indy defense that might not have been expected and be the Ravens fantasy football 'Sleeper of the Week?'

I've narrowed it down to two guys and will lean towards one of them. Tight end Ed Dickson has actually taken a supporting role behind the great play recently by Dennis Pitta. The Colts have been absolutely awful trying to cover tight ends this year. Last week the New England Patriots pair of tight ends caught 12 passes for 107 yards and two scores on the Colts defenders. The size of the Ravens tight ends will be match-up nightmares for the Indy defensive backs and their speed will leave linebackers in their wake if they try to cover that way.

On the outside, this game seems like the perfect time to see what progress WR Lee Evans has made in his return from injury. Already at a deficit trying to mark Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, Evans should get single coverage against a possible rookie based on so many injuries in the Colts' secondary. Getting Evans back up to speed for the last few games and the playoffs would offer huge options for QB Joe Flacco and this game could be just what the doctor ordered for the Ravens, much less Evans' confidence.

So if you want to go with the sure thing, go for Ed Dickson (or Dennis Pitta), the two tight ends, or the speedy veteran WR Lee Evans, as the Ravens fantasy football 'Sleeper of the Week.'

For more advice, go to SB Nation's fantasy football blog, Fake Teams, for their Week 14 Waiver Wire Scoops.

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it sure would be nice if Lee could get going. This offense has scary potential if Lee can turn things around.

On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu

by AV23 on Dec 9, 2011 1:45 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn't say Dickson has taken a backseat to Pitta at all

Last three games Dickson 6 catches – Pitta 3
Last 6 Games Dickson 24 catches – Pitta 18
Season Dickson 46 catches – Pitts 28

More like Pitta is now ALSO involved in the game plan, though as the numbers show Dickson still is getting more looks.

by DT711 on Dec 9, 2011 2:08 PM EST reply actions

the white shadow…….salami

by raven on Dec 9, 2011 8:09 PM EST reply actions

Stats prove Dickson catches more balls,

it seems to me that perhaps Flacco looks for Pitta in more crucial situations. At least lately.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Dec 9, 2011 11:02 PM EST reply actions

Pitta has had 20 1st down receptions this season, accounting for 71% of his total receptions. Dickson has had 23 1st down receptions, accounting for 50% of his total receptions. Dickson is getting first downs at a higher rate (first downs per reception), but I think the higher number of first downs is more important to the offense.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel

by Ampallang on Dec 10, 2011 8:27 AM EST up reply actions

first downs maybe

but I think 3rd down targets may reveal that Pitta is becoming someone Flacco trusts a great deal. I can’t support that with any stats, but I’d be interested to see what his 3rd down target numbers are like compared to Dickson’s.

Dickson definitely is that “big play” guy, but, to channel my inner Samuel L. Jackson, when ya absolutely, positively, got to catch ANY FOOTBALL THATS THROWN AT YA, accept no substitute. In those situations, it makes sense to target the guy with the most reliable hands.

TO BILL BRASKY!!!

by jackmca on Dec 10, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

I can’t support that with any stats, but I’d be interested to see what his 3rd down target numbers are like compared to Dickson’s.

I’d like to see them, too. Unfortunately, I’m not sure where to find those stats. NFL.com’s stats aren’t very thorough.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel

by Ampallang on Dec 10, 2011 12:25 PM EST up reply actions

I think both of them are doing a perfect job. We really couldn’t have asked for better numbers from these guys so far this year.

Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.

Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 10, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions