Passed Out at Your Desk: Refreshed

Everyone loves fantasy football sleepers, but they change depending on league size and availability. We're here each and every week to give you a look at good plays for all types of leagues.

You know it's going to be a great week when your featured sleeper suffers an injury so bad, his bone sticks out of his skin. While that was unfortunate (and likely very, very painful) for Leon Washington, the matchup advice turned out to be sound, as Shonn Greene stepped right in and put up a great line for absolutely no fantasy teams.

This week's slate of sleepers features many players coming out a bye week, hopefully feeling refreshed and ready to put up big points.

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Power Naps

Kyle Orton, QB, DEN at BAL
Not likely to be found on many waiver wires this week, since he was owned in two-thirds of your Fleaflicker leagues as of yesterday, Orton could still be sitting on fantasy benches come game time in Week 8. And unless you have a surefire QB1, that would be a mistake. The Bronco QB had been at the top of his game before last week's bye, throwing for two TDs in each of his last three games (against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers) while giving up just one interception. The Baltimore matchup is scarier on paper than on the field. Feel confident starting Orton this week.

LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI vs. NYG
McCoy finds himself in the sleeper column yet again. Shady? Hardly. With Brian Westbrook's status up in the air, the majority of the running back load will fall on McCoy's shoulders in Week 8, which means we could be just a few days away from his breakout. Like in the previous paragraph, his matchup may scare you on paper, but the Giants are giving up over four yards per carry this season, while allowing nine TDs to running backs. Shady should make for an excellent flex play at the very least as the Eagles look to wrestle dominance of the division away from the Giants.

Donnie Avery, WR, STL at DET
While the Rams continue to flounder, Avery is putting up a pretty decent season amidst the turmoil. He started out very slowly, but has caught fire in his last three games, averaging more than nine points per contest. He's even played through injuries during that stretch, and he'll have to do the same in Week 8, as he picked up a rib injury in last week's game. Still, he's up against the Lions, one of the league's three worst passing defenses (and we'll get to the worst in just a minute). Expect Avery to break loose for a long touchdown in Week 8 and put up great numbers as your WR3.

A Good Night's Sleep

Kerry Collins, QB, TEN vs. JAC
or
Vince Young, QB, TEN vs. JAC
Despite pushing from Titans owner Bud Adams, coach Jeff Fisher looks like he'll stick with Collins in this game. Unless he doesn't. Either way, you want to start whichever of these QBs is playing as your QB2, as well as all receivers (including sleepers Kenny Britt and Nate Washington) facing the Jaguars. Cornerback Rashean Mathis might even be out, making the matchup all the more juicier. No one out-stinks the Tennessee secondary, though; make sure to start David Garrard and all Jacksonville receivers (including slot man Mike Thomas) as well.

Justin Fargas, RB, OAK at SD
and
Michael Bush, RB, OAK at SD
Well, we know the passing offense isn't going to win this game (at least, all of us except JaMarcus Russell know it). Enter this two-headed backfield, who look primed to take advantage of an advantageous matchup against the poor Charger rush defense. In only eight carries against the Jets last week, Fargas racked up 67 yards, and he threw in 23 more yards on three catches for a solid day. Bush also received eight carries but didn't do quite as much with them. Fargas is the favorite over Bush for a big day, but either one could explode.

Josh Scobee, PK, JAC at TEN
Your kicker pickup of the week comes courtesy of the Titans defense, so bad that even the Jaguars should keep the scoreboard operator busy on Sunday. Scobee isn't exactly the best kicker around, but if he was, he wouldn't be a fantasy free agent, would he? The Titans give up nine points to kickers on average each week, which ties them for worst in the league. Take advantage of that this week with Scobee.

Lights Out

James Jones, WR, GB vs. MIN
The Packers lost a couple receivers last week, including Jones' main competition for time, Jordy Nelson. They also could be without emerging tight end Jermichael Finley. This means that Jones will get a lot of playing time and likely see a significant amount of targets. He's caught touchdowns in each of his last two games, and it's very likely that while Greg Jennings and especially Donald Driver are demanding defensive attention, Jones is able to break a long TD against the Vikings. Loved James Jones as a deep sleeper last week, and this time around he makes the main column.

Brandon Pettigrew, TE, DET vs. STL
Held catchless in Week 6 before Week 7's bye, Pettigrew is a rookie you'll find available in most of your leagues, and for good reason. He's done next-to-nothing this season as the entire Lions passing game has struggled. But fellow rookie Matthew Stafford looks to be on his way back and there's even a chance Calvin Johnson returns as well. One of the two joining Pettigrew in the starting lineup would bump his value, both would push it much higher. Don't ignore Pettigrew's favorable matchup against the Rams, a team that just traded one of their starting linebackers to Philadelphia.

Lions Defense, TM, DET vs. STL
While we're on the subject of the Lions, let's talk a little about their defense. They picked up three sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown in Week 5 against the Steelers. Next they recorded five sacks, two forced fumbles, and two turnovers in Green Bay, great defensive numbers despite the humiliating shutout. They've had an extra week of rest and now face a Rams team running on fumes. The Lions D has put up double-digit point totals in each of their last two games, and I like them to keep the streak alive on Sunday.