Fourth and 26: The Raider Connection

You could have never predicted this when JaMarcus Russell was under center, but the Oakland passing game has suddenly gained relevance in the fantasy world. Crazy, right? New starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is coming off a 300-yard, three-touchdown performance ... against the Steelers. Receiver Louis Murphy caught two of those touchdowns and gained 128 yards on four catches in that same game.

If you're hard up for a second QB or a third WR, both these gentlemen could continue their solid work. If you still can't see yourself fielding Raiders on this most critical of weeks, well, I have some more deep-league sleepers for you.

Mike Tolbert, RB, Chargers. I would have loved to plug Chris Jennings again, like I did last week, but he played on Thursday this week. Hopefully you deep-league owners hung on to him after his limited work in Week 13. At the running back position, there really isn't much else in the way of universally-unowned RBs, so we'll roll with the guy that's been scoring TDs. Even though he hasn't touched the ball much, Tolbert has reached the end zone in three of his last four games. Can he keep the streak going against Dallas? I admit it's unlikely, but beggars can't be choosers.

Devin Thomas, WR, Redskins. He appears in this space only because the ownership numbers don't match his Week 13 fantasy numbers. Thomas exploded on to the fantasy scene with seven catches for 100 yards and two TDs last week in the near-win against New Orleans. Worried about the matchup against the Raiders? Don't be. Nnamdi Asogmuha should focus on Santana Moss, which should allow Thomas to run wild. In fact, according to Football Outsiders Oakland does the worst job at defending a team's No. 2 WR. Use that knowledge to your advantage this week.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills. As is the case with Gradkowski, I wouldn't gamble on Fitzpatrick in anything other than two-QB or QB-flex leagues. I mean, this is a guy who couldn't gain 100 yards through the air last week! He did turn in two usable performances in the two weeks prior to that terrible Thursday night game in Toronto, and the team has had 10 days to prepare for the eminently beatable Chiefs pass defense. They're currently the fourth-worst team at limiting QB points in fantasy football, giving up 260 yards and nearly two TDs per game and making Fitzpatrick a very nice second QB for your team this week.

Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins. Ladies and gentlemen, these aren't your older twin brother's Dolphins. Miami has had to virtually scrap the wildcat for the remainder of the year, only running nine plays from the formation in the lat three weeks. This opened the door for Chad Henne to throw 52 passes in the upset victory over the Patriots last week. With the ball in the air so much, multiple receivers are seeing upticks in their fantasy numbers. The first and most desired play this week is Davone Bess. The next player to look to is Hartline, who's scored touchdowns in consecutive weeks. I think he makes it three in a row against Jacksonville.