Fantasy Football 2014: Bold Predictions for Week 2's Best Sleepers

With a plethora of injuries and poor performances from star players during Week 1 of the NFL season, fantasy football team owners are now left scrambling to find sleepers who can make an impact on their rosters in Week 2. Despite being somewhat unknown or only showing production on minimal opportunities, these sleepers have a chance to make a big impact for their new owners in Week 2.

Here are some of our boldest predictions for Week 2's best sleepers.

Cleveland's Terrance West Will Not Be Denied the End Zone Against New Orleans

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Following an injury to starter Ben Tate against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, rookie Terrance West took the majority of reps at running back for the Browns, accumulating 100 yards on 16 carries.

According to Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com, West did most of his damage against the Steelers on long runs, reeling off five runs of eight or more yards, including two over 20 yards.

Despite finishing as the team's leading rusher, West failed to get into the end zone and was overshadowed by fellow running back Isaiah Crowell's two-touchdown day.

While the team has yet to announce Tate's status for this Sunday, it appears likely that West will once again figure heavily into the Browns' game plan.

The Browns are set to square off against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday in their home opener. The Saints allowed a total of 568 yards to Atlanta last Sunday and struggled to slow down the Falcons' running backs all afternoon.

The Falcons rushed for 123 yards on 25 carries, and the Saints allowed 73 yards through the air to Atlanta's running backs, including a 54-yard touchdown catch out of the backfield by Antone Smith. 

Because of New Orleans' struggles with slowing down running backs in the passing game, West should see his targets in the passing game increase along with his carries.

Crowell may have found the end zone twice on Sunday, but more carries and targets in the passing game will result in more opportunities for West to find the end zone against the Saints. 

Jacksonville's Allen Hurns Will Continue to Rack Up Receiving Yards

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

One of the weekend's biggest surprises came in the form of Jacksonville's undrafted free-agent wide receiver Allen Hurns.

Against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hurns finished with four catches for 110 yards with two touchdowns and became the first player in NFL history with two receiving touchdowns in the first quarter in his NFL debut.

Hurns was thrust into the starting role when Cecil Shorts III was held out with a hamstring injury and made the most of his opportunities.

While Hurns' performance may have been a surprise to some, he put up equally impressive numbers during the preseason, hauling in 14 catches for 232 yards and one touchdown in 136 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Regardless of whether or not Shorts returns to the lineup against Washington this Sunday, Hurns should still see ample targets against a Washington secondary that allowed 206 yards passing last Sunday against the Houston Texans.

The Texans relied more heavily on their running game, but wide receiver Andre Johnson still finished with six catches for 93 yards and DeAndre Hopkins finished with four catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Washington's secondary proved on Sunday against the Texans that they are beatable, and if Hurns can find himself in a rhythm again with quarterback Chad Henne, he has a chance to replicate the big numbers he put up in Week 1 against the Eagles. 

Jake Locker Will Replicate His Week 1 Success

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After a couple of mediocre seasons in Tennessee, quarterback Jake Locker looked like a different player this past Sunday in new head coach Ken Whisenhunt's offense.

Locker completed 22 of 36 passes for 266 yards with two touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 111.4 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, Locker was at his best when he was not under pressure or being blitzed:

Luckily for Locker, he will be going up against a Dallas defense this Sunday that was only able to sack San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick one time and gave up 201 passing yards and two touchdowns.

If the Cowboys continue to struggle with getting after the quarterback, Locker has a chance to build off of his regular-season debut in Whisenhunt's quarterback-friendly offense and replicate the success he had in Week 1.

All stats courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise noted.

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