Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) makes a catch against New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) during the second half of Sunday's game. Jeffery, a player many picked up off the waiver wire, led all receivers in yards last week. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

They are called sleepers.

Players who fantasy owners plug in to positions when their main guy has a bye week, or maybe he’s facing a difficult matchup.

Sleepers are receivers and running backs who can get you 10 to 12 points in a standard league on a really good week, but more often provide an owner with a solid 7 to 9 points.

Not great, but better than zero.

Well, last week bucked that trend big time.

Chances are if you started big receiver names like Brandon Marshall, Demaryius Thomas, Marques Colston or Victor Cruz — you lost.

On the other hand, if you started Alshon Jeffery, Terrance Williams, Justin Blackmon, Rueben Randle, Vincent Brown and Austin Pettis — you won.

I would wager that none of the “sleeper” players listed above were drafted before the 10th round, if it all, but these seven players were in the top 13 of point producers in my league this week.

The running backs finished a little more according to plan, which is why fantasy prognosticators like myself tell owners to focus on running backs in the draft.

Still, there were some surprises like Pierre Thomas.

Who?

You know, the Saints running back usually in hibernation, but who decided to come out of his cave for a little while. Thomas was the second-highest point producer in point per reception leagues.

I am willing to bet unless an owner was desperate, the nine catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns and 38 yards rushing benefited no one.

Some other veteran players who rewarded desperate owners forced to play them: Chris Johnson (4 receptions for 63 yards, TD), Willis McGahee (72 yards rushing, TD) and Rashard Mendenhall (43 yards, TD).

As for my team, the Last Action Heroes, I started in order: QB Tom Brady, RB Matt Forte, RB McGahee, WR Colston, WR Kenbrell Thompkins and WR Roddy White. Brady had one of the worst games of his career, Colston continues to be absent as the Saints quarterback only has eyes for TE Jimmy Graham, Thompkins was part of the Patriots debacle at Cincinnati and White left early in the second half because of a hamstring injury. McGahee did better than expected but Forte did not.

Add all of that up and you get a beat-down. The Heroes lost to Orchard Park 127-51.

So what does this all mean?

Nothing.

Under no circumstances am I benching Brady, Marshall, Cruz, Thomas or any of the other players drafted in the first five rounds.

Sleepers are called that for a reason. Defenses may have overslept one week against them, but the next team will make adjustments and they will go back to their usual production.

But that said, bye weeks and injuries happen and “sleepers” and “upside guys” are important to every owner.

Just don’t expect weekly production like what happened last week.

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Teams on a bye this week: Atlanta, Miami

Running backs to pick up off the waiver wire — Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams; Steven Jackson, Atlanta Falcons; Brandon Jacobs, N.Y. Giants.

Stacy showed promise last week for the Rams and could end up being the starter. Jackson should not be on a waiver wire, but if an owner in your league got antsy because of his injury and dropped him, go pick him up immediately. The Falcons are on a bye this week, but he should be ready to go next week. Jacobs is not flashy, but someone has to carry the ball for the Giants and he right now is the choice as David Wilson continues to either fumble or get injured.

Wide receivers to pick up off the waiver wire — Keenan Allen, San Diego Chargers; Jeremy Kerley, N.Y. Jets. Allen showed that he may be the No. 1 receiver for the Chargers based on his production in the late Sunday game against Oakland, finishing with 115 yards and a touchdown. Kerley benefits from Stephen Hill and Santonio Holmes still nursing injuries. In their absence, Kerley caught five passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Holmes and Hill are expected to miss this Sunday, too.