NFL Week 8 Fantasy Starts, Sits and Sleepers
Kind of struck out last week with the fantasy starts. Rhamondre Stevenson was solid, but Dak, Waddle and Cooks were all pretty tame. Nailed the sits though, outside of DJ Moore. You win some, you lose some-- pretty far from an exact science here.
This used to be the midway point of the season, but with the 17 game schedule, that won't occur until halftime of next week. Not complaining about the extra football, but odd numbers are pretty annoying. Regardless, week 8 fantasy advice coming your way:
Starts
Jalen Hurts vs. PIT: Home game off a bye in nice weather versus a bottom five defense. Jalen Hurts is going to explode in this one. 300 all-purpose yards and three+ scores is his baseline here. No need to dive in too much deeper here.
Joe Burrow @ CLE: Burrow has been out of his mind these last two weeks, passing for 781 yards and six turnover-less touchdowns. He's actually only had one turnover since his four interception showing week one at Pittsburgh. That type of clean play has resulted in a 4-2 record over those six weeks. He'll continue this Monday night in Cleveland, piecing up their division rivals. 400 yards and three touchdowns is very much in play.
Brian Robinson @ IND: We're big Taylor Heinicke fans here, but he is a backup at the end of the day. Washington would be wise to lean on their capable running game to help soften up the D for their QB. Indy is a bottom-10 rush defense who should provide ample opportunity for Robinson to work. Throw in a possible short field or two and we could see Robinson finding pay dirt once or twice on top of the 20+ touches.
Derrick Henry @ HOU: In the history of the NFL, there have been 19 games where a running back has carried the ball 40+ times. This game here could give us #20. Derrick Henry is on a roll right now, there's uncertainty for the Titans at the quarterback position and they're up against the worst team in the league--who happen to be the worst at defending the run. We can't emphasize enough how big of a day Henry is set to have on Sunday.
Tyreek Hill @ DET: The worst scoring defense in the league going up against a speedy receiver who's averaging 110.4 yards per game. What could go wrong? Hill will easily top 100 again in Detroit, finding the end zone twice as well. Shit...200 could be in play with Waddle not at 100%.
Chris Olave vs. LV: The rookie wideout has really clicked in this New Orleans passing attack, regardless of who's throwing him the ball. He'll be the team's primary target going up against a soft Raiders secondary in a game that I think will be high scoring. I like Olave's floor of 8/90/1, with plenty of upside. He's still leading in my mind for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Logan Thomas @ IND: He's been banged up these last few weeks but is potentially coming back to a nice opportunity against Indianapolis. The Colts have allowed the 8th most points to tight ends this year and have some strong corners to tie up Washington's receivers. If he suits up, Thomas could be a real safety blanket up and down the field for the Commanders.
Sits
Aaron Rodgers @ BUF: Still hasn't cleared 255 yards passing on the year. Just trashed his whole team on Pat McAfee, justified or not. Facing the top defense in the league in yards and points allowed. And they're calling for shitty weather. Give me almost anyone else in my fantasy QB slot this weekend.
Matthew Stafford vs. SF: Matthew Stafford being available on waiver wires feels like finding a shiny piece of trash. Really eye catching, plenty of temptation, still garbage. San Francisco's defense has underperformed in their last two but they're slowly getting healthy. If they can contain Cooper Kupp and pressure Stafford, it's going to be a long day for the Rams signal caller.
Dalvin Cook vs. ARI: If you drafted Dalvin Cook this year, you've had some ups and downs. Or downs and mediums anyway. Cook's been statistically solid, but he hasn't been doing much in the passing game and he's only scored four times. Again, solid, but not enough explosions you'd want from a top eight pick. Arizona is a top run defense who've been rounding into form as a whole these last few games. There's almost no way you're benching Dalvin, but don't expect fireworks from the Minnesota back.
D'Onta Foreman/Chuba Hubbard @ ATL: The Falcons defense isn't great, especially against the pass, but they hold it down against opposing run games, allowing the 6th fewest YPG. With PJ Walker back under center for Carolina, they shouldn't have too worry too much about the vertical passing game. This'll allow them to stack the box against the Panthers' running back duo. Don't anticipate either has a ton of success with this matchup.
Christian Kirk vs. DEN: Patrick Surtain II is a different kind of good. The Jags top receiver is going to find that out the hard way in London. Kirk's had a much better year then I thought he would, but this is a brutal matchup for him. Trevor Lawrence would be wise to test his luck picking on other cornerbacks.
Terry McLaurin @ IND: Love the connection Scary Terry has with Taylor Heinicke, but he'll be seeing a ton of Stefon Gilmore in Indy. The Commanders should be able to get the run game going and they'll have easier matchups in this secondary to exploit. I just don't see McLaurin's ceiling being very high in this one.
George Kittle @ LAR: It's been awesome seeing Kittle string together five consecutive games, with health always being his greatest obstacle. He's posted an impressive line of 19/181/1 in his last two games, rewarding patient fantasy owners. Much tougher sledding this weekend down in LA. The Rams have allowed the fewest points to tight ends this season, making this as difficult a matchup as he'll get. Let's be real, you're not going to bench Kittle, but don't say we didn't warn you when his numbers aren't shining Sunday evening.
Sleepers
Malik Willis @ HOU: Still no word yet on Ryan Tannehill's status for Sunday, but it seems more ominous then not. Is it time to cue the Malik Willis era in Tennessee? If the rookie does play, he has a salivating matchup in Houston. His floor is pretty low in the passing game, but look for him to be active and effective with his legs if he does get the start.
Nyhiem Hines vs. WAS: First time quarterback in going up against a strong defensive line. Smells like a bunch of quick passes and dump offs to me-- right up Nyhiem Hines' alley. A dozen touches wouldn't be out of the question, with half of them likely to be receptions.
Parris Campbell vs. WAS: Pretty similar thought process to Hines. It would feel irresponsible of Frank Reich to scheme up a bunch of deep drops and long developing plays in Ehlinger's debut, so definitely key in on the guys he's likely to target quickly underneath. Parris Campbell's M.O. Expect him to continue his little hot streak of fantasy relevance.
Juwan Johnson vs. LV: We're a little weary of his name popping up on the injury report midweek, but this an enticing matchup for Johnson. He gets a date versus the Raiders after his best career fantasy performance ever. Las Vegas is allowing the third most points to the tight end position, so he should have some room to operate. Keep your expectations realistic, but you could do much worse off the waiver wires.
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@Choppinglines
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