If you started Ryan Tannehill or his Dolphins teammates in the Thursday nighter, you’re probably disappointed and in an early hole in your Week 8 matchup. If you started, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Julien Edelman, Dion Lewis or the Patriots’ defence, you’re thrilled with their output and have a head start on Sunday’s action.
If you have to move on without Arian Foster, you’re bummed. If you’ve got Ben Roethlisberger or Dez Bryant coming back this week, you’re likely getting ready to gloat about your roster as the fantasy playoffs slowly approach.
Fantasy football seems to have a way of always balancing itself out (while also giving you heartburn) doesn’t it?
The Jaguars, Eagles, Bills and Redskins are on bye, so with that in mind here’s some advice on players you might be on the fence about heading into Sunday in Week 8.
QB
Start Matt Ryan vs. Buccaneers.
This is a plus matchup if I’ve ever seen one. Ryan has only thrown four touchdowns in his last four games even though the Falcons went 3-1 during that stretch. Tampa Bay has been lit up by Kirk Cousins and Blake Bortles in their most recent games, so to say the secondary is struggling would be an understatement. Ryan is 10-4 in his career against the Bucs and his top weapon, Julio Jones, is primed to have a monster outing despite coming off a stretch of mediocre games (mediocre by his elevated standards of course).
Start Drew Brees vs. Giants.
Like Ryan above, Brees has underwhelmed both in reality and by fantasy standards. The Giants have been better than average against opposing QBs this year, but the Saints have some nice momentum behind them and the shoulder issues Brees was dealing with have subsided. The Giants have allowed just two receivers (Julio Jones and Anquan Boldin) to reach the 100-yard mark, but they still give up 288.3 yards per game through the air. For a quarterback that likes spreading the ball around, this bodes well for Brees.
Other solid starts: Philip Rivers vs. Ravens, Russell Wilson vs. Cowboys, Carson Palmer vs. Browns, Eli Manning vs. Saints, Andy Dalton vs. Steelers
Sit Teddy Bridgewater vs. Bears.
Bridgewater is coming off his best game of the season, but he has yet to break the 20-point barrier (standard scoring). The Bears only allow 220 passing yards against per game, which ranks sixth in the NFL, plus Bridgewater has never thrown more than two touchdowns in a game in the NFL and last week was just the third time he hit the 300-yard mark.
Sit Derek Carr vs. Jets.
Tom Brady had success against the Jets last week and Carr looked great in a big win over the Chargers, but there’s a chance none of that translates to Week 8. Darrelle Revis will likely be draped all over Amari Cooper and Carr will be under fire from an angry Jets front seven looking to bounce back from that heartbreaking loss to the Patriots.
Other risky starts: Andrew Luck vs. Panthers, Aaron Rodgers vs. Broncos, Jameis Winston vs. Falcons, Joe Flacco vs. Chargers, Brian Hoyer vs. Titans
RB
Start Jonathan Stewart vs. Colts.
When Stewart is running well he’s tough to contend with and that’s been the case for the last two weeks. The Colts give up plenty of yards and touchdowns in the run game, so stylistically this a near-perfect matchup for Stewart and a Carolina team that runs for a league-high 144.7 yards per game.
Start Chris Johnson vs. Browns.
Who would have expected 2015 Chris Johnson to look like 2012 Chris Johnson? Well, the veteran is running with speed and conviction and going up against a Browns team that allows the most fantasy points to opposing running backs in the NFL. Even though Andre Ellington is expected to get more touches going forward don’t hesitate to start Johnson.
Other solid starts: Danny Woodhead vs. Ravens, Doug Martin vs. Falcons, Chris Ivory vs. Raiders, Charcandrick West vs. Lions, Justin Forsett vs. Chargers
Sit Reggie Bush vs. Rams.
Carlos Hyde’s injured foot will prevent him from suiting up this week in St. Louis. This means Bush gets the start and he’s guaranteed touches. That’s good, right? Not so much. The Rams defence hasn’t allowed a running back to get more than 30 yards since Week 4 and they rarely give up TDs to RBs. On top of that, Bush hasn’t done much this year.
Sit Latavius Murray vs. Jets.
Starting any running back against the Jets is not recommended this season. The Eagles in Week 3 were the only team to have any success against the Jets’ run defence this season. Murray is a quality back and the Raiders are an underrated team, but unless you’ve got no other options try to stay away from this matchup.
Other risky starts: Darren McFadden vs. Seahawks, Eddie Lacy vs. Broncos, Jeremy Hill vs. Steelers, Ameer Abdullah vs. Chiefs, Melvin Gordon vs. Ravens
WR
Start Mike Evans vs. Falcons.
A hamstring injury limited what Evans did in the first five games, but the second-year receiver came alive last week catching eight of 12 targets for 164 yards and a touchdown. Even though he’ll going up against Desmond Trufant, one of the best corners in the league, Evans should be started. Tampa’s No. 2 (Vincent Jackson) and No. 3 (Louis Murphy) receivers are out with injuries, so Evans will be leaned on that much more.
Start Golden Tate vs. Chiefs.
This is the week, people. This is the week Tate shows what he’s capable of. No team gives up more fantasy points to wide receivers than the Chiefs and with a new offensive co-ordinator in Detroit, look for Matt Stafford find Tate.
Other solid starts: Stefon Diggs vs. Bears, Kendall Wright vs. Texans, Steve Smith Sr. vs. Chargers, Brandin Cooks/Willie Snead vs. Giants, Stevie Johnson vs. Ravens, Jeremy Maclin vs. Lions
Sit Dez Bryant vs. Jets.
Just because the Cowboys’ star is back doesn’t mean he’s going to produce for you this week. Jerry Jones said he’ll likely be on a snap count, he’s got Matt Cassel throwing him the ball and he’s going up against the Legion of Boom. Be wary.
Sit T.Y. Hilton vs. Panthers.
Hilton might seem like an obvious start, but Josh Norman has completely shut down No. 1 receivers this season. Hilton will get plenty of chances, but his teammate Donte Moncrief might be a better option if you’re set on starting a Colts WR.
Other risky starts: James Jones vs. Broncos, Amari Cooper/Michael Crabtree vs. Jets, Travis Benjamin vs. Cardinals, Roddy White vs. Bucs, Anquan Boldin vs. Rams
TE
Start Heath Miller vs. Bengals.
Cincinnati plays tight ends well, but reports out of Pittsburgh suggest the Steelers will actively look to get Miller more involved in the offence. It’s also a good sign for Miller that Big Ben is back. Those two have great chemistry. Getting Miller the ball early also frees up Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant to make big plays later in the game.
Other solid starts: Jimmy Graham vs. Cowboys, Delanie Walker vs. Texans, Benjamin Watson vs. Giants, Eric Ebron vs. Chiefs, Martellus Bennett vs. Vikings, Jason Witten vs. Seahawks
Sit Gary Barnidge vs. Cardinals.
Gronk is the only tight end with more fantasy points than Barnidge this season. It’s crazy and it’s true. However, with Barnidge going up against the Cards his hot streak could come to an end. Arizona has allowed the fewest points to the position. They haven’t given up a TD to a tight end all year and Crockett Gillmore’s 53 yards last week was the most they’ve allowed to a tight end. Keep the Barnyard Dog in the stable this week.
Other risky starts: Kyle Rudolph vs. Bears, Antonio Gates vs. Ravens, Richard Rodgers vs. Broncos, Colts TEs vs. Panthers
DEF
Start Panthers vs. Colts.
The Colts have turned the ball over 15 times this season. Only the Lions have been worse in that category. The Panthers could feast on a struggling Colts team at home on Monday.
Other solid starts: Rams, Jets, Falcons, Packers, Cardinals, Vikings
Sit Bengals vs. Steelers.
Cincinnati’s defence is a strength and the Bengals could very well win this game to remain unbeaten, but Ben Roethlisberger is back. It’s the first time the Steelers will have Big Ben, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant all in the lineup at the same this season. That a lot for a defence to contend with.
Other risky starts: Colts, Texans, Chiefs, Ravens, Cowboys
K
Start Steven Hauschka vs. Cowboys. He’s hit double-digit fantasy points five times this season and the Cowboys are in a funk.
Other solid starts: Brandon McManus, Matt Bryant, Chandler Catanzaro, Graham Gano
Sit Phil Dawson vs. Rams. St. Louis holds teams to FG attempts, but the 49ers might have trouble moving the ball enough to even get into FG range.
Other risky starts: Mason Crosby, Nick Novak, Greg Zuerlein
Sleepers: Matthew Stafford, Orleans Darkwa, Andre Ellington, Antonio Andrews, Chris Polk, Tavon Austin, Rueben Randle, Ted Ginn Jr.