Fantasy Football Week 8: Start ’em, Sit ’em
Week 8 is among us, which means fantasy managers are free to pencil in the best lineup they have available since there’s no byes.
Week 7 brought almost no notable injuries – Deshaun Watson is out this week, Dawson Knox underwent wrist surgery and is out for a bit, Jerome Ford sprained his ankle and will miss a week, and Luke Musgrave left Sunday with a walking boot. Obviously injuries are bad, but fantasy-wise these names shouldn’t bring much concern.
*UPDATE: Brock Purdy is in concussion protocol, Sam Darnold set to start against Cincinnati*
What managers should be monitoring is the statuses of the big names that were sidelined last week (Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf, Justin Fields) in hopes they don’t turn into long-term absences.
Ian’s Record: 35-22
Start ’em
Jared Goff (QB, Lions) vs. Raiders
The Lions received a rude awakening from the Ravens this past Sunday, and Goff wasn’t left out by having to throw the ball 53 times with no David Montgomery. They’re back at home this week however, and I think they’ll rebound with some noise as they try to stay among the NFC’s best.
The Raiders haven’t faced a viable quarterback since week 4 (Justin Herbert). They’ve been able to keep them in check, but I think Goff will be the one giving the rude awakening this week.
Isiah Pacheco (RB, Chiefs) at Broncos
While Pacheco didn’t necessarily deliver against the Broncos in week 6, the Chiefs offense looks to be revving back up to its Super Bowl self after a four-touchdown performance by Patrick Mahomes (Pacheco caught one of them).
And like week 6, this matchup for Pacheco is simply delicious. Denver ranks dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing RBs through 7 weeks, so expect his healthy snap share to continue this week with another touchdown.
Christian Kirk (WR, Jaguars) at Steelers
I would say Calvin Ridley here, but ever since week 1 his production in Jacksonville’s offense just hasn’t really been the same.
Kirk, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. Since week 1 he has put up over 14 fantasy points in all but one contest and has found the endzone in each of the past two weeks.
Heading into Pittsburgh this week, where they rank second to last in fantasy points allowed to opposing WRs, I’m predicting a week 2-esque performance from him. Ridley might find the endzone, Kirk definitely will.
Darren Waller (TE, Giants) vs. Jets
Although it was Tyrod Taylor throwing to him last week, Waller put up his best numbers as a Giant last week against the Commanders. Regardless of who’s throwing this week, Brian Daboll is definitely smart enough to keep him in the loop in this second delicious matchup that I’m bringing up.
The Jets are dead last in fantasy points allowed to opposing TEs this year. Keep an eye on Waller’s status through the week as he nurses his hamstring, but if he’s good to go, cha-ching.
Sit ’em
Sam Howell (QB, Commanders) vs. Eagles
Howell has made a surprisingly good name for himself in his first year starting so far, he even brought Washington to overtime against Philly back in week 4. But after a lackluster loss to the Giants last week, I don’t see that happening again.
The Eagles’ defense just held the league’s top offense to one touchdown last Sunday night. They’ll be rolling into Washington too hot for Howell to handle.
Darrell Henderson (RB, Rams) at Cowboys
With Kyren Williams on IR, Henderson took the majority of snaps last week against a bad Steelers rush defense. Don’t go chasing that into Dallas this week.
The Cowboys held Austin Ekeler to 27 yards on 14 rushes in week 6, which alone should cause concern for managers who are considering starting Henderson.
With the way Dallas pummels RBs, expect high volume to come out of Matthew Stafford with fellow RB Royce Freeman on the field, who does better with pass protection.
Jerry Jeudy (WR, Broncos) vs. Chiefs
Jeudy is on a sad course in his young career right now, having yet to find the endzone and seeing under eight targets in each of his first six games this season.
It’s just not in the cards for anything to change this week, especially since he blundered a favorable matchup last week and did nothing the week before (when they played the Chiefs).
In what could very well be his last game as a Bronco, fade Jeudy at least one more time until he finds himself in a better scheme.
Cole Kmet (TE, Bears) at Chargers
I still really like Kmet, but since rookie QB Tyson Bagent has stepped in for Justin Fields (which will likely be the case again this week), Kmet has disappeared. Not a single target in the remainder of the Vikings game and all of the Raiders game.
On a football level, it’s awesome to see how much of a team player Kmet is regardless of his stats. On a fantasy football level, if he’s not getting stats, he’s not getting points. Pass.
BYES: NONE
