NFL
Fantasy Football Start ‘ems and Sit ‘ems: Week 8
With a rough week seven of byes behind us, we happily move on to give you advice on the less obvious starts and sits of week eight in the NFL.
Though Halloween is this week, it was last week, week 7, that was the spookiest for many fantasy managers, myself included. With six teams on bye week last week, several of the big players were out, including Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Dalton Schultz, CeeDee Lamb, Josh Allen, Stefan Diggs…the list goes on. But now we’re moving on to week 8 - hallelujah!
Bye weeks aren’t over, of course, but at least the worst of them are. This week, the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders are on their bye week, so make sure you trade out any of those players you have still sitting on your starting lineup.
Quarterback Start ‘ems
Matthew Stafford, Rams, @ Texans
Stafford didn’t see his best performance by any means in week seven, and even still he managed to put up 27 points in fantasy. He gets the ball down the field and into the end zone and he should have some pass opportunities against the Houston defense in week eight as well.
Justin Herbert, Chargers, vs Patriots
Herbert didn’t look great against the Ravens in week six, but I’m calling that performance a fluke. This is the same QB who put up 300 yards or more and at least three touchdowns in every other game. Coming off the bye week, Herbert should be ready to take on the Patriots.
Joe Burrow, Bengals, @Jets
First of all, he’s playing the Jets. That should be enough information right there. But if you need more, just take a look at his performance in the second half against the Ravens last week. He threw for an 82-yard and a 55-yard TD, and has already thrown for a total of 17. He’s on a roll and he won’t slow down against the lowly Jets.
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Quarterback Sit ‘ems
Sam Darnold, Panthers @Falcons
Sam Darnold just cannot be trusted. He was playing so poorly against the Giants last week that he was subbed out in the last quarter. Though he’s still expected to be the starter for Carolina, I wouldn’t risk him as a start. He’s thrown five interceptions in the last three games and only two TDs, doing more harm than good for your fantasy team.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @Seahawks
Lawrence is starting to look more confident on the field, and had his first 300-yard performance against the Dolphins. But…he’s unable to get the touchdowns, and thus the fantasy points that matter.
Mac Jones, Patriots @Chargers
He’s improving and his passing game can’t be denied, but the Patriots are still mostly a run and defensive team, which doesn’t allow for as many fantasy points as it otherwise could for Jones.
Running back Start ‘ems
James Robinson, Jaguars, @Seahawks
Robinson has proven himself consistent over the last four games, going for 15 carries or more in each game. In the Jaguars defeat over the Dolphins, he played multiple roles, gaining receiving yards as well. Plus he always seems to find the end zone.
Joe Mixon, Bengals, @Jets
I repeat…start anyone playing the Jets. Mixon has had his struggles in the passing game recently, but he is still the lead target for the Bengals and he has been a consistent fantasy starter. Against the Jets, he shouldn’t have a problem.
Najee Harris, Steelers, @ Browns
Coming off a bye week, Harris should be well-rested and ready to take on the Browns. He has been a solid start since game two and continues to come through on both receptions and rushing yards.
Running back Sit ‘ems
Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles, @Lions
A lot of fantasy waiver advice is telling me to pick up Gainwell, but I don’t buy it. He wouldn’t be too risky since he’s going against the Lions, so admittedly this is a weak “sit” on the list. But I still don’t see him as a solid or consistent start.If Sanders is back in, he may see less touches than last week.
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers, @Falcons
Hubbard is dealing with a poor Carolina offense and though he’s been seeing a lot of the ball, he hasn’t been getting very far with it. And for a top back to be grabbing the ball and not gaining yards, it’s not a great fantasy look.
Tony Pollard, Cowboys @Vikings
Pollard is a good back, but he consistently ends up on my sit list because of the shared time with Zeke and his lack of time in the end zone. He performs well, but the points don’t show it, so it’s not worth starting him unless your options are limited.
Wide receiver Start ‘ems
Mike Evans, Buccaneers, @Saints
I think last week’s game against the Bears should have been convincing enough to start Evans this week. He may struggle against a division rival this week as well as playing on the road, but he is effective in the red zone and he gets you the points.
Adam Thielen, Vikings, vs Cowboys
I certainly missed Thielen on my lineup last week. And am excited to have him back from the bye. Before the bye week, Thielen saw a season high in receptions, yards, and targets, and proved himself worthy of being a consistent target.
Terry McLaurin, Washington, @Broncos
Coming back from a hamstring injury, McLaurin seemed as good as new last week against Green Ba. In fact at times it seems he’s having to carry the team. He still sees the majority of the passing yards and is an efficient player who deserves to be a start ‘em.
Wide receiver Sit ‘ems
Keenan Allen, Chargers, vs Patriots
Keenan Allen has been splitting time with Mike Williams, which is really hindering his ability to put up many fantasy points.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots, @Chargers
The Chargers won’t be as breezy of a game for the Patriots as the Jets game was. Meyers saw a lot of action in that game, but he can’t seem to find the end zone. If he could do that, I might reconsider his position.
Corey Davis, Jets, @Bengals
Does anyone even still have Jets players on their lineup at this point? If you do, count this one out. It isn’t likely he will see a lot of success if Wilson is still benched, which it looks like he will be. Going up against the Bengals defense, I don’t like his odds even if Wilson is in.
Tight end Start ‘ems
Kyle Pitts, Falcons, vs Panthers
The last two games Pitts has played has shown he is the real deal. He has proven his ability to gain yardage and the Panthers are struggling, so he should have an easy time as he did with the Jets and Dolphins.
Tyler Higbee, Rams, @Texans
If you aren’t lucky enough to have Cooper Kupp on your team, start Higbee. He won’t likely see the majority of targets, but what he does see, he should maximise on against a weak Houston team.
Dalton Schultz, Cowboys, @Vikings
Fresh off the bye week and if Dak is fully healthy, they should continue to have the great connection they have developed this season. It was off to a bit of a rocky start, but they seem to have nailed it now. He’s seeing lots of touches. Now we just need him to get in that end zone on a weekly basis.
Tight end Sit ‘ems
Robert Tonyan, Packers, @Cardinals
Where did Tonyan disappear to over that four-week period of barely any targets?? He did make a comeback last week against Green Bay, but it’s not likely he will be the favorite target. Not to mention, this is going to be a tough (but fun) matchup with the undefeated Arizona Cardinals. I’d play it safe and bench this one this time.
Cole Kmet, Bears, vs 49ers
Though he’s starting to make a name for himself, he’s been too low of a target for me to trust as a start just yet. Maybe after a few games if he can prove consistent with his catches and continues to be targeted, he’ll be worth a start, but not yet.
Juwan Johnson, Saints, @Buccaneers
I don’t think anyone wants to take a chance on whether or not Juwan Johnson will be targeted against the Bucs. With Kamara and Callaway on the Saints roster, I don’t expect it to increase much. Keep him warming the bench.