With six teams on bye, another London game, three divisional matchups and four AFC-NFC showdowns, Week 8 offers a lot of excitement and challenges for fantasy football owners. Look through the 12 games scattered across Week 8, these players either have great matchups and high point potential, or they are facing tough opponents and should stay on the bench. Here is your NFL start ‘em, sit ‘em for Week 8 of the season.
Start of the Week Quarterback – Carson Wentz vs San Francisco 49ers
After another spectacular performance in Week 7, Carson Wentz is now one of the frontrunners for league MVP and our pick for start of the week at quarterback. Wentz faces the San Francisco 49ers, who will be making the trip across the country to play the Eagles at 1:00 PM EST on Sunday. In two East Coast road games this season, the 49ers have given up an average of 24 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The 49ers have given up three rushing TDs to quarterbacks this season. Wentz has developed his scrambling abilities this season and could have a big day rushing as well as passing.
Sit of the Week Quarterback – Deshaun Watson vs Seattle Seahawks
The start to Deshaun Watson’s career has been nothing but sensational, as the rookie has topped 22 fantasy in his last four starts (all of which were against below nine defenses against quarterbacks). Week 8 will provide Watson with his biggest test yet, a trip to Seattle. The Seahawks give up just 11.33 fantasy points to quarterbacks, forcing eight turnovers while allowing only five touchdowns. The Seahawks are good at stopping QBs from scrambling, allowing just 17.7 rush yards per game to the position. Watson should be in for his worst fantasy day game since his first career NFL start back in Week 2.
Start of the Week Running Back – Melvin Gordon vs New England Patriots
Melvin Gordon is off to another great and should be one of the top running backs in Week 8.The formula to beat the Patriots, or at least have success on offense, is the run game, meaning the Chargers should use Gordon early and often in Sunday’s game. Last week, Devonta Freeman averaged 6.0 yards per carry against the Patriots (the Pats have allowed 50% of running backs with over ten carries to average more than 5.0 yards per carry). Gordon can also be a threat out of the backfield, averaging four receptions and 32.5 yards per game this season, with four receiving touchdowns. The Pats give up an average of 6.43 receptions and 67.9 receiving yards per game to backs this season. Gordon should see enough touches top 100 yards from scrimmage and if he has a reasonable probability of getting in the end zone.
Sit of the Week Running Back – Duke Johnson Jr. vs Minnesota Vikings
No team in the National Football League this season has limited running backs to fewer points than the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are giving up just 5.53 yards per reception and 3.25 yards per carry to backs this season. Johnson will likely be limited in the passing game on Sunday, and Johnson often does not get enough rushing attempts to offset a poor day catching passes.
Start of the Week Wide Receiver – Brandin Cooks vs Los Angeles Chargers
Brandin Cooks will look to have another productive game in Week 8, this time against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers have allowed nine touchdowns to wide receivers this season, including five in their three road games. The Chargers have allowed 65 rushing yards and a touchdown to receivers rushing the football, which is something Cooks can do well when given a chance.
Sit of the Week Wide Receiver – T.Y. Hilton vs Cincinnati Bengals
After a tough matchup in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hilton travels to Cincinnati to face a stout Bengals secondary. The Bengals rank eighth for fewest fantasy points given up to wide receivers. Three times this season the Bengals secondary has held their opponent’s receivers to under 85 yards receiving combined. The Bengals pass rush should also wreak havoc on the Colts offensive line, giving Hilton little time to get open.
Start of the Week Tight End – Kyle Rudolph vs Cleveland Browns
Kyle Rudolph gets the privilege this week of facing the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are one of the worst teams in the NFL against the tight end, having already surrendered five touchdowns to the position and an average of 7.43 receptions per game on 10.14 targets for a catch rate of 73.3%. Rudolph is arguably the best tight end the Browns have faced this season (it is either him or Delanie Walker). Rudolph has a rare opportunity to crack 100 yards receiving on Sunday.
Sit of the Week Tight End – Jack Doyle vs Cincinnati Bengals
As bad as the Colts have been this season, Jack Doyle has been a relatively reliable tight end, averaging five receptions for 42.8 yards. However, in Week 8 he faces the Bengals, who give up the fourth fewest points to tight ends per game this season. As mentioned earlier, the Colts offensive line cannot pass block at all, meaning Doyle may need to spend more plays blocking than going out for passes.
Start of the Week Defense – Minnesota Vikings vs Cleveland Browns
No matter whom the Cleveland Browns put at quarterback, they turn the ball over and generally stink on offense. The Vikings are statistically the best defense the Browns have faced this season. Start the Minnesota Vikings defense.
Sit of the Week Defense – Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs
Usually one of the best options at defense, the Broncos get a very tough the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. The Chiefs have allowed fantasy defenses to score the fewest points this season. The Chiefs do not turn the ball over and can switch their offensive approach (passing to running, west coast to downfield) with ease, making it difficult to match up. Also with the Broncos offensive struggles, the defense has been asked to carry the team, which could start to take a toll on the unit.
Start of the Week Kicker – Chris Boswell vs Detroit Lions
The Pittsburgh Steelers kicker has been a pleasant surprise in fantasy this season, hitting 16 of his 18 field goals and all 13 of his extra points in the first seven games of the season. Boswell gets to kick indoors for the first time this season, where he has never missed a kick.
Sit of the Week Kicker – Matt Bryant vs New York Jets
Going from one AFC East locale to another, Matt Bryant may have a poor repeat performance in Week 8 against the Jets. The Jets allow the fewest points to fantasy kickers this season. Weather may play a factor in New York as rain, and moderate winds are expected for Sunday.
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