Passing
Game Thoughts: Allen Robinson appeared to have turned the
corner after a slow start but the passing game continues to be
hobbled by inconsistent play from Blake Bortles. The Jags’
quarterback is on pace to throw only 24 touchdowns this season
(11 fewer than his 2015 total). Trying to find reliable fantasy
starters in an offense that isn’t scoring is one thing,
but this unit’s -7 turnover differential (30th in the NFL)
makes it tough to trust anyone in the offense on a given week
- even Allen Robinson. The catch rate has dropped below the 50-percent
mark over the past three weeks and he was a total dud in an extremely
favorable match up Week 7. I don’t envy anyone stuck owning
the Jags’ top man but he did have the best game of his incredible
2015 season on the road against the Titans (10 catches, 153 yards
and 3 touchdowns). If you trust the targets he should remain in
your lineup but if you feel the offense will continue to sputter
then he’s probably going to be on your bench. Julius Thomas
returned to action to score a touchdown against the Raiders. He
was only able to haul in two of his other six targets and isn’t
likely to see more red zone opportunities against Tennessee so
knock him down to TE2 status for Week 8. I’ve noted the
increased playing time for Marqise Lee and he delivered last week.
He continues to catch everything thrown his way but will need
a larger opportunity before being a flex option as Allen Hurns
has been a full participant in practice this week.
TEN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.23
TEN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.25
TEN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.23
TEN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.12
Running Game Thoughts: 71 rushing yards is the current season
high for a Jacksonville running back. In fact, it’s been
over a year since the Jaguars had somebody go over the century
mark in rushing yards (T.Y. Yeldon in Week 7 last season) and
that trend isn’t likely to end against the Titans. Chris
Ivory managed to rush for over 101 yards against Tennessee last
December but that was behind the Jets’ offensive line. Nonetheless,
the Jags will need to use Ivory better if they are going to get
a crucial division win in the wide open AFC South. In last week’s
game full of unpleasant fantasy surprises T.J. Yeldon led the
team in carries with six and Chris Ivory led the backfield in
targets with four. Huh? It seems there is always something holding
back this running game (play calling, poor blocking, injuries,
turnovers, etc). It’s hard to imagine the Jags suddenly
figuring out the cure on a short week against a familiar foe.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Marcus Mariota has taken advantage of his
schedule lately but he is a fringe starter in 12 team leagues
heading into Week 8 where Jacksonville’s young defense has
been solid against the pass. Since coming out of their Week 5
bye, Jacksonville’s defense has surrendered only one passing
touchdown and ranks in the middle of the pack for fantasy points
allowed to quarterbacks. Kendall Wright and Rishard Mathews have
contributed during Mariota’s hot streak but should be considered
dart throw flex options in this match up. Meanwhile, the consistency
of Delanie Walker continues to make him the strongest and only
reliable fantasy option in this passing attack. The tight end
has received eight targets in three of the past four games and
has posted double digit fantasy points in half of Tennessee’s
games. Tajae Sharpe has led all Titans’ receivers in offensive
snaps in each of the past two weeks and has done virtually nothing
with them.
JAC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.18
JAC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.19
JAC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.7
JAC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.29
Running Game Thoughts: DeMarco Murray continues to be a consistent
force for fantasy owners this season after rumbling his way over
100 yards in Week 7. Only one of Tennessee’s games has been
decided by more than ten points which continues to help the Titans’
lead back leverage carries in this offense. A heavy dose of the
running game should put the Titans in position to pick up their
first divisional win of the year. Despite the reliance on the
rushing attack in an era of RBBC backfields, highly regarded rookie
Derrick Henry has not been a factor. I think that will eventually
change as Murray piles up 20-plus carry outings but there has
been no indication that it will happen this week. Don’t
count Mariota out of the running game either. He has scored rushing
touchdowns in both of his career games against the Jags and has
averaged 46 rushing yards per game over the past three weeks.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Matthew Stafford is in a great situation
for fantasy owners. Detroit is in the bottom ten in most points
allowed per game in the NFL, has multiple quality receivers at
his disposable and running backs with receiving skills. It’s
not a big surprise to see Detroit has five times as many passing
touchdowns as rushing scores heading into Sunday’s game
against the Texans. Somebody in the passing game is going to post
WR1 level output each week. Picking between Marvin Jones and Golden
Tate in DFS leagues may be a challenge but in the traditional
season-long format both players are quality high floor fantasy
plays for Week 8. Jones has not caught more than four passes since
Week 4. Meanwhile Tate has seen 22 targets over the past two games
to be the hotter of the two. The match up isn’t great but
I think the leaky defense will keep the Lions throwing all day.
Tight end Eric Ebron has returned to practice and should be active.
I wouldn’t plug him in right away considering the success
the receivers are having but makes for a nice upside add if available
in your league. His return makes starting Anquan Boldin a little
riskier this week but only adds to Stafford’s prospects
of being useful despite the tough opponent.
HOU FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.30
HOU FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.11
HOU FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.30
HOU FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.26
Running Game Thoughts: Dwayne Washington and Theo Riddick are
expected to return from an ankle injury this weekend pushing Zach
Zenner back down the depth chart. Injuries haven’t allowed
us to really see how the snaps will be distributed with Justin
Forsett also now in the mix. If given more opportunities and goal
line carries, I think Washington will outperform Forsett as the
Texans have given up more rushing touchdowns than everyone but
the Saints. Prior to his injury, Riddick was seeing double-digit
carries and at least five targets each game. As a result, I’d
really be cautious about trusting any one of the potential three-headed
RBBC outside of PPR formats where Riddick should deliver as a
low end RB2.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Houston’s offense has looked stagnant
at times this season. Though Will Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins are
phenomenal in the vertical passing game, the team’s efforts
in the short to intermediate game needed a boost. And just like
that, the tight end position was resurrected in Houston. After
I’ve all but written off any Texans tight end this year,
C.J. Fiedorowicz has quietly emerged as a useful fantasy option.
Over the past three weeks he ranks within the top five tight ends
in targets, receptions and yards. Don’t expect a high ceiling
as the third or fourth option in the pass game, but he is more
than suitable to serve as a bye week replacement this weekend
against the porous Lions secondary. Detroit’s defense is
getting torched on a weekly basis and has only intercepted opposing
quarterbacks three times in seven games. That stat is important
because Brock Osweiler is coming off his first (and only) game
of the year without throwing a pick. Starting Osweiler this week
would be bold but the stars are aligned in his favor for this
game. He’ll be throwing to DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller
against a defense that has given up 22 passes of over 20 yards.
Start ‘em if you got ‘em!
DET FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.1
DET FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.21
DET FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.9
DET FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.3
Running Game Thoughts: I expect the team to rush the ball less
than usual against the Lions (Houston ranks third in the NFL with
30 rushes per game) so all of Houston’s running backs have
low fantasy ceilings entering the weekend. Lamar Miller (shoulder)
is not going to be 100 percent but he was able to practice and
should be active. His owners will definitely want to check in
on game day to be sure he is going to play. Alfred Blue could
see a dozen or more carries-including goal line duties-in a similar
rotation to the one the Texans used to close out last weekend’s
affair. If you have better options this week, take Miller out
of the line up for Week 8. For those less fortunate he should
still see enough carries to have a shot at posting low end RB2/Flex
production. Blue will only be worth starting if Miller is ruled
out so consider him a handcuff with upside for Week 8. Additionally,
look for Houston to get Tyler Ervin more involved this week where
he could be an option in deeper PPR leagues.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Alex Smith hasn’t been able to get
the team’s most prominent fantasy pass-catchers going as
the Chiefs continue to lean on their running game regardless of
the opponent. Despite Smith completing 70-percent of his passes
in Week 7, Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce combined for only six
catches and 64 receiving yards against in a premium match up against
the Saints. With only one game of over 250 yards passing in the
last month, I’m looking elsewhere for a quarterback. The
Colts defense has been able to hold down receivers over the past
three weeks so Maclin owners shouldn’t expect him to break
out of his mediocrity. Uncharacteristically, Kelce’s six
targets over the past two weeks are his lowest total in back-to-backs
since weeks five and seven of 2014. I don’t think this will
continue as Andy Reid gets his big tight end more involved against
a team that has struggled to stop the position.
IND FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.9
IND FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.4
IND FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.27
IND FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.8
Running Game Thoughts: Spencer Ware has rewarded those fantasy
managers that took a chance on him in the middle rounds of drafts
by posting RB1 numbers over the first half of the fantasy season.
He is averaging 16.0 fantasy points per game in standard scoring
placing him seventh amongst running backs. Regardless of Jamaal
Charles’ health he will be a pivotal player in the Kansas
City offense as a runner and receiver that doesn’t lose
goal line carries. Charles is still dealing with knee issues and
has been limited in practice this week. Considering he barely
played last week and isn’t able to put in full practices
this week he shouldn’t be expected to see many touches Week
8.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Almost the exact opposite of the Chiefs
offense, the Colts heavily rely on the pass to put points on the
board. That’s good news for anyone who picked up Jack Doyle.
In his first week as the undisputed top tight end he caught nine
of ten passes. Quarterback Andrew Luck has sorely needed a trustworthy
target opposite T.Y. Hilton and Doyle figures to continue to be
a frequent source of targets in this pass happy offense making
him a starting caliber tight end in PPR leagues and a match up
play in standard leagues. Donte Moncrief has returned to practice
this week and should reclaim his starting gig this weekend against
a tough Chiefs defense. While many may feel Moncrief’s return
will eat into Doyle’s value, I think they will only enhance
their ability to get open as the passing game becomes far more
dynamic and tougher to defend against. Though the Chiefs are typically
a strong unit, the defense has allowed the tenth most points to
opposing quarterbacks over the past three weeks making Andrew
Luck a quality starting option this week.
KC FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.13
KC FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.15
KC FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.2
KC FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.27
Running Game Thoughts: Indy’s
run game is straight forward for fantasy owners being average
with limited upside. That makes Frank Gore a useful fantasy start
most weeks and I’d expect the script to be similar again
against Kansas City. The Chiefs have been one of the league’s
best overall defensive units in 2016 and have allowed only one
rushing score since Week 1. I don’t think the Colts will
give their top back enough volume to allow him to be anything
more than a RB3/Flex. Nobody else in the Colts’ backfield
has been given a real shot to be worthwhile fantasy asset leaving
Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson off the fantasy map for Week 8.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Arizona is only averaging 6.7 yards per
pass completion this year (24th in the NFL). That stands out because
this is a team that led the league in that same category in 2015
and has been dealing with injuries at quarterback and receiver
this year. Even more odd is seeing the Panthers defense go from
leading the league in fewest yards allowed per pass attempt in
2015 with 6.2 to being dead last in that category through six
games this season with 8.6. Add it up and you have a great situation
for Carson Palmer to find his receivers open down the field in
route to what should be a nice fantasy day. Then again who will
be healthy enough to get downfield to catch those passes? Michael
Floyd and John Brown are both dealing with hamstring injuries
and neither is a lock to play this weekend. John Brown is the
deep threat to watch and would be a quality flex option if he
can get a full practice in before the end of the week. The team
also lost Jaron Brown to an ACL tear this past week so TE Jermaine
Gresham might become the third best option in the passing game
behind Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson. 2015 fifth rounder,
J.J. Nelson was forced into action last week and would be the
next man up. He’s not an exciting option but there is some
potential value here for deep league owners in a bind so keep
an eye on the injury reports leading up to Sunday.
CAR FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.3
CAR FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.22
CAR FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.11
CAR FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.1
Running Game Thoughts: David Johnson, any questions? About the
only negative fantasy owners might need to worry about is how
sore he feels after getting 41 touches against Seattle last Sunday
night. Johnson is the front runner for fantasy MVP as we head
into the second half of the season. He’s the only running
back averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game in standard
leagues and is an even bigger stud in PPR leagues where he leads
the position in targets with 46. The only thing stopping Johnson
will be his Week 9 bye week. Andre Ellington doesn’t see
many carries while spelling Johnson but could be counted on in
the passing game if Arizona finds itself short on receivers this
week.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Cam Newton has either thrown or run for
a touchdown in all but two games he has played in over the past
two and a half seasons (including post season games). I bring
it up because some of you out there might be considering alternatives
considering the Cardinals’ defenders have been better than
average against opposing fantasy quarterbacks. Newton owned Arizona
during the Panthers’ 2015 playoff run by throwing for 335
yards and a total of four touchdowns back in January (without
Kelvin Benjamin). The Panthers’ four-game losing streak
can’t be blamed on Kelvin Benjamin as he has been one of
the toughest receivers to cover, routinely making catches in traffic.
You can bet the Panthers spent some time during the bye working
on a plan to get Benjamin back into the end zone. Ted Ginn Jr.
and Devin Funchess keep splitting targets and the result has been
spotty fantasy production. As long as both receivers are active
they will continue to limit each other’s weekly fantasy
potential making them bench fodder again.
ARI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.26
ARI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.31
ARI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.24
ARI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.32
Running Game Thoughts: Jonathan Stewart is coming off a week
of rest after returning with a bang in Week 6. When healthy he
has no issues being a solid RB2/Flex option. He faces a defense
that has allowed the second fewest fantasy points per game to
running backs and Cam Newton should be given more latitude running
the ball. Nonetheless, the Panthers gave him the eleventh most
carries amongst all running backs in Week 6 so expect another
15 plus touches as the Panthers try and establish the run. In
most weeks I’d avoid this match up but with so many teams
on a bye, fantasy owners could use him as a low end RB2 or flex
option if needed. No other team has allowed more rushing yards
to opposing quarterbacks than the Arizona Cardinals. Considering
they are facing one of the best running quarterbacks I’d
expect Newton to pad his fantasy totals with his legs.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Seven games into the season and Derek Carr’s
overall numbers look like he has made the jump into the top twelve
of fantasy quarterbacks where he has guided Oakland into the top
half of the league in passing yards per game. Additionally, Michael
Crabtree has been the biggest contributor towards the team’s
13 passing touchdowns (tied for sixth most in the NFL). Despite
the improved performance on the year, Carr hasn’t delivered
a game with two or more touchdown passes since Week 5 and considering
the Bucs haven’t allowed a touchdown to a wide receiver
in their past two games, Carr might not do so again this week.
To get the passing game going, he will need to get Amari Cooper
more involved. Cooper is coming off his worst performance of the
year (4 catches for 29 yards) and is going up against a Tampa
defense that hasn’t allowed a receiver to go over 100 receiving
yards on the year. That doesn’t mean Cooper or Michael Crabtree
can’t still be useful WR2 fantasy options this week. It
just means Carr will need to spread the ball around in order to
put up QB1 stats.
TB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.17
TB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.8
TB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.17
TB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.22
Running Game Thoughts: Latavius Murray didn’t waste any
time in reasserting himself as the team’s top fantasy rusher.
The sixth round draft choice out of Central Florida saw a season-high
18 carries and scored twice against the Jaguars last week. If
he continues to get the rock this much he will be a solid RB2
moving forward. Oakland used DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard
and Jamize Olawale to varying degrees of success while Murray
was out of action but none of them did enough to justify taking
the lead role in this RBBC. That’s good news for Murray’s
owners heading into this week’s clash with the Bucs as Tampa
has been one of the ten best match ups for fantasy running backs
on the year. Nobody else on this team offers enough fantasy potential
at the running back position to crack a fantasy lineup this weekend.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Jameis Winston has had an up and down season
thus far but looks to be gaining traction as a quality starter
in recent weeks. That might have more to do with the success of
the running game keeping defenses honest than Winston’s
improvement but it doesn’t matter much to fantasy owners.
Winston and Mike Evans are starting to have the same success as
Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. had a season ago. Evans is on
pace to shatter his career totals in every major offensive category
this season and Winston’s fantasy value will continue to
piggy back on that success. On the flip side Tampa Bay’s
other receivers have been a collection of inconsistent lesser
known players. With the loss of Vincent Jackson to the IR, figuring
out which one of Cecil Shorts, Adam Humphries or Russell Shepard
will post strong secondary stats might as well be a game of pin
the tail on the donkey at this point. Shorts got the start in
Week 7 but Humphries saw the most offensive snaps and Shepard
was the most produced the best fantasy line.
OAK FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.5
OAK FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.9
OAK FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.6
OAK FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.5
Running Game Thoughts: Jacquizz Rodgers seems to be that player
that comes out of nowhere to be one of the most valuable fantasy
players for those who plucked him off the waiver wire. How long
will it last? Well it sure seems like it will last at least one
more week as Doug Martin (hamstring) has not been able to return
to practice. That’s huge news because the Bucs host fantasy
football’s friendliest foes in the Oakland Raiders. Tampa
has had no issues in giving Rodgers plenty of work and the results
have helped the team win their past two games. Another day of
heavy usage should be in store for Rodgers giving him RB1 status
for Week 8. Peyton Barber has emerged as the clear number two
runner. He has looked good in a small sample size (90 rushing
yards on 15 carries) but won’t get enough carries this week
unless forced into action due to injury.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers’ right arm might fall
off if the Packers continue to let him throw 56 passes a game.
The balance should start to even out this week but I think the
Falcons will force the Packers to revert back to being a pass
happy team once again in Week 8. That type of volume going up
against a defensive unit surrendering 28.4 points per game lines
up well for the rest of the passing game. Though he hasn’t
produced like an elite fantasy wideout since Week 3, I’d
be extremely surprised if Rodgers doesn’t go right to Jordy
Nelson in the team’s first trip into the red zone. Randall
Cobb has posted three consecutive weeks with double digit targets
and is the safest bet among Green Bay receivers to produce for
fantasy owners this weekend. Davante Adams has proven how valuable
he can be after having a career game against the Bears last week.
I’m not ready to anoint him a regular fantasy starter just
yet but he carries plenty of appeal as a flex option with the
Packers run game still a question mark. One would think that Richard
Rogers would be a decent fantasy tight end given the frequency
of passing in this offense but Green Bay tight ends have yet to
register more than two receptions in a given game this year.
ATL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.4
ATL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.7
ATL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.18
ATL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.4
Running Game Thoughts: Ty Montgomery has been great after being
forced to be a hybrid running back in recent weeks but expect
the Packers to start to use Knile Davis more in this game. The
Pack traded for Davis because he was available and has experience
holding down the fort in similar positions. Add in some extra
time to learn the offense and the former Chief should be able
to start contributing in favorable match up against the Falcons.
Don Jackson is expected to add more to the running game as he
improves from a hand injury. Sprinkling Montgomery and Randall
Cobb into the mix only adds more variables to this RBBC. Taking
a chance on Davis isn’t as risky given the opponent but
given the choice I would opt to go with the guy we have seen shine
recently (Montgomery) over the unknown.
Passing
Game Thoughts: The last time these two teams played each
other a shoot out ensued and collectively 80 points were scored.
The conditions look ripe for another quarterback show down this
week with Ryan leading all fantasy quarterbacks in fantasy points
entering the week. Green Bay’s pass defense probably isn’t
quite as good as its been lately considering the quarterback play
they were facing but they aren’t quite as bad as they were
to open the year either. Regardless, the Falcons currently rank
second in the NFL with 319 passing yards per game and are leading
the league in pass plays of over 20 yards from scrimmage. Expect
the Packers to provide plenty of help over the top in order to
keep Julio Jones in front of the defense. Jones’ success
this season has deflated the fantasy potential of Mohamed Sanu
this year. He’s not playing poorly, he just isn’t
getting the looks in an offense geared to throw the ball to Jones
on most pass attempts. Jacob Tamme has also struggled to be anything
more than a touchdown or bust player in 2016 and I suspect he
will be needed more in the blocking game with Dom Capers dialing
up a few blitzes to try and slow down this passing attack.
GB FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.21
GB FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.32
GB FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.12
GB FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.11
Running Game Thoughts: Tevin Coleman’s hamstring injury
looks serious enough to keep him out of this weekend’s game.
This paves the way for Devonta Freeman to assume RB1 status for
Week 8. In case you forgot, Freeman was fantasy football’s
best running back in 2015 so sit back and enjoy the ride while
it lasts! The team made a few moves to add some depth. Terron
Ward was promoted from the practice squad and could see some time
on passing downs. Stevan Ridley was also added to bolster the
depleted Atlanta backfield. Ridley’s addition to the roster
comes after a failed attempt to land a spot on the Lions’
roster or beat out Robert Turbin for a backup job with the Colts.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Russell Wilson is playing hurt and its making
him a mediocre fantasy quarterback. He’s a gamer and helping
the Seahawks win games on the field but his 33 rushing yards over
six games is a far cry from the player that topped the half century
mark a year ago. Wilson and the Seahawks passing game have only
six passing touchdowns to their name and the calendar is about
to turn to November. To put that into perspective, 32 wide receivers
have at least six touchdowns on the year at the moment. That’s
receivers, not quarterbacks. Without the rushing yards to support
a less than ideal touchdown rate, Wilson can’t be endorsed
as a quality fantasy starter. It’s for those same reasons
plague Doug Baldwin owners as another high target low output player.
He does enough in PPR formats to justify occupying a WR slot but
it takes a great match up to get me excited about him in standard
leagues. Good thing they play New Orleans this week. Jimmy Graham
has been the most consistent receiving threat on the team. Over
the past four weeks, Graham has actually turned his average of
nine targets per game into stats worthy of a number one fantasy
tight end. Think he’ll be amped up to play against the team
that traded him in the Superdome? Me too.
NO FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.8
NO FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.1
NO FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.14
NO FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.17
Running Game Thoughts: As I noted above, the passing game isn’t
exactly lighting the world on fire for Seattle these days so one
would think a heavy dose of the rushing game is in store for this
road match up. With Thomas Rawls still two weeks away Christine
Michael has been able to average over 20 touches per game over
the past four months and gets to take a swing at a defense that
has given up nearly two rushing touchdowns a game. Injuries have
delayed rookie C.J. Prosise from making an impact to open the
2016 season but he’s healthy now and ready to take on an
expanded role moving forward as the team’s passing down
tailback. I’m not usually very high on rookie running backs
with limited roles but if the recently released C.J. Spiller can
be a useful running back coming in off the street, deep PPR league
managers may want to keep an eye on Prosise moving forward.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Drew Brees has a pretty good history of
success as a fantasy quarterback and the Saints are throwing the
ball an average of 45 times a game - more than any other NFL team.
This isn’t the most ideal match up going up against the
fifth toughest defense against opposing quarterbacks but Seattle
won’t have the luxury of playing in the Link this week.
Instead they will be playing down in the bayou where Brees has
a 114.3 QB rating in three games this season. In Brees’
long career he has failed to produce at least 19 fantasy points
only once in six career games. Don’t be deterred by the
opponent and start the face of the Saints. Willie Snead reminded
fantasy owners that he can be a productive WR3 when healthy but
he was still upstaged by Michael Thomas’ ten-catch 130-yard
performance. Thomas started ahead of Snead and was on the field
for 80% of the Saints offensive plays in Week 7 as he slowly starts
to carve out a larger role in this offense. For now both should
be given some love as WR3s. Brandin Cooks has touchdowns in each
of the past two games but may need to move around the formation
to find open room with Richard Sherman coming to town. I don’t
have a good track record in predicting Coby Fleener but both of
his touchdowns came have come at home. He’s probably a reach
as a TE1 this week but you could do worse considering he has been
a top ten fantasy tight end this season.
SEA FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.28
SEA FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.29
SEA FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.28
SEA FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.25
Running Game Thoughts: Mark Ingram hasn’t been the low end
RB1 many (including myself) envisioned when the season began.
Instead he has produced double-digit fantasy outings in three
of the past four weeks as a middle of the pack RB2. He will have
a tough road to hoe again this week facing a Seahawks defense
that successfully held David Johnson out of the end zone last
week and Atlanta’s dynamic duo the week prior. Roll him
out as a flex option and cross your fingers that he gets enough
work in the passing game to boost his yardage totals. Tim Hightower
has been effective enough keep getting a handful of carries each
week but won’t be a reliable weapon in the fantasy realm
unless Ingram were to go down with an injury.
Passing
Game Thoughts: There wasn’t much for Tom Brady to
do against a Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers team last week.
The Patriots won relatively comfortably and the running game was
working so Brady only attempted 26 passes, completing 19 for 222
yards and two touchdowns. But this is what it’s come to
for Brady. We see 200 yards and two touchdowns and think, “disappointment.”
Brady is the unquestioned No.1 QB going forward and is likely
to flip the balance on the Bills’ four touchdowns to six
interceptions forced ratio. Brady continues to pepper Julian Edelman
with targets (10), but Edelman continues to be allergic to the
end zone. Without a touchdown this season and never having topped
76 yards in a game, Edelman is nothing more than a low end WR3
in PPR. I’d even argue he’s droppable if you’re
in a bind in non-ppr formats. Rob Gronkowski does not see nearly
as many looks as Edelman, but he sure makes the most of them.
Gronk caught all four of his targets last week for 93 yards and
a score. The volume may not be there, but Gronk has proven he
can be incredibly efficient and is the top TE going forward. The
Bills shutout the Patriots in their earlier meeting sans Brady.
Look for Brady to remind the Bills what happens when he’s
around.
BUF FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.29
BUF FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.12
BUF FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.20
BUF FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.28
Running Game Thoughts: LeGarrette Blount averaged a season best
5.3 yards per carry last week. Now he gets a Bills defense that
was just embarrassed by Jay Ajayi (who, apparently, is a thing)
to the tune of 214 yards on 28 carries. Blount wasn’t very
effective in the earlier matchup against Buffalo (13-54), but
there’s really no point in comparing Patriots performances
when one game didn’t feature Brady. Blount is always a risk
to be a victim of game flow, but he’s found the end zone
as many times as David Johnson this season. Any time a back has
done something to warrant a DJ comparison, you need to pay attention.
Blount will forever be an RB2 because he doesn’t catch passes,
but he’s had a mighty high floor so far. I would be remiss
to ignore the performance of James White since Brady has returned.
White has been used rather inconsistently with reception totals
of four, eight, and two in his three games with Brady. If not
for the three touchdowns over the last two weeks, things would
be quite disappointing. White did not see a single carry last
week after receiving twelve over the previous two weeks. In a
week full of byes, White is a passable option, but he’s
not reliable on a week-to-week basis.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Another week, another QB1 performance for
Tyrod Taylor. At this point, you could probably make up names
and tell me they’re Taylor’s receivers and I’d
believe you. Taylor hit Marquise Goodwin for a long touchdown
and ran in another, finishing with 221 passing yards, 35 rushing
yards, and the aforementioned two scores. This marks his third
consecutive game with multiple touchdowns. The last time he failed
to score twice? Week 4 against the Patriots. With that being said,
Taylor likely won’t be leading wire to wire in this one
and in clock killing mode for most of the game. The Patriots will
make him score. Given that he will be the entire offense, he’s
a QB1 until further notice.
NE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.16
NE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.24
NE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.22
NE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.16
Running Game Thoughts: I am not behind the scenes in NFL locker
rooms. I don’t know who to blame. What I do know is that
whoever is responsible for allowing LeSean McCoy to play last
week needs to be fired. If what Rex Ryan said is true (something
you can never take for granted), that he “thought Shady
was 100%,” then Rex is even more out of touch with reality
than previously thought. No one tweaks a hamstring on a Wednesday
and is fine on Sunday. No one. As a result, we could be looking
at a multi-week absence for McCoy. I can’t imagine he plays
this week after last week’s debacle. The next man up is
Mike Gillislee, owner of a career 5.7 ypc and a man who has proven
to be quite effective when given opportunities. The Patriots only
allow 3.8 yards per carry to opposing rushers, but Gillislee would
be locked into a huge workload and is an immediate RB2. He should’ve
been picked up everywhere as soon as the news of Shady’s
injury broke last Wednesday as he has RB1 upside in a run first
Bills offense.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Even though they won the game, the Eagles
offense was awful once again last week. We give them a pass because
everyone is awful against the Vikings. It’s not even worth
discussing the performances. The Cowboys have been much more generous
through the air, having allowed ten touchdowns against just four
interceptions this season. Carson Wentz has proven to be unreliable
from a fantasy standpoint, having thrown for under 200 yards in
half his games. Jordan Matthews has been disappointing since his
strong Week 1 performance, but this is a good spot for him to
bounce back. It was a different system and a different coach,
but Matthews had 21 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns in
his two games against Dallas last season. Outside of a Week 11
matchup at Seattle, the Eagles schedule is about to really open
up. Stay the course with JMatt and I think you will like how it
plays out, beginning this week.
DAL FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.12
DAL FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.30
DAL FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.16
DAL FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.6
Running Game Thoughts: Ryan Mathews saw 14 carries last week,
his highest total since week one (22). He lost another late game
fumble, but Doug Pederson does not appear to be too upset. Wendell
Smallwood and Darren Sproles were still very much involved last
week, though. At this point, Mathews is what he is – the
best bet for a touchdown in a three-way timeshare. Given that
there is no deliberate effort to get the ball in the hands of
Sproles or Smallwood, neither of them is worth using. The Cowboys
are not great against the run, allowing 4.4 yards per carry, but
opponents’ rushing totals are typically lower because of
the Cowboys ball-control style, which limits the amount of plays
run over the course of a game. On a week with six teams not playing,
it may be difficult to avoid using Mathews, but if you have an
alternative, go with it.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Dak Prescott is rested and refreshed after
a well-deserved week vacation following him outplaying Aaron Rodgers
en route to a road win in Green Bay. Prescott threw his first
career interception in that game (not before breaking Tom Brady’s
record for most passes to start a career without an interception),
but also had his first career three-touchdown game and his best
fantasy performance to date. Prescott has been remarkably consistent
with between 227 and 248 yards passing and multiple touchdowns
in his last four contests. This week, he gets Dez Bryant back.
The Eagles have been a top five pass defense, but Prescott hasn’t
really cared who his opponent has been. He will work in Dez and
Cole Beasley, who has been one of the most consistent receivers
in football with double digit points in PPR every game this season.
The Cowboys should not only be rested and refreshed, but highly
motivated after Philly’s big win over Minnesota last week
in this divisional showdown in Jerry World.
PHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.31
PHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.16
PHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.26
PHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.30
Running Game Thoughts: To the surprise of no one, the Cowboys
have the top rushing attack in all of football. Take the best
offensive line in the league, add a very good rookie running back,
and you get an extremely prolific run game. Over his last four
games, Ezekiel Elliott’s lowest rushing total is 134 yards.
He is the unquestioned workhorse and he is coming for Eric Dickerson.
The Eagles allow 4.5 yards per carry to opposing rushers. I expect
that number to go up after Zeke is done with them.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Kirk Cousins started the year off slowly
but has bounced back putting up QB1 numbers in five of the past
six games. This week he’ll face a Bengals’ team, across
the pond, which has allowed 14 passing touchdowns against only
6 interceptions on the season, and has allowed an opposing quarterback
to finish as a QB1 in five of the last six weeks. Cousins’
top option in the passing game has surprisingly been slot man
Jamison Crowder and not the more highly touted DeSean Jackson
or Pierre Garcon. Crowder has been even more involved with tight
end Jordan Reed out with a concussion, but the recent news suggests
Reed should be back this week. Getting his favorite target back
would be a boon for Cousins, even though veteran Vernon Davis
has manned the position admirably while Reed was in the protocol.
CIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.6
CIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.13
CIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.25
CIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.7
Running Game Thoughts: Matt Jones has missed multiple practices
this week with a knee injury. He was also called out by Head Coach
Jay Gruden last week for putting the ball on the ground too often
this season. Those two factors could open the door for Chris Thompson
and Rob Kelley to see more action this week. Thompson saw the
bump last week after Jones left the game with a season high 12
rushing attempts, but Gruden has hinted that Kelley would likely
get the start this week if Jones is out. However, with Gruden’s
preference to move the ball through the air, Thompson would seem
to be the safer option this week. Whichever back sees the bulk
of the snaps should be able to manage a decent showing a Bengals’
defense that has not been as good as advertised in 2016. Bengals
are allowing 118.4 yards per game on the ground with six touchdowns.
Passing Game Thoughts: Andy Dalton has thrived in the deep passing
game this season, completing nearly 60% of passes thrown at least
15 yards downfield. Dalton has only thrown for 8 touchdowns (with
one rushing), but he has thrown for 2,065 yards already. A.J.
Green, of course, has been the target most heavily favored by
Dalton, and his percentage of his team’s passing yards leads
all wide receivers. Big tight end Tyler Eifert only played 15
snaps last week in his return from ankle and back injuries, but
he should play more this week which should help Dalton in the
red zone, where the Bengals have struggled. The Redskins are allowing
243.6 passing yards per game with only 7 touchdowns yielded through
the air in seven games. They’ve been extremely tough against
the pass but the Bengals could catch a break if star corner Josh
Norman (concussion) misses the game.
WAS FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.24
WAS FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.10
WAS FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.21
WAS FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.20
Running
Game Thoughts: Jeremy Hill has had an up and down season
(similar to 2015), but is coming off his best game of the year
(168 yards and a touchdown) and this matchup sets up nicely for
him. The Redskins have been gashed on the ground, allowing 119.7
yards per game (at 5.0 ypc) with 9 rushing touchdowns. If Josh
Norman does play and shadows Green, the Bengals may have little
choice but to feed their big back. To date, Bernard as received
96 touches (66 carries, 30 rec), while Hill has 90 (84 carries,
6 rec).
Passing
Game Thoughts: Ryan Fitzpatrick regains his starting gig
after Geno Smith tore his ACL in last week’s game. Despite
Fitzpatrick’s whining after the game, there was a good reason
his team stopped believing in him. However, the Cleveland Browns
on the schedule should help re-establish the Fitzmagic, as the
Browns are allowing 285 passing yards per game and have allowed
18 passing touchdowns this season. Cleveland presents a dream
matchup for opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers and Brandon
Marshall and Quincy Enunwa have the size and speed to take advantage.
Marshall should see the heavy targets but Enunwa has shown the
ability to make big plays.
CLE FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.2
CLE FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.5
CLE FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.5
CLE FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.2
Running Game Thoughts: The Browns have fared just as bad against
the run as they have against the pass (139.7 yards per game with
7 touchdowns) and will face a red hot Matt Forte. Last week, Forte
finally saw another heavy workload for the first time since Week
2 and rewarded the Jets and his fantasy owners with 155 total
yards and 2 scores on 34 touches. With Bilal Powell battling a
turf toe injury and the Jets not likely to fall behind big against
a Cleveland team that has seldom held a lead, another 30-carry
effort for Forte isn’t out of the question.
Passing
Game Thoughts: The Browns rotating quarterback position
(the team has used six players at the position already) looks
like it will land back at veteran Josh McCown this week. Cody
Kessler is in the concussion protocol and doubtful to play, and
McCown is said to be fully recovered from his broken collarbone.
Converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor (hamstring) has made a true
difference with his run after the catch abilities and red zone
presence and should be able to exploit a Jets secondary that has
been a major disappointment this season. Big tight end Gary Barnidge
who has fared well in games with McCown under center dating back
to last season should also thrive against a Jets team that has
allowed 282.7 passing yards per game with 13 passing touchdowns
on the season.
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.10
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.18
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.4
NYJ FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.13
Running Game Thoughts: Just when the Browns were able to re-establish
their run game against Cincy last week, they now face a second
ranked Jets run defense which allowing only 74.1 rushing yards
per game and only 4 rushing touchdowns this season. With the Browns
seemingly always trailing each week, getting the running game
going has been tough, despite Hue Jackson’s desire to make
the ground game the team’s identity. Isaiah Crowell should
have a tough time getting going against a Jets defense that has
shut down power backs this season, but perhaps Duke Johnson could
have some flex value as the Jets have struggled against opposing
third down types.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Sam Bradford faced his former team, the
Eagles, last week and had a nightmare of a game throwing an interception
and fumbling the ball four times (losing two). The Vikings don’t
need Bradford to be spectacular, and he has not been, but they
surely cannot afford for him to be sloppy with the football. Cordarrelle
Patterson has arisen from the dead receiving six or more targets
in each of the last three games, and has been a dangerous weapon
on bubble screens. It is hard to guess if that will continue,
but he should be on your radar at the very least. The Bears allow
243.4 passing yards per game and have yielded 10 passing touchdowns,
but the Vikings are only ranked 31st in the entire league in total
yards of offense, which leaves very little room for fantasy options.
Only Kyle Rudolph has been a consistent fantasy contributor, finishing
just once as lower than a TE1, but this week the matchup is not
in his favor.
CHI FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.15
CHI FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.28
CHI FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.1
CHI FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.23
Running Game Thoughts: Jerick McKinnon (ankle) has not taken
advantage of the Adrian Peterson injury and with him missing time
during practice this week, it could be the Matt Asiata show on
Monday Night. The bruising runner has taken advantage of tired
defenses in the second half of games this season and has always
had a nose for the endzone. Against a Bears team that has been
merely league average against the run through seven weeks (allowing
107 rushing yards per game and 6 touchdowns on the season) and
should be trailing most of the game, Asiata should make a decent
bye week filler in a game the Vikings should control.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Jay Cutler is expected to return as the
team’s starting quarterback after a miraculous recovery
from his injured thumb which coincidently healed the week after
“fill in” Brian Hoyer broke his arm during last week’s
contest. Under most circumstances Cutler would not be recommended,
but in his first game back and against the Vikings top 5 pass
defense (197.8 ypg and 5 passing touchdowns) you would have to
be in dire circumstances to turn to him this week. In fact, all
of Chicago offensive players should be avoided wherever possible.
The Vikings defense is for real.
MIN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.27
MIN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.23
MIN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.31
MIN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.24
Running Game Thoughts: The Vikings are also exceptionally tough
against the run, allowing 81.7 rushing yards per game with only
3 touchdowns scored against them on the ground. With Jeremy Langford
possibly due back this week, fantasy owners could be looking at
a three-man committee with Langford, rookie Jordan Howard and
Ka’Deem Carey. Splitting a small pie three ways does not
sound like a recipe for success. Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
Passing
Game Thoughts: Philip Rivers was one of the top fantasy
quarterbacks through the first five weeks of the season, but the
Chargers gunslinger has taken a step back in each of the past
two games, including his Week 6 matchups against the Broncos who
he will be up against again here in Week 8. Rivers’ worst
performance of the season came in that contest as he threw for
just 178 yards and a touchdown and while he avoided throwing an
interception, he’ll now be playing against that same defense
in the unfriendly confines of Sports Authority Field in Denver.
In that game, no Chargers wide receiver had over three catches.
Instead, it was tight end Hunter Henry (6-83-1), who did most
of the damage. Henry (concussion) was back at practice on Thursday
and appears to be a go for this weekend’s matchup. Unfortunately,
Henry will be again splitting snaps with veteran Antonio Gates
who out-produced him five catches to one in Week 7. With all the
bye weeks, many simply won’t have better options, but Rivers
barely cracks the top 20 this week at the position given this
extraordinarily tough matchup. As for the Chargers receivers,
it’s far too risky to trust any of them, but Tyrell Williams
has been coming on strong and could get loose for a score.
DEN FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.32
DEN FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.14
DEN FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.32
DEN FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.18
Running Game Thoughts: Melvin Gordon
continues to be one of the biggest breakout superstars of the
2016 fantasy football season. From a football standpoint, Gordon’s
3.3 yards per carry average is certainly less than spectacular,
but his league-leading 10 total touchdowns have allowed him to
perform extraordinarily well for fantasy purposes. Gordon has
only been held out of the end zone in one game this season. Perhaps
not surprisingly, that was in Week 6, against the very Broncos
defense that he’ll see this weekend. If you’re going
to attack Denver, though, the way to do it seems to be on the
ground. Gordon did rush for 94 yards in that game on a whopping
27 carries as the Chargers won a close game in San Diego. Now
in Denver, look for the Chargers to again lean heavily on Gordon
as they attempt to control the clock and avoid Denver’s
dangerous pass rush and secondary. Denver’s offense has
been struggling which should allow the game to remain close enough
for San Diego to continue to run the ball, thus making Gordon
a solid RB1 option in this matchup.
Passing
Game Thoughts: The Denver passing game continues to struggle
overall, but the one positive is quarterback Trevor Siemian seems
to be only interested in throwing to two players -- wide receivers
Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Both receivers have caught
at least three passes in every game this season, but neither has
posted double digits. The upside is limited here, but the floor
is also high for Sanders and Thomas as they face off against a
Chargers defense that did a nice job shutting them down just two
weeks ago in San Diego. Thomas was held to just five receptions
for 35 yards while Sanders caught four for 40. Neither player
scored in what was a sluggish day overall for the offense as Siemian
completed 30-of-50 passes for just 230 yards and a single touchdown.
Siemian doesn’t do much to inspire fantasy owners to consider
starting him, but the Broncos may need to pass the ball more than
usual given their running back situation, so Sanders and Thomas
should both be locked in as WR2’s here in Week 8.
SD FPts Allowed vs. QBs: No.7
SD FPts Allowed vs. RBs: No.6
SD FPts Allowed vs. WRs: No.19
SD FPts Allowed vs. TEs: No.10
Running Game Thoughts: One of the
biggest talks of the fantasy community this week was the surprising
injury to running back C.J. Anderson who underwent an arthroscopic
procedure on Thursday to determine the extent of a meniscus injury
that he sustained this past week. There is currently no timetable
for his return and while that is a big blow to some fantasy owners,
those who hopped on the Devontae Booker bandwagon may now have
a chance to ride him to a fantasy championship. Booker has come
a long way since fumbling the ball on his first carry of the regular
season, including having the biggest day of his young career this
past week as he rushed the ball for 83 yards and his first touchdown
on 17 carries. Booker was already working his way into a timeshare
with Anderson, but should see now the lion’s share of the
touches here in Week 8 in what is an excellent matchup. The Chargers
have been awful against opposing running backs so far this season.
In fact, the only game in which they did not allow an opposing
team’s running back to score a touchdown was, oddly enough,
Week 6 when they faced the Broncos in San Diego. Now at home in
an important divisional game, the Broncos should be looking to
run the ball heavily, which could mean 20+ touches for Booker
in his first start. It sounds crazy to say it, but Booker is an
RB1 this week with serious upside to have a huge game.
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