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Colby Cavaliere | Archive | Email |
Staff Writer


The Shot Caller's Report - Quarterbacks
Your Guide To Fantasy Lineups: Week 8
10/27/16
QBs | RBs | WRs

Bye Weeks: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson in Week 8: What's the best thing for a quarterback in a slump? The Saints defense.


Grab a Helmet

Alex Smith @ IND: So with bye weeks and mediocre play making quarterbacks more unreliable than normal, it’s time to consider streaming options on a weekly basis. Smith is never an attractive option, but the match-up and a few interesting stats make me believe he’s got a chance at being a solid start this week. In 2015 Smith completed 20 or more passes only seven times. So far in 2016, he’s completed 20-plus passes four times, and he’s been over 30 attempts in four of the six games this year. He’s also facing an Indy defense that is struggling to slow teams down. I think the Colts sell out to stop the run this week, and run some single coverage looks. Smith has been protecting the ball, and I see a host of scoring chances for this offense. His potential volume and match-up is just right to make him a sneaky spot start this week.

Derek Carr @ TB: Carr is a lucky dude. Not only does he throw one of the prettiest balls in the league, but he’s got two solid pass catching options out wide, and a really cheap laundry bill. Carr’s quick release and stout pass protection means he has a chance to progress through his reads and make the right play. He’s got a sterling 13-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s thrown at least one touchdown in every game this season, and sits as a QB1 despite going over 300 yards just twice this season. The Raiders are 4-0 on the road, and they get a very burnable defense this week in Tampa. The Bucs were roasted by Carson Palmer and Matt Ryan earlier this year, and Carr has a chance to do the same. 300 yards and a pair of scores is a decent bet for the ascending signal caller.

Russell Wilson @ NO: To say Wilson has been a fantasy bust is quite the understatement. I’m not sure why his poor play isn’t getting more attention. In many leagues he was one of the first quarterbacks selected, and yet he’s the 27th ranked QB, sitting amongst the Blaine Gabberts, and Brock Osweilers of the world. He’s rushed for exactly 3 yards total in his last four games and only has 5 total touchdowns on the season. Something’s not right with him physically, as he lacks the explosive escape ability that made this offense frightening down the stretch of last year. But when you’re offense is sick and struggling the New Orleans defense provides the perfect remedy. Like a bowl of soup, this Saints defense has been boiled on a weekly basis. They are 28th in the league in sacks with only 9, so Wilson should have time to work the pocket and hit his receivers all day. The Saints can score on anyone, and I think this game should yield a fair bit of points. This could be Wilson’s best game to date, so don’t miss out.

Grab a Headset

Tyrod Taylor vs NE: With nearly every possible weapon on offense hurt, Taylor faces the unenviable task of fronting a New England defense that’s playing great football. With McCoy and his top three receivers out last week, Taylor tried his best to claw his team back against Miami, and he just couldn’t do it. Taylor will likely be forced to lean on the top flight combination of Justin Hunter, and Walter Powell at receiver, and Mike Gillislee at running back. Taylor was decent in their meeting a few weeks ago, but that was with a full stable of playmakers. This offense is going to struggle to sustain drives and make big plays giving Taylor a low floor this week.

Kirk Cousins @ CIN: Cousins had good numbers last week against the Lions, but they should have been better. He simply hasn’t been able to put together a complete game this year, and travels across the pond to take on a Bengals team that should be able to generate consistent pressure. Starting blindside tackle Trent Williams will be hobbled with a knee injury, the backfield is in flux, and tight end Jordan Reed is iffy. Cousins and this Washington offense is largely match-up dependent and this one isn’t a positive one for Cousins and the Skins.

Blake Bortles @ TEN (Thu): I made the unfortunate mistake of thinking Bortles could bust out of his funk at home against a shaky Oakland defense. He fell on his face with a thud, punching in a meaningless garbage time score. He’s not on the same page with any of his receivers, is completing an incomprehensible 59 percent of his passes despite having better than average skill position players. He’s thrown more passes to the other team as he’s found the end zone (9-9) and while the Tennessee defense has given up back-to-back 300-yard passers, they are still one of the top-10 defenses against the pass in the league. Now the second I bash him, Bortles will probably go out and throw for 400 and 4 scores, just because that’s the way this season is going for me this year, but at this point Bortles has given you absolute zero reason to trust as your fantasy quarterback.


Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers