Week 8 Fantasy Football Game Previews & Predictions: Lots of Byes & Injuries Equals Headaches For Owners
Darren McFadden (credits below)
Six more byes and plenty of new injuries mean your depth and waiver-wire prowess will likely be tested this week.
Ernest Graham, Beanie Wells, Willis McGahee, Darren McFadden, Tim Hightower, Mark Ingram, and Marshawn Lynch are among the running backs injured this week with their status unknown at this point. Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan were hurt at quarterback and Greg Jennings is banged up at receiver. The status of guys like LaGarrette Blount and Andre Johnson still remains unknown for Sunday.
A few of those guys are on a bye anyway this week as Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, Tampa Bay, and the Jets take the week off.
There’s not likely a lot of impactful free agents in your league other than DeMarco Murray so you may need to take a shot on a guy like Pierre Thomas, Knowshown Moreno, or a longshot like Alfonso Smith.
Here’s who I like this week:
Minnesota at Carolina: Nice start for Christian Ponder last week and I think he'll be even better against the Panthers. That said, I won't rely on any of his receivers. I have called for a breakout game for weeks from Percy Harvin, but it's not happening. I'm not buying Michael Jenkins in fantasy and Bernard Berrian is gone. Adrian Peterson should be a monster here. The Panthers will get another good showing here from Cam Newton and Steve Smith, but that has become an every Sunday occurrence.
Jacksonville at Houston: The Jaguars will struggle again offensively here with Maurice Jones-Drew as the only reliable fantasy player as usual. In deeper leagues, Jason Hill looks like he has become Blaine Gabbert's top receiver. The Texans should get another big defensive number here. Arian Foster is back, obviously, and if Andre Johnson comes back, he will pick up where he left off. If Johnson is active, play him. Don't overthink and worry that Johnson might be back on a limited basis. If Houston plays him, so should you, and Matt Schaub owners must root for that as well.
Miami at New York Giants: A nice chance for Eli Manning to continue his strong season and Ahmad Bradshaw to pick up where he left off before the bye week. If somebody in your league gave up on Mario Manningham, grab him because he is back in Manning's good graces. The Giants defense could get near 20 this week because Brandon Marshall is the only Dolphin you are playing.
New Orleans at St. Louis: I repeat what I said last week: Play your Saints. It paid off last week as everyone got involved in the 62-point effort and the Saints may get close to those offensive numbers again. Marquis Colston has become a must-play receiver once again. If Mark Ingram can't go, Pierre Thomas gets a boost and maybe we even see Chris Ivory this week. Steven Jackson is the only Ram you are considering for your lineup as the Saints defense should get another big output.
Indianapolis at Tennessee: Tough to play any Colts this week, but if you have Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark, I guess you can give them a shot as long as you don't expect too much. Take the Titans defense and expect Matt Hasselbeck to be a top-10 quarterback this week. Chris Johnson will be better too, so don't think about giving up on him yet. Jared Cook is a good pickup at tight end if you have Dustin Keller, Tony Gonzalez, or Jermichael Finley on a bye.
Detroit at Denver: If you have Matthew Stafford, it may be an hour before game time before you know if he is able to play and with the Lions on a bye next week, chances are 50/50 (Stafford is day-to-day as of 10/25). There's not a lot of free agents available at quarterback so you may just want to take Shaun Hill and play him if Stafford can't go. Hill was a solid fantasy player last year when Stafford was injured and will be as good as anyone on the waiver wire against the Broncos. Calvin Johnson will be fine with whoever is at quarterback and Brandon Pettigrew had a nice year with Shaun Hill last year. Maurice Morris also becomes more valuable if Hill plays and the Lions look to run more than usual. Knowshon Moreno owners may finally get a chance to see their guy get a few more carries this week, but he's still not a top 25 running back. Tim Tebow again had a better fantasy day than it looked like on the field and he's going to likely be throwing a lot as the Broncos try to catch up again.
Washington at Buffalo: A nice matchup for Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and the Buffalo defense, especially coming off a bye. Ryan Torain looks like the guy now in Washington, but take a flyer on Roy Helu and put him on your bench because I’m betting he gets more carries for the rest of the season as Mike Shanahan tries to see what he’s got in the rookie. Jabar Gaffney is fantasy relevant again after the loss of Santana Moss.
Cincinnati at Seattle: Andy Dalton is the best quarterback on many waiver wires, so feel free to pick him up if your quarterback is on a bye or injured. Bernard Scott is probably not available anymore, but this is his one shot at glory to pick him up and play him if you can. A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson could be nice plays against the Seahawks. Seattle's offense looked terrible, but I think Tavaris Jackson playing at home is about the only time the Seahawks are going to be decent on offense. If Charlie Whitehurst plays this week, avoid all Seahawks, but if it is Jackson, then Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin are decent flex options.
Cleveland at San Francisco: Frank Gore is back and should go big against the Browns and it sounds like Kendall Hunter will continue to get 8-10 carries, so you can use him in deeper leagues. Michael Crabtree could breakout this week and Braylon Edwards is worth a pick-up, especially in deeper leagues, although I would not play him this week. Pick the 49ers defense back up if you dropped them on the bye week. I'm still not counting on much from Peyton Hillis even if he plays, but Monterio Hardesty is a nice play if Hillis is out. If Hillis is active, Hardesty is relegated to deeper leagues only. You don't want any part of Cleveland's passing game right now.
New England at Pittsburgh: The Patriots are back and should be as good as ever even against Pittsburgh, which isn't as good on defense as you might think. The passing game will pick up where it left off, but the running game is always unpredictable and the fact they are coming off a bye means Bill Belichick had an extra week to figure out how to further confuse his backfield situation. Benjarvis Green-Ellis in deeper leagues only and no other Patriots backs for me. Ben Roethlisberger should have a big week against the Pats and will find Mike Wallace deep. Antonio Brown is a starter in 10-team leagues against the Pats if Hines Ward is injured. Heath Miller is viable as well. You've got to play Rashard Mendenhall if you have him, but I'd be looking to trade him if I could get value.
Dallas at Philadelphia: Raise your hand if you had DeMarco Murray on the bench last week? I played Jackie Battle over him, so try to beat that for poor strategy. At least I got Murray last week before he becomes the No. 1 pick-up in every league where he is available this week. I am playing him this week and you should too unless you have two studs in the backfield. If you have Rashard Mendenhall, Shonn Greene or another guy who has disappointed you, put him on the bench and play Murray. Tony Romo will be fine too and I think Dez Bryant is fine if healthy. I'm worrying about Miles Austin, but still playing him if I have him. The Eagles coming off a bye may light up the Cowboys defense so Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, and LeSean McCoy could be as good as they have been all season.
San Diego at Kansas City: Philip Rivers has let you down this season, but he will finally be a top-five quarterback this week. You could be trailing heading into Monday night and worrying that he will have another no-show performance, but instead he will lead you to victory. Vincent Jackson will be healthy and as productive as he has been on his healthy days and Ryan Mathews should run wild on the Chiefs with Mike Tolbert picking up a score or two. Matt Cassell will put up decent fantasy numbers trying to rally the Chiefs from behind and Dwayne Bowe should be reliable, but I'm off the Jackie Battle bandwagon because the Chiefs seem content to go running back-by-committee.
Ernest Graham, Beanie Wells, Willis McGahee, Darren McFadden, Tim Hightower, Mark Ingram, and Marshawn Lynch are among the running backs injured this week with their status unknown at this point. Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan were hurt at quarterback and Greg Jennings is banged up at receiver. The status of guys like LaGarrette Blount and Andre Johnson still remains unknown for Sunday.
A few of those guys are on a bye anyway this week as Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Oakland, Tampa Bay, and the Jets take the week off.
There’s not likely a lot of impactful free agents in your league other than DeMarco Murray so you may need to take a shot on a guy like Pierre Thomas, Knowshown Moreno, or a longshot like Alfonso Smith.
Here’s who I like this week:
Arizona at Baltimore: Beanie Wells owners are once again going crazy. He looked like the lone ballcarrier for the Cardinals this season and teased with a three-touchdown game, but he's already missed one game and then left last week early and looks unlikely to play this week. Plan to look elsewhere because even if he plays, the Ravens aren't easy to run on and are likely to hurt him again. Even if Alfonso Smith gets the full workload, you don't want him against Baltimore and I don't think I'd play any Cardinal other than Larry Fitzgerald in a 10-team league. The Ravens defense is a good option this week and I think Baltimore's passing game gets going again versus the Cardinals so Joe Flacco is fine if you have Aaron Rodgers or Matt Ryan on a bye. Anquan Boldin will bounce back and I think Torrey Smith returns to relevance. Look for the Ravens to feed Ray Rice as well after criticism that he didn't get enough touches on Monday night.
Minnesota at Carolina: Nice start for Christian Ponder last week and I think he'll be even better against the Panthers. That said, I won't rely on any of his receivers. I have called for a breakout game for weeks from Percy Harvin, but it's not happening. I'm not buying Michael Jenkins in fantasy and Bernard Berrian is gone. Adrian Peterson should be a monster here. The Panthers will get another good showing here from Cam Newton and Steve Smith, but that has become an every Sunday occurrence.
Jacksonville at Houston: The Jaguars will struggle again offensively here with Maurice Jones-Drew as the only reliable fantasy player as usual. In deeper leagues, Jason Hill looks like he has become Blaine Gabbert's top receiver. The Texans should get another big defensive number here. Arian Foster is back, obviously, and if Andre Johnson comes back, he will pick up where he left off. If Johnson is active, play him. Don't overthink and worry that Johnson might be back on a limited basis. If Houston plays him, so should you, and Matt Schaub owners must root for that as well.
Miami at New York Giants: A nice chance for Eli Manning to continue his strong season and Ahmad Bradshaw to pick up where he left off before the bye week. If somebody in your league gave up on Mario Manningham, grab him because he is back in Manning's good graces. The Giants defense could get near 20 this week because Brandon Marshall is the only Dolphin you are playing.
New Orleans at St. Louis: I repeat what I said last week: Play your Saints. It paid off last week as everyone got involved in the 62-point effort and the Saints may get close to those offensive numbers again. Marquis Colston has become a must-play receiver once again. If Mark Ingram can't go, Pierre Thomas gets a boost and maybe we even see Chris Ivory this week. Steven Jackson is the only Ram you are considering for your lineup as the Saints defense should get another big output.
Indianapolis at Tennessee: Tough to play any Colts this week, but if you have Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark, I guess you can give them a shot as long as you don't expect too much. Take the Titans defense and expect Matt Hasselbeck to be a top-10 quarterback this week. Chris Johnson will be better too, so don't think about giving up on him yet. Jared Cook is a good pickup at tight end if you have Dustin Keller, Tony Gonzalez, or Jermichael Finley on a bye.
Detroit at Denver: If you have Matthew Stafford, it may be an hour before game time before you know if he is able to play and with the Lions on a bye next week, chances are 50/50 (Stafford is day-to-day as of 10/25). There's not a lot of free agents available at quarterback so you may just want to take Shaun Hill and play him if Stafford can't go. Hill was a solid fantasy player last year when Stafford was injured and will be as good as anyone on the waiver wire against the Broncos. Calvin Johnson will be fine with whoever is at quarterback and Brandon Pettigrew had a nice year with Shaun Hill last year. Maurice Morris also becomes more valuable if Hill plays and the Lions look to run more than usual. Knowshon Moreno owners may finally get a chance to see their guy get a few more carries this week, but he's still not a top 25 running back. Tim Tebow again had a better fantasy day than it looked like on the field and he's going to likely be throwing a lot as the Broncos try to catch up again.
Washington at Buffalo: A nice matchup for Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, and the Buffalo defense, especially coming off a bye. Ryan Torain looks like the guy now in Washington, but take a flyer on Roy Helu and put him on your bench because I’m betting he gets more carries for the rest of the season as Mike Shanahan tries to see what he’s got in the rookie. Jabar Gaffney is fantasy relevant again after the loss of Santana Moss.
Cincinnati at Seattle: Andy Dalton is the best quarterback on many waiver wires, so feel free to pick him up if your quarterback is on a bye or injured. Bernard Scott is probably not available anymore, but this is his one shot at glory to pick him up and play him if you can. A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson could be nice plays against the Seahawks. Seattle's offense looked terrible, but I think Tavaris Jackson playing at home is about the only time the Seahawks are going to be decent on offense. If Charlie Whitehurst plays this week, avoid all Seahawks, but if it is Jackson, then Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin are decent flex options.
Cleveland at San Francisco: Frank Gore is back and should go big against the Browns and it sounds like Kendall Hunter will continue to get 8-10 carries, so you can use him in deeper leagues. Michael Crabtree could breakout this week and Braylon Edwards is worth a pick-up, especially in deeper leagues, although I would not play him this week. Pick the 49ers defense back up if you dropped them on the bye week. I'm still not counting on much from Peyton Hillis even if he plays, but Monterio Hardesty is a nice play if Hillis is out. If Hillis is active, Hardesty is relegated to deeper leagues only. You don't want any part of Cleveland's passing game right now.
New England at Pittsburgh: The Patriots are back and should be as good as ever even against Pittsburgh, which isn't as good on defense as you might think. The passing game will pick up where it left off, but the running game is always unpredictable and the fact they are coming off a bye means Bill Belichick had an extra week to figure out how to further confuse his backfield situation. Benjarvis Green-Ellis in deeper leagues only and no other Patriots backs for me. Ben Roethlisberger should have a big week against the Pats and will find Mike Wallace deep. Antonio Brown is a starter in 10-team leagues against the Pats if Hines Ward is injured. Heath Miller is viable as well. You've got to play Rashard Mendenhall if you have him, but I'd be looking to trade him if I could get value.
Dallas at Philadelphia: Raise your hand if you had DeMarco Murray on the bench last week? I played Jackie Battle over him, so try to beat that for poor strategy. At least I got Murray last week before he becomes the No. 1 pick-up in every league where he is available this week. I am playing him this week and you should too unless you have two studs in the backfield. If you have Rashard Mendenhall, Shonn Greene or another guy who has disappointed you, put him on the bench and play Murray. Tony Romo will be fine too and I think Dez Bryant is fine if healthy. I'm worrying about Miles Austin, but still playing him if I have him. The Eagles coming off a bye may light up the Cowboys defense so Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, and LeSean McCoy could be as good as they have been all season.
San Diego at Kansas City: Philip Rivers has let you down this season, but he will finally be a top-five quarterback this week. You could be trailing heading into Monday night and worrying that he will have another no-show performance, but instead he will lead you to victory. Vincent Jackson will be healthy and as productive as he has been on his healthy days and Ryan Mathews should run wild on the Chiefs with Mike Tolbert picking up a score or two. Matt Cassell will put up decent fantasy numbers trying to rally the Chiefs from behind and Dwayne Bowe should be reliable, but I'm off the Jackie Battle bandwagon because the Chiefs seem content to go running back-by-committee.
Written by Steve Mims exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow Steve on Twitter @nwsportscards
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(October 15, 2011 – Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Week 8 Game Previews, Week 8 Game Predicitions, Week 8 Fantasy Football, Steve Mims
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