The Fanatics Sit/Start Advice for Week 8
Week eight of the NFL season is upon us. Before you set your lineup, check out my sit start for this week and if the player you are considering is not here feel free to hit me up on facebook or twitter. You can find me on Facebook group Dynasty League Problems or on twitter @MikeKelleyDLP Good luck this week.
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Quarterback
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Andy Dalton (CIN) vs TB
Dalton had a terrible week last week but in all fairness, the game got out of hand real quick. Despite last weeks ugly performance Dalton is still a high QB2 with low QB1 potential. A game against one of the leagues worst passing defenses might be just what Dalton needs to break into QB1 territory. The Bucs who are dead last in yard allowed, touchdowns allowed and quarterback fantasy points are certainly not likely to slow down Dalton the way the Chiefs did. Look for Dalton to bounce back and throw for almost 300 yards and at least two touchdowns this weekend.
Other Starts
- Case Keenum (DEN) @ KC
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Deshaun Watson (HOU) vs MIA
With a partially collapsed lung, Watson has been understandably slowed. With a short week this week I am not sure he will be bouncing back just yet. I look for the Texans to try and slow the game down with a heavy dose of a run plays. Over the last two weeks, Watson has only attempted 49 passes and against a poor run defense like the Dolphins, I am not expecting Watson to have to throw the ball 40 plus times in this game. With the lack of passing attempts, it would take a high ratio of touchdowns to make Watson startable this week and when you have to rely on touchdowns it usually is not a good thing.
Other Sits
- Derek Carr (OAK) vs IND
Running Back
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
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Kerryon Johnson (DET) vs SEA
Aside from week one, where all Lions struggled, Johnson has been running the ball great. He has 427 yards on 64 carries. The only real knock is that he has only one touchdown so far. Despite the lack of touchdown, it looks like the Lions may finally have the long sought after running back they have been trying to find for years now. The Seahawks are a shell of the former powerhouse defensive days. They are not pushovers, but not nearly as strong. That gives Johnson the perfect opportunity to continue he hot streak running the ball. I believe Johnson has a strong shot at going over 100 yards for the third time this year and has a good shot at finding the end zone too.
Other Starts
- Lamar Miller (HOU) vs MIA
- Marlon Mack (IND) @ OAK
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Christian McCaffrey (CAR) @ BAL
McCaffrey has been one of the more frustrating players this year. Not because he is having a bad year like David Johnson is, but rather he is up and down with his production He has managed 10 plus points every game in PPR leagues, but when he gets 20 plus touches he gets 20 plus points. When he gets less than 20 touches he gets right around 13 points. Seems pretty simple right? McCaffrey needs to be fed the ball, but for some reason, it’s like Cam Newton forgets he is there. Unfortunately, even if Cam remembers him this week he faces off against a very tough Ravens defense that has done a good job of at least slowing down opposing running backs so far this year.
Other Sits
- Jordan Howard (CHI) vs NYJ
- Carlos Hyde (JAX) vs PHI
Wide Receiver
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Doug Baldwin (SEA) @ DET
Baldwin hurt his knee in the offseason and tried to skip the preseason and jump right into week one. It did not go well at all. So then he sat a few more weeks before coming back in week four. He did okay that week, but in week five he was shut down by a red-hot Rams and people started to question what Baldwin’s value would be this year. In week seven he had a very solid six receptions for 91 yards stat line. Week seven was his bye week and now here we are in week eight. I think he is finally healthy and ready to get back to the old Baldwin we have come to trust. I think from here on out, barring any setbacks, we should be able to use Baldwin most weeks like we are used to.
Other Starts
- Chris Godwin (TB) @ CIN
- Christian Kirk (ARI) vs SF
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Sammy Watkins (KC) vs DEN
I am sitting Sammy this week not only because the Broncos have a solid secondary, but also because he has been way too inconsistent this season. Sammy has been doing just good enough to stay on the radar but has done nothing to cement him as an every week starter. Now if you are in a deep league you still might be forced to play Sammy, but I am not expecting more than four receptions for 60 yards. He just does not seem to be an important part of the game plan, and rather he is just a supplement that is used as needed.
Other Sits
- Devin Funchess (CAR) @BAL
- Marvin Jones (DET) vs SEA
Tight End
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
David Njoku (CLE) @ PIT
Since Baker Mayfield has taken over the starting role Njoku has moved into the top 10 tight end rankings. Every week the Mayfield has started Njoku has put up double digits in the scoring category. I look for that trend to continue as the Browns travel into Pittsburgh to face a Steelers team that has been very vulnerable to tight ends this year. Njoku can easily put up 70 plus yards and is likely to find the end zone as well.
Other Starts
- O.J. Howard (TB) @ CIN
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Kyle Rudolph (MIN) vs NO
Rudolph has not scored double digits since week four and has not scored a touchdown since week three. Things will not be any easier this week facing a Saints team that are near the top at stopping opposing tight ends. Of course, when you are playing with Adam Thielen who just might shatter all receiving records this year and Stefon Diggs who could easily put up the same numbers Thielen is, that does not leave a lot of opportunity for other players in the offense. It will probably on get worse if Dalvin Cook can ever get back on the field. So, for now, I would be looking elsewhere for production from the tight end position.
Other Sits
- Evan Engram (NYG) vs WAS
Defense
The Fanatics Starts of the Week
Arizona Cardinals vs SF
The Cardinals have been bad this year that is true, but their defense has actually been pretty good. Its the offense that keeps putting them in tight spots that is killing them. So this week facing a turnover-friendly 49ers teams this just could be the week we get some production from the Cardinals defense.
Other Starts
- Indianapolis Colts @ OAK
The Fanatics Sits of the Week
Denver Broncos @ KC
The Chiefs are not the Cardinals. The Chiefs score a lot. Don’t start the Broncos because they killed it last week. This week will be very different.
Other Sits
- Minnesota Vikings vs NO
Michael Kelley is a member of the Going For 2 team. You can check out his website Dynasty League Problems for more writings or find him on Twitter @mikekelleydlp spreading fantasy knowledge for the masses.
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