Week 8 of the NFL schedule is a fully loaded bye week, with six teams idle (New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins). So streaming is sure to be a viable option for a lot of fantasy owners this week, and here are my top streamer at quarterback, tight end and team defense for Week 8.
Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets at Cleveland Browns
Yahoo! Ownership:19%
Fitzpatrick clearly earned a benching, but Geno Smith‘s knee injury in Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens put him back on the field. He was solidly unspectacular against the Ravens, going 9-for-14 for 120 yards, but Fitzpatrick also did not throw an interception in the game.
Smith’s reported torn ACL has Fitzpatrick back in as the Jets’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, and just in time for a favorable Week 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks so far this season (20.9 per game; ESPN scoring), including multiple touchdown passes allowed in every game thus far and at least 278 passing yards allowed in six of seven games.
Fitzpatrick can easily deplete his fantasy impact with multiple interceptions in a game, but the Browns are not well-positioned to take advantage of his errant throws (six interceptions in 241 pass attempts against this season). “Fitzmagic” could be a top-10 fantasy quarterback this week, so he’s easily my streamer for Week 8.
Others To Consider: Brock Osweiler, Houston Texans, vs. Detroit Lions; Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts, Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers;
Tight End: Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins at Cincinnati Bengals (London)
Yahoo! Ownership: 23%
In place of an injured Jordan Reed (concussion) for the second straight game, Davis had six catches for 79 yards against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. Over the last two games with Reed out, Davis has eight receptions (on 10 targets) for 129 yards and a touchdown in a similarly prominent role.
Reed has reportedly been cleared to practice on Wednesday this week, which stands in contradiction to a report on Sunday that he would likely miss Washington’s trip to London and then get extra rest over a Week 9 bye. Either way’s it’s a fairly favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals this week, who have allowed 18 receptions to opposing tight ends over their last two games. One of those tight ends was Rob Gronkowski in Week 6, which alters everything, but there’s still an opportunity for the Redskins’ starting tight end to succeed in Week 8.
Be sure to monitor Reed’s status as the week goes on, but he has to be considered very questionable right now. Davis’ time to be fantasy relevant this season may end soon, but for Week 8 he’s a solid streamer as long as he’s in line to start.
Others To Consider:Â Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs; Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, vs. Oakland Raiders; C.J. Fiedorowicz/Ryan Griffin, Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions
Team Defense: New York Jets, at Cleveland Browns
Yahoo! Ownership: 21%
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After allowing 27 or more points in three straight games, the Jets’ defense rebounded nicely by allowing 10 points with three forced turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble recovery) against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback situation has become almost comical at this point, with Kevin Hogan becoming the sixth player to see action under center this season last Sunday. Cody Kessler suffered a concussion against the Bengals in that game, and Josh McCown has a chance to return to action this week, but Hogan could be starting against the Jets with recent waiver wire claim Joe Callahan as his primary backup.
The Jets can’t have a more favorable situation than they will have in Week 8. They are a great bet for a second straight strong defensive effort, and thus there’s great streaming potential here.
Others To Consider:Â Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Thursday night); Oakland Raiders, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
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