In Week 8 we have six teams on bye plus another Sunday morning game in London which limits the games on the Sunday main slate. It looks like the RB position is the best spot to find value this week with a couple of strong options at reasonable prices who are expected to have favorable game scripts for the running game.
The intent is not to play this exact lineup as it will come in well below the Salary Cap but to use the players as a baseline of value options which can then be upgraded to a better player with a higher salary at a few of the positions.
So onto the value plays for Week 8…
The LootCrate FanDuel Value Plays for Week 8
Quarterbacks
CJ Beathard (SF) @ PHI $6,300
With only three starting QBs under $7,300 this week the pickings were slim but I’ll go with Beathard who leads the 49ers into Philly this week. Beathard put up a respectable 235 passing yards in his first start last week and while he failed to throw a touchdown pass he did manage to gain 30 rushing yards with a score on the ground. The Eagles figure to be leading all game and their secondary is the weakest part of their defense, so if Beathard can get a little bit of time to throw he could have some success in the air during garbage time to easily reach 2-3x value of his salary.
Running Backs
LeGarrette Blount (PHI) vs SF $6,100
The consistent volume of carries has been there for Blount with at least 12 carries in all but one game this season. He should get another 15+ carries this week in what should be a positive game script for the running game as a big home favorite against the 49ers. The success hasn’t always been there for Blount but with a matchup against a 49ers’ defense that has allowed 114 rushing yards (29th) per game to opposing RBs along with one touchdown per game over the last five weeks, he should be able to put together a solid fantasy day at a reasonable price.
Joe Mixon (CIN) vs IND $5,900
Just once I want the Bengals to just give Mixon all the carries to see what he can do instead of Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard continuing to get work. Mixon should be able to have a good game this week even with only around 15 touches against a weak Colts’ run defense that has allowed 4.9 YPC and 1.2 rushing touchdowns per game to opposing RBs over the last five weeks. He could have a huge day if Bengals dedicate themselves to the run and he gets 20+ carries.
Wide Receivers
Kelvin Benjamin (CAR) @ TB $6,600
There aren’t many good, cheap WR options this week. Benjamin’s production has been a little more consistent over the last four weeks with at least 58 yards in each game while topping 12 FanDuel points in three of the last four games. He gets a solid matchup in what could be a high scoring game against the Bucs this week. If he can approach 10+ targets like he did two weeks ago he has the potential for a big game against a Bucs’ secondary that has allowed a league-high 214.7 yards per game to opposing WRs.
Alshon Jeffery (PHI) vs SF $6,600
The Eagles should be able to move the ball on the 49ers this week however they would like. Jeffery has been a little bit of the forgotten man this season with four or fewer catches in all but one game. The 49ers have been good against TEs this season which could funnel more targets to the WRs this week as the Eagles try to get the Carson Wentz to Jeffery connection going.
Deonte Thompson (BUF) vs OAK $4,900
Yep, I am going to go ahead and chase points this week with Thompson who caught four balls for 107 yards in his Bills’ debut last week. He should continue to get more comfortable and snaps with another week of time in the offense and working with Tyrod Taylor. He is the Bills primary deep threat and is playing against a Raiders’ secondary that has allowed 14.6 YPC to WRs over the last five weeks which ranks 27th in the league. He only needs to get deep for one to pay off his salary. GPP only.
Tight Ends
Jason Witten (DAL) @ WAS $5,400
“Old man” Witten just keep chugging along for the Cowboys. He has topped 50 yards in four out of six games this season and has scored three touchdowns. Witten should get plenty of targets this week with Josh Norman returning to square off with Dez Bryant outside. The Redskins rank 28th DVOA against opposing TEs this season while allowing a league-high 86.5 yards per game to the position. Six catches for 80 yards and a potential touchdown from a cheap TE, sign me up.
Kicker
Randy Bullock (CIN) vs IND $4,600
FanDuel is starting to price up kickers a little bit so I won’t be able to recommend a min-priced option this week, so we’ll move up $100 to Bullock. With the Bengals as a big home favorite, there should be plenty of field goal opportunities against a Colts’ team that has allowed the second-most field goal attempts per game (2.7) this season.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Defense
Steelers (PIT) @ DET $4,400
I have a feeling that the Steelers/Lions game might be a low-scoring slugfest on Sunday night. The Steelers defense has been good this season with 3.4 sacks per game (3rd) and will face a Lions’ offense that has been sacked 3.8 times per game (31st). Pressure on the QB can also lead to turnovers and defensive touchdowns.
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
