2017 Fantasy Football: Week 8 Sit/Start

A lot of teams are taking big bye week hits this week. If you starters are on the Cardinals, Packers, Jaguars, Rams, Giants or Titans you are probably looking for some gems to start this week to get you by. So before you set your lineup make sure you check out my sit and starts to help make those crucial decisions before game time. Remember if you have any other sit start questions you can hit me up in my Facebook group Dynasty League Problems or on twitter @MikeKelleyDLP Good luck this week.

The LootCrate START of the Week:

RB Joe Mixon (CIN)

Has the time finally come that we get to see what Mixon can do? I think so. The Bengals have a home game against the Colts who are a shell of themselves without Andrew Luck. Making this game the perfect opportunity for the Bengals to get back on track. I mean T.J. Yeldon who has only suited up for one game this year torched the Colts for 122 yards and one touchdown on only nine carries. Even with a depleted offensive line Mixon should find plenty of room to run. Even against a tough Steelers D Mixon did manage 48 yards on only seven carries. So as long as the Bengals can be close or be winning this week, which they should be able to do, Mixon should get plenty of chances running the ball. Look for him to have around 16 to 18 carries for around 80 yards and at least one touchdown with a few receptions for another 25 yards.

The LootCrate SIT of the Week:

QB Deshaun Watson (HOU)

I am sure this one will draw some pretty harsh comments, but I am not on board with starting Watson this week. While I agree that Watson is off to a red hot start, I am not ready to deem him a stud and start him regardless. I mean take a close look at his numbers. In six games, I know week one was only one half, but that aside he has thrown for 1,297 yards for an average of 216 per game. He completes roughly 18 passes a game on 29 attempts for a completion percentage of 62%. He also averages around one interception a game. What saves his numbers currently is the high volume of touchdowns he has, 15 throwing and two rushing. 15 of those touchdowns came in four games where he played against the Patriots who are dead last against the pass, the Titans who are in the bottom half of the league against the pass, the Chiefs who are only slightly better than the Patriots, and the Browns who are also in the bottom half of the league. Leaving only two touchdowns, one each, against the Jaguars who are the best in the league against the pass and the Bengals who are in the top ten. So here we have a quarterback that does not throw often and does not throw for a lot of yards going up against a top five passing defense in one of the toughest places to play. Watson’s number will be closer to his fist two weeks than his last four. I can see him throwing for 220 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. I like Watson and think he will be a good QB in this league for a long time, but he is a rookie and this week he will look like one.

Quarterback

START Philip Rivers (LAC)

In the first seven weeks of the season the Patriots have had six quarterbacks throw for over 300 yards against them. This week should be number seven. After an 0 – 4 start the Chargers are rounding into shape and have won three in a row. Not that I am predicting a Charger win, but rather a good game from Rivers. The Charger offense seems to be getting more comfortable and players are fitting into their roles and as that happens Rivers seem to be playing better. There should be plenty of points scored with the Chargers getting the share. I could easily see Rivers throwing for over 300 yards and possibly three touchdowns.

Other STARTS:

• Andy Dalton (CIN)
• C.J. Beathard (SF)

SIT Matthew Stafford (DET)

Two week ago Stafford had one of the craziest games. He turned the ball over five time, three interceptions and two lost fumbles. Yet still managed a productive day with 312 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. I don’t Stafford owners being so lucky this week. Facing a very tough Steelers secondary and possibly without his best wide out in Golden Tate, make this weeks match up very unattractive one for Stafford owners. I think we are looking at barely 200 yards with one touchdown and at least one interception.

Other SITS:

• Jacoby Brissett (IND)
• Joe Flacco (BAL)

Running Back

START Robert Kelley (WAS)

I know Kelley was not very good against the Eagles, but we did learn something important that night. As long as Kelley is healthy he will get his share of carries and that was evident by Chris Thompson being the only other running back to get a carry. So this week the Redskins face off against the Cowboys, who have not been very good at stopping the run this year. So combine that fact the Kelley is getting most of the work at running back with a match up against a team not very good at stopping the run and you get the perfect opportunity for Kelley to shine. A 16 to 18 carry night for 80 yards and a rushing touchdown I think is in the cards for him.

Other STARTS:

• Duke Johnson (CLE)
• Marlon Mack (IND)

SIT C.J. Anderson (DEN)

With both Jamaal Charles and Devontae Booker all sharing in the workload in Denver, Anderson is going to struggle to put up solid numbers. He won’t even have reception opportunities to help make up for the lack of rushing either, as most of those seem to be going to Booker with Charles getting the rest. So as a running back primarily working with only carries that really limits Anderson potential. Even if he runs for a decent average of five yards a carry, but only gets 15 carries and no touchdowns you are only looking at seven or eight points. Bottom line as long as all three backs are playing each one will be limited in their value, and it will take a touchdown to make any of them useful.

Other SITS:

• Doug Martin (TB)
• Lamar Miller (HOU)

Wide Receiver

START JuJu Smith-Schuster (PIT)

After Martavis Bryant acting the fool on social media, he has found himself to likely be a healthy scratch for this week instantly making Smith-Schuster the likely candidate to replace him as a starter. Smith-Schuster has not been heavily used to date, but he has been making the most of this opportunities when presented with them. This week should be no different other than hopefully he gets more opportunities. If Smith-Schuster can absorb Bryant’s work load that could mean around and extra five targets for him, which could translate to four more receptions for another 45 yards on the day. Add that on top of his usual two or three receptions for 35 yards and now we have a six catch for 80 yards day with a good shot at a touchdown. I will take that from a WR2 or flex spot this week.

Other STARTS:

• Keenan Allen (LAC)
• Kelvin Benjamin (CAR)

SIT Alshon Jeffery (PHI)

Carson Wentz just seems to struggle in getting Jeffery the ball. Not for a lack of trying either. On 54 targets they have only managed to turn that into 26 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns. In comparison to Nelson Agholor‘s 35 targets that have resulted in 24 receptions for 366 yards and five touchdowns. Maybe its coverage or maybe its opportunity, whatever the problem is, it is creating poor results for Jeffery. So poor in fact that Jeffery is barely maintaining flex value at this point. Until Wentz and Jeffery start looking in sync I am avoiding Jeffery. Even with a soft math up this week I just don’t see better than four receptions and 50 yards for him.

Other SITS:

• T.Y. Hilton (IND)
• Marvin Jones (DET)

Tight End

START Hunter Henry (LAC)

The best thing you can get from a tight end each week is enough receptions and yardage that you are flirting with 10 points. Then when you get those occasional touchdowns you are sitting pretty. Over the last three weeks Henry has averaged four receptions for 68 yards and has found the end zone once. Even without the touchdown that is good for double digits in PPR leagues. This week in a high scoring game I think we can see Henry go off for six receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown.

Other STARTS:

• Cameron Brate (TB)
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NYJ)

SIT Eric Ebron (DET)

Such a shame what has happened to Ebron in recent years. Though I still hold hope for him as he is only 24 years old, he needs to start showing something soon. Unfortunately it will likely not be this week as he face the Steelers. What seems to be killing him the most is his 50% catch rate and his going down fast. Which I think is resulting in Staffords lack of interest in getting Ebron the ball. Another week of one or two receptions for nothing better than 20 yards is in Ebron’s future. Just stay away.

Other SITS:

• Jared Cook (OAK)
• Coby Fleener (NO)

Defense

START Cincinnati Bengals

Before a rough match up with the Steelers the Bengals had been tearing it up for a few weeks to a tune of 17 sacks and three interceptions in four weeks. Going up against the Colts should help them bring back some of those numbers after getting shut out last week.

Other STARTS:

• Baltimore Ravens

SIT Carolina Panthers

The Panthers had been pretty solid this year on defense, but this week the Bucs are in town and with all weapons available to Jameis Winston he should have little trouble moving the ball on the Panthers and putting up enough points to render their defense useless in fantasy.

Other SITS:

• Dallas Cowboys

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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