It’s the question burning inside every person who has ever played fantasy: start em or sit em? After a red-hot start to the season, Kirk Cousins has failed to top 18 fantasy points in three straight contests. But there is reason to believe Cousins gets back on track sooner than later. See who else is trending up (or down) this week. For more start-sit advice, send a tweet to Paul at @pauliep97.
Start ‘em: Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins, Vikings
After a red-hot start to the season, Kirk Cousins has failed to top 18 fantasy points in three straight contests. But there is reason to believe Cousins gets back on track sooner than later. Actually, there’s a bunch of reasons. Cousins is still 3rd in the league in pass attempts, 3rd in passing yards, 7th in passing TDs, and 5th in completion percentage. Oh, did I mention that he gets to throw to Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs? They’re pretty good. This week, Captain Kirk also has the added benefit of facing a Saints defense that is currently 2nd-worst against QBs. Start him.
Mitchell Trubisky, Bears
Two weeks ago, after a 6 TD performance, I explained why Mitchell Trubisky’s success was unsustainable. Then, just to spite me, Trubisky topped 27 fantasy points in his next two games and broke into the top ten at the position. Matt Nagy’s offensive system is finally living up to the offseason hype, and Trubisky is succeeding not only with his arm, but with his legs as well–he ranks 2nd in the league with 40 RYPG. Start him this week against a shaky Jets defense.
For more Week 8 help, check out our fantasy football rankings, weekly NFL picks (pick’em), Week 8 waiver wire pickups, Week 8 sleepers and Week 8 streaming defenses.
Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Jameis Winston isn’t always fun to watch, but he continues to rack up fantasy points. In his two starts this season, he’s thrown for an average of 380 yards and rushed for 40. He finished as a top-5 QB in both games. While turnovers will always be a concern for Winston, he will remain a strong option as long as he’s attempting over 40 passes per game. I don’t expect the pass-heavy script to change in Week 8 considering the Bucs, who are allowing a league-worst 32.7 PPG, will be matched up against the powerful Bengals’ offense.
Other names to consider: Andrew Luck, Colts; Andy Dalton, Bengals
Sit ‘em: Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford, Lions
As I said in last week’s column, the days of Matthew Stafford as a high-volume quarterback are over. In Week 2, Stafford threw the ball 53 times. Since then, the attempts have gone down in every subsequent week–36, 30, 26, and 22, respectively. As a result, he has only two 300-yard performances on the season. Now, with the emergence of Kerryon Johnson, the Lions have a legitimate ground game, which is something they’ve lacked for virtually all of Stafford’s career. Sit him against Seattle, who currently boasts the top-ranked QB defense in fantasy.
Russell Wilson, Seahawks
Before Seattle’s bye in Week 7, Russell Wilson had turned in back-to-back solid performances, so why am I hesitant this week? I’m hesitant because Wilson is playing a fundamentally different type of football than he was a year ago when Seattle was 21st in rushing attempts. He had to throw it a ton — 34.7 times per game — which lead to nearly 4,000 passing yards and a league-leading 34 TD passes. This season, under a new offensive coordinator, Seattle ranks 2nd in rushes per game, and Wilson has become much more of a game manager. He already has three games this season with less than 200 passing yards, and his own rushing totals have all but vanished. He’s hard to trust this week.
Baker Mayfield, Browns
Baker Mayfield came through in Week 7, but Cleveland’s offense is still a concern. The passing volume has been low, the receivers outside of Jarvis Landry have been disappointing, and turnovers have been a problem. Although the Steelers look like a juicy matchup on paper, the truth is that the Steelers defense has neutralized solid QBs in back to back games — Matt Ryan and Andy Dalton both scored fewer than 18 points. Throw in the lopsided history between these two franchises, and the fact that Joe Haden could shadow Jarvis Landry, and Mayfield looks a lot less appealing.
Other names to avoid: Cam Newton, Panthers; Carson Wentz, Eagles
Start ‘em: Running Backs
Marlon Mack, Colts
Those that held onto Marlon Mack despite his injuries were rewarded in Week 7 with a monstrous 29-point performance. In that game, the Colts were up big against the Bills, who allowed Mack to rack up 21 touches for 159 total yards. The script could be similar this week against a Raiders team that has struggled offensively (and just traded their best offensive player), and has been unable to stop their opponents from scoring. Even if Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins steal a few touches, Mack has been efficient enough (6.1 YPC) to earn your trust in Week 8.
Phillip Lindsay, Broncos
Phillip Lindsay enters Week 8 as the 15th-best running back in fantasy, despite seeing fewer touches than some similarly ranked players. Lindsay has been efficient – 12th in yards per touch — and now that fellow running back Royce Freeman is OUT with a high-ankle sprain, he has the potential to take on even more volume. He could handle 20+ touches this week in a great matchup against the Chiefs. Start him with confidence.
Matt Breida/Raheem Mostert, 49ers
At the time of this writing, Matt Breida is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals. However, in Week 7, backup Raheem Mostert impressed as both a runner and receiver, racking up 78 yards on 11 touches. The Cardinals are currently allowing the most points to fantasy RBs, so you won’t find a better matchup. If Breida is healthy enough to play, he should have a solid game. If Breida is ruled out, pick up Raheem Mostert and slide him into your lineup.
Other names to consider: Kerryon Johnson, Lions; Tarik Cohen, Bears
Sit ‘em: Running Backs
Mark Ingram, Saints
I pumped the brakes on Mark Ingram in a tough matchup against the Ravens last week, and he finished the game with 14 total touches for 42 yards. Ingram isn’t a bad running back by any stretch, but, with Kamara as the clear top-dog and pass-catcher, Ingram is a little matchup-dependent. Unfortunately, it’s another tough one for Ingram in Week 8 as the Vikings defense has allowed only Todd Gurley to gain more than 60 rushing yards against them this season. Furthermore, the Vikings should be able to score on the Saints, which will mean more passing work for Kamara and more time on the bench for Ingram.
Chris Carson, Seahawks
Chris Carson is averaging 4.5 YPC in the 2nd-most run-heavy team in the NFL. Starting him should be a no-brainer. Unfortunately, the Seahawks’ coaching staff is committed to keeping Mike Davis and rookie Rashaad Penny involved in the offense as well, which limits Carson’s ceiling. He’s unlikely to see anything close to 20 carries per game, and, with only 6 catches on the season, he isn’t getting you points through the air either. As long as Carson is part of a three-man committee, he’s better off on your bench.
Corey Clement, Eagles
Corey Clement is another talented running back trapped in a timeshare. Due to a quad injury, it was Wendell Smallwood, not Clement, who became the lead back when Jay Ajayi tore his ACL a few weeks ago. Clement seems to be healthy now, but he’s still being out-snapped and outperformed by Smallwood. In Weeks 6 and 7, Smallwood saw 89 total snaps, while Clement was on the field for just 51. To this point in their respective careers, Clement has seemed the better player, but that won’t matter if he isn’t given an opportunity to succeed. Bench him against a strong Jacksonville defense this week.
Other names to avoid: Isaiah Crowell, Jets; Aaron Jones, Packers
Start ‘em: Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd, Bengals
Last Sunday night, with the whole world watching, Tyler Boyd caught 3 passes for 27 yards. Yikes. When an established player like Odell Beckham or Stefon Diggs does something like that, people get nervous. When it’s a no-name like Tyler Boyd, people want to abandon ship. Hopefully you were smart enough to realize that Boyd’s statline was more a reflection of Andy Dalton’s poor performance than his own, because I have no doubt that Boyd will get back on track this week in a great matchup against the Buccaneers. Not only are the Bucs 31st against wide receivers this season, but they are particularly vulnerable against the slot, which is where Boyd lines up almost 70% of the time.
Stefon Diggs, Vikings
Stefon Diggs has exactly 33 receiving yards in each of his last two games, while Adam Thielen has yet to finish a game with less than 100. Yet, I’m unconcerned. Diggs is 5th in the league in targets with 74. Extended across an entire season, that’s nearly 170 targets, which would have ranked 2nd last season behind only Deandre Hopkins. Throw in the fact that Diggs is 4th in touches per game amongst wide receivers and plays for a quarterback that’s averaging over 300 passing yards per game, and I think some regression to the mean is in store for Stefon Diggs. Look for him to have a big game against the struggling Saints’ defense in Week 8.
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Godwin is more a sleeper pick than a truly elite starting option here, but he’s still worth considering if you have one or more receivers on a bye. Godwin has scored a TD in 4 out of 6 games this season, and has at least 10 PPR points in 5 out of 6. In Week 7, he played on 71% of the snaps, his highest mark since Week 1, while Desean Jackson played only 50%, his lowest since Week 1. Considering Godwin has caught 11 passes in Jameis Winston’s two games back, it’s possible we’re witnessing a changing of the guard in Tampa Bay. He’s a solid flex against the Bengals this week in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Other names to consider: Jordy Nelson, Raiders; Geronimo Allison, Packers
Sit ‘em: Wide Receivers
Nelson Agholor, Eagles
In the first two games of the season, when Alshon Jeffery was still recovering from rotator cuff surgery, Nelson Agholor looked to be ready for a huge season. Now, however, with Zach Ertz and Alshon Jeffery demanding nearly 20 targets per game between them, Agholor has faded into the background. And when you consider that Agholor is gaining a paltry 7.6 YPC — good for 106th in the league —it’s hard to trust him to produce in such a limited role. Against the Jaguars, who are a bottom-five matchup for wideouts this season, Agholor should be riding the bench.
Devin Funchess, Panthers
Everything about Devin Funchess just screams low-ceiling flex play. He’s 27th in targets and 32nd in receptions. Through seven games, he’s had no fewer than 41 receiving yards and no more than 77. Basically, he’s a safe bet to catch 5 balls for 50 yards with a chance at a touchdown in any given week. Against the Ravens, though, who are third-best this year against wide receivers, he has to be downgraded. He’s just outside starting consideration for me.
Marquise Goodwin, 49ers
After a solid 2017 season, Marquise Goodwin seems to have settled back into his role as a wildly inconsistent boom-or-bust wide receiver option. The last two weeks encapsulate Goodwin’s style of play nicely: 4 for 126 and 2 TDs in Week 6; 2 for 24 in Week 7. Niners QB C.J. Beathard is already prone to targeting tight ends and running backs, but Goodwin could see even fewer looks this week as he’s blanketed by shutdown corner Patrick Peterson. Steer clear.
Other names to avoid: Tyler Lockett, Seahawks; Sammy Watkins, Chiefs
Start ‘em: Tight Ends
David Njoku, Browns
Although I don’t trust Baker Mayfield this week against the Steelers, I do believe that David Njoku has a nice opportunity here. Coming into Week 8, Njoku is 2nd on the Browns in targets, behind only Landry, and 4th at his position with 52. Furthermore, the Steelers are the 3rd-worst tight end defense so far this season, struggling against even average players like Austin Hooper and Maxx Williams. In what should be a pass-heavy game for Cleveland, Njoku belongs in your lineup.
Jared Cook, Raiders
Entering the Week 7 bye, Jared Cook was top-8 at his position in targets, target share, receptions, receiving yards, and red zone receptions. Then the Raiders traded Amari Cooper, their 2nd-most targeted player. Cook was already a worthy starter, but now he seems bound for success by simple process of elimination. Derek Carr is throwing for nearly 300 yards a game, and those yards have to go to somebody. Why not Cook? Moving forward, he should see a ton of volume. Start him with confidence against the Colts’ shaky defense.
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers
O.J. Howard, much like Chris Godwin, is a 2nd-year player that seems to be in the midst of a breakout. Howard has already blown by teammate Cameron Brate in terms of targets and routes run, but now he’s beginning to establish himself as a trusted target for Jameis Winston, who has historically leaned on his tight end. Excluding Week 4, when he left in the 1st quarter with an injury, Howard has had no fewer than 54 receiving yards in a game this season. Against a Bengals team that ranks in the bottom-five against the tight ends, Howard is a must-start.
Other names to consider: Eric Ebron, Colts; George Kittle, 49ers
Sit ‘em: Tight Ends
Kyle Rudolph, Vikings
Kyle Rudolph has always relied more on touchdowns than yardage to produce as a fantasy tight end; however, Rudolph has only 5 red zone targets in 7 games this season. With teammates Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs both top-5 in the league in targets, there just isn’t enough work for Rudolph. Bench him this week against the Saints, who have been surprisingly stout against opposing tight ends.
Jordan Reed, Redskins
Usually by this point in the season, Jordan Reed has managed to bench himself with injuries. This season, however, Reed is perfectly healthy; he’s just failing to perform. The problem for Reed is his quarterback, Alex Smith, who loves to spread the ball around. Although Reed leads the Redskins with 35 targets, four other players have 20 or more. This type of distribution will make it difficult to trust Reed, especially if he extends upon his five-game touchdown drought.
Other names to avoid: Chris Herndon, Jets; Michael Roberts, Lions
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