Trying to decide who you should start or sit this week? Let’s take a look at a few potential decisions owners have and try to sort through them:
Quarterbacks
Start – Andrew Luck – Indianapolis Colts – at Tennessee
Luck had a hiccup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7 (186 yards, 0 TD and 0 INT, though he did have 2 rushing TD) and certainly wasn’t stellar against the New York Jets in Week 6 (280 yards, 0 TD and 2 INT). However he is a rookie and inconsistencies generally go with the territory. In his four prior games he had thrown for 300+ yards three times and 2 TD three times. Throw in a match-up with the Titans, who are tied for the league lead with 16 passing TD allowed, as well as 281.4 yards per game and this is the perfect week to expect a bounce back.
Sit – Ryan Tannehill – Miami Dolphins – at New York Jets
The assumption was that the Jets passing game would completely fall apart with the loss of Darrelle Revis. However, Antonio Cromartie has stepped up and the unit as a whole has played better than expected. Tannehill had one huge game a few weeks ago (431 yards), but otherwise has not thrown more than 223 yards and has 4 TD passes on the season. There’s too much risk to trust him.
Running Backs
Start – Rashad Jennings – Jacksonville Jaguars – at Green Bay
Maurice Jones-Drew is out, meaning Jennings is going to get the bulk of the opportunities. He has long been one of the more desirable reserve running backs in the league, offering both rushing and receiving potential. That means he should produce against a Packers defense that is allowing nearly 110 rushing yards per game, even if it breaks down into a shootout.
Start – Willis McGahee – Denver Broncos – vs. New Orleans
The Broncos and Saints could light up the scoreboard, but New Orleans has been among the worst rushing defenses in the league. They are currently allowing 161.0 rushing yards per game, as well as 8 TD. The match-up is favorable so, despite his up-and-down performances, he is worth using.
Sit – LaRod Stephens-Howling – Arizona Cardinals – vs. San Francisco
Stephens-Howling is a hot target off the waiver wire after exploding for a total of 149 yards and 1 TD against the Minnesota Vikings (though, after seeing Doug Martin light them up as well we need to temper our excitement). However, he’s never been trusted with that type of workload before and it is highly unlikely that he will again. There’s a reason that he hasn’t before in his career and look for this to be a timeshare once again, with William Powell also getting his fair share of carries.
Sit – Steven Jackson – St. Louis Rams – vs. New England
He is no longer the true lead back, sharing carries with Daryl Richardson. It’s not like the Patriots defense is stellar, but they are allowing just 86.0 rushing yards per game and 3 TD. It’s easy to imagine the Rams trying to play catch-up, meaning they are going to be forced to pass the football. With the timeshare and the risk of abandoning the run, he’s more of a FLEX option if you can’t avoid him.
Wide Receivers (Two-Receiver Formats)
Start – Antonio Brown – Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Washington
He hasn’t even performed like a Top 30 option, with 36 receptions for 442 yards and 1 TD this season. However, the Redskins are the worst passing defense in the league (328.4 yards/game, 16 TD). The Steelers should go pass heavy, with Brown and Mike Wallace both benefiting from the match-up.
Sit – Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers – at Chicago
The Panthers draw a very tough match-up against the Bears, so this write-up not only goes for Smith, but other skill players like DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Bears have been lights out on defense and, as the Panthers offense continues to struggle, it’s impossible to trust any of the skill players this week.
Wide Receivers (Three-Receiver Formats)
Start – Josh Gordon – Cleveland Browns – vs. San Diego
He’s a big play receiver with 14 catches for 333 yards and 4 TD. Lucky for fantasy owners the Chargers have allowed 5 passes of at least 40 yards and 14 TD on the season. He’s proving to be the team’s top receiver and, at this point, is worth using in all deeper formats (despite there being some risk).
Sit – Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers – at Arizona
I feel like a broken record when it comes to Crabtree, but until he consistently proves capable of putting up numbers it is impossible to trust him. This is a rushing attack with a quarterback that is a game manager and other options to throw the ball to. Sounds like a gamble not worth taking.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 rankings:
Do u think Daryl Richardson is a decent FLEX option if you assume the Rams fall behind early and have to catch up? Or do you think even in that situation he’d only get around 10 touches?
I have Trent, SJAX, Ballard, JStew, Andre Brown need to fill 2RB spots and flex also have bess Hilton and verneen on waivers.. Tempted to drop jstew for vereen but fearing that’s just the pats fan in me.. Do I start with what I got.. With Trent likely limited even if he goes and SJAX well you already said it.. I know a lot of this is injury pending ie Bradshaw and Trent by assuming Bradshaw and Trent both play what do I do?! Thanks in advance!
SSL btw
Do I start Vick Ballard or Shonn Greene? I also have Donald Brown, who may play. Would start him over Shonn Greene, if he starts this week?
S – depends on your other options, but. Wouldn’t want to trust him.
Ryan – they have said Stewart s the starter, some wouldn’t jump ship quite yet there. As you said, injuries are an moat but if everyone is playing its Richardson and Ballard for sure. Fr the FLEX it depends on your risk Torrance. Based on the news. Would consider Stewart, though Jackson is the other option.
Jim – don’t love any of them, but ts Ballard by a hair if Brown isn’t playing. If e is, I would g Greene
Having a hard time deciding on my wide receivers and flex this week.
RB:Charles, Mcgahee, M Turner and shonne Greene
WR: Cruz, James Jones, Denarious Moore, Josh Gordon and Brandon Gibson.
Standard League 2 RB 2 WR and 1 W/R
So far I have Charles and McGahee as my RB and Cruz as one of the WR.
Not sure on other WR and flex. They all seem to be so close…..whats your opinion?
Already had Rudolph as TE who got me 1 point so going in already in the hole.
Start Rashad Jennings over Turner or Stevan Ridley?
kindra – They are all close, but I would lean towards Gordon as the second WR. He’s got big play potential (as he’s proven recently) and a good match-up. I’d roll the dice there. As for the FLEX, it’s probably Denarius Moore or Turner, but I would have to lean towards the RB. So, I’d roll with Turner and cross your fingers.
Tom – I have them back-to-back-to-back on my rankings, so it really is a coin flip. I would go with your gut.
Last time I went with my gut and decided against Ridley he went all Madden. :/
That’s part of the reason we love fantasy football, isn’t it? My concern with Jennings, who should be good, is that they fall behind against GB and he loses touches as they try to play catch-up.
That said, I don’t think playing Jennings is a bad move, as they all are really close.