Reflection on Week 7
Week 7’s list of fantasy studs was full of Dolphins and rookie receivers (Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper), as several of your players were likely on the bye. Look for your bye week players to have big weeks after getting a well-timed break.
Click here for this week’s NFL power rankings.
Apologies to Arian Foster owners (myself) and Ravens fans, even though Arizona almost gave Baltimore the game.
Click here for this week’s fantasy football rankings.
Per usual, I will be evaluating my picks from the previous week utilizing completions (good advice), interceptions (wrong advice), and incompletions (irrelevant advice).
Week 1: 16-15-5
Week 2: 11-16-9
Week 3: 13-14-9
Week 4: 19-13-4
Week 5: 19-10-7
Week 6: 17-13-6
Week 7: 18-13-5
Total: 113-94-45
| Completions |
|
Incompletions |
| Ryan Tannehill (START) | Eli Manning (START) | Chris Ivory (START) |
| Brian Hoyer (SLEEPER) | Teddy Bridgewater (SIT) | Delanie Walker (START) |
| Sam Bradford (SIT) | Frank Gore (START) | Travis Kelce (START) |
| Blake Bortles (BUST) | Christine Michael (SLEEPER) | Chris Boswell (SIT) |
| Joseph Randle (SIT) | Stefon Diggs (SIT) | Travis Coons (SIT) |
| Ameer Abdullah (SIT) | Amari Cooper (BUST) | |
| Carlos Hyde (BUST) | Jordan Cameron (SLEEPER) | |
| Martavis Bryant (START) | Crockett Gillmore (SIT) | |
| John Brown (START) | Zach Ertz (SIT) | |
| Mike Evans (SLEEPER) | Adam Vinatieri (START) | |
| Jordan Matthews (SIT) | Phil Dawson (SLEEPER) | |
| Jimmy Graham (BUST) | Caleb Sturgis (SIT) | |
| Josh Lambo (START) | Redskins D/ST (SLEEPER) | |
| Panthers D/ST (START) | ||
| Falcons D/ST (START) | ||
| Jets D/ST (SIT) | ||
| Eagles D/ST (SIT) | ||
| Steelers D/ST (BUST) |
Week 8 Start/Sit
Quarterbacks
Start
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (@ Baltimore Ravens)
The Chargers will go to Baltimore to face off against the team that has given up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Rivers has been on a roll lately, scoring 20+ points in four straight games. He’s also right behind Tom Brady for the post fantasy points by any quarterback in the league. Start Rivers against the woeful Ravens’ secondary.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets (@ Oakland Raiders)
Fitzpatrick has also been playing some consistent football for the Jets, scoring at least 13 points in every matchup this season. The Harvard graduate will face the 10th worst team in points against for opposing quarterbacks, and I think he will continue his steady play as long as he has Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker on his side.
Sleeper: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos (vs. Green Bay Packers)
This has nothing to do with the numbers; I just have a gut feeling that Manning will play well Sunday night in primetime with pretty good warm weather in Denver. The Packers also just gave up over 500 yards to Philip Rivers before the bye week.
Sit
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders (vs. New York Jets)
At home against the Bengals and Broncos this year, Carr has 11 combined points (ESPN Standard). Carr will face off against the third best defense against opposing quarterbacks, and I would not trust him this Sunday.
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@ Atlanta Falcons)
Winston has been very inconsistent this season, and the Falcons’ revamped defense has contained opposing quarterbacks well. He could easily get garbage time points in this division matchup, but there are better options out there.
Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers do not have a great secondary, but their defense, especially at home, has been very underrated this season. Besides Colin Kaepernick, the quarterbacks that have scored 16 or more points against the Steelers are Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, and Carson Palmer. Something tells me Dalton may struggle on Sunday in a tough divisional game for the Bengals.
Running Backs
Start
Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens (vs. San Diego Chargers)
After struggling early in the season, Forsett has scored double-digit points in four straight games. He gets the worst fantasy run defense in the league in the Ravens, and Forsett should have a lot of yards in this one.
Chris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (@ Cleveland Browns)
CJ2K has really come into his own, and the Browns have the second-worst fantasy run defense. The competition in the backfield with Andre Ellington and David Johnson has subsided, so ride CJ2K until he lets you down.
Sleeper: Dexter McCluster, Tennessee Titans (@ Houston Texans)
Antonio Andrews is also worth a FLEX start this week, but I like McCluster’s speed against the slow Texans defense. Houston also has one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, so McCluster should play well as long as he gets touches.
Sit
Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders (vs. New York Jets)
The Jets have given up 300 rushing yards to opposing running backs all season. Murray, who has been a top 15 running back this season, will more than likely struggle to get anything going against the tough Jets defense.
Alfred Blue, Houston Texans (vs. Tennessee Titans)
Blue is the likely replacement for the injured Arian Foster, but I can’t see many reasons to trust him. Blue had only one game with any sort of production in Foster’s initial absence, and I would wait to see if he even takes the lead role for the Texans against an underrated Titans rush defense.
Bust Alert: Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati Bengals (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers have given up the third least points to opposing running backs. Their linebackers are very fast, and they match up well with Bernard. Jeremy Hill is also in the picture, so Bernard’s potential is not looking too great this week.
Wide Receivers
Start
Jarvis Landry, Miami Dolphins (@ New England Patriots)
Landry has scored at least eight points in every matchup this season, which will likely continue against the Patriots. New England is undefeated for a reason, but they have given up the sixth most points to opposing wide receivers. The Patriots will put Malcolm Butler on Landry, but I see him having a solid game for the ‘Fins.
Steve Smith, Sr., Baltimore Ravens (vs. San Diego Chargers)
The Chargers have given up the sixth fewest points to opposing receivers, but Smith is a different animal. This should be a close game in Baltimore, and I expect Smith to come up big for Flacco and company.
Sleeper: Ted Ginn, Jr., Carolina Panthers (vs. Indianapolis Colts)
The Colts have been pretty bad against the pass (and the run) this year, and Ginn will probably score a deep touchdown on Monday night. Ginn has only had one really poor showing all season, and that came in Seattle.
Sit
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (@ Denver Broncos)
Adams is expected to return from his ankle injury this week against one of the top pass defenses in the NFL. Unfortunately for Adams, he will probably struggle get back up to speed against Denver, and I wouldn’t trust him quite yet.
Anquan Boldin, San Francisco 49ers (@ St. Louis Rams)
Colin Kaepernick has really struggled against elite defenses, and the 49ers have to travel to St. Louis in this divisional affair. Boldin has two touchdowns this season, but he has not been too trustworthy as he ages.
Bust Alert: Donte Moncrief, Indianapolis Colts (@ Carolina Panthers)
A lot of people are worried about T.Y. Hilton this week at Carolina because of Josh Norman. The Panthers are third against wideouts, and I think Norman may even guard Moncrief this week considering Panthers cornerback Bene Benwikere was on Jordan Matthews in the slot on Sunday night. Moncrief has been solid for the Colts, but this week may be different.
Tight Ends
Start
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers have held below-average tight ends in check this season, but Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Gates both had big games against Pittsburgh. Eifert is in that elite group, and should score this week.
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Surprisingly, the Seahawks have given up the second most points to tight ends, and Matt Cassel will need to rely on Witten to make some plays down the stretch. Even Vernon Davis had 70 yards of receiving against Seattle last week.
Sleeper: Larry Donnell, New York Giants (@ New Orleans Saints)
It’s no secret that the Saints defense is not one of the NFL’s elite, but they’ve particularly struggled against opposing tight ends, giving up the fourth most fantasy points and only less than 50 yards in one contest all season.
Sit
Jordan Cameron, Miami Dolphins (@ New England Patriots)
Cameron has been unreliable all season, and the Patriots have only given up 10 points or more to tight ends once all season, which was against the Jaguars in garbage time.
Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts (@ Carolina Panthers)
Allen has been very disappointing (and injured) this year, and it’s hard to start him, especially against the Panthers.
Bust Alert: Gary Barnidge, Cleveland Browns (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
Barnidge continues to impress for the Browns, but the Cardinals have not given up any touchdowns to opposing tight ends all season. These tight ends have only scored 3.1 points per game against the Cardinals, so be on the lookout for a Barnidge bust.
Kickers
Start
Nick Folk, New York Jets (@ Oakland Raiders)
Opposing kickers have scored at least 9 points against Oakland this season, and Folk has a huge leg.
Cairo Santos, Kansas City Chiefs ( vs. Detroit Lions)
Opposing kickers have scored the fourth most points against Detroit.
Sleeper: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens (vs. San Diego Chargers)
Tucker should finally get some points on the board this week against the Chargers.
Sit
Dan Bailey, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
I’m not sure Dallas will even get in the Seattle half of the field.
Andrew Franks, Miami Dolphins (@ New England Patriots)
It’s going to be windy Thursday night in Foxboro on a big stage against arguably the NFL’s top team.
Bust Alert: Mike Nugent, Cincinnati Bengals (@ Pittsburgh Steelers)
Nugent has been shaky this season, and Pittsburgh is not an easy place to kick. Just ask Josh Scobee.
Defenses/Special Teams
Start
Atlanta Falcons D/ST vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have actually been tough on opposing defenses lately, but I think Atlanta’s pass rush could really get to Tampa Bay’s weak offensive line.
Minnesota Vikings D/ST @ Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler.
Sleeper: Houston Texans D/ST vs. Tennessee Titans
Houston could finally show off their talented roster against the weak Titans offense.
Sit
Cincinnati Bengals D/ST vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is assuming Ben Roethlisberger will play, which could be tough on a Bengals defense that has played well so far this season.
New York Giants D/ST @ New Orleans Saints
The Saints are at home, and that’s usually not good for opposing defenses. The Giants have over performed in my opinion against weak competition.
Bust Alert: Denver Broncos D/ST vs. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers can still be Aaron Rodgers against the NFL’s top defense.
Week 8 Predictions
Week 1: 10-6
Week 2: 7-9
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 7-7
Week 6: 10-4
Week 7: 9-5
Overall: 61-44
Week 8 Thoughts
- The Packers-Broncos undefeated showdown on Sunday night is obviously the highlight of this week. As I said above, I think Peyton will actually play pretty well, and it will be up to each team’s running game to get going, getting pressure on the quarterbacks, tackling, and special teams as keys to victory.
- The Cardinals-Browns, Jets-Raiders, and Colts-Panthers games could be closer than people think. The Colts need to win Monday night to gain any confidence they possibly can moving forward.
- The Dolphins’ resurgence is going to be pushed back down by an offensive outbreak by New England. Dan Campbell has done an excellent job, but I think the Patriots’ offensive line will play better than people think and block the scary Miami pass rush.
- Seattle may shut out the Cowboys, even if Dez Bryant plays. Joseph Randle’s suspension will make the team rely on Darren McFadden against a very tough run defense.
- I can’t see too many people waking up to watch Detroit-Kansas City Sunday morning. Both teams are not exciting, especially the Chiefs without Jamaal Charles.
Week 8 Score Predictions
Miami Dolphins 17, New England Patriots 27 (Patriots -8)
Detroit Lions 20, Kansas City Chiefs 21 (Chiefs -5.5)*
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17, Atlanta Falcons 31 (Falcons -7.5)
Arizona Cardinals 24, Cleveland Browns 21 (Cardinals -4.5)
San Francisco 49ers 14, St. Louis Rams 27 (Rams -9.5)
New York Giants 20, New Orleans Saints 27 (Saints -3)
Minnesota Vikings 20, Chicago Bears 17 (EVEN)
San Diego Chargers 31, Baltimore Ravens 23 (Chargers +3)
Cincinnati Bengals 17, Pittsburgh Steelers 23 (EVEN)
Tennessee Titans 20, Houston Texans 14 (EVEN)
New York Jets 24, Oakland Raiders 16 (Jets -1)
Seattle Seahawks 31, Dallas Cowboys 13 (Seahawks -7)
Green Bay Packers 24, Denver Broncos 21 (Packers -3)
Indianapolis Colts 23, Carolina Panthers 28 (Panthers -7.5)
*Game played in London at 8:30 AM CT on Sunday
Sources: Yahoo! Fantasy, ESPN Fantasy, Rotowire
Image: Eifert