Week 8 Fantasy Football Expert Picks: Which Strong Fantasy Players Have Tough Matchups?
The experts at FantasySP answer five questions related to fantasy football as we head into the weekend of Week 8.
After next week, the NFL regular season will be half over. Most fantasy leagues start their postseason in Week 15, meaning that we will be over 53% finished with the fantasy regular season after this week. It seems like it just started, but time has flown by, as it always does. If you thought you would have all the answers by now, you were sorely mistaken (and you should have known better!).
Luckily, the experts at FantasySP are here to help. Morgan Rode and Daniel Hepner answered five questions about fantasy football in advance of the weekend of Week 8 of the NFL season.
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Give us a quarterback who should stay on the bench in Week 8.
Morgan: I don't like several notable quarterbacks in Week 8, led by Patrick Mahomes. He has a tough test against the Broncos. Bo Nix, Aaron Rodgers and Justin Herbert are some other big-name QBs who I'd try to sit this week.
Daniel: There are two high-level fantasy players in the NFC North with horrible matchups this week: Jared Goff against the Vikings and Caleb Williams at Seattle. Minnesota has allowed the fourth-fewest yards per pass attempt and the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks, while the Seahawks rank as the best and second-best defense by those respective metrics. Many owners won't consider benching those guys because of the success they have found, but there is a low floor for both passers.
Do you have a running back you have high hopes for who should be in lineups?
Morgan: Rhamondre Stevenson is one back I like in Week 8. He has a very good matchup coming against the Dolphins. Blake Corum is a sneaky-good option heading into a favorable clash against the Chargers.
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Daniel: I thought about targeting two teams in this question: the Raiders and Saints. Since New Orleans has their bye, we'll talk about Las Vegas and the team facing them, the Jets. Breece Hall hasn't played since Week 3, but if he is active, he belongs in your lineup. Braelon Allen has been very good filling in for the starting RB, including gaining over 100 total yards in each of his past three games. Allen is worthy of consideration for your RB2 or flex spot even if Hall returns to the lineup.
How about a wide receiver on the fringe who could be set for a strong fantasy week?
Morgan: I think Stefon Diggs should be in most fantasy starting lineups this week. He's got a very favorable matchup coming against Philly and could be the top pass catcher for Washington now that Terry McLaurin is out.
Daniel: It's easy to overlook, but the Jaguars have struggled to stop the pass, allowing the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Indianapolis' passing game hasn't been good in any week, but this might be their best matchup so far. Keenan Allen and Josh Downs (in that order) are lower-level streamers, but either is a decent option for your WR3/4/flex spot if you're short at the position or missing a few guys on bye.
Which tight end has a tough matchup and is in danger of a slow week?
Morgan: Chicago's Colston Loveland could struggle in Week 8 against the vaunted Seattle defense. Most fantasy owners are still going to trust Loveland, but if you have other options, I'd consider benching Loveland.
Daniel: Oronde Gadsden of the Chargers is an easy call due to his tough matchup with the Rams, but you're probably not considering Gadsden anyway. I'll give you another high-level player in Sam LaPorta, who has the same rough matchup against the Vikings that I talked about with his quarterback Goff. The Vikings have given up the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends on the season and haven't allowed a touchdown to the position.
Who will be the fantasy MVP of Week 8?
Morgan: I'll say Derrick Henry this week. I don't expect him to be the top-scoring player overall, but he has the chance to shine and turn back the clock a bit in a super favorable matchup against the Bills. Henry is a must-start guy every week, but he could truly shine in his Week 8 matchup, so I'll label him as this week's fantasy MVP.
Daniel: I like the idea of attacking Buffalo's defense, and I would maybe go with Lamar Jackson if we knew he was healthy. Instead, let's talk about Jaxon Smith-Njigba against the Bears on Monday night. Chicago has allowed the most yards per pass attempt through seven weeks, and while they rate better in fantasy against wide receivers, a big part of that is because the Bears have faced the fourth-fewest pass attempts despite not having their bye yet. The newly acquired Jeffery Simmons could help Chicago's D, but I see Smith-Njigba doing big things in this one.
