TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

10 Fantasy Football Lineup Busts for Week 8

You've read about all the sleepers, waiver wire pickups and starter suggestions based on matchups. Now let me burst some bubbles and tell you who I think is going to bust big time in Week 8.

This isn't to troll or spread hate - that's what those political sites are for. Think of this as a public service for fanboys and truth deniers who insist that everything is going to be alright, when it's clearly not. If you don't believe me, just ask the general public on Twitter. They know everything.

Warning: while the picks made in this article are completely serious, you may find sarcastic humor laced throughout. If you don't have any sense of humor whatsoever, turn back now before you get all worked up.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

Editor's Note: New users that sign up on FantasyAces, make a $20 deposit, and enter any game will receive our full season NFL (or NBA) Premium Pass for free, a $59.99 value. Just email [email protected] with your new FantasyAces username - and boom, that's it! We will email you with your Premium pass.

 

Week 7 Recap

Before I begin with the recap portion of the article, I have a rhetorical question. Since when did the sports world start revolving around Cleveland and what have the rest of us done to deserve this? I've never been there or even met anyone from Ohio, so I have no opinion either way about the place. I'm sure it's lovely (probably not). I just don't understand how a relatively small market can suddenly have an NBA champ, possible MLB champ and an NFL team so bad that we are obligated to talk about them ad nauseam too. I almost want the Yankees and Giants to be good again so we can complain instead about how New York dominates the media coverage. Anyway, for this week's breakdown I'm putting a Cleveland themed spin on how my picks performed. Remember, if it was good for them, it was bad for me.

 
Busted!

502626212-e1454436608224
   Russell Wilson (225 YDS, 0 TD)

   Carson Palmer (342 YDS, 0 TD)
   Tyrod Taylor (221 YDS, 1 TD, 1 RUSH TD)
   Ryan Mathews (56 YDS, 0 TD)
   Todd Gurley (57 YDS, 0 TD)
   Allen Robinson (9 YDS, 0 TD)
   Jeremy Kerley (15 YDS, 0 TD)

 

Hate the Game, Not the Player:

1f054fe799b3e60488b83a24f7ab3b2a
 
   Drew Brees (367 YDS, 3 TD)
   Matt Forte (100 YDS, 1 TD)
   T.Y. Hilton (133 YDS, 1 TD)

 
 
 
 
 
 
I'll gladly take seven out of ten correct calls, on who would bust last week, considering the stature of most of those players. Palmer is borderline because he broke 300 yards, but let's face it, in a game with no touchdowns there truly were no winners. On to Week 8!

 
 

Top 10 Busts for Week 8

Matthew Stafford (QB, DET) - Mr. 4th Quarter Comeback might not be needed to pull out a miracle at home against an opposing offense struggling to find consistency. The Texans have effectively limited the passing game even without J.J. Watt, giving up 231 and 157 passing yards the last two weeks. Stafford will dink and dunk his way through this game, frustrating fantasy owners and Lions fans riding a high from last week's victory. Don't worry though, you can still call him an MVP candidate. Just don't get too carried away there, Detroit.

cootertweet

 
 
Jameis Winston (QB, TB) - I've said it before, I'll say it again. The Raiders defense is not nearly as putrid as they look on paper. After Week 2, when the entire defensive unit presumably had their a** chewed out by coach Jack Del Rio, a former linebacker and defensive coordinator, they have allowed six TD and six INT through the air in five games. Winston is the epitome of feast or famine. One week it's crab legs, the next Ramen. Winston can't be trusted enough to start on most fantasy teams anyway. You're not starting him every week, are you?

winstontweet

 
 
Mark Ingram (RB, NO) - If you ask most Ingram owners, he has been a bust many weeks already. He should be motivated to redeem himself after fumbling late in last week's loss to Kansas City. Ingram wasn't particularly effective before that point either, finishing the day with 62 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards. After six games, Ingram is averaging less than four yards per carry and hasn't run for 80 yards in a game. The last thing he needs is to face off against Seattle's defense, which allows the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs. You wouldn't be blamed for benching him if you happen to have a dilemma at RB. You would be blamed for dropping him.

ingramtweet

 
 
LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF) - McCoy was highly questionable to play last week, but he did. He proceeded to run the ball eight times for 11 yards and reaggravate his hamstring. He enters this week in the exact same position. Will Rex Ryan defy common sense and throw him in the lineup against a team they have little chance of beating anyway? Probably. Only six teams allow fewer fantasy points to running backs than the Patriots, so even at 100% health this would be a bad matchup. It's hard to keep a player like him on the bench the way he's been running this year, but sometimes you just have to listen to your coaches. Or not.

mccoytweet

 
 
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI) - Just a couple weeks ago, he was the waiver savior for many fantasy football teams desperate for running back help. In another week, he may soon find himself back on the waiver wire. Ka'Deem Carey suddenly took 26 snaps compared to Howard's 22. Jeremy Langford is coming back soon and unfortunately, so is Jay Cutler. The biggest issue for Week 8, however, is the matchup against Minnesota and their new version of the Purple People Eaters. If you spent hard-earned FAAB on Howard, hopefully he helped you win for one, maybe two weeks.

howardtweet

 
 
Latavius Murray (RB, OAK) - I'm not buying it. Murray's sudden zombie-like revival after a two week absence stems largely from the fact that rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard did very little in the games he missed. The Raiders rushed for a total of 153 yards in Weeks 5-6. If you took a chance on Murray last week, you were happy with the two scores, but he still only ran for 59 yards and 3.3 Y/A. Don't be fooled - this will remain a committee approach and Murray will remain TD-dependent for value. Even though Murray rushed for 1,066 yards last season and is clearly the most talented back, he hasn't carried the ball more than 14 times this season. Why, Jack? Why?

delriotweet

 
 
Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR) - Benjamin's numbers in his return from ACL surgery last season has been a success. He has pulled down 29 passes for 394 yards and four TD. This weekend, however, the big, physical receiver will quickly be introduced to Patrick Peterson. If there is a cornerback who can disrupt the massive wideout, it is Peterson. Other than Benjamin's Week 1 surprise performance against Denver, he has been up-and-down along with the entire Panthers offense, shining mainly against weaker competition. The Panthers have had a brutal schedule, which doesn't help, but it's starting to get ridiculous.

pantherstweet

 
 
Jeremy Maclin (WR, KC) - The Mac is not back. It has been a disappointing run for Maclin this season. He hasn't even broken 80 yards in a game and isn't helping fantasy owners by scoring touchdowns either, with just one to his credit. The biggest problem? He has been targeted just three times in the red zone for one completion. According to PFF, he's expected to get shadow coverage from Vontae Davis, who hasn’t allowed a touchdown or over 40 receiving yards in each of the last four games. You can safely avoid Maclin this week. Remember, he's not in Philly any more.

maclintweet

 
 
Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - Andrew Luck loves Jack Doyle. Loves, loves, loves him. Can't stop talking about it either. If they film the next season of Hard Knocks in Indianapolis, it will change to a reality show called "Everybody Loves Jack." Either that or "Doyle Rules!" Anyway, Doyle has carved out a nice role for himself in the Colts offense and now gets the starting TE gig in place of an injured Dwayne Allen. Great depth pickup for the rest of the season, but this week isn't one to show him love. Luck gets back his other receivers, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett, so he won't need to guide so many passes toward the tight end position. The Chiefs have only allowed 18 catches, 212 yards and one score to tight ends all year, so keep your newly purchased Doyle jerseys at home this week.

doyletweet

 
 
Antonio Gates (TE, SD) - For some reason, he is still being started by fantasy owners in 37% of Yahoo! leagues this week. Last week, he posted season highs with five catches for 38 yards. Yes, that's the best he's done in five full games. He is officially at a career low 56.7 Catch%, worse than his rookie season. Given the fact that the Chargers are playing the defending champion Broncos in Denver, you would think he'd be on benches across all leagues. Hunter Henry is undergoing tests for concussions, so Gates could see an increased workload, but the fact is this isn't vintage Gates.

gatestweet




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Mike Conley

Sits Out Thursday's Game
Cason Wallace

Returns to Thunder Lineup
Rudy Gobert

Available Against Thunder
Collin Gillespie

Returns From One-Game Absence
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Take on Nets
Jamal Murray

Active Against Nets
Brandon Williams

Available Against Hornets
Klay Thompson

Back in Action Thursday
Grant Williams

Won't Play Against Mavericks
Brandon Miller

Ready to Continue Hot Streak Thursday
Kel'el Ware

Good to Go Against Bulls
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Available Against Hawks
Norman Powell

Ready for Action Thursday
Tyler Herro

Davion Mitchell Remain Out Thursday
Jalen Smith

Available Thursday Night
Tre Jones

Remains Out Against Heat
Josh Giddey

Won't Play Thursday
Dennis Schröder

Zach LaVine Coming Off the Bench Thursday, Dennis Schroder Starts
Malik Monk

Out Thursday
Joel Embiid

Ready to Face Kings
Quentin Grimes

Misses Second Straight Game
Ryan McDonagh

Ready to Rejoin Lightning Lineup
Logan Thompson

Unavailable Thursday
Dylan Guenther

Misses Second Consecutive Game
Shayne Gostisbehere

Ready to Face Mammoth
Anton Lundell

Out Thursday
Elias Lindholm

Won't Play Against Flyers
Evgeni Malkin

Good to Go Thursday
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Isaac Paredes

Not a Lock for Opening Day Lineup?
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
Corbin Carroll

a Top Fantasy Outfielder After Joining 30-30 Club
Jonah Tong

Won't Pitch in the World Baseball Classic
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
James Reimer

Stops Avalanche Wednesday Night
Tim Stützle

Tim Stutzle Collects Two Points Against Avalanche
Ondrej Palat

Enjoys Multi-Point Debut With Islanders
Zach Werenski

Has Fifth Multi-Point Outing of the Month
Travis Konecny

Questionable for Thursday
Rasmus Ristolainen

Doesn't Finish Wednesday's Loss
Blake Coleman

Out Until Olympic Break
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Dan Vladar

Returns to Flyers Crease
Denton Mateychuk

Back in Action Wednesday
Stephen Halliday

Unavailable Versus Avalanche
Ross Colton

Won't Play Wednesday
Devon Toews

Still Out Wednesday
Simon Holmstrom

Expected to Return Wednesday
Ryan Pulock

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP