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Welcome to our Week 8 matchups analysis and starts/sits column for fantasy football. We'll be covering every matchup from every Sunday game to help you make the best decisions for your fantasy lineups. We'll also be updating this as injury reports come in so check back often.
I'll be on Reddit each Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to answer all your start/sit questions as well. You can also reach me directly on Twitter @ChrisMangano if you can't wait.
Teams on bye: Cardinals, Packers, Jaguars, Rams, Giants, Titans. Let's get to the matchups for Week 8!
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Week 8 NFL Matchups - 1:00 PM ET Games
Important note and credits about data used in this article:
- All snap counts taken from Football Outsiders. Adjusted line yards also taken from Football outsiders. You can read more here.
- Success rate is taken from Sharp Football Stats (Warren Sharp). You can read more about it here.
- Wide receiver snap percentages and corner grades/stats are taken from Pro Football Focus.
Vikings at Browns (9:30 AM EST London Start)
Matchups We Love:
Case Keenum (QB, MIN)
Despite the poor performance of Marcus Mariota in Week 7, the Browns still present one of the friendliest defenses to quarterbacks. On the season they rank 31st in completion percentage and 32nd in touchdown percentage. They are allowing 221 yards per game (15th) and are just a middle-of-the road defense in terms of pressuring the quarterback, ranking 16th in sack rate. They have allowed three top-four quarterback finishes, and prior to last week's 23rd finish from Mariota no quarterback had finished worse than 16th against them. Keenum looks like a high-end QB2 and a viable streaming option.
Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN)
Diggs looks set to return to the field after missing the last two games with a groin injury and is in a great spot against a Browns defense that looks likely to be without stud corner Jason McCourty. While McCourty is allowing just 1.53 PPR points per target, all other Browns corners are allowing 2.13. Diggs is a must start.
Adam Thielen (WR, MIN)
With Diggs set to return, Thielen should move back into his customary slot role. The Browns slot corners have given up four touchdowns on 33 targets and are allowing 1.86 PPR points per target. Thielen should see a slight dip in targets with Diggs back, but he still remains safely in the WR2 range.
Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN)
After a slow start to the season, Rudolph has now seen nine, nine and seven targets in his last three games. He draws one of the best tight end matchups this week, as the Browns have allowed six top-13 scoring weeks and four top-7 weeks. Rudolph is an easy TE1 play.
Matchups We Hate:
Latavius Murray (RB, MIN)
Murray saw a season-high in snap percentage (47%) and carries (18), but was not targeted in the passing game. The Browns have quietly been one of the toughest run-stopping units, ranking second in adjusted line rank and success rate against, and first in yards per carry. They have only allowed two top-12 running back scoring weeks, and have held all other backfields to RB19 or worse. Murray should be left on benches if possible.
DeShone Kizer (QB, CLE)
The Vikings defense has taken a step back from their dominating 2016 self, but this is still a defense to fear. They rank top 10 in touchdown percentage allowed, interception percentage and sack percentage - and are allowing just 206 yards per game (12th best). On the season only one quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2, has finished as a top 15 quarterback against them. Kizer is getting the start again, but he has been benched three times already this season. That number could become four on Sunday.
Isaiah Crowell (RB, CLE)
Crowell played just 53% of snaps on Sunday but tied his season-high of 17 carries and added six targets. The Vikings are an elite run stopping unit, and rank top four in both yards per carry and success rate against while also ranking ninth in adjusted line yards. They have yet to give up more than a top-15 running back scoring week as well. Crowell is little more than a RB3 in this matchup.
Duke Johnson (RB, CLE)
Johnson carried a season-high seven times in Week 7 and added seven targets, but remains little more than a PPR flex play with his low usage. The Vikings do a decent job of stopping backs in the passing game, ranking 20th in success rate against and allowing 6.8 YPA (10th). Johnson can remain a flex play in PPR, but should be benched in standard formats.
Other Matchups:
Jerick McKinnon (RB, MIN) continues to be the backfield leader, playing 59% of snaps since Dalvin Cook's injury, and has seen at least 14 carries and three targets in every game sans Cook. While he will likely struggle on the ground, he can do damage in the air against a Browns defense that ranks 30th in success rate on throws to running backs, and is allowing 7.1 YPA (14th). He should be considered a RB2 in PPR formats.
The Browns receiving core is a fantasy wasteland as neither Ricardo Louis (WR, CLE) nor Rashard Higgins (WR, CLE) are seeing enough volume to be fantasy relevant. Louis had seen at least four targets in six straight and could again in a likely negative game script, but against the stout Vikings corners Trae Waynes and Xavier Rhodes he is best left on benches.
Seth DeValve (TE, CLE) out-snapped David Njoku (TE, CLE) 37 to 28 in Week 7, but Njoku out-targeted him five to four. The Vikings are just a middle-of-the-road matchup, ranking 20th in success rate against but 10th in yards per attempt. They have given up three top-10 scoring weeks, but with DeValve and Njoku splitting the work it's hard to trust either as more than a low-end TE2.
Falcons at Jets
Matchups We Love:
Matt Ryan (QB, ATL)
It's tough to put Ryan as a matchup we love after he became the first passer in 2017 to throw for less than 300 yards against the Patriots, but the fact is he draws another very soft matchup. The Jets rank 31st in touchdown percentage allowed and are giving up the 20th-most yards per game. They also get almost no pressure on the quarterback, ranking 30th in sack rate. They have allowed a top-10 finish in every week but Week 2. We understand if you can't trust Ryan, but he has to be considered a low-end QB1 in this matchup.
Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL)
Sanu has seen at least six targets in all four healthy games he has played and leads the team with six red zone targets. The Jets slot corners, led by Buster Skrine, have allowed six touchdowns on 49 targets and are giving up 2.45 PPR points per target. Sanu is an easy WR3 play with big time upside in Week 8.
Matchups We Hate:
Julio Jones (WR, ATL)
After a slow first half, Jones exploded against a bad Patriots secondary and finally delivered what his owners had been hoping for. For only the second time all season he saw double-digit targets along with four red zone targets, double what he had seen for the season combined. Things will be much tougher this week as he will likely face shadow coverage from Morris Claiborne who has yet to allow a touchdown on 35 targets and is giving up just 1.31 PPR points per target.
Austin Hooper (TE, ATL)
In the four games Sanu has started, Hooper has seen two, two, two and one target. If Sanu is on the field, Hooper cannot be started. The matchup just makes things worse as the Jets rank ninth in success rate against the TE and 11th in yards per attempt.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ)
Since returning in Week 3, Seferian-Jenkins has 34 targets and five red zone targets. While the Falcons struggle on defense, one area they excel is against tight ends. They rank first in success rate against and eighth in yards per attempt. Jenkins is too involved to bench but should be considered a low-end TE1.
Other Matchups:
Devonta Freeman (RB, ATL) has gotten just 21 carries and seven targets since the team's Week 5 bye, but continues to dominate Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL) in snaps 73% to 32%. The Jets rank 11th in adjusted line yards and 13th in yards per carry, but have allowed four top-12 running back scoring weeks. With Ryan struggling, the Falcons would do well to lean on Freeman as they did in the three weeks leading up to the bye, but it is no guarantee they will. Freeman must be considered a high-end RB2 unless his usage increases. Coleman remains a viable flex play in all formats. With the return of Sanu, Taylor Gabriel (WR, ATL) predictably took a back seat, seeing just two targets. He now has just 15 targets in Sanu's four healthy games and is only a viable option when Sanu is out.
Josh McCown (QB, NYJ) has settled into his role as the starter and has been playing good football over the last three weeks. The Falcons are just an average pass defense with their only strong ranking being touchdown percentage against (10th). McCown is a solid QB2 and a viable streaming option. The Jets continue to use a committee approach to their backfield as Matt Forte (RB, NYJ) led the team with a 50% snap share in Week 7 followed by Bilal Powell (RB, NYJ) with a 38% snap share and Elijah McGuire (RB, NYJ) a distant third with just a 18% snap share. The Falcons run defense is bad, ranking 22nd or worse in adjusted line yards, success rate against and yards per carry. They have allowed three top-seven running back scoring weeks as well. Even in a plus matchup, none of these running backs can be trusted for much, although Forte has some flex value in PPR formats due to him having 13 targets over the last two weeks. Robby Anderson (WR, NYJ) is emerging as a viable weekly fantasy option and now has led the team in targets two straight weeks. The matchup is good but not great, as the Falcons secondary is allowing 1.67 PPR points per target. Anderson is a boom/bust WR4 play. Jermaine Kearse (WR, NYJ) has now seen just four targets in each of his last three games and no red zone targets during that stretch. While the Falcons matchup isn't daunting, his lack of volume makes him nothing more than a PPR flex play.
Panthers at Buccaneers
Matchups We Love:
Cam Newton (QB, CAR)
Other than the Patriots, the Buccaneers present the biggest slam-dunk quarterback matchup. They rank 30th or worse in completion percentage allowed, yards per game (294) and sack percentage. They allow touchdowns at the 23rd-worst rate and have allowed four top-10 quarterback finishes. Newton has only looked good for two weeks out of the season so far, but he could make it a third on Sunday.
Devin Funchess (WR, CAR), Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR)
Funchess has now out-targeted Benjamin in four of the last five and has six red zone targets to Benjamin's four. Funchess lines up everywhere and gets a great matchup against a Buccaneers secondary that has allowed eight touchdowns to receivers and is giving up two PPR points per target and will be without Brent Grimes who was played 196 snaps on the season. Both receivers could push WR1 territory this week though we'd slightly prefer Funchess. Either way both are excellent starts.
Adam Humphries (WR, TB)
Humphries has seen five or more targets in every game but two and could be heavily involved as the Panthers slot corners have struggled. On the year, they have allowed six touchdowns on 49 targets and are allowing 2.26 PPR points per target. Humphries looks like an upside flex play in PPR formats.
Matchups We Hate:
Doug Martin (RB, TB)
Martin played a season-high 60% of snaps in Week 7 and has seen an increase in snaps each game since returning from his suspension. While he should continue to dominate the backfield it won't be easy sledding against a Panthers defense that ranks top-10 in adjusted line yards and yards per carry and has allowed just two top-12 running back scoring weeks while holding four other units to 24th or worse. Still, on volume alone Martin should be considered an RB2 play.
Other Matchups:
Christian McCaffrey (RB, CAR) continues to dominate Jonathan Stewart (RB, CAR) in snaps seeing 74% to Stewart's 36% over the last two weeks. While Stewart is still getting the bulk of the carries, McCaffrey is dominating in the passing game with 23 targets over the last two. The Buccaneers are an average run-stopping unit but have allowed four top-12 scoring running back weeks. McCaffrey should be considered a RB2 in PPR formats while Stewart is barely worth a start in any format.
Ed Dickson (TE, CAR) has seen 13 targets and three red zone targets over the last two games but has yet to turn that into fantasy production. The Buccaneers rank 19th in success rate against and 18th in yards per attempt so the matchup is not daunting. Dickson should be considered a low end TE2.
Jameis Winston (QB, TB) seemed to be showing no ill-effects from the AC joint sprain he suffered in Week 6 as he torched a stout Bills secondary. The Panthers will present challenges, they rank fourth in yards per game (180) and second in sack rate but they have given up three, top 13 quarterback finishes. Winston is in the high QB2, low QB1 discussion.
Mike Evans (WR, TB) primarily plays on the outside and draws a matchup against Panthers corners that are allowing 1.64 PPR points per target and have given up just four touchdowns. Still, Evans has seen at least eight targets in every game and is tied for the team lead with nine red zone targets. He is a weekly must-start. DeSean Jackson (WR, TB) has seen at least six targets in every game but has just one red zone look. With the Panthers doing an OK job on outside receivers, he will remain a boom/bust WR3 play.
After three straight weeks where Cameron Brate (TE, TAM) and O.J. Howard (TE, TAM) split snaps, Howard surprisingly out-snapped Brate 51 to 38 in Week 7. Brate did out-target Howard nine to six, however. The Panthers are just an average matchup, ranking 17th in success rate against and 12th in yards per attempt. They have held four teams to 20th or worse scoring weeks, however, so the tight ends could find things tough. Both Brate and Howard should be considered high-end TE2s but nothing more.
49ers at Eagles
Matchups We Love:
C.J. Beathard (QB, SF)
Beathard looked at least competent in his first NFL start, throwing for 235 yards and rushing for a touchdown, though he did fumble twice. He could improve this week against an Eagles defense that ranks 29th in yards per game (272) and 23rd in completion percentage (64.7). They have allowed a top-12 quarterback finish in every game since Week 1 against Kirk Cousins. Beathard is a solid QB2 play with upside and could even be a streaming option in deeper leagues.
Carson Wentz (QB, PHI)
How can you not love Wentz right now? Dude is ballin'! He should continue ballin' against a 49ers defense that ranks 21st or worse in every major category and has now allowed consecutive QB1 finishes. Wentz is a locked-in, must-start at home against the 49ers and could compete for the top overall finish at the position.
LeGarrette Blount (RB, PHI)
Even with the return of Wendell Smallwood, Blount led the team with 14 carries and now has at least 14 carries in four straight games. He should continue that streak in a game the Eagles should dominate. Against a 49ers defense that has allowed five top-six scoring weeks and an RB11 scoring week, it's hard to envision a scenario where Blount isn't successful. He is a high-end RB2 with uspide for even more.
Matchups We Hate:
Carlos Hyde (RB, SF)
After taking a backseat to Matt Brieda (RB, SF) in Week 5, Hyde has re-assumed his dominant role playing 78% of snaps over the last two games and has seen at least 13 carries and six targets in each. While he should continue to be the main back, he faces a tough test against an Eagles defense that ranks first in adjusted line yards, third in yards per carry and eighth in success rate against. They have allowed just one top-1o running back scoring week as well which drops Hyde to the high-end RB2 tier.
Other Matchups:
For just the second time all season, Pierre Garcon (WR, SF) did not lead the team in targets. Whether that is a product of the quarterback switch or just a fluke remains to be seen. He still saw seven targets and now has at least five in every game. Playing primarily outside, he draws a good matchup against an Eagles secondary allowing 1.65 PPR points per target but just five touchdowns. Garcon remains a high-floor WR3 play. Marquise Goodwin (WR, SF) tied for the team lead with eight targets and added another two red zone targets, giving him nine on the season. Goodwin remains a boom/bust fantasy option but could become more involved with Beathard at the helm. As of now he should be considered a flex play.
The George Kittle (TE, SF) hype train derailed in a major way in Week 7 as he saw just two targets and caught one pass for 16 yards. He had seen 17 targets over the previous two so perhaps this was just a blip. The Eagles are an average matchup ranking 21st in success rate against and 15th in yards per attempt but have given up three top-12 scoring weeks. Still, Kittle can't be considered anything more than a low-end TE2.
Wendell Smallwood (RB, PHI) returned from his knee injury but played just 37% of snaps and got just eight carries and two targets. His role could increase his second week back, but his value will always be greatest when the Eagles are forced to air it out. He can't be considered more than a low-end flex play in PPR formats.
The emergence of Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI) has hurt Alshon Jeffrey's (WR, PHI) value, though Jeffrey has led the team in targets each of the last two games. Agholor could once again be the receiver to own as he gets the better matchup against 49ers slot receivers who are allowing 1.75 PPR points per target. Meanwhile Jeffrey's matchup is by no means bad as outside receivers against the 49ers have scored five touchdowns and are scoring 1.71 PPR points per target. Both Agholor and Jeffrey are solid plays this week.
Zach Ertz (TE, PHI) has been as consistent as it gets at any position and is a locked-in must start every week. The 49ers do a good job against tight ends, ranking sixth in success rate against and 16th in yards per attempt, but have given up back-to-back top nine scoring weeks. Ertz needs to be in every lineup.
Bears at Saints
Matchups We Love:
Jordan Howard (RB, CHI)
Howard has played 75% of snaps the last two games and has gotten 57 carries over that stretch. While the Bears have found themselves in positive game script, Howard had gotten 23, 18 and 19 carries over the previous three games. He should continue to get work and draws a fantastic matchup against a Saints defense that ranks 28th in yards per carry and 30th in success rate against. They have also allowed three, top-seven running back scoring weeks. Howard is an easy RB1, although his workload could be at risk if the team falls behind big early.
Matchups We Hate:
Mitch Trubisky (QB, CHI)
After allowing QB3 and QB1 finishes to start the season, just one quarterback has finished top-16 against this defense (Matt Stafford in Week 6). It's unlikely Trubisky can be the second, as he has just 24 total completions through his first three games and has yet to throw for over 128 yards. Even in a good matchup you can't start Trubisky, so there is no reason to start him now.
Zach Miller (TE, CHI) and Dion Sims (TE, CHI) played almost equal snaps in Week 7 but Miller had three targets to Sims' zero. The Saints rank ninth in success rate against and have held three teams to scoring weeks of 28th or worse and only one top-12 scoring week. In such a low volume attack neither can be trusted.
Drew Brees (QB, NO)
Brees has struggled, by his standards at least, and may continue to do so against a Bears defense that ranks ninth in yards per game (196), fifth in touchdown percentage allowed and eighth in sack rate. Only two quarterbacks have a top-16 finish against this defense. While Brees is good enough to make it a third, owners should temper expectations.
Michael Thomas (WR, NO), Ted Ginn (WR, NO)
The Bears are doing a great job against outside corners holding them to just four touchdowns on the season and 1.41 PPR points per target. After seeing just six targets in Week 6, a season low, Thomas posted his third double-digit target game with 11. Even in a tough matchup he should be considered a high-end WR2. Ginn has had two solid weeks in a row but has only seen more than five targets in two games. In a tough matchup he can't be considered more than a WR4/flex start.
Coby Fleener (TE, NO)
Fleener the fewest snaps of any Saints tight end in Week 7 and saw just three targets. The Bears are a tough matchup for tight ends ranking fourth in success rate against and holding four teams to scoring weeks of 18th or worse. Fleener should not be started.
Other Matchups:
With the Bears' defense carrying this team to victories, Tarik Cohen (RB, CHI) has seen a reduced role, playing just 28% of snaps the last two weeks and getting zero targets in Week 7 after seeing five or more in every other game. It's unlikely the Bears will be playing from ahead so Cohen should see his share of targets against a defense that ranks 26th in success rate on throws to running backs and allows 6.3 YPA (20th). He is still a PPR flex play.
Since the trading of Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram (RB, NO) and Alvin Kamara (RB, NO) have combined for 35 and 31 carries. Ingram has dominated with 30 and 27 touches to Kamara's 14 and 16. Still there is plenty of fantasy value for both, though things may be tougher this week against a Bears defense that ranks 12th in yards per carry and 11th in success rate against. They had given up back-to-back top 12 running back scoring weeks before holding the Panthers to 20th. Ingram remains a must start RB1 while Kamara is a low-end PPR RB2.
Willie Snead (WR, NO) was a surprise inactive in Week 7 and is working back from his hamstring injury very slowly. He has been practicing in full this week and looks on track to play. His matchup out of the slot is OK as the Bears have allowed three touchdowns on 52 targets and are giving up 1.61 PPR points per target. Still even if he plays it remains to be seen how limited he will be. Owners should likely wait another week before starting him.
Chargers at Patriots
Matchups We Love:
Philip Rivers (QB, LAC)
I feel like I don't even need to explain this one, but it's my job so here we go. The Patriots rank dead last in yards per game (310) and have allowed every quarterback not named Matt Ryan to throw for at least 300 yards. They rank 27th in completion percentage allowed, 29th in touchdown percentage allowed, and 24th in sack rate. Every quarterback except Ryan has scored at least 20 fantasy points and only two have finished outside the top 10. Rivers is a must-start in all leagues.
Melvin Gordon (RB, LAC)
Don't be fooled by the Falcons' struggles last week, this is still a bad defense that ranks 27th or worse in adjusted line yards, yards per carry and success rate against. Prior to last Sunday's game, they had allowed a top-14 scoring week to every running back unit they faced but one (Houston in Week 3). Gordon is a locked-in RB1.
Keenan Allen (WR, LAC)
Allen plays a little over half his snaps in the slot and a third from the left. The Patriots are one of the worst slot coverage teams in the league, giving up a touchdown every 10 targets and allowing 2.04 PPR points per target. They aren't much better on the outside either having allowed six touchdowns on 95 targets and giving up 1.91 PPR points per target. Allen is a locked-in WR1.
Hunter Henry (TE, LAC)
Henry now has 20 targets and four red zone targets over the last three games and is the team's clear-cut number one tight end. He draws a great matchup against a Patriots that ranks 26th in success rate against and has allowed five, top-12 scoring weeks. Henry is a locked-in TE1.
Matchups We Hate:
Tom Brady (QB, NE)
You're never not starting Brady, but owners should temper expectations this week. The Chargers have a great pass defense ranking fifth in yards per game (185), 12th in touchdown percentage allowed, and fourth in sack rate. Since Week 1, when they allowed a surprise top-four finish to Trevor Siemian, no quarterback has finished higher than 16th. Brady could certainly end that streak but it will take all he has.
Chris Hogan (WR, NE)
Hogan has now seen just 10 targets over the last two games, though he did lead all receivers in Week 7, and just two red zone targets in his last three. He will matchup against all corners not named Casey Hayward, who combined have allowed just one touchdown and 1.29 PPR points per target. Hogan owners should temper expectations.
Danny Amendola (WR, LAC)
Prior to last week's four-target game, Amendola had seen at least five targets in every game he played. The Chargers present a real matchup problem from the slot as they are one of only two teams yet to give up a touchdown to slot receivers and are allowing just 1.42 PPR points per target. Amendola is little more than a low-end flex play in PPR formats.
Other Matchups:
Here's where we are with the ever-changing Patriots backfield: James White (RB, NE) is a viable weekly PPR flex play and was second with 31% of snaps in week two and has seen five targets in all but one game. Dion Lewis (RB, NE) seems to be inching towards taking over the lead back role and played the most snaps at 38%. He has now seen 11 and 13 carries in his last two games but his lack of work in the passing game is worriesome. Mike Gillislee (RB, NE) and Rex Burkhead (RB, NE) were the odd men out playing just 18% of snaps each and getting eight and six carries respectively. Matchup-wise, the Chargers present one of the best running back matchups, ranking 30th in adjusted line yards, 31st in yards per carry and 26th in success rate against and have given up three top-seven scoring weeks. Still, White is the only back we'd feel comfortable starting as a PPR flex while Lewis owners should hope his role increases.
Brandin Cooks (WR, NE) is likely to see shadow coverage from Casey Hayward. Hayward has struggled compared to his studly 2016 season, but did hold Demaryius Thomas to zero catches on Sunday. Cooks is a dynamic player but this is by no means an ideal matchup. Consider him in the WR2 range.
Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE) has 17 targets and three red zone targets in the two games since returning from injury and will face a Chargers defense that ranks ninth in success rate against but 25th in yards per attempt. Gronk is a weekly must start regardless of matchup.
Raiders at Bills
Matchups We Love:
Amari Cooper (WR, OAK), Michael Crabtree (WR, OAK)
Cooper is coming off a monster Week 7 and could build on that against a Bills defense that will be without stud corner E.J. Gaines. On the season Gaines has allowed just 15 catches for 137 yards and no touchdowns. The rest of the Bills outside corners have allowed 34 catches for 520 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper and Crabtree both get a big boost and each are great starts.
Jared Cook (TE, OAK)
Cook has seen at least six targets in every game but two and has six red zone targets. He gets a great matchup against a Bills defense that was torched by the Buccaneers tight ends and ranks 32nd in success rate against and 27th in yards per attempt. Cook should be in the low-end TE1 discussion.
Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF)
If Taylor somehow wasn't scooped off your waiver last week, now is the time to do it. Facing another great matchup against a Raiders defense that ranks 23rd in yards per game (246), 18th in touchdown percentage allowed and 25th in sack rate, Taylor should pay off with another solid day. The Raiders have allowed five top-13 quarterback finishes and that puts Taylor in the high QB2, low QB1 range.
Nick O'Leary (TE, BUF)
O'Leary saw just two targets coming off the bye, but draws a great matchup against a Raiders defense that ranks 18th in success rate against and 21st in yards per attempt. They have also allowed five top-eight scoring weeks to the position. Still, even with the good matchup O'Leary can't be considered more than a TE2 due to low volume.
Matchups We Hate:
DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK), Jalen Richard (RB, OAK)
After Marshawn Lynch was ejected from Thursday night's game, Washington and Richard split the work fairly evenly as Washington played 30% to Richard's 32% while each had nine carries and four targets. This will likely remain a committee making either a tough start against a defense that ranks in the top six in adjusted line yards, yards per carry and success rate against while only giving up one scoring week better than 20th (the Falcons in Week 4).
Other Matchups:
Derek Carr (QB, OAK) is coming off a huge Thursday night performance but should find things tougher against a Bills defense that had not allowed a quarterback finish higher than 15th prior to Sunday. While they do give up yards, 257 per game (27th), they don't allow touchdowns having given up just six before Jameis Winston torched them for three. Last week may be who this defense really is going forward, but for now we have to treat them as the defense they were through the first six weeks. Carr is a low-end QB1 play.
LeSean McCoy (RB, BUF) finally broke out for his owners in a great spot on Sunday and gets a Raiders defense that ranks just 21st and 17th in adjusted line yards and yards per carry, but is ranked 11th in success rate against. They do struggle against pass catching backs, however, ranking 23rd in success rate on throws to running backs and 29th in YPA (7.3). Shady is a weekly must-start regardless of matchup but could build on his Week 7 performance.
Jordan Matthews (WR, BUF) played 81% of snaps returning from injury but was targeted just three times. While he draws another fantastic matchup, he can't be trusted as a fantasy start. Zay Jones (WR, BUF) continues to be Taylor's number one option but is doing nothing with it as he caught just two of his nine targets and now has the lowest catch rate of any receiver with at least 20 targets. Deonte Thompson (WR, BUF) could be the lone viable fantasy option in this receiving core as he caught four passes for 101 yards in his first game with the team. He'll need to see more than four targets, however, to continue to have success. For now none of the Bills receivers should be started.
Colts at Bengals
Matchups We Love:
Jack Doyle (TE, IND)
Doyle has seen at least seven targets in four of six games and should continue to be one of Brissett's favorite targets in a favorable matchup against a Bengals defense that ranks 28th in success rate against and 29th in yards per attempt. Doyle is in the low-end TE1 range.
Andy Dalton (QB, CIN)
Dalton has been nothing if not inconsistent this year, but offers a safe floor against a Colts defense that ranks 31st in yards per game (300). The struggles of the offensive line should be mitigated somewhat against a Colts front that ranks just 24th in sack rate. The Colts have allowed four top-12 finishes and six top-14 finishes. Dalton is an easy high-end QB2 and a great streaming option.
A.J. Green (WR, CIN)
Green was targeted just six times coming out of the bye against a stout Steelers pass defense, but should be much more involved against a Colts secondary that will be without starting corner Rshaan Melvin and safety Malik Hooker. While they've only surrendered four touchdowns on the outside, they are giving up 1.72 PPR points per target and that number baloons to 1.97 without Melvin. Green is an easy start this week.
Tyler Kroft (TE, CIN)
Kroft has done a good job in Tyler Eifert's absence seeing at least four targets in every game and adding four red zone targets. He gets a good matchup against a Colts defense that ranks 23rd in both success rate against and yards per attempt, and has allowed three top-12 scoring weeks. Kroft should be considered a high-end TE2.
Matchups We Hate:
Jacoby Brissett (QB, IND)
The Bengals are one of the toughest quarterback matchups ranking top 10 in completion percentage allowed, yards per game (177), touchdown percentage allowed and sack rate. They have given up just two top-10 finishes on the season and it is unlikely Brissett can add to that. He is a low-end QB2 play.
T.Y. Hilton (WR, IND)
Hilton has struggled without Andrew Luck and things won't get easier as he faces a Bengals secondary that is allowing just 1.36 PPR points per target. Hilton can't be considered more than a WR3.
Other Matchups:
Rookie Joe Mixon (RB, CIN) was out-snapped by Gio Bernard (RB, CIN) 23 to 22 and only out-carried Jeremy Hill (RB, CIN) seven to four. It's alarming for a player who had seen at least 15 carries in three games under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The Colts are by no means a daunting defense ranking outside the top-20 in both adjusted line yards and yards per carry and having allowed four top-13 scoring weeks. Still, this backfield remains a fantasy mess and Mixon cannot be considered more than a high-end flex option while Bernard and Hill are best left on benches or waivers.
The last time we saw John Ross (WR, CIN) on the field he was fumbling on an end-around against the Texans. He is set to return this week and has boom/bust potential against a Colts defense that has allowed the most pass plays of over 20 yards and will be without starting safety Malik Hooker. He's better left on benches this week unless you are desperate.
For the first time all year Marlon Mack (RB, IND) out-snapped Frank Gore (RB, IND) and it was by a sizeable margin, 32 to 22. Gore still led the team with nine carries, but Mack had five carries and six targets. If this trend continues, Mack is going to become a great fantasy asset for owners. While the Bengals rank ninth in yards per carry, they rank outside the top 20 in both adjusted line yards and success rate against. For now we'd like to avoid starting either of these players if possible and take a wait-and-see approach.
NFL Week 8 Matchups - 4:00 PM EST Games
Texans at Seahawks
Matchups We Love: none
Matchups We Hate:
DeShaun Watson (QB, HOU)
Watson has been great, better than great even, since taking over the starting job from Tom Savage. He gets a real test this week, however, against a Seahawks that ranks eighth in yards per game (190) and third in touchdown percentage allowed (they've only allowed five passing touchdowns all year). They held Aaron Rodgers to a QB13 finish in Week 1 and only Marcus Mariota in Week 3 has even posted a top 24 finish against this defense. Watson is in must-start territory but owners should proceed with caution this time around.
DeAndre Hopkins (WR, HOU)
Hopkins saw single-digit targets for only the second time entering the teams bye and could be limited again in a tough matchup against a Seahawks secondary that has given up just two touchdowns and 1.22 PPR points per target. If there's a positive it's that he lines up away from Richard Sherman's side about half the time. You can't bench Hopkins, but owners should temper expectations.
Will Fuller (WR, HOU)
Fuller gets the Sherman treatment as he lines up on his side about half the time. On the season Sherman has given up just 10 catches for 93 yards and one touchdown on 24 targets. Fuller has been touchdown or bust on the season and owners should look for better options if possible.
Ryan Griffin (TE, HOU)
Griffin saw eight targets before the teams Week 7 bye but faces a tough test against a Seahawks defense that ranks second in success rate against and sixth in yards per attempt. Griffin should be considered a TE2.
Thomas Rawls (RB, SEA), Eddie Lacy (RB, SEA)
Rawls out-snapped Lacy 30 to 21 in Week 7 but both got 11 carries. Neither were involved much in the passing game as Rawls had two targets and Lacy one. The matchup this week is tough as the Texans rank 12th in adjusted line yards and 11th in yards per carry. They have only allowed two scoring weeks better than 22nd. With Rawls and Lacy splitting the work neither can be considered for a start.
Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA)
The Texans rank fifth in success rate against and have held four teams to a 16th or worse scoring week. Graham has six or more targets in every game but one and remains a solid TE1 play despite the tough matchup.
Other Matchups:
Lamar Miller (RB, HOU) was playing 77% of the team's snaps before the Week 7 bye even with the play of D'Onta Foreman (RB, HOU). Miller should continue to dominate snaps against a Seahawks defense that isn't the great run-stopping unit of years past. They rank 15th in adjusted line yards, 27th in yards per carry and 19th in success rate against but have allowed just two top-13 scoring weeks. Miller should be considered a RB2 while Foreman is little more than a Hail Mary flex play.
Doug Baldwin (WR, SEA) is coming off his second double-digit target game of the season and draws just an OK matchup against the Texans slot corners who have allowed 1.58 PPR points per target but just one touchdown on the season. Baldwin should be considered a solid WR2 play. Paul Richardson (WR, SEA) and Tyler Lockett (WR, SEA) continue to frustrate fantasy owners as neither can take a firm grip on the number two WR role. Until one does neither can be trusted in fantasy lineups.
Russell Wilson (QB, SEA) has been red-hot of late and will get a Texans defense that has allowed two top-four finishes but no other finishes inside the top-21. They are allowing the 10th-fewest yards per game (203) but are allowing the 27th highest touchdown percentage against. Wilson is always in the QB1 discussion but he may not produce outstanding numbers this in this matchup.
Cowboys at Redskins
Matchups We Love:
Dak Prescott (QB, DAL)
In the three games Josh Norman has missed or was injured in, the Redskins defense has allowed finishes of QB6, QB12 and QB2. In the three games with Norman healthy they allowed QB5, QB24 and QB30. If Norman is out again, Prescott should easily post a top-12 finish and could push for a top-5 finish. Even with Norman Prescott is a locked-in weekly must start.
Jason Witten (TE, DAL)
Witten saw just four targets coming off the team's Week 6 bye and caught all four while adding a touchdown. He could be in line for even more work against a Redskins defense that ranks 31st in both success rate against and yards per attempt, and has given up a top-13 scoring week to every team but one. Witten is a sneaky TE1 play.
Chris Thompson (RB, WAS)
Even with the return of Rob Kelley, Thompson led the team with 58% of snaps and was tied with Kelley each having seven carries. Thompson also added five targets. While Kelley's role could increase as he gets healthier, Thomspon is an every week PPR must start and gets a Cowboys defense that ranks 31st in success rate on throws to running backs and is allowing 6.4 YPA (22nd). Thompson is an easy start this week.
Matchups We Hate:
Dez Bryant (WR, DAL)
Unfortunately for Bryan, Josh Norman is set to return and will likely spend the afternoon shadowing him. Norman is allowing less than 1 PPR point per target on the season and will make thing difficult on Dez. Bryant has seen at least eight targets in every game but one, and has two or more red zone target in four out of six, but can't be considered more than a WR2 in a tough spot.
Jamison Crowder (WR, WAS)
Crowder now has 11 targets over the last two games but it hasn't translated into fantasy output. Things likely won't change this week against the Cowboys slot corners who have allowed just one touchdown on 42 targets and are giving up just 1.36 PPR points per target. Crowder should be left on benches or waivers.
Other Matchups:
Ezekiel Elliott (RB, DAL) unsurprisingly crushed a terrible 49ers defense and gets to play for at least one more week. While the Redskins are a step up from the 49ers, they are by no means tough, ranking 23rd in adjusted line rank and 28th in success rate against. They've also allowed four top-13 scoring weeks to running backs and there is no reason to think Elliott won't do much better than 13th. He is a locked-in RB1.
Cole Beasley (WR, DAL) is coming off a two-target game but the team leaned heavily on running back Elliott. He could be more involved this week though the matchup is just OK as the Redskins slot corners have allowed just one touchdown and are giving up 1.52 PPR points per target. Beasley is a low end PPR flex play.
Kirk Cousins (QB, WAS) struggled to start the year but now has four straight games of at least 20 fantasy points. The Cowboys are just an average matchup ranking 14th in yards allowed per game (216) and 21st in touchdown percentage allowed, but do pressure the quarterback well ranking seventh in sack rate. Still, Cousins is a weekly must-start and nothing about this matchup should scare owners off him.
As we mentioned, Rob Kelley (RB, WAS) was out-snapped and had the same number of carries as Thompson. If those numbers don't improve his value will remain extremely low. The Cowboys are a great matchup for running backs ranking 28th in adjusted line yards, 21st in yards per carry and 31st in success rate against. Still Kelley will need more volume to pay off for owners.
It's too bad we don't have more clarity between Terrelle Pryor (WR, WAS) and Josh Doctson (WR, WAS) because the matchup against the Cowboys outside corners is great. While Doctson dominated the first half snaps 29 to one, they both played an even amount in the second half. For now owners should take a wait-and-see approach unless we get some clarity before Sunday.
Jordan Reed (TE, WAS) finally broke out for owners with an eight-catch, 64-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 7. The Cowboys rank 25th in success rate against and 22nd in yards per attempt, but have yet to give up a better than 14th scoring week. Reed remains a solid TE1 play. Vernon Davis (TE, WAS) played 45% of snaps and saw four targets on Monday night and should continue to remain a viable low-end TE2 option.
NFL Week 8 Matchups - Sunday Night Football
Steelers at Lions
Matchups We Love:
Antonio Brown (WR, PIT)
Brown is likely to see shadow coverage from Darius Slay, who has allowed three touchdowns on 38 targets and is giving up 1.83 PPR points per target. Still, we know that Brown is matchup-proof and is an easy locked-in start in a good spot.
Matchups We Hate:
Ben Roethlisberger (QB, PIT)
The Lions don't dominate in any category but overall have held quarterbacks in check. Aside from Cam Newton's QB5 finish in Week 5, no quarterback has a finish higher than 21st against them. Roethlisberger has played better the last two weeks but still can't be considered anything more than a high-end QB2.
Matthew Stafford (QB, DET)
Stafford struggled against another top 10 pass defense earlier in the year, posting just 10 points against the Vikings. Now he gets an even tougher matchup against a Steelers defense that ranks first in yards per game (147), fourth in touchdown percentage allowed and third in sack rate. Without top wide receiver Golden Tate things will be even tougher. Stafford is tough to bench but owners in must-win spots may want to stream this week.
Marvin Jones (WR, DET)
Jones was looking like a great value with Tate expected to miss, but Tate is going to battle through his shoulder injury and looks likely to start. Jones has been trending up, seeing eight and 14 targets over the last two after failing to top six in any of the previous games. The Steelers defense is elite and have allowed just two touchdowns on the outside while holding receivers to just 1.42 PPR points per target. Jones can't be considered more than a WR3 in a tough spot.
Golden Tate (WR, DET)
Tate is looking like a surprise start after reports were he would miss 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury. The Steelers are a brutal matchup for slot receivers led by rookie Mike Hilton. They have yet to allow a touchdown out of the slot and are giving up just 1.08 PPR points per target. Tate is a weekly must start, especially in PPR, but he can't be considered more than a low-end WR2 at best.
Other Matchups:
Le'Veon Bell (RB, PIT) now has over 30 carries in four of his last three games and at least six targets in all but two games. The Lions are an average run-stopping unit but have given up three top-nine scoring weeks and there is no reason to think Bell won't be the fourth. He is an easy weekly must-start.
With Martavis Bryant set to be inactive Sunday, it will be interesting to see if JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR, PIT) plays outside more or stays in the slot. The Lions slot corners are allowing 1.6 PPR points per target while the outside corners not named Slay have yet to allow a touchdown and give up just 1.3 PPR points per target. Smith-Schuster is a flex play in PPR formats.
Jesse James (TE, PIT) continues to lead the team in snaps but has not seen a target in the last two games. While the benching of Bryant could open up some work for him, he is too risky for a start in any formats.
Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET) and Theo Riddick (RB, DET) were playing an almost even number of snaps the three weeks leading up to the team's bye. Adbullah was dominating the carries and has seen 14 or more carries in every game but one. Riddick continues to play the passing down role seeing five or more targets in all but two games. The Steelers are a boom/bust run-stopping unit. They have two weeks were they allowed the highest and second highest scoring running back weeks, but have held all other teams to 16th or worse. With the Lions struggles in the run game expect the latter. Abdullah is a low-end RB2 while Riddick is a PPR flex.
Darren Fells (TE, DET) and Eric Ebron (TE, DET) split snaps over the last three weeks before the teams bye and both saw 11 targets over that stretch. If there's any takeaway it's that Fells saw four red zone looks to Ebron's one. The Steelers rank 27th in success rate against but first in yards per attempt and have allowed just two top-12 scoring weeks. Neither Fells nor Ebron should be in lineups.
