Fantasy Football: Week 8 NFL Matchups & Sit/Start Advice (Part 1)

Week seven is underway after the Panthers knocked off the Bucs in Tampa. Hopefully, you got off to a fast start this week. If not, no worries, there are still plenty of matchups to sort through.

Week 8 NFL Matchups: Fantasy Football Analysis & Sit/Start Advice

Buffalo Bills @ New Orleans Saints, Sunday 10/27, 1PM

Matchup We Love: Saints DEF

The Saints are by no means a defense you should use every week, but they're better than they have been in recent memory, making them an interesting streaming option this week. They get to play at home against a Bills team that will start Thad Lewis at quarterback. That could play right into the Saints' hands, as they have allowed only 97 points on the year, and have forced 12 turnovers (eight interceptions and four fumble recoveries). It could be a good day for the Saints defensive unit.

Analysis: With some of the better defenses having bye weeks this week, the Saints could make for a nice streaming option. If they are available, grab them and use them in this very favorable matchup.

Matchup We Hate: Bills DEF

The Bills defense has also been very good in terms of scoring fantasy points this year. There are also a lot of starting defenses, such as the Bears and Ravens on byes this week. Maybe you're looking for a quick replacement for one week. No of that should cloud the fact that this team will still be going up against Drew Brees and the Saints in New Orleans. Even if Jimmy Graham doesn't play, I'm looking elsewhere.

Analysis: Look elsewhere for a defense if you need one this week.

Key Injuries: Fred Jackson RB, BUF (questionable), CJ Spiller RB, BUF (questionable), Jimmy Graham TE, NO (questionable), Lance Moore WR, NO (questionable), Mark Ingram RB, NO (questionable)

Start 'Em: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Darren Sproles, Saints DEF, Cj Spiller, Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson

New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 10/27, 1PM

Matchup We Love: Peyton Hillis, RB

After a solid game on Monday night against the Vikings, Peyton Hillis should be owned in all leagues, especially since Brandon Jacobs is still hurt. He faces another favorable matchup against the Eagles defense this week, and in a week with a lot of teams on byes, you could probably do much worse. With the way the Giants season has gone, there's nobody on that squad who's a sure thing from week to week, but if you need a running back, Hillis may be able to get you some yards and a score.

Analysis: Hillis should have the opportunity for a lot of touches, and has a favorable matchup, so I have no problem with him being a bye-week fill-in or flex option this week.

Matchup We Hate: Michael Vick, QB

Yes, I still think the Giants defense stinks, but that doesn't mean I like Vick this week, even in a week full of byes. If you chose to start Vick because he has a favorable matchup I get it, but that also means that you're expecting him to stay on the field. I'm not sure that's going to happen. I think the QB situation is a mess in Philly, and unless you're desperate for a QB, you can probably find a safer option elsewhere.

Analysis: Use Vick at your own risk.

Key Injuries: Michael Vick QB, PHI (probable), Nick Foles QB, PHI (questionable), Brandon Jacobs RB, NYG (out), Hakeem Nicks WR, NYG (probable)

Start 'Em: Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Brent Cellek, Eli Manning, Paeyton Hillis, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Brandon Myers

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals, Sunday 10/27, 4:25PM

Matchup We Love: Harry Douglas, WR

Harry Douglas had a monster game last week, going for 149 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. I exactly think he'll duplicate those numbers, but I think we saw in that game against Tampa Bay that opposing teams are going to focus on stopping Tony Gonzalez, and take their chances with everyone else, including Douglas. Roddy White still hasn't practiced, so even if Douglas doesn't have a monster game like he did last week, he'll still see plenty of balls thrown his direction.

Analysis: I think Harry Douglas is a must-start this week, especially in a PPR format.

Matchup We Hate: Tony Gonzalez, TE

I've read plenty of articles this week that pick the Falcons' tight end as a must-start based on Arizona's struggles this season against opposing tight ends. I also understand that it's hard to bench a guy like Tony Gonzalez, but after what I saw last week, as I stated above, I'm convinced we are going to see more teams defend the Falcons like that until Roddy White is healthy. I know the Bucs lost that game, but Gonzalez did nothing. Maybe he bounces back, but I think he's a risky play going forward.

Analysis: Start Gonzalez if you must, but check to see if you can find a more reliable matchup first.

Key Injuries: Roddy WHite WR, ATL (questionable), Steven Jackson RB, ATL (questionable), Jason Snelling RB, ATL (questionable), Rashard Mendenhall RB, AZ (questionable)

Start 'Em: Matt Ryan, Jacquizz Rodgers, Harry Douglas, Tony Gonzalez, Andre Ellington, Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, Cardinals DEF

Dallas Cowboys @ Detroit Lions, Sunday 10/27, 1PM

Matchup We Love: Matthew Stafford, QB

Matthew Stafford has been on fire lately, having thrown for 605 yards and seven touchdowns over the past two weeks. As long as he has Megatron in the lineup, Stafford has the ability to put up monster fantasy days, and a matchup at home against a Dallas defense that has struggled against opposing quarterbacks at times this year means the good times should keep rolling for the Lions signal caller.

Analysis: This is a great matchup for Matthew Stafford this week. Start him with confidence.

Matchup We Hate: Cowboys DEF

The Cowboys defense is ranked in the top five in terms of fantasy points scored, but I think it's mostly smoke and mirrors here, as I've watched them play well sometimes, like last week against Philly, and look terrible at times, like against Denver. To me, they can be used as a quality streaming option when they have a favorable matchup, and I don't think that applies here. There are just too many weapons in Detroit, and opposing defenses just don't put up huge fantasy points against them.

Analysis: Don't let Dallas's fantasy point total fool you-- this is not a good matchup for them. You can certainly find a better matchup elsewhere.

Key Injuries: DeMarco Murray RB, DAL (questionable), Dez Bryant WR, DAL (questionable), Miles Austin WR, DAL (questionable), Calvin Johnson WR, DET (questionable), Brandon Pettigrew TE, DET (questionable)

Start 'Em: Matthew Stafford, Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, Miles Austin

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals,  Sunday 10/27, 4PM

Matchup We Love: Chris Ivory, RB

I loved this guy going into the season, but until last week, he'd been somewhat of a disappointment. He also faces a solid defense this week when the Jets take on the Bengals. So what makes me like him? Well, first the Jets are going to run the ball, so Ivory is going to have plenty of chances to put up numbers, and in fantasy that's half the battle. Second, in a week where guys like Ray Rice, Matt Forte, Arian Foster, and Ben Tate have byes, you can do much worse than streaming a guy who is coming off of a hundred-yard game at a very shallow position.

Analysis: If you need a plug-in for a RB on a bye, give Chris Ivory a shot.

Matchup We Hate: Geno Smith, QB

Geno Smith had a great week last week, and I think he has plenty of upside to be a quality NFL quarterback, but he's still not a guy I trust in fantasy. This week, I think, could be a recipe for disaster for the Jets QB. Smith is a rookie who is prone to turnovers, going on the road to face a ball-hawking defense that makes their living on forcing turnovers. Don't let his success last week fool you into grabbing him as a streaming option this week. I think he ends up having a long day.

Analysis: Leave Geno Smith alone this week.

Key Injuries: Santonio Holmes WR, NYJ (doubtful), Jeremy Kerley WR, NYJ (questionable), Ray Maualuga LB, CIN (questionable), Terence Newman DB, CIN (questionable)

Start 'Em: Chris Ivory, Jeremy Kerley, Bilal Powell, Jets DEF, Andy Dalton, AJ Green, Tyler Eiffert, Jermaine Gresham, Giovanni Bernard, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bengals DEF

Washington Redskins @ Denver Broncos, Sunday 10/27, 4:25PM

Matchup We Love: Knowshon Moreno, RB

This guy was considered to be an afterthought in the Denver backfield going into the season. In fact, I can remember him being undrafted in a few leagues I'm in, and now he's not only the unquestioned starter in Denver, he's been one of the best running backs in all of fantasy football. Now, Moreno gets to go up against a Redskins defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to starting rushers this year. You don't need to be a genius to figure out that this could end up being a huge day for Moreno.

Analysis: With plenty of running backs on bye weeks this week, Moreno needs to be in all line-ups.

Matchup We Hate: Broncos DEF

The Broncos defense has been solid for the most part this year, but I'm not in love with them. Because the offense puts up so many points, opposing teams need to throw, and if you look at the results, teams that have quality quarterbacks have been able to throw on Denver. Washington has plenty of offensive weapons, and I think they'll put up points this weekend. I don't expect the Broncos defense to give you many points this week.

Analysis: Use the Broncos defense if you must, but look around for a better matchup first.

Key Injuries: Leonard Hankerson WR, WAS (questionable), Wes Welker WR, DEN (questionable), Eric Decker WR, DEN (probable), Peyton Manning QB, DEN (probable)

Start 'Em: Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris, Pierre Garcon, Santana Moss, Peyton Manning, Eric Decker, Demayrius Thomas, Wes Welker, Knowshon Moreno, Julius Thomas

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Need Rankings? Check out our Week 8 Rankings to see how we value all players for Week 8. 

Be sure to check back for our remaining Sunday matchups. And as always, for advice on demand, check out the RotoBaller.com chat room. Good luck in Week Eight!