🖥 CYBER WEEK - TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE CYBER
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

Fantasy Mad Libs: Starters and Sitters For Week 8

By Erik Daniel Drost (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Cliff Clinton evaluates some unexpected sleepers and busts for Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season by playing a game of fantasy football fill in the blanks.

I'm infamously bad at Halloween. No, I guess that's not right; I'm bad at fantasy football despite how much effort I put into it. I'm... uninterested in Halloween. Don't get me wrong, it has all of my favorite things (alcohol and bad food.) I've mostly stayed away from dressing up too ridiculously, in a holiday that makes it a contest. It has all of the same appeal as taking selfies; I'm a fat guy in his mid 20's, and unless I want to go as Chris Farley every year it's best to just downplay it, and make a fool of yourself the old fashioned way (alcohol and bad food.)

Anyway, I'm going to most likely get together with close friends, and since I'm now scared to wear my clown mask for fear of being attacked by angry villagers... I came up with some great football related costumes that I may be wearing. And heck, if you need a costume, give it a shot.

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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

Football Costume Ideas

The Las Vegas Elvis Raider: One part cheesy Elvis wig, one part white pants, one part Raiders jersey. Tell everyone you are "all shook up" to see Derek Carr down the street from The Strip, or let people know that you're "Hubba Hubba Hoping" that Latavius Murray won't screw you over this week!

A Color Rush Jersey: One part overly bright spray-paint can on sale at Home Depot because no one ever buys that color. Apply to white clothing with gusto. Let everyone know you're gonna be playing on Thursday night, despite the sub-optimal match-up possibilities.

Tom Brady: One part Tom Brady jersey, one part handcuffs. You can also go bottomless, if you're prepared to go to jail for a great gag.

A Sweet Play-Recap Vine: One part Odell Beckham Jr. costume, one part leaving halfway through the party.

The Shoddy NFL Judgement System: One part Roger Goodell suit, one part eight ball. If someone asks you who you are, give them a complicated and/or condescending answer. If they ask you again, let your eight ball do the hard work! After all, you're the rich guy, you don't have time for that!

Anyway, on to the advice...

Running Back

Isaiah Crowell will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

This isn't exactly the sexiest pick in the land, but anyone who is playing Crowell in a week chock full of BYEs is looking for disappointment. The Cleveland Browns RB did decent work with his touches in Week 7, but ultimately has seen his workload drop in the last three weeks. He has yet to top 14 touches or 70 rushing yards in the last three weeks, and that won't start with the Jets.

Dear Ty Montgomery, do you like like me? I like like you this week.

Is this cheating? IT FEELS LIKE CHEATING! It's also partly why I'm so excited about Ty Montgomery in general. He's a RB! He's a WR! He's like if the Dexter McCluster thing actually worked in Kansas City! Montgomery will be serving partially as a RB, partially as a WR, in a game vs Atlanta that is both simultaneous shootout and weird Green Bay matchup vs the Atlanta defense all at once. Of course, if my fever dream of a Sunday is as predicted, it could mean a disgustingly big day for guys like Ty.

Am I going to really start Robert Kelley in Week 8?

Chris Thompson was the "run, don't walk" pickup for mostly everyone who owned Matt Jones or simply needed an RB in Week 8, but it looks like Kelley, not Thompson, will be getting the start in London. It's worth discussing the split; Thompson will be the third-down back and potentially the goal line option, but if you are desperate, go with the guy being forecasted as the starter until we know more about what this committee division looks like.

Wide Receiver

Don't hand me my money back, I'm going double-or-nothing on Larry Fitzgerald

Any Arizona Cardinal not named "David Johnson" has been more than a little frustrating to own, but Fitz has been solid. A WR1 in nearly every league, a consistent amount of targets, and a Carolina defense that is more apt to allow a shootout than to stop any significant forward progress. Fitz should be more reminiscent of his game vs San Francisco than what the last two week have looked like.

I will be discarding my Jordy Nelson and replacing him with two cards from the deck

In a column that is stark full of advice that is probably neither new nor artfully written, I will be also telling you that Desmond Trufant is very good at playing cornerback, and has been shadowing the number one receiver on the opposing offense every matchup so far. As a Jordy Nelson owner, this is devastating, but I'd rather violate the "never sit your stud" rule than lose a game like this again. While I am passionately riding with some Packers (TY!), I'm sitting out on Jordy.

I am out of options, and will be swiping left on Cordarrelle Patterson (owned in less than 2% of leagues)

This is a recommendation that seems brutally obvious despite such low ownership percentage. Patterson is the WR2 on Minnesota, getting consistent targets in the last three games, and is facing a team that welcomes opposing wide receivers with fruit baskets and touchdowns. If you're hurting in any league (looking at you, already miserable Odell owners), Patterson is more than likely waiting for you.

Tight End

Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have Antonio Gates

In a week where many of the San Diego Chargers fantasy options are doing the "I'm Benched Shuffle," Antonio Gates is a beacon of light. Preventing TE yards is one of the few weakness of Denver's defense, and Gates is still available in more than 40% of leagues. It's a particularly brutal week for TE, so don't be afraid to take a flyer on a veteran.

Don't cry kids! We will bury Eric Ebron in the yard

I've seen trades for Eric Ebron this week, I've seen people hoping he's the answer for Week 8... but I'm going to need someone to sit me down and tell me why. The Houston Texans haven't given much away to the position, not allowing more than 40 yards to any TE so far (except for you, Indianapolis. Four for you, Indianapolis, and none for Denver!) Let the man heal for one more week before you take a chance on him.




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

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Will Miss First Game of the Year on Sunday
De'Von Achane

Questionable to Return in Week 14 with Rib Injury
Joel Embiid

Upgraded to Probable Against Lakers
Bhayshul Tuten

Being Evaluated For Concussion
Daniel Jones

Ruled Out After Non-Contact Achilles Injury
Ja Morant

Doubtful Against Portland
Robert Williams III

Now Questionable Versus Memphis
Donovan Clingan

Questionable Versus Grizzlies
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Won't Fire Mike Tomlin This Year
Chris Olave

Officially Active in Week 14
Dalton Kincaid

Suiting Up Against Bengals
CFB

Kendal Briles a Candidate for South Carolina Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

James Madison Playoff-Bound After Duke Wins ACC Title?
CFB

Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama on College Football Playoff Bubble
Garrett Wilson

Still Expected to Return and Contribute in 2025
CFB

Brent Pry Could Return to Virginia Tech as Defensive Coordinator
Mike Evans

Could Return in Week 15
Trey Benson

Might Not Return This Season
Darcy Kuemper

Ends Losing Streak With Shutout Performance
Nikolaj Ehlers

Collects Three Points in Saturday's Win
Ilya Sorokin

Ties Franchise Record With 25th Shutout
Sam Bennett

Bags Season-High Four Points Saturday
Jordan Kyrou

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Saturday
Dominic James

Hurt on Saturday
Maxx Crosby

Trending Toward Playing Against Broncos
Chris Olave

Set to Play Vs. Bucs
LaMelo Ball

Won't Suit Up Against Denver
Immanuel Quickley

Questionable for Sunday Afternoon
Deshaun Watson

Expected to Stay With Browns Next Year
Klay Thompson

Downgraded Versus Houston
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Out Again on Saturday Evening
Tyler Herro

Will Miss Another Game on Saturday
Jimmy Butler III

Out Again on Saturday Night
Draymond Green

Ruled Out Versus Cleveland
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Mason Marchment

Expected to Return Saturday
Danila Yurov

Returns From Two-Game Absence Saturday
Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Available Saturday
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Shane Pinto

to Miss Two Weeks
David Pastrnak

Misses Fifth Consecutive Game Saturday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Remains Out Saturday
Nikita Kucherov

Out on Saturday
Jayden Reed

Activated Off Injured Reserve, Will Play in Week 14
Omarion Hampton

Activated From IR, Faces Uncertain Workload Monday Night
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Justin Herbert

Officially Listed as Questionable for Monday Night Football
Justin Herbert

Chargers "Expecting" Justin Herbert to Play in Week 14
Yves Missi

Trending Toward Game-Time Decision
Khris Middleton

Questionable With Knee Soreness Against Hawks
Noah Clowney

On Track To Suit Up Against Pelicans
De'Anthony Melton

Questionable With Knee Management
Draymond Green

Questionable With Mid-Foot Sprain
Jimmy Butler III

Day-To-Day As Warriors Prepare For Cleveland
Mikko Rantanen

Picks Up Three Points Against Sharks
Kyle Connor

Scores in Fourth Consecutive Game
Beckett Sennecke

Notches Two Points in Friday's Win
Ryan Leonard

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Friday
Carter Hart

Day-to-Day With Lower-Body Injury
Brayden Point

Questionable for Saturday
Victor Hedman

Expected to Return Saturday
Byron Buxton

Twins Not Planning to Trade Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton
Patrick Williams

Dalen Terry Available Versus Pacers
Coby White

Returns With Minutes Restriction Friday
Ayo Dosunmu

Out Friday Against Pacers
Ozzy Wiesblatt

to Miss 8-10 Weeks With Upper-Body Injury
Rome Odunze

has Fractured Foot, Labeled Week-to-Week
Sauce Gardner

Ruled Out for Sunday
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Aaron Jones Sr.

Cleared to Play in Week 14
Chris Olave

Listed as Questionable for Week 14
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alvin Kamara

Ruled Out for Sunday
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
CFB

Emmett Johnson Leaving Nebraska for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Jam Miller Unlikely to Play in SEC Title Game
CFB

Penn State Expected to Hire Matt Campbell from Iowa State
CFB

Arkansas Targeting Ron Roberts for Defensive Coordinator Job
Jhostynxon Garcia

Pirates Acquire Jhostynxon Garcia From Red Sox
Cody Bellinger

Yankees Pushing Hard to Re-Sign Cody Bellinger
CFB

Penn State Eyeing Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell For Coaching Vacancy
Alex Bregman

Cubs Have Renewed Interest in Alex Bregman
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?

RANKINGS

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