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

We Must Overreact Immediately! Week 8 Outliers

Week 8 of the 2019 fantasy football season brought many surprises and unexpected sleepers and busts. Mike Riggall analyzes common overreactions to such performances in order to provide reasonable advice to fantasy owners.

Week 8 didn't offer too many surprises for the most part. There were, however, a few players that registered multiple-touchdown performances which elevated them up the ranks, such as Aaron Jones (2 TD), Tevin Coleman (4 TD), Latavius Murray (2 TD) and Mike Evans (2 TD). For the most part, the players that scored multiple touchdowns and really exploded this week should have been in fantasy lineups anyways, so nobody should have been shocked.

The biggest disappointments of Week 8 include Brandin Cooks who failed to register a catch because he suffered a concussion on the first drive of the game and Corey Davis who failed to take advantage of a great matchup against the Buccaneers. The Detroit Lions were expected to replace the injured Kerryon Johnson with Ty Johnson, but instead, the Lions went with a committee, and Ty Johnson only touched the ball eight times.

At the tight end position, Travis Kelce, Austin Hooper, George Kittle and Evan Engram were all top-seven tight ends on the week, but the top players were Ryan Griffin and Darren Fells who both scored two touchdowns. Like I said earlier, most of the outlier performances came as a result of touchdowns. Last week is now in the rear-view mirror, and now we need to look forward and evaluate how to move forward to Week 9.

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

 

Ryan Tannehill (QB, TEN)

Week 8 Stats: 21-of-33, 193 yards, 3 TD

Tannehill came through with three touchdowns on the day but he was inefficient, throwing for just 5.8 yards-per-attempt against a Buccaneers secondary that surrenders 7.5 yards-per-attempt on the season.

Bottom Line: Tannehill is an upgrade from Marcus Mariota because he's decisive and will make contested throws. However, he's still capable of having bad games. Tannehill came through for fantasy on Sunday because he faced a struggling secondary, and should only be streamed if he has a favorable matchup.

 

Chris Conley (WR, JAX)

Week 8 Stats: 7 targets, 4 catches, 103 yards, 1 TD

Heading into Week 8, Dede Westbrook was the Jaguars most-targeted wide receiver. Westbrook, however, went down against the Jets and that vacated both playing time and targets for the other Jaguars receivers, including Chris Conley. Conley proceeded to match a season-high in targets (7) and gained a season-high 103 yards.

Bottom Line: Conley saw an increase in playing time and targets when Dede Westbrook went down. If Westbrook misses time, Conley will be a matchup dependent WR3.

 

Russell Gage (WR, ATL)

Week 8 Stats: 9 targets, 7 catches, 58 yards

Now that Mohamed Sanu is a New England Patriot, the Falcons have turned to Russell Gage, who was the Falcons clear No. 3 wide receiver in Week 8 playing 59% of the snaps. Coming out of LSU in 2016, Gage was considered a fast receiver with good burst and competitive fire. The knock on Gage during the pre-draft process was that he lacked ideal size for the NFL and he didn't have elite college-production.

Bottom Line: Gage is going to surface from time to time throughout the remainder of the season, but it will be hard to predict when that will happen, because he's the No.4/5 passing target in Atlanta behind Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Austin Hooper and Devonta Freeman.

 

Tevin Coleman (RB, SF)

Week 8 Stats: 11 carries, 105 yards, 3 TD, 2 targets, 2 catches, 13 yards, 1 TD

Tevin Coleman exploded against a solid Panthers run defense in Week 8 with four total touchdowns. Coleman looked explosive, displayed good vision and at times, had wide open holes to run through. Matt Breida was a little banged up in this one and it's starting to look pretty clear that Coleman is the clear lead back in San Francisco.

Bottom Line: Coleman had a poor Week 7 showing against Washington but so did all of the offensive players in that game. Coleman will be a solid RB2 option for the rest of the way, but by scoring four touchdowns, this game will likely be his best of the season, if not his career. Have confidence rolling with Coleman the rest of the way, but if you are offered a stud in a trade, consider selling high if you are blown away with an offer.

 

Latavius Murray (RB, NO)

Week 8 Stats: 21 carries, 102 yards, 1 TD, 12 targets, 9 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD

Latavius Murray has exploded over the last two weeks, touching the ball a total of 62 times, scoring four touchdowns in that span.

Bottom Line: If you have been relying on Murray over the last two weeks and you do not own Alvin Kamara, try to trade Murray to the Kamara owner while his value is high. However, you should make sure to get decent value for Murray in a trade and not simply give him away, because he will have value independent of Kamara even when he returns to action.

 

Miles Sanders (RB, PHI)

Week 8 Stats: 3 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD, 3 targets, 3 catches, 44 yards

On the season, Miles Sanders has carried the ball 66 times for 294 yards, one touchdown and has added 19 catches for 274 yards and one touchdown in the passing game. Jordan Howard has carried the ball 100 times for 443 yards, five touchdowns and has added nine catches for 68 yards and one touchdown.

Bottom Line: Sanders is not getting a ton of volume which is concerning but he's an explosive athlete that can take any carry to the house. Sanders plays more snaps when the Eagles are behind, so he's more likely to succeed when the Eagles are underdogs.

 

Devin Singletary (RB, BUF)

Week 8 Stats: 3 carries, 19 yards, 6 targets, 4 catches, 30 yards, 1 TD

Against a tough Eagles Defense, Frank Gore only mustered 34 yards off of nine rushes. The Bills found themselves down for most of the game and turned to Devin Singletary, who offers more explosiveness in the passing game.

Bottom Line: Singletary is a young, explosive rookie running back that should emerge as the season drags on. Frank Gore has been getting it done, but as the season wears on, Gore will wear down while Singletary and his younger legs should emerge. The Bills face the Redskins in Week 9, so Singletary should get plenty of work in the running game as the Bills should dominate.

 

Duke Johnson (RB, HOU)

Week 8 Stats: 3 carries, 1 yard, 5 targets, 4 catches, 33 yards, 1 TD

With the Texans trailing for much of the game against the Raiders, Duke Johnson only played 37-of-83 snaps, while Carlos Hyde played 43-of-83 snaps. Johnson only has 64 touches on the season compared to 136 touches for Hyde. Johnson has only played 60+% of snaps in three games this season, coming against the Saints, Panthers and Colts, all of which were Texans losses.

Bottom Line: Johnson currently sits as the No. 35 running back on the season in PPR leagues and is best served being used as an RB3 when the Texans are underdogs.

 

Ryan Griffin (TE, NYJ)

Week 8 Stats: 4 targets, 4 catches, 66 yards, 2 TD

Griffin had his best game of the season in Week 8 and that performance will likely remain his best for the remainder of 2019. Griffin's two-touchdown performance now brings him to 13 catches, 112 yards and three touchdowns on the season.

Bottom Line: You cannot count on Ryan Griffin in any format unless you're truly desperate and have no other option. Griffin will disappear completely once Chris Herndon returns to the lineup, so do not chase these points.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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

Quinshon Judkins

to Have "Snaps Closely Monitored" Versus Baltimore
Jauan Jennings

a "Game-Time" Decision for Week 2, Optimism That he'll Play
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Russell Wilson

Giants Have No Urgency to Bench Russell Wilson
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Brock Bowers

Officially Questionable for Monday Night
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 2
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Brock Bowers

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
Chris Godwin

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Austin Ekeler

Suffers Torn Achilles
Quinshon Judkins

Expected to Play Against Ravens
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Kyle Larson

Can Kyle Larson Dominate at Bristol Again?
Denny Hamlin

One of the Best at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

All Eyes on Ryan Blaney at Bristol
Chase Briscoe

Whiffs in Qualifying, Will Start 31st in Bristol Night Race
Ty Gibbs

Could Contend at Bristol
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

RapSheet: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Expected to Be Lead Back Moving Forward
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
Brock Purdy

Officially Ruled Out Against Saints
Jauan Jennings

Given Questionable Tag for Week 2
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Dallas Goedert

Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Listed as Doubtful to Play in Week 2
Jayden Reed

Hopes to Return in November Following Surgery
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Quinshon Judkins

Questionable to Make NFL Debut in Week 2
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Sees Little Usage in Week 2, Outlook Still Trending Upwards?
Deebo Samuel Sr.

Leads Commanders in Catches, Scores Touchdown Again
Tucker Kraft

Posts Huge Performance on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Lack of Joe Mixon Injury Updates Sparking Concern for Fantasy Managers?
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Will Smith

Scratched With Hand Soreness on Wednesday
Ketel Marte

has Foot Contusion, Expected to Play Friday
Shohei Ohtani

Won't Pitch This Weekend
MacKenzie Gore

to Start on Thursday
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win

RANKINGS

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