Vladimir De Wet breaks down the second half of the Week 8 matchups for the 2015 NFL football season. Each week of the NFL season, we will be breaking down each of the NFL matchups and providing you with some fantasy football advice and lineup recommendations based on matchups that we love, matchups that we hate, and some high-risk/high-reward players, as well.

Below, you will find part two of our Week 8 NFL matchups & fantasy football start/sit analysis, which should help you prepare your lineups to win this week. It’s essential to analyze the weekly NFL matchups to find lineup sleepers and gems, while also avoiding those players who may turn out to be busts.

 

Bengals @ Steelers - Sunday 11/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals - Over the last three weeks Bernard has averaged 64 yards a game on 12 carries while Jeremy Hill is putting up 36 yards a game on 11 carries. Bernard has looked more explosive and dynamic in both the rushing and passing game compared to Hill. Hill has gotten the majority of goal-line carries, but Bernard has averaged 90+ total yards a game. Against a Steelers defense that has done well against the run, Bernard is a better option because he's more likely to make something out of nothing or catch a ball out of the backfield.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals - The Bengals receiving pecking order goes as follows -- A.J Green, Tyler Eifert, Marvin Jones, running backs, and then Mohamed Sanu. The first two (Green and Eifert) are as solid an option at their position as anybody else in the league. Eifert will be going against a defense that has given up the third-most fantasy points to opposing TEs this year. Eifert has shown that he's got all the make up to be a consistent fantasy stud, and this week he's got a very favorable matchup.

Martavis Bryant, WR, Steelers- Bryant is one of four receivers in the league to average 20+ yards per reception (only those receivers with nine or more qualify). He's been explosive in his two games back despite some of the league's worst QB play. The second-year receiver has come in and clearly established himself as the third offensive weapon on the Steelers behind Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.

Matchups We Hate:

Jeremy Hill, RB, Bengals - Hill has averaged 3.2 yards per carry the last three weeks, well behind Bernard's 5.3. He should still get his fair share of touches against the Steelers but he's not much of a receiving option out of the backfield. Because of that and the fact that the Steelers have given up the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing backs this year Hill isn't a good bet this weekend.

Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers- Wheaton is also averaging 20+ yards a reception on his 12 catches this year. The difference between Wheaton and Bryant is that he has played in seven games compared to Bryant's two. Wheaton seems destined for fantasy obscurity despite his obvious big-play ability.

Notable Players:

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers - If Pittsburgh is willing to play Big Ben then you should be willing to play Big Ben. As long as he's on the field he's a QB1 and can put up numbers with anyone.

Le'Veon Bell, RB, Steelers - Bell is going against his stiffest competition yet this year. The Bengals have a great overall defense, so seeing them take on a fully healthy Steelers offense will be interesting to watch. Bell versus a healthy Vontaze Burfict should be a fun game within the game to keep an eye on.

 

Titans @ Texans - Sunday 11/1 @ 1:00 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Alfred Blue, RB, Texans - Arian Foster is out for the rest of the season and it is officially Blue's team again. Chris Polk will play on Sunday but he has a hurt hamstring so don't expect much from him. Blue is getting a nod as a player to love only because he will be getting the most chances and has shown to be the most capapble back for the Texans this year. The Titans have a good run defense so I'm not expecting Blue to have a great game, but he should still be a serviceable RB.

Delanie Walker, TE, Titans - Walker is leading the Titans with 5.8 receptions per game. Whether it's Marcus Mariota or Zach Metterberger that starts Walker will be a TE1 with some serious upside. The Steelers have shown a weakness against opposing TEs and Walker is featured as much as anyone. PFF has Walker as their third-best TE thus far in 2015. Even with the uncertainty at QB Walker is an every-week start.

Matchups We Hate:

Titans QB - No matter who starts at QB for the Titans you shouldn't start them at all. A hurt Mariota or a healthy Mettenberger just brings down the value of everyone else on the team. Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker have the skill and talent to be fantasy studs, but they're dependent on QB play.

Notable Players:

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans - With Arian Foster on IR there's somehow going to be more expected from Hopkins. Production-wise he's on pace to set all kinds of franchise receiving records and maybe even some NFL records.

Dexter McCluster, RB, Titans - The Titans backfield has been a mess rendering most of their players fantasy irrelevant. McCluster still holds some value as a PPR option but even against a Texans defense that has been soft against the run no Titans back is worth the start in any format.

 

Jets @ Raiders - Sunday 11/1 @ 4:05 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Brandon Marshall, WR, Jets - Oakland gives up the most passing yards per game in the league. Marshall and Fitzpatrick have shown enough chemistry that it looks like Marshall is still as dangerous as anyone in the league. In a year where there are receivers going crazy all over the league Marshall has quietly been one of the top 10 in both fantasy and real life. He had a streak of four straight 100+ receiving yard games come to an end last week, but should start that back up against a weak Raiders secondary.

Michael Crabtree, WR, Raiders - In the beginning of the year I thought that the Raiders would be able to revive Crabtree's career. So far that has been true, as he's tied for the lead on the team with 33 receptions. Crabtree has looked talented and explosive again without the burden of being the number one guy. He's going against a Jets defense that is still above average, so this may not be the best matchup. That being said, he's going to be targeted a lot and there will be a focus on Amari Cooper leaving Crabtree with some opportunities.

Matchups We Hate:

Chris Ivory, RB, Jets -The Raiders have given up the second-fewest rushing yards this season. Ivory has been a superstar all season and will always be start-worthy no matter the circumstance, but the Patriots focused on shutting him down last week and were somewhat successful. The Raiders will probably follow a similar game plan and throw everything they have at stopping Ivory.

Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders - I have already once said this season that Cooper wouldn't be a good start and he went off that week. This time I have Revis Island on my side and no matter how good Cooper looks he is still a rookie. Cooper will get shut down by Revis this week, I guarantee it.

Latavius Murray, WR, Raiders - The Patriots basically decided it wasn't worth their time to even attempt to run against the Jets. The Raiders will attempt it but there is a good chance that they fail. It might be worth benching Murray this week.

Notable Players:

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Jets - I've said that Fitzpatrick is a "sneaky" good play at QB and it's getting to the point where it might not be so sneaky. Please do not misunderstand, I do not think he is a "good" QB, but he is top 18 in fantasy points so far this season and has had three straight weeks of rushing for 30+ yards. Also, Fitzpatrick has thrown for two TDs in every game except one this season. Last week he would have had three scores if only Brandon Marshall held onto a ball in the endzone.

Derek Carr, QB, Raiders - Carr just seems to be getting better and better each week. This Jets defense will be a good test to see how far Carr has come and whether or not he can handle tighter windows and more pressure. Against the Broncos he was able to play well, but I will be looking for a little more from him against New York.

 

Seahawks @ Cowboys - Sunday 11/1 @ 4:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys - All signs seem to point to Bryant playing on Sunday. I don't care if his foot is broken or what legion he's going against, Bryant is the best receiver in the game when he's on the field, and if he's on the field you have to start him.

Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks - A few weeks ago I said that Lockett would emerge in this Seahawks offense. After watching him at Kansas State it's obvious he's a Darren Sproles/Julian Edelman mix of crafty quickness and elusiveness. The Seahawks have been searching for a receiver since Russell Wilson got there and Lockett looks like he may be the one to help solve that problem. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse are still ahead of Lockett on the pecking order but it seems that the team is slowly realizing that he gives them the best chance of an explosive play.

Matchups We Hate:

Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys - Joseph Randle is definitely out on Sunday leaving McFadden as the feature back. He looked great against a Giants defense that was able to stop the run, for the most part, until last week. Two reasons not to like McFadden here: the Seahawks defense has been looking better and is still top 10 in most defensive rushing categories; he's Darren McFadden and whenever he looks good he then almost always follows it up with a dud or three-week injury. I refuse to be fooled by McFadden.

Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys - Williams just isn't viable without Dez and Tony Romo on the field. The number one thing the Cowboys learned during the loss of Dez and Romo is that Williams isn't a number one receiver whatsoever, and is barely a number two.

Notable Players:

Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks -Wilson has been running for his life most of the season but is still putting up solid numbers. He should have a good game against a struggling Cowboys defense that hasn't held a team under 26 points for four straight weeks.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks - Lynch looked like a RB1 for the first time this season last week. After Thoams Rawls was able to come in and put up good stats two weeks in a row questions shifted away from the offensive line and towards whether Lynch was still capable or not. There's no question about his ability after last week, but questions remain whether or not the Seahawks will continue to be committed to the run. The team has over a 100+ yards rushing each game this year despite the slow start from Lynch.

 

Packers @ Broncos - Sunday 11/1 @ 8:25 PM EST

Matchups We Love:

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers - Most players in the night game seem like safe bets to do what they usually do. Rodgers is the only player I love because I know that despite the fact he's going against the league's best defense he will still be able to do what he does. He hasn't thrown for as many yards as he usually does but he's efficient in the endzone and constantly throws for scores. This Broncos defense is the best in the league, but Rodgers is the best offensive player in the league and Sunday Night should be a fun matchup.

Matchups We Hate:

Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos - There's no other way to put it; Peyton Manning has been BAD this year. In fact, QBs Ryan Fitzpatrick and Derek Carr have both had significantly better fantasy seasons thus far and might be better options going forward (if you can get them). Manning is tied with Sam Bradford for the league lead in interceptions. His team keeps winning, but your fantasy squad won't if you keep starting him. It is indeed time to bench Manning.

Notable Players:

DaVante Adams, WR, Packers - Adams missed three weeks with an ankle injury but is expected to start on Sunday. This is a wide open Packers offense that has an equal opportunity sharing plan. Adams should fit right in and should also be worth the start as a WR3/flex.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos - Sanders had to leave the game last week with an injury but is expected to play on Sunday. Even with DeMaryius Thomas healthy and playing well Sanders has still been Manning's number one target. The simple fact is that Sanders has big-play ability and as long as he's on the field is a threat to score from anywhere. He remains a WR1 despite the sub-par play from his quarterback.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room