Week 8 Start' EM Sit' EM
We're beginning to cross over past the midway point! With seven weeks of the NFL completed, fantasy teams are starting to separate from the pack. If you're 4-3 or better you may be in control of your fate as the fantasy playoffs approach. If you're 3-4 or 2-5, you might be sweating a little bit but a couple of good games can turn your seasons around. Now if you're 2-5 or worse... Godspeed. You're never out until you're out but it's time to shake things up. What you've been doing isn't working for your fantasy team so it may be tike to bust out a big trade to rejuvenate your fantasy team.
There's even more pressure to set winning lineups when your fantasy team isn't looking to good. But as always, that's where I come in with a couple of matchups you should have your eyes on to help you out. Here's a few options heading into Week 8 that you should have in your fantasy lineups for the new week.
Week 8 Start' EM
CJ Stroud vs. CAR (25.3% Start)
CJ Stroud returns from the bye week as the QB 15 on the season heading into Week 8. Averaging 17.2 FPPG, Stroud has been one of the better rookie quarterback options this season and continues to progress through the season especially when it comes to taking care about of the football. Stroud gets the Carolina Panthers this week allowing just over 16 FPPG to opposing quarterbacks. The Panthers are currently tied for ninth in passing touchdowns allowed too.
Jared Goff vs. LVR (34.9% Start)
Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions got absolutely washed against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. The Lions couldn't get anything going offensively as the Ravens pretty much had their way with the team with Goff throwing a season-high 53 times for just 284 yards and a touchdown. Goff should be looking to bounce back this week against a Raiders defense giving up almost 200 yards per game and nearly 15 FPPG.
Breece Hall vs. NYG (49.7% Start)
Breece Hall has been putting in work since he re-established himself as the top back for the Jets after coming off his restrictions a couple of weeks ago. Hall's performance from Weeks 5-6 was certainly impressive as he cleared the top 5 among running backs with 24.4 fantasy points per game. Hall will look to continue his momentum with a great matchup against the New York Giants defense. The Giants haven't been great against defending the run, surrendering the second-most rushing yards per game heading into Week 8 at 122 yards. Hall looks like a lock this week for fantasy managers.
Gus Edwards vs. AZ (27.3% Start)
Gus Edward had one of his best games against a usually tough Detroit Lions defense, putting up 144 total yards and a touchdown. Edwards will look to build off his stellar performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 as the Cards defense is allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs at just over 25 fantasy points per game. Edwards would fit nicely as a RB2 with upside this week for fantasy managers.
Calvin Ridley vs. PIT (61.6% Start)
Ridley's season has been up and down, to say the least. Ridley caught just one pass for five yards against the New Orleans Saints and haven't scored a touchdown since Week 4. You could say that the matchup in Week 7 against the Saints secondary was certainly a bad matchup as the Jaguars passing attack was pretty much quiet until the fourth quarter but Ridley should get a chance to return to fantasy glory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. The Steelers are giving up just over 200 yards per game to enemy recievers and 28.4 FPPG. And don't froget the Steelers got absolutely abused by Puka Nacua and his 154 receiving yards on 12 targets.
Dalton Schultz vs. CAR (18.1% Start)
The new Texans tight end has been coming around as of late. Prior to the bye week, Schultz scored a touchdown in his last three games and averaged 17.8 FPPG over that three week span and coming in second among fantasy tight ends. Schultz will look to keep that touchdown streak going against the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are a bit stingy against tight ends for fantasy since their allowing just 9.3 FPPG but Schultz is averaging nearly six targets a game and should continue to see looks in the red zone to help give his fantasy stock a boost this week. Schultz is currently fourth among tight ends in red zone targets with seven, tied with Eagles' Dallas Goedert and Bears' Cole Kmet.
Sit' EM
Joe Burrow vs. SF (35.7% Start)
Burrow is coming off the bye week and another week stronger (hopefully) from his calf injury that he tweaked earlier in the season. While Burrow has been trying to turn the corner after a poor start to the regular season, he might have a bit of trouble going up against the San Francico 49ers this week. Fresh off an upset loss against the Minnesota Vikings last week, the Niners should be looking for some get back after not being able to sack Kirk Cousins on Monday Night Football. The Bengals offensive line has been less than pleasing, putting Burrow under near constant duress. The Niners did give up a big game against Cousins, who finished as the QB7 for Week 7, but should be looking to bounce back against the Bengals weak oline.
Emari Demercado vs. BAL (5.4% Start)
While it seems that Emari Demercado will return as the top dog for the Cardinals backfield, it may not be great to start him this week unless you're desperate. Demercado faces off against the Baltimore Ravens defense that ranks at the top in points allowed with 13.9 and a run defense that ranks ninth overall against the run allowing just 95.7 yards per game. The Arizona Cardinals do rank fifth in rushing yards so there may be a glimmer of hope that allows the Cardinals rushing attack to gain some steam but there may be better options to use.
Devonta Smith vs. WAS (75.5% Start)
Smith has become a bit of an afterthought in the Eagles offense with fellow starting wide receiver AJ Brown getting all the shine as he's been racking up 100-yard games like its nothing. Smith hasn't been making good on some of his opportunities even when he is involved. Smith saw 11 targets against a Jets defense that didn't have it's top 2 corners in the game but only ended up with a 5/44 receiving line. Smith would follow that up with a 4/49 line on five targets against the Miami Dolphins. With other Eagles weapons catching on, Smith may need to hit the the bench this week even against a solid matchup like the Washington Commanders.
Cole Kmet vs. LAC (39% Start)
Cole Kmet was having a nice couple of weeks back in Weeks 4 and 5 where he scored three touchdowns but when Bears quarterback Justin Fields went down with a hand injury, Kmet's fantasy value went out the window with him. Kmet has seen just three targets over the last two games and zero without Justin Fields under center. The Chargers defense would normally be a good option to play your fantasy tight ends against since they're giving up just over 13 fantasy points per game but without even being involved in the offense to begin with and the Bears opting to attack on the ground with Roschon Johnson and D'Onta Foreman, Kmet owners may want to find a more involved option to play.
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