There are some players that are great plays in Week 8 and some that aren’t. We look at those, plus a few that could surprise, in this week’s Stud, Dud and Sleepers.
QUARTERBACKS
Stud: Cam Newton – Newton should bounce back this week against a bad Buccaneers defense. Newton is struggled and only has one touchdown, to go along with five turnovers over the past two weeks. He should play well against Tampa Bay. They’re among the worst teams in the NFL at defending the pass. Newton is a QB1 and a nice option in daily leagues.
Dud: Derek Carr – Carr may have single-handedly carried you to a win last week. I expect the exact opposite in Week 8. He’s going on the road to play a defense that has held opposing quarterbacks in check all season. The Bills generate turnovers as well. Carr is more of a QB2 this week and someone to avoid in daily leagues.
Sleeper: Andy Dalton – The Bengals’ offense struggled mightily last week against the Steelers and Dalton threw two interceptions in the second half. He should fair better at home this week against the Colts. Indianapolis is allowing the 10th most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Malik Hooker is out for the season and the pass rush shouldn’t be able to exploit a below-average Bengals’ offensive line. Dalton is a borderline QB1 and a nice streaming option for Week 8.
RUNNING BACKS
Stud: Devonta Freeman – Freeman should get a lot of work this week against the Jets. He only has 21 carries over the past two weeks. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4. The Jets are a bottom five run defense and Freeman should post big numbers.
Dud: Doug Martin – Martin is a nice RB2 most weeks, but could struggle against a solid Carolina run defense. They’re only allowing 81 rush yards per game. Martin is normally a solid play, but he could bust if he doesn’t find the end zone. Martin is a low-end RB2 that I’m avoiding in DFS.
Sleeper: Giovani Bernard – Bernard is still getting plenty of snaps even though Joe Mixon has taken the reigns in the Bengals’ backfield. The Colts have given up the 2nd most fantasy points to running backs this season. I expect Mixon to have a big day, but Bernard is a sneaky play in deeper leagues.
MORE WEEK 8 ADVICE:
- GSI Cheat Sheet – Rankings
- Listen: Weekly Fantasy Segment on ESPN 1530
- FOX19 Fantasy Friday: Week 8 Lineup Advice
- Week 8 Podcast – Fantasy Happy Hour
- Office Pool Picks: Week 8
WIDE RECEIVER
Stud: Alshon Jeffery – Jeffery’s breakout should happen this week. He hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 4. The 49ers have allowed four wide receivers to post 105 yards or more since Week 3. Jeffery is a WR2 with major upside this week.
Dud: DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins is the hottest wide receiver in the league right now. He has five touchdowns in his last three games. Sunday’s game in Seattle is scary. The Seahawks have allowed the fourth fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. You probably have to start him in season-long leagues, but avoid him in DFS.
Sleeper: Jordan Matthews – Matthews is a great sleeper for the rest of the season. He is Buffalo’s best wide receiver and they have a very favorable schedule down the stretch. The Raiders have a solid secondary, but Matthews has a chance to breakout this week. The Raiders are allowing nearly 250 yards through the air and a lot of them could go to Matthews. He’s a WR3.
TIGHT END
Stud: Jimmy Graham – Graham had multiple drops last week, but he was still able to salvage the day with a touchdown. He should thrive this week against a Texans defense that has been beaten by opposing tight ends this season.
Dud: Austin Seferian-Jenkins – He has been tearing it up in recent weeks, but should come back to earth against the Falcons. Atlanta has limited opposing tight ends all season. The Falcons are desperate for a win and have only allowed nine touchdowns through the air this year. Seferian-Jenkins is a low-end TE1, but has a low floor this week.
Sleeper: David Njoku – Njoku is the best pass-catcher on the Browns’ offense. The Vikings have been beaten by tight ends at times this year. Njoku could be the go-to player in this offense with Corey Coleman sidelined. I expect Njoku to have a solid game in London. Stranger things have happened.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Stud: Cincinnati – The Bengals’ defense struggled last week against Pittsburgh. They will look to rebound against a Colts’ offense that is giving up the most points to opposing defenses this season.
Dud: Houston – The Texans’ defense is usually pretty reliable, but I’m avoiding them this week. Seattle is a different team at home. The Seahawks should hang onto the ball and Russell Wilson should have a big game.
Sleeper: New Orleans – The Saints have a chance for a big week. They’re at home to take on a Chicago offense that’s given up the fourth most fantasy points to defenses this season.
