Week 8 is here, which means it’s time to start making your playoff push! Let us help you out with our Studs, Duds and Sleepers.
QUARTERBACKS
Stud: Jameis Winston – Winston has thrown for 760 yards in the past two games. The Bengals are allowing 29 points per game and the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Winston is a QB1 for Week 8.
Dud: Joe Flacco – Flacco was solid last week against the Saints and will have some streaming appeal later in the season, but I’m avoiding him this week. The Ravens travel to Carolina and have to play a physical Panthers team. Flacco may have some success, but I could also see him finished with 200 yards passing and one touchdown, which isn’t worth risking this week.
Sleeper: Josh Rosen – It would be hard to start Rosen, but the Cardinals have a new offensive coordinator in Byron Leftwich and should have a few new wrinkles to get their rookie quarterback in a rhythm. The 49ers’ defense has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Rosen is worth a look in deep, two quarterback leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
Stud: Philip Lindsay – Lindsay continues to impress. He had 90 yards rushing and a touchdown last week. The Broncos should continue to lean on him, especially this week against a below-average Chiefs’ defense. He’s a RB2 with plenty of upside. I’m leaning on him in daily leagues this week.
Dud: Joe Mixon – Mixon had his worst game of the season last week, with 51-yards from scrimmage. The Bengals aren’t giving him the touches that most expected and that’s limiting his upside. Mixon is a RB2 this week against Tampa Bay. I’m avoiding him in daily leagues, but he’s hard to bench in re-draft leagues.
Sleeper: Duke Johnson – Johnson struggled last week, but he should get plenty of opportunities against the Steelers. Pittsburgh will probably have the lead, which means the Browns’ offense will be forced to throw. Hue Jackson said they want to get the ball in Johnson’s hands and that makes him a sneaky play in Week 8.
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WIDE RECEIVER
Stud: A.J. Green – Green is always a WR1, but his value is rising after the injury bug has bit the Bengals. Cincinnati will be without Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, John Ross and Giovani Bernard for another week. The Tampa Bay defense is allowing the most receiving yards per game. Start Green this week and consider him in daily leagues.
Dud: Alshon Jeffery – Jeffery has 15 receptions, 162 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games, but he has a tough matchup against Jacksonville this week. The Jaguars are allowing the fewest yards and passing touchdowns in the NFL. Avoid Jeffery if you can.
Sleeper: Sterling Shepard – Shepard posted a career-high 167 receiving yards last week against the Falcons. He has a chance to keep it going against an average Washington secondary that will likely be focused on Odell Beckham Junior. Shepard is a WR3 with upside, especially in PPR leagues.
TIGHT END
Stud: David Njoku – Njoku has at least 52 yards receiving and one touchdown in back-to-back games. He has a soft schedule down the stretch, starting with this week’s matchup against the Steelers. Pittsburgh is allowing the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Dud: Kyle Rudolph – Rudolph has been a disappointment for fantasy owners so far this season. He’s scored twice and has only topped 70 yards receiving once. He’s still a low-end TE1, but it’s getting hard and harder to expect anything more than four receptions for 40 yards from him. The Saints have allowed on touchdown to opposing tight ends all season.
Sleeper: Chris Herndon – Herndon has six receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. Sam Darnold has a good rapport with him. The Jets have had some injury issues at wide receiver, so he’s he has some upside moving forward. The tight end position is shallow, so he’s worth a look in deeper leagues.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Stud: New England – The Patriots are on the road, but they’re going up against a Bills’ offense that’s led by Derek Anderson. Buffalo could be without LeSean McCoy too, which means the Patriots are a top defense this week.
Dud: Tampa Bay – The Bucs sacked Baker Mayfield five times last week and posted solid numbers. You may be desperate with multiple teams on a bye, but avoid The Buccaneers. They will probably be in a shootout against the Bengals.
Sleeper: Cleveland – The Browns sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times in their Week 1 meeting and forced six turnovers. Cleveland is on the road, but they’re worth considering if you need them.
