Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 8.
Notes:
• The Ravens are a Super Bowl contender if the offense consistently plays like it did in Baltimore’s drubbing of the Lions. Lamar Jackson was phenomenal, throwing for 357 yards, rushing for 36 more and finishing with four total touchdowns. Mark Andrews was on the receiving end of two of those scores, and it was encouraging to see Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman also get involved in the passing game. If Baltimore can keep the offense firing the rest of the way, Jackson will be in the discussion to win another MVP.
• Everything above is contingent on whether any team can dethrone the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes put on a clinic against the Chargers, with the defending MVP throwing for 424 yards and four touchdowns. He also heavily targeted tight end Travis Kelce, who hauled in 12 of 13 targets for 179 yards and a touchdown to lead all players in PPR scoring. They were the top players drafted at their respective positions and they showed us again why they are the best duo in the NFL.
• D’Onta Foreman rewarded fantasy owners who were in a pinch and needed to start the Chicago running back by leading the position in scoring with 120 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. Foreman has been an afterthought at the beginning of the season for his last three teams, but once he cracks the starting lineup, he has a knack for finding the end zone. He has earned the right to continue to handle the majority of rushing attempts with Khalil Herbert on injured reserve.
• The Rams’ running back situation was one of the biggest question marks heading into Week 7. Was it going to be Zach Evans or Royce Freeman who would lead the team in touches? How about neither? Darrell Henderson, who wasn’t even on the roster a week ago, paced the team with 18 carries and scored a goal-line touchdown. Kyren Williams has another three weeks on IR before he’s eligible to return to action, so Henderson is a priority add for running-back-needy teams.
• Bijan Robinson owners had to be livid as the first-round pick had just one carry, which did not come until the final drive of the game. It was reported during that game that he was dealing with an illness, and it was later revealed that he was battling headaches. As someone who gets paralyzing migraines at times, I can relate with Robinson, but fantasy owners would have liked to have gotten a heads up to get Robinson out of the lineup. He’ll be back to his dominant self for Week 8.
• Any concerns about Puka Nacua not being a factor with Cooper Kupp back in the lineup against the Steelers were put to rest on Sunday. He led all receivers with 154 yards, catching eight of 12 targets, while Kupp reeled in just two passes for 29 yards. He continues to set records and there should be no fear about starting him on a weekly basis.
• Jordan Addison had his coming out party on “Monday Night Football,” as the 23rd overall pick caught seven passes for 124 yards and two scores in the Vikings’ upset against the 49ers. It was by far the best game of his young career and he has now found the end zone in five of seven games this season. His role should continue to expand with Justin Jefferson out for the year. He needs to be locked in to starting lineups, as he has become the clear No. 1 receiver for Kirk Cousins.
• No byes this week, but this is a good week to plan ahead as some of the NFL’s elite will be on a bye the following two weeks. The Lions and 49ers will not play in Week 9, and three of the NFL’s juggernauts — Chiefs, Dolphins and Eagles — share a bye in Week 10. Get a leg up on the competition by stashing players you might need in those two weeks.
Thursday Night Game: Buccaneers vs. Bills
Sunday Night Game: Bears vs. Chargers
Monday Night Game: Raiders vs. Lions
Top Pickups of the Week: Gardner Minshew, Kyler Murray, Darrell Henderson, Kareem Hunt, D’Onta Foreman, Josh Downs, Kendrick Bourne, Taysom Hill
Buy Low: Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, Chris Olave, Chris Godwin, George Kittle
Sell High: Zack Moss, Davante Adams, Kyle Pitts
Send to the Waiver Wire: Keaontay Ingram, Zach Evans, Antonio Gibson, Quentin Johnston, Tutu Atwell, Zach Ertz
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: C.J. Stroud
Running Back: Gus Edwards
Wide Receiver: Diontae Johnson
Tight End: Luke Musgrave
Defense: Chargers
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Sam Howell
Running Back: Brian Robinson
Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman Jr.
Tight End: Zach Ertz
Defense: Packers
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Desmond Ridder
Running Back: Tyjae Spears
Wide Receiver: Marvin Mims Jr.
Tight End: Cade Otton
Defense: Texans
NFL Picks for Week 8
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 63-43)
Bills (vs. Buccaneers)
Colts (vs. Saints)
Jaguars (vs. Steelers)
Texans (vs. Panthers)
Eagles (vs. Commanders)
Cowboys (vs. Rams)
Dolphins (vs. Patriots)
Jets (vs. Giants)
Falcons (vs. Titans)
Vikings (vs. Packers)
Seahawks (vs. Browns)
Chiefs (vs. Broncos)
49ers (vs. Bengals)
Ravens (vs. Cardinals)
Chargers (vs. Bears)
Lions (vs. Raiders)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 16-19)
Jaguars -2.5 vs. Steelers
Texans -3 vs. Panthers
Seahawks -3 vs. Browns
Chiefs -7.5 vs. Broncos
Bengals +6 vs. 49ers
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 15-20)
Buccaneers-Bills Under 42.5
Rams-Cowboys Under 45.5
Jets-Giants Over 36.5
Falcons-Titans Over 37
Vikings-Packers Over 43.5
One Bold Prediction For The Week
Week 1: Sam Howell finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against Cardinals. (miss)
Week 2: Michael Thomas leads all players in receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Justin Fields leads the league in rushing yards in an effort to keep up with the Chiefs. (miss)
Week 4: Travis Kelce has more receiving yards than Zach Wilson has passing yards in the “Sunday Night Football” game. (miss)
Week 5: The Bills put up 50-plus points against the Jaguars in London. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Jacobs has more total scrimmage yards than Mac Jones has passing yards. (miss)
Week 7: The Eagles hold Tyreek Hill to under 50 receiving yards. (miss)
Week 8: The Jets and Giants score more points than the Patriots and Dolphins. (The Jets-Giants total is 36.5, while Patriots-Dolphins total is the highest of the week at 47.)
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox