Let’s dive into some news and notes around the league, my top fantasy plays and favorite picks for Week 8.
Notes:
• It was a rough week for some of the game’s best wide receivers as Brandon Aiyuk, D.K. Metcalf and Chris Godwin all suffered significant injuries. Aiyuk has a season-ending knee injury. Metcalf is said to be “week to week” with a knee injury. Godwin dislocated his ankle in the final seconds of the Buccaneers’ loss to the Ravens on Monday night. Additionally, Cooper Kupp missed this week and Deebo Samuel played just a handful of snaps.
• The quarterback position was not immune to injuries, either. Jayden Daniels played one series before exiting with a rib injury, but it’s not expected to keep him out long-term. The Rookie of the Year frontrunner might miss this week’s showdown with Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Deshaun Watson is not on many fantasy rosters with how dreadful he’s played this season, but he is done for the season because of an Achilles tear.
• However, it was a great weekend for running backs around the league. Eleven players topped 20 points in half-PPR scoring and 24 hit double digits. Jahmyr Gibbs led all players in scoring in Week 7 with 30 points, and was one of eight players who had 100-plus yards rushing. Derrick Henry leads all skill position players with 157 points scored. Running backs account for seven of the 10 players with more than 100 points on the year. Those who followed the Zero RB strategy are scrambling, as it has been a relatively healthy season for backs around the league.
• The reigning MVP is well on his way to securing that honor again this season. Lamar Jackson leads all players in scoring after another dazzling performance on Monday, throwing five touchdowns in the win against the Bucs. Jackson has finished as a QB1 in all seven games this year and there is not a team in the NFL that seems to have an answer for the Jackson-Henry duo.
• Players rising in my rankings include D’Andre Swift, Chase Brown, Darnell Mooney and Romeo Doubs. Some who will be falling are Devin Singletary, Trey Benson, Khalil Shakur and Sam LaPorta. My favorite buy-low target for teams looking for playoff help is injured Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco.
• There are no teams on a bye this week. I have ranted many times about how I do not understand the bye-week schedule this season. Ten teams have had their rest period, meaning 22 teams still have an open date on the schedule. Be especially prepared for Weeks 12 and 14. Both weeks have six teams on a bye in crunch time for fantasy owners. That will make for some tough roster decisions down the stretch.
Thursday Night Game: Vikings vs. Rams
Sunday Night Game: Cowboys vs. 49ers
Monday Night Game: Giants vs. Steelers
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Caleb Williams
Running Back: Javonte Williams
Wide Receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Tight End: Hunter Henry
Defense: Broncos
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Dak Prescott
Running Back: Nick Chubb
Wide Receiver: Christian Kirk
Tight End: Dallas Goedert
Defense: Browns
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Bo Nix
Running Back: Tyler Goodson
Wide Receiver: Ricky Pearsall
Tight End: Noah Fant
Defense: Cardinals
NFL Picks for Week 8
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 64-43)
Vikings (vs. Rams)
Lions (vs. Titans)
Ravens (vs. Browns)
Packers (vs. Jaguars)
Texans (vs. Colts)
Cardinals (vs. Dolphins)
Buccaneers (vs. Falcons)
Jets (vs. Patriots)
Eagles (vs. Bengals)
Seahawks (vs. Bills)
Chargers (vs. Saints)
Bears (vs. Commanders)
Chiefs (vs. Raiders)
Broncos (vs. Panthers)
49ers (vs. Cowboys)
Steelers (vs. Giants)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 17-18)
Cardinals +3 vs. Dolphins
Buccaneers +2.5 vs. Falcons
Eagles +3 vs. Bengals
Broncos -8 vs. Panthers
49ers -4.5 vs. Cowboys
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 18-17)
Vikings-Rams under 48
Eagles-Bengals over 47.5
Saints-Chargers under 39.5
Chiefs-Raiders under 42
Bills-Seahawks under 47.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Jayden Daniels finishes as a top-five fantasy QB against the Buccaneers. (Off to a good start!)
Week 2: Greg Dortch finishes as a top-25 WR against the Rams. (WR89 — yikes!)
Week 3: Derek Carr makes it three straight weeks as a top-five fantasy QB against the Eagles. (Major miss)
Week 4: Malik Nabers remains WR1 after scoring two touchdowns against the division rival Dallas Cowboys. (Still WR1, but no TDs)
Week 5: A running back will finish with more than 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. (Not even close)
Week 6: A tight end — a position that has been AWFUL at this point — leads all position players in scoring this week. (Close! Cole Kmet finished No. 6)
Week 7: The four rookie QBs — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and Bo Nix — combine for more fantasy points than the top four quarterbacks drafted this summer — Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. (Miss)
Week 8: Courtland Sutton finishes as a WR2 or better after failing to earn a single target last week.
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