Notes:
• Week 6 was a relatively quiet week on the injury front, but Week 7 saw some key players go down for significant time. The injury to Jets running back Breece Hall is the most significant, and it has ripple effects. Michael Carter would have been next in line, but New York traded for James Robinson on Monday night. Both need to be rostered for now until we see who gets the bulk of the touches.
• Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf was carted off the field against the Chargers — not for a bathroom break but with a knee injury. Early reports are that it’s not the worst news, but he’s still going to miss time. Tyler Lockett moves up the player rankings until Metcalf gets back.
• Adding injury to insult, the Chargers lost Mike Williams to an ankle injury in their loss to the Seahawks. Keenan Allen returned to action this week from an injury of his own, and a bye in Week 8 gives both an extra week to heal. Williams will likely miss Week 9, so plan accordingly.
• David Njoku has a high ankle sprain, and even though the Browns are saying he’s week to week, one would assume he misses a few games with the injury. Outside of Travis Kelce, the tight end position has been brutal this season.
• Some other injured players to keep an eye on are Chuba Hubbard, Allen Lazard, Nico Collins, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Corey Davis.
• The Colts are benching Matt Ryan and going with Sam Ehlinger at quarterback. This doesn’t move the needle for any Colts receivers. If anything, it means more touches are on the way for Jonathan Taylor (see my bold prediction).
• Enough with the bad news. The Bengals started off slow, but Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and the rest of the Cincinnati offense are firing on all cylinders. They’ll be rising in my rankings this week.
• Others who will be shooting up the rankings include running backs Josh Jacobs, Kenneth Walker, Travis Etienne and Gus Edwards. Wide receivers on the rise are DeAndre Hopkins, Chris Godwin, Brandon Aiyuk and Wan’Dale Robinson.
• We have another game in London this week, with the Broncos taking on the “hometown” Jaguars. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. EST, so set your lineups accordingly.
• Only two teams are on a bye this week, but with the Chiefs and Chargers not in action, it means you’ll be without superstars such as Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler and more.
• Remember to check the weather heading into Sunday for your kicker selection.
Thursday Night Game: Ravens vs. Buccaneers
Sunday Night Game: Packers vs. Bills
Monday Night Game: Bengals vs. Browns
Top Pickups of the Week: Daniel Jones, Gus Edwards, D’Onta Foreman, Parris Campbell, Evan Engram, Greg Dulcich
Buy Low: Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Joe Mixon, Brian Robinson, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Dallas Goedert
Sell High: Kyler Murray, Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Pittman, Gabe Davis, Zach Ertz
Send to the Waiver Wire: Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers, Chase Edmonds, J.D. McKissic, Mike Boone, Robert Woods, Russell Gage
Start ‘Em:
Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa
Running Back: Devin Singletary
Wide Receiver: DeVonta Smith
Tight End: Dalton Schultz
Defense: Dolphins
Sit ‘Em:
Quarterback: Trevor Lawrence
Running Back: David Montgomery
Wide Receiver: Chris Olave
Tight End: Pat Freiermuth
Defense: Packers
Sleepers:
Quarterback: Marcus Mariota
Running Back: D’Onta Foreman
Wide Receiver: Wan’Dale Robinson
Tight End: Greg Dulcich
Defense: Titans
NFL Picks for Week 8:
Weekly Pick ‘Em (Season Record: 60-47-1)
Buccaneers (vs. Ravens)
Jaguars (vs. Broncos)
Vikings (vs. Cardinals)
Falcons (vs. Panthers)
Dolphins (vs. Lions)
Eagles (vs. Steelers)
Saints (vs. Raiders)
Jets (vs. Patriots)
Titans (vs. Texans)
Seahawks (vs. Giants)
Commanders (vs. Colts)
49ers (vs. Rams)
Bills (vs. Packers)
Bengals (vs. Browns)
Five Picks Against The Spread (Season Record: 21-14)
Saints +1.5 vs. Raiders
Jets +2.5 vs. Patriots
Seahawks -2.5 vs. Giants
49ers -1.5 vs. Rams
Bengals -3 vs. Browns
Five Over-Under Totals (Season Record: 20-15)
Ravens-Buccaneers under 44.5
Broncos-Jaguars under 39.5
Patriots-Jets under 41.5
49ers-Rams over 41.5
Packers-Bills over 47.5
One Bold Prediction for the Week
Week 1: Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson each throw for 300 yards and two touchdowns against their former team. (miss)
Week 2: Four different wide outs finish with more than 100 receiving yards in the two Monday night games. (miss)
Week 3: Jalen Hurts has five total touchdowns against the Commanders. (miss)
Week 4: Lamar Jackson posts more than 500 yards of offense against the Bills. (miss)
Week 5: Josh Allen finishes with more rushing yards than the entire Steelers offense. (miss)
Week 6: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes combine for 800 yards of total offense in a potential preview of the AFC championship game. (miss)
Week 7: Derrick Henry has three rushing touchdowns against the Colts. (miss)
Week 8: The Colts rush for over 200 yards against the Commanders.
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox