By: Jake Weiner
The Swish
What a week. Many surprise victories came in hand this week, like the Vikings taking down San Francisco during primetime and the Giants taking a win from the Commanders at home, and even the Lions losing 38-6 to the Ravens was a shock. Get ready for week eight because there is a lot to talk about.
WHAT TO SEE IN THIS ARTICLE:
Starts and Sits
3 Per Position
Week 4 Points Rankings
Top 12 QB, Top 16 RB, Top 20 WR, Top 10 TE
Waiver Wire
Top 3 Targets Per Position
DEBRIEF ON PRIOR BLOG POST
Reflection on last week's blog post
STARTS AND SITS
(3 per position)
QUARTERBACK
STARTS:
1. SAM HOWELL
MATCHUP: PHILADELPHIA @ WASHINGTON
SLEEPER PROJ: 14.07
OUR PROJ: 22.3
REASONING:
It happened once; watch it happen again. For some reason, as good as the Eagles’ defense is, they let up a lot of passing yards and points in general. Sam Howell had a career game versus the Eagles this year in Philadelphia, and now he is playing them at home, where he has played very well thus far. Do not be afraid to put the DC QB in your lineup.
2. KIRK COUSINS
MATCHUP: MINNESOTA @ GREEN BAY
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.85
OUR PROJ: 21.3
REASONING:
Primetime Kirk is getting rid of that narrative. Coming off a massive win versus the 49ers at home, Cousins is looking to have a vast game in Lambeau versus the Packers and their awful pass defense. Cousins has played well in his career versus the Packers, and this game should be a high-scoring matchup, so look out for some Cousins to Addison or Hockenson touchdowns.
3. JARED GOFF
MATCHUP: LAS VEGAS @ DETROIT
SLEEPER PROJ: 18.4
OUR PROJ: 24.5
REASONING:
The Raiders have not defended the pass well this season, and the Lions have been a very high-scoring offense when playing at home. The Lions get the ball a lot, and even if this game is a high-scoring matchup on both sides, Goff should have multiple chances to put up big fantasy numbers. Start him.
SITS:
1. JORDAN LOVE
MATCHUP: MINNESOTA @ GREEN BAY
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.94
OUR PROJ: 10
REASONING:
Bad matchup. Loves’ numbers have been decreasing, and the Vikings are on a hot streak of defending the pass well. The Packers seem to be going through a rough patch and have not figured out their offense as of recently.
2. JOE BURROW
MATCHUP: CINCINNATTI @ SAN FRANCISCO
SLEEPER PROJ: 18.67
OUR PROJ: 16
REASONING:
I do not care how good Burrow is playing; the Bengals are still not playing like the regular Super Bowl-contending Bengals. The 49ers have the best defense in football and play unbelievably well at home. They will be angry after losing to the Vikings and should demolish the Bengals this week.
3. GENO SMITH
MATCHUP: CLEVELAND @ SEATTLE
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.7
OUR PROJ: 12
REASONING:
The Browns have one of the top defenses in football, rush the passer very well, and defend the pass even better. Geno has not been playing great in fantasy football, and this is not the matchup for him to succeed in. Bench him.
RUNNING BACK
STARTS:
1. BREECE HALL
MATCHUP: NEW YORK JETS @ NEW YORK GIANTS
SLEEPER PROJ: 14.55
OUR PROJ: 22
REASONING:
I love my Giants, but we are not great versus running backs in fantasy football. Breece has finally played at his full potential and should go for 90+ yards and at leats a touchdown versus the G-Men. Start Breece no matter what.
2. ISAIAH PACHECO
MATCHUP: KANSAS CITY vs DENVER
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.74
OUR PROJ: 17.3
REASONING:
It is Pacheco season. The streak of 12+ fantasy points will continue, and Pacheco will strive when playing in the Mile High City this upcoming week. The Chiefs' offense is insane and they have utilized Pacheco very well.
3. JUSTICE HILL
MATCHUP: BALTIMORE @ ARIZONA
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.15
OUR PROJ: 13
REASONING:
The defense Cardinals just suck. That’s that. They do not know how to prevent touchdowns and when playing a touchdown red-zone-reliant running back like Hill, the Cardinals should let him in the end-zone at least once. Start Hill.
SITS:
1. JOSH JACOBS
MATCHUP: LAS VEGAS @ DETROIT
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.45
OUR PROJ: 8/9
REASONING:
Disgusting. That is how I describe Jacobs's season so far when comparing it to the fantasy expectations we all had for him. Look, in the past three weeks he has seemed to be playing like his old self, but the Lions have a great run defense and a terrible pass defense. I think Jakobi Meyers and Davante Adams can both have great games, and Jacobs showed fantasy owners that even when having Brian Hoyer at QB, his production does not change. Bench him.
2. BRIAN ROBINSON
MATCHUP: PHILADELPHIA @ WASHINGTON
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.98
OUR PROJ: 7
REASONING:
We loved B-Rob, but Phillys’ run defense is insane. He has struggled lately when not getting into the end zone, and Sam Howell is starting to get into a groove with his throwing confidence and play-calling. Do not be too confident about Brian Robinson.
3. JAMES COOK
MATCHUP: TAMPA BAY @ BUFFALO
SLEEPER PROJ: 11.75
OUR PROJ: 10
REASONING:
Cooks’ numbers have decreased dramatically and the Buccs defense is fairly good versus the run. Josh Allen has decided to start running the ball himself or launching deep balls to Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, taking away targets and short runs for James Cook. Bench him.
WIDE RECEIVER
STARTS:
1. DRAKE LONDON
MATCHUP: ATLANTA vs TENNESSEE
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.53
OUR PROJ: 21.4
REASONING:
Explosion. London should explode this week versus the struggling Titans pass defense. Londons’ role has increased as of late and it should stay that way in week 8. Start him.
2. AMARI COOPER
MATCHUP: CLEVELAND @ SEATTLE
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.73
OUR PROJ: 15
REASONING:
Only one touchdown this seaosn? Well that should change for Cooper when playing the Seahawks. Cooper has been solid, but nothing special this season, but that should all change when playing the Seahawks. Start him no matter what.
3. CHRISTIAN KIRK
MATCHUP: JACKSONVILLE @ PITTSBURGH
SLEEPER PROJ: 12.43
OUR PROJ: 16.5
REASONING:
This man is a PPR machine. Christian Kirk gets a lot of targets from T-Law and the Steelers pass defense is terrible. Start Kirk.
SITS:
1. DK METCALF
MATCHUP: CLEVELAND @ SEATTLE
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.67
OUR PROJ: 8.3
REASONING:
He already is questionable and was out last week. Before that, Metcalf has not been anything special and the Browns have a top-5 pass defense as well. Geno has been struggling and Lockett has found a bigger role. Bench Metcalf.
2. TEE HIGGINS
MATCHUP: CINCINNATI @ SAN FRANCISCO
SLEEPER PROJ: 13.14
OUR PROJ: 8
REASONING:
Tee Higgins has been involved less than owners hoped for, and the Niners have a great pass defense and strive when playing at home. Burrow should struggle along with the Bengal's offense, and Higgins should have under ten fantasy points.
3. MIKE EVANS
MATCHUP: TAMPA BAY @ BUFFALO
SLEEPER PROJ: 11.84
OUR PROJ: 10
REASONING:
Mike Evans. What can I say? This man is a beast every year and one of the most consistent fantasy receivers in the NFL. But the Bills are outstanding versus wideouts and are an excellent team at home. Evans is touchdown-reliant and inconsistent, and in a game that could be a blowout and low points scored for Tampa Bay, Evans could have a bad week. Bench him.
TIGHT END
STARTS:
1. DARREN WALLER
MATCHUP: NEW YORK JETS @ NEW YORK GIANTS
SLEEPER PROJ: 10.33
OUR PROJ: 13+
REASONING:
The only downside of the Jets elite defense is that they struggle versus the tight end. Wallers’ involvemnt in the Giants offense has been increasing every week and that should not change. Do NOT bench him in the NFL subway series.
2. JAKE FERGUSON
MATCHUP: LOS ANGELES RAMS @ DALLAS
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.4
OUR PROJ: 11-16
REASONING:
Jake Ferguson should have a good week at home versus the struggling Rams linebacker core which defends the tight end. Prescott likes Ferguson as a number two/three target and Ferguson can also be a good red-zone threat.
3. TYLER HIGBEE
MATCHUP: LOS ANGELES RAMS @ DALLAS
SLEEPER PROJ: 8.94
OUR PROJ: 10-16
REASONING:
Higbee should go for 10+ points versus the Cowboys as we know Matt Stafford loves Higbee and he almost always goes for 5+ targets besides the past week or two. Start him.
SITS:
1. MARK ANDREWS
MATCHUP: BALTIMORE vs ARIZONA
SLEEPER PROJ: 9.85
OUR PROJ: 0-6
REASONING:
This hurts. Andrews is one of the highest scoring tight ends in fantasy football this season but when playing in Arizona, tight ends have struggled. Lamar is starting to run the ball more and spread thew ball out through the offense. Bench Andrews if you have the guts to.
2. KYLE PITTS
MATCHUP: ATLANTA @ TENNESEE
SLEEPER PROJ: 7.6
OUR PROJ: 5
REASONING:
Another recency bias tight end. Kyle Pitts might be playing good as of late, but the Titans are good versus the tight end and Jonnu Smith has been getting a good amount of targets from Ridder as well. This could be a low scoring matchup, so Pitts will not be as efficient.
3. DAVID NJOKU
MATCHUP: CLEVELAND @ SAN FRANCISCO
SLEEPER PROJ: 7.88
OUR PROJ: 0-5
REASONING:
Another tight end is battling an injury, but there is no upside in this case. Njoku had high hopes going into this season but is yet to prove he can be a reliable fantasy start. He has an odd injury in face burns and will either play with a snap count or not. Just play it safe and bench him.
Week 8 Points Rankings
QB:
JUSTIN HERBERT VS CHICAGO BEARS
PATRICK MAHOMES @ DENVER
LAMAR JACKSON @ ARIZONA
JALEN HURTS @ WASHINGTON
KIRK COUSINS @ GREEN BAY
SAM HOWELL VS PHILADELPHIA
JOSH ALLEN VS TAMPA BAY
JORDAN LOVE VS MINNESOTA
TUA TAGOVAILOA VS NEW ENGLAND
BROCK PURDY VS CINCINATTI
RB:
BREECE HALL V@ NEW YORK GIANTS
D’ANDRE SWIFT @ WASHINGTON
JONATHAN TAYLOR VS NEW ORLEANS
DERRICK HENRY VS ATLANTA
ALVIN KAMARA @ INDIANAPOLIS
**BIJAN ROBINSON @ TENNESSEE**
JAHMYR GIBBS VS LAS VEGAS
CHRISTIAN McCAFFREY VS CINCINATTI
ISIAH PACHECO @ DENVER
KENNETH WALKER VS CLEVELAND
AUSTIN EKELER VS CHICAGO
JUSTICE HILL @ ARIZONA
SAQUON BARKLEY VS NEW YORK JETS
TRAVIS ETIENNE @ PITTSBURHGH
ZACK MOSS VS JACKSONVILLE
JOSH JAOCBS @ DETROIT
WR:
STEFON DIGGS VS TAMPA BAY
AJ BROWN @ WASHINGTON
AMON-RA ST.BROWN VS LAS VEGAS
DRAKE LONDON VS TENNESSEE
TYREEK HILL VS NEW ENGLAND
DJ MOORE @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
COOPER KUPP @ DALLAS
KEENAN ALLEN @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
AMARI COOPER @ SEATTLE
TERRY McLAURIN VS PHILADELPHIA
CHRISTIAN KIRK @ PITTSBURGH
PUKA NACUA @ DALLAS
CEEDEE LAMB VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
DAVANTE ADAMS @ DETROIT
ADAM THIELEN VS HOUSTON
DEVONTA SMITH @ WASHINGTON
**CHRIS OLAVE @ INDIANAPOLIS**
JA’MARR CHASE @ SAN FRANCISCO
GARRETT WILSON @ NEW YORK GIANTS
BRANDON AIYUK VS CINCINNATTI
TE:
TRAVIS KELCE @ DENVER
DARREN WALLER VS NEW YORK JETS
TJ HOCKENSON @ GREEN BAY
TYLER HIGBEE @ DALLAS
DALLAS GOEDERT @ WASHINGTON
ZACH ERTZ VS BALTIMORE
JAKE FERGUSON VS LOS ANGELES RAMS
GEORGE KITTLE VS CINCINNATTI
DALTON SCHULTZ @ CAROLINA
EVAN ENGRAM @ PITTSBURGH
WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
QB:
GARDNER MINSHEW || QUARTERBACK || INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
BAKER MAYFIELD || QUARTERBACK || TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
TYROD TAYLOR || QUARTERBACK || NEW YORK GIANTS
RB:
KAREEM HUNT || RUNNING BACK || CLEVELAND BROWNS
DARRELL HENDERSON || RUNNING BACK || LOS ANGELES RAMS
DONTA FOREMAN || RUNNING BACK || CHICAGO BEARS
WR:
KJ OSBORN || WIDE RECEIVER || MINNESOTA VIKINGS
RASHEE RICE || WIDE RECEIVER || KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
JERRY JEUDY || WIDE RECEIVER || DENVER BRONCOS
TE:
JONNU SMITH || TIGHT END || ATLANTA FALCONS
TYLER HIGBEE || TIGHT END || LOS ANGELES RAMS
ZACH ERTZ || TIGHT END || ARIZONA CARDINALS