Why Us What You Get Subscribe

  Fantasy Football University  
   
  Fantasy Football's 10 Commandments  
   

Week 8 Fantasy Preview

Contributed by: Kyle O'Connor
Last Updated: Oct 27, 2011 3:38 PM

The picks will return next week. This week, Im going to give my thoughts on the Fantasy value for players in each game, as injuries and Bye Weeks have a lot of owners scrambling for production. Lets get started. Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans As for the Colts, I wouldnt be comfortable starting anyone. If you have no choice, my flex ranki

The picks will return next week. This week, I'm going to give my thoughts on the Fantasy value for players in each game, as injuries and Bye Week's have a lot of owners scrambling for production. Let's get started.

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
As for the Colts, I wouldn't be comfortable starting anyone. If you have no choice, my flex rankings for them would go Garcon, Carter, Wayne, Clark. As for the Titans? Nate Washington could have a nice week, and is a WR3, and Jared Cook could also have a nice day. If CJ2k doesn't get it going this week, it's officially time to panic and I don't think it will happen this season. Matt Hasselbeck is also in line for a nice day.


New Orleans Saints @ St Louis Rams
The Saints are the most frustrating team in the NFL, from a fantasy standpoint. With all their weapons, it makes many of them unplayable. That list would include Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. Drew Brees will have a nice day, but probably won't throw much in the second half. If Mark Ingram plays, he's a nice play and a solid RB2, but I don't think he will. That makes Darren Sproles and solid RB2 and Pierre Thomas a good flex play. Obviously, you're starting Jimmy Graham, though he did see extra attention from a defense for the first time last week. 

Miami Dolphins @ New York Giants
The only Dolphin worth starting is Brandon Marshall, and he's a WR2. He will have a nice game this week. Daniel Thomas is a decent flex, and should reach 100 yards. The Giants get Brandon Jacobs back, but I wouldn't play him, as instead Bradshaw will stay as a RB2. Mario Manningham will have another nice week, and officially take back the WR2 spot there, as Victor Cruz will be droppable in most leagues by next week. If you're desperate for a Tight End, look at Ballard.

Minnesota Vikings @ Carolina Panthers
Peterson is my top player going into this week, as he should run wild on this Panther defense. Other than that, I don't have any Vikings in my Top 50, and Percy Harvin sits right around 70, an acceptable WR3 or flex. Cam is a Top 5 QB play this week, and Steve Smith is a low end WR1 or solid WR2. I also like Stewart more than D Will, as he gets the goal line carries that are available when Cam actually hands off. I wouldn't play either Tight End, the Vikings have been pretty solid against opposing TE's.

Arizona Cardinals @ Baltimore Ravens
Larry Fitzgerald should be the only Card you start this week, an obvious WR1. Beanie Wells may play, but I wouldn't trust his knee and that would kill you. Kevin Kolb should not be started for any reason unless you're in a 16 team league. The Ravens will get back to running the ball. Believe me, Cam Cameron has heard all the calls for his job after Rice only got eight carries Monday night. I expect Rice to get 30+ touches and is my third ranked running back this week. Boldin is a WR2, and Dickson is a decent TE play in deep leagues. 


Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans
MJD is the only Jaguar I would play. Their only other option, Mike Thomas, didn't see the field a third of their plays Monday night, and is a non-factor moving forward. Feel free top cut him. In Houston, Foster will run wild and is my second ranked running back, and if Andre Johnson plays, you start him and he'll be a top 10 WR. Owen Daniels will once again be a solid TE play, with Schaub being a low end QB play. Other than that, no Texans would start in any of my lineups. 

Washington Redskins @ Buffalo Bills
A couple Redskins are worth starting, Ryan Torain should take over as lead back, but as you all know, you NEVER know with Shanahan. Roy Helu could get 20+ carries, but I wouldn't count on it. Roll the dice with Torain. Also, Gaffney becomes a low end WR2, he'll get almost all of the targets. Fred Davis remains a top six tight end and will have another nice day on Sunday. For Buffalo, Fitzpatrick is a top 15 QB, Jackson a top eight RB and Stevie Johnson is a solid WR2. David Nelson has some value at a flex position if you're searching. 

Detroit Lions @ Denver Broncos
Let's all hope Matt Stafford is good to go. He's been practicing, and barring any setbacks, it likes like he should. He's an obvious start, along with Megatron. I also rank Brandon Pettigrew pretty high, and Nate Burelson is a flex play at best. I wouldn't mess with any Lion RB, they'll be throwing the ball a lot. In Denver, Tebow has to get consideration, especially with all the QB issues right now. Knowshon Moreno is in line for a big week, an RB2. I would also pick up Demaryius Thomas and stash him, he'll be a WR2 at the least, very soon.

Cincinatti Bengals @ Seattle Seahawks
Not much fantasy value here. Bernard Scott would be a decent one week fill in, but remember he's going against the top ranked run defense, allowing around three yards per carry. Andy Dalton is a decent player in a 12 team league or higher if you have Bye Week's, and AJ Green is a solid WR2 from here on out, no question about it. In Seattle, Marshawn Lynch is a flex play and...that's it. 

Cleveland Browns @ San Francisco 49ers
Peyton Hillis should play, is a RB2 if he does, even though he faces the 49ers. Greg Little is a WR3, he's clearly the best receiver they have and is getting the targets to prove it. Other than that, stay away from the Browns. As for the 49ers, Frank Gore is a RB1 now, Vernon Davis a top eight TE and I actually put Crabtree at a WR3. He's finally healthy and looking good, and he's Alex Smith's favorite target.

New England Patriots @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Gronk & Hernandez are obvious starting options and will all have big weeks. If for some reason you have Gronk & Hernandez, go with Hernandez. The Law Firm should have a fine week, and probably will get a goal line touchdown, and I'm excited to see how they mix in Woodhead & Ridley. On the Steelers side, Big Ben should have a huge week, he is my sixth ranked QB. They will throw a lot and probably with a lot of success. Mike Wallace is obviously a must start and a WR1, and Antonio Brown is a solid, solid WR3. Emmanuel Sanders could even go in as a flex play. Mendenhall is a RB1.

Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
Lots, lots, and lots of fantasy goodness in this one. Let's start with Dallas, Tony Romo is a Top 8 play this week, Demarco Murray is a solid RB2, Miles Austin is a WR1, Dez WR2 and Witten a top five TE option. All of them should be started no matter what, and as for Tashard Choice? Cut him. Dallas doesn't trust him, and he won't be getting many carries moving forward. In Philly, Mike Vick should have a really good week, Top 5, but at the expense of LeSean McCoy, remember Dallas is very good against the run. McCoy will still do damage catching the ball though, obviously a must start. It will be interesting to see if either Maclin or Jackson pull ahead as the obvious top target in Philly, I would lean Maclin at this point. I'm going to tell you again, go trade for Jeremy Maclin.

San Diego Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs
What's wrong with Philip Rivers? It seems like everything is just a little bit off, especially that bizarre last series on Sunday. He remains a Top 10 play, and Ryan Mathews will have a great week, a borderline RB1. Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates will both play well, and I'm going to say both find the endzone. Matt Tolbert remains nothing but a spot flex play. As for the Chiefs, Dwayne Bowe is the only must start, a WR2. Jackie Battle can be started, but realize you're playing with Todd Haley and you never know who's going to ge the carries. The only sure thing? Thomas Jones will get way too many, including the goal line carries.

Good luck to everyone this weekend!

Follow @FFChamps on Twitter

The views and content in this article are not necessarily the opinion of Fantasy Football Champs, www.FFChamps.com, and its in-house experts.