Each and every week, I’ll be covering a handful of players that I believe will either exceed expectations or let your team down in a major way. Here’s who you should be looking at for Week 8.
Starts: Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow, Bengals vs. Titans
Joe Burrow is leading the league in pass attempts, and he’s topped 300 passing yards in five of seven games so far. This week, he’s up against a Titans’ defense that’s allowed the 8th-most passing yards per game. We could see some more fireworks from the rookie in Week 8.
Derek Carr, Raiders @ Browns
Derek Carr has exceeded all fantasy expectations in 2020. He’s currently the QB15, averaging more PPG than Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford, and Teddy Bridgewater. Carr faces the Browns in Week 8, who are allowing the 7th-most PPG to opposing QBs and the 12th-most passing yards per game. If you need a streaming option, you could do a lot worse.
Starts: Running Backs
Mike Davis, Panthers vs. Falcons
There’s a chance that Christian McCaffrey could return in Week 8. But, if he doesn’t, you’ll want to roll out Mike Davis for his swan song. He has filled in admirably in CMC’s absence, playing on over 70% of the snaps and averaging nearly 21 opportunities per game over the past five weeks. The Falcons have been middle-of-the-pack against RBs, but Davis posted his best performance against them back in Week 5.
Jerick McKinnon, 49ers @ Seahawks
The last thing I wanted to do was put Jerick McKinnon back in the start column, especially after he posted -1 yards from scrimmage in Week 7. However, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson are both on IR, and Tevin Coleman still isn’t practicing. At this point, it’s just McKinnon and UDFA JaMycal Hasty in the backfield. I expect McKinnon to operate as the primary pass-catching back in what should be a negative game script against the Seahawks, so you could do worse.
Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers @ Giants
In his first appearance since Week 3, Leonard Fournette out-touched and out-produced Ronald Jones. He totaled 50 yards rushing and added 6 receptions for 47 yards through the air. While it’s possible that the Tampa Bay backfield remains a confusing mess for the foreseeable future, I tend to think that Fournette will continue to lead the way. He’s playable in a slightly above-average matchup against the Giants.
Boston Scott, Eagles vs. Cowboys
If Miles Sanders is forced to miss another week, Boston Scott is a must-start. He handled 70% of the Eagles’ RB opportunities against the Giants in Week 7, racking up over 90 total yards and scoring the game-winning TD. The Cowboys’ defense has been abused at every turn this season, and Scott has a three-down skillset. Don’t overthink this one.
Starts: Wide Receivers
Travis Fulgham, Eagles vs. Cowboys
Fulgham has emerged as a truly dominant weapon for the Eagles, recording double-digit targets and at least 70 yards in three straight games. Even with Jalen Reagor potentially returning to the lineup in Week 8, the Eagles are still lacking playmakers. I expect Fulgham to remain busy against the Cowboys in his softest matchup to date.
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ Eagles
Prior to his 0-catch performance in Week 7, Lamb’s worst weekly statline was 5 receptions for 59 yards in Week 1. Ben DiNucci will certainly be a downgrade from Dak Prescott, but Lamb should continue to be heavily targeted in one of the league’s most pass-heavy offenses. Lamb will draw Nickell Robey-Coleman or Cre’Von LeBlanc in coverage this week, two corners who have been exposed in coverage repeatedly this season.
Jarvis Landry, Browns vs. Raiders
Landry has been disappointing in 2020, finishing with fewer than 50 yards in 5 of 7 games. However, he should see an uptick in volume now that Odell Beckham Jr. is out for the season. The Browns will also be without Austin Hooper when they take on the Raiders, who have been generous to opposing WRs this season.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers @ Seahawks
Brandon Aiyuk recorded his first 100-yard game against the Patriots in Week 7, and he’s set to take on a bigger role in Week 8 with Deebo Samuel out. The Seahawks have made a habit of getting into shootouts, and their defense has allowed the most PPG to opposing WRs this season. Aiyuk should be a strong play.
Starts: Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers, Eagles vs. Cowboys
I realize that I’ve now placed three Eagles in the start column, but I just can’t help myself. The Cowboys’ defense has been downright awful, and Wentz has always leaned heavily on his tight ends. With Ertz and Goedert out of the lineup in Week 7, Rodgers led all pass-catchers with 85 yards. I’m expecting him to be highly involved once again.
Hunter Henry, Chargers @ Broncos
Justin Herbert threw for 347 yards and 3 TDs in Week 7, yet Hunter Henry finished the game with just 3 receptions for 23 yards. He was 2nd on the team in targets, but Herbert just couldn’t connect with him for some reason. Instead, backup TEs Donald Parham and Virgil Green each caught a TD. Chalk it up to bad luck and continue to roll Henry out on a weekly basis. He won’t always hit, but he’s still one of the better options in this desolate TE landscape.
Sits: Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, Giants vs. Buccaneers
Yay! Daniel Jones finally had a good game! Now put him back on the bench. Despite his strong fantasy performance, Jones still had 2 turnovers and under 200 passing yards. His day was salvaged by an 80-yard scramble, which is something we can’t bank on every week… or ever again as long as Jones is an NFL starter. He’s an easy sit against the Buccaneers, who are allowing the 3rd-fewest PPG to opposing QBs.
Cam Newton, Patriots @ Bills
Over the past two weeks, Cam Newton has thrown for a combined 255 yards, 0 TDs, and 5 INTs. That just isn’t going to get it done for fantasy, regardless of what Cam can add with his legs. He has a softer matchup against the Bills in Week 8, but I’d prefer not to play a QB who could be benched at any moment, especially one who is getting zero help from his playmakers.
Sits: Running Backs
Joshua Kelley, Chargers @ Broncos
Kelley handled more work than Justin Jackson in Week 7, but he didn’t do much with his opportunities. If he couldn’t do better than 12 for 29 against the lowly Jaguars’ defense, then he can’t be trusted against the Broncos, who are allowing the 2nd-fewest PPG to opposing RBs.
Ronald Jones, Buccaneers @ Giants
If I’m in on Leonard Fournette, then it only makes sense that I’d be out on Ronald Jones. Fournette outplayed Jones in Week 3 before his injury and again in Week 7 when he returned. Jones will still get some carries, and he may score the occasional TD, but I think this is Fournette’s backfield moving forward.
Ravens’ RBs, Ravens vs. Steelers
As of this writing, Mark Ingram is not expected to play this Sunday. If Ingram sits, the Ravens will turn to some combination of Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Justice Hill in the backfield. I’m not eager to play any of those guys against the Steelers, who have allowed the fewest rushing yards in the league and the 3rd-fewest PPG to opposing RBs.
Sits: Wide Receivers
Michael Gallup, Cowboys @ Eagles
Even when Dak Prescott was healthy, Michael Gallup was hard to trust. He’s been on the field running routes, but he’s been less involved than Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb, and even Dalton Schultz at times. With just 2 receptions in the past two weeks and Ben DiNucci at QB, Gallup should be firmly planted on your bench.
DeVante Parker, Dolphins vs. Rams
With Tua Tagovailoa set to make his first start this Sunday, DeVante Parker is a very risky option. Parker has really only produced with Ryan Fitzpatrick, so we have no idea how he’ll do with a new QB under center. Furthermore, Parker will have to contend with a Rams’ defense that’s allowing the 2nd-fewest PPG to WRs. I would look elsewhere this week.
Chase Claypool, Steelers @ Ravens
You might be surprised to learn that Chase Claypool has seen more than 4 targets just once this season. He’s made some big plays, but he’s still operating as the clear WR3 in this Pittsburgh offense. He will certainly have more boom games this season, but I’d prefer not to play him against this stout Ravens’ defense.
Sits: Tight Ends
Evan Engram, Giants vs. Buccaneers
Regardless of his target share or matchup, Evan Engram just isn’t producing. He’s been held below 50 receiving yards in 6 of 7 games, and he’s yet to find the end zone through the air this season. At this point, Engram is nothing more than a desperation play.
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