Welcome to week 8 of the fantasy football season!
You’ve fought, you’ve suffered, yet you endured and NOW you’re working your way back to where you should be in all of your leagues. That’s right you’re climbing your way towards capturing you a fantasy football #4EYEDtitle this season, or at the very least are trying to make it a respectable showing for your fantasy team(s) this season. Whether your climb involves staying at the top of your league, fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, or even trying to crank out your first victory 8 weeks in (ugh…of all leagues I had to do poorly in it had to be our follower’s league) the important lesson to be gained from playing this game we all love is to always bring your best effort when it comes to having knowledge of player performances, their upcoming matchups, and using that knowledge to your advantage when inserting players in and out of your lineups.
Case in point here is a list of players I believe will help you on your way to victory in week 8 based on their performance trends this season and their upcoming opponent’s weaknesses!
I give you my 4-EYED PREVIEWS for Week 8!
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford should be started, if available, in all of your leagues
The New York Giants are heading to the motor city and they’re bringing their 28th ranked coverage unit and 30th ranked pass-rushing unit with them. For the Lions, Matthew Stafford ranks 2nd in the NFL in deep-ball passing attempts, 3rd in air yards per attempt, and is QB13 on the season with the least amount of interceptable passes among starting quarterbacks. On the season he’s QB7 in terms of fantasy points per game with 19.7. If there was ever a time to start Stafford with confidence this season it’s this weekend!
Running Back: Philip Lindsay has a prime matchup in the Hoosier state
Averaging 13.1 fantasy points per game this season, Philip Lindsay will look to have a “get right” game versus the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, a Colts team that ranks as the 30th ranked run defense in the NFL. Things have certainly not gone Lindsay’s way this season as they did during his rookie year, but based on the matchup, the likelihood that Denver takes the ball more out of Joe Flacco’s hands after this past week’s dismal performance, and the fact that Lindsay is still leaps and bounds ahead of fellow running back Royce Freeman in most advanced statistical categories such as yards created per attempt look for Lindsay to have a solid fantasy day for you this week. RB2/FLEX
Wide Receiver: JuJu Smith-Schuster will rise from the ashes
I mean the Steelers are playing the Dolphins. Do I REALLY have to explain why you should feel good about starting JuJu Smith-Schuster this week as your #1 WR? The Dolphins are allowing:
- 35.2 fantasy points per game to receiving option on average over their 6 games played this season
- They’re 1st in yards per reception allowed with 9.2
- They’re tied for 2nd with the most TDs allowed to receivers (WR/TE)
IF THAT doesn’t help to convince you the Dolphins top cornerback might be out for this Monday night game making the matchup more enticing.
Tight End: Jared Cook will have his breakout game for New Orleans this week against Arizona
The Arizona Cardinals are allowing 19.5 fantasy points per game to oppose TEs this season and the New Orleans Saints might be getting Drew Brees back this week. If Brees does return look for him to target Jared Cook early and often this game making him a viable top 5 TE on the week.
IDP Of The Week
Defensive Back: Logan Ryan is going to have a field day against this Bucs offense
Logan Ryan is squaring off against turnover machine Jameis Winston this week. He’s second in the NFL among defensive backs in terms of passes defensed (9), 5th in tackles for a loss, 2nd in forced fumbles, and tied at 3rd with interceptions on the season with 2.
This guy is a defensive back IDP stud and will have an EXTRA juicy matchup this week!
That wraps up my 4-EYED PREVIEWS for WEEK 8!
Our 4-EYED ASSESSMENT comes out tomorrow and our HEROES & VILLAINS article will drop on Friday!
ALSO, our Week 8 Fantasy Preview podcast will be dropping Friday morning!
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Thanks for visiting Fantasy In Frames!
*Stats provided by FantasyData.com and ProFootballFocus.com
