Happy Thursday and welcome back to my weekly Start/Sit HUB! Mike here, providing you with information that can help you win your fantasy league week in and week out. For all things fantasy football, follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard).
Tonight, we get the 3-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the home team 4-3 Buffalo Bills. Tampa bay hasn’t won a game since week 4 and the Bills are riding the struggle bus winning 1 of their last 3 games while being outscored to 63 to 59. Which Bills team will show up and how will the Bucs respond accordingly? The line favors the Bills by 9.5 with an over/under of 43.5 My prediction in this game is a Bills victory 24-13.
I’m here every week during the fantasy football season with start and sit suggestions that can impact your team each week. My decisions as always include obvious and not so obvious picks. I would also like to clarify that my sit suggestions are based on the assumption you have or can add a player that has a better chance at success. Good luck this week and continue to check out my weekly articles.
TNF START/SIT
Start – Dalton Kincaid – Dalton is coming off his best performance of the season when he caught all 8 of his targets for 75 yards. The news here is that Dawson Knox is expected to have surgery and be placed on IR. Bad news for Knox but good news for Kincaid owners. Dalton should be a top 3 pass catcher for Allen this week along with Diggs and Davis.
Sit – Gabe Davis – You’ve heard me talk about Davis in the past and how he is usually a boom or bust fantasy player. Well, he has boomed a few times but his last two games he only has 4 receptions for 27 yards combined. Davis has only 2 games where he has reached 4 or more targets.
TGIF and welcome back to my Start/Sit Hub. Week 8 began already when Josh Allen and the Bills escaped with a victory by a score of 24-18. Bills seem to continue the trend of making most games less comfortable than they’d like to be. Bucs fall to 3-4 and will be taking on the Texans while the bills improve to 5-3 and have a date with Burrow and the Bengals. Next week’s TNF game is between the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh is hosting and an early line of 4 in favor of the Steelers with an over/under of 37. Early thoughts are a steeler victory and I’ll go with the under.
Games that I’m looking forward to watching in week 7 include the Rams/Cowboys, the Jaguars/Steelers, and the Bengals/49ers. Can the Cowboys tame both Kupp and Nacua? Wil the Jags continue to roll with their perfect road record? And will Burrow get the best of SF and send them out with 3 consecutive losses? Enjoy your weekend of football and good luck getting that fantasy W.
NO TEAMS ON BYE WEEK 8
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Terry McLaurin – Scary Terry McLaurin is a name a lot of Eagles fans don’t like to hear. Since emerging into the NFL in 2019, Terry has played the Eagles twice a year and you could argue he has yet to have a bad game. McLaurin has been playing well for Washington receiving at least 9 targets in 3 of his last 4 games with over 80 receiving yards in those 3 games. I think the Eagles have this one, but I imagine Terry still getting his.
Eagles @ Commanders
Start – Terry McLaurin – SEE START OF THE WEEK ABOVE
Sit – Brian Robinson – Brian Robinson has scored a TD in 3 of his last 4 games. 1 of those came against the Eagles. That’s the good news, the bad news is he has 45 or less rushing yards since week 4 and the Eagles rush defense is the best right now in the NFL allowing only 63 yards rushing per game. They are also a top 5 defense giving up 0.4 rushing TDs per game this season.
Rams @ Cowboys
Start – Puka Nacua – Puka is tearing it up in his rookie campaign. He has over 70 receiving yards in 6 out of 7 games this season including 3 with over 145 receiving yards. Nacua is 2nd in the entire NFL with 82, 2nd in the NFL in receptions with 58, and 3rd in the NFL in receiving yards with 752. Automatic start don’t overthink it even against a good Cowboys defense.
Sit – Tyler Higbee – Higbee is having a mediocre season at TE this season for the Rams. He had back-to-back 5 reception games with over 60 receiving yards in each but those were in week 3 and 4 when they played the Bengals and Colts whose defenses are not good against TEs. Dallas is middle of the pack defending TEs, but Higbee isn’t a huge threat. No TDs this season and 3 or less receptions in 5 of 7 games including his last 3.
Vikings @ Packers
Start – Jordan Addison – Addison is coming off the best game of his rookie season catching 7 of 10 targets for 123 yards and 2 TDs. All are career highs. Justin Jefferson is still on IR giving Addison more spotlight along with TJ Hockenson. Jordan has scored in all but 2 games this season and is tied with Stefon Diggs with 6 total receiving TDs behind Tyreek Hill who has 7. Good company to be around.
Sit – AJ Dillon – AJ Dillon has been RB1 a good amount of the time with Aaron Jones constantly having his status questionable. He’s had some success in his last 2 games against Denver and Vegas’s weak rushing defenses. I think Green Bay will have to throw more against the Minnesota defense. Even if Aaron Jones is a full go, I don’t have either of them in my top 20 RBs this week.
Falcons @ Titans
Start – Drake London – London has been playing good football this season being targeted 6+ times since his goose egg in week 1. Tennessee struggles to defend WRs, and London is by far the best WR on the team. His average yards per game in his last 3 games is 85. London has a great chance to do damage not only this week but for weeks to come with their schedule.
Sit – Deandre Hopkins – Hopkins is coming off his BYE week which was desperately needed after his worst outing of the season where he caught 1 of his 5 targets for 20 yards against Baltimore. This week he gets the Falcons who have been solid defending WRs this season. Ryan Tannehill is out for this game leaving both Malik Willis and Will Levis the options to throw to Hopkins. This game is expected to be the lowest scoring game in week 8 hurting Hopkins shots at scoring.
Saints @ Colts
Start – Alvin Kamara – Holy Alvin Kamara. Since beginning his season in week 4 he has been a huge part of the Saints offense. That offense is searching for answers, but we know Kamara will get his. He has between 11-20 carries in each game this season and he has had 2 games with 14 targets. That’s absurd for a RB and in PPR leagues he’s gold. Indianapolis might surprise and score more than expected, but their defense should not be able to contain Kamara. Indianapolis gives up nearly 2 rushing TDs per game. Alvin should get chances to score, let’s just hope Taysom Hill isn’t a TD vulture.
Sit – Zack Moss – Zach has been such a productive RB for the Colts. He had 18 carries last week which is exactly the same amount as Jonathan Taylor. JT scored and was more productive both rushing and receiving. Moss is definitely going to be involved, but the Saints have a solid defense, so I have him outside my top 25 RBs this week.
Patriots @ Dolphins
Start – Tua Tagovailoa – Tua has already faced New England this season when he threw for 249 yards and a TD. That was in New England, but they now are playing in Miami. Tua has 2+ passing TDs in every home game this season and gets the new England defense that is not nearly at their best/healthiest. Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert are both health concerns, but if they are healthy enough to play then Tua just has more likelihood to get better fantasy points.
Sit – Ezekiel Elliot – Zeke has a TD in each of his last 2 games. He is a good goal line RB, but he is RB2 behind Rhamondre Stevenson on the depth chart. To be honest neither of them feel like solid starters in fantasy but Rhamondre would have the upper edge based on opportunities. Zeke also is getting a lot less involved in the pass game mainly due to Stevenson. I would sit Zeke.
Jets @ Giants
Start – Breece Hall – Another great spot for Hall this week when he takes on the Giants. Giants defense is average against the run, but I think he will get a lot of opportunity. If the Jets give Breece double digit targets and a few screens, this guy would be unstoppable. He does have 12 targets in his last 3 games combined and should be fresh and ready off his BYE.
Sit – Wan’Dale Robinson – Ok this might be obvious, and he might not even be owned in your league, but if you do have him, it would be a good time to sit him or cut him if you need room on your roster. When Tyrod Taylor started last week, he only targeted Robinson 2 times and he caught 1 of those for 22 yards. If Darren Waller is unable to play due to his hamstring, Robinson would definitely appeal more.
Jaguars @ Steelers
Start – Christian Kirk – Kirk has been targeted at least 6 times in every game since his lackluster week 1. He scored his 2nd TD in week 6 and then his 3rd in week 7. He gets the Steelers who haven’t proven to dominate WRs in the least. If Trevor Lawrence has time to throw, he will have Kirk, Ridley, and Engram as some great options. Kirk leads the team in targets, receiving yards, receiving TDs, and is 2nd in receptions. Will be interesting to see if Etienne can dominate the Steelers in Pittsburgh after scoring twice in 3 consecutive games, or if the passing game will take the lead.
Sit – Najee Harris – Najee scored his first TD of the season last week, but that is the only bright spot for him in weeks. Harris is averaging under 4 yards per carry this season and is averaging 50 yards per game rushing. Jaylen Warren has been more involved, and for good reason, making Najee a lot less likely to catch passes. Warren has more than double the number of receptions and targets that Harris has had.
Texans @ Panthers
Start – CJ Stroud – Since week 1 concluded, CJ has thrown 2 passing TDs in each game he has played in with the exception of Atlanta in week 6 when he had 1. I think Stroud could pick up some rushing value in this game. Stroud beat the Saints and had a week of rest. Stroud has averaged over 275 passing yards in his first 6 games. Nico Collins and Tank Dell are in a good spot to capitalize.
Sit – Miles Sanders – Miles should be good to go after their week 8 BYE as he was taken off the injury report. Carolina’s offense is a huge work in progress with only Adam Thielen is a fantasy option right now. Houston’s defense isn’t terrifying by any stretch of the imagination, but Carolina is looking like a team that is not capable of winning and averaging just 18 points per game.
Browns @ Seahawks
Start – Amari Cooper – No Deshaun Watson once again this week leaving the QB responsibilities to PJ Walker. Walker has made a mess of it throwing by throwing and rushing for no scores, yet they somehow sneaked out 2 wins by a total of 4 combined points. Walker and the Browns are sure to be on the same page to try to get Amari Cooper the ball to establish any sort of offensive rhythm.
Sit – Geno Smith – Geno has to take on the Cleveland Browns defense that has been impressive to say the least. Geno has more turnovers than scores in his last 2 games. I think Cleveland will make this game difficult for Geno. Geno isn’t your worst option, but I can think of at least 15 better this week for fantasy.
Chiefs @ Broncos
Start – Isiah Pacheco – Almost any starter on the Chiefs is a starter this week. Give me Mahomes, Pacheco, Rice, Kelce, and Toney. All have potential to score. I chose Pacheco just because I don’t know what the weather holds in Denver this weekend and if it is snowy, I can imagine Pacheco will get a lot of work. Makes McKinnon a little more appealing as well.
Sit – Jerry Jeudy – Jeudy is in my sit spot for how many times now? Well, here we go again. The Broncos are averaging 21 points per game this season, but Jeudy has yet to score. Courtland Sutton seems to get the WR TDs on this team leaving Jerry to fend for receiving yards. Jeudy can be a passionate player, but I don’t think this is his game.
Ravens @ Cardinals
Start – Zay Flowers – The young WR has hit the ground running since being drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft this year. Flowers has between 48-78 receiving yards in every game thus far with 3 games being targeted 10 or more times. Lamar looking like the Lamar that is in a MVP race throwing multiple TDs in 3 games. Cardinals are somehow elite against opposing TEs this season but lay down for any other position.
Sit – Emari Demercado – Although the Cardinals seem to struggle with TEs, I can’t put Mark Andrews in the sit spot. So, let’s go with Emari Demercado. Not the worst option knowing he has had double digit carries in 2 of his previous 3 games, but don’t forget that current QB Dobbs has rushing abilities too going for 40+ rushing yards in 3 of his last 4.
Bengals @ 49ers
Start – George Kittle – The Bengals have struggled with TEs in fantasy this season leading me to believe that should continue this week with Kittle. Kittle can be hit or miss, for example he scored 3 TDs in week 5, then caught 1 pass for 1 yard in week 6 followed by a 78-yard performance in week 7. Purdy isn’t 100% and the weapons are endless leaving this game with a lot of questions. Start you stars and Kittle is a top 5 TE this week.
Sit – Joe Mixon – This could be a get right game for Mixon after he has produced less fantasy points than previous years. Joe has scored just 1 TD this season and he gets the 49ers. Ouch. A 49er team trying to snap their 2 game losing streak is going to be angry and take the running game away from Cinci.
Bears @ Chargers
Start – Justin Herbert – In Herbert’s last 3 games he has 4 TD passes, 2 rushing TDs, and 4 INTs. Well in his defense, he did play 3 top 10 defenses consecutively (plus BYE week) defending QBs. Herbert gets the Chicago Bears in LA this weekend where he should be successful. The Bear’s defense is allowing over 250 passing yards per game this season and also averaging 2 TD passes allowed per game.
Sit – D’Onta Foreman – Foreman scored 3 times in week 7 (2 rushing and 1 receiving). 31 carries for Foreman over the last 2 games. Roschon Johnson is expected to play this week after missing the last 2 games. Foreman might be moving up the depth chart but be cautious. They are playing the Chargers defense that allows yards through the air and on the ground. Tyson Bagent should be starting this week, and it will be interesting if he lets loose against the Chargers defense or hands it off in hopes he doesn’t have to do it all himself.
Raiders @ Lions
Start – Jared Goff – Goff is coming off an embarrassing loss to Baltimore and will need to play better. He gets Vegas in Detroit where Goff seems to play his best football. He has thrown 3 TD passes in 2 of his 3 home games and they will most likely emphasize the pass game with Montgomery most likely out. This should be a get right game in Detroit and get the Lions to 6 wins.
Sit – Josh Jacobs – Jacobs has double digit carries in all but 1 game this season, but he has only surpassed 70 yards rushing once which was 77. He had arguably the worst game of the season for him in week 7 rushing for 35 yards on 11 attempts and catching 1 of 4 passes for 6 yards. Things are not expecting to be much better against Detroit run defense. Lions are 2nd in the NFL allowing just under 77 rushing yards per game.