Happy week 8 of the 2024 NFL season! 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).
The Thursday Night Football game tomorrow is between the 5-1 Minnesota Vikings and the 2-4 LA Rams. The Vikings are favored by 3 points while the total over/under is currently 48.5. I think we see big nights by Cooper Kupp and Justin Jefferson. My prediction for this game is a Vikings win by a score of 27-24.
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 – Cooper Kupp – Cooper Kupp is officially healthy enough to play this Thursday, and his name has been in a lot of team’s mouths looking to acquire the stud WR. Assuming no crazy trades happen before Thursday night, Kupp is in line for a great game. Matthew Stafford loves to target Kupp and that is noticeable as he targeted Kupp 21 times in week 1 which is the only full game he has played. The Vikings have struggled with opposing WRs this season which is evident last week when Amon-Ra St. Brown lit them up. The Vikings have allowed a WR to reach 100 receiving yards and a TD in 3 consecutive games.
Sit – Ty Chandler – We know Aaron Jones is the guy in Minnesota pounding the rock, but he has been dealing with some hamstring issues. Even with injury lingering, Chandler has not cashed in on being a reliable handcuff. Chandler has a good week 2 with 82 rushing yards but that is by far his best performance. He has not surpassed 30 rushing yards and/or 10 receiving yards in a game since week 2. Unless Jones somehow misses the game, Chandler should be benched.
Last night we saw the Rams beat the Vikings. The Rams were underdogs and the Vikings had just 1 loss. That gives the Vikings a second consecutive loss and gives the Rams their second consecutive victory. Justin Jefferson shined for Minnesota while Matthew Stafford threw 4 TD passes, Puka Nacua looked better than ever, and Kyren Williams nearly hit 100 rushing yards. Vikings take on the Colts next week while the Rams get Seattle.
Some of the games I am looking forward to most in week 7 include the Eagles/Bengals, the Cardinals/Dolphins, and the Cowboys/49ers. Burrow vs Hurts in Cinci. The return of Tua in Miami. And will the 49ers get back to .500 or will the Cowboys get above .500?
START OF THE WEEK
Start – Jordan Love – Love has been slinging the ball this season and is on a 3-game winning streak. He has only lost 2 games this season by a combined 7 points. Although he has missed 2 games this season, he is tied for 2nd in the NFL in passing TDs with 15. He is also 2nd in passing yards per game with 270. Since week 2 concluded, opposing QBs have absolutely lit up the Jags defense. Those next 5 games for the Jags have resulted in opposing QBs throwing for 15 passing TDs and just 1 INT. Love should be excited.
Jets @ Patriots
Start – Davante Adams – Adams had a pedestrian first game with the Jets in week 7 but there is a lot of hope he goes off this week. Adams and Rodger’s have chemistry from previous years in Green Bay and Rodger’s did target him 9 times in his first game back with him. He may have only caught 3 of the 9 targets, but it should only get better as long as he stays healthy. He is a top target with Garrett Wilson who both should be getting extra defensive attention.
Sit – Demario Douglas – Demario had a great week 6 with Maye under center, but regressed in week 7 when you would think with the matchup he would have had a better day. He was only targeted 3 times last game and this week he has a tough New York Jets pass defense to go against. If you need a pass catcher in this game Hunter Henry might be a good look as he seems to be Mayes favorite target.
Eagles @ Bengals
Start – Jalen Hurts – Hurts takes on the Bengals this week after a big win over the Giants last weekend. Hurts did not need to do much but ended up with a passing TD and 2 rushing TDs. The Bengals only had to deal with Deshaun Watson and Daniel Jones the last 2 weeks, but prior to that QBs had been lighting them up. Hurts also has been playing better not turning the ball over in consecutive games.
Sit – Zach Moss – Zach Moss has been fading toward the background while Chase Brown has been making his way to the front of the RB line. Moss has not had double digit carries since week 4 and his receptions are the only stat that has not started deteriorating. The Philadelphia Eagles defense has only allowed 3 rushing TDs this season and only 1 of those TDs has been a RB. I do not like Moss or Brown in this game, but Brown is slightly favored.
Packers @ Jaguars
Start – Jordan Love – SEE START OF THE WEEK TOP OF PAGE
Sit – Christian Kirk – Kirk had 88 receiving yards back in week 5 on 4 receptions. Since he has 3 receptions for 39 yards and then 1 reception for 24 yards. The emergence of rookie Brian Thomas Jr and the comeback of Evan Engram have affected Kirk and his volume. Even Gabe Davis has gotten in on the action lately. Green Bay defense is better against the pass than the run so I would steer clear from Kirk unless desperate.
Titans @ Lions
Start – Amon-Ra St. Brown – St. Brown has scored in 4 consecutive games for Detroit and even has a passing TD on his resume. Jameson Williams is set to miss this week and next week. That should give St. Brown even more volume in the offense this week. If you take Jameson Williams out of the equation, this season Amon-Ra has 28 more targets than next best Jahmyr Gibbs. St. Brown is heavily relied upon and this week that reliance should only grow.
Sit – Tyjae Spears – Spears has been dealing with a hamstring injury that made him miss last weeks game. This week he is questionable but even if he was a full go I would be very hesitant. The Lions defense has clamped down on opposing RBs this season. Only Aaron Jones last week and Kenneth Walker in week 4 had the Lions not contain RBs. Tony Pollard is RB1 and should be getting the majority of touches. I would stay clear from almost all Titans.
Falcons @ Buccaneers
Start – Drake London – London has been terrific for Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta offense. Over his last 5 games Drake has averaged over 10 targets per game. He also has 6+ receptions in 6 consecutive games. He went off for 154 receiving yards just 3 weeks ago when he faced the Tampa defense for the first time this season. I do not believe Kirk will throw for 500 yards this time around, but London has been eating and Kirk will keep feeding him.
Sit – Baker Mayfield – Baker threw for 3 TDs against the Falcons just weeks ago but this time things are different. He had 180 passing yards in that game as well. If you take away Mike Evan’s and Chris Godwin from that game, you take away 2 passing TDs and 126 of his 180 passing yards. His top 2 pass catchers will not be playing and the Falcons should be ready for what is coming. I like Kirk slightly more than Baker this week.
Cardinals @ Dolphins
Start – Tyreek Hill – Tua is back and that means Hill is back. It is a night and day difference in Tyreek Hills stats when Tua is behind center targeting him. His lone 100+ receiving yard game came in week 1with Tua. Both Waddle and Hill ended up on the injury report yesterday, but I do not see Hill missing this game. I do not know who is more excited for the game, Tyreek, or his fantasy owners. Hill should be in for a massive game against the Cardinals.
Sit – Marvin Harrison Jr – Maybe this will be a reverse jinx type of situation, but Harrison has been held in check for multiple weeks now. The stud rookie receiver had 4 receiving TDs after the first 4 weeks of the season. He played 2 of the next 3 games and tallied just 5 receptions for 57 yards. Worth noting that Kyler Murray has not surpassed 1 passing TD in a game since week 2. The Miami defense has also only allowed 2 WRs to score on the entire season. Those went to DK Metcalf and Brian Thomas Jr in their first 3 games with none since.
Ravens @ Browns
Start – Zay Flowers – After suffering an ankle injury last week, this could be a great bounce back game for Zay if he is healthy enough to give it his all. The Browns are one of the worst defenses this season defending the pass, so I figure the Ravens will attack that weakness along with running with Henry. Zay had back-to-back 100+ receiving yard games prior to his injury last week.
Sit – Jerome Ford – A more obvious sit here, especially with the comeback of Nick Chubb. If that were not enough to deter you from playing Ford against the Ravens, knowing they are not the only 2 RBs playing decent snaps might. Pierre Strong Jr and D’Onta Foreman are in the picture as well. It is not easy to run on the Ravens to begin with, but that RBBC is too crowded.
Colts @ Texans
Start – Joe Mixon – Mixon has played in 4 games this season because he missed weeks 3-5. In those 4 games he has surpassed 100+ rushing yards in 3 of them and scored 5 total TDs. He is coming off a 25 carry game which isn’t even his season high. His season high was 30 carries, and he also has 2+ receptions in all 4 games he’s played. Colts will have their hands full in this one:
Sit – Michael Pittman Jr – Pittman has not scored a TD with Anthony Richardson throwing to him this season, but did score in back-to-back weeks with Richardson out. Last time these teams played in week 1 Pittman salvaged 4 receptions for 31 yards. Pittman has a floor of about 3 receptions this season, but his ceiling is shrinking rather than expanding. He is getting to be TD dependent.
Saints @ Chargers
Start – JK Dobbins – Dobbins rushed for 40 yards and caught a few passes for 26 receiving yards last week in a low scoring loss. Dobbins has not played a bottom 10 defense against opposing RBs since the first 2 weeks of the season. In those 2 weeks JK popped off for 130+ yards rushing in each with a TD in each as well. The Saint’s defense has allowed opposing teams to score 2 rushing TDs in 4 of their last 5 games. Dobbins should get plenty of volume.
Sit – Chris Olave – Pains me to put such a talented WR in this spot, but Olave has been struggling on the field and with his injuries. He has been practicing in full so should be good to go. I like 30 WRs ahead of Chris this week. Olave is working with a rookie QB, and he has just 3 receptions for 15 yards since his 3 games where he consecutively hit 80+ receiving yards.
Bills @ Seahawks
Start – Kenneth Walker III – Walker is in for a great matchup against the Bills defense. Their defense has been pretty good, but has struggled defending opposing RBs. Walker has 6 total TDs in his last 4 games played and if you want to beat the Bills you better get the run game going. The talented back also plays a role in the pass catching game which could be elevated even more with the doubtfulness of DK Metcalf.
Sit – Seattle D/ST – A rather easy choice here to sit Seattle. The Bills are averaging 25 points per game the last 3 weeks while the Seahawks defense is averaging 30 points allowed per game in their last 4. Josh Allen has looked good and has weapons around him.
Bears @ Commanders
Start – D’Andre Swift – Swift has been one of the hottest RBs in the game with his surge of stats from week 4 to week 6 before their BYE last week. Swifts average for those 3 games came out to 18 carries, 85 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 4 receptions, and 49 receiving yards. I think the Bears will want to run the ball as much as they can in this game to keep Swift going.
Sit – Rome Udonze – The rookie WR has not made the impact he was hoping to at this point in the season. He did have a momentous week 3 when he surpassed 100 receiving yards and scored his first and only NFL TD. If we take out week 3 stats, Udonze does not have a game with more than 40 receiving yards. DJ Moore and Keenan Allen have gotten more attention from Caleb Williams and like I said above, the Bears should look to push the run game more.
Panthers @ Broncos
Start – Javonte Williams – Javonte has a great matchup last week and he blew it out of the water rushing for 88 yards and catching all 3 of his targets for an additional 23 yards. He also scored his first and second TDs of the season. Well this week is an even better matchup for Williams. The Panthers have been the worst team defending opposing RBs. Teams have lit up the Panthers with RBs and that should continue this weekend.
Sit – Xavier Lagette – Nothing against the rookie WR, just a bad matchup and scenario. Yes, Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are both OUT, but even with Lagette as the top pass catcher, I do not trust anyone with Bryce Young at QB. Not only has Bryce Young played terribly, this is against the Broncos whose defense has been top notch this season. I am avoiding every Panther not named Hubbard.
Chiefs @ Raiders
Start – Kareem Hunt – Hunt has been the workhorse RB for the Chiefs since joining the team in time for week 4. This might also be his last game before Isaiah Pacheco returns to playing. Either way he has a great matchup this week after averaging 90 rushing yards in his last 2 games and scoring 3 rushing TDs as well. Keep in mind that Las Vegas just allowed Kyren Williams to score twice last game and rush for 76 yards.
Sit – Zamir White – White has not done much this season and now Alexander Mattison has been the dominant RB in Vegas. He also has a terrible matchup with Kansas City. Only Raider I want any part of this week is Brock Bowers.
Cowboys @ 49ers
Start – Brock Purdy – Purdy struggles last week throwing 3 INTs in a frustrating loss to the Chiefs. What better way to return to form than playing the Cowboys on SNF. Dallas likes to get in their own way, and I am sure Purdy will help take them down. Purdy has thrown for over 200 passing yards in every game this season and has double digit rushing yards in every game this season. The 49ers are without Brandon Aiyuk moving forward, but they still have plenty of weapons including Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Jordan Mason, and Jauan Jennings. Purdy just needed to stop throwing INTs and he should be good to go.
Sit – Dak Prescott – Dak is no where to be found in the top 15 fantasy QBs this season. Now he takes on a hostile 49ers team in prime time in San Francisco. Dak will have his hands full. He usually gets CeeDee Lamb involved early, but then it is like the defense adjusts or something changes limiting CeeDee’s upside after the 1st quarter. I think the 49ers will have a good showing facing the Cowboys and make life not easy for Dak who has thrown 4 INTs in his last 2 games played.
Giants @ Steelers
Start – George Pickens – We have seen what Pickens is capable of on any game day. With Russell Wilson throwing to him he caught 5 of his 9 targets for 111 receiving yards and a TD. That was his first TD of the season and his second time eclipsing 100 receiving yards. AJ Brown just had a TD and 89 yards receiving against the Giants.
Sit – Tyrone Tracy Jr – Tyrone was just bottled up by the Eagles defense and now gets another tough rush defense in the Steelers. The Steelers have not allowed an opposing player to rush for 40 yards in their last 2 games which included Breece Hall and Alexander Mattison,