Week 8 Loves & Hates
Loves
QBs
Carson Wentz (Eagles)- The number 7 QB this season is Wentz, who gets a Cowboys team that has been beaten up in recent weeks. No matter who Wentz has had to throw to this season, all he has done is put up big numbers. Through all the injuries to the wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends, Wentz has been able to cover up the Eagle’s deficiencies. The Cowboys have one of the worst defenses in the NFL across the board. The Cowboys are 23rd against QBs, 24th for RBs, 25th for WRs, and 23rd for TEs. These rankings paint a picture of a defense that can be shredded. Further, the Cowboys have allowed on average 20.71 points to QBs. With Travis Fulgham being a steady contributor, the two should be able to tear apart the Cowboys defense.
Dereck Carr (Raiders)- This game against the Browns has the makings to be a high scoring affair. Both defenses are poor when it comes to defending opposing QBs and WRs. The Browns last week were in a shootout with the Bengals, and I see this game playing out the same way. To put this in perspective the Browns are 25th against QBs (averaging 21.27 points) and 31st for WRs (averaging 46.71), with Carr connecting with Nelson Agholor, Darren Waller, and Henry Ruggs the Raiders offense should be able to put up big numbers on the Browns. On the flip side, the Browns with Jarvis Landry, Kareem Hunt, and Rashard Higgins led by Baker Mayfield should also be able to put up some big numbers as well. The Raiders are 29th against QBs and 22nd for WRs. In a shootout I would take Carr before Mayfield, not only because I think Carr is the better QB, but also because the offensive talent for the Raiders is more explosive.
RBs
Jonathon Taylor (Colts)- If you are looking for one of the most consistent options at RB, then you need Taylor. In his rookie season, Taylor has shown how good of a runner he is, but he has also refined his pass catching abilities. This development has made Taylor an asset for the Colts, who should look to him early and often during this game. The Colts face off against the Lions this week who are one of the worst teams at defending RBs. The Lions currently rank 28th and have allowed on average 98 rushing yards and a touchdown, while also giving up 37 receiving yards. With the strength of the Colts team being their defense, I would expect them to get up early and lean on Taylor to chew the clock. Even in a close game the Colts should look to Taylor as they have done this season.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs)- I am not expecting the Jets to make this game a replica of last week. I see the Chiefs and their high powered offense scoring almost at will against this bad Jets team, one that the Bills struggled against. What is also telling is how the Jets have allowed on average 105 yards rushing and a touchdown, and 42 receiving yards to RBs. These stats rank the Jets 26th, and give me confidence that Edwards-Helaire should continue with a strong rookie campaign. So plug Edwards-Helaire into your line-ups.
WRs
Travis Fulgham (Eagles)- As I stated above the Cowboys defense is bad. With the chemistry between Wentz and Fulgham strengthening each week, this is a pair that I feel confident in. Over the past three weeks Fulgham has been targeted 34 times; this is the most on the team. I would expect this trend to continue, as Fulgham has been one of the only reliable targets that Wentz has had to throw to. With the Cowboys being very susceptible to passing touchdowns (tied for most this season with 12), they have also allowed 41.45 points to opposing WRs. Fulgham should be able to take advantage of this matchup.
Tyler Boyd (Bengals)- This season has showed that Boyd has officially taken over the WR1 duties for the Bengals, and they look better because of it. With Boyd being a go to target for Joe Burrow I expect him to be heavily involved in this game, not to mention it is a solid matchup for him. Tennessee is the 29th ranked team against opposing WRs, and have allowed on average 46.00 points. With Tee Higgins and A.J. Green looking like true compliments, there is no way the Titans should be able to stop Boyd and his fellow receivers.
Brandon Aiyuk (49ers)- With the 49ers being as banged up as they are, and Aiyuk showing his versatility, I bet Kyle Shanahan has a plan. Deebo Samuel is hurt, stop me if you have heard this one before, and so are two running backs. I know I am completely shocked. Aiyuk is more explosive than Samuel and a better receiver. In previous games, Coach Shanahan has called designed run plays and Aiyuk has delivered by scoring multiple touchdowns. One of the only WRs in the league with multiple rushing TDs. Due to their lack of depth at RB and Coach Shanahan’s creativity, I see Aiyuk being heavily involved in this game.
TEs
Jonnu Smith (Titans)- The Bengals this season have been sneaky good in some defensive metrics, but one where they are a bottom feeder is against TEs. Luckily for the Titans Smith is quite good as a pass catcher, and healthy (as he doesn’t have an injury designation this week). Earlier this season Smith was getting a lot of targets, and was converting those for yards, and more importantly touchdowns. Lately, Smith has seen a dip in his targets, one because of his injury against the Texans, and two he had a harder matchup against the Steelers. With the Bengals being better against WRs, Ryan Tannehill should look for his TE because of the Bengals inability to cover them.
Mike Gesicki (Dolphins)- With how strong the Rams defense is there is one spot that is susceptible, and that is the TE position. Gesicki has a unique athletic profile, as he was a former volleyball player and not a basketball player. Some numbers to consider, the Rams have allowed on average 54 yards to TEs, and have allowed 4 TDs. A couple of things that could hold back Gesicki is Tua Tagovailoa making his first start, and TE Adam Shaheen stealing the touchdown targets, which he has done. So this one is a boom-or-bust play so take this with some caution.
D/ST
Colts- I don’t know about all of you, but the Colts having the 2nd ranked defense for fantasy this season was something I did not see coming. This team is aggressive at multiple levels and ranks in the top 5 against QBs, RBs, and TEs, while being 14th against WRs. Not to mention that Darius Leonard is back practicing this week, which is a good sign for the Colts. Having Leonard back will be helpful in limiting T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift. If the Colts get the Lions to become one dimensional then this game could really get out of hand.
Hates
QB
Josh Allen (Bills)- Although Allen was able to put up a lot of yards, both through the air and on the ground, he had a pretty lack luster day. This week he gets a Patriots team that will be a tougher opponent, plus this is a divisional game. The Patriots rank 4th and allow on average 14.25 points to opposing QBs. With Allen being the top player on the Bills, I would expect the Patriots to focus their attention on him, by limiting his ability to run. Based on what happened last week and how the Patriots play, I don’t think Allen can produce a strong performance.
RB
Ronald Jones (Buccaneers)- This season we not only have a congested backfield for the Patriots, but now there is one for the Buccaneers. It’s almost like Tom Brady likes this type of think. Jones looked to be the bell-cow this season, then the team went out and signed Leonard Fournette. Although for a few weeks Fournette was out due to injury or playing a very limited role, he is back and muddying up the backfield. Last week when the Bucs played the Raiders and Jones was primed for a big day. The Raiders are one of the worst teams against RBs, with only the Packers being worse, and Jones had been playing great. Then Bruce Arians gave more touches to Fournette. This game saw Jones register 10.60 points, while Fournette got 15.70. I know the Giants are not great against RBs, as they allow 25.51 points and rank 23rd, but the question is who gets the touches?
WR
D.K. Metcalf (Seahawks)- Is it possible for Metcalf to have two bad weeks in a row? The matchup this week is not looking favorable. The 49ers continue to produce a stifling defense, regardless of the injuries that they have sustained on the defensive side of the ball. The 49ers are 8th against QBs (allowing 16.13 points) and 5th against WRs (allowing 30.39 points). With how Robert Saleh has crafted this defense and how aggressive he is, I would not expect Metcalf to get loose and have these big explosive plays.
TE
Tyler Higbee/Rams TEs (Rams)- What if I told you the Dolphins have one of the better defenses in the league when it comes to defending the pass? Now, what if I told you they are 3rd against TEs, would you believe me? Well you should. This defense for the Dolphins has allowed 7.72 points to TEs this season. The Dolphins have given up just 20 receptions for 212 yards, with no touchdowns. This does not bode well for Higbee (if he is healthy) or any of the other TEs for the Rams. To me people may think this is an easy start or even a lock, but I am trying to counsel you against this. Higbee and the Rams TEs have had flashes and it is understandable why you would want to play them, because they are playing the Dolphins. However, this week I wouldn’t.
Comments
Post a Comment