Week 8 is here, and surprisingly, there is not a single team on a Bye this week. We have full rosters and definitely some tricky start and sit options. So who are the best options for fantasy football lineups? Let The League Winners contributors help you out this week!
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 8 – Start
Dameon Pierce, RB – Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers (Sheldon Hand)
The sophomore RB has been awful this year, in fact Dameon Pierce only has two games with double digit fantasy points. Devin Singletary was actually on the field for more snaps last game, but Pierce still had more carries. Why should you trust him this week? Well, the Panthers are giving up the second-most fantasy points to the RB position this year. The Texans defense should be able to control the Panthers poor offense, which should result in Pierce getting more work. To be honest, this is Pierce’s last chance, if he can’t produce in this game I wouldn’t bother rostering him anymore. I expect a TD and his first 100 yard game of the season.
Zay Flowers, WR – Baltimore Ravens at Arizona Cardinals (Harry Prskalo)
Zay Flowers has been averaging about 13 fantasy points per game so far this season. I expect for him to crush that number going against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals allow teams to score so much against them, allowing 26+ points in four games this year. The Ravens just scored 38 point against the Lions. The Cardinals allow the 7th-most passing yards a game, and if Lamar Jackson keeps playing how he is, Flowers is a must start in this matchup.
Javonte Williams, RB – Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Mikey Cannavo)
Javonte Williams just saw his season high in snaps, carries, and rushing yards. Subsequently, he is facing his divisional rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, who have given up 16.8 PPG to running backs over the last three games. With an increasing workload for Javonte, I’m hopeful for him to have a good game in what is expected to be a one sided event.
Nico Collins, WR – Houston Texans at Carolina Panthers (Erika Brown)
Just like Sheldon is high on one Texan this week, I’m high on their WR1 this season, Nico Collins. Unexpectedly, Collins is a top 12 wide receiver so far into the season. Stroud is feeding him the ball and stretching the field for Collins, who is averaging 18.9 yards per reception. While the Carolina defense can be a stingy one, only giving up one touchdown through the air, Collins is still Stroud’s go-to guy. If this offense wants to keep up the momentum, they will find a way to get Collins the ball, no matter what.
Fantasy Football Start or Sit Week 8 – Sit
Marquise Brown, WR – Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sheldon Hand)
Unless you play full point PPR, I would look to pivot away from Marquise Brown this week. The Ravens are the 5th-best defense against fantasy WRs. They are coming off a week where they kept the high flying Lions offense to just six points. There is a chance that the former Raven racks up points in garbage time, but with all the Cardinals injuries the Ravens focus will be to shutdown Brown.
Matthew Stafford, QB – Los Angeles Rams at Dallas Cowboys (Harry Prskalo)
We have not seen a Top-13 finish yet for Matthew Stafford, and this week should be the same. The Rams face off against the Cowboys this week and it is not a matchup you would want for your QB. The Dallas Cowboys allow the 2nd-fewest passing yards to opposing QBs. Stafford has had more two interception games, than two touchdowns games this season. I am sitting Stafford until he shows us something.
Tyler Lockett, WR – Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns (Mikey Cannavo)
Najee Harris, RB – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Erika Brown)
Najee Harris had his best fantasy output last week against the Rams, scoring a whopping 15.8 PPR fantasy points. Even with the touchdown on the ground, Harris was outside of the top 12 RBs for the week. The Steelers go into Jacksonville looking and feeling like a broken offense who are squeaking together wins. Harris faces a tougher defense that has only allowed a single touchdown on the year. He also has running back Jaylen Warren at his heels, splitting the snaps fairly evenly. Sit Harris this week, especially with so many teams playing, pivot options are abundant.
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.