Fantasy Football: Week 8 Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em
Seven weeks of the NFL season are in the books, and we are halfway through fantasy football’s regular season. Bye weeks have started to roll in, and this week it's the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers who have a bye.
When setting your lineups for your Week 8 matchup, consider starting or sitting these players:
Start
Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets vs. New England Patriots
The Jets’ run game has carried them to a 5-2 start to the season. Michael Carter had a solid fantasy campaign last year, but the Jets drafted Breece Hall in the offseason and he quickly became the team’s lead ball carrier. Unfortunately, Hall suffered a torn ACL in last week's win over the Broncos.
After finding out that Hall would miss the rest of the season, the Jets traded for running back James Robinson. Robinson will likely still be learning Jets’ the playbook by gametime this week and will be in somewhat of a limited role, leaving Carter poised to head the Jets’ backfield this week.
Carter is in line to put up a solid fantasy performance and is a great spot start this week.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts
Terry McLaurin’s chemistry with the Commanders’ new starting quarterback Taylor Heinicke shined last week against the Packers, and he turned in his best fantasy performance of the season.
Going against one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander, McLaurin saw eight targets, catching five of them for 73 yards and a touchdown. His eight targets tied for the second most he’s had this season, and his touchdown catch was his first since Week 1.
With Heinicke remaining under center, expect McLaurin to turn in another good fantasy performance this week.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins vs. Detroit Lions
Tua Tagovailoa returned to action Sunday night against the Steelers after missing the previous two weeks with a concussion.
Going against one of the better defenses in the NFL, Tagovailoa turned in a decent fantasy performance. This week, he faces the Lions’ defense that has allowed the most points per game in the league.
Tagovailoa is one of the top quarterback plays this week, as his speedy star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle should torch the Lions’ defense on Sunday.
Sit
Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
The first few weeks of the season saw Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson split carries for the New England Patriots. However, Stevenson has begun to breakout, especially after Harris left Week 5’s game early with a hamstring injury. The same injury forced Harris to miss Week 6’s game as well.
Harris returned last week, but didn’t have much of a role. He logged only three carries and two targets, as opposed to Stevenson’s 11 carries and eight targets.
Stevenson has clearly taken over the Patriots’ backfield, and Harris should be left on benches this week.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants
Geno Smith has been one of the NFL’s biggest stories this season.
After the Seahawks traded star quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos, no one expected the Seahawks to do much this season. To everyone’s surprise, Smith has played better than Wilson and has the Seahawks in first place in the NFC West with a 4-3 record.
Although Smith has played well so far, his success won’t continue this week. His top wide receiver DK Metcalf left last week's game with a knee injury, and his availability for this week’s matchup is in doubt.
Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III has also begun to breakout since a season ending leg injury to running back Rashaad Penny, and the Seahawks have started to lean on the run game the last two weeks. Expect this to continue, and leave Smith on the bench this week.
Jonathan Hartley is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jdh6293@psu.edu.
