Fantasy Football Week 8: Start’em / Sit’em
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Sit’em
QB
Matt Ryan DET (70%, 17) – The Falcons O-line is awful and the Lions D-line is dominant. Could be a long day for Ryan who has had two bad games in a row against mediocre D-lines.
Cam Newton SEA (58%, 18) – He’s running more the last two weeks, but against Seattle’s speedy defense I don’t think the read option will be as effective. The Panther’s O-line can’t block anyone, they have no running game outside of Newton, and Cam hasn’t thrown for 300 yards all season. It’s those aren’t enough reasons, I have a hunch the Seahawks defense responds to all the recent criticism with a statement game.
Ben Roethlisberger IND (19%, 17) – The Colts are giving up the 2nd fewest points to opposing QBs this year. I’m not sure how, since their defense doesn’t look like much on paper. They are coming off a shutout of a solid Bengals offense last week and I am still wary of the Steelers after Jacksonville shut them down in week 6.
RB
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Mark Ingram GB (24%, 12) – I like Ingram and am not overreacting to the Lions shutting him down last week, I just don’t trust the Saints carry distribution. Travaris Cadet is getting more touches lately, Khiry Robinson is still around, and I just don’t know if Ingram will get the ball enough to be worth a spot in my starting lineup.
Steven Jackson DET (23%, 9) – Arguably the worst starting RB in the league against the best run D in the league. No thanks.
Jonathan Stewart SEA (20%, 11) – Remember when J-Stew was good? Yeah, me neither.
Anthony Dixon @NYJ (15%, 12) – I like Dixon and think he could surprise if given enough carries, but with the uncertainty surrounding the carry distribution between Dixon and Bryce Brown I am wary of starting either of them against a solid Jets run D. The Jets D has given up three consecutive 20+ fantasy games to running backs Brandon Oliver, Ronnie Hillman, and Shane Vereen, but all three are smallish quick backs while Dixon is a large (6’1, 233) power back. The Jets D-line is the strength of their team and even if Dixon gets the majority of the carries I don’t think he will find much success between the tackles.