Fantasy Football Week 8: Start’em / Sit’em

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Last week: 31-7, Season: 147-72-28 (67%)

Fantasy Football Week 7 Picks Recap: 

After posting my worst picks of the season back in week 6 (50%), I bounced back last week with my best picks (82%) since I started this column back in 2013 and a much needed confidence boost.

My start’em picks (14-6) were solid with a few players crushing their projected point totals: Danny Woodhead (+19), Todd Gurley (+15), Stefon Diggs (+14), Ryan Tannehill (+13), and Ladarius Green (+11).

Most of my misses were pretty close to their projected point totals except for Rashad Jennings (-6) and Julius Thomas (-8). I’m officially staying away from the Giants backfield the rest of the year. Orleans Darkwa?

After getting just one of my sit’em picks right in week 6, I did the opposite in week 7 and got only one wrong (17-1). I continue to be wrong about old Chris Johnson (+7) and will probably just accept that he’s good again moving forward. My best sit’em picks were Jordan Matthews (-12), Golden Tate (-11), Sam Bradford (-10), Carlos Hyde (-8), Alfred Morris (-8), and Vincent Jackson (-8).

Fantasy Football Week 8 Picks:

Note: Only players started in less than 75% of Yahoo leagues will be eligible for the start’em category. The purpose of this column is advice on players that might not be every week starters. I’ll usually list at least one “Deep Sleeper” pick for players started in less than 10% of Yahoo leagues who I think are under-projected.

If you have questions about specific players, hit me up on Twitter or in the comment section and I will get back to you before this weekends games. Good luck in your fantasy match-ups this week and go Bears!

Start’em

Quarterback

Philip Rivers, @BAL (71%, 20) – The Ravens secondary hasn’t been able to stop anybody all season and Rivers should be able to pick them apart this week.

Carson Palmer, @CLE (67%, 17) – Has had at least 17 fantasy points in every game this season and the Browns pass defense is mediocre. Palmer is a safe start this week with the upside for 20+ fantasy points.

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Ryan Tannehill, @NE (39%, 17) – Finally had the breakout game fantasy owners expected earlier this year. Tannehill had four TDs in the first half last week before shutting it down in the 2nd half. The Phins will need a full game from Tannehill this week to keep up with the Pats offense and he should put up 20+ fantasy points easy. The Pats overall D has been solid, but they are giving up the 6th most fantasy points to QBs.

Joe Flacco, SD (22%, 15) – The Chargers pass defense has been brutal this season, Derek Carr lit them up last week for three TDs and Flacco could do the same in week 8.

Next: Start'em: Running Backs