2014 Week 8 Fantasy Advice

Are we already halfway through this NFL season? Apparently we are, as I just checked the calendar and it's October 22nd. That's amazing considering this season has felt like it has been going on forever, but that may have something to do with the Jaguars being a partial disaster. 

Byes: NYG, SF

Who to Start: 

QB Russell Wilson (SEA) vs. CAR: Sure the Seahawks are slumping right now, but the Panthers are likely going to play the role of slump-buster on Sunday. The Panthers have allowed more than 37 points in 4 of their last 5 games this season, and the Seahawks offense could desperately use a jolt. Wilson is likely to be a major beneficiary of a secondary in flux.

RB Andre Ellington (ARZ) vs. PHI: As has been proven already this season, the Eagles are an absolute sieve against the run. Andre Ellington has been running at a very high level the last couple of weeks, so combine those two factors and you get a prime fantasy matchup.

WR Golden Tate (DET) vs. ATL: Sans Calvin Johnson, it looks like the Lions haven't missed a beat. Golden Tate has gotten the yards left in the Johnson vacuum, and this Sunday in London he gets to face another absolute sieve in the Falcons defense. Here's another must-start.

WR Mohamed Sanu (CIN) vs. BAL: Even though the Ravens have been stout against the run, their pass defense has been somewhat suspect. Without A.J Green for targets, Sanu could see similar to what he had been getting in the past couple of games (Carolina not Indy), and might have himself a good afternoon.

TE Greg Olsen (CAR) vs. SEA: The Seahawks defense has fallen off from last season's torrid pace, and it's nowhere more evident than in their defending of Tight Ends. It's been poor to say the least. Greg Olsen is one of the best Tight End's in football, so he could be in for a big day in a potential shootout.

DEF Miami vs. JAX: The Jaguars won in spite of a bit of an offensive disaster last week, and Miami's defense on its good days is pretty formidable. This could be a fantasy steal if you need it.

Who to Sit:

QB Matt Ryan (ATL) vs. DET: This game is not in the Georgia Dome, and Matt Ryan isn't the same quarterback away from the Dome. To add to the worries, the Lions defense is absolutely stout right now as one of the best in football. This has the potential to be an absolute beatdown.

RB Branden Oliver (SD) vs. DEN THU: Denver's rush defense is better at home than it is on the road, and while Oliver has done pretty well in the absence of the rest of San Diego's running backs, this is a tetchy matchup on Thursday night.

WR DeSean Jackson (WSH) vs. DAL MON: He's been up and down all season, partially because of his own form and also because he's had to catch passes from 3 different QB's this season. With Colt McCoy (!!!!!) starting, the concern for Jackson is amplified none the least due to Dallas still having a very good defense.

WR Percy Harvin (NYJ) vs. BUF: Yes, I didn't scratch him from the "Sit" list after he was traded so I apologize, but it doesn't change the fact that Harvin has now gone to a team with a downgrade at QB and is still run first. Starting him is a major gamble.

TE Martellus Bennett (CHI) vs. NE: I didn't want to believe that he was going to go into his usual October swoon, but he has. Since that's happened, and the Patriots are coming off a 10 day break, Bennett is not a good play in Foxborough on Sunday.

DEF Arizona vs. PHI: The Eagles offense could explode at any time, and despite the run defense being incredibly solid, the pass defense is exploitable. I'm a little nervous about starting the Cardinals despite my reservations about the Eagles as a whole.

3 Super Sleepers:

QB Alex Smith (KC) vs. STL: He's been solid if unspectacular all season, which is nice for the Chiefs and their fans but not great for fantasy owners. But the Rams defense has been nothing to write home about all season, so there's a chance for a possible breakthrough in the Battle for Missouri.

RB Lamar Miller (MIA) vs. JAX: He's started to catch fire pretty quickly due to his recent performances against Green Bay and Chicago, and despite the Jaguars doing a pretty good job against the run last week against Cleveland, injuries are starting to take a toll.

WR Sammy Watkins (BUF) vs. NYJ: The hero last week for the Bills has a chance to continue pretty good fantasy form against a Jets secondary that has been absolutely ravaged by injuries.

Buyer Beware:

QB Jay Cutler (CHI) vs. NE: Someone had compared him recently to Jeff George, and I'm starting to buy into those comparisons more. He's become woefully inconsistent, and even though he's not going up against a brutal matchup problem, he can still either have an amazing or completely terrible day. As of now, he's a risky start.

Good Luck in Week 8!