Scott Engel of RotoExperts.com has more than 20 years of experience in the Fantasy industry and is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. This is his seventh season providing Fantasy Football coverage and advice on Seahawks.com.
The Seahawks are one of four teams back in action after a bye, but the Fantasy challenges of teams being off continues. Four more teams have byes this week: The Chargers, Cowboys, Falcons and Titans. Most notably, we will be without the Fantasy services of Melvin Gordon, Ezekiel Elliott, Matt Ryan, Philip Rivers, Julio Jones and Keenan Allen. Here's some recommended starters and fill-ins for Week 8.
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert vs. Arizona: Buried on the San Francisco depth chart to begin the season, Mostert started to emerge for 146 yards on 19 carries over the past two games. Matt Breida may be out this week, so Mostert could see an increased workload against a Cardinals defense that allows 29.23 Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs, the most allowed on NFL.com Fantasy Football.
Chris Carson vs. Detroit: The resurgent Seahawks running game can be a help to Fantasy players looking for injury or bye week help. Carson has been running hard this season, breaking tackles and pushing defenders for additional yardage. The Lions allow 24.62 FFPG to opposing RBs, second highest among NFC teams.
Jalen Richard vs. Indianapolis: He has three games of six or more receptions so far and will play a bigger role with Marshawn Lynch out. Richard is now the Oakland RB of choice in Points Per Reception formats. The Colts have allowed 384 receiving yards to opposing running backs this season.
T.J. Yeldon vs. Philadelphia: The arrival of Carlos Hyde could mean less work for Yeldon soon, but this will be the first game that the ex-Brown plays for Jacksonville and Yeldon should still be the lead RB for this week. He will remain the prime pass-catcher out of the backfield also, and the Eagles have allowed 47 receptions to running backs, second highest among NFC teams. Yeldon is still a quality flex play in PPR leagues for Week 8.
Wide Receivers
Tyler Boyd vs. Tampa Bay: Boyd has not topped 45 receiving yards in two of his past three games, but overall he has risen to WR2 status in Fantasy so far this year. The Buccaneers seemed to be less leaky on defense last week, but the Bucs still have allowed 30.53 FFPG to opposing WRs, third most on NFL.com.
Taylor Gabriel vs. New York Jets: The occasional big-play man for the Falcons in the past, Gabriel has recently shown the ability to take on a larger role in a rising Chicago offense. The Jets have allowed 28.11 FFPG to opposing WRs, third most among AFC teams. Their secondary has been looking very vulnerable recently.
Marquise Goodwin vs. Arizona: Goodwin was quiet last week after a 126 yard, two-TD outing on October 15. Look for a rebound performance in what could be a rather high-scoring affair with Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 102 receptions to opposing wide receivers, second most among NFC teams. Goodwin is usually not a high volume WR, but he is C.J. Beathard's best playmaker at the position.
Christian Kirk vs. San Francisco: As you can see, we are featuring an NFC West matchup for Fantasy purposes this week. The rookie Kirk has ascended to being the most productive Fantasy receiver in Arizona. The shaky San Francisco pass defense presents a friendly matchup for Kirk, and it should also be noted the Niners have allowed nine TD passes to opposing wide receivers.
Tight Ends
David Njoku vs. Pittsburgh: The second-year pro has 22 receptions in his past four games and has scored in each of his past two outings. Njoku is showing that he has a consistent connection with QB Baker Mayfield, and the Steelers have allowed an AFC-high 10.97 FFPG to opposing TEs.
O.J. Howard vs. Cincinnati: Here is another second-year TE on the rise, and from a pure talent and potential perspective, Howard may have the most upside and promise of any young player at the position. No team has allowed more TE receptions (48) than the Bengals.
Quarterbacks
Mitchell Trubisky vs. New York Jets: Now in his second season, Trubisky has been in the midst of an impressive breakout stretch over the past three games. He has thrown for over 300 yards in each outing during that span with 11 TD passes. Two weeks ago, the Jets allowed 301 passing yards and four TDs to Indianapolis, and Trubisky certainly can approach 300-plus yards and two-plus TDs again.
Andy Dalton vs. Tampa Bay: From a Fantasy perspective, Dalton can be erratic and does not always take advantage of a prime matchup. But no team has yielded more FFPG to opposing QBs than the Buccaneers (27.15): Cincinnati does have the weaponry needed to overmatch the Tampa Bay secondary.
Seahawks Fantasy Focus
The Lions allow 122.3 rushing yards per game, 22nd in the league, so in addition to Carson, Mike Davis does deserve some flex consideration, especially in situations where you need an injury or bye week replacement. Also keep monitoring the progress of Rashaad Penny as a potential waiver add. Tyler Lockett has stamped himself as an every-week starter and a Fantasy WR regardless of matchup. Doug Baldwin was worked back into the offensive flow before the bye and should be back in Fantasy lineups as a WR3. Russell Wilson has remained very efficient even though the Seahawks have demonstrated a higher emphasis on the run recently. He has thrown three TD passes in each of his past two games and should be considered a solid starter this week. The Seahawks defense has been a Top 10 unit so far this year, and with K.J, Wright returning and the safeties playing very well, the unit could keep the score down in what may be a hard-fought, physical game. Also, TE Ed Dickson should make his Seahawks debut this week, and should be observed to see how he is incorporated into the flow of the offense. He does have potential to be a TE2 waiver add.
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The Seahawks and Lions face off for Monday Night Football on Sept. 30, 2024 at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 5:15 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Lions.