Fantasy Insider: Your Week 8 Survival Guide

Week 8 in Fantasy Football brings us the first of two consecutive major bye weeks. In each of the next two weeks, six teams will be off, making setting the ideal lineup a seemingly daunting challenge. But your opponents are often dealing with similar issues, so you may not be at such a disadvantage. Especially if you are well prepared, as we set you up for using the best possible streaming options. This week, we feature the best and most notable plug-in performers to suit your needs. As the Legion of Boom says in their pregame huddle: “Who’s got my back? I got your back!” Teams on bye this week: Arizona, Green Bay, Jacksonville, L.A. Rams, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee Running Backs Top Names to Replace: Leonard Fournette, Todd Gurley, Aaron Jones, DeMarco Murray Prime Fill-In Options Theo Riddick vs. PIT: The Lions are dealing with some injury issues at WR, and Riddick has already proved he can be a highly dependable option in the passing game when pressed into additional service. Now Riddick may be needed to step forward again, and the Steelers have allowed 40 receptions to running backs, second-most in the AFC. He’s a better start in PPR formats. Dion Lewis vs. LAC: Lewis appears to be emerging as the lead ball carrier for New England. He has 24 carries in the past two games and two TD runs in his past four. Patriots RBs are traditionally hard to trust in Fantasy Football, but you can utilize Lewis for a solid outing as a bye week option. The Chargers have allowed 864 rushing yards to RBs, second most in the NFL. Marlon Mack vs. CIN: The rookie is progressively morphing into the No. 1 Fantasy option for the Colts, and he can rip off a significant chunk gain any time he touches the ball. If the Colts are playing from behind, the Bengals have allowed 39 catches to opposing RBs, third-most in the AFC. Mack caught four passes for 40 yards in Week 7 against Jacksonville. Chris Thompson vs. DAL: He is an absolutely electric performer, the most dangerous receiving back in the league right now. The Washington offense has morphed into having a pass-heavy emphasis on RBs and TEs. Dallas has allowed 11 receiving TDs and Thompson should find the end zone again. Wide Receivers Top Names to Replace: Larry Fitzgerald, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams. Prime Fill-In Options Bennie Fowler vs. KC: Emmanuel Sanders may be unavailable again for the Broncos, and Fowler may be needed to step forward again. He had five catches last week and faces a Chiefs pass defense that allows 30.09 Fantasy Points Per Game on NFL.com to opposing WRs. Marcus Peters may be locked on Demaryius Thomas, leaving Fowler more room to work with. Josh Doctson vs. DAL: The second-year WR has flashed some big-play ability and may be on the verge of a breakout. He is only owned in three percent of NFL.com leagues, so add him and use him this week. There’s an opportunity to seize at WR in Washington and the Cowboys allow 23.07 FFPG to opposing WRs, third most in the NFC. Mohamed Sanu vs. NYJ: He doesn’t offer much statistical upside, but Sanu can certainly deliver respectable totals, especially in PPR formats. Sanu has caught five passes in three of five games played this year. The Jets allow 22.09 FFPG to opposing WRs, fourth most in the AFC. Travis Benjamin vs. NE: Benjamin is a big play artist who cannot be started consistently, but he has a matchup to take advantage of this week. The Patriots have allowed 1,400 receiving yards to opposing WRs, second-most in the NFL. Benjamin should be good for a big play this week and has a strong chance of registering a TD catch in a second consecutive game.Quarterbacks Top Names To Replace: There are none, as all but possibly Marcus Mariota are clear Fantasy backups. But there are other good streamers needed because of injuries in some cases. Prime Fill-In Options Philip Rivers vs. NE: He has four games with at least two TD passes and a pair of 300-yard outings this year. The Patriots allow the most FFPG to opposing QBs on NFL.com (23.17). Rivers has a deep receiving crew that will certainly challenge the New England defense. Andy Dalton vs. IND: He is a very popular pick across the Fantasy industry this week. Some believe he is a Top 10 starter for Week 8. The Colts allow 19.21 FFPG to opposing QBs, second-most in the AFC. The Dalton to A.J. Green connection is going to be big this week. Tight Ends, Kickers & Defense/Special Teams The Browns allow the most FFPG to TEs among AFC teams (11.13), so be confident in using Kyle Rudolph. … Tyler Kroft has three TD receptions and could provide another against the Colts. … The Saints’ aggressive defense should fare very well Fantasy wise against Chicago. … The Steelers are a solid choice against Detroit. … Former Seahawk Stephen Hausckha is a top-level start and Chandler Catanzaro is a somewhat overlooked option. Seahawks Fantasy Focus Russell Wilson is a must start against a Texans defense that has allowed 10 passing TDs and also two rushing scores to opposing QBs. … Houston has allowed only 56 receptions to opposing WRs, fourth best in the NFL, but Doug Baldwin should be locked in to your lineup no matter who he faces. … Paul Richardson is a quality bye week filler for his big play ability in any matchup. … Jimmy Graham has scored in two consecutive games and will continue to get frequent looks near the goal line. … Blair Walsh could be good for two to three field goals this week … Deshaun Watson has been terrific so far, but the Seahawks defense is a must-start at home vs. any opponent. Bobby Wagner and a tone-setting defensive line should hold the Hosuton running game down, and the secondary can limit big plays, keeping the score down somewhat.

Fantasy Insider: Your Week 8 Survival Guide

Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com previews Week 8 around the NFL from a fantasy football perspective.