If you are reading this, you survived the torturous Week 7 Byenado! WELL DONE! And hopefully, you made it through with a win. If not, I am here with Starts and Sits Week 8 to help you get back on track.

The Ravens and Raiders are on Bye this week, so Tight Ends Waller and Andrews will not be available in starting line-ups, Waller was injured, and Andrews was TE19 in Week 7. 

Starts and Sits Week 8 Quarterbacks

My top-ranked Quarterbacks for Week 8 are:

1. Allen vs MIA
2. Mahomes vs NYG
3. Murray vs GB
4. Stafford @ HOU
5. Prescott @ MIN

Start QB 1- Daniel Jones

The Chiefs have not been themselves of late, but we have to expect them to get right soon, if this happens in week 8 then the game script will be favourable for Daniel Jones. The Chiefs are allowing an average of 24 fantasy points and are ranked 2nd worst against the QB position. Jones should have some of his receiving options return from injury this week, I believe his floor will be 19 Fantasy points (4 points per passing touchdown). 

Start QB 2- Kirk Cousins

Cousins and the Vikings face an in-form Dallas Cowboys in week 8. However, the Vikings are coming off their bye and have home-field advantage, a shootout is expected with a projected points total of 54. With the Cowboys being ranked 27th against the QB position I feel Cousins and Co will feast, a confident starter in week 8.

Sit QB 1- Tyler Heinicke

Heinicke and The Washington Football team are on the road to face a stingy Denver Broncos Defence, they are only allowing an average of 14 fantasy points per game. Against stiffer opposition this year Heinicke has struggled, in week 1 vs LAC, he scored 10 pts and in week 5 vs NO he scored 9 pts. Sharper analysts have him as a good starter but for me, he is a sit.

Sit QB 2- Mac Jones

Refreshed from a week off, this Chargers D will be ready to shut down Rookie QB Mac Jones, the Chargers are one of the top 5 Defences against quarterback scoring this year and I imagine this trend continues into week 8. I project him to score between 13 to 16 fantasy points. 

Starts and Sits Week 8 Running Backs

My top-ranked Running Backs for Week 8 are:

1. Henry @ IND
2. Cook vs DAL
3. Elliott @ MIN
4. Taylor vs TEN
5. Ekeler vs NE

Start RB 1- Joe Mixon

The Bengals are ticking on both sides of the ball, defensively they have surprised me this year. Offensively they have proven that they can run the ball and beat you through the air. If game planned correctly the Bengals will lean on Mixon this week, they face a woeful Jets run defence that is ranked 32nd and is leaking 34 points to running backs per game.

Start RB 2- D’Andre Swift

D’Andre Swift has emerged as the alpha back we all prayed for when he was drafted by the Lions. Swift has had his shackles removed, but it’s not all been roses. He is only averaging 3.3 yards per carry on the year but his involvement in the passing game has increased his production, he’s averaged 19.66 over the past 3 games. The Eagles are ranked 29th against the run and have struggled of late so fire up Swift without fear.

Start RB 3- Damien Harris

Harris has had back-to-back 100-yard games against the Cowboys and the Jets and there is every chance he makes is 3 in a row. The Patriots philosophy this year is hand off to Harris, pass to White/Bolden then throw. Up against the Chargers this week who are allowing 26.33 fantasy points to the RB position, he should bag you between 14 to 16 points.

Sit RB 1- Mike Davis

3 reasons why you do not start Davis in week 8. Firstly, the Panthers are the No.1 ranked defence against the run. Secondly, Matt Ryan has a new shiny toy in Karl Pitts and finally, he is losing out to C. Patterson. Patterson isn’t just the passing down back, Patterson out-snapped Davis and had 10 more carries than Davis in week 7.  

Sit RB 2- Miles Gaskin

This is the trap of the week, whilst Gaskin has played well in the past few games and has built your trust in him, he faces a Bills Defence that has only allowed 4 touchdowns and the second-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs.

Sit RB 3- Nick Chubb

Chubb returns in week 8 against the Steelers defence that is highly ranked against opposing backs. However, be warned. D’Ernest Johnson’s amazing display last week means that the Browns do not need to throw Chubb in the deep end, I see them easing him back in and sharing time with Johnson.

Starts and Sits Week 8 Wide Receivers

My top-ranked Wide Receivers for Week 8 are:

1. Hill vs NYG
2. Kupp @ HOU
3. Chase @ NYJ
4. Diggs vs MIA
5. Jefferson vs DAL

Start WR 1- Courtland Sutton

Sutton has consistently scored fantasy points over the past 3 weeks thanks to his healthy 27.3% target share and 1 Redzone target per game. J. Jeudy is back in week 8 but there will be plenty of fantasy points to go around as the Washington Football team are giving up 37.81 fantasy points to wideouts this year.

Start WR 2- Michael Pittman

Pittman will be the man for the Colts in week 8, Parris Campbell is out, and T.Y. Hilton is likely to play but dealing with a quad injury. The game has a 51 point over/under against the Titans, who are the most generous team in football for opposing wide receivers. 

Start WR 3- Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders passes the eye test when you watch the Bills, Allen is consistently throwing him 5 to 6 targets per week. He is a high-end receiver 3 but if he connects in the end zone, he will be good for 20 plus fantasy points in week 8. He faces the Dolphins who are ranked 29th against the receiver position, giving up 35.66 fantasy points.

Sit WR 1- Allen Robinson

Do not start Robinson, this should be enough advice, but I guess I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t justify the statement. The Vegas line is a low 39 points against the 49ers who, have held their own against receivers this year but far more importantly, Robinson is averaging 6 fantasy points per game. Unless something amazing happens, I don’t see Robinson being a top 50 receiver this week.

Sit WR 2- Odell Beckham Jr.

The match-up against the Steelers should be a juicy proposition for receiver groups but the Vegas line for this one is 43 points. However, the Browns offensive weapons are injured. Because, Mayfield is questionable and Beckham Jr. himself is questionable with a shoulder injury. Also, Beckham Jr.’s production hasn’t been great so it’s an easy sit for me this week.

Sit WR 3 – Jakobi Meyers

I feel like I can just copy and paste my write up on the Patriots philosophy which can be found on my start Damien Harris paragraph. However, if this wasn’t enough then how about going up against the number one ranked defence against receiver groups, this year. 

Starts and Sits Week 8 Tight Ends

My top-ranked Tight Ends for Week 8 are:

1. Kelce vs NYG
2. Pitts vs CAR
3. Goedert @ DET
4. Hockenson vs PHI
5. Shultz @ MIN

Start TE 1- Hunter Henry

Revenge game! I like Henry to continue his touchdown streak in week 8 to make it 5 in a row against a soft Chargers defence against the Tight End position.

Start TE 2- Mo Alie-Cox

Receiving options are limited for the Colts and Wentz has an eye for big Mo, I think Cox has a decent game despite the match-up not being ideal for him.

Sit TE 1- Jared Cook

The match-up isn’t good against the Patriots, they are a top 5 defence against Tight Ends this year. However, Cook’s production is hit and miss this year. Therefore, sit Cook unless you need 8 fantasy points and have no other options.

Sit TE 2- Cole Kmet

I said it last week and I’ll say it again, please do not start Kmet this week.

– Colin McDonnell (@ukfantasyballer)