Fantasy Football Week 8: Rankings and Advice for Thursday Night Football
Kicking off the midway point of our 2015 NFL and fantasy football season, we have an AFC East matchup as the New England Patriots and Tom Brady will host Ryan Tannehill and the new-look Miami Dolphins.
Over the past two games under new head coach Dan Campbell, the Dolphins have absolutely crushed the opposing competition, scoring a total of 82 points.
We've also seen life spew out of Lamar Miller, as he's been running like a madman over the last two games, which always makes fantasy owners happy.
While the Dolphins are 2-0 under Campbell, they haven't faced a force quite like the Patriots yet.
Look for the Patriots to go 7-0 and remain undefeated.
I'm picking the Patriots to win 34-24.
Big Board
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| Rank | Player | Pos. | Team |
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski | TE | New England Patriots |
| 2 | Jarvis Landry | WR | Miami Dolphins |
| 3 | Tom Brady | QB | New England Patriots |
| 4 | Lamar Miller | RB | Miami Dolphins |
| 5 | Ryan Tannehill | QB | Miami Dolphins |
| 6 | Brandon LaFell | WR | New England Patriots |
| 7 | Jordan Cameron | TE | Miami Dolphins |
| 8 | Rishard Matthews | WR | Miami Dolphins |
| 9 | Julian Edelman | WR | New England Patriots |
| 10 | LeGarrette Blount | RB | New England Patriots |
Injury Report
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Miami Dolphins
Player | Status | |
Brice McCain | CB | Questionable |
New England Patriots
Player | Status | |
Jabaal Sheard | DL | Out |
Keshawn Martin | WR | Questionable |
Brandon Bolden | RB | Questionable |
| Dion Lewis | RB | Questionable |
Injury reports courtesy of ESPN.com.
Quarterbacks
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Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill
After doing his best Dan Marino impression in Week 7 against the lowly Houston Texans, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill will take on a fairly generous Patriots squad in terms of fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position.
On the season, the Patriots are surrendering over 270 passing yards per game and rank sixth in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks.
Under new head coach Dan Campbell, Tannehill has averaged 274 passing yards per game and thrown six touchdown passes—four of which came in the first half against the Texans.
Tannehill will once again be a solid option in a game where he will have to throw to keep up.
Projections: 255 passing yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; 25 rushing yards
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is on a roll.
As ESPN's Adam Schefter points out, Brady is 8-0 on Thursday Night Football, passing for 20 touchdowns and throwing a mere two interceptions.
No matter the defense, matchups don't matter with Brady.
Projections: 300 passing yards, 3 TDs
Running Backs
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Miami Dolphins: Lamar Miller
Since the departure of former head coach Joe Philbin, Dan Campbell has recommitted to the run, thus allowing running back Lamar Miller to have his best games of the season.
The Patriots aren't the most intimidating matchup for running backs, as they allow nearly 4.2 yards per carry.
If the Dolphins can keep the score close for most of the game, Miller should be able to get his opportunities.
Projections: 80 rushing yards, 1 TD; 2 receptions, 20 receiving yards
New England Patriots: LeGarrette Blount
As we all know, New England running backs can be tough to figure out. However, LeGarrette Blount should be in line for a decent amount of carries after getting limited work in Week 7 against the Jets.
Having fellow running back Dion Lewis still a bit nicked up also helps Blount's cause.
Projections: 55 rushing yards, 1 TD
New England Patriots: Dion Lewis
Heading into this game questionable due to the same abdomen injury that kept him out of Week 7, Patriots running back Dion Lewis will be a key piece to the passing game if he's on the field.
We've loved him in points-per-reception leagues, and we shouldn't stop now.
Projections: 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards
Wide Receivers
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Miami Dolphins: Jarvis Landry
Although Tannehill may face some pressure from the Patriots pass rush, wide receiver Jarvis Landry is the perfect security blanket for Miami's signal-caller.
We all know he's a PPR stud, and the Patriots give up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, surrendering over a touchdown per game to the position as well.
He's Tannehill's No. 1 guy, and you shouldn't hesitate to play him.
Projections: 8 receptions, 80 receiving yards, 1 TD
Miami Dolphins: Rishard Matthews
Having been nothing short of incredible this season, wide receiver Rishard Matthews is a legitimate downfield option for Tannehill.
In a game where Miami may have to throw a ton, Matthews is a guy that will be tough to bench Thursday night.
Projections: 6 receptions, 65 receiving yards
New England Patriots: Julian Edelman
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is coming off his worst game of the season in Week 7.
On a short week, Edelman gets a better matchup against a Dolphins team that is allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.
Edelman leads the Patriots in targets, so expect Brady to look for him.
Projections: 6 receptions, 55 receiving yards
New England Patriots: Brandon LaFell
After dropping an absurd six balls in Week 7, LaFell will hope to rebound this week.
If you've stashed LaFell this long, this is a great game for him to finally give his owners what they waited for—a touchdown.
Going against a division rival and following a terrible debut, LaFell will look to make people eat their words in Week 8.
Projections: 4 receptions, 50 receiving yards, 1 TD
New England Patriots: Danny Amendola
Over his last two games, Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola has been a stud, averaging nearly eight catches and 100 yards receiving.
The Dolphins allow a healthy amount yards and fantasy points to opposing wide receivers. However, Amendola still presents the boom-or-bust factor.
Projections: 3 receptions, 35 receiving yards
Tight Ends
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Miami Dolphins: Jordan Cameron
Over his last four games, Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron has not eclipsed 31 receiving yards and has just a single touchdown.
The Patriots are not exactly kind to tight ends, allowing the ninth-fewest points to the position.
However, in a game where fantasy owners hope to see a shootout, maybe Cameron actually gets involved in this game.
One can only hope.
Projections: 3 receptions, 40 receiving yards, 1 TD
New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is an absolute stud, no question.
Gronkowski scoring a touchdown is about as frequent as the sun rising.
He should continue his onslaught Thursday night.
Projections: 10 receptions, 110 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Defense/Special Teams
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Miami Dolphins Defense/Special Teams
The Dolphins pass rush has gotten better in recent weeks. However, they have to take on Tom Brady and the Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Play the world's smallest violin, please.
Projections: 34 points allowed, 3 sacks
New England Patriots Defense/Special Teams
Potential turnovers from Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill coupled with the Patriots pass rush makes them an interesting play in Week 8. They may allow a decent amount of points, but with Tannehill projected to throw two interceptions, the Patriots are a high-risk, high-reward defense/special teams play in Week 8.
However, there are better options out there.
Projections: 24 points allowed, 4 sacks, 2 INTs
Best Sleeper Add
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Brandon LaFell, WR, New England Patriots (Owned in 43.9 percent of ESPN Leagues)
Coming off a very rusty performance in Week 7, owners have a right to trepidation. However, LaFell was a top-25 PPR wide receiver in 2014, and he still has Tom Brady as his quarterback. If he's available in your league, scoop him up.
He's going to bounce back this week.
Start or Sit?
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Jordan Cameron, TE, Miami Dolphins
Dolphins tight end Jordan Cameron has been a headache over the past four weeks. However, in a game in which the Dolphins won't be able to gain a huge lead, quarterback Ryan Tannehll will have to throw often. This could be Cameron's week to finally get involved.
Verdict: Start
All advanced stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference. Fantasy scoring numbers courtesy of ESPN.com.
Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.
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