Fantasy Football Week 8: Takeaways from Sunday's Action

We’re here to discuss the most meaningful performances, injuries and fantasy football trends that emerged from Week 8 in the NFL.

With multiple overtime battles and some shootouts throughout Sunday’s action, we find a number of intriguing scenarios to detail. For example, the Arizona Cardinals might just have a new and meaningful No. 2 wideout to consider, as J.J. Nelson delivered a career fantasy performance in the team’s loss to the Carolina Panthers.

We detail Nelson’s ascent as well as a number of other meaningful moments from Week 8 in this appraisal of the fantasy football marketplace. As always, please feel free to add your thoughts and questions in the comments below.    

Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith and Spencer Ware Enter Concussion Protocol

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

It was a tough day on the turf in Indy. The Kansas City Chiefs lost their starting tandem of signal-caller Alex Smith and tailback Spencer Ware in Week 8’s win over the Colts in Indianapolis to potential concussions. Both Smith and Ware were limited to just 26 of the team’s 74 offensive plays, according to Pro Football Focus.

Smith left the game in the first quarter after being hit while sliding, but he returned to action after being cleared following an evaluation for a concussion. Early in the third quarter, however, Smith’s head hit the turf on the end of a one-yard scramble, per reporting from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Smith didn’t return to action after his second exit, while we’ll learn more as the team discloses more information this week.

Ware was on his way to a huge game with 49 yards on nine touches in the first half, but as ESPN’s Adam Teicher reports, he also suffered a concussion and didn’t return to action.

Nick Foles stood in and completed 72.7 percent of his passes with two scores—essentially producing the line we expected for Smith. Replacing Ware didn’t prove as seamless, as Charcandrick West tallied just 60 yards from scrimmage on 16 touches in his place.

From a fantasy perspective, there is far more concern over Ware’s availability going forward, particularly with a choice upcoming matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9. Even with the abbreviated performance, Ware is still fifth among tailbacks in scrimmage yards per game with 117.7.

With Jamaal Charles still struggling in his recovery from an ACL injury suffered last season, Ware remains an elite RB1 asset who could be in the midst of a momentary buy-low window if he misses Week 9. Get your bids in if Ware’s owners are willing to talk.

As for Smith, he’s long been in the streaming tier at the position, so his absence in Week 9 wouldn’t prove glaring, especially given Foles’ competent production this week in his place.

Jamaal Charles Seeks Additional Evaluation on Ailing Knee

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If you invested in Jamaal Charles, you might want to sit down for this. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Charles is set to visit famed sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews for further analysis of his ailing knee that has limited him throughout the season, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

"

Chiefs HC Andy Reid says RB Jamaal Charles will visit Dr. James Andrews this week to have his knee checked out.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 30, 2016"

Charles went in the third round in many August drafts but has played just 27 snaps this season, per Pro Football Focus. This has subsequently led to a majorly disappointing fantasy results, as Charles has amassed just 54 total yards and a touchdown for a meager 10 fantasy points on the campaign in ESPN standard leagues.

Hopefully we’ll have more information on Charles’ status going forward in the wake of his visit to Andrews, as he’s consuming a roster spot for now on fantasy rosters. Spencer Ware is emerging as a true star in Charles’ place, so it’s difficult to tell what value Charles will have even if he’s able to eventually return to action.

It’s a waiting game for now, but at least this news could lead to more clarity in what has been a frustrating scenario for fantasy managers.

New Orleans Saints Tailback Mark Ingram Benched for Early Fumble

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The New Orleans Saints’ Mark Ingram played so few snaps in Week 8 we couldn't even find a photo of him from the game.

Ingram carried the ball outside the right tackle with 7:53 left in the first quarter and lost a fumble just two yards into the play. Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas recovered the ball at the Saints’ 34-yard line and sprinted for a pivotal defensive touchdown.

Ingram was benched after this costly mistake, playing just six of the team’s 76 snaps in the process, per Pro Football Focus. Those who own Ingram in fantasy were understandably frustrated watching backup tailback Tim Hightower touch the ball 27 times in Ingram’s place.

ESPN’s Britt McHenry reports Saints coach Sean Payton remains confident in Ingram going forward.

"

Sean Payton said he believes Mark Ingram will bounce back from fumbles. Said there will be more emphasis placed on ball security this week.

— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) October 30, 2016"

After this no-show outing, Ingram is just 31st in fantasy points per game among tailbacks. The Saints have a friendly finishing schedule, including a meeting with the San Francisco 49ers next week, the softest rush defense in the league. While adding Hightower in all formats is advisable, it’s also quite possibly a profitable move to pursue Ingram with low-ball trade offers.

Derek Carr Enjoys Record Outing in Tampa Bay

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Derek Carr went bonkers in Tampa Bay against the Bucs on Sunday afternoon in setting an Oakland Raiders single-game record with 513 passing yards in an overtime victory. The performance ties Carr with Phil Simms at 10th overall in single-game yardage in NFL history, according to Pro Football Reference. 

The Raiders are undefeated in five road games on the season, and almost all of the victories have come in the closing minutes. Oakland won despite setting the NFL record for penalties in a game with an astounding 23, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Carr’s performance marks the 20th 500-yard passing game in league history and vaults him to to the top of the fantasy leaderboard for the week in ESPN leagues. Despite some lackluster numbers in Weeks 6 and7, Carr is now tied with the Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan as the only players in the NFL with five games with at least 21 fantasy points this season.

Carr’s top target in the historic outing was wideout Amari Cooper, who enjoyed career-highs with 12 receptions and 173 yards en route to tallying the most fantasy points among wideouts for the week in ESPN leagues. A piece for ESPN earlier this past week identified Cooper as a buy-low asset to pursue given a likely correction in scoring given his workload—that window might have closed Sunday.

Ranked third in QB grading on Pro Football Focus and seventh in fantasy points per game among signal-callers in ESPN leagues, Carr has established himself as a weekly QB1 going forward. The Raiders enjoy a fantasy-friendly schedule from Weeks 14 to 16, thus Carr could prove crucial to championship runs this winter.

Robert Kelley’s Big Day in London

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The Washington Redskins’ backfield is now decidedly difficult to read. Tailback Matt Jones missed the team’s tilt with the Cincinnati Bengals in London on Sunday with a lingering knee issue. Undrafted rookie Robert Kelley delivered 87 rushing yards on 21 carries starting in Jones’ place. 

Thanks to the combination of his knee ailment and two fumbles in the loss to the Detroit Lions, Jones already was already on the descent in playing only 22 snaps of the team’s 73 in Week 7, per Pro Football Focus. Now that Kelley proved capable on early downs, it’s unclear how this backfield will look in Week 10 after next week’s bye.

Speculatively adding Kelley, who is available in over 75 percent of ESPN leagues as of Sunday night, could prove helpful if he overtakes Jones for workhorse duties on early downs and in short-yardage situations in the weeks ahead. 

Jacquizz Rodgers Injures Foot in Loss to Oakland

Brian Blanco/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 30: Running back Jacquizz Rodgers #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets some help from tight end Luke Stocker #88 and tackle Demar Dotson #69 as he finds room to run between outside linebacker Malcolm Smith #53 of the Oakland Raiders a

The Tampa Bay Bucs lost their third starting tailback to injury this season, as Jacquizz Rodgers was injured on the final drives of regulation in the team’s overtime loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Rodgers didn’t play a single snap in overtime.

Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports there is some cause for concern given foreboding words from coach Dirk Koetter, “I don't think it's probably good,” coach Dirk Koetter said after the game. “But I don't know for sure. It's something to do with his ankle.”

Rodgers still delivered a touchdown and 78 yards from scrimmage in the game.  With the team facing a short week against the Atlanta Falcons this coming Thursday night, it’s troubling to read Koetter’s gloomy uncertainty with Rodgers’ status.

We’d likely see a share of work between veteran Antone Smith, who handled backfield touches—which included a potentially costly fumble—in overtime, and rookie Peyton Barber.

Smith just signed with the Bucs last week to help support a thin depth chart. Barber ranked last in breakaway percentage and 17th out of 21 qualifying prospects at the position in elusive rating among his NCAA peers last season for Auburn, per College Football Focus. Which is to say, the team doesn’t have a clear choice to assume lead duties.

We still are seeking more information Doug Martin’s enduring hamstring injury, while we’ll learn more about Rodgers’ status in the coming days given the short week ahead.

If Rodgers and Martin are ruled out for Week 9, it might just be wise to avoid this backfield altogether.

Seattle Seahawks' C.J. Prosise Tops 100 Yards from Scrimmage

Bill Feig/Associated Press

The Seattle Seahawks rank 31st in run blocking on Pro Football Focus. Seattle ranks 28th in the league with just 81.4 rushing yards per game. Even as Christine Michael has been a helpful fantasy asset, it’s not surprising to see the team deploy talented rookie C.J. Prosise in a more prominent role as a receiver out of the backfield.

Prosise led the Seahawks with 80 receiving yards in Week 8’s loss to the New Orleans Saints and tallied 103 yards from scrimmage in the Superdome as the lone bright spot for an inconsistent Seattle offense.

Hyped as a sleeper early this past summer, injuries in training camp and into the season saw Prosise sidelined as momentum for his fantasy stock stalled. It’s interesting to note Prosise could become a viable receiving weapon for the Seahawks given their struggles in run blocking.

The rookie out of Notre Dame ranked third among draft-eligible tailbacks in yards per route run in the NCAA last season, according to College Football Focus. 

Available in over 90 percent of ESPN leagues as of Sunday night, Prosise is a worthy waiver addition in deeper points-per-reception formats.

Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson Explodes for Career Day in Carolina

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The Green Bay Packers’ Jordy Nelson enjoyed a strong Week 8, finishing fifth among wideouts in fantasy points in ESPN leagues. Another Nelson, however, finished second at the position in fantasy production, as the Arizona Cardinals’ second-year receiver J.J. Nelson enjoyed a career outing against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. 

Nelson saw an uptick in exposure last week against the Seattle Seahawks, playing 80 of 95 offensive snaps with 84 receiving yards in the process, according to Pro Football Focus. This week, Nelson delivered two touchdowns and 79 receiving yards while pacing the team with 12 targets. 

As Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus notes, Nelson actually led the Cardinals receiving corps in snaps.

"

Cardinals WR snap count today: JJ Nelson 65, Larry Fitzgerald 56, John Brown 38, Michael Floyd 29, Brittan Golden 23. Out of 71

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) October 30, 2016"

More relevantly, perhaps, is the fact beat scribe Kyle Odegard of the team’s site reporting coach Bruce Arians declared Nelson the team’s No. 2 receiver after the game—ahead of both John Brown and Michael Floyd. 

This might be read as coach speak, but the usage metrics the past two weeks suggest Arians really considers Nelson his No. 2. He had a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine that places him in the 99th percentile in this speed metric among receiving prospects since 1999, per MockDraftable.

Nelson’s closest peer comparison based on his combine metrics and physical profile is ironically teammate John Brown, while the Houston Texans’ Will Fuller is also listed as a close prospect peer. Available in over 98 percent of ESPN leagues as of Sunday night, fantasy managers should move swiftly to add this emergent speedster. 

Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Eifert Shines in London

Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Patience might just pay off for owners of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Tyler Eifert. Sidelined for the first six weeks of the season, Eifert only played just 15 snaps in a warm-up outing in Week 7. On Sunday in London, however, the Pro Bowl tight end played on 74 of the team’s 88 snaps in the tie with the Washington Redskins, per Pro Football Focus.

The increase in snaps also equated to a massive uptick in offensive usage, as Eifert was targeted 12 times en route to finishing second behind only the New England Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski in fantasy points at tight end in ESPN leagues.

Eifert’s target share ranked second at the position only to the Redskins’ Jordan Reed, who also made a strong return from injury in the game. Eifert was second in the NFL in touchdowns last season and third in fantasy points per game among tight ends behind only “Gronk” and Reed. 

While the Bengals are on bye in Week 9 after their trip to London, Eifert could become a fantasy force as the team finishes the season with a fantasy-friendly schedule.

Philadelphia Eagles' Darren Sproles Dominates Snaps and Touches in Week 8

Ron Jenkins/Associated Press

There was a clear shift in the Philadelphia Eagles' backfield Sunday night, as diminutive dynamo Darren Sproles played on a season-high 80.3 percent of the team's offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Through the team's first six games, Sproles topped out with a snap rate of 55.7 percent, so this new level of exposure signals a meaningful transition as the team's top backfield workhorse. With 20 touches and 103 yards from scrimmage in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Sproles cemented his status as a must-own asset in all but the shallowest of fantasy formats. 

Sproles is now a high-floor flex option in points-per-reception leagues and earns enough work to matter in standard formats if this usage rate becomes enduring. Sproles' ascent also serves to deflate the value of Ryan Mathews, who played on just eight snaps Sunday night, per PFF. 

Quiet Game from T.Y. Hilton Opens Buy-Low Window

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

A hamstring injury saw the Indianapolis Colts’ T.Y. Hilton miss one offensive series in the second quarter of the team’s home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

While Hilton returned to the field after getting checked out, he ended up hauling in just one of six targets on the day for 20 yards, leading to his most disappointing statistical outing of the season.

Hilton has commanded 26.8 percent of the team’s targets this season, a rate that hasn’t deviated much with Donte Moncrief on the field. This down outing and the return of receiving peer Moncrief to the roster could create a buy-low moment on the trade market.

Green Bay Packers' Ty Montgomery Dealing with Kidney Ailment

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The Green Bay Packers’ Ty Montgomery was a surprise scratch Sunday for the team’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. What was first described vaguely as an illness became clearer when reports surfaced the versatile playmaker is dealing with a kidney-related ailment, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.

Per Demovsky’s report, “One source said Montgomery 'observed blood in his urine' after taking a blow in last week's game, but he's feeling better now.”

Scary stuff, but it’s good to hear Montgomery is doing better. Montgomery, a wideout by trade, was the team’s de facto lead tailback in Weeks 6 and 7—he even gained running back eligibility in ESPN leagues thanks to such unique usage.

With Green Bay facing a soft rush defense against the Indianapolis Colts next week, it would be helpful to see Montgomery back in action. That said, it’s good to know the team was cautious with a serious situation that appears to be under control.

Julio Jones with Another Quiet Sunday

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Seemingly modest usage for this elite receiver is likely part of the problem for Julio Jones’ variant fantasy pattern. The Atlanta Falcons’ Jones is 12th in the league in targets and yet second in receiving yardage.

With just five targets leading to only 29 yards in Week 8, we find a disconcerting trend has developed this season for Jones, as NFL.com’s Michael Fabiano shared.

"

Julio Jones is great and all, but this is the third time in eight games that he has scored fewer than three fantasy points. Fantasy killers.

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) October 30, 2016"

We’re not fading or doubting Jones as a fantasy superstar; if anything, he’s a target we should pursue in trade talks. We need to accept the fact, however, that his variant fantasy pattern is a result of a more equal-opportunity Atlanta offensive scheme.  

Matt Forte Makes for a Fine Sell-High Candidate

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A feature for ESPN fantasy this past week suggested it’s a fine time to market the New York Jets’ Matt Forte in trade talks. After another big multi-touchdown outing in Week 8, Forte’s trade value could be at its zenith.

Even after two strong fantasy performances in a row, we find Forte 20th out of 22 qualifying tailbacks in elusive rating—a rate of forced missed tackles—on Pro Football Focus. After playing on a season-high 82.6 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in Week 7, according to PFF, Forte dipped to 59.7 percent of the team’s plays in Week 8.

Bilal Powell flashed some big-play ability with 79 total yards and a score in the team's win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. 

With Forte’s value significantly inflated by these recent big box scores after a long stretch of languid production, it could be an ideal time to deal the aging workhorse.

Data such as target share and fantasy points per game sourced from an ESPN database.