Fantasy Football Week 8 Review

If you play daily fantasy football, well, you definitely lost money this week.

Look, this week just seemed so darn weird (yeah, we say that every week, but whatever). I mean, who would have thought that a trio of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews would propel you to a winning week?

After Week 7's 6-6 tie on Sunday Night Football between the Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks, I bet you thought we were done with ties for a while.

Nah.

Kicking off the Sunday slate was a game across the pond between the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins.

Guess what? Another tie.

Also, some things never change—Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (who ranks 30th with a 73.1 QB rating) was still bad. You're right—I made it a point to get that sentiment in here somewhere. Sue me.

Let's recap bye-pocalypse and all its glory. 

Top Quarterbacks

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Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

After it was all said and done in overtime, Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr went for more than 500 yards passing and four touchdowns in a road victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading all quarterbacks in fantasy points.

Throwing 59 times, Carr found his top target, who we'll get to a little later in this slideshow.

It's clear that Carr is heading into that elite category, especially with all of his weapons healthy and producing. He's a must-start every week.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Over the past two games, we've seen Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers post fantasy numbers of 26 or more points—we've been waiting for this. Heading into Week 8, he was without running back Eddie Lacy, wide receiver Randall Cobb and at the last minute (and unexpectedly) wide receiver/running back Ty Montgomery. Despite his limited skill position players, the Packers nearly beat the Atlanta Falcons thanks to 246 passing yards, four touchdowns and 60 rushing yards from Rodgers. You're never sitting him. Duh.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have just one loss on the season. You know who it's to, right? The Buffalo Bills beat them in Week 4 when the Patriots were one week away from quarterback Tom Brady's return. Well, Brady and the Patriots had their rematch, and it wasn't pretty for the Bills. Brady threw for 300-plus yards and four scores.

Brady is the greatest ever. Will he throw an interception this season? He'll get a bye in Week 9.

Honorable Mention: Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars

Remember Thursday Night Football? This was a prime example of a player being bad at football but also scoring fantasy points. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (337 yards, three TD) is the king of garbage time, and we saw that this past Thursday in Week 8. Bortles is not a reliable weekly starter, but hey, a broken clock is right twice per day.

Top Wide Receivers

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Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders

When your quarterback performs the best at his position in fantasy football, there is a decent chance that—if you're a receiver—you were likely a part of that success.

That logic applies here to Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Twelve catches for 173 yards and a score later, Cooper reiterated why he's one of the top receivers in the league. Play him every week.

J.J. Nelson, Arizona Cardinals

Likely not started in a ton of season-long leagues, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver J.J. Nelson was one of those DFS players this week who it was tough to start, but you had that feeling about him.

What made Nelson's upside even more limited was that fellow wide receivers Michael Floyd and John Brown were active, but that didn't matter. Both of Nelson's scores came when the Cardinals were behind, so Palmer had to throw.

This was a nice spot for Nelson, but he's tough to rely on a weekly basis.

Jamison Crowder, Washington Redskins

It's not crazy to assume that the Washington Redskins No. 1 and No. 2 wide receivers in 2017 will be Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson.

Man, is Crowder good.

Although the game ended in a tie, Crowder was able to rack up the fantasy points—he caught nine passes for more than 100 yards and a score.

He is slowly morphing into the No. 1 wide receiver for the Redskins, going over 100 yards in back-to-back games.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles don't have many players on the offensive side of the ball that you'd be willing to stick your neck out for, but wide receiver Jordan Matthews is a special talent. He proved it once again against the Dallas Cowboys by catching 11 passes (out of 15 targets) for 65 yards and a score. Yeah, the yardage total on 15 targets and 11 catches is disappointing, but someone needs to catch quarterback Carson Wentz's short passes.

Top Running Backs

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Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions

After missing his last two games, Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick did not miss a beat whatsoever. Coming into Week 8, he actually had a tough matchup against the Houston Texans, but that made zero difference.

What makes Riddick so special at the running back position is his receiving ability—he caught seven passes on 10 targets for 70 yards and a score. This paled in comparison to his 56 rushing yards on just 11 attempts.

Hey, if you play in a points-per-reception league, you need Riddick, plain and simple.

Matt Forte, New York Jets

I was having trouble believing in New York Jets running back Matt Forte last week.

Well, this is a classic example of "listen to the opposite of everything Richard says."

Forte scored two touchdowns. Yeah, the Cleveland Browns are bad, but the game felt like it could be sloppy or high-scoring. Of course, it was somewhat high-scoring with the Browns losing 31-28.

Forte should have his fair share of chances to keep this hot streak up against the Miami Dolphins.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers

Goal-line touchdowns are going to be the death of me. In case you were wondering why I'm bringing up goal-line touchdowns here, it's because Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart had two of them!

I was totally avoiding Stewart this week, but he's a decent RB2. You could do a lot worse.

Don't expect two goal-line scores for a while, though. I'm sure Stewart will go back to tormenting his owners after this one.

Honorable Mention: Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

The Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons had the makings of a high-scoring affair. Sure enough, the Falcons narrowly won 33-32 with a last-second touchdown to wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman was going to get his work in this week, and he did. He not only contributed in the running game (11 carries, 35 yards), but his pass-catching ability also shined through, as his lone score come through the air. With fellow running back Tevin Coleman out, Freeman is a go-to option in fantasy, but even when Coleman is active, we cannot ignore Freeman.

Top Tight Ends and Defense

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Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals

Yeah, he returned to NFL action for the first time in Week 7, but in Week 8, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert made sure we wouldn't forget him. After wide receiver A.J. Green, Eifert is the No. 2 pass-catching option in Cincinnati. He should continue morphing into a TE1 as the weeks advance.

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

Hey, who knows—maybe there's something in the water in London that caused the breakout performances of Eifert and Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed, who had nine catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. No, this wasn't one of Reed's first games of the season, but he did miss the previous two games with a concussion.

The Redskins have a bye next week. I'm never sitting Reed under any circumstance if he's active. Rev him up for Week 10.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith left the team's Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts with a concussion not just once but two times. After the second pull, he was ultimately done for the day. In his absence, backup quarterback Nick Foles saw some action.

Believe it or not, but Foles played quite well and propelled Kelce to a breakout (7 catches, 101 yards, 1 TD) we've all been waiting for. Kelce had been an overall non-factor with Smith at the helm. The Chiefs and Kelce could have another good outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars at home next week. Maybe Foles is the answer? (Yikes).

Top Defense

The most expensive defensive unit on every DFS site, the Denver Broncos pulled through. Not only did they hold the San Diego Chargers to less than 20 points, but they accumulated four sacks, three interceptions and a defensive touchdown. 

The Broncos and Minnesota Vikings are the best two fantasy defenses, and it isn't even close.

The Brock Osweilers of the Week: Fantasy Duds

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Every week in the NFL, our top plays seem to get stymied one way or the other. We will examine some of those options that we were supposed to propel us into having a winning but likely forced the exact opposite.

Here are the Brock Osweilers of the week.

Quarterback: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Given his ability to score points on the ground as well as through the air, we have grown accustomed to Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton being one of the most electrifying specimens at the position.

Sure, Newton could have converted both of the goal-line touchdowns that running back Jonathan Stewart scored, but guess what—he didn't, and what-ifs don't win fantasy weeks. Neither do 13-point outings. The Panthers will face a somewhat stingy defense in the Los Angeles Rams on the road in Week 9. I'm not sitting Newton, but I wouldn't expect anything incredible in that contest.

Wide Receiver: Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

For the the third time this season, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was held to less than 30 receiving yards without scoring.

Jones is a mutant (I mean that in a good way), but he does have his fair share of fantasy duds.

Unfortunately, he rejoins that categorization after his Week 8 performance, as he caught just three balls for 29 yards.

During the contest, Jones left to get some treatment but re-entered the game.

With the Packers vs. Falcons having the highest projected total in Week 8, you must have expected the Falcons' No. 1 receiver to be heavily utilized, but that wasn't the case. He'll be ready to rebound in Week 9 on Thursday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though.

Running Back: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Hypothetical situation: You own New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram. You decide to take a nap during some football on Sunday prior to the start of the Seattle Seahawks vs. Saints in Week 8. You see Ingram with negative fantasy points. You get angry (and probably take another nap). You would first assume that Ingram got hurt, but nope—a fumble was his demise.

After fumbling three carries into this game, Ingram was subsequently benched and didn't see another touch all afternoon.

Ingram has a great chance to rebound and make his fantasy owners happy in Week 9 against the San Francisco 49ers on the road.

Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks

Sticking with the Seahawks vs. Saints, one of the main storylines heading into the game was the revenge factor for Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, who the Saints traded to the Seahawks prior to the 2015 season. We love revenge-game narratives. In fact, we saw another this week (that was actually successful) involving the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan.

Three receptions for 34 yards for Graham was his finally tally—that's not exactly the stat line to make the Big Easy miss you, Graham.

Week 8 Injuries

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I'll be the first to say that a player's health is more important than his fantasy stats. With that said, it's normal to be ticked off in the heat of the moment when a player is injured and perhaps forces you to concede the week.

Fortunately, there were only three big injuries, though many guys left their games but thankfully returned.

Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith left the game in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts with a concussion.

After leaving the game one time and returning, Smith was forced out of action later on.

In his absence, backup quarterback Nick Foles actually played well, tossing a couple of touchdowns.

If Smith is unable to go in Week 9, Foles and the Chiefs will have a nice matchup at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

It was just not a good day for the Chiefs. Yeah, they won their game, but two starters got hurt in the process. Running back Spencer Ware also suffered a concussion.

With fellow running back Jamaal Charles getting his knee re-examined, the lone running back on the roster outside of Ware was Charcandrick West, who took over in Ware's absence.

Expect the Chiefs to bring in another running back, pending the results of Charles.

If Ware is out, the Jaguars are a nice matchup for Ware and/or Charles if he is able to make it back (though it's unlikely, if we're being honest).

Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In the teams loss in overtime to the Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers was forced to leave the game early with a foot injury.

Over the past few games, Rodgers has been the unquestioned leader of the teams backfield with fellow running backs Doug Martin and Charles Sims having been out.

According to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter regarding the injury say, "I don't think it's probably good."

First off, interesting grammar. Second, it sounds like he'll be ruled out for Week 9 at a minimum, which is set to be played on Thursday Night Football. 

Expect a committee of Peyton Barber and Antone Smith for the Buccaneers in this one. Martin will likely not be back.

Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans

Without their top cornerback in Darius Slay, some of the talk in Week 8 was dedicated to the Detroit Lions figuring out a way to contain Houston Texans speedy wide receiver Will Fuller.

Unfortunately, Fuller suffered a leg injury and was forced to leave the game.

The severity of the injury is not yet known, and the situation is worth monitoring.

With that said, Fuller's quarterback—Brock Osweiler—is the worst quarterback in the NFL, which makes it hard to start Fuller and fellow wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

Leave it to Osweiler to ruin these two studs. 

Waiver-Wire Pickups

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Whether it's injuries or the emergence of new players, we always find ourselves flip-flopping our rosters on the waiver wire in an attempt to improve our teams.

Here are a few pickups to consider this week.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is owned in a few more leagues now; in Yahoo leagues, that number is up to 63 percent. Again, that's fairly high, but we need to mention him.

Not only did he post fantastic numbers (287 yards, 2 TD) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, but guess what? He gets the Cleveland Browns in Week 9!

You know what to do from here.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu does not excite anyone. However, he does have six or more targets in 50 percent of his games this season, and in those games in which he is targeted six or more times, he has three touchdowns and averages over 60 yards receiving.

If you're in a PPR league and Sanu is on your wire—after all, he is owned in 47 percent of Yahoo leagues—you should pick him up as a depth piece and a spot starter. At worst, you can keep him away from an opponent in your league. Sanu is somewhat spotty, but when he gets his fair share of work, he does some damage.

Don't be on the receiving end of that!

Charcandrick West, RB Kansas City Chiefs

Given, what we discussed in the previous slide, Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West is a no-brainer waiver add this week.

There is a chance that running back Spencer Ware passes his concussion protocol, but if he doesn't, West gives you a flex option at worst for Week 9.

On 14 carries, West had 52 rushing yards. He should have a chance to get some fantasy points in Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars if he's thrust into the starting role in Ware's absence.

West is available in more than 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Cameron Brate, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Though their offense is a high-powered, well-oiled machine this season, the Atlanta Falcons defense does not intimidate me in the slightest.

Good news: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and tight end Cameron Brate will do battle with them on Thursday Night Football.

This has the makings of a shootout, and Brate is in a nice spot to contribute as the teams' No. 2 pass-catching option.

A not-so-good defense for the Falcons, coupled with a short week, could mean good things for Brate, who is available in nearly 60 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.