NFL Predictions Week 8: Fantasy Projections and Guide to Latest Vegas Odds

The 2016 NFL season is already nearing its halfway point with the commencement of Week 8 on Thursday night between the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars. 

With 12 games still to play on Sunday and Monday, here is a look at the upcoming schedule, predictions, the latest Vegas odds and which players to watch out for on your fantasy team:

Matchup	Time (ET)	Odds	Predicted Winner
Sunday, Oct. 30
Redskins vs. Bengals	9:30 a.m.	CIN -3	Bengals
Jets vs. Browns	1 p.m.	NYJ -3	Jets
Seahawks vs. Saints	1 p.m.	SEA -2.5	Seahawks
Chiefs vs. Colts	1 p.m.	KC -3	Chiefs
Lions vs. Texans	1 p.m.	HOU -2.5	Lions
Patriots vs. Bills	1 p.m.	NE -6	Patriots
Raiders vs. Buccaneers	1 p.m.	Even	Raiders
Cardinals vs. Panthers	1 p.m.	CAR -3	Cardinals
Chargers vs. Broncos	4:05 p.m.	DEN -4.5	Broncos
Packers vs. Falcons	4:25 p.m.	ATL -3	Packers
Eagles vs. Cowboys	8:30 p.m.	DAL -5	Cowboys
Monday, Oct. 31
Vikings vs. Bears	8:30 p.m.	MIN -4.5	Vikings

Fantasy Projections

Who To Start

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints

Projected Points: 24

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has a lot to prove coming into Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints. 

Through his first six games of the season, Wilson has been held to 13 points or less five times, as he's thrown just five touchdowns. 

He's also rushed for just 33 yards, which is on pace for by far his career worst, although, he has been dealing with ankle and knee issues. His previous career low in rushing yards was 489 during his rookie season.

It has him ranked as the No. 24 fantasy quarterback in the league, which has disappointed plenty of fantasy owners.

He'll be taking on a Saints defense, though, that has accrued just two fantasy points this entire season, according to ESPN fantasy football rankings. 

When it comes to playing against the quarterback, the Saints don't fare much better, allowing nine touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks have put up an average of 18.7 fantasy points per game, which is tied for fifth-worst in the NFL.

The last time Wilson played the Saints was in 2013, when he dissected the defense for 310 yards, three touchdowns and an additional 47 yards on the ground, so good things could be ahead.

Expect Wilson to have a solid day, especially coming off that 6-6 Sunday night tie against the Arizona Cardinals. 

Matt Forte, RB, New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns

Projected Points: 16

New York Jets running back Matt Forte looks like he's waking up after a horrid stretch that saw him combine for just 15 fantasy points from Weeks 3 through 6. 

During Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, Forte exploded for 100 yards with a touchdown on the ground and 54 yards through the air for 25 points.

He was the go-to guy that day in a Jets offense that started Geno Smith at quarterback after Ryan Fitzpatrick's struggles. But after he went down with a torn ACL, Fitzpatrick came back in and led the Jets to victory. 

While Fitzpatrick will be keen to show that there shouldn't have been any doubts about his play, Forte should still get his touches as a dual-threat option, especially against a lowly Cleveland Browns defense. 

The Browns have allowed 876 rushing yards this season, which is second-worst only to the San Francisco 49ers this season. On average, they give up 21.4 fantasy points to running backs, which makes Forte a must-start for Week 8. 

Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Projected Points: 14

After coming back from an ACL injury that held him out of the entire 2015 season, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson was expected to dominate the passing attack given his past relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

While he was getting a decent amount of looks with four or more receptions in each of his first five games, Nelson was held to just one catch for nine yards against the Chicago Bears last week in a Packers offense that went to Davante Adams 13 times. 

It was the first time he was held pointless this season and the second straight week he had less than five fantasy points. 

But in a Packers offense that has thrown the ball 42 times or more in each of their last three games, Nelson is facing a Falcons pass defense that has allowed 15 passing touchdowns this season. 

That's promising for a receiver who had five touchdowns in his first five games this season. There's little disputing that despite the struggles, Nelson should be in your starting lineup come Sunday. 

All scoring info and statistics courtesy of ESPN.com standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats.