Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 8: Making Sense of Weekend's Toughest Decisions

Fake football can be stressful on owners.

Obviously nothing is more important, but the strenuous hours spent laboring over a computer screen or mobile device in an attempt to decipher any and all matchups to assemble the best lineup can be maddening.

Allow us to help.

Through careful analysis of trends, matchups and other factors, here is a breakdown of some of Week 8's most difficult decisions.

Kick the feet up and cruise to victory.

Start 'Em: Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants

Things are back on track in Philadelphia, and the Nick Foles experiment is over with Michael Vick expected to play this week versus New York, as reported by Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Great news for Vick owners, as the Giants have given up 14 touchdown passes and also allow over 20 fantasy points per game to the position.

Of course, Vick is also a threat on the ground with his 300-plus yards, so regardless of injury concerns, Vick needs to be in all starting lineups in Week 8.

Sit 'Em: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland Raiders vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Nope.

Terrelle Pryor is one of the NFL's biggest surprises this year, which means he is in the fake football realm as well. That's fine, but Pryor has a date with the No. 4 pass defense in the NFL.

Owners could rely on Pryor's ground game for production, but that is an extremely ill-advised approach. Yes, Pryor leads his team in rushing (Oakland's that bad), but Pittsburgh is well aware, and eventually the barrage of hits suffered each week will take a toll on him both mentally and physically.

Start 'Em: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos vs. Washington Redskins

The definition of a bargain-bin player, Knowshon Moreeno himself has been a pleasant surprise this year with defenses focused on Peyton Manning and the coaching staff entrusting Moreno with the load.

Moreno enters Sunday in what should be an offensive shootout but is a must-start option considering Washington has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the running back position this year.

While he was held to just 49 yards and a score last week, the running lanes this will be wide and missed tackles ample when Moreno takes on the Redskins this weekend.

Sit 'Em: Chris Ivory, RB, New York Jets vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Apparently the New York Jets decided last week Chris Ivory is the best option in the backfield, much to the disdain of Bilal Powell owners.

Owners should not be fooled by Ivory's 104 yards last week—they were the product of a ridiculous 34 carries (3.1 average) in an effort to keep New England's Tom Brady off the field.

Even if Ivory sees that type of workload again, that's not comforting for a back who missed 20 games the past two years due to injury. He also has a date with the NFL's No. 8 rush defense in Cincinnati.

Start 'Em: Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins vs. Denver Broncos

A major disappointment this year, Pierre Garcon rode the struggle bus to five receptions for 58 yards last week.

Garcon's stop is upcoming with quarterback Robert Griffin III pulling out of his slump and the emergence of rookie tight end Jordan Reed.

Even better, Garcon has a matchup against Denver, owner of the NFL's worst pass defense, as the unit allows 319.9 yards per game.

Things are on the upswing for Garcon.

Sit 'Em: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cleveland Browns 

Dwayne Bowe's fantasy value may be at an all-time low for the seven-year veteran.

Bowe caught five passes for 66 yards last week—both season highs.

That really says it all.

If that does not deter owners from Bowe, who is clearly suffering in Andy Reid's offense with Alex Smith at quarterback, maybe this will—Bowe now has a date with Cleveland's Joe Haden.

Bowe won't be setting any personal bests in Week 8.

Follow B/R's Chris Roling on Twitter for more news and analysis @Chris_Roling