Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 8: Ideal Matchup Plays and Players to Bench

From ineffective starters to injury woes to bye weeks, fantasy owners have plenty of obstacles to juggle come Week 8 of the season. 

The certain chaos that the NFL guarantees can bring unpredictable and unforeseen results, but studying up on your players' upcoming matchups can be key. Many starters that have been producing at high rates face reeling foes in Week 8, and you'll want to be sure they get the starting nod well before Thursday Night Football approaches.

Doing your homework as early as Monday or Tuesday can be the difference between nabbing a sleeper or two that could be available on waivers as well, so don't miss out.

Top Matchup Plays

Khiry Robinson, RB, New Orleans Saints (vs. Green Bay Packers)

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Those who jumped to start Khiry Robinson in Week 7 after his 89-yard, game-winning-touchdown performance in Week 5 were punished, but don't be quick to quit on Robinson entering Week 8.

He may have had only 26 yards in Sunday's loss to Detroit, but it came on only three carries and his touches were cut off after losing a fumble—his second of the season in 64 carries. 

Week 8 should be a different story. The Saints face the Packers, who have been strong in the secondary but have given up 1,035 rushing yards on the year—most in the NFL. After finding rushing success against a poor Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense in Week 5, they'll look to do the same against the Packers.

Mark Ingram's return may stalemate Robinson's impact, but Ingram only had 16 yards on 10 carries in his Week 7 return and 14 of those came on a single rush. Given his recent success, Robinson should be more likely to bust off some big runs on this susceptible Packers defense.

Robinson is a starter in only 10 percent of leagues, and owners with strong running back depth won't need to bother. But if others are desperate and looking for a bench running back to insert into the lineup, Robinson should be the guy with a very favorable matchup.

Joique Bell, RB, Detroit Lions (at Atlanta Falcons)

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Lions running back Joique Bell has only upped his production since returning to action following a Week 4 concussion, and it should continue against one of the league's worst rushing defenses.

They travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons, who rank 27th against the run in terms of yardage. Even worse, they've given up 13 rushing touchdowns on the ground—five more than any other team(!).

Bell, on the other hand, has scored in each of his two games since returning to action and has 20 touches in each of the last two weeks. Even if Detroit's defense puts the Lions in a hole for the second straight week, expect the Lions to stay committed to Bell on the ground as they did in Week 7.

Only started in 34.1 percent of leagues, those numbers should rise for Bell coming off two strong outings and facing a great matchup. And you know he'll be motivated.

Sleepers Worth Grabbing

Allen Robinson, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Miami Dolphins)

Stephen B. Morton/Associated Press

The Jaguars offense has been finding itself over these last two weeks, and Allen Robinson is emerging as perhaps Blake Bortles' favorite target.

The rookie from Penn State had his best fantasy performance yet in Week 7 with four catches for 60 yards and his first touchdown against the Cleveland Browns, but prior to that he had already inserted himself as a strong part of the offense with at least five catches in four straight games. 

It might be jumping the gun to start Robinson in Week 8—he's owned in less than five percent of leagues—but he's sure to be among the hottest waiver commodities. As his role in the Jags offense grows, so too will his production.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Minnesota Vikings (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Bill Wippert/Associated Press

Shortly after Matt Cassel's injury occurred, Teddy Bridgewater was a hot fantasy pickup, rewarding owners with a big Week 4 performance. But ever since, he's struggled mightily in two starts, combining for five interceptions and just one touchdown.

Bridgewater's decline has him now available in over 90 percent of leagues, but don't wait until he breaks out again to pick him up. Because that breakout is almost certain to come in Week 8 against Tampa Bay.

The Bucs have given up over 300 yards passing in their last three games, and the one prior was a 56-14 loss to the Falcons in which Matt Ryan had his way. Facing Tampa Bay is a quarterback's dream, and the rookie will learn that with a bounce-back performance in Week 8.

Starters to Bench for Week 8

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens (at Cincinnati Bengals)

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has shot up fantasy boards after his 306-yard, five-touchdown performance in Week 6 and currently starts in 29.6 percent of leagues, but owners should go to their next quarterback option in Week 8.

Why, you ask? The Ravens' Week 8 opponent is the Cincinnati Bengals, who have just one less interception (seven) than passing touchdowns given up (eight). They'll also be hungry to show their teeth after being blanked by the Indianapolis Colts.

Flacco kept his hot streak rolling into Week 7 with 258 yards and two scores against the Falcons, but that was also against the league's 29th-ranked pass defense. His 345-yard performance last season against Cincinnati was a long time ago, and if you recall, that took over 60 pass attempts and ended in defeat.

Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons (vs. Detroit Lions)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Fantasy owners of Steven Jackson should be starting to get a backup plan in place after two invisible outings, and it's not going to get any better in Week 8.

The Falcons face the Detroit Lions, who have one of the strongest defensive fronts in football to plug up running lanes. Only three teams have given up fewer rushing yards than Detroit (514) all season. 

Jackson took eight carries for just 22 yards in Week 7 against the Ravens. It's very obvious that this is a pass-first team with Matt Ryan's best weapons on the outside and the defense struggling mightily. That has in turn minimized Jackson's fantasy impact.

He is still started in 43.4 percent of leagues entering Week 8, but that number is going to plummet with a poor performance upcoming and a Week 9 bye thereafter.

Note: All fantasy scoring and ownership info courtesy ESPN standard leagues as of Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. ET. League stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.