'Who Needs Reality?': Excellent Fantasy Football Starts for Week 8

Say it ain't so, but we're approaching the halfway point of the 2014 NFL season. Time really flies when you're having fun—or obsessing 24/7 over your fantasy football team. 

Whatever the excuse, let's all make a plea for time to slow it down...and here are some great Week 8 starts in fantasy football. 

Please remember that I use a standard scoring system when projecting these points:

• One point per 10 rushing or receiving yards
• One point per 25 passing yards
• Six points for each rushing or receiving touchdown
• Four points for passing touchdowns
• Minus-two points for interceptions and fumbles lost

Additionally, be sure to stay tuned to the official NFL injury report to get the official word on who is in and who is out come game day.

Finally, please remember that with this column I intend to list players whom you should start who wouldn't be ultra-obvious picks. Therefore, I won't be telling you to start Peyton Manning, Matt Forte, Julio Jones, etc. 

Quarterbacks to Start

There comes a time when it seems silly to ignore a pattern. This is the case this week with Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. 

Tannehill has been playing some great football and, in the process, putting up some great fantasy numbers. He's scored more than 20 points per game over his last three games and has the treat of playing the Jacksonville Jaguars this week. Since Jacksonville has been quite good at stopping the run, Tannehill and the Dolphins should be looking to air it out this Sunday in Florida. 

• 275 yards and three touchdowns = 23 points

Other Solid Ball-Throwers

• Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: 280 yards, two touchdowns, one interception = 17 points
• Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: 320 yards, two touchdowns, one interception = 18 points 

Running Backs to Start 

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Cleveland Browns suffered a brutal loss last week to the Jaguars, largely because they couldn't do what they do best—run the football. 

This week, back at home against the Oakland Raiders, the Browns are going to be in heaven because they'll be able to run all over the field with running back Ben Tate. Start him with confidence.

• 18 carries, 85 yards and two touchdowns = 20 points

Other Solid Ball-Carriers

• Andre Ellington, Arizona Cardinals: There's no reason not to play Ellington in any matchup at this point, but against the Philadelphia Eagles, you can't even make a case for benching him. Ellington is a great dual-threat runner, and the Eagles give up a lot of yards. 
• Joique Bell, Detroit Lions: I could gain 10 rushing yards against the Atlanta Falcons defense. If I can rush for 10 yards, Joique Bell can rush for 100 and a touchdown or two. Atlanta stinks. 
• Travaris Cadet, New Orleans Saints: With Pierre Thomas out, Cadet becomes the Saints' pass-catching running back. I could see him having a coming-out party this week since he no longer has to compete with Thomas for quarterback Drew Brees' attention. A great play in point-per-reception formats. 

Wide Receivers to Start

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Golden Tate has come into his own in Detroit this season. The former Seattle Seahawk has been filling in admirably for the injured Calvin Johnson. He's been a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford and a reliable start on your fantasy football team. This week, he plays the Falcons, who, in case you haven't heard, stink. 

• Ten catches and 130 yards = 13 points (23 in PPR)

Other Solid Pass-Catchers

• Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright, Tennessee Titans: Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger is starting this week for the Tennessee Titans, and while rookie starters don't always equal success, I actually think he will be the change of pace that this offense needs. 
• Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals: His numbers may not be super flashy, since Arizona tends to spread the ball around a lot, but if you're looking for a reliable play, Floyd fits the bill. 
• Terrance Williams, Dallas Cowboys: Williams has scored a touchdown in every home game this season. He's on pace for 13 touchdowns this season, and yes, the Cowboys are at home. 

Tight Ends to Start

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Zach Ertz of the Philadelphia Eagles is the tight end to start this week if you are facing a tough choice. He has a great matchup against the Arizona Cardinals and sees a consistent amount of targets from quarterback Nick Foles. I'd be surprised if Ertz doesn't have a nice game this Sunday. 

• Six catches, 70 yards and a touchdown = 13 points (19 in PPR)

Other Solid Big Guys Who Catch Balls

• Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts: I was pretty anti-Allen at the start of this season, thinking he would be too buried on the Indianapolis depth chart to find any sort of consistent success, yet he's proved me wrong. He's a favorite target for quarterback Andrew Luck and a much better and more athletic receiver than I had given him credit for. 
• Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins: When he's healthy, he's a target and reception machine. He has a ton of athleticism for a tight end and is capable of racking up receiver-like yardage.  
• Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers: This is a bit obvious, but some people actually sit players when they face the Seattle Seahawks. Not only is the Seattle defense worse this year than last, but the Seahawks have never been particularly good against tight ends, meaning that this should be another great week for Olsen, who is quarterback Cam Newton's favorite red-zone target. 

Defense/Special Teams to Start

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

The Seattle Seahawks D/ST was drafted to be a must-start, matchup-proof unit. I was one of the owners who drafted the Seahawks as such, and long story short, they've been a letdown. They've been struggling to collect stats and stop the run, and as a result, Seattle has lost two straight games. This week against the Carolina Panthers, however, Seattle should get back to what it does best, which is play tough defense and run the ball. 

Other Solid Defense/Special Teams Starts

• Miami Dolphins (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Buffalo Bills (at New York Jets)
• New York Jets (home against Buffalo Bills)

And there we have it, folks. Best of luck with your leagues this week.

If you have any further questions, hit me up at the email below, and I'll try to respond to all inquiries before kickoff on Sunday. Furthermore, if you're struggling with tough lineup decisions, like I am in many leagues this year, trust your gut above any person, logic or statistic. Many times the answer lies within your intuition. 

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All stats courtesy of NFL.com and FFToday.com. Feel free to email any question to [e-mail].