Fantasy Football Week 8: Everything You Need to Know for Sunday's Action

Do you hear that? The holidays are coming. Maybe you've already seen a commercial or two.

As we roll on into November, don't let your record get you down or make you think you're invincible. Many a mighty fantasy team was felled by standing pat with a 7-1 record, only to see the team fade down the stretch. Many fantasy owners have come back from the dead with savvy roster management.

First things first—Week 8. Let's dive in and take a look, shall we?

Week 8 Rankings

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Check out this week's rankings.

The 100

Rank	Player	Opponent
1	Devonta Freeman, RB, ATL	vs. TB
2	Le'Veon Bell, RB, PIT	vs. Cin
3	DeAndre Hopkins, WR, HOU	vs. Ten
4	Todd Gurley, RB, STL	vs. SF
5	Marshawn Lynch, RB, SEA	at Dal
6	Julio Jones, WR, ATL	vs. TB
7	Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN	at Chi
8	Justin Forsett, RB, BAL	vs. SD
9	Matt Forte, RB, CHI	vs. Min
10	Keenan Allen, WR, SD	at Bal
11	Tyler Eifert, TE, CIN	at Pit
12	Chris Ivory, RB, NYJ	at Oak
13	Odell Beckham Jr., WR, NYG	at NO
14	Antonio Brown, WR, PIT	vs. Cin
15	Doug Martin, RB, TB	at Atl
16	Philip Rivers, QB, SD	at Bal
17	A.J. Green, WR, CIN	at Pit
18	Calvin Johnson, WR, DET	at KC
19	Mark Ingram, RB, NO	vs. NYG
20	Jeremy Hill, RB, CIN	at Pit
21	Brandon Marshall, WR, NYJ	at Oak
22	Carson Palmer, QB, ARI	at Cle
23	Travis Kelce, TE, KC	vs. Det
24	Matt Ryan, QB, ATL	vs. TB
25	Eddie Lacy, RB, GB	at Den
26	Cam Newton, QB, CAR	vs. Ind
27	Charcandrick West, RB, KC	vs. Det
28	Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR	vs. Ind
29	Andy Dalton, QB, CIN	at Pit
30	Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARI	at Cle
31	Greg Olsen, TE, CAR	vs. Ind
32	Alshon Jeffery, WR, CHI	vs. Min
33	Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT	vs. Cin
34	Chris Johnson, RB, ARI	at Cle
35	Demaryius Thomas, WR, DEN	vs. GB
36	Randall Cobb, WR, GB	at Den
37	Frank Gore, RB, IND	at Car
38	Martavis Bryant, WR, PIT	vs. Cin
39	Eli Manning, QB, NYG	at NO
40	Giovani Bernard, RB, CIN	at Pit
41	Emmanuel Sanders, WR, DEN	vs. GB
42	Alfred Blue, RB, HOU	vs. Ten
43	Stefon Diggs, WR, MIN	at Chi
44	Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB	at Den
45	John Brown, WR, ARI	at Cle
46	Drew Brees, QB, NO	vs. NYG
47	Steve Smith, WR, BAL	vs. SD
48	Kendall Wright, WR, TEN	at Hou
49	Donte Moncrief, WR, IND	at Car
50	Jason Witten, TE, DAL	vs. Sea
51	Eric Decker, WR, NYJ	at Oak
52	Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, NYJ	at Oak
53	Carlos Hyde, RB, SF	at StL
54	Duke Johnson, RB, CLE	vs. Ari
55	James Jones, WR, GB	at Den
56	Ronnie Hillman, RB, DEN	vs. GB
57	Brandin Cooks, WR, NO	vs. NYG
58	T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND	at Car
59	Latavius Murray, RB, OAK	vs. NYJ
60	Mike Evans, WR, TB	at Atl
61	Matthew Stafford, QB, DET	at KC
62	Marcus Mariota, QB, TEN	at Hou
63	Danny Woodhead, RB, SD	at Bal
64	Martellus Bennett, TE, CHI	vs. Min
65	Amari Cooper, WR, OAK	vs. NYJ
66	Travis Benjamin, WR, CLE	vs. Ari
67	Darren McFadden, RB, DAL	vs. Sea
68	Tavon Austin, WR, STL	vs. SF
69	Golden Tate, WR, DET	at KC
70	Marvin Jones, WR, CIN	at Pit
71	Russell Wilson, QB, SEA	at Dal
72	Gary Barnidge, TE, CLE	vs. Ari
73	Antonio Gates, TE, SD	at Bal
74	Michael Crabtree, WR, OAK	vs. NYJ
75	Rashad Jennings, RB, NYG	at NO
76	Antonio Andrews, RB, TEN	at Hou
77	Ameer Abdullah, RB, DET	at KC
78	Andre Ellington, RB, ARI	at Cle
79	Vincent Jackson, WR, TB	at Atl
80	Jimmy Graham, TE, SEA	at Dal
81	Willie Snead, WR, NO	vs. NYG
82	Teddy Bridgewater, QB, MIN	at Chi
83	James Starks, RB, GB	at Den
84	Delanie Walker, TE, TEN	at Hou
85	Mike Wallace, WR, MIN	at Chi
86	Ted Ginn, WR, CAR	vs. Ind
87	C.J. Spiller, RB, NO	vs. NYG
88	Michael Floyd, WR, ARI	at Cle
89	Steve Johnson, WR, SD	at Bal
90	Andrew Luck, QB, IND	at Car
91	Jay Cutler, QB, CHI	vs. Min
92	C.J. Anderson, RB, DEN	vs. GB
93	Charles Sims, RB, TB	at Atl
94	Jameis Winston, QB, TB	at Atl
95	Rueben Randle, WR, NYG	at NO
96	Anquan Boldin, WR, SF	at StL
97	Kyle Rudolph, TE, MIN	at Chi
98	Andre Johnson, WR, IND	at Car
99	Eric Ebron, TE, DET	at KC
100	Charles Sims, RB, TB	at Was

Injury Update

Probables

Quarterbacks

• Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (knee): Finally, Big Ben returns. He has Martavis Bryant now, a bazooka in an already loaded arsenal.

Running Backs

• Alfred Blue, Houston Texans (knee): The man with the first crack at replacing Arian Foster wound up on the injury report with a knee issue. He should be fine, but beware—Alfred Blue will be in a timeshare going forward.
• Charcandrick West, Kansas City Chiefs (pectoral): The Chiefs seem to trust Charcandrick West quite a bit. He's gotten the bulk of the action at running back in the wake of Jamaal Charles' injury, and a sore pec shouldn't slow him down much.
• Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (hip): Don't be shy about starting Adrian Peterson against the Bears this week.
  
• Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks (hamstring): Beast Mode was back last week. Hopefully, his hamstring issue is mainly maintenance. 

Wide Receivers

• Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions (non-injury): Nothing more than a veteran's day off for Megatron, who should be full go in a great matchup in London.
• Jeremy Maclin, Kansas City Chiefs (concussion): Maclin came close to playing last week if reports were any indication, and it looks like he'll be back from the concussion he suffered in Week 6.
• Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring): Beckham is in perpetual hamstring purgatory. It didn't stop him as a rookie, though, and he should be fine.
• Steve Smith Sr., Baltimore Ravens (knee): Oddly enough, microfractures in his back don't even show up on the injury report—Smith is bugged by a knee. But he should be fine.

Tight Ends

• None: No tight ends of note were listed as probable heading into the weekend.

Risks

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (shoulder)

"Austin Seferian-Jenkins has gotten work done but not to the point where I'm going to say he's for sure playing and all of that."

Those words are courtesy of Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith by way of Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. Too bad—he was in for a nice fantasy output.

Josh McCown, QB Cleveland Browns (shoulder)

For a minute it looked like Johnny Manziel would get another shot to start, but Josh McCown seems to be heading in the right direction. You shouldn't really look for a big week out of him against the Arizona defense, though.

Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys (foot)

He's back! But will he be productive? He has Matt Cassel throwing him the ball, after all, not to mention Richard Sherman and Co. dogging his every move. The Seahawks aren't quite as dominant on defense as they have been in recent years, but this is a tough team to face in his return.

Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos (shoulder)

The Broncos take on the Packers at home this week in what would have been a high-scoring affair in recent years. With both defenses playing well and Denver's offense sputtering, however, fantasy point might be harder to come by than many realize.

Even if he does play, Emmanuel Sanders has become a boom-or-bust candidate. All it will take is one big play for his fantasy owners, but that play may never come the way Peyton Manning is playing.

Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers (hip)

Well, well, well. The tables have turned.

Eddie Lacy has been dealing with a balky ankle, but he is nowhere on the injury report heading into Week 8. His would-be usurper, however, is listed as questionable with a hip issue. Granted, James Starks has been practicing in limited fashion, but his injury could swing the pendulum back to Lacy when it comes to playing time and fantasy scoring.

He doesn't have the best matchup in the world, but Lacy could be on the rebound. Finally.

Doubtful or Out

Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys (oblique)

It's Darren McFadden time in Dallas, which also means it's fantasy disappointment time. Yes, McFadden turned back the clock last week, but he wasn't facing the Seahawks.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans (knee)

A sprained MCL is going to keep Marcus Mariota out for another week. Too bad—it was going to be a great matchup for him.

Zach Mettenberger, meanwhile, could have a sneaky-great week in his stead.

Injury updates courtesy of Rotoworld unless otherwise noted. 

Sleepers and Busts

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Sleepers 

Chris Polk, RB, Houston Texans

Alfred Blue was the hottest of waiver-wire commodities this week after Arian Foster’s brutal Achilles injury on a meaningless play. But what about his backfield cohort?

Chris Polk may not be terribly good, but neither is Blue. The likelihood either running back becomes a workhorse in Foster’s wake is slim, and Polk could be in line for 12 to 15 touches per game the rest of the way.

Stevie Johnson, WR, San Diego Chargers

He hardly qualifies as a sleeper, but Stevie Johnson’s tepid performance in his first game back from a hamstring injury probably has him off many fantasy radars for now. A matchup against that awful Baltimore back line—one that is likely to be keen on stopping Keenan Allen and Antonio Gates—could mean a return to Week 1 form for Johnson.

Jeff Cumberland, TE, New York Jets

This week’s turn in the Oakland Raiders Fantasy Points Machine for Tight Ends goes to Jeff Cumberland of the New York Jets. This could be a pair of magnets with the same polarization—Cumberland isn’t very good, either, so his great matchup may not matter. Perhaps the better way to describe this is two magnets with the same polarization. 

Busts

Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We finally got a big game out of Mike Evans last week, who broke out of his sophomore slump with a huge game against Washington. Unfortunately, it might be a short-lived rebound.

Washington’s defense isn’t good, and Evans took advantage of that in his Week 7 explosion. This week, however, he faces much stiffer competition in the form of Desmond Trufant.

Atlanta’s star cornerback hasn’t been talked about as much as Carolina counterpart Josh Norman, but Trufant has been almost as good this year. Evans’ best hope for a big day is a huge Falcons lead and some extended garbage time in the second half.

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

We have a full-blown renaissance blooming in Dallas these days.

Darren McFadden has overcome his injury history, his age and a crowded backfield to ascend to the starting role for the Cowboys. Granted, it took an injury to Joseph Randle to get there, but Run DMC made the most of his opportunity last week after Randle’s exit.

While he will be popular on waivers this week, starting him against the Seahawks isn’t the best idea. McFadden’s offensive line might be the best in the land, but it faces a Seattle defense that has allowed just 3.6 yards per carry and the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs.

Start 'Em

James Kenney/Associated Press

Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

He's coming back from injury, but there is no need to be shy about starting Ben Roethlisberger. He steps back into an excellent situation.

Eddie Lacy, RB, Green Bay Packers

Another slow start—this time an extended one—has soured Eddie Lacy’s fantasy owners. His ankle injury has probably been worse than he’s even let on, and James Starks has become an unexpected thorn in his side. Fear not, however—Lacy hasn’t been officially demoted, only shunted into a running back committee.

A week off should have hopefully helped Lacy get that ankle right, and he will still be very much involved in the Green Bay offense. The Broncos, meanwhile, give up a far number of fantasy points per game to opposing running backs—their specialty is shutting down the passing game.

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans

You are at least aware of Miami’s evisceration of the Houston defense last week, yes? The Texans are reeling on that side of the ball, and the Titans are next in line.

Granted, that offense isn't exactly New England's, but plenty of fantasy points will be up for grabs. Kendall Wright should claim many of those against a Texans defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points per game to receivers over the past three weeks.

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys 

The Seahawks may seem like a tough matchup, but they have given up a ton of fantasy points to tight ends this year. If one Cowboy is worth starting, it's Jason Witten.

Houston Texans D/ST

Sure, I just told you to start Wright because the Texans defense is bad. But that doesn’t mean it won’t score fantasy points in its own right.

The Titans do feature a backup quarterback and routinely gift opposing defenses. Even if Wright has a big day, the Texans could wind up with a couple of turnovers—perhaps a pick-six—and several sacks to log a fine fantasy output.

Sit 'Em

David Richard/Associated Press

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

As if this wasn’t already obvious, Peyton Manning should be out of fantasy lineups everywhere by now. Perhaps a bye week is just what the doctor ordered, but starting him against a ferocious Green Bay pass rush is an unnecessary risk. The future Hall of Famer has done nothing to indicate he will regain his powers, and even the promise of a high-scoring game isn’t enough to make him a top-12 quarterback this week.

Darren McFadden, RB, Dallas Cowboys

For all the reasons McFadden was listed as a bust, you should keep him out of your lineup if you can help it.

Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland Raiders

Last week Michael Crabtree was a sneaky-good start—Amari Cooper was supposed to have a bad game with Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett shadowing him. Both Raiders wound up in the end zone, rewarding their fantasy owners’ faith.

This week, though, Crabtree won’t be so lucky. The New York Jets defense is playing at a high level and is liable to smother quarterback Derek Carr and the offense as a whole. Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie make up one of the best cornerback duos in the game, and Crabtree could have a particularly disappointing day.

Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions

The Kansas City Chiefs have given up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends to date this season. Eric Ebron isn’t exactly an established every-week starter either, so it seems prudent to go with an alternative if you have one.

The DraftKings Scoop

Here is the Week 8 rundown for DraftKings, if you are of that persuasion. 

The Chalk

chalk (n.)—a player considered to be a consensus pick or a “must-start” option for a given DFS contest, especially in cash games.

Justin Forsett, RB, Baltimore Ravens ($6,100)

Baltimore's offense hasn't been very good this year. But San Diego's rush defense has been outright bad.

The Chargers have given up 26.2 standard points per game to opposing running backs this season, second-most in the league. Justin Forsett is a workhorse. This is a nice confluence of opportunity and matchup.

Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings ($4,800) 

We keep waiting for the other shoe to drop with Stefon Diggs. Maybe he's tied his laces too tight.

The rookie sensation has strapped a rocket to his fantasy stock and his spot on the depth chart, but his price remains depressed because of the slow nature of inflation.

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams ($6,300)

Speaking of rookie sensations, Todd Gurley is amazing. At that price, few owners will avoid putting him in their lineups this week.

Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals ($4,600)

Do you trust Chris Johnson to keep producing? DraftKings doesn't seem to, not at that price anyway.

Not only does Johnson look like a new man—or rather his old self—but he gets a fantastic matchup against an awful Browns run defense this week. He should be the highest-owned player of the week.

The Cash Plays

cash game (n.)—a contest in which at least 40 percent of the entrants earn a prize. High-floor players are desirable in cash games.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers ($6,600)

West Coast teams that are traveling east tend to make for risky fantasy propositions—though admittedly that is not an empirical observation—but that may not matter much to Philip Rivers and the San Diego offense. 

The Chargers feature one of the best passing attacks in the league, and the Baltimore Ravens feature the world's largest block of Swiss cheese on defense.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals ($5,300)

After years of disappointment, Tyler Eifert has blossomed into one of the league's best tight ends. He is a matchup nightmare whom Andy Dalton has relied upon plenty this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, have allowed six touchdowns and the third-most standard fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this season. He is darn near a chalk play this week.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks ($7,100)

Beast Mode is back, and he heads to Dallas to face a Cowboys defense that has allowed the fourth-most standard points per game to opposing running backs. That was a mouthful.

The Stacks

stack (v.)—rostering two to three players from the same NFL team with the hope that if one player performs extremely well, then the other one to two players will also benefit.

Ben Roethlisberger, QB ($6,700) and Antonio Brown ($7,800)

Ben Roethlisberger must seem like a cool drink of water to Antonio Brown, who has been roaming the fantasy football wilderness without him over the past several weeks. Brown looked like he might have gotten some of his mojo back last week, but Roethlisberger's return means great things for Brown and that offense.

The GPP Plays

GPP (n.)—stands for “Guaranteed Prize Pool.” It is a type of tournament for which the daily fantasy sports site promises a specific prize pool amount to be divided among the winners regardless of entry count.

Mike Wallace, WR, Minnesota Vikings ($4,200)

With all the attention Stefon Diggs is getting, can I interest you in a discounted and forgotten Mike Wallace?

Minnesota's No. 1 receiver—at least according to the depth chart—is just $4,200, and Diggs' arrival has conspired with Wallace's lackluster production to sink his fantasy stock. The Lions, meanwhile, have given up over 1,400 receiving yards on the year so far and have been susceptible to guys like Wallace.

Daily fantasy definitions courtesy of Cracking DraftKings over at FootballGuys.com.

Last-Minute Waiver Options

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Those were Austin Seferian-Jenkins' statistics in Week 1.

The big tight end would injure his shoulder soon after that, and he has missed the past several weeks. Seferian-Jenkins was almost back this week, so it looks like he'll return in Week 9. If he is on the waiver wire, now might be a good time to snag him for the second half of the season.

Houston Texans D/ST

The way they are playing, there is little reason to trust the Houston Texans on defense. But all it will take is one pick-six for that unit to be worthwhile in the fantasy football realm.

Granted, you can't exactly count on that from any defense—except for the Broncos, maybe—but Houston is still in for a nice statistical output against Tennessee. A few sacks here, a couple of turnovers there and boom—a decent fantasy score.

What Other Experts Are Saying

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

ESPN's Matthew Berry doesn't love Eddie Lacy this week in a departure from my belief you should start him:

"

I ranked him above James Starks this week, but I don't feel great about it. The time-share is a concern, of course, as is the matchup: The Broncos have allowed the third-fewest rushing yards (535) and the third-fewest yards per rush (3.59) this season, which puts the consensus top-five pick this season outside my top 15 at running back.

"

Yahoo's Brandon Funston also thinks Dez Bryant is going to be a bad start this week against the Seattle Seahawks:

"

Dez is expected to return from a foot injury this week, but it's ill-advised to insert him back in your fantasy lineup. Not only is the matchup formidable (Seattle), but Seahawks' corner Richard Sherman is expected to shadow Bryant. That might not have been such a bad thing earlier in the year when Tony Romo was at QB and Sherman was struggling to find his groove. But Sherman has rounded into shutdown form of late, and Matt Cassel (he of the three interceptions in his '15 debut last week) is behind center for the Cowboys. I expect Dallas to try its luck with a run-heavy attack behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. I doubt it will try to let Cassel rule the day with his arm, not against this defense, even with Bryant back in the fold.

 

"

All fantasy rankings and statistics courtesy of FFToday.com. Snap count data is courtesy of FootballOutsiders.com.