Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 8: Advice Before Fantasy Football Lineup Deadline

By the time the middle of the NFL season comes, fantasy owners typically have a lot on their plates in the form of bye weeks and untimely injuries. Week 8 of the 2015 campaign is no different.

Four teams are sitting at home this weekend—the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. Add that to a plethora of injuries across the board for playmaking threats, and most fantasy managers have plenty of conundrums on their hands.

With another game in London this weekend kicking off at 9:30 a.m. ET, folks have even less time to figure out who they'll start and sit. Don't fret, as we'll break down the best—and worst—options for your lineup Sunday.

Start 'Em

Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

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Jay Cutler played his way out of fantasy relevance in 2014, and an early-season injury didn't help his stock early this season. But since he's returned from said injury, he's been well worth the start.

Over the last three games, Cutler is averaging nearly 300 yards passing and has five touchdown passes to just two interceptions. With Alshon Jeffery finally healthy and effective, Cutler should put up points again versus Minnesota's defense.

Charcandrick West, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

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It's been a contrast of performances for Charcandrick West in two games as the Chiefs' featured back, but his most recent was a breakout performance against the stingy Pittsburgh Steelers front line. He went for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Most importantly, West got 22 carries to Knile Davis' one. Sunday's opponent, the Detroit Lions, have given up nine scores on the ground and 763 yards this season. 

Nate Washington, WR, Houston Texans

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It's easy to discount what Nate Washington did as one of fantasy's top performers last week, as it came in garbage time of a lopsided loss to Miami. He won't have much garbage time against the Tennessee Titans, but that's not to say he won't explode again.

Washington is going up against his former team, which alone is enough to motivate him for another big game. The Titans give up 21 points on average to the opposing team's wideouts, and the Texans will be intent on airing it out in their first game since Arian Foster's season-ending injury.

Sit 'Em

Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

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Owners of Jeremy Hill (including myself) are well-aware of his struggles in 2015. After averaging over five yards per carry as a rookie, his rushing average is down to just 3.1 yards per attempt.

Even more concerning is that Giovani Bernard has gotten an increased workload, especially in passing situations. Facing a Steelers defensive unit that's giving up the third-fewest points to rushers, Hill should struggle on the ground again.

Jimmy Graham, TE, Seattle Seahawks

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Like Hill, owners of Jimmy Graham didn't envision many—if any—weeks that he would be active but not worth the start. Fantasy football has a way of breeding the unexpected, and Graham's struggles are certainly that.

Graham has been hit or miss in fantasy since going to the Seahawks, but expect another miss Sunday. His Seattle squad faces a Dallas Cowboys unit giving up the fifth-fewest points to tight ends, proving stout in the middle of the field.

Travis Benjamin, WR, Cleveland Browns

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Travis Benjamin emerged as Johnny Manziel's favorite target during his early-season playing time. Although Manziel has been getting first-team reps in practice, Josh McCown is still in line to start this weekend, as reported by Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Even if Manziel comes into the game, don't expect Benjamin to be relevant. He'll be matched up with Arizona's Patrick Peterson for most of the game, which will likely stymie his fantasy value.

Note: Points-against rankings and totals courtesy of ESPN.com.