Fantasy Football – Week 8 Start Em' And Sit Em'

By Derek of The Sportmeisters

Welcome to the best time of the year sports fans. Here is where I will tell you who I think you should start or who I think you should sit for your fantasy team. This year, I will give you your obvious must starts (guys you start every week no matter who they play), a few players from each position who you should start, a sleeper start em’, and a must sit em’. Also, I will be giving projections for those players. If you have more questions, don’t forget to join me for my Sunday Morning Start Em’/Sit Em’ Chat from 10:45am to 12:45pm which will return in week 9. Go to www.Sportmeisters.com for more info. Enough talk, let’s get down to business!

QB Obvious Must Starts

Drew Brees – NO vs. ATL – Projection: 315 Yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Peyton Manning – IND vs. SF – Projection: 300 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Philip Rivers – SD vs. OAK – Projection: 295 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Aaron Rodgers – GB vs. MIN – Projection: 250 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Kurt Warner – ARI vs. CAR – Projection: 235 Yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB Start Em’

Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears vs. CLE – Cutler had a miserable week against Cincinnati last week, throwing for just 251 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Not to mention that he fumbled twice. This week, he will have a little easier time against the 24^th ranked pass defense of the Cleveland Browns, who have just 12 sacks and three interceptions on the season. Start Em’. Projection: 275 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys vs. SEA – What’s gotten into Tony Romo? In his last two games he has thrown for 662 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception. This week, he should continue his streak against the 17^th ranked pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks, who have just three interceptions all year. Start Em’. Projection: 300 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN – Garrard isn’t usually a guy that you think of as a fantasy Quarterback, but this week, with six teams on a bye, he has the matchup that will light up your eyes as a fantasy owner. He threw for 335 yards and ran for 31 yards last week against St. Louis, despite throwing two interceptions and faces the worst pass defense in the NFL in the Tennessee Titans this week, which he has already torched for 323 yards and three touchdowns in week 4. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 280 Yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

QB Sit Em’

Donovan McNabb – Philadelphia Eagles vs. NYG – Even though he played well last week against Washington, he wasn’t great for fantasy teams. He threw for just 156 yards and one touchdown. This week, he faces the second ranked pass defense of the New York Giants and I expect this game to be a defensive struggle, especially with the Giants losing two straight. Hard to bench, but you have to do so this week. Sit Em’. Projection: 220 Yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos vs. BAL – Kyle Orton has been surprisingly good thus far this year. He has thrown for 1465 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception. However, he faces the 23rd ranked pass defense of the Baltimore Ravens this week and they will get pressure on Orton like he hasn’t seen all year, especially playing in Baltimore Sit Em’. Projection: 210 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Eli Manning – New York Giants vs. PHI – As much as I love Eli as a real life QB, as a fantasy QB, he has hit a wall these past few weeks. He started out hot with 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions in the first five games, but has thrown just two touchdowns to four interceptions in the past two games. This week, he faces the ninth ranked pass defense of the Philadelphia Eagles and, like I said earlier, I expect a defensive game. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 200 Yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

RB Obvious Must Starts

Adrian Peterson – MIN vs. GB – Projection: 90 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards

Michael Turner – ATL vs. NO – Projection: 70 Yards Rushing, 1 TD

Steven Jackson – STL vs. DET – Projection: 105 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards

Maurice Jones-Drew – JAX vs. TEN – Projection: 100 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards

Matt Forte – CHI vs. CLE – Projection: 100 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards

DeAngelo Williams – CAR vs. ARI – Projection: 85 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 25 Yards

Chris Johnson – TEN vs. JAX – Projection: 75 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards

RB Start Em’

Steve Slaton – Houston Texans vs. BUF – Slaton is playing so well lately that he is almost a must start every week. However, he has had a problem with fumbling the ball recently. Regardless, he has still put up monster numbers these past two weeks with 110 yards Rushing and 10 receptions for 124 yards with three total touchdowns. You have to start him this week against the worst run defense in the NFL—the Buffalo Bills. Start Em’. Projection: 75 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 5 Receptions, 45 Yards, 1 TD

Kevin Smith – Detroit Lions vs. STL – Smith hasn’t been the most consistent option this year, but has put up decent numbers. He has 348 yards rushing with three touchdowns and 20 receptions for 149 yards. This week, he gets a great matchup against the 27^th ranked run defense of the St. Louis Rams and QB Matt Stafford is expected to play. He could be especially useful in PPR formats. Start Em’. Projection: 75 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 35 Yards

LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles – San Diego Chargers vs. OAK – So, Tomlinson hasn’t been what we all expected this year. Trust me, I know—I have heard it enough to last me a lifetime. However, he ran well these past two weeks (141 yards rushing), but has failed to reach the end zone. On the other hand, Sproles has been exactly what we expected. A little lightning bug that breaks a huge play every now and again, whether it be a run, catch, or return. This week, they face the 30^th ranked run defense of the Oakland Raiders and I think both guys find the end zone. Start Em’ Both. Projections: Tomlinson: 90 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 25 Yards – Sproles: 50 Yards Rushing, 4 Receptions, 55 Yards, 1 TD

Chris “Beanie” Wells – Arizona Cardinals vs. CAR – Last week against the Giants was Beanie’s best game of the year and the introduction of him into the offense. He ran for 67 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 10 yards. This week, he should see a few more carries and faces the 26^th ranked run defense of the Carolina Panthers. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 50 Yards Rushing, 1 TD, 2 Receptions, 10 Yards

RB Sit Em’

Ray Rice and Willis McGahee – Baltimore Ravens vs. DEN – McGahee started the year on fire, scoring seven total touchdowns in the first four games. However, the past two weeks, he has just eight carries for one yard and no touchdowns. He has lost almost all of his carries to Ray Rice, who has 249 yards rushing with 22 receptions for 240 yards and three total touchdowns in the last three games. However, this week they face the revamped, re-energized third ranked Run D of the Denver Broncos. Definitely sit McGahee, and as hard as it is to sit Rice, this week you have to. Sit Em’ Both. Projections: McGahee: 20 Yards Rushing – Rice: 60 Yards Rushing, 4 Receptions, 30 Yards

Ryan Grant – Green Bay Packers vs. MIN – Grant had a great game against Cleveland last week, but this week he faces a much tougher defense. He faces the 10^th ranked run defense of the Minnesota Vikings, which held him to 51 yards rushing and 50 yards receiving in Week 4. He may have a similar game, but definitely won’t reach the end zone. Sit Em’. Projection: 55 Yards Rushing, 3 Receptions, 30 Yards

Jonathan Stewart – Carolina Panthers vs. ARI – Stewart has been extremely inconsistent this year and it’s driving fantasy owners insane. He was supposed to run wild last week against Buffalo and instead ran for just 25 yards and added four receptions for 20 yards. This week, he faces the best run defense in the NFL in the Arizona Cardinals. Expect DeAngelo Williams to carry most of the load. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 35 Yards Rushing, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards

WR Obvious Must Starts

Larry Fitzgerald – ARI vs. CAR – Projection: 7 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD

Reggie Wayne – IND vs. SF – Projection: 7 Receptions, 95 Yards, 1 TD

Andre Johnson – HOU vs. BUF – Projection: 7 Receptions, 90 Yards, 1 TD

Greg Jennings – GB vs. MIN – Projection: 5 Receptions, 95 Yards, 1 TD

Roddy White – ATL vs. NO – Projection: 6 Receptions, 95 Yards, 1 TD

Marques Colston – NO vs. ATL – Projection: 7 Receptions, 100 Yards, 1 TD

WR Start Em’

Donald Driver – Green Bay Packers vs. MIN – Anyone think Driver is washed up? I certainly don’t after having nine catches for 191 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. He now has 27 receptions for 479 yards and three touchdowns on the year and faces the 20th ranked pass defense of the Minnesota Vikings this week, with their best cover Corner Antoine Winfield out with an injury. Start Em’. Projection: 6 Receptions, 65 Yards, 1 TD

Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers vs. OAK – Jackson had a monster game last week against the hopeless Kansas City Chiefs, catching five passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. He now has 29 receptions for 561 yards and four touchdowns on the year and is facing the 12th ranked pass defense of the Oakland Raiders this week, which he has torched for 13 catches, 256 yards, and two touchdowns in his last three games against. Start Em’. Projection: 6 Receptions, 95 Yards, 1 TD

Devin Hester – Chicago Bears vs. CLE – Hester has turned into a pretty good receiver this year. He has a team leading 28 receptions for 373 yards and three touchdowns this year, including an eight catch, 101 yards, one touchdown performance last week against Cincinnati. This week, he faces the 24th ranked pass defense of the Cleveland Browns and with is speed, he is always a threat to break a huge TD. Start Em’. Projection: 7 Receptions, 85 Yards, 1 TD

Mike Sims-Walker – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. TEN – Sims-Walker has been a pleasant surprise this season. He has been Jacksonville’s best receiver and has 28 receptions for 398 yards and three touchdowns on the year. This week, he faces the worst pass defense on the NFL in the Tennessee Titans and had seven catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns against them in Week 4. Start Em’. Projection: 8 Receptions, 100 Yards, 1 TD

Lee Evans – Buffalo Bills vs. HOU – So, I guess the addition of Terrell Owens hasn’t helped as much as everyone thought it would. Not to mention that QB Trent Edwards has been out for a few weeks with a concussion. However, that appears to be a good thing as Ryan Fitzpatrick has said that he loves throwing to Evans and he has nine receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. This week he faces the 18th ranked pass defense of the Houston Texans and could find the end zone yet again. Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 50 Yards, 1 TD

WR Sit Em’

Terrell Owens – Buffalo Bills vs. HOU – What’s going on here? T.O. on the Sit Em’ list two weeks in a row? Well, Owens has been almost non-existent in the Buffalo offense, catching just 18 balls for 242 yards and one touchdown on the season. Combine that with QB Trent Edwards likely missing another game with a concussion and Ryan Fitzpatrick looking the other way to Lee Evans and you have yourself a star WR Sit Em’. Projection: 3 Receptions, 35 Yards

Derrick Mason – Baltimore Ravens vs. DEN – Mason has been QB Joe Flacco’s favorite target again this season, catching 26 passes for 381 yards and three touchdowns. However, they are facing the eighth ranked pass defense of the Denver Broncos this week and he will be constantly matched up with Champ Bailey on the outside. Sit Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 40 Yards

Anquan Boldin – Arizona Cardinals vs. CAR – If it weren’t for his nagging ankle injury, Boldin would be an absolute must start. However, his injury has him listed as Questionable and even if he plays, the ankle is clearly affecting his play. You may not have anyone better to start, but if you do, I would Sit Em’ this week against the best pass defense in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers. Projection: 4 Receptions, 50 Yards

Roy Williams – Dallas Cowboys vs. SEA – So Williams is healthy again, but still not productive. In what was supposed to be his breakout year in Dallas, he has missed a game due to injury and has caught just 12 balls for 230 yards and only one touchdown. With the emergence of Miles Austin, he has now become the number two guy and the third option behind Austin and TE Jason Witten. Plus, he is facing the 17th ranked pass defense of the Seattle Seahawks. Must Sit Em’ until he becomes a part of the offense again. Projection: 3 Receptions, 30 Yards

TE Obvious Must Starts

Jason Witten – DAL vs. SEA – Projection: 6 Receptions, 65 Yards, 1 TD

Antonio Gates – SD vs. OAK – Projection: 6 Receptions, 60 Yards, 1 TD

Tony Gonzalez – ATL vs. NO – Projection: 6 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Dallas Clark – IND vs. SF – Projection: 7 Receptions, 70 Yards, 1 TD

Owen Daniels – HOU vs. BUF – Projection: 7 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD

TE Start Em’

Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears vs. CLE – Olsen has definitely not been as productive as everyone expected he would be with the arrival of QB Jay Cutler. However, he is facing the 24th ranked pass defense of the Cleveland Browns this week and should find the end zone for the fourth time this year. Start Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 55 Yards, 1 TD

Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans Saints vs. ATL – Shockey has proven that when he is healthy, he is productive. He has 26 receptions for 304 yards and three touchdowns in six games and looks to be completely involved in the offense and on the same page with QB Drew Brees. He faces the 26th ranked pass defense of the Atlanta Falcons this week. Start Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 75 Yards, 1 TD

Brandon Pettigrew – Detroit Lions vs. STL – Pettigrew hasn’t been anything special this year, catching just 12 passes for 152 yards. However, he has a great matchup against the 25th ranked pass defense of the St. Louis Rams that makes him a nice bye week Sleeper Start Em’. Projection: 4 Receptions, 35 Yards, 1 TD

TE Sit Em’

Todd Heap – Baltimore Ravens vs. DEN – Heap has been much better than expected this year, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that he has finally been healthy. He has 24 receptions for 262 yards and two touchdowns on the year, but faces the eighth ranked pass defense of the Denver Broncos this week and they are particularly stingy to the TE position, allowing just 17 catches for 176 yards to them all year. Sit Em’. Projection: 3 Receptions, 35 Yards

Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers vs. IND – People must think that I am crazy to put Davis on the Sit Em’ list after scoring three touchdowns last week. Well, he was facing a weak Houston pass defense last week. This week he faces the sixth ranked pass defense of the Indianapolis Colts and even though I love the fact that Alex Smith is starting and I think he will revitalize that offense, I hate the matchup against Indy. Especially with Safety Bob Sanders back in the lineup. Sit Em’. Projection: 5 Receptions, 50 Yards

Tony Scheffler – Denver Broncos vs. BAL – Even though Scheffler is coming off of a six catch, 101 yards, one touchdown performance in week six, I don’t like him this week. He is facing the 23rd ranked pass defense of the Baltimore Ravens, who are better than their ranking, and he just hasn’t been involved in the offense outside of the week six game against San Diego. Must Sit Em’. Projection: 3 Receptions, 35 Yards

D/ST Start Em’

Chicago Bears vs. CLE – The Bears Defense is coming off an embarrassing week against Cincinnati where they allowed 45 points and over 425 yards of total offense. This week they will be fired up and are facing Derek Anderson and the miniscule Cleveland Browns offense. Start Em’.

San Diego Chargers vs. OAK – You have to love the matchup when you have one of the league’s best linebackers against one of the league’s worst quarterbacks. Shawne Merriman and company will have a field day against JaMarcus Russell, just like the Jets did last week. Start Em’.

New York Jets vs. MIA – The Jets defense looks to be back on track and you know that Rex Ryan hasn’t forgotten about that week five loss to them Dolphins, nor how they lost. Start Em’.

D/ST Sit Em’

Atlanta Falcons vs. NO – Can you say shootout? I expect the Saints to put up yet another 40 point game and torch the Falcons pass defense. Sit Em’.

San Francisco 49ers vs. IND – With the way that Peyton Manning is playing right now, would you start any defense against him? Neither would I. Sit Em’.

Seattle Seahawks vs. DAL – Tony Romo is on fire and I don’t expect that to end this week, nor do I think that Seattle will be able to stop the three headed monster of Barber, Jones, and Choice. Sit Em’.

There you have it Sports Fans. Any questions or concerns, please email me at [e-mail] and don’t forget to join me for my weekly Sunday Morning Start Em’/Sit Em’ Chat from 10:45am to 12:45pm which will resume in week 9. Go to www.Sportmeisters.com for more info.