Fantasy Football: Week Eight Preview, Part One

If it's Thursday, then it must be time to preview the early games on the NFL schedule. With the Saints and Chargers playing in London this week, we have an additional game at the 1 PM time slot, and one less being played at 4 PM. Nine games on a front-loaded docket. Let's dive right in. 

Tampa at Dallas

Who to Start: Jeff Garcia, Antonio Bryant, Earnest Graham, Patrick Crayton

Who to Sit: Brad Johnson, Roy Williams, Warrick Dunn

What to Expect: The fact is, the Dallas offense without Romo is going to be ugly. We basically saw that last week.

Roy Williams is going to need some time to get into the flow of this offense. He was held without a catch last week, and that may not be out of the realm of possibilities this week. If ever there were a team that could play the zone required against Dallas, it's Tampa.

Terrell Owens is still a must-start, but don't expect Brad Johnson to find him left and right. Owens should be good for 65 and a touchdown. I like Crayton as a slot play, and he could be in for a better yardage day than Owens and a touchdown as well.

Johnson should be able to throw for two but likely tops out around 210 yards. He's just not the type of quarterback that's needed to lead this offense. With Romo out, there seems to be no other options.

Marion Barber will rule this game for Dallas. He needs to end up over 100 for them to win. I like him to finish around 90 with a touchdown and add another 40 through the air.

On the Tampa side, Jeff Garcia should be able to take advantage of a still-depleted secondary. I like Garcia to crack 250 yards and throw for two scores against the Cowboys here. He'll find Bryant for one and TE Alex Smith for the other.

Bryant is in for the best day, as he won't be dealing with a real shutdown corner. Ike Hilliard could be a low-upside play in deeper leagues where you need a third receiver.

Earnest Graham will likely be asked to do the damage on the ground this week. Warrick Dunn has been held out of practice. Keep an eye on this one, but look elsewhere if you planned on starting Dunn as a flex play. Upgrade Graham slightly as well. He's still a good flex or third running back here.

Sleeper Pickup: Bryant. Available in most leagues and Garcia has been able to effectively stretch the field enough to get him the ball.

Washington at Detroit

Who to Start: Chris Cooley, Santana Moss
 
Who to Sit: Antwaan Randle El, Jason Campbell
 
What to Expect: I know, we should love Washington this week. I just don't see it and can't really explain why.

Campbell has put together two stink bombs in a row. You can argue he's due for a good game, or you can argue that this is a trend. I don't see Campbell with more than 220 and two touchdown passes. To me, that's not enough to make him a must-start, and I'd rather look elsewhere for this one. Both the starting receivers mentioned above should be good for one score a piece.

Teams make a living by running on the Lions, so look for Portis to top out at 140 yards and two touchdowns. One of the best plays of the day right here.

I like nothing about Detroit's offense. If you can avoid any of them not named Calvin Johnson, you're in a good position. There just isn't much to talk about here, so we'll leave it at that.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Kevin Smith. Smith has quietly scored in two of his last three games. Rudi Johnson may be getting the attention, but Smith has done well not being in the spotlight.

Buffalo at Miami

Who to Start: Trent Edwards, Greg Camarillo
 
Who to Sit: Chad Pennington, Robert Royal, Ricky Williams
 
What to Expect: Weird game, this one is.

The Dolphins' defense is more often beaten through the air than on the ground. I'd look for Edwards to put up 250 yards and a couple touchdowns against Miami. Lee Evans will be featured prominently, and I like him to catch both touchdown passes this time around. Miami defends tight ends well, so look for options other than Royal here.

Willis McGahee was able to have himself a nice day against the Dolphins front last week, and Lynch is the same type of runner. Give Lynch his first 100-yard game this season and a touchdown as well.

Miami is coming off a couple rough games where they simply haven't been able to stop the ball. Bills offensive players should be decent starts if you have any others to put up.

The Dolphins will be led in this one by Ronnie Brown, and he continues to be a must-start and top fantasy option at running back. The question comes from the rest of the team. Pennington has put up stats in his last three games, including a 295-yard effort against an overrated Baltimore secondary. Buffalo, though, gives up just 185 yards through the air. That's good for eighth in the league.

Pennington likely tops out at the average, but Greg Camarillo should be a good play, as he continues to be Pennington's most consistent target. Camarillo grabs the only touchdown through the air and puts up 70 yards to boot.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Anthony Fasano. He's the safety valve in this Miami offense, and he's overdue for a good game.

St. Louis at New England

Who to Start: Donnie Avery (Deep Leagues), Kevin Faulk, Wes Welker, Marc Bulger
 
Who to Sit: None.
 
What to Expect: I'd expect some numbers to be put up by both teams in this one. Whatever Jim Haslett said to that Rams team, they have been decidedly different in the last two weeks.

The Patriots' beat-up secondary looked good against a Denver team that did nothing but turn the ball over and play with a hurt quarterback for most of the game. Marc Bulger may not be the same as he was a couple years ago, but he'll put up a better performance than that. Not to mention, he has the advantage of Steven Jackson.

I like Bulger to be able to put up two touchdowns in this one, but he'll close in on 300 yards to make it more interesting. Donnie Avery caught one last week, but this could be a tougher matchup. Give both touchdowns to Torry Holt to go with 120 yards. Avery should be good for 90 yards as well. His value is higher in PPR leagues.

Steven Jackson shouldn't be a health concern for owners. He's in for a fine day and should continue to be started. Just don't look for a repeat of the career game he had last week.

On the Patriots' side, health will be the biggest question. The Rams will do their best to not let Moss and Cassel beat them through the air. With Sammy Morris' health a question, that means that Kevin Faulk and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be called upon for full-time duty. Everyone runs on the Broncos, so last week's numbers need to be thrown out the window.

The Patriots should combine for around 110 on the ground with a touchdown, and both these backs can be third options in a pinch.

Cassel will not have a three touchdown game this week, but 225 and two scores isn't exactly a bad game to be had. The Rams give up about 230 yards and 1.5 touchdowns a game through the air, making them relatively easy to throw on. I like this one from that perspective. If you need Cassel, give him the start.
 
Sleeper Pickup: BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He's the likely starter if Morris is out.

San Diego vs. New Orleans at London, England

Who to Start: Vincent Jackson, Deuce McAllister, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore
 
Who to Sit: Marques Colston, Malcom Floyd
 
What to Expect: As has been discussed on Bleacher Report this week, you can run on the AFC West. Even without Reggie Bush, the Saints should put up some numbers on the ground.

Deuce became one of the hottest pickups on waivers this week—and for good reason. The Chargers are 18th against the run but have managed to allow teams to score at will on the ground, even when the yardage isn't there. I like McAllister to go off for 85 and a score. Pierre Thomas will steal the other rushing touchdown, but only be good for about 20 yards.

It's not like San Diego has put up much resistance through the air, either. They have given up 255 yards per game there. Drew Brees should pass that easily. Look for 325 and three scores out of Brees. I like Moore and Henderson to both grab one, with a tight end factoring in as well. The weather is supposed to be much better this year than it was last, so that shouldn't be an issue. If it is, all bets are off.

The Chargers' offense hasn't been great lately, and Rivers is throwing for more interceptions than touchdowns. There is no verdict yet on if Chris Chambers will play, but if he does, the ankle could still bother him enough to make him ineffective.

Good news for Vincent Jackson owners, as he's caught touchdowns in both weeks of Chambers' absence. Look for that to continue here. If you have options outside of Rivers, look to use them this week. Antonio Gates is still an every-week play.

You have to start LDT, and the potential for a big game from him is there.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Thomas. He's a short-yardage guy but has a lot of upside as a pass-catching back and touchdown machine.

Kansas City at New York Jets

Who to Start: Jets Defense, Brett Favre, Chansi Stuckey
 
Who to Sit: Anyone on Kansas City not named "Bowe" or "Gonzalez"
 
What to Expect: The Jets are better against the run than you might think. The Chiefs are without Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, and Larry Johnson. Want to do the math here?

Let's start and finish the Chiefs right here. You play Bowe because he's the only option. You play Gonzalez because you likely don't have any better ones. Charles and Kolby Smith won't crack 60 yards between them. This has the makings of a disaster. So expect the Chiefs offense to go off. Yes, that's the complete double-reverse jinx.

On the Jets side, their defense seems like it would make a good play.

There's a chance that Jerricho Cotchery may not be able to go. If that's the case, Chansi Stuckey earns starter status in nearly all formats. Favre should be able to throw for two touchdowns against this defense, but the yardage may not be there. Coles and Stuckey should be good for those.

The Jets, though, are going to win this game on the ground. Thomas Jones should get his saddle on, because he'll be the horse this week. 130 yards and at least one score for Jones. The Chiefs are so bad against the run, I like Leon Washington as well.

Washington has more value in leagues that credit return yards, but he should be able to hit 70 yards and a score as well. Just a hunch, and we have to go with that sometimes.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Leon Washington. As noted above, this could be a steal of a play.

Atlanta at Philadelphia

Who to Start: Matt Ryan, Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson
 
Who to Sit: Correll Buckhalter, Jerious Norwood, Reggie Brown
 
What to Expect: I give up, Matt Ryan. You win. You can be an NFL quarterback. I hate saying it, mainly because you went to Boston College, but I was wrong.

That's my confession. You can throw on the Eagles. While the Falcons use Turner a lot, Ryan should be good for 260 yards and two touchdowns against this secondary. Roddy White has been incredibly valuable, and he should be used in all formats. Look for him to grab both of these touchdowns.

You have to play Turner, and he should be able to provide a score on the ground for this Falcons team.

The Falcons' secondary has been softer than you might think, particularly in the second half of games. They haven't played many solid quarterbacks, and this Eagles offense presents a different type of challenge.

I like McNabb this week in the matchup more than many people. The Eagles are averaging 260 yards per game through the air, and I think McNabb hits that with ease and adds three touchdown passes.

With Kevin Curtis back, he'll get some looks but should be held out to make sure of his health. He could catch a touchdown, or he may need to be pulled at the early stages. DeSean Jackson and Hank Baskett make solid plays as well. Reggie Brown has been held out of practice early this week and might not be good enough to go. Keep him reserved, but start these other Eagles receivers.

Brian Westbrook is expected back this week, so Buckhalter takes a seat in our book. Westbrook should catch a touchdown pass and run for 85 if fully healthy. He's worth the gamble and is a definite start here.
 
Sleeper Pickup: L.J. Smith. He's still more available than he should be and has a chance to grab a touchdown pass this week.

Arizona at Carolina

Who to Start: Anquan Boldin/Steve Breaston, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Jake Delhomme
 
Who to Sit: Tim Hightower, Edge James, Muhsin Muhammad, Kurt Warner
 
What to Expect: Lots of running from Arizona, but not many touchdowns on the ground.

While the Panthers give up 100 yards per game on the ground, they give up less than one rushing touchdown a contest. That likely means a lot of work for both Hightower and James, but not much luck in finding the end zone. James will probably, therefore, get most of the work. Look for him to hit 75 yards, but no scores. Hightower is getting more carries, but if he doesn't hit paydirt, he isn't worth playing. 

Warner could be in for a rough day as well. Carolina is second against the pass, giving up under 170 yards per game. On the road, at Carolina, I don't like the way this one stacks up for him. Breaston could still be in for a good game, but likely any touchdowns will head toward Larry Fitzgerald.

The Cardinals give up two passing touchdowns a game, so that's good news for anyone planning to start Delhomme. Arizona is just outside the top-10 against the run, so it will be Delhomme's arm carrying this one. That being the case, we like Williams slightly better than Stewart this week.

Williams catches the ball better out of the backfield and has the better chance to score as a result. Not a fan of the matchup for Muhammad, but Steve Smith will be in fine shape.

The running game has us leaning more towards Williams, but Stewart should be able to crack 60 yards and potentially score as well. It will just be a much tougher road. Neither is more than a third option or flex play, and you'd be fine look at them there.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Breaston. If Boldin continues to be unable to go, Breaston has proven he can handle to load as a No. 2 receiver.

Oakland at Baltimore

Who to Start: Justin Fargas, Willis McGahee, Derrick Mason, Javon Walker (deep leagues)
 
Who to Sit: Joe Flacco, JaMarcus Russell, Le'Ron McClain
 
What to Expect: Expect to see the real Willis McGahee.

McGahee is coming off a very good game against Miami and now goes up against a team that can't seem to stop the run at all. He'll be the primary guy here and should crack 100 yards with two scores here. I don't like McClain this week because it won't be that type of game. Ray Rice has more potential here because of his ability to receive and change the pace.

Flacco was consistent last week, but this game is going to be won on the ground. He may throw for two touchdowns, but he won't break 200 yards. Derrick Mason is the dark horse here. As a bye-week fill-in, Mason could land you 70 yards and a score. Not too bad if you aren't looking at him as more than a third option and a borderline WR2 play.

With Justin Fargas healthy, expect him to get the bulk of the work. He's just a better pure runner than McFadden at this point. I like Fargas for 75 and a score, with McFadden adding 30 on the ground but 50 through the air.

I don't like Russell, but he should be able to find Walker for a touchdown. Zach Miller is the next option in the passing game, and he should grab 45 yards and a potential score. Tricky one here.

The Ravens can be beaten through the air, but the Raiders' attack has been ground oriented. That's going to be a struggle for Oakland and could make for a long day against the Ravens.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Walker. He's becoming Russell's best/only wide-receiver target. 

Back tomorrow with the late games!