Fantasy Football: Week Eight Preview, Part Two

Yesterday was a big day for us here at the 'Table. We covered nine games, which is more than usual for a Thursday. That means we get to take it a little easier today, simply because of a shorter schedule for the late games. Only five games are scheduled to kick off after 1 PM on Sunday. Let's take a look at what we've got. 

Cincinnati at Houston

Who to Start: Cedric Benson, Steve Slaton, Ahman Green (deep leagues), Chad Johnson

Who to Sit: Matt Schaub, Kevin Walter

What to Expect: The Cincinnati defense isn't exactly given a lot of credit, although they should be. The Bengals are sixth against the pass, holding opponents under 200 yards per game. They haven't given up many touchdowns through the air this season at all.

That in mind, only play Texans that you have no other choice on. Matt Schaub doesn't seem to be in line for a great game, even at home. He likely only throws for one touchdown pass, and the odds are high that it goes to Owen Daniels.

Andre Johnson will put up yards, which makes him a solid WR2 play, but the Bengals' secondary covers receivers well. The openings will be short and over the middle. Typically, the Bengals are good against tight ends, but I think this matchup works for them.

The workhorses are going to be Slaton and Green. Obviously, we like Slaton better, but you can do worse than Green this week. Both should find the end zone; I just like Slaton to find it with more yardage. Keep both active.

On the Cincinnati side, just because the Texans aren't great against the pass, that doesn't mean you should consider Ryan Fitzpatrick. He could make Johnson and Houshmandzadeh look good this week, but he makes too many mistakes to be considered viable from a starting standpoint. I like both Bengals receivers this week, but Johnson remains more of a flex play.

Cedric Benson should be the big winner in this matchup. Benson took over starting duties last week and made the most of his carries. The Texans cannot stop the run. Look for Benson to break 90 yards and a score.

Sleeper Pickup: Green. In deep leagues, he would make a decent depth addition, as he's proven he still has something in the tank...At least against poor run defenses.

Cleveland at Jacksonville

Who to Start: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Defense
 
Who to Sit: David Garrard, any Cleveland player
 
What to Expect: What we've learned the past couple weeks is that you don't get rich by trying to throw on Cleveland. Eli Manning learned that, and then Jason Campbell learned that.

Garrard isn't going to be any different here. I don't like any of his receivers this week, especially when it's possible Matt Jones isn't in the lineup (no word on if he will accept or appeal his suspension). 

Garrard may do slightly better than the Jaguars' two prior opponents, simply because he can run. The problem is, he has two other very qualified individuals who can do that as well.

Taylor and Jones-Drew get to go up against a defense that has given up nearly 150 yards per game on the ground. I like Jones-Drew better because of his explosive ability, and he should find the end zone. Taylor, though, deserves attention in all formats. I see 70 yards and a score in his future as well.

On the Cleveland side, I see a lot of Browns fans hoping this is the week they pull Anderson for Quinn. 

In six games, the Jaguars have given up just four rushing touchdowns and slightly more than 105 yards per game on the ground. Jamal Lewis can be in if you need him. They'll certainly use him, and he'll get the carries. It's likely he's the only Browns player that can find the end zone. This team couldn't find the goal line with a map at this point.

Anderson is going against a defense that he should be able to throw on. He's had that a few times but has only come through against the Giants. Last week was a tremendous step backward for the offense, as they struggled to do anything against Washington.

Anderson likely will crack 200 yards, but I'm not seeing more than one touchdown in this matchup. Edwards gets it, if you have to start him. 

Sleeper Pickup: Jacksonville Defense. It's cherry picking, and they likely aren't available in many leagues, but where they are, you should grab them.

New York Giants at Pittsburgh

Who to Start: Hines Ward, Nate Washington, Mewelde Moore (if no Parker)
 
Who to Sit: Eli Manning, Steve Smith, Amani Toomer
 
What to Expect: Defense is the name of the game in this one.

Eli Manning has had a couple potentially easy defenses to throw against, but nothing seems to be working here. That was evident against a porous defense last week in San Francisco. The going doesn't get easier against the Steelers. Eli is in for a long day against a good team. I expect 210 yards, a score, and a couple interceptions from him.

You likely have no options outside of Burress, and he could grab the only touchdown Manning throws. Problem is, he's missed practice the last two days. He's a gamble and a situation that bears watching. Should he not go, I would rather have Domenik Hixon as opposed to Steve Smith going. Different type of player.

You start Brandon Jacobs in all circumstances, just don't get cute and start Bradshaw or Ward in this matchup.

With the Steelers, Roethlisberger should be able to throw on this Giants team. It's been their biggest weakness to this point in the season. His question will be around the availability of Santonio Holmes, who was arrested on Thursday afternoon.

Big Ben should still be able to throw for two touchdowns, with one going to Nate Washington if Holmes is unavailable. Look for him to top 240 yards as well.

Whether it is Moore or Parker at running back, the one with the bulk of the carries should top 80 yards with a score. You are starting one or the other regardless.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Washington. If Holmes is out, this pick goes that much higher.

Seattle at San Francisco

Who to Start: Maurice Morris, J.T. O'Sullivan, Josh Morgan, Isaac Bruce, John Carlson
 
Who to Sit: Any Seattle QB or WR
 
What to Expect: As I pointed to in our midweek updates, Buddy Smith's point on picking on Seattle needs to be looked at.

Seattle is 29th against the pass, meaning even J.T. O'Sullivan should be able to throw on them. Look for him to hit 265 yards with two touchdowns. Josh Morgan is the hot name here, and he's being targeted more frequently. The rookie has a couple catches in each of the last few games and likely will see that workload again. I see five catches for 75 yards and a score.

I like Isaac Bruce as well, and he should grab that second touchdown catch and come close to 100 yards receiving on the day. Obviously, you start Frank Gore. This is against a bad team, and Gore does well against bad teams.

Outside of John Carlson, there isn't anything to start or be excited about in the Seattle passing game. Carlson only makes a decent play in deeper leagues where you need the tight end or in two-tight-end formats. About 35 yards and a score is likely the best you can hope for in this one.

Maurice Morris and Julius Jones split carries last week, and Holmgren has indicated that will likely be the case going forward as well. The 49ers give up better than a touchdown per game on the ground and about 125 yards. The two backs will likely split the yards, but both should find the end zone and will need to for Seattle to stay in this game.
 
Sleeper Pickup: Morgan. He should be on the radar of all 12-team leagues and is a borderline own in those deep formats.

Indianapolis at Tennessee

Who to Start: Tennessee Defense, LenDale White, Reggie Wayne
 
Who to Sit: Marvin Harrison, Anthony Gonzalez, Dominic Rhodes, Kerry Collins, Tennessee WRs
 
What to Expect: A grudge match.

This is not the Tennessee team that Indy has faced in the past, and outside of your stars, you aren't going to want to be involved in this one with Colts players. It's rare that we'll recommend benching Manning, if ever. That said, if you have a better matchup, you probably want to use it for this one. Manning could be in for a long day against a secondary that has allowed just one passing touchdown in six games.

Reggie Wayne is probably the only candidate for a start on the Indy offense. He'll grab Manning's only touchdown pass. It's possible that Manning throws another one, but it's likely that it's to the Titans.

With the running game, the Titans allow fewer than 90 yards per game on the ground. Don't look for the going to be easy for Rhodes or Addai (if he gets a carry). They already have a beat-up line in front of them, and this is not the defense to test them against. By the way, you now should bet the over, as I'm totally killing Indy's offense here.

For the Titans, look for them to run all day against the Colts. Surprisingly, Indy's pass defense is in the top five overall. This shouldn't be a big factor, because we know that Tennessee is going to spend the day running the football. They were able to do it against Kansas City; they'll be just as strong against the Colts.

Johnson and White should combine for 220 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Kerry Collins shouldn't be started in any format, and the only consistent component to the Titans' passing game you should start is TE Bo Scaife. Otherwise, avoid them all.
 
Sleeper Pickup: None in this one. The Colts may not put up enough points to matter, and the Titans' backs are the best piece they have.

Enjoy the games!