Fantasy Football Week 8: Brandon Marshall and 5 Players Set to Fail

Nobody likes to lose, especially to your friends or co-workers in fantasy football. It may be just a game, but there's just something about holding bragging rights over a rival. 

As with every week, though, there will be players who fail to deliver in fantasy football. It's inevitable and unfortunate, but the key is to make sure you don't start these guys.

The unknown is part of what makes fantasy football fun, but it definitely is a disappointment when you pick wrong and end up losing.  

Here are five players sure to fail in Week 8.

Kevin Kolb

Kevin Kolb fared better than expected at home against the Steelers last weekend, but he's in for a rough day when he takes on the Ravens in Baltimore this Sunday. 

He'll connect with Larry Fitzgerald for a touchdown, but the Ravens are going to be after him, and they will force turnovers, which is why you don't want to start him. 

He hasn't thrown for over 275 yards since Week 1 and has been a huge letdown for those fantasy players who waited late on a QB in the draft, hoping Kolb would be a great steal. I'll be surprised if he even throws for 250 yards on Sunday. 

Sidney Rice

I don't feel bad for anyone who drafted Sidney Rice this season. There were high expectations, as he would be the No. 1 receiver in Seattle, but the Seahawks are downright awful, and nobody on that offense is going to do well this season.  

Rice has had two good games this year, but he's only scored one touchdown so far. I don't expect him to get his second one Sunday when the Seahawks host the Cincinnati Bengals. 

He will be a non-factor, as the Bengals' surging defense will take over. It ranks fifth in the league against the pass, and since Cincinnati's fresh off a bye, the Seahawks will find little success on offense, which is why Rice needs to be on your bench. 

Maurice Jones-Drew

The Jacksonville Jaguars offense is all about Maurice Jones-Drew, and since everybody knows this, it's no secret the Houston Texans will be well prepared to shut him down Sunday afternoon. 

The Texans rank seventh in the NFL against the run, and they've only allowed two running backs to rush for more than 100 yards. Both of those times, neither running back made it in the end zone. 

I understand how one might be forced to start Jones-Drew because of limitations at running back, but just know this: The Texans are scheming to shut him down, and he isn't going to have a standout game like his owners would prefer.  

Montario Hardesty

Montario Hardesty carried the ball 33 times last week, which is almost double what I figured he might get. However, he still didn't score a touchdown, so all it tells me is that the Browns love running ball, but they can't score. 

Finding the end zone this week gets even harder for Hardesty and the Browns as they look for success on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, who happen to be second in the NFL against the run. 

Oh yeah, and the 49ers have also given up zero rushing touchdowns this season, which is an amazing stat considering we're almost at the midpoint of the season. Hardesty will get a lot of touches, but he isn't going to wow you by any means this week, especially since the 49ers are well rested after their bye week. 

Brandon Marshall

You have to really feel for those that drafted Brandon Marshall this season. Even though you knew his numbers weren't going to be the best because of Chad Henne at QB, you hoped he would still have some really great moments. 

Unfortunately, injuries hit the team hard, and Marshall is the Dolphins' best weapon on offense, so naturally every team aims at shutting him down.

Marshall has only one touchdown this season, which came in Week 2, and he also has only two games with 100 or more receiving yards.  

The Dolphins hit the road to take on the New York Giants, and because Matt Moore is a little banged up it's not going to end well for Miami, which is why you should sit Marshall.  

Miami's offensive line can't protect the QB, and the result is poor passes thrown in the direction of Marshall. Expect the Giants to easily get after whoever is playing QB for the Dolphins.

Marshall is no longer a serious threat in fantasy football, and he should be on your bench in Week 8.