Fantasy Football Week 8: Start Em', Sit Em'

That time of the week is coming up again: Football day. And for fantasy football nerds like me, this at many times is the highlight of the week.

Seriously, is there any better feeling than when one of your players scores a touchdown? Is there anything more frustrating than when a player explodes on your bench?

I'm here to give you advice on who to start and bench this week. This doesn't include the obvious choices such as Tom Brady, Arian Foster or Calvin Johnson. It is a given that you should start players like this.

That is, if you are trying to win.

I'm not a fantasy football god by any means, and nobody can predict what is going to happen week to week, but here are my two cents. Don't hold me to it.

Quarterbacks - Start 'Em:

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens: I know Joe Flacco was miserable last week, throwing just 138 yards, one touchdown and an interception, and he probably isn't your starting quarterback in your league, but hear me out.

Opposing quarterbacks have had success against the Cardinals this season, and they are giving up an average of 20.73 points per game in Yahoo standard leagues. That secondary is bad, simply put.

Flacco has thrown three touchdowns twice this season, and has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career. I wouldn't be surprised to see another three-touchdown performance here. (Prediction: 24-36, 307 yards, 2 TDs)

Eli Manning, New York Giants: Eli Manning is another guy who will benefit from a favorable match-up in Week 8. The Giants play the winless Dolphins in New York, coming off of a bye.

Also, did I mention that the Dolphins are giving up the most points to opposing quarterbacks?

Aside from Weeks 1 and 6 this season, Manning has thrown at least two touchdowns each game, including four in Week 3 at Philadelphia. The Dolphins will be reeling from their collapse last week against the Broncos and Manning will shine. (28-37, 333 yards, 3 TDs)

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: After a shaky start for Big Ben to start the season, he is finally making fantasy owners happy, throwing for nine touchdowns in his last three games. Roethlisberger had just three throughout the first four weeks of the season, then after a sprained foot and 17-10 loss in Houston, he turned it around. This guy is as tough a player as they come in the league, and you've gotta like his match up in Week 8.

All season long the Patriots have struggled to defend the pass, holding teams to fewer than two touchdowns just twice. Start Roethlisberger here. (Prediction: 23-37, 368 yards, 3 TDs)

Sleepers: Matt Hasselbeck, John Beck, Andy Dalton

Quarterbacks - Sit 'Em:

Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals: At this point in the season, if you have Kolb, you probably aren't starting him anyway, and for good reason. As a Larry Fitzgerald owner, Kolb is driving me crazy that he can't get Fitzgerald the ball.

He has a disaster match-up in Week 8, and it's probably not a good move to start any Cardinals player on offense. The Ravens have yet to let a quarterback throw for multiple touchdowns this season and Kolb won't be the first. (Prediction: 20-38, 188 yards, TD, 2 INTs)

Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers: Similar to Kolb, Alex Smith most likely isn't your starting quarterback on your fantasy team, but over the last few weeks, Smith has actually been a decent fantasy option, throwing three touchdowns in Week 5 against the Buccaneers. Still, he has yet to eclipse 300 yards passing, his most being 291 against the Eagles.

It won't happen this week either. The Browns are giving up just 181.3 passing yards a game, and have allowed just one quarterback to throw over two touchdowns. Don't start Smith unless you're desperate. (Prediction: 18-27, 156 yards)

Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs: I know that starting Matt Cassel might be appealing in Week 8 because he is playing on Monday Night Football. There is this myth going around that if you have somebody on Monday Night Football, then you automatically have an advantage in your match-up.

That's not true by any means; definitely not in the case of Matt Cassel.

This season, aside from Week 5 in Indianapolis when he threw four touchdowns, Cassel hasn't thrown above two, and is prone to throwing a few interceptions here and there.

If you want the Monday Night game to be more exciting for you and give you a reason to watch, then by all means start Cassel. Just don't expect him to give you anything. (Prediction: 17-31, 207 yards, TD, INT)

Running Backs - Start 'Em:

Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans: After holding out for much of the offseason, Chris Johnson has been a huge fantasy disappointment, to say the least. In seven games this season, Johnson is averaging just 2.9 yards per carry, and has scored just one touchdown and eclipsed the 100 yard mark once.

This is the same guy who rushed for over 2,000 yards back in 2009.

If you are an owner of Johnson, you want to bench him, but he's one of those players that you know will go off if you do so. That's just how it works sometimes.

This week, Johnson couldn't have a better match-up. The Colts are giving up the second-most rushing yards in the league (150.9), and if "CJ2K" can't get it going now, when will he? (Prediction: 24 carries, 136 yards, TD)

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys: Last week, in the first start of his NFL career, DeMarco Murray made history. He rushed for 253 yards on 25 carries against the Rams, including a 91-yard touchdown burst. He broke Emmitt Smith's rushing record for most yards in a single game for a Cowboys player in just his first game.

I'd say that's a pretty good start.

Expect Murray to keep it rolling here against an Eagles defense that is surrendering 123.8 yards per game. They've given up fewer than 100 yards just once this season, and it was Week 6 in Washington. Don't expect that to happen here. Murray will keep his hot start rolling. (Prediction: 23 carries, 147 yards, TD)

Ryan Mathews, San Diego Chargers: One of the pleasant surprises of the fantasy season thus far has been the emergence of Ryan Mathews. I'm not just saying these because he's on my fantasy team, but yes, that's definitely a factor.

After a disappointing rookie season in which he rushed for just 678 yards and caught only 25 passes, Mathews already has 42 catches to go along with 452 rushing yards. Yes, he's still a risk to get injured here and there, but playing against a Chiefs team who's giving up 125.5 yards per game, you have to like his chances.

Also, did I mention he has that "Monday Night factor?" (Prediction: 163 total yards, TD)

Sleepers: Roy Helu, Bernard Scott, Pierre Thomas

Running Backs - Sit 'Em:

Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis is nursing a hamstring injury, so it's still up in the air if he will actually play on Sunday. If he does, avoid him at all costs.

After a huge 2010 season, Hillis has failed to show up this season, has scored just two touchdowns and has yet to get over 100 yards. Blame it on the Madden curse, blame it on his contract negotiations or blame it on his hamstring injury. Anyway you look at it, Hillis has been a giant disappointment.

It doesn't get any easier this week against a 49ers defense which ranks second in stopping the run, giving up just 74.7 yards per game. (Prediction: 20 carries, 62 yards)

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England Patriots: Unless you're loaded at running back, the odds are you're starting Green-Ellis this week, let me just get that out of the way. Last year, playing in Pittsburgh, Green-Ellis played well, rushing for 87 on 18 carries, but he failed to find the end zone.

While the Steeler defense is ranked 12th in stopping the run, don't let that deceive you. This is the most complete defense in the NFL, and when they need it, they will get a stop.

This week I'd say that Green-Ellis is a flex play at best, and I wouldn't be surprised if he found the end-zone. (Prediction: 17 carries, 67 yards)

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers: Let me just start by saying that at this point in the season, I hope you aren't relying on DeAngelo Williams. In a Cam Newton-dominated offense, Williams has seen his role decrease, and he is no longer a big factor in the offense.

He's averaging just nine carries a game this season, has rushed for 100 yards once and scored once. He's lost his status as a RB2 this season, and looks like he is a flex play the rest of the season.

This week, he goes up against a Vikings defense surrendering just 87.9 yards a carry. The Panthers will be throwing this game, just as they've done all year with Newton. Sit Williams if you can. (Prediction: 10 carries, 43 yards)

Wide Receivers - Start Em:

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore Ravens: This season, Anquan Boldin has been somewhat of a disappointment for fantasy owners. In six games so far, Boldin has just two touchdowns, and has gotten over a 100 yards just once.

Maybe this is due to Joe Flacco's inconsistency, or maybe it's because the Ravens offense relies heavily on Ray Rice. Either way, Boldin has been a let-down in fantasy this season. Last week in Jacksonville Boldin scored the Ravens' lone touchdown, saving a terrible fantasy day in which he had just four catches for 40 yards.

This week, Boldin will going up against his former team, the Cardinals, and you can expect him to play well. That Cardinals secondary is bad. (Prediction: 8 catches, 148 yards, TD)

Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans: Since Kenny Britt went down with a torn ACL, Nate Washington took over as the team's number one receiver and has been inconsistent. This has something to do with him not being a true number one receiver, and the Titans are asking a lot of him.

His last three games he's totaled just eight catches, including one last week—a ten-yard effort. If you have him on your team, as I do, you are growing tired of him. I'll admit I did have high expectations of him when Britt was announced out for the year.

Against a Colts team giving up the second-most points to wide receivers though, Washington could break out of his funk here. Start him. (Prediction: 7 catches, 106 yards, TD)

Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins: As bad as the Dolphins have been this season—and I know they have quarterback woes—don't give up on Brandon Marshall quite yet.

He has been targeted 62 times on the season, 22 with Matt Moore at the helm. Moore is looking for him a lot, and one of these weeks Marshall is going to break out.

I say it's this one. The Giants are giving up the fifth-most points to fantasy wide receivers this season; Marshall will benefit from that. If he has a big game this week, sell Marshall high. I know I will be. (Prediction: 8 catches, 126 yards, TD)

Sleepers: Jabar Gaffney, Antonio Brown, Mario Manningham

Wide Receivers - Sit 'Em:

Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts: You never thought you'd see Reggie Wayne on this list, right? With Peyton Manning out this season, it's been a weird year for the Colts, and guys like Wayne and Dallas Clark have seen their fantasy values plummet.

After a nice game in Week 1 (7 catches, 106 yards), Wayne has not been able to duplicate that performance and has yet to reach the century mark since then, let alone score a touchdown.

The Titans have been relatively decent in stopping opposing wide receivers this season, and coming off of a 41-7 beat down against the Texans, expect the defense to play much better. The Colts are reeling; Wayne has lost his fantasy value. That sounds weird to say. (Prediction: 5 catches, 61 yards)

Jacoby Jones, Houston Texans: Since Andre Johnson has been out with a hamstring injury, Jacoby Jones was supposed to step in and be a good fantasy option. We never should have believed in Jones; he's done this all so much before.

With Johnson out, Jones has totaled just seven catches and one touchdown in three games. Surprisingly enough, that one touchdown came in Baltimore when he put up four catches for 76 yards. He came back to life last week though, as he had just two catches for 27 yards.

Playing against a Jaguars secondary that ranks fifth against the pass, Jones should struggle again this week. The Texans will pound it with Arian Foster. (Prediction: 3 catches, 36 yards)

Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings: Percy Harvin has done little to warrant a starting spot on your fantasy rosters. Aside from taking a kick back for a touchdown in Week 1, Harvin has yet to score a touchdown, his highest reception total being 78 yards. He clearly isn't benefiting from the Vikings quarterback struggles, and as dynamic a player as he is, he isn't delivering.

He plays a Panthers defense that has been good against the pass this season, and we've yet to see if he can develop chemistry with rookie Christian Ponder. (Prediction: 4 catches, 54 yards)

Tight Ends - Start Em:

Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers: After a slow start to begin the season, we'd like to officially welcome Vernon Davis to the season. After not scoring any touchdowns the first three weeks of the season, Davis has picked it up, with three in his last three games. Alex Smith has always had chemistry with Davis, and it's showing again this season.

Davis has a good match-up this week against a Browns team that is giving up the sixth-most points to fantasy tight ends. (Prediction: 6 catches 84 yards, TD)

Jake Ballard, New York Giants: In a very deep season for tight ends, Jake Ballard has emerged the past three weeks for the New York football Giants. Having lost Kevin Boss in the offseason, Ballard, undrafted in 2010, stepped in and is making Giants fans forget about Boss.

In his last three games, Ballard has 11 catches and two touchdowns, and Eli Manning seems to be looking for him a lot. He has a great match-up this week against a bad Dolphins pass defense and I'd expect him to find the end-zone at least once. (Prediction: 7 catches, 76 yards, TD)

Fred Davis, Washington Redskins: One of the best tight ends this year has been Fred Davis. With Chris Cooley likely out for the season and Santana Moss out with a fractured left hand, Davis will become John Beck's safety blanket, as was evident last week against the Panthers (6 catches, 80 yards TD).

He's been one of the most consistent tight ends this season, and you have to like his match-up against the Bills this weekend. (Prediction: 8 catches, 96 yards, TD)

Sleepers: Jared Cook, Brent Celek, Daniel Fells

Tight Ends - Sit 'Em:

Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars: At this point in the season, you shouldn't be starting Marcedes Lewis anyway, and this week is no exception, going up against a Texans defense giving up the third-fewest points to tight ends.

After scoring 10 touchdowns a season ago, Lewis has followed that up with, well, none. His most catches in any game this season was three, and he dropped a touchdown last week against the Ravens. That's just the kind of season it's been for Lewis.

If you need a bye week replacement I highly suggest looking elsewhere. Lewis isn't your guy. (Prediction: 2 catches, 30 yards)

Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers: While the Patriots may be bad at stopping the pass, they have been very good at containing tight ends, ranking sixth in the league in that aspect. Even though Miller has two touchdowns the past three weeks, I wouldn't start him here.

He's used more for blocking, and Ben Roethlisbergers looks for guys like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown way more. He had a nice game last week against a bad Cardinals secondary, but he's been inconsistent this season. (Prediction: 4 catches, 38 yards)

Evan Moore, Cleveland Browns: With Benjamin Watson likely to miss Sunday's game with a concussion, Evan Moore would draw the start against a good 49er defense.

Moore started the season hot, scoring two touchdowns in his first two weeks. Since then, he has yet to score and is on a Browns offense searching for an identity. Moore is a desperation play at best this week and if you start him, just pray McCoy throws him a touchdown. (Prediction: 2 catches, 17 yards)

Defense - Start 'Em:

Houston Texans (vs. Jacksonville)

San Francisco 49ers (vs. Cleveland)

New York Giants (vs. Miami)

Defense - Sit 'Em:

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. New England)

Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Dallas)

Washington Redskins (at Buffalo)

Kickers - Start 'Em:

John Kasay (at St. Louis)

Rob Bironas (vs. Indianapolis)

David Akers (vs. Cleveland)

Kickers - Sit 'Em:

Jay Feely (at Baltimore)

Josh Scobee (at Houston)

Phil Dawson (at San Francisco)