Week 8 Start Em Sit Em: Andy Dalton and More Lightly-Owned QBs You Must Start

This should probably go without saying, but if you have someone like Tom Brady or Drew Brees in a one-quarterback league, these suggestions aren't for you.

You are never benching those guys. Period. 

However, if you have someone like Aaron Rodgers or Matt Ryan on a bye, you are in a two-QB league or you are just looking for a bargain in a salary-cap league, these three guys will help you out this week. 

Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

I'm never a huge fan of advocating opposing players at Seattle, where the crowd gives the Seahawks a big advantage, but Dalton has a nice matchup in this one.

The Seahawks are first in the NFL against the run, giving up just 3.2 yards per carry. Bernard Scott is getting the start at running back for the Bengals, but he's going to have a lot of trouble finding room.

That means Dalton will have to turn to the air often.

While Seattle has been better against the pass of late, they just lost cornerback Walter Thurmond for the season. Already without Marcus Trufant, that's two starting corners the 'Hawks have now lost. 

They still have strong safeties, but will have to rely on rookie Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner, who's fresh out of the CFL, at corner. 

Dalton is a matchup-based QB (good games against Den, Buf and Ind) and this is another favorable one for him. Start him with confidence.

Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

Speaking of nice matchups, did you see what Drew Brees did to the Indianapolis Colts last week?

Hasselbeck certainly isn't Drew Brees, but the Colts have also made guys like Josh Freeman, Matt Cassel and Andy Dalton look like Pro Bowlers.

Ugly performances against Pittsburgh and Houston show that Hasselbeck has cooled down after his hot start, but seriously, it's the Colts. You're finding a way to start anyone against the Colts.

Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings

In just one week, Ponder showed that he's a much more viable option than Donovan McNabb for the Vikings. That's not saying a whole lot, but it's a good first step.

Sure, Ponder's completion percentage and two interceptions weren't very pretty, but it was against an opportunity-seizing Green Bay defense.

He still managed to throw for 219 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Panthers are pretty pathetic against the run, so this matchup better serves Adrian Peterson, but it also probably means Carolina will be stacking the box.

Carolina has given up 7.5 yards per pass attempt (fifth worst in the league), so they could certainly be burned by a big play or two through the air.

As a bonus, Ponder appears to have a little running ability, as he gained 31 yards on just four carries against the Packers.

This isn't as good of a start as the first two options, but the opportunity for a big fantasy day is there.